Substation

Substations serve as sources of energy supply for the local areas of distribution in which these
are located. Their main functions are to receive energy transmitted at high voltage from the
generating stations, reduce the voltage to a value appropriate for local distribution and provide
facilities for switching.
Some substations are simply switching stations where different connections between various
transmission lines are made, others are converting substations which either convert ac into dc or
vice versa or convert frequency from higher to lower or vice versa. Substations have some
additional functions. They provide points where safety devices may be installed to disconnect
equipment or circuit in the event of fault. Voltage on the outgoing distribution feeders can be
regulated at a substation.
Classification of Substations:
A. Nature of duties
B. Service rendered
C. Operating voltage
D. Importance, and
E. Design
A. Nature of duties
The substations, on the basis of nature of duties, may be classified into the following three
categories:
1. Step-Up or Primary Substations:
2. Primary Grid Substations:
3. Step-Down or Distribution Substations:

B. Service rendered
The substations, according to service rendered are:
1. Transformer Substations:
Transformers are installed on such substations to transform the power from one voltage level to
another level as per needs.
2. Switching Substations:
Such substations are meant for switching operation of power lines without transforming the
voltage. At such substations different connections are made between various transmission lines.
3. Converting Substations:
Such substations are meant for either converting ac to dc or vice versa or converting frequency
from higher to lower or vice versa.
Types
Transmission substation A transmission substation connects two or more transmission
lines. The simplest case is where all transmission lines have the same voltage.
Distribution substation A distribution substation transfers power from the transmission system
to the distribution system of an area. It is uneconomical to directly connect electricity consumers
to the main transmission network, unless they use large amounts of power, so the distribution
station reduces voltage to a level suitable for local distribution
Collector substation In distributed generation projects such as a wind farm or Photovoltaic
power station, a collector substation may be required. It resembles a distribution substation
although power flow is in the opposite direction, from many wind turbines or inverters up into
the transmission grid.
Converter substations Converter substations may be associated with HVDC converter
plants, traction current, or interconnected non-synchronous networks.
Switching station A switching station is a substation without transformers and operating only at
a single voltage level. Switching stations are sometimes used as collector and distribution
stations.
Railways Electrified railways also use substations, often distribution substations. In some cases a
conversion of the current type takes place, commonly with rectifiers for direct current (DC)
trains, or rotary converters for trains using alternating current (AC) at frequencies other than that
of the public grid.
Mobile substation A mobile substation is a substation on wheels, containing a transformer,
breakers and bus-work mounted on a self-contained semi-trailer, meant to be pulled by a truck.
Selection and Location of Site for a Substation
The following factors are considered while making site selection for a substation:
1. Type of Substation
2. Availability of Suitable and Sufficient Land
3. Communication Facility
4. Atmospheric Pollution
5. Availability of Essential Amenities to the Staff
6. Drainage Facility