CHAPTER 3

ELEMENTS OF TRANSMISSION
AND DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
WEEK 5

B E V 3 0 3 0 3 P O W E R G E N E R AT I O N , T R A N S M I S S I O N A N D D I S T R I B U T I O N

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 CONTENTS
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Transmission of Electrical Energy
3.3 Performance of Transmission Line
3.4 Design of Transmission Line
3.5 Different systems of Power Transmission
3.6 Comparison on Volume of Copper Used for Different Power
Transmission Systems
3.7 Classification of Distribution System
3.8 Design Considerations in Distribution System
3.9 Underground and Overhead System

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3.1: Introduction

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Transmission System

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 Transmission System
The transmission system is made up of the high voltages lines and bulk
power subs that connect the generating stations with the distribution
subs.
Electrical power transmission lines can be ac, dc, underground or
overhead lines.
Overhead ac is the most used method of electrical power transmission.
The transmission system can be divided into the transmission and subs
transmission system.

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3.2 Transmission of Electrical Energy

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 High voltage transmission Lines
Interconnect power plants and loads, and form an electric network.
This system contains 500kV, 275kV and 132kV.
The maximum length of high voltage lines is around 200 miles.
The major components of an HV transmission lines are:
Tower : a lattice, steel tower
Insulator : V string hold four bundled conductors in each phase.
Conductor: Each conductor is stranded, steel reinforced
aluminum cable.

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 Typical of HV transmission line

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 Foundation of transmission line

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 Sub-transmission Lines
Subs transmission system is defined as the lines with voltages/
capabilities between those used for transmission and those used for
distribution.
It used to carry power from power substations to the distribution
substation and also large individual customers.
The common voltage levels are 33kV and 66kV.

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 Transmission System in Malaysia
Transmission line in Malaysia mostly for HVAC transmission, with a short
portion HVDC to Thailand.
The transmission voltage at Malaysia are:
HVAC 132 kV
HVAC 275 kV
HVAC 500 kV

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3.3 Performance of Transmission Line

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 Performance of Transmission Line
The transmission line performance is governed by its four parameters:
Series resistance
Series inductance
Shunt capacitance
Shunt conductance
The leakage current over the surface of the insulator is modeled as
shunt conductance.
Usually shunt conductance is ignored because the leakage current are
small.

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 Performance of Transmission Line
Performance of transmission lines is meant the determination of
efficiency and regulation of lines.

Transmission efficiency Voltage Regulation

PR(3 ) VS VR
100 % VR X 100%
PS(3 ) VR

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3.4 Design of Transmission Line

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 Design of Transmission Line
The design of a transmission lines involves a number of technical and
economic aspects.
The design details include:
1. Line voltage
2. Size of conductors,
3. Span , spacing and configuration of conductors
4. Number and size of earth wires
5. Insulators

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 1. Line Voltage
The cost and performance of the line depend on the line voltage.
An empirical formula for the optimum voltage is:

Where V is line voltage in kV

L is the distance in km
P is the power in kW

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 2. Size of Conductors
The cost of conductor is about 30 to 45 % of the total cost of the line.
The cost of tower, foundations and line losses also depend on the
conductor size.
The size of the conductor should be able to carry the rated current
continuously without excessive rise in temperature.
The temperature affects the sag and the loss of the tensile strength of
the conductor.

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Conventional ACSR and modern ACCC conductors

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 3. Span , spacing and configuration of conductors

For HV line the economical value of span lies in the range of 200 to
300 m. For 400kV lines span ranging from 350 to 400 m.

A transmission line may be a single circuit line or a double circuit line. A

double circuit line has a higher power transfer capability and greater
reliability.

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Single circuit line Double circuit line

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 4. Number and Size of Earth Wires
The primary function of ground wires is to shield the conductors from
the lightning strokes. (placed above the conductors and grounded at
every tower)
The selection of the number and configuration is important in
transmission line protection against lightning.
A ground wires should be able to carry max expected lightning current
without heating and have sufficient mechanical strength.

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 5. Insulators
The insulation design has a greater impact on the performance of the
line.
Insulation should be sufficient to take care of switching, temporary
overvoltage and lightning.
Insulators are usually made of wet-process porcelain or toughened
glass, with increasing use of glass-reinforced polymer insulators.

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3.5 Different systems of Power
Transmission

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 Different systems of Power Transmission
D.C System A.C System
1. D.C. two-wire Single-phase A.C. system
2. D.C. two wire with mid-point earthed i) Single-phase two-wire
3. D.C. three-wire ii) Single-phase two-wire with mid-point
earthed
iii) Single-phase three-wire

Two-phase A.C. system

i) Two-phase four-wire
ii) Two-phase three-wire

Three-phase A.C. system

i) Three-phase three-wire
ii) Three-phase four-wire

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 Different systems of Power Transmission
Cost of material is one of the most important charfes in a system.
The best transmission of power; the volume of conductor material
required should be minimum.
Therefore, the volume of conductor material required forms the basis
of comparison between different systems.

D.C. two-wire

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Single-phase two-wire Single-phase two-wire with mid-point
earthed

Two-phase three wire Two-phase 4 wire

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 Three-phase three-wire

Three-phase four-wire

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THANK
YOU
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THANK
YOU
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