1.

Single Bus An extension of the single bus configuration is the

sectionalized bus arrangement shown in Figure 2.
This arrangement is basically two or more single
bus schemes, each tied together with bus
sectionalizing breakers.

2.1 Advantages
1. Flexible operation.
2. Higher reliability than single bus scheme.
3. Isolation of bus sections for maintenance.
Figure 1. Single Bus Scheme 4. Loss of only part of the substation for a
breaker failure or a bus fault.
A single bus configuration consists of one main
bus that is energized at all times and to which
all circuits are connected. This arrangement is 2.2 Disadvantages
the simplest, but provides the least amount of 1. A sectionalized bus arrangement has a
system reliability. higher cost than a single bus scheme.
2. Additional circuit breakers are required
Bus faults or failure of circuit breakers to for sectionalizing.
operate under fault conditions results in 3. Sectionalizing may cause interruption of
complete loss of the substation. The single bus non-faulted circuits.
configuration can be constructed by using either
low- or high-profile structures.
3. Main and Transfer Bus
1.1 Advantages
1. Lowest cost.
2. Small land area required.
3. Easily expandable.
4. Simple in concept and operation.
5. Relatively simple for the application
of protective relaying.

1.2 Disadvantages:
1. High-profile arrangement equipped with
circuit breaker bypass facilities does not
provide for circuit protection when Figure 3. Main and Transfer Bus Scheme
bypass facilities are being used inside the
substation. A main and transfer bus configuration consists
2. A single bus arrangement has the lowest of two independent buses, one of which, the main
reliability. bus, is normally energized. Under normal
3. Failure of a circuit breaker or a bus fault operating conditions, all incoming and outgoing
causes loss of the entire substation. circuits are fed from the main bus through their
4. Maintenance switching can complicate associated circuit breakers and switches.
and disable some of the protective relay
scheme and overall relay coordination. 3.1 Advantages
5. Maintenance at the upper elevations of 1. Accommodation of circuit breaker
high-profile arrangements necessitates maintenance while maintaining service
de-energization or protection of the lower and line protection.
equipment. 2. Reasonable in cost.
3. Fairly small land area.
4. Easily expandable.
2. Sectionalized Bus

3.2 Disadvantages
1. An additional circuit breaker is required
for bus tie.
2. Since the bus tie breaker, have to be able
to be substituted for any line breaker, its
associated relaying may be somewhat
complicated.
Figure 2. Sectionalized Bus Scheme 3. Failure of a circuit breaker or a bus fault
causes loss of the entire substation.
 4. Somewhat complicated switching is 5. Breaker-and-a-Half
required to remove a circuit breaker
from service for maintenance.

4. Ring Bus

Figure 5. Breaker-and-a-Half
Figure 4. Ring Bus Scheme
The breaker-and-a-half configuration consists of
A ring bus configuration is an extension of the two main buses, each normally energized.
sectionalized bus arrangement and is Electrically connected between the buses are
accomplished by interconnecting the two open three circuit breakers and, between each two
ends of the buses through another sectionalizing breakers, a circuit as diagrammed in Figure 5.
breaker.
The breaker-and-a-half configuration provides
This results in a closed loop or ring with each bus for circuit breaker maintenance, since any
section separated by a circuit breaker. For breaker can be removed from service without
maximum reliability and operational flexibility, interrupting any circuits.
each section should supply only one circuit.
Additionally, faults on either of the main buses
4.1 Advantages cause no circuit interruptions. Failure of a
1. Flexible operation. circuit breaker results in the loss of two circuits
2. High reliability. if a common breaker fails and only one circuit if
3. Isolation of bus sections and circuit an outside breaker fails.
breakers for maintenance without
disrupting circuit operation. 5.1 Advantages
4. Double feed to each circuit. 1. Flexible operation.
5. No main buses. 2. High reliability.
6. Expandable to breaker-and-a-half 3. Can isolate either main bus
configuration. for maintenance without disrupting
7. Economic design. service.
4. Can isolate any circuit breaker for
maintenance without disrupting service.
4.2 Disadvantages 5. Double feed to each circuit.
1. Ring may be split by faults on two circuits 6. Bus fault does not interrupt service to any
or a fault during breaker maintenance to circuits.
leave possibly undesirable circuit 7. All switching done with circuit breakers.
combinations (supply/load) on the
remaining bus sections. Some consider
this, however, to be a second contingency 5.2 Disadvantages
factor. 1. One-and-a-half breakers are required per
2. Each circuit has to have its own potential circuit.
source for relaying. 2. Relaying is involved, since the center
3. This configuration is usually limited to breaker has to respond to faults of either
four circuit positions, although larger of its associated circuits.
rings are in service, including 10-position 3. Each circuit should have its own potential
ring buses. source for relaying.
 6. Double Breaker–Double Bus

Figure 6. Double Breaker–Double Bus

The double breaker-double bus configuration

consists of two main buses, each normally
energized. Electrically connected between the
buses are two circuit breakers and, between the
breakers, one circuit, as diagrammed in Figure 8.

6.1 Advantages
1. Flexible operation.
2. Very high reliability.
3. Isolation of either main bus for
maintenance without disrupting service.
4. Isolation of any circuit breaker for
maintenance without disrupting service.
5. Double feed to each circuit.
6. No interruption of service to any circuits
from bus fault.
7. Loss of only one circuit for breaker
failure.
8. All switching with circuit breakers.

6.2 Disadvantages
1. This configuration carries a high cost.
2. Two circuit breakers are required for
each circuit.