CHAPTER III: PROJECT DESIGN

This chapter contains the preliminary designs and the design alternatives of the project.
3.1 Preliminary Design

This section includes the three options that will be used in next chapter. The design configurations
will be evaluated based on its economic, system reliability, recover capability and constructability. These
three options will be evaluated regarding to the trade-offs of the design project and narrow down to one
best design option in the next chapter.

3.1.1 Radial System

This system is the least expensive in terms of equipment first-cost but it is also the least reliable
system because it contains only one utility source and the loss of this source, transformer will the result
to loss of service. (Brown, 2007)

Figure 1. Single Radial System

3.1.2 Expanded Radial System
In this system, reliability increases with a larger number of substations since the loss of one
transformer will not result in a loss of service for all of the loads. If one transformer fails, the other
transformer will supply the feeder side. (Brown, 2007)

Figure 2. Expanded Radial System

3.1.3 Loop System
The advantages of the loop system is that a failure of one feeder cable will not cause one part
of the system to experience a loss of service and one feeder cable can be maintained without causing
a loss of service. (Brown, 2007)

Figure 3. Primary Loop System

Generation of Design Alternatives

3.2.1 Design Alternative 1

Figure 4. Single Radial System with One (1) 5MVA Transformer

The first design alternative uses Radial System as system configuration. This design has one 5 MVA
transformer, primary and secondary circuit breakers with two utility sources that will supply the distribution
substation.
3.2.2 Design Alternative 2

Figure 5. Expanded Radial System with Two (2) 5MVA Transformers

The second design alternative uses the configuration of Expanded Radial System. This design has
two 2.5 MVA transformers, primary and secondary circuit breaker with two utility sources that will
supply the distribution substation. This configuration uses two transformers to increase the reliability
and minimize the interruption. There would still be supply in case one transformer fails.

The radial system shown in figure 13 can be expanded by the inclusion of additional transformers.
Furthermore, these transformers can be located close to the center of each group of loads to
minimize voltage drop. Reliability increases with a larger number of substations since the loss of one
 transformer will not result in a loss of service for all of the loads. Figure 14 shows an expanded radial
system utilizing multiple substations, but still with only one utility source and only one primary feeder.
According to IEEE standard 242-2001, since it is to be expected that more faults will occur on the
feeders than in the transformers, it becomes logical to consider providing individual circuit protection
on the primary feeders as shown in Fig 14. This arrangement has the advantage of limiting outages,
due to a feeder or transformer fault, to the loads associated with the faulted equipment.

3.2.3 Design Alternative 3

Figure 6. Primary Loop System with Two (2) 2.5MVA Transformers

The third design alternative uses the configuration of Primary Loop System. This design has two 2.5 MVA
transformers, primary and secondary circuit breaker with two utility sources that will supply the distribution
substation. This configuration is similar with expanded radial system. The only difference is that there’s a
primary loop arrangement which consists of feeder arrangements and disconnect switches.
Figure 15 above shows a primary loop arrangement. The advantages of this arrangement over previously
mentioned arrangements are that a failure of one feeder cable will not cause one part of the facility to
experience a loss of service and that one feeder cable can be maintained without causing a loss of service.
According to IEEE Std. 242-2001, the major advantages of the open-loop primary system over the simple
radial system is the isolation of cable or transformer faults, or both, while maintaining continuity of service for
the remaining loads. With coordinated transformer fusing provided in the loop-tap position, transformer faults
can be isolated without any interruption of primary service. Primary cable faults will temporarily drop service
to half of the connected loads until the fault is located; then, by selective switching, the unfaulty sections can
be restored to service, which leaves only the faulted section to be repaired.
Disadvantages of the loop system are the increased costs to fully size cables, protective devices, and
interrupters to total capacity of the load (entire load on one feeder), and the time delay necessary to locate
the fault, isolate the section, and restore service. The safety considerations in maintaining a loop system are
more complex than for a radial or a primary-selective system.
If closed-loop operation were required, metal-clad circuit breakers should be used instead to provide
maximum selectivity Momentary paralleling to allow maintenance of one section of the loop without causing
an outage to one part of the facility can be accomplished with metal-enclosed loop switches, however, caution
is used in the system design and maintenance.