Electrical substation: Difference between revisions

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[[File:Legacy_National_Grid_Substation_-_geograph.org.uk_-_39134.jpg|250px|thumbnail|right|Figure 1. A large-scale electrical substation.<Ref>David Neale [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons</ref>]]
[[File:Legacy_National_Grid_Substation_-_geograph.org.uk_-_39134.jpg|250px|thumbnail|right|Figure 1. A large-scale electrical substation.<Ref>David Neale [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons</ref>]]


<onlyinclude>'''Electrical substations''' are the interface between parts of the [[distribution system]]s and [[electrical transmission|transmission system]]s.</onlyinclude> These fenced off areas (see Figures 1 and 2) step down the [[voltage]] in the transmission lines to one that is suitable for the distribution system. They are also equipped with [[circuit breaker]]s to protect the distribution system, and can be used to control the flow of current in various directions.<ref name=a>Brain, Marshall, and Dave Roos. (Accessed July 28, 2015).  ''How Power Grids Work'' [Online], Available: http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/energy/power.htm</ref><ref>Alstom. (July 28, 2015). ''What is an electric substation?'' [Online]. Available: http://www.alstom.com/grid/about-us/understanding-electrical-grids/What-is-an-electric-substation/</ref> They also smooth and filter voltage fluctuations caused by, for example, an increased load.<ref>Enmax. (Accessed July 28, 2015). ''Substations'' [Online], Available: https://www.enmax.com/generation-wires/transmission-and-distribution/our-system/substations</ref>
<onlyinclude>'''Electrical substations''' are the interface between parts of the [[distribution grid]] and [[electrical transmission|transmission system]]s.</onlyinclude> These fenced off areas (see Figures 1 and 2) step down the [[voltage]] in the transmission lines to one that is suitable for the distribution grid. They are also equipped with [[circuit breaker]]s to protect the distribution system, and can be used to control the flow of current in various directions.<ref name=a>Brain, Marshall, and Dave Roos. (Accessed July 28, 2015).  ''How Power Grids Work'' [Online], Available: http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/energy/power.htm</ref><ref>Alstom. (July 28, 2015). ''What is an electric substation?'' [Online]. Available: http://www.alstom.com/grid/about-us/understanding-electrical-grids/What-is-an-electric-substation/</ref> They also smooth and filter voltage fluctuations caused by, for example, an increased load.<ref>Enmax. (Accessed July 28, 2015). ''Substations'' [Online], Available: https://www.enmax.com/generation-wires/transmission-and-distribution/our-system/substations</ref>


==Components==
==Components==
[[File:Electrical substation.jpg|250px|thumbnail|Figure 2. A common type of electrical substation seen in and around cities.<ref>"Electrical Substation" by Wtshymanski at en.wikipedia - Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Electrical_Substation.JPG#/media/File:Electrical_Substation.JPG</ref>]]
[[File:Electrical substation.jpg|250px|thumbnail|Figure 2. A common type of electrical substation seen in and around cities.<ref>"Electrical Substation" by Wtshymanski at en.wikipedia - Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Electrical_Substation.JPG#/media/File:Electrical_Substation.JPG</ref>]]
[[Transformer]]s lower the very high transmission [[voltage]]s into a voltage less than 10 000 [[volt]]s, which is suitable for [[distribution system]]s. Substations are also often equipped with a bus that splits off the current in multiple directions, as well as [[circuit breaker]]s and switches which will allow the isolation and direct control of certain parts of the transmission and distribution systems.<ref name=a/> Many substations also include [[capacitor]]s to smooth the voltage output.
[[Transformer]]s lower the very high transmission [[voltage]]s into a voltage less than 10 000 [[volt]]s, which is suitable for [[distribution grid|distribution system]]s. Substations are also often equipped with a bus that splits off the current in multiple directions, as well as [[circuit breaker]]s and switches which will allow the isolation and direct control of certain parts of the transmission and distribution systems.<ref name=a/> Many substations also include [[capacitor]]s to smooth the voltage output.


==Types==
==Types==
Substations can be categorized by their various functions and roles.  
Substations can be categorized by their various functions and roles.  


*'''Step-up substation''' - These substations raise the voltage from [[generator]]s (usually at [[power plant]]s) so that [[electricity]] can be transmitted efficiently. For more information on why higher voltages are more efficient for the transmission of power, see [[electrical transmission#Reducing Power Line Losses|electrical transmission]].<ref name=b>United States Department of Labor. (Accessed July 28, 2015). ''Illustrated Glossary: Substations'' [Online]. Available:https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/electric_power/illustrated_glossary/substation.html</ref>
*'''Step-up substation''' - These substations raise the voltage from [[generator]]s (usually at [[power plant]]s) so [[electricity]] can be transmitted efficiently. For more information on why higher voltages are more efficient for the transmission of power, see [[electrical transmission#Reducing Power Line Losses|electrical transmission]].<ref name=b>United States Department of Labor. (Accessed July 28, 2015). ''Illustrated Glossary: Substations'' [Online]. Available:https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/electric_power/illustrated_glossary/substation.html</ref>


*'''Step-down substation''' - These facilities lower the voltage from transmission lines to what is known as a subtransmission voltage, which is sometimes used for industrial purposes. Otherwise, the output is then directed to a distribution substation.<ref name=b/>
*'''Step-down substation''' - These facilities lower the voltage from transmission lines to what is known as a subtransmission voltage, which is sometimes used for industrial purposes. Otherwise, the output is then directed to a distribution substation.<ref name=b/>


*'''Distribution substation''' - These substations further lower the subtransmission voltage to one that can be used to supply most industrial, commercial, and residential needs, with the aid of a [[distribution transformer]] before power is finally delivered to the load.<ref name=b/> These facilities are sometimes located underground. Visit [[distribution grid]] for more information.
*'''Distribution substation''' - These substations further lower the subtransmission voltage to one that can be used to supply most industrial, commercial, and residential needs, with the aid of a [[distribution transformer]] before power is finally delivered to the load.<ref name=b/> These facilities are sometimes located underground. Visit [[distribution grid]] for more information.
== For Further Reading ==
For further information please see the related pages below:
*[[Electrical transmission]]
*[[Electrical grid]]
*[[Electrical outlet]]
*[[Distribution grid]]
* Or explore a [[Special:Random| random page!]]


==References==
==References==
<references/>
<references/>
[[Category:Uploaded]]
[[Category:Uploaded]]

Latest revision as of 15:32, 28 April 2020

Figure 1. A large-scale electrical substation.[1]

Electrical substations are the interface between parts of the distribution grid and transmission systems. These fenced off areas (see Figures 1 and 2) step down the voltage in the transmission lines to one that is suitable for the distribution grid. They are also equipped with circuit breakers to protect the distribution system, and can be used to control the flow of current in various directions.[2][3] They also smooth and filter voltage fluctuations caused by, for example, an increased load.[4]

Components

Figure 2. A common type of electrical substation seen in and around cities.[5]

Transformers lower the very high transmission voltages into a voltage less than 10 000 volts, which is suitable for distribution systems. Substations are also often equipped with a bus that splits off the current in multiple directions, as well as circuit breakers and switches which will allow the isolation and direct control of certain parts of the transmission and distribution systems.[2] Many substations also include capacitors to smooth the voltage output.

Types

Substations can be categorized by their various functions and roles.

  • Step-down substation - These facilities lower the voltage from transmission lines to what is known as a subtransmission voltage, which is sometimes used for industrial purposes. Otherwise, the output is then directed to a distribution substation.[6]
  • Distribution substation - These substations further lower the subtransmission voltage to one that can be used to supply most industrial, commercial, and residential needs, with the aid of a distribution transformer before power is finally delivered to the load.[6] These facilities are sometimes located underground. Visit distribution grid for more information.

For Further Reading

For further information please see the related pages below:

References

  1. David Neale [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
  2. 2.0 2.1 Brain, Marshall, and Dave Roos. (Accessed July 28, 2015). How Power Grids Work [Online], Available: http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/energy/power.htm
  3. Alstom. (July 28, 2015). What is an electric substation? [Online]. Available: http://www.alstom.com/grid/about-us/understanding-electrical-grids/What-is-an-electric-substation/
  4. Enmax. (Accessed July 28, 2015). Substations [Online], Available: https://www.enmax.com/generation-wires/transmission-and-distribution/our-system/substations
  5. "Electrical Substation" by Wtshymanski at en.wikipedia - Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Electrical_Substation.JPG#/media/File:Electrical_Substation.JPG
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 United States Department of Labor. (Accessed July 28, 2015). Illustrated Glossary: Substations [Online]. Available:https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/electric_power/illustrated_glossary/substation.html