Power Distribution

Electrical power is a little bit like the air you breathe: You don't really think about it until it is missing. Power is just "there," meeting your every need, constantly. It is only during a power failure, you realize how important power is in your daily life. Without it, life can get somewhat cumbersome. Power travels from the power plant to your house through an amazing system called the power distribution grid. grid.

V1 = 283Sin(x) V2 = 283Sin(x-120) V3= 283 Sin(x-240)

One voltage cycle of a three-phase system, labeled 0 threeto 360 along the time axis. The plotted line 360 represents the variation of instantaneous voltage (or current) with respect to time. This cycle will repeat 50 times per second.

Voltage Nomenclature

Instantaneous Voltage
Is the voltage measured at a given instant of the waveform.

Peak Voltage
Is the peak value of the waveform. For 230V domestic system peak voltage is 283V

RMS (Root Mean Square) Voltage

Vrms = Vp / 1.414

Normally voltage (or current ) designated as 400V, 11kV,33kV etc are rms values.

Phase Voltages and Line Voltages

In a three phase system, the voltage is referred between two phases and is some times called the line voltage (VL) In a three phase system phase voltage is the voltage between any of the phase conductors and the neutral (or the ground) (Vp) (V Mathematically VL= 1.732* Vp

Power Transmission and Distribution

Electric power transmission is one process in the delivery of electricity to consumers. It refers to the 'bulk' transfer of electrical power from place to place. Typically power transmission is between the power plant and a substation in the vicinity of a populated area. This is distinct from electricity distribution which is concerned with the delivery from the substation to the consumers. Due to the large amount of power involved, transmission normally takes place at high voltage (132 kV or above).

Power Distribution

Electricity distribution is the ultimate process in the delivery of electric power .i.e. the part between transmission and user purchase from an electricity retailer. It is generally considered to include mediummediumvoltage (less than 50kV) power lines, lowlowvoltage electrical substations and polepolemounted transformers, low-voltage (less than low1000V) distribution wiring and sometimes electricity meters.

Distribution and Transmission Voltages in Sri Lanka

Transmission

132kV,220kV

Distribution

33kV, 11kV, 400V In a three phase system, the voltage is referred between two phases and is some times called the line voltage (VL) In a three phase system phase voltage is the voltage between any of the phase conductors and the neutral (or the ground) (Vp) (V Mathematically VL= 1.732* Vp)

Losses in Transmission and Distribution

It is necessary to transmit the electricity at high voltage to reduce the percentage of energy lost. For a given amount of power transmitted, a higher voltage reduces the current and thus the resistive losses in the conductor. Long distance transmission is typically done with overhead lines at voltages above 132kV. However, at extremely high voltages, more than 2000kV between conductor and ground, corona discharge losses are so large as to offset the advantage of lower heating loss in the line conductors. Transmission and distribution losses in Sri Lanka are estimated around 18% while in the USA were estimated at 7.2% in , and in the UK at 7.4%.

Transmission and Distribution Efficiency

Transmission and distribution losses in Sri Lanka are estimated around 18% while in the USA were estimated at 7.2% in , and in the UK at 7.4%. Thus the efficiency of the National Grid in Sri Lanka is 82% while that in developed countries is 92%. The amount of energy lost is about 700 million kWh The value of lost electricity is around 7000 million Rs. If the losses are reduced to 10% the saving would be 3000 million Rs per annum.

How the Losses Happen

The losses include

Heat losses in the conductors. Heat losses in the transformers.

Losses due to Corona effect (Corona is a

phenomenon that has the capability for degrading insulators,

and causing systems to fail.. l..

Pilferage

How to Improve Efficiency

By reconductoring over loaded lines. By employing higher voltages for transmission. By employing optimum capacity transformers. By stopping electricity pilferage and unmetered sales.