Power Transmission and Distribution System: An Overview

The Electricity that is Generated in the Generating Plants, needs to be transmitted to the Electricity Consumers (Load Centers).

Generating stations and load centers, may not necessarily be in the same place and in most cases generating stations are far away from load centers (Long distance transmission). The network that is used to transmit the power from generating Stations to the load centers is called as power transmission system. Power Transmission is an important part of the Power System.

Various State Electrical Grids, together form a National Grid.

Various aspects of a Power Transmission System are as below:

1) Type of the Power Transmitted:

AC Power Transmission versus DC Power Transmission (HVDC Systems)

Depending upon the Transmission Voltage, Power Transmission can be either HIgh Voltage HV (upto 33 KV), Extra High Voltage EHV (100 KV and 220 KV) and Ultra High Voltage UHV (765 KV).

2) Power Transmission Components:

1) Substation:

Substation is kind of a Node, where Voltage Transformation and Regulation, Switching, Metering and Protection of the Transmission Network is carried out. This is done with the help of Transformers, Circuit Breakers, etc.

ii) Power Lines: Power Lines carry the Power from one substation to another and include Conductors (Overhead Lines) , Insulators, Support Towers, etc.

iii) Load Dispatch Center:

3) Operation and Maintaince:

All the components, needs to be operated and Maintained, according to some fixed procedures.

4) Testing and Commissioning:

There are some Commissioning and Periodic Tests (Diagnostic Tests) that needs to be carried out, for the Transmission Network to work efficiently.

5) Safety and Security in Power Transmission System:

Proper Safety Precautions needs to be followed, for the Safety of the Equipment and the Personnel working on the Equipment.

Electric Power Transmission & Distribution