Electrical Services and

Illumination

Electrical services - 1
ELECTRIC CURRENT
Electric Current in a conductor is the axial drift of the free electrons along the
length of the conductor. In simpler words Electricity is nothing but the flow of
electrons from a negatively charged body to a positively charged body. Electric
current is the rate of charge flow past a given point in an electric circuit, measured in
Coulombs/second which is named Amperes.

Types of Electric Currents–

1. Direct Current (DC)

2. Alternating Current (AC)

Direct Current (DC) and Alternating Current (AC)
Direct Current (DC) is the unidirectional flow of electric charge.
Direct current is produced by sources such as batteries, power
supplies, thermocouples, solar cells, or dynamos.

Alternating Current (AC) is an electric current in which the flow

of electric charge periodically reverses direction, whereas in direct
current (DC, also dc), the flow of electric charge is only in one
direction. The electric mains supply in our homes and offices is a
voltage that varies like a sine function with time. Such a voltage is TYPES OF DC CURRENT
called alternating voltage (ac voltage) and the current driven by it in
a circuit is called the alternating current (ac current).

AC Current can be changed to DC current using a RECTIFIER

AC CURRENT
Comparison between DC and (AC) – Usage Perspective
Disadvantages of AC system –
• For the same working voltage, the potential stress across the insulator terminals is much more in
the case of AC system; thus increased spacing requirement between the insulators to avoid losses.
• The effect of inductance and capacitance has to be taken into consideration while designing for
AC system. Continuous losses due to charging current, even when there is no load on the line, will
take place in case of AC system.
• Due to skin effect, the resistance in AC system line is more than that for DC system; Thus causing
more copper losses at constant voltage.
• Voltage regulation for DC is better, if the load and end voltages are the same.
• If UG cables are used, dielectric losses due to potential stress will be more in AC system.
• Due to complicated AC system, more staff is required to erect and maintain AC transmission
system

Advantage of AC system –
Since the transmission voltage in case of AC system is very high, thus the copper losses which are
directly proportional to the square of the current are negligible. This allows the transmission of
electrical energy to great distances with much less copper losses.
TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
Generation
• At Hydro-power plants, electrical power is generated at 11 KV A.C.

Step-up
• Stepped up to 220 KV at the sending end and is
Transformer

Transmission
• 220 KV Electricity is transmitted to the receiving stations

Step-down
• At the receiving station the voltage is reduced to 33 KV
Transformer

Transmission
• 33 KV Electricity Transmitted to various Distribution Substations

Step-down
• The energy is further stepped down to 11 KV or 6.6 KV
Transformer

Distribution
• Electrical Energy is distributed for bulk consumers and/or residential use

Step-down
• Voltage is further stepped down at site Transformer yard to 220/440V usable format
Transformer
INDIA - POWER
GRID REGIONS
SOUTH REGION
POWER MAP
 Karnataka Power Governance
In the year 1999, as a first step, Karnataka Electricity Board (KEB) was dissolved and in its place, the
Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL) was incorporated. This was followed by the
constitution of Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) in November 1999.

In the next phase, the transmission and distribution business managed by KPTCL were unbundled in June
2002. The distribution companies were formed to distribute power in Karnataka.

KPTCL buys power from power generating companies like Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL) and
other IPPs (Independent Power Producers) like GMR, Jindal, Lanco(UPCL) etc., and sell them to their
respective ESCOMS.
 Karnataka Power Governance
ENERGY DEPARTMENT- GOVERNMENT OF KARNATAKA

KARNATAKA ELECTRICITY REGULATORY COMMISSION

DEPARTMENTS UNDER THE COMMISSION

GENERATION - Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL)

STATE TRANSMISSION - Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL)

ELECTRICAL INSPECTORATE - Department of Electrical Inspectorate

ELECTRICITY SUPPLY COMPANIES AND CORPORATION – BESCOM, MESCOM, HESCOM, GESCOM, CESC

RENEWABLE ENERGY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY –

• Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Limited.
• Karnataka Solar Power Development Corporation Ltd
 Karnataka
Power
Projects

MESCOM – (Manglore
Electricity Supply Company)
BESCOM – (Banglore
Electricity Supply Company)
HESCOM – (Hubli Electricity
Supply Company)
GESCOM – (Gulberga
Electricity Supply Company)
CESC – (Chamundeshwari
Electricity Supply Corp.);
BANGALORE AREA DETAILs
TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
Power Transmission system includes all augmentation equipment viz. step up transformers,
switchgears etc., at the power house, Over head lines, UG cables and switchgears between power
house and bulk consumers/ Distributors.

Transmission Lines are the over head lines which transmit electrical energy from generating plants
at extra high voltage, to the distribution substations. These are also known as feeders.

Distribution System include all the equipment in the distribution substation, overhead lines and UG
cables radiating from distribution substation.

Distributors are the overhead/Under ground feeders from which number of consumers are fed by
electrical energy at lower voltage.

Service Connections are the aluminium conductors or weatherproof connections used to connect
distributors with the consumers’ main supply point.
TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
SUBSTATION
Substation system is an assembly of apparatus which transforms the characteristics of electrical
energy from one form to another.

For example, from AC to DC current; or from low voltage to high voltage.

Important Functions performed by substations –

1. To switch on and off the power lines – SWITCHING OPERATIONS

2. Voltage Transformation Operation

3. Power Converting Operations – AC > DC

4. Frequency Correction Operations

5. Power Factor Correction Operations – Synchronising power at the receiving end.

SUBSTATION
Types of Substation

A. Functional Classification –
• Static Type – Voltage of AC current is transformed
• Converting Type – Converts AC to DC
• Power Factor Correction – Installed with Synchronous Condensers at the end of the line to
improve power factor which decreases due to inductance in the transmission line.
• Frequency Changing – Converts frequencies for specific uses.

B. Service Voltage Classification –

• Extra High Voltage transmission substation – voltage transformed to Extra High Voltage (above
66KV) for transmission.
• Distribution Substation – Voltage stepped down to low tension i.e. 440 V for end users.
• Industrial Substations – for bulk industrial users high voltage i.e. 11kV or 66kV is stepped down
to usable voltages by the substations installed in their premises.
SUBSTATION
Types of Substation

C. Location of installation Classification –

▪ Indoor type –
• In these, the substation equipment is installed within a building.
• Usually for voltage up-to 11 kV but can be used for 33 kV and 66 kV as well for special
requirements
• Specially used when surrounding environment is contaminated with impurities – metal
corroding gases or fumes, conductive dust etc.
• Costs more than Out-door substations
• Minimizing Fire risk is a major issue

Types of Indoor Substation –

• Integrally Built type – Equipment installed on site; compartments constructed with concrete
or brickwork
• Composite Built up type – prefabricated parts assembled at site; Metal cabinets
• Factory Built type – Installed fully pre-assembled at a workshop; Metal cabinets
SUBSTATION
Types of Substation

C. Location of installation Classification –

▪ Outdoor type –
• All equipment installed in the open.
• Usually used for primary and secondary
transmission purposes.
• Saves building cost but larger site and
more maintenance.
Pole Mounted Foundation Mounted

Types of Outdoor substation –

• Foundation mounted or transmission substation – for substations transmitting 33 kV and above,
including 400 kV; generally installed outside city.
• Pole mounted or distribution substation – Require H-type structure (pole) and platform;
Generally receive power at 11 kV and deliver it at 400 / 230 V for distribution purposes; erection
and maintenance is cheaper; to be earthed properly.
Transmission and Distribution lines
• Over-head System
• Under Ground System
Over-head System
Transmission and Distribution lines
Advantages of Overhead lines over Underground lines

• Fault Location is easier

• Repair is easier
• Initial Cost is lower
• Charging current is less due to more spacing
• Jointing is simpler and less precise as compared to UG system

Disadvantages of Overhead lines over Underground lines

• Maintenance Cost is higher in case of Overhead system because of the frequent faults occurring.
• Underground cables are safer to the public.
• Appearance of Overhead lines is shabby.
• Lightening and Thunderstorm do not produce any effect in UG system.
• Surges do not produce any damaging effect in UG system as they are absorbed by metallic sheath.
• Chances of Accidents due to Overhead lines is way more than that due to UG cables.
• Voltage drop is more in Overhead lines due to inductance.
• Telecommunication lines get interference because of nearby overhead lines.
BOOKS and CODES TO REFER

• L. Uppal, ‘Electrical Wiring, Estimating & Costing’, Khanna Publishers, New

Delhi
• K.B.Raina & S.K.Bhattacharya, ‘Electrical Design Estimating and Costing’, New
Age International Publishers
• National Building Code, India, 2016
• Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC), India, 2007
• Indian Electricity Rules – 1972
• Time Savers Standards– Electrical Design Data
• Other Relevant Codes
• H. COTTON, ‘Electrical Technology’, CBS Publication, 7th Ed.
• http://indianpowersector.com/home/2010/09/state-electricity-board-of-
karnataka/
• http://www.cea.nic.in/powermaps.html