TOPIC 

3
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
INTRODUCTION
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
• The main function of a distribution 
system is to receive electric power 
from large, bulk power sources and 
to distribute electric power to 
consumers at various voltage level 
with acceptable degree of 
reliability.
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
• The electricity is transmitted from 
the power stations to sub‐stations 
near the load centre. These sub‐
stations are known as transmission 
sub station.
• Then the electricity distributed to 
the consumer through distributions 
sub‐stations. 
Simple Transmission and 
Distribution System
 Simple Transmission and 
Distribution System

• The steam or gas turbine in the power station 
produces electricity at about 11 to 15kV.

• Step‐up transformer raise the voltage directly 
to 132, 275 or 500kV and transmitted through 
transmission network. In order to minimize 
power losses, reduce cost and to stable 
voltage.
 Simple Transmission and 
Distribution System

• Step down transformer reduce the high 
transmission voltage to 33 or 11kV at 
transmission sub‐stations then to the 
distribution network.

• Distribution network supplies electricity to the 
consumers. At the distributions sub‐stations, 
the voltage is lowered to the local area for 
various low voltage consumers 415 or 240V.
AC three phase single‐line 
diagram 
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
• In general, the distribution system is 
the electrical system between the 
sub‐station fed by the transmission 
system and the consumer meters. 

• It generally consists of feeders, 
distributors and service mains.
 Single‐line diagram of a low 
tension distribution system
Consists of Three major parts :
™Feeders ‐ a line, wire or conductor 
cable which connects generator station, 
substation or electricity supply point in 
electricity distribution system.

™Distributors ‐ a conductor from which 
tapping are taken for supplying to the 
consumers.

™Services mains ‐ cable which connects 
the distributor to the consumer 
terminals.  
 Connection Schemes of 
Distribution System

• The necessary electrical power for the 
distribution network is transformed at the 
distribution substations. 

• The simplest method is to connect each 
consumer load to the grid substation through 
dedicated feeder lines. 
 Connection Schemes of 
Distribution System
• Such a network will need a large number of 
feeder lines to be installed between the grid 
substation and the consumer loads and 
therefore is not recommend. 
• Instead of connecting a single consumer to a 
dedicated feeder, it is recommended to connect 
a group of consumers to each of these feeder 
lines thus minimizing the overall distribution 
cost.
Types of distribution 
arrangement
i. Radial system
ii. Parallel system
iii. Ring system
iv. Simple Network system
 RADIAL SYSTEM

Fig 1 : Radial system diagram

• In radial system, all the sections/branches of a 
feeder are fed from a single source in a fixed 
direction.
 RADIAL SYSTEM

• Radial system is a distribution system connected of

supply source which merely have one end only.
• The radial system is employed only when power
is generated at low voltage and the substation
is located at the centre of the load.
• This is the simplest distribution circuit and has the
lowest initial cost.
 RADIAL SYSTEM

• However, it suffers from the following drawbacks :

a) The end of the distributor nearest to the feeding point
will heavily loaded.
b) The consumers are dependent on a single feeder and
single distributor. Therefore, any fault on the feeder or
distributor cuts off supply to the consumers who are on
the side of the fault away from the substation.
c) The consumers at the distant end of the distributor
would be subjected to serious voltage fluctuations when
the load on the distributor changes.

• Due to these limitations, this system is used for

short distances only.
 PARALLEL SYSTEM

Fig 2 : Parallel system diagram

• To overcome problem in radial system, parallel

feeder system introduced.
 PARALLEL SYSTEM

• This system nearly identical with radial system that

is on main part of transformer obtain supplies from
one source only, but in parallel system secondary
part of transformer connected between one to
another.

• With that connection if either transformer damage,

source of electric power still can be supplied to
users through other transformer parallel connected
with it.
RING SYSTEM

Fig 3 : Ring system diagram

 RING SYSTEM

• This transmission system is made with connect the

stepup transformer altogether at one area such as
village, town or state in ring circuit.
• This ring connection involved main transformer part
only, while his secondary side fitted further to other
stepdown transformer. This system could be
perceived as balanced current transmission system
although the loads are changed.
• Voltage drop in his transmission considered does
not exist. This system can accommodate many
consumers' load although his size is small and
long.
SIMPLE NETWORK SYSTEM
 SIMPLE NETWORK SYSTEM

• Simple network system is mixture of

advantages of ring and bus tie system
therefore ring is only made in secondary part
of converter while main part made within
radius connection.

• This connection give the same result like

advantages of ring and bus tie circuit
Advantages &
Disadvantages Of
Radial & Ring System
In terms of :

1) Cost
2) Supply suitability
 COST

• Ring system are costlier compared to radial 
system. This is because installations using this 
system is more complex, because many 
feeders use, so that switch gear use is also 
increased. Expansion of switch gear used in 
this system will increased initial cost. 
• On the other hand, radial system that does
not complex in installation aspect then feeder
use and further switch gear is in small number.
At the same time it is a easy to build.
 SUPPLY SUITABILITY

• For radial feeder system, it is suitable for area

or consumer which required small load such
as village or town. It is not suitable to be used
in areas which required high load because it
would cause use of larger cable to avoid
power dissipation.

• Ring feeder system is suitable for central load

area such as town areas and others. Power
dissipation that exists is less compared to
radial system.
 Radial Systems Ring Systems
‐The radial main     ‐Ring main systems receive 
Advantages distribution system is the  supply from multiple 
cheapest because it  sources.
(cost and supply  requires the least amount 
of conductors and simple  ‐More reliable.
line protection methods.
suitability)
‐Mostly, these systems are 
used in rural areas.
‐All the lines are radially 
emanating from the 
source.
‐If one of these radial lines  ‐The major disadvantages 
Disadvantages goes out of service, also  of ring main systems are 
known as “forced outage”.  capacity and costly.
(cost and supply 
The consumer (or group 
suitability) of consumers), connected 
to the feeder line will not 
get any electrical power.
CONSTRUCTION OF UNDERGROUND
TRANSMISSION CABLES
 Distribution of electricity not only to 
use the online system as
where we have learned, 
sometimes the distribution 
of electricity is also done
by using the underground system.

Therefore to enable the distribution of electricity through

underground cables suitable then be used.

For this purpose it is produced underground cables to 

facilitate the energy supply electricity to an area 
or the user can be done safely. Underground 
cable installation is usually done in areas the city and
in areas that should (line above does not apply).
 All cables carrying soil has a core or more than 
1. Core one core is made from Almunium or copper core 
is typically the number 1,2,3 or 4.
The types of insulation used are: 
2. insulator (i) of paper soaked in oil;                                  
(ii) vulcanized bitumen, 
(iii) varnished cambric.
Coated on the insulation to prevent
3. metal coating moisture entry. Materials 
the use of lead and Almunium.
 In the outer metal layer is a layer 
4. Bedding of bedding, made   from a combination of paper 
with substitutes. The duties of this coating is 
to provide protection to metal coating.

To prevent mechanical damage from 

5. Armouring occurring to the cable. One or two layers steel 
wire (galvanized steel wire) or two layers 
of steel tap used for the task coating.

On the outside of one of the shielding layer  
6. Serving coated with a layer replacement similar to 
the coating.
Although several types of cables are available, 
the type of cable to be used will depend upon 
the working voltage and service requirements.
 As a result of ensure that the design of 
underground cable can be used for transmission and 
distribution of electricity through the ground, the 
main requirements of the construction must be followed:

Almunium conductor / copper used, must have 

1 a size affordable so that currents can flow  
without the occurrence of heat excessive. 
Voltage drop on the cable must not exceed a 
limit set.

2
The cable must have proper insulation and 
thick insulation which can prevent from 
happening of an accident and can withstand 
high dielectric.
 As a result of ensure that the design of 
underground cable can be used for transmission and 
distribution of electricity through the ground, the 
main requirements of the construction must be followed:

3 Cables must be protected so as to prevent 

mechanical damage from rough guide.

4
Cable must have chemical and physical stability  
as a whole.

5
Facilities to prevent entry of water into the cable 
to be considered.
ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES OF 
UNDERGROUND CABLE &  OVERHEAD 
TRANSMISSION LINE
 OVERHEAD vs UNDERGROUND SYSTEM

• The underground system is safer than overhead 
Public  system because all distribution wiring is placed 
safety underground and there are little chances of any 
hazard.

• Underground line costlier namely double compared 
Initial 
cost
to line in transmission system (having equal distance 
apart)

• The overhead system is much more flexible than the 
underground system. In the latter case, manholes, duct lines 
etc., are permanently placed once installed and the load 
Flexibility
expansion can only be met by lying new lines. However, on an 
overhead system, poles, wires, transformers etc., can be easily 
shifted to meet the changes in load conditions.
 OVERHEAD vs UNDERGROUND SYSTEM
• The chances of faults in underground system are 
Faults  very rare as the cables are laid underground and 
are generally provided with better insulation. 
• The general appearance of an underground 
system is better as all the distribution lines are 
Appearance invisible. This factor is exerting considerable 
public pressure on electric supply companies to 
switch over to underground system.
• In general, there are little chances of faults in an 
underground system. However, if a fault does occur, 
Fault  it is difficult to locate and repair on this system.
location & 
• On an overhead system, the conductors are visible 
repairs
and easily accessible so that fault locations and 
repairs can be easily made.
OVERHEAD vs UNDERGROUND SYSTEM

• An overhead distribution conductor has a 
Current  considerably higher current carrying capacity 
carrying  than an underground cable conductor of the 
capacity  same material and cross‐section. On the other 
and  hand, underground cable conductor has much 
voltage  lower inductive reactance than that of an 
drop overhead conductor because of closer spacing of 
conductors.

• The useful life of underground system is much 
Useful  longer than that of overhead system. An overhead 
system may have a useful life of 25 years, whereas 
life an underground system may have a useful life of 
more than 50 years.
 OVERHEAD vs UNDERGROUND SYSTEM

• The maintenance cost of underground 
system is very low as compared with that of 
Maintenance 
overhead system because of less chances of 
cost
faults and service interruptions from wind, 
ice, lightning as well as from traffic hazard.

• An overhead system cause electromagnetic 
interference with the telephone lines. The 
Interference  power line currents are superimposed on 
with  speech currents, resulting in the potential 
communication  of the potential of the communication 
circuits channel being raised to an undesirable 
level. However, there is no such 
interference with the underground system.
 DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE 
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM FOR     
DOMESTIC & INDUSTRIAL USE
 DOMESTIC & INDUSTRIAL
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

• Electricity distribution system was part of

electrical system which connect consumer
with main supply source after transmission
line.
• In electrical system electricity power
distribution are depends to loads found at
user area.
• Because loads type used by consumer are
different then electricity distribution system
also different based on load capacity.
BLOCK DIAGRAM OF POWER
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM TO USER
 DOMESTIC & INDUSTRIAL
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

• Distribution network can be split to two

parts namely main distribution and
secondary distribution.

• Main distribution usually carry high voltage

namely 11 kV, 6.6 kV or 3.3 kV and
depends on consumption power
requirement by consumer.
 DOMESTIC & INDUSTRIAL
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

• While secondary distribution bring only low

voltage namely 400 volts down. Low
Voltage distribution normally supply
electricity to domestic user, trade, industry
and others.

• Electricity distribution system to users can

understand with much further by looking
how domestic and industry distribution
system implemented.
 DOMESTIC & INDUSTRIAL
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

• Electrical energy distribution to domestic

user usually involve residential houses,
flat, apartment and others. Residential
houses get power supply distribution
through single phase system involving
240V and 415V.

• Loads found in domestic user constitute

light, water heater , radio, television,
washing machine, air conditioning and
refrigerator.
 DOMESTIC & INDUSTRIAL
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

• Amounts of loads of domestic distribution

system in electricity system is largest
number estimated reach until 75 percent
from electricity use overall.

• Due to this total equipment construction

cost for distribution system electricity on
domestic user is big.
DOMESTIC & INDUSTRIAL
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
 DOMESTIC & INDUSTRIAL
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

• Figure before shows power distribution to

domestic user through one distribution
substation to several transformers. This
transformer is used to decline reduce
voltage from 11 kV to 415V before
distributing to domestic user by using
single phase line system.
 DOMESTIC & INDUSTRIAL
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

• Electrical energy distribution to industrial

users usually involve manufacturing
plants. These plants get supply distribution
electricity through three phase system.

• The load occur in factory usually comprise

of electric motors, control panel and also
manufacturing equipment (constitute
machines designed specifically for specific
tasks).
 DOMESTIC & INDUSTRIAL
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

• Amounts of weight of industry distribution

system can be reaching up to 25 percent
of electricity usage overall.

• Electrical energy distribution to industrial

users is different with domestic user. For
each industry requires his own distribution
substation without sharing with any other
consumer like those committed against
domestic distribution system.
 DOMESTIC & INDUSTRIAL
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

• Large industrial distribution system need

voltage 33 kV in his substation system
while enough small industry with a voltage
11 kV in his substation system.
 DIFFERENCES BETWEEN             
MEDIUM‐VOLTAGE & LOW‐VOLTAGE 
DISTRIBUTION
DIFFERENT BETWEEN LOW VOLTAGE &
MEDIUM VOLTAGE DISTRIBUTION

LOW VOLTAGE MEDIUM VOLTAGE

| Low voltage is being | Medium voltage is being

supply normally for house, supply normally for medium
small factory, farm and factory and industrial power
restaurant. plant.

| The range of low voltage | The range of medium

distribution is 240V(single voltage distribution is
phase,3 wire) and 415V(3 6.6kV,11kV,22kV,33kV and
phase,4 wire). 66kV.
| Low voltage occur in the | Medium voltage occur in the
short transmission line. medium transmission line.
 PRESENTATION
1) Identify the role of transmission 
substations
2) Describe the functions of the following 
substation components :
ƒ Transformer with tapping
ƒ Circuit breaker
ƒ Air‐breakers
ƒ Isolators
ƒ Earthing switches
ƒ Surge arrester
ƒ Current‐limiting reactors
ƒ Instrument transformer