FEM101-Building Services

Electrical Distribution System

Study Unit 5

Er. Chan Heng Lim

The Education and Research arm of the Building and Construction Authority
 Objectives

• Explain the principles and overall operation of the various major electrical
systems in buildings

• Outline the functions and components in the systems.

• Acquire knowledge in the installation, testing and commissioning of the

systems

• Familiarize with the relevant local standards and regulations and safety
requirements
 Electricity Supply Industry

Generation Transmission

Distribution

Utilisation
 Electrical Service

Start of
Transmission
400kV or
230kV

Load Centre
66kV

Sub Station
22kV

Clients
240V (1Φ)
or 480V (3Φ)

Electricity Transmission, Distribution and Utilisation (Consumers)

 Supply Voltages and Supply Frequency

• Low Voltage (LV)

– Refers to 230V, 50Hz, single-phase, up to max of 23kVA, 100A
– Refers to 400V, 50Hz, 3-phase, 4-wire

• High Voltage (HV)

– Refers to 6.6kV (6P6kV)
– 22,000V (22kV), 50 Hz, 3-phase, 3-wire for contracted capacity of:
• Between 1,7000kW and 12,750kW for 2 HV services
• Between 12,751kW and 25,500kW for 4 HV services

• Extra High Voltage (EHV)

– Refers to 66kV, 230kV and 400kV
– For 66kV, 50Hz, 3-phase, 3-wire for supply with minimum contracted capacity of
25,500kW.
– For 230kV, 50Hz, 3-phase, 3-wire for supply with minimum contracted capacity of
85,000kW.
• Interconnected Network Between Power Stations
Advantages
– To enhance system’s reliability.
– Economically because fewer machines are required as a reserve
for operation at peak load and fewer to run at low load to cater
for the spinning reserve.

• Transmission in High Voltage

– The number of transmission circuits can also be minimised.
– Introduced mainly due to the increase in short-circuit current
which exceed the breakers’ breaking capacity
Distribution
• Distribution
• It is to receive electric power from large source and to distribute electric
power to consumers at various voltage levels.
• Primary Distribution Voltages
• 22kV & 6.6kV
• Large customer loads commonly take their supply from the primary
distribution system
• 22/0.4kV or 6.6/0.4kV Transformer

Primary Distribution Voltage

Secondary Distribution Voltages

400V (Line to Line) 230V (Line to Neutral)

 Low Tension Distribution
• Principal of Low Voltage Distribution

• Low Voltage Equipment

• Equipment Selection

• Protection and Control / Metering

• Testing and Commissioning

 Low Voltage (Tension) System
• Refers to distribution voltages below 1000V a.c.
• Refers to three-phase four wire system of 400V between line to line, and
230V line to neutral.
• For consumers taking LV, the LV system prior to incoming supply will be
managed by the utility and these consumers have to design and install only
their internal LV network.
• The voltage of supply by service provider is maintained as far as possible
within  6%.

High Voltage (Tension) System

- Refers to distribution voltages above 1000V a.c.
- to be discussed at the second portion of this lesson)
 LV Circuit Breakers
• A circuit breaker is a mechanical switching device which should
fulfil the following specifications:
• It should be capable of being safely closed in on any load current or
short-circuit current within the making capacity of the device.

• It should safely open any current that may flow through it up to the
breaking capacity of the device.

• It should automatically interrupt the flow of abnormal currents up to

the breaking capacity of the device.

• It should be able to carry continuously any current up to the rated

current of the device.
 Circuit Breakers
Circuit Breaker is to provide adequate Overcurrent protection, each
circuit should be equipped with a circuit breaker for automatic
interruption of supply in the event of overload current and fault
current.

Three types of circuit breakers can be found in LV distribution:

a. Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB)

b. Moulded Case Circuit Breaker (MCCB)

c. Air Circuit Breaker (ACB)

 Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB)

Usually equipped with two types of Overcurrent protective devices:

– A bimetal *thermal (device for overload)

– An electromagnetic device which trips the breaker instantaneously in

the event of very high currents

MCBs are usually rated as follow:

– Current ranges from 6A to 125A

– Short circuit current ranges from 1.5kA to 10kA

– Types – B, C and D
Miniature Circuit Breakers (MCBs)

The MCBs are used extensively for the protection for final circuits in domestic and
commercial installations.

In a single-phase circuit:

(a) For single–pole (SP) MCB may be used in live conductor.

(b) For double–pole (DP) MCB may be used in the live and neutral conductors.

In a 3-phase circuit:
(a) For 3–pole (TP) MCB are used in R-Y-B (old)
Brown, black Gray ( New code)

(b) For 4–pole (4P) MCB are used in R-Y-B-N

Brown, black Gray, Blue ( New code)
Miniature Circuit Breakers (MCBs)

Source: www.directindustry.com

Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB)

 Moulded Case Circuit Breaker (MCCB)

• The Overcurrent protective devices are same as MCBs.

• MCCBs are usually rated as follow:

– Current ranges from 10A to 1250A

– Short circuit current ranges from 10kA to 85kA

Moulded Case Circuit Breaker (MCCB)

Source: www.directindustry.com

Mould Case Circuit Breaker (MCCB)

 Air Circuit Breaker (ACB)
The ACBs rating ranges from 800A to 5000A. The rated short circuit current ranges
from 40kA to 120kA.

ACB come in two forms:

a. fixed, and

b. withdrawable

The withdrawable breakers can moved into 3 positions:

– Service

– Test

– Isolated
 Breakers

Source: www.made-in-china.com Source: www.marineinsight.com

Air Circuit Breaker (ACB)
 Residual Current-operated Circuit Breakers (RCCB)

• RCCB are primarily designed to protect against “indirect contact” electric

shock.

• Indirect contact refers to the contact of the supply voltage indirectly

through the touching of the exposed-conductive-part such as the metallic
enclosures of electrical appliances, the metallic conduit, trunking or cable
tray.

• Earth Fault
– earth fault current flowing from live conductor through the exposed-conductive-
parts to earth

– exposed metalwork may be at a high potential relative to earth.

 Breakers

Source: ru-lena.en.made-in-china.com Source: www.directindustry.com

Residual Current Circuit Breaker (RCCB)

DISTRIBUTION BOARDS (DB)
Distribution boards are usually used at sub-distribution points to provide a means where
final circuits may be connected to the loads through fuse or circuit breakers.

Other final circuits

230V ac

Breakers
(MCB, RCCB, etc.)

Load,
2.3k ohm
Power from load DB
centre/
switch room
 Distribution Boards

 Distribution boards are usually used at sub-distribution points to

provide a means where final circuits may be connected to the loads
through fuse or circuit breakers.

Switch Room
• Distribution board gets power from load centres/ Switch room.

• Switch Room contains Switchboard. Switch Gears are important components of

the switch board, examples of switch gears: breakers, fuses, etc.

Switchgear- components in the switch board

 The purpose of the switchgear is to control the circuit under
normal and fault conditions.
 The switchgear specified and installed must be capable of
making and breaking circuit loads via switch contacts.
 Low Voltage Switch Board
• A switchboard is a steel framed enclosure in which the following
equipment/components are installed or assembled:

– Circuit breakers

– Control circuits

– Measuring instruments including current and voltage transformers

– Protection relays including current transformers

– Busbars

– Cable connecting terminals

Components in the L.V Main Switchboard
Electrical Panel/switch board in the Electrical SwitchRoom
Electrical Panel/switch board- front view
 Switch Board
– Form of Separation
It is a separation of functional units within the assembly is provided by forms that are
specified for different types of operation.
The various forms are numbered from 1 to 4 :

•Form 1: No separation

•Form 2: Separation of busbars from the functional units

•Form 3: Separation of busbars from the functional units and separation of all
functional units, one from another, except at their output terminals

•Form 4: As for Form 3, but including separation of the outgoing terminals of all
functional units, one from another
 Typical Forms of Separation

• FORM 1 -
No separation
FORM 2 -
Separation of busbars from the
functional units (isolator or breaker).

FORM 3 -
Separation of busbars from the
function units and separation of all
functional units but not of the
outgoing terminals, from one another.
The outgoing terminals need not be
separated from the busbars.
FORM 4 –
Separation of busbars from the functional units, and separation of all
functions units including their outgoing terminals, from one another.
 Summary on Form of Separation for Switchboards

• Form 2 switchboards are ideal for limited floor space.

• Form 3 switchboards are recommended when safety is of high priority.

• Form 4 switchboards are the perfect solutions when more stringent specifications are called for, to
fully segregate the functional units (breakers) as well as the termination units.
Measuring instruments (current and voltage transformers are not
shown in photos)
Instrumentation Transformers
• They are used to provide isolation between the main primary circuit
and the secondary control and measuring devices for taking
measurements.

• This isolation is achieved by magnetically coupling the two circuits.

In addition to isolation, levels in magnitude are reduced to safer
levels.

• 2 categories:
(a) Voltage transformer (VT)
(b) Current transformer (CT)

Note: Instrumentation Transformers are different from Distribution

Transformers. Distribution Transformers ( or commonly called:
transformers) are typically used to transform high voltage to low
voltage to provide power to equipment, or electrical circuits. ( this will
be discussed at later slides)
Instrumentation Transformers
- Voltage Transformers (VTs) or Potential Transformer
(PTs)

• It is a specially wound transformer with a high voltage primary and a low

voltage secondary.

• The secondary windings will proportionally transform the levels to typical of

120V.

• Its sole purpose is to provide a sample of the power system voltage to the
instruments monitoring it.

• Since the principal purpose of the transformer is voltage sampling, it must be

very accurate so as not to distort the true voltage values too badly.
 Instrumentation Transformers
- Current Transformer (CTs)
• Isolation and separation of circuits and equipment for measuring,
protection etc, from high voltage power lines.

• To avoid disturbances due to carrying high currents.

• Reduction of short-circuit currents up to admissible values for

sensitive protection and measuring equipment.

• To obtain currents and voltage proportional to those wanted to be

measured or monitored in order to be sent to appropriate measuring
instruments.
 Equipment Selection based on class of
protection
Ingress Protection (IP)
• The level of protection against the intrusion of solid and liquid particles
into the electrical equipment is specified by the ingress protection (IP)
rating.
 Degree of Protection (IPXX)
In specification, the protection classes are identified by a compound
symbol made up of the two code letter IP:
Table 1 –
Protection of persons against contact with live or
moving parts inside the enclosure and protection
of equipment against ingress of solid bodies.
Table 2 - Protection of Equipment Against Ingress of Liquid

2nd Characteristic
Numeral Degree of Protection
0 No protection.

1 Protection against drops of condensed water.

2 Protection against drops of liquid.

3 Protection against rain.

4 Protection against splashing.

5 Protection against water-jets.

6 Protection against conditions on ship’s decks.

7 Protection against immersion in water

8 Protection against indefinite in water under specified pressure.

 Exercise
• What do you understand by IP 57?

• Answers:

• Table 1 – Protection of persons against contact with live

or moving parts inside the enclosure and protection of
equipment against ingress of solid bodies.
– “5” refers to:

– Complete protection against contact with live or moving parts inside

the enclosure

– Protection against harmful deposits of dust. The ingress of dust is not Sony – Xperia;
totally prevented, but dust cannot enter in an amount sufficient to
interfere with satisfactory operation of the equipment enclosed IP 57 protection

• Table 2 - Protection of Equipment Against Ingress of

Liquid
• “7” refers to “Protection against immersion in
water”
 Master & Sub-metering Scheme
The landlord/owner shall pay the amount of electricity (F) representing
the difference between the amount of electricity supplied and
registered by the master (A) and the aggregate of the amount of kWh B
electricity supplied to the occupants (eg B,C,D,E) of the individual units
within the premises. kWh C

kWh D
Example: A- B-C-D -E = F
F = Landlord’s bill kWh
E
Electricity bill=KWh X Tariff
Suppose in a particular month, Tenant B, C,D,E all
consumed 2000KWh each, and A registered 10,000KWh,
Given that tariff is $0.2/KWh,
then landlord’s bill is (10,000 -8000)KWhX$0.2/KWh=$400 A kWh

Note: KWh=Power(KW)X operating hours (hr)

 Important considerations of Low Voltage Distribution
systems

In all installation, it is important to establish the locations of the low voltage

Switch room and the type of switchgear that would best suit the following
considerations:
– Type of building
– Available space
– Environment
– System flexibility
– Capital cost
– Type of load and
– Future use of the system
 Testing and Commissioning
Testing
• Testing should be undertaken to satisfy several purposes:
• To verify the adequacy of the design
• To ensure that the installation is sound
• To see that the installation complies with the specification
• To confirm that the installation functions correctly and safely

• The test to verify the characteristics of a switchboard include:

• Type tests – only the prototype is tested
• Routine test – these tests are carried out for all assemblies
• Commissioning Test
 Testing and Commissioning
Commissioning
Commissioning tests are carried out on site after the connections of all
cables, etc. The tests are carried out both before and after the supply are
turned on.

• Before the supply is turned on:

• Checking that all joints are electrically and mechanically sound
• Tests on the insulation between all busbars
• Test of the insulation of all incoming and outgoing cable
• Tests to check that the Overcurrent and earth-fault relays are set to the correct
values

• After the supply has been turned-on:

– Tests to check that the indicator lights switches for the ammeters and voltmeters are
connected correctly
– Tests to check that the kWh meters are rotating in the proper direction
– Phase rotation test
– Phasing test
– Earth-loop tests
– Operation tests to check that the protection relays are operating properly
 Testing & Commissioning of HV/MV Switchgear for
33/11 kV primary stations.

Configuration of bay control units (BCPU's) and

protection relays (mechanical and numerical type)
along with testing and commissioning.

Fault interpretation and data analysis through fault records

Source: http://ghantootelectrical.com/images/img-
available in relays and ability to investigate, maintain and medium-voltage-switchgear-2.jpg
resolve the issues.
 High Tension Distribution
• Introduction to Electricity Supply System

• High Voltage System Design

• High Voltage Switchgear

• System Protection

• High Voltage Cables

• Safety Aspects

• Operation and Maintenance

Typical Consumer’s 22KV Distribution System

Distribution
X: breaker transformer
 High Voltage System Design
An HV distribution system is used in preference to an LV distribution
system because of the following advantages:
• For the same electrical load, the current requirement is significantly reduced
(ie current reduce)
• Is possible to use smaller diameter cable, hence reduce cable cost (ie cable
size reduce → cost reduce)
• The voltage drop along the distribution system is reduced
• The power losses in the transmission system are reduced (P = I2xR)

However, the disadvantages of using HV as distribution system are:

• Increase danger because of the higher voltage applied
• Need of higher level of insulation resulted in a more expensive system
• Higher level of training required
 Electrical Service

• Illustration of electricity transmission:

– Example
• A conductor of 18mm diameter is sufficient to transmit
– 50,000 kW at 132,000 V (P=VI)
• To transmit the same amount of power at 250V needs:
– A conductor of 400mm diameter (x22!)

– In Singapore
• 3 levels transmission network: 400kV, 230kV and 66kV.
• The transmission system in Singapore is totally using the
UNDERGROUND CABLE NETWORK.
 Schemes of Distribution Network - Radial
Network

• The current magnitude is the greatest at substation A.

• Reliability of service continuity is low.
• A cable fault between substation A & B will result total supply failure to
the rest of the substations.
Schemes of Distribution Network - Radial Network

What happen to the supply to building E if an earth fault between

building D & E had caused only one circuit breaker in the network to
trip?

Schemes of Distribution Network – Ring Network

X
 Schemes of Distribution Network Ring Network

• Reliability of service continuity is high.

• A cable fault at point A will not result total supply failure to the rest of
the substations.

• However, the cable size in each section of the ring should have
adequate capacity to carry all the entire load in one ring.

• Under normal conditions where there is no circuit out of service, all the
circuits in a ring will be loaded to only 50%.
 HV Switchgear
Switchgear: A general term for switching devices and their combination
with associated control, measuring, protective and regulating
equipment.

Examples: circuit breaker, busbar (B/B), earthing switch (ES), cabinet

housing, termination, interlocks, protective relay and instrument
transformers for use in the connection with distribution network.

Circuit Breaker: is a mechanical switching and interrupting device.

Functions of circuit breakers:

• Control the flow of power in a transmission & distribution
network
• Interrupt fault current during a short circuit condition
Electrical Room
 HV Switchgear Operation

• Under normal conditions:- either in its ON position providing load or

in its OPEN position providing circuit isolation.

• Under fault condition:- respond almost instantaneously to a call from

the protective relay to perform the rare but difficult task of breaking a
short circuit.
 Circuit Breakers – Withdraw Type

• Service:- normal operating position

• Test:- main contacts is disconnected from the supply loads. Test can be
performed at this position because the control circuits are still
energised.

• Isolated:- fully withdrawn position.

 Circuit Breakers- Electrical Characteristic &
Terminology
• Switchgear rating: The capabilities of a switchgear to cope with the
various system stresses such as thermal, electrical and mechanical
stress.

• Number of Poles: the number of individual switches within a breaker.

e.g. in a single-phase circuit:
– a single-pole controls the live conductor
– a double-pole switch controls the live and natural conductors at the
same time.

• Rated Current: The normal current that the switchgear can carry
continuously without overheating at a standard ambient temperature of
350 oC. e.g. 200A, 630A, 800A,1250A…

• Rated Short Circuit Making Current: The peak current that the
switchgear can withstand when it closes onto a fault e.g. 21 KAp , 25 KAp
…
 Circuit Breakers- Electrical Characteristic &
Terminology

• Rated Short Circuit Breaking Current: The maximum symmetrical r.m.s. current that the
switchgear can interrupt at its rated voltage. e.g. 21 KA r.m.s., 25 KA r.m.s.

• Short-time withstand Current: The r.m.s. current that the switchgear can carry for a short
period of time before the switchgear or other devices, e.g., a fuse, nearer the fault location
interrupts the current. Typical short period of time is either 1 second or 3 seconds.

• Rated Voltage: The r.m.s. voltage of the system in which the switchgear is to be used, e.g. 22
KV, 6.6 KV.

• Rated Insulation Level: The highest voltage that the switchgear must withstand (e.g. lightning
strikes, static, resonant conditions, overvoltages caused by switching surges) during its normal
life span.
TYPES OF HV CIRCUIT BREAKERS

- BASED ON THEIR ARC QUENCHING MEDIUM, THERE ARE

3 TYPES OF HV CIRCUIT BREAKERS:

OIL CIRCUIT BREAKER (OCB)

VACUUM CIRCUIT BREAKERS (VCB)

GAS INSULATED SWITCHGEAR (GIS): E.G. SF6

Oil Circuit Breaker Operation
 Oil Circuit Breaker (OCB)
• 2 Types of Oil Circuit Breakers: Bulk oil & Small oil

Bulk Oil Circuit Breaker

• with all 3 interrupter poles housed in a common metal tank filled with insulating oil.

• commonly called the DEAD TANK design.

• bulky, thick steel walls provided to withstand the tremendous gas and oil pressure
created within the arc chamber by the arc during short circuit.

• the interrupter, solely depends on the turbulent flow of oil and gas bubbles to quench
the arc.

• The insulating oil helps to cool & quench the arc

• The insulating oil also helps to insulates live parts from the tank
 Oil Circuit Breaker (OCB)

• Bulk Oil Circuit Breaker • Small Oil Circuit Breaker

Source:
http://yourelectrichome.blogspot.sg/2011/03/tank Source: www.circuitmaniac.com
-type-or-bulk-oil-circuit-breaker.html
 Oil Circuit Breaker (OCB)
Small Oil Circuit Breakers (SOV) also known as “minimum oil circuit
breaker”.
• Three (3) interrupters housed in 3 separate poles (individual oil
cylinder), usually made of dielectric materials, containing insulating
oil.
• Compactness relative to bulk oil circuit breakers.
• Oil is purely used for arc quenching and NOT for insulation.
• Insulation is provided by the dielectric material of the pole.

Both the oil circuit breakers has the common feature:

• Oil in the oil tank is used as an arc quenching medium.
• Replacement of oil is recommended after every fault interruption.
• Not equipped with direct operating handles. It comes with the
“spring charged” operating mechanism.
• Equipped with a tripping solenoid for automatic tripping of breaker.
 Vacuum Circuit Breakers (VCB)

Features:
• Vacuum interrupter employ no
insulation like oil or gas in its arc
quenching device.

• No maintenance.

• Require relatively smaller

mechanical energy for contact
closing and opening. Source: Vacuum Circuit Breaker (VCB) VK type
www.toshiba.co.jp
 Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS)
Features:

• All live parts contained in SF6 gas-tight

enclosures

• Compact in size

• Higher in cost

• Metal clad or metal enclosed

• Constant environment

Source:
http://scientechnic.com/BusinessUnitsPages.as
px?POWER-TRANSMISSION-DISTRIBUTION
 SF6 Circuit Breakers
• Sulphur Hexaflouride (or SF6)
– a gas - each molecule consists of one atom of sulphur and six atoms
of fluorine.

Properties of SF6
• colourless, odourless, non-toxic, non-flammable

• five times heavier than air

• chemically inert and stable up to 500 oC

• decomposes into SF4, SF2 during arcing, but recombines rapidly to

form SF6 when the supply source is removed.

• no carbon component

• good di-electric strength, good arc quenching medium.

 HV Cables
Cable Construction
• The construction of a typical HV cable is shown below, which illustrates the various
layers as follow:
– A conductor core

– Semiconducting insulating screen

– Metallic screen of overlapped copper tape to provide an earth fault

current path.

– Filler to form a circular section

– Bedding sheath of PVC

– Armouring of galvanised steel wires

– An over sheath
 HV Power Cables
Size: Section area from 240SQ to 2500SQ

Voltage rating: 48/66kV , 64/110kV , 127/220kV

Cable laying circumstance: Directly buried underground,

embedded in tunnels or conduit

Structure:1 Conductor, 2 Semi-conductive tape, 3 Extruded

inner semi-conductive layer jacket, 4 Extruded insulation layer, 5
Extruded outer semi-conductive layer, 6 Semi-conductive tape, 7
Copper wires woven fabric shield layer, 8 Corrugated aluminum,
9 PE sheath (or PVC sheath),and 10 Graphite power

Source:
http://www.asia.ru/en/ProductInfo
/996340.html

Armoured-Cable, High
Voltage Power-Cable
HV power cables installation

Underground HV Electricity Cable

Source: Source; www.garde.com.au
http://www.indiamart.com/devde
nsopower/electrical-system.html
 HV Cables
Selection of Cables
The following factors shall be considered:
• Operating voltage
• Normal full load current
• Prospective short circuit fault rating
• Derating factors due to
» Thermal resistivity of soil
» Ground temperature
» Ambient air temperature
» Depth that the cable is to be installed
» Grouping and proximity of other cables
• Prospective fault current and the type of system protection
• Voltage drop
• Degree of mechanical protection required and the method of installation
• Overall diameter, flexibility and minimum bending radius
• Type of termination
 Safety Aspects in HV
• Authorised Person

• Competent Person

• Access and Control of Work

• Permit to Work (PTW)

• Safety Equipment

• Earthing Equipment

• Testing Equipment

• Safety Rules
 Operation & Maintenance
Planned maintenance
• Essential to ensure continuity if service and economy of labour and material. These require that:
– Maintenance is carried out in order to ensure the safety of the system
– Quality and frequency of maintenance is sufficient to prevent danger
– Records of maintenance is kept throughout the working life of an
electrical system
– Regular inspection of plant

Maintenance Period
• The following routine intervals can help as a general guide for maximum values and be shortened at the
discretion of the Licensed Electrical Worker (LEW) in-charge of the installation:
– The environmental conditions
– The degree of normal use
– The number of operations under fault conditions
– Historical information on the most appropriate maintenance period.
Thank You

74