Current electrical power consumption is increasing quickly, and power-producing substations have the task of meeting this demand. A power substation refers to an electrical system with a high voltage capacity whose purpose may be for running equipment such as generators and electrical circuits, among others.
The primary objective is to provide continuous energy or power supply from transmission networks to the consumer. As such, the effective functioning of substations has a significant impact on the continuity of the electricity supply.
Electrical substations come in various types, each with its own unique set of characteristics and power handling capabilities. They also have laid down safety guidelines, which ensure they are accountable as far as employee well-being is concerned.
Step-Up Substation
This substation directly connects to a producing station because power generation occurs at lower voltages. The producing station steps up these voltages to achieve an economical electric energy transmission goal over a longer distance.
Moreover, this substation may have circuit breakers to switch generation and transmission circuits in and out of operation. Usually, this happens in the event of an emergency necessitating the shut-down or redirection of power to a course or circuits.
Typically, customer requirements and needs determine the amount of voltage that will exit the step-up transmission substation.
Step-Down Substation
The location of these substations varies within the electrical network. Such a substation is a source of sub-transmission and distribution lines and is used as a connecting link between various network components.
It also changes transmission voltages to sub-transmission to draw distribution power, which may provide electricity to an industrial facility in certain situations. In other cases, this power will go to a distribution substation.
Secondary Substation
The secondary substations are located next to secondary transmission lines close to the loads they serve. Here, voltages are at low levels for distribution purposes.
Distribution Substation
The primary role of a distribution substation is to distribute stepped-down power. These voltages are intended for consumers, including households and commercial buildings.
Additionally, the distribution substation has certain features that ease its operation and enhance safety. For instance, it is equipped with high-voltage bearable wires and conductors, each of which has one neutral to ground and four live wires in it.
The substation distributes power in two phases; single and 3-phased voltage. The 3-phased carries around 34500 volts while the single-phase distributes around 19920 volts.
System Substation
Some of these stations provide no power transformers, while others offer voltage exchange services. Normally, these substations serve as the terminal ends of transmission lines that originate in switchyards, as well as the source of electrical energy for circuits that feed transformer stations. As a result, they are critical in maintaining long-term consistency. However, they are costly to construct and operate.
Underground Power Distribution Substation
The development of substations in urban areas requires a significant amount of space. However, most cities do not have enough room for such constructions. For this reason, locating the substation below minimizes the amount of space required.
A knowledgeable service provider responsible for the construction can utilize the ground-level space for other structures like buildings.
The fundamental concept behind an underground substation is to provide the finest conventional substation possible while minimizing the amount of area above ground. Hence, hiring a professional company with years of experience is necessary for the best results.