15ME390L INDUSTRIAL TRAINING

A REPORT

Submitted by

ADITYA S KUMAR (RA1611002010260)

In submission for assessment and award of Grade for the course

BACHELOR OF TECHNOLOGY

in

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

Of

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

S.R.M. Nagar, Kattankulathur,

KancheepuramDistrict
DECEMBER 2018
SRM INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

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 BONAFIDE CERTIFICATE

Certified that this report titled “15ME390L INDUSTRIAL

TRAINING” is the bonafide work of “ADITYA S KUMAR”,
who carried out the training in “KERALA STATE
ELECTRICITY BOARD”. Certified further, that to the best of
my knowledge the work reported herein does not form any other
training report on an earlier occasion on this or any other
candidate.

SIGNATURE SIGNATURE
Dr.R.Santhanakrishnan Mr.M.R.Stalin John
Faculty Advisor Professor In-Charge
Mechanical Department Mechanical Department

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

First of all, I would like to thank the almighty for the successful
completion of this training.

I would like to thank HOD of Mechanical, School of Mechanical

Engineering SRM Institute of Science and Technology for allowing me to
undergo training in industry of my interest pertaining to period of training
of fifteen days.

I would like to extend my gratitude to Mr. KARTHIK GOPAN, head of

maintenance department of KERALA STATE ELECTRICITY
BOARD, TRIVANDRUM for giving an opportunity to undergo training
in his prestigious and esteemed organization.

I am indebted to the department related staffs for their encouragement and

personal involvement which motivated me a great deal .

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 CONTENTS
1.Section 1: Lower Power House............................................................................1
1.1 Introduction..................................................................................................3

1.2 Power station................................................................................................4

1.3 Elements of power station...................................................................................5

1.4Lower Veli Power Station..........................................................................................13

1.4.1Introduction..............................................................................13

1.4.2Hydraulic system of lower periyar...........................................13

1.4.3Hydro turbine...........................................................................15

1.4.4Guide vane servo motors..........................................................17

1.4.5Governer mechanism................................................................18

1.4.6Electo hydraulic transducer......................................................18

1.4.7Valve gallery.............................................................................18

1.4.8Generator...................................................................................20

1.4.9Bearings.....................................................................................24

1.4.10 Hydro static lubrication system...............................................25

1.4.11 Static excitation.......................................................................26

1.4.12 Cooling system........................................................................29

1.4.13 Circuit breakers and generator transformers............................31

1.4.14 Protection system......................................................................33

1.4.15 Communication.........................................................................35

1.4.16 Operation of different equipment.............................................35

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 1.5 Single
LineDiagram...........................................................................40

Section 2:-110 kV Substation

Paruthippara..............................................................................41

2.1 Introduction.......................................................................................43

2.2 Substation..........................................................................................44

2.3 Element of Substation.......................................................................45

2.3.1. Power Transformer............................ ..........................................45

2.3.2. Circuit Breaker....................... ......................................................48

2. 3.2.1. Breaker.......................................................................................50

2.3.2.2. Vacuum Circuit

Breaker...................................................................................................51

2.3.3. Instrumental
Transformers..................................................................................51
2.3.3.1. Potential
Transformer...................................................................52

2.3.3.2. Current
Transformer...................................................................52
2.3.4. Isolator............................................................................................53

2.3.5. Insulator..........................................................................................54

2.3.6. Wave Trap......................................................................................55

2.3.7. Bus Bars..........................................................................................56

2.3.8. Relays..............................................................................................56

2.3.9. Lightning
Arrester............................................................................................58
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2.3.10. DC Supply........................................................................................59

2.3.11. Battery
Charger..............................................................................................59
2.3.12. Switch
Yard...................................................................................................59

2.3.13. Steel
Towers................................................................................................60

2.4 110 KV Substation

Thirumala....................................................................................................61

2.5 Single Line

Diagram................................................................................................62

2.6 Details of 110 KV Substation

Thirumala…................................................................................................63

3. Conclusion
...................................................................................................................66

1.1.INTRODUCTION
The Hydroelectric Power Plant, also called as dam or hydro power plant, is
used for generation of electricity from water on large scale basis. The dam is
built across the large river that has sufficient quantity of water throughout the
river. In certain cases where the river is very large, more than one dam can

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built across the river at different locations .among the various renewable
natural energy resources; the hydropower generation has emerged as
the most potential option in terms of environmental cleanliness and
cost-effective high capacity generation. The hydro power station have the
inherent ability for instantaneous starting, stopping and load variations, which
ensures a high reliability of power system. Therefore, hydro power stations are
the best option for meeting the peak demand. Further, the generation cost in
hydroelectric projects is inflation free and reduces substantially over time
after repayment of debt. With 41 rivers, flowing down (westward) from the
Western Ghats joining the backwaters and the Arabian Sea, Kerala has
tremendous potential for hydel-power generation.
Power generation started in Kerala in 194 7 with the commissioning
of the Pallivasal hydro-electric project at the Ramaswami Ayer
Headwork close to the tea county of Munnar in the erstwhile princely
State of Travancore. The Kerala power system consists of 17 hydel stations
including 2 captive power plants, 2 thermal stations,
3 independent power producers, 5 major inter-state transmission lines, one
400 KV sub• section, and two 220 KV substations with the interconnecting
grid. Kerala has a storage capacity of 3843mu and the present storage is about
72% of the full capacity.

Mullaperiyar dam, Idukki Hydro-electric project, Idamalayar Hydro

electric project and the Lower Periyar are constructed across the
Periyar. Kundala Dam, Mattupetty Dam, Munnar head works, Ponmudi
dam and the Kallarkutty Dam are constructed across the various tributaries
of Periyar.
Lower Periyar hydroelectric project (180 MW) envisages utilization of the
tail waters from the existing Neriamangalam power station and the spill
from Kallarkutty head works.
The Sengulam hydroelectric project is situated downstream of Pallivasal
Project in Mudirampuzha river, which is an important tributary of Periyar
river. Panniyar hydroelectric project is developed on Panniyar, a tributary of
Mudirampuzha river.

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1.2. POWER STATION

A power station (also referred to as a generating station, power plant,

powerhouse or generating plant) is an industrial facility for the generation of
electric power. At the centre of nearly all power stations is a generator, a
rotating machine that converts mechanical power into electrical power by
creating relative motion between a magnetic field and a conductor. The energy
source harnessed to turn the generator varies widely. It depends chiefly on
which fuels are easily available, cheap enough and on the types of technology
that the power company has access to. Most power stations in the world burn
fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas to generate electricity, and some use
nuclear power, but there is an increasing use of cleaner renewable sources such
as solar, wind, wave and hydroelectric.

1.3.ELEMENTS OF POWER STATION

Hydroelectric power plant requires various components for generating electrical

power. Some of the major components in hydroelectric power plants are:
Reservoirs, Dam, Trash Rack, Forebay, Surge Tank, Penstock, Spillway, Prime
Mover and Generator, Draft Tube. The functions of all major components are
discussed.

The basic requirement of a hydroelectric power station is a reservoir where large

quantity of water is stored during rainy season and used during the dry season.
The reservoir is built by constructing a dam across the river. The water from the

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reservoir is drawn by the forebay through an open canal or tunnel. The water
from the forebay is supplied to the water prime mover through the penstock
which is located at the much lower level than the height of the water in the
reservoir. Thus potential energy of water stored in reservoir is converted into
kinetic energy and made to rotate the turbine. Turbine shaft is connected to
synchronous generator or alternator for generating electricity. This generated
power is stepped up using step-up transformer and delivered to load centers or
grid. The regulation of water flow to the turbine depending on the electrical load
demand is carried out by the governor system.

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Reservoir:

The function or purpose of reservoir is to store the water during rainy season
and supply the same during dry season. This is in simple, water storage area.

Dam:

Dams are structures built over rivers to stop the water flow and form a reservoir.
The reservoir stores the water flowing down the river. This water is diverted to
turbines in power stations. The dams collect water during the rainy season and
stores it, thus allowing for a steady flow through the turbines throughout the
year. Dams are also used for controlling floods and irrigation. The dams should
be water-tight and should be able to withstand the pressure exerted by the water
on it. There are different types of dams such as arch dams, gravity dams and
buttress dams. The height of water in the dam is called head race.

Trash Rack:

The water intake from the dam or from the forebay are provided with trash rack.
The main function of trash rack is to prevent the entry of any debris which may
damage the wicket gates and turbine runners or choke-up the nozzles of impulse
turbine. During winter season when water forms ice, to prevent the ice from
clinging to the trash racks, they are often heated electrically. Sometimes air
bubbling system is provided in the vicinity of the trash racks which brings
warmer water to the surface of the trash racks.

Surge Tank:

The main function of surge tank is to reduce the water hammering effect. When
there is a sudden increase of pressure in the penstock which can be due sudden
decrease in the load demand on the generator. When there is sudden decrease in
the load, the turbine gates admitting water to the turbine closes suddenly owing
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to the action of the governor. This sudden rise in the pressure in the penstock
will cause the positive water hammering effect. This may lead to burst of the
penstock because of high pressures.

When there is sudden increase in the load, governor valves opens and accepts
more water to the turbine. This results in creation of vacuum in the penstock
resulting into the negative water hammering effect. Therefore the penstock
should have to withstand both positive water hammering effect created due to
close of governor valve and negative water hammering effect due to opening of
governor valve. In order to protect the penstock from these water hammering
effects, surge tank is used in hydroelectric power station.
Penstock:

Penstock is a pipe between the surge tank and the prime-mover. The structural
design of the penstock is same as for any other pipe expect it has to bear high
pressure on the inside surface during sudden decease in the load and increase in
the load. Penstocks are made of steel through reinforced concrete. Penstocks are
usually equipped with the head gates at the inlet which can be closed during the
repair of the penstocks, A sufficient water head should be provided above the
penstock entrance in the forebay or surge tank to avoid the formation of vortices
which may carry air in to the penstock and resulting in lower turbine blade
efficiency.
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Spillway:

The function of spillway is to provide safety of the dam. Spillway should have
the capacity to discharge major floods without damage to the dam and at the
same time keeps the reservoir levels below some predetermined maximum level.

Power House:

A power house consists of two main parts, a sub-structure to support the

hydraulic and electrical equipment and a superstructure to house and protect this
equipment.
The superstructure of most power plants is the buildings that house all the
operating equipment. The generating unit and the exciter is located in the
ground floor. The turbines which rotate on vertical axis are placed below the
floor level while those rotating on a horizontal axis are placed on the ground
floor alongside of the generator. Power station contains a turbine coupled to a
generator. The water brought to the power station rotates the vanes of the
turbine producing torque and rotation of turbine shaft. This rotational torque is
transferred to the generator and is converted into electricity. The used water is
released through the tail race.
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Prime movers or Hydro Turbines:

The main function of prime movers or hydro turbines is to convert the kinetic
energy of the water in to the mechanical energy to produce the electric power.
The prime movers which are in common use are Pelton wheel, Francis turbine
and Kaplan turbines.

Draft tube:

The draft tube is a part of the reaction turbine. The draft tube is a diverging
discharge passage connecting the running with tailrace. It is shaped to decelerate
the flow with a minimum loss so that the remaining kinetic energy of the water
coming out of the runner is efficiently regained by converting into suction head.,
thereby increasing the total pressure difference on the runner. This regain of
kinetic energy of the water coming out from the reaction turbine is the primary
function of the draft tube. The regain of static suction head in case where the
runner is located above the tail water level is the secondary purpose of the draft
tube.

Generator:

The generator converts the rotational energy from the turbine shaft into
electricity. Efficiency is important at this stage too, but most modern, well-built
generators deliver good efficiency. Direct current (DC) generators, or alternators
with rectifiers, are typically used with small household systems, and are usually
augmented with batteries for reserve capacity, as well as in8verters for

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converting the electricity into the AC required by most appliances. DC
generators are available in a variety of voltages and power outputs.

AC generators are typically used with systems producing about 3 KW or more.

AC voltage is also easily changed using transformers, which can improve
efficiency with long transmission lines. Depending on your requirements, you
can choose either single-phase or three-phase AC generators in a variety of
voltages.

Frequency is determined by the rotational speed of the generator shaft; faster

rotation generates a higher frequency
Turbine:

The turbine is the heart of the hydro system, where water power is converted
into the rotational force that drives the generator. For maximum efficiency, the
turbine should be designed to match your specific head and flow. There are
many different types of turbines, and proper selection requires considerable
expertise. A Pelton design, for example, works best with medium to high heads.

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A cross flow design works better with lower head but higher flow. Other turbine
types, such as Francis, turgo, and propeller, each have optimum applications.

Turbines can be divided into two major types. Reaction turbines use runners (the
rotating portion that receives the water) that operate fully immersed in water,
and are typically used in low to moderate head systems with high flow.
Examples include Francis, propeller, and Kaplan.

Wicket Gates are the key components in Hydroelectric Kaplan turbine that
controls the flow of water from penstock to turbine (runner). There are 16
wicket gates used for each turbine. The closing and opening of these wicket
gates are controlled by a governor mechanism which is activated by a
servomotor

Impulse turbines use runners that operate without being immersed, driven by
one or more high-velocity jets of water. Examples include Pelton and turgo.
Impulse turbines are typically used with moderate-to-high head systems, and use

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nozzles to produce the high-velocity jets. Some impulse turbines can operate
efficiently with as little as 5 feet (1.5 m) of head.

The cross flow turbine is a special case. Although technically classified as an

impulse turbine because the runner is not entirely immersed in water, this
“squirrel cage” type of runner is used in applications with low to moderate head
and high flow. The water passes through a large, rectangular opening to drive
the turbine blades, in contrast to the small, high-pressure jets used for Pelton
and Turgo turbines.

Regardless of the turbine type, efficiency is in the details. Each turbine type can
be designed to meet vastly different requirements. The turbine system is
designed around net head and design flow. These criteria not only influence
which type of turbine to use, but are critical to the design of the entire turbine
system.

Minor differences in specifications can significantly impact energy transfer

efficiency. The diameter of the runner, front and back curvatures of its buckets
or blades, casting materials, nozzle (if used), turbine housing, and quality of
components all affect efficiency and reliability.

Drive system:

The drive system couples the turbine to the generator. At one end, it allows the
turbine to spin at the rpm that delivers best efficiency. At the other, it drives the
generator at the rpm that produces correct voltage and frequency—frequency
applies to alternating current (AC) systems only. The most efficient and reliable
drive system is a direct, 1:1 coupling between the turbine and generator.

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This is possible for many sites, but not for all head and flow combinations. In
many situations, especially with AC systems, it is necessary to adjust the
transfer ratio so that both turbine and generator run at their optimum (but
different) speeds. These types of drive systems can use either gears, chains, or
belts, each of which introduces additional efficiency losses into the system. Belt
systems tend to be more popular because of their lower cost.

Governing:

The purpose of governor pack is opening and closing of Main Inlet Valve and
Wicket Gates
(guide vanes). The PLC is connected to a governor. It regulates the speed of the
system. The PLC command opens or energises the valve. Opening the valve
causes the oil pressure to affect the servomotor, which in turn changes the
wicket gates and the runner blade accordingly. This has a feedback mechanism.
It require certain amount of power for control, normally it is 125 bar. This
pressure is maintained using a servomotor. An accumulator is connected to
governor. Accumulator is used to store nitrogen at a pressure range between
110-140 bar. The wicket gate is mounted on a ring. The pressurised nitrogen
pushes the piston, this causes the wicket gate to open and close.

AC Controls:-

Pure AC hydro systems have no batteries or inverter. AC is used by loads

directly from the generator, and surplus electricity is burned off in dump
loads—usually resistance heaters.

Governors and other controls help ensure that an AC generator constantly spins
at its correct speed. The most common types of governors for small hydro
systems accomplish this by
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 managing the load on the generator. With no load, the generator would
“freewheel,” and run at a very high rpm. By adding progressively higher
loads, you can eventually slow the generator until it reaches the exact rpm
for proper AC voltage and frequency. As long as you maintain this
“perfect” load, known as the design load, electrical output will be correct.
You might be able to maintain the correct load yourself by manually
switching devices on and off, but a governor can do a better job—
automatically.

By connecting your hydro system to the utility grid, you can draw energy
from the grid during peak usage times when your hydro system can’t keep
up, and feed excess electricity back into the grid when your usage is low.
In effect, the grid acts as a large battery with infinite capacity.

If you choose to connect to the grid, however, keep in mind that

significant synchronization and safeguards must be in place. Grid
interconnection controls do both. They will monitor the grid and ensure
that your system is generating compatible voltage, frequency, and phase.
They will also instantly disconnect from the grid if major fluctuations
occur on either end. Automatic disconnection is critical to the safety of all
parties. At the same time, emergency shutdown systems interrupt the
water flow to the turbine, causing the system to coast to a stop, and
protecting the turbine from over speed.

DC Controls:-

A DC hydro system works very differently from an AC system. The

alternator or generator output charges batteries. A diversion controller
shunts excess energy to a dump load. An inverter converts DC electricity
to AC electricity for home use. DC systems make sense for smaller

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 streams with potential of less than 3 KW.AC systems are limited to a peak
load that is equivalent to the output of the generator. With a battery bank
and large inverter, DC systems can supply a high peak load from the
batteries even though the generating capacity is lower.

Series charge controllers, like those used with solar-electric systems, are
not used with hydro systems since the generators cannot run without a
load (open circuit). This can potentially damage the alternator windings
and bearings from over speeding. Instead, a diversion (or shunt) controller
must be used. These normally divert energy from the battery to a
resistance heater (air or water), to keep the battery voltage at the desired
level while maintaining a constant load on the generator.

The inverter and battery bank in a DC hydro system are exactly the same
as those used in battery-based, solar-electric or wind-electric systems. No
other special equipment is needed. Charge controller settings may be
lower than used in typical PV and wind systems, since hydro systems are
constant and tend to run with full batteries much of the time.

Generator Transformer:

Transformers connected to generator usually supply power to a

transmission line which run from the generating plant to a bulk power
load center located a considerable distance away. Some of the general
requirements of a generator transformer are as follow :
1. No voltage regulating windings, because the voltage is regulated by the field
of the generator.
2. Fairly uniform load - the new units of high efficiency in particular are kept
loaded to maximum capacity.
3. Least need for high efficiency or quiet operation - power for losses is
cheapest at a generator station, and other equipment makes more noise than
the transformer.
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4. Construction can be such as to require the type of supervision and
maintenance available in a generating station.

Switch Yard:

Switch yard is the most important part of a substation. In switch yard most
of the part is laid with metals to reduce earthed voltage. In the switch yard
the supply taken from incoming feeders are transferred to one or more bus
bars from which they are switched on or off to various incomers and
distribution auxiliary supply etc.

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 1.4.LOWER POWER STATION
1.4.1 INTRODUCTION
Lower TMR Power House which is situated at Thirumala is the
tenth biggest generating station of K.S.E.B. The installed capacity
of lower TMR generating station is 3x60MW and there are 6 nos.
110kV out going feeders. This is the first generating station in KSEB
using microprocessor controlled logic circuit for the automatic
operation of the generators from shutdown status to generator status
and from generator status to shutdown status. It is the third
generating station in Kerala where static excitation system is adopted.
These machines are designed for synchronous condenser operation
also. It forms one of the most important tie station in the power
grid of Kerala .The 110 kV feeders from Lower periyar powerhouse
are
1) double circuit feeder to Idukki power house,
2) double circuit feeder to 400 kV substation Madakkathra,
3) double circuit feeder to 220 kV substation Bhrahmapuram.
During the tied operation of these lines, the 220kV bus will be the
main inter linking bus for the 4 most important major grid stations of
KSE Board viz. ldukki power house, 400kV substation
Madakkathra, and 220 k V substations Bhrahmapuram which is
directly tied with Kayamkulam Thermal station.

1.4.2 HYDRAULIC SYSTEM OF LOWER PERIYAR

Average annual generation at the power station is approximately 69MW

or 609Mu. Reservoir at Pambla along Mudirampuzha river basin with dam
of 3 lm high above nominal riverbed and 244m long across river
Periyar about 5km downstream of Panamkutty Power House form the
water conductor system. Storage level of reservoir is approximately 4.55
MCM. The dam is of concrete gravity type with a FRL of 253m.there are 5
motorized upper vents and 2 hydraulic lower vents for the operation of
dam. The intake arrangement consists of an intake well provided with a
trash rack, an intake gate and also an emergency gate. There is a level
difference between dam level and intake well level. The system also
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 comprises 6.05 m d ia, D Shaped, 12.79 km long circular concrete
lined Power Tunnel, a restricted orifice Surge Shaft of
18 meter diameter, a 5.25 meter finished diameter, pressure shaft
of length 378 meter, branching in to three steel lined pressure
shafts each of 2.96 meter diameter and of average length of 207 meter.
A surface Power House with three machines located at Karimanal about
18km downstream of Mudirampuzha, Periyar confluence. The power
house is of l 80MW capacity with 3 units of 60 MW each mechanically
coupled to Francis turbines. The generator output is stepped up to
220KV by a 66.6 MVA power transformer and is distributed among 6
feeder lines, two each to Idukki, Bhrahmapuram and the
400KVMadakkathra.... .
Specifications of the Hydraulic System:-

Reservoir-Pambla
River basin Mudirampuzha
Storage 455MCM
Water usage 2.17MCM/MU

Dam
Type Sceme concrete gravity runoff river
Maximum water 256m
level Full reservoir 253m
level Minimum 237.76m
Draw Down level

Power Tunnel
Size and shape
6.05m,D shape
length
12.791 km
Sill level at inlet
229.00 m
Sill level at surge shaft
186.55m
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 Maximum velocity in tunnel for
434 m/sec a discharge of 124.7m3 /sec

Surge Shaft
Type restricted orifice
Size 18 m dia
Top level of surge shaft 285.00 m
Minimum down surge level 197.99m
Bottom level of surge shaft 194.10m
Control gate vertical lift gate

Pressure shaft
No. of pressure shaft 1
Size and shape 5.25 m,circular
Length 378 m
Manifold (steel lined) size and shape 5.25 m, dia

Branch lines
No. of shafts 3 Nos
Size 2.96 m
dia,circular
Average length 207 m

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 1.4.3HYDRO-TURBINE

Francis

turbine

The Lower Periyar Hydroelectric project employs the Francis Turbine.

Francis Turbine has a circular plate fixed to the rotating shaft
perpendicular to its surface and passing through its center. This circular
plate has curved channels on it; the plate with channels is collectively
called as runner. The runner is encircled by a ring of stationary channels
called as guide vanes. Water is brought to the turbine and directed to
guide vanes or wicket gates. Guide vanes are housed in a spiral casing
called as volute. The exit of the Francis turbine is at the center of the runner
plate. There is a draft tube attached to the central exit of the runner. The
design parameters such as, radius of the runner, curvature of channel,
angle of vanes and the size of the turbine as whole depend on the available
head and type of application altogether. The modem Francis Turbine is an
inward mixed flow reaction turbine i.e., the water under pressure enters
the runner from the guide vanes towards the centre in radial direction and
discharge out of the runner axially. The Francis turbine operates under
medium heads and also requires medium quantity of water. The head
acting on the turbine is transformed into kinetic energy and pressure
head. Due to the difference of p7ressure between guide vanes and the
runner (called reaction pressure), the motion of runner occurs. That is
why a Francis turbine is also known as reaction turbine.

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24
 The pressure at inlet is more than that at outlet. In Francis turbine runner
is always full of water. The moment of runner is affected by the change
of both the potential and kinetic energies of water. After doing the work the
water is discharged to the tail race through a closed tube called draft tube.

It is employed in the medium head power plants. This type of turbine

covers a wide range of heads (30m to 450m). Francis turbine doesn't
allow the water to fall freelyto the tailrace level as in the case of Pelton
turbine. The free end of the draft tube is submerged deep in the tail
water, thus making the entire water passage, right from the head race up
to the tail race totally enclosed.
The draft tube converts kinetic head to pressure head. About 70%
conversion is possible. By recovering pressure head in the draft tube the
pressure at the runner exit is reduced below atmosphere. This makes it
possible to install the turbine above the tail race without any loss in
available head. This is an important advantage in the reaction over Pelton
turbine.
The turbine has its own thmst bearing capable of carrying the additional
load ofturbine shaft, runner and hydraulic thrust making a total of three
guide bearings for the complete unit.

Specification:
Type Vertical Francis
Rated/Max 61300/67400 kw
Output design
Net head 184 m
Max gross head 204.58 m
Min net head 165 m
Rated/Max discharge 36.2/40.2 cub
m3/sec
Rated speed 333.33 rpm
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 Run away speed 585 rpm
Direction of rotation clockwise
Max pressure rise 50%
Max speed rise 50%
The vertical shaft Francis type turbine comprise of a draft tube, spiral
casing and stay rings, guide apparatus, shaft, runner, guide bearing,
shaft seal and auxiliary items. The guide apparatus regulates the flow
of water with, change in load and also serves as a closing device. It
includes top cover, pivot ring, guide vanes and turning machinery. The
mechanism for turning the guide vanes (regulating ring) is designed to
ensure simultaneous turning of guide vanes during opening or
closing of guide apparatus. Two servomotors, housed inside the pit
liner, actuate the regulating ring which in tum operates the guide vanes
through regulating gear.To facilitate atmospheric arr supply below the
runner during part load operation of turbine, the necessary
connections from the aeration valve are made in the upper cone.
The shaft sealing prevents leakage of water through clearance betweentop
cover and shaft sleeve. It islocated b e lo wturbine guid e bearing.
To prevent the abrasive particles and dirty water corning in contact
with the rubbersealing ring, water at a pressure slightly higher than
that above the runner is supplied at three points of the shaft seal
through a micro filter from the main cooling water system.
Oil level relay isprovided on the bearing housing to indicate high and low
oil levels of the bearings at Unit control board [UCB]. Temperatures of
guide bearing pads are monitored by a set of resistance temperature
detectors [RTD] and dial type thermometers [DTT]. Out of
eightpads, temperatures of four pads are measured by RIDS and the
remaining four by DTTS. Two RTDs measure temperature in the oil bath.

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 1.4.4 GUIDE VANE SERVO-MOTORS

Guide
vanes
Guide vanes are fixed aerofoils that direct air, gas, or water into the moving
blades of a turbine or into or around bends in ducts with minimum loss of
energy. The runner of turbine is encircled by a ring of guide vanes. Guide
Vanes are installed in the turbine to regulate the quantity of water to the
runner with change in load. These are operated by two servomotors
through guide vane operating mechanism via links & levers. The
servomotors get signals from Governor. The guide vanes are of aero flow
section, which allows the flow of water without formation of eddies in all
positions. Depending upon silt flow, the guide vanes may be made of mild
steel or stainless steel with integral machined stems, which are drilled for
grease lubrication of bushes.

Two servomotors are provided for turning the regulating ring during
regulation of load on turbine and closing /opening of the guide apparatus.
When the turbine load changes during generating operation, the servo
motor shall operate the guide vane smoothly coordinating with the speed
governor.

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 1.4.5 GOVERNER MECHANISM
The primary purpose of a governor for a hydroelectric unit is to control
the speed and loading of the unit. It accomplishes this by controlling the
flow of water through the turbine by adjusting the opening of the Needles I
Guide vanes and by sensing the Speed of the Machine.

The governing system consists of two parts (i) the sensing and
signal processing part. (ii) The operational part. In the operational pan
hydraulic oil pressure isused for operating vanes and valves.

1.4.6 ELECTRO HYDRAULIC TRANSDUCER

The electro- hydraulic transducer is the interface between the electronic

signal processing part and the hydraulic operating part. This transducer
receives the electric signal from electronic part andconverts the signal
into a hydraulic flow. This hydraulic signal is hydraulically amplified
and used for operating the vanes or the jets and deflectors.
When an opening signal is received from the electronic governor, the
actuator will pull the floating valve piston to go down and pressure oil is
admitted to opening side of servomotor and servomotor gradually opens.
As the servomotor opens, the feedback lever pushes the floating lever
upwards. When feedback push equals the feed forward pull, the
distributing valve piston will return to the original position and steady state
is achieved.

1.4.7 VALVE GALLERY

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 On the upstream side there is valve gallery throughout the length of the
floor. The main equipments on this floor are Butterfly [BF]
valve, water operated servomotors, oil leakage units and the pipelines
for the same. The access to the draft tube cone and the removal of the
runner for maintenance is also from this floor.
The station drainage system is installed on the left hand side of the
Power Station when viewed from the downstream side.
A 2.2 m dia. double door BF valve has been provided as main inlet valve on
each penstock branch. Water operated double acting servomotor(20
kg/cm) has been provided on the left hand side of the BF valve and is
mechanically connected with a lever and keyed to the door turn-on of the
BF valve.

A 100 NB drain valve is provided on the bottom side of the BF valve to

drain the water in between the two doors of the BF valves and is connected
to the penstock drain pipe.
The servomotor is water operated. An oil operated control valve (40
kg/cm") is provided to adjust opening and closing of the valve. For the
opening of the main inlet valve [MTV], water under pressure is taken
from the spiral side and for the closing the same is taken from the
penstock side through isolating 40 ~B valves and duplex strainers.
Time of closing is 50-55 sec. The operation of the control valve is
carried out by oil pressure through a solenoid valve mounted on the MIV
control panel. If the oil pressure is low due to control failure or any
other fault, when the MIV is open, the control spring will force the

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 operating piston down to its closed position. This will close the MIV
automatically.

All these assembly has been provided on the left side ofBF valve. From the
upstream of inlet pipe of the BF valve tapping and connections are taken
with isolating valves, for operating control valve, ejector, and pressure
gauges.

Bypass
valve

Oil operated by-pass valve and piping are provided over the top of the BF
valve for balancing the pressure on either side of the BF valve. The
opening and dosing of the valve is carried out with the help of
pressurized oil taken from the oil pressure system through a solenoid valve
which is mounted on the MIV control panel. Limit switches are provided
to get the opening and closing indications for the by-pass valve and BF
valve.
1.4.8 GENERATOR

An alternator is an electromechanical d e vic ethat converts mechanical

energy to electrical energy in the form of alternating current.
Alternators generate electricity based on the principle that, when the
magnetic field around a conductor changes, a current is induced in the
conductor. Typically, a rotating magnet, called the rotor turns within a
stationary set of conductors wound in coils on an iron core, called the
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 stator. The field cuts across the conductors, generating an induced emf
(electromotive force), as the mechanical input causes the rotor to tum.

The rotating magnetic field induces an AC voltage in the stator windings.

Often there are three sets of stator windings, physically offset so that the
rotating magnetic field produces a three phase current, displaced by
one-third of a period with respect to eachother.

The rotors magnetic field may be produced by induction (as in a

"brush-less" alternator), by permanent magnets (as in very small
machines), or by a rotor winding energized with direct current through slip
rings and brushes.
In alternators, the armature may be the rotor or stator. The rotating-field
alternator has a stationary armature winding and a rotating-field winding.
The advantage of having a stationary armature winding is that the
generated voltage can be connected directly to the load. The stationary
armature, or stator, of this type of alternator holds the windings that are cut
by the rotating magnetic field ..
Rotating-field ac generator consists of an alternator and a static
excitation system. In the case of a machine with field coils, a current
must flow in the coils to generate the field; otherwise no power is
transferred to or from the rotor.
The process of generating a magnetic field by means of an electric current
is called excitation. The output of the alternator section supplies alternating
voltage to the load. The only purpose for the exciter is to supply the direct
current required to maintain the alternator field. Thus, a fixed-polarity
magnetic field is maintained at all times in the alternator field windings.
When the alternator field is rotated, its magnetic flux is passed through
and across the alternator armature windings. There are two types of rotors
used in rotating-field alternators. They are called the turbine-driven
and salient-pole rotors.

The windings can be lap or wave. Generators can be installed

horizontally as well as vertically based on the weight.

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 The Generators installed at Lower Periyar Power House are of vertical type,
salient pole, and suspended type construction. The stator winding is of
two-layer bar type wave winding. The Generator has a guide bearing
positioned above the rotor, and one guide bearing below the rotor.

Hydro Static [HS] lubrication system for injection of oil to the thrust
bearingpads have been provided for use during starting and stopping. The
generator slip rings and speed signal generators are located at the top. The
generator excitation is provided by separate static excitation equipment.

Specification
Maximum continuous rating 66.67 MVA
Rated power 60 MW
Rated voltage 11000V
Rated power factor 0.9 lagging
Rated frequency 50 Hz
Rated speed 333.33 rpm
No. of poles 18
Direction of rotation clockwise
Air gap at po le centre 26mm
Stator Resistance 0.00505 ohm
PhaseStator winding connection star(wave)
Field winding Resistance 0.14255 ohm
Excitation current at no load 607 amps
Excitation current at rated load 1250 A, 230 V,
287.5 KW
Stator current at rated load 3500 A

Stator:-
The different parts are:-
Frame-The stator frame is used to hold the armature windings in
alternators, and in case of larger diameter alternators (which are slow
speed) the stator frame is cast out of sections and there are holes for
ventilation in the casting itself. The recent trends to such stator construction
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 are more in favour of using mild steel plates which are welded together
rather than castings. The stator frame is built of welded steel structure
and to facilitate transport, it is dispatched from the factory in three
parts. It has adequate depth to prevent distortion during transport
and under any operating conditions.
Core- Another integral part of the stator is the stator core. The core is
constructed in the form of laminations and the material used for the same
is either magnetic iron or steel alloy. The main purpose of lamination is
to prevent loss of energy in the form of eddy currents.
There are different types of armature slots provided in the core to insert
the conductors and the three various types are as follows.
• Wide open type slots
• Semi closed type slots
• Close type slots

The core is securely clamped by a large number of studs. Ventilation

ducts are provided at intervals along the stator core, being formed
by means of non magnetic steel spacing is securely welded to adjacent
steel stampings. Jacking screws are provided at the outer edge of end
plates to enable the pressure of the teeth to be adjusted.

Windings:-
The stator winding is of two layer bar type wave winding. All the bars
are formed, insulated and tested before being placed in the slots. Each
bar consists of a number of individual copper strands of rectangular
section to minimize eddy current losses. Each strand is insulated with
polyesterimide varnished glass brainding. The bars are insulated along
the slot portion by adequate presses and consolidated in a heated
press. This ensures complete elimination of voids and high factor of
safety against breakdown..

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 Stator
The end portion of the bar have flexible insulation consisting of
polyester film and glass backed mica flake tape, reinforced at intervals
with layers ofvarnish treated terylene tape and with glass tape for
protection and finish. The joints between the bars are made by brazing
and are insulated. All connections between bars and terminals are
securely clamped. Both ends of each phase windings arebrought out
to suit the terminals near the top of the stator frame..

Rotor:-
The rotor consists of a coil of wire wrapped around an iron core. Current
through the wire coil - called "field" current - produces a magnetic field
around the core. The strength of the field current determines the
strength of the magnetic field. The field current is DIC, or direct
current. In other words, the current flows in one direction only, and is
supplied to the wire coil by a set of brushes and slip rings. The magnetic
field produced has, as any magnet, a north and a south pole. The
rotor is driven by the alternator pulley, rotating as the engine runs,
hence the name "rotor." The rotor is constructed with a high strength
alloy steel shaft forging that is precision machined, ground and finished
to exact tolerances.

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 Poles:-
There are 18 magnet blocks on each rotor. Each magnet block has a north
pole and a south pole. The poles are arranged alternately, so north faces
the stator on one block and south on the next. The poles on the other
magnet rotor are arranged in the opposite polarity so that the north poles
face south poles across the stator. In this way, a strong magnetic flux is
created through the stator between the magnet rotors. The
coilsembedded in the stator are dimensioned such as to encircle the flux
from one magnet pole at a time. As the magnet blocks pass a coil, the
flux through the coil alternates in direction. This induces an alternating
voltage in each turn of the coil. The voltage is proportional to the rate of
change of flux..

Damper Winding:-
Therotor is equipped with damper windings. They stabilize the speed
of AC generator to reduce hunting under changing loads. If speed
tends to increase induction-generator action occurs in damper winding.

This action places a load on the rotor tending to slow down the
machine. In case of speed decrease induction-motor action takes place.
The damper winding is of major importance to the stable operation
of the generator. While the generator is operating in exact synchronism
with the power system, rotating field and rotor speed exactly matched,
there is no current in the damper winding and it essentially has no effect on
the generator operation. If there is a small disturbance in the power
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 system, and the frequency tends to change slightly, the rotor speed and the
rotating field speed will be slightly different. This may result in
oscillation, which can result in generator pulling out of step with possible
consequential damage.

Damping bars are of circular sections of copper which are semi closed
in the pole faces. The ends of the bars are short circuited together by
copper stampings. The damper winding is inter-connected between
poles.

Field Winding:-
The magnetic field in the synchronous generator is created by field
winding. The field coils are square ended being fabricated from a
straight length of copper strips dove tailed and braced at the ends.
At intervals down each coil the copper is increased in width to give
fins for cooling purposes
All connections between adjacent field coils and also between field
coils and slip rings are firmly secured to the rotor.

Temperature Detectors:-
Resistance temperature detectors are built into the generator
stator core and windings. The detectors are of three wire resistance
typehaving 100 ohms resistance at o0c and 138.5 ohms at 100°c.
The loads from thedetectors are brought out to a metal clad terminal
box located in a conveniently accessible position from which cables
could be run to the indicating instrument via generator marshalling
box.

1.4.9 BEARINGS

Conventional alternators comprise of top-mounted thrust and guide

bearing supported on heavy brackets, capable of supporting total weight
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 of generator. A guide bearing is a plain bearing used to guide a machine
element in its lengthwise motion, usually without rotation of the element.
A bottom guide bearing combined with turbine shaft is usually provided.
This conventional design is used for high speeds (up to 1000 rpm)
generators..

Thrust bearing:-
Thrust bearing in any turbo machine is used to prevent axial tolerance
on the shaft. The thrust bearing is a spring supported type in which the
stationary part consist segmental pads supported on mattress of helical
springs. The rotating bearing surface is machined accurately
perpendicular to the axis of the shaft.
The bearing surface is polished to fine surface finish. The thrust pads
are of stress relived mild steel and are faced with a high quality white
metal.
Each pad rests on a number of springs which are pre-compressed by a
permanently locked centre screw and finished to a standard overall
length.

The springs are assembled on a heavy fabricated spring plate which is an

integral part of the thrust bearing housing. The thrust pads are
prevented from moving circumferentially by pad stops secured to the
spring plate. Radial movement is prevented by-dog damps which would
also prevent the pad from rising with the thrust block during rotor
jacking operation. The thrust bearing pads are completely immersed in
oilbath. The oil is cooled by plug in oil coolers.

Top Guide Bearing:-

The top and bottom guide bearings are of the pivoted pad type consisting
of a row of white metalloid pads arranged in a support ring. Top guide
bearing is located above the thrust bearing, on a journal surface
machined on the periphery of the thrust collar. Sufficient insulation and
protection is provided in top guide bearing to prevent flow of shaft
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 current through the bearing pads. The same oil bath for the thrust pads is
used for the guide bearing.

Bottom Guide Bearing:-

Bottom guide bearing is located on a journal integrally forged with the
shaft. A pivot bar is bolted to the back or each guide bearing pad to enable
the pad to rock slightly to take up a suitable position and facilitate
formation of the oil film, when running. The clearance between
individual pads and the journal is set by adjusting the shims
between the back of the pad and the pivot bar. The pads are cooled by an
oil bath with plug in type coolers.

1.4.10 HYDRO STATIC [HS] LUBRICATION SYSTEM

Lubricants (solid or fluid film) are deliberately applied to produce low

friction and low wear. In hydrostatic lubrication, a thick fluid film is
maintained between two surfaces, with little or no relative motion, by an
external pumping agency: a pump, which feeds pressurized fluid to the
film.

Hydrostatic lubrication requires an external pumping agency. HS bearings

provide high load-carrying capacity. Since HS bearings do not require
relative motion of the bearing surfaces to build up the load-supporting
pressures as necessary in hydrodynamic(HD) bearings by viscous
shear/drag, HS bearings can be used in applications with little or no relative
motion between the surfaces.
The hydro static lubrication system has been designed to provide an
oil filmbetween the thrust pads and the runner disc during starting and
stopping when there is little likelihood of formation of hydrodynamic oil
film.

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 Therefore, it should always be put on service before starting the unit.
However, if for any reason the HS lubrication system is out of order, the
rotor shall be jacked up and released just before starting the unit, to
ensure formation of oil film. This operation is not necessary If the machine
has been at stand still for less than 12 hours.

Brakes and Jacks:-

The generator brakes consists of a number of 'Ferodo' lined shoes

which operates against a polished circular steel brake track to the
underside of the rotor spider hub. Each brake shoe is mounted on a
vertical piston moving in a small cylinder. To apply/release the brakes, air
would be forced into the brake cylinder in appropriate direction from the
station compressed air supply. The brake cylinders are mounted on the
bottom bracket.
The brakes are to be applied continuously starting from 30 rpm, with HS.
Lube ON and with air pressure of 4 to 5 bars for minimizing brake -dust
problems. When the machine has come to a full stop, the brake should be
left on for about 5 minutes more, to flow static friction to be established
between the rotating parts and the bearing pads. If sufficient time is not
allowed for the oil to squeeze out from between the bearing surface to
establish staticthe friction, turbine gate leakage torque may cause the rotor
to creep, which could cause damage to the thrust bearing pads.

1.4.11 STATIC EXCITATION

Lower Periyar is the second power house using static excitation in
Kerala State Electricity Board. The static excitation system consists of
excitation transformer, thyristor converter and voltage regulator. A
complete system also includes control and deexcitation circuits. It is called
static excitation when you make use of solid state components like diode
and thyristors to convert to pure de and to use this de for field
excitation of synchronous generators.
The Thyristor-type static excitation system, due to its many advantages,
excellent response characteristics, easy maintenance and simplified main

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 machine construction, is now extensively used for medium-and large-
capacity hydro-or steam-turbine generators.
In the case of synchronous machine protection circuit's activation the
automatic quick field suppression via a de-excitation D.C. circuit breaker
and a discharge resistor is accomplished. The excitation system is equipped
with a microprocessor control system that enables voltage control,
supervision, protection, communication and signalization. The system is
completely automated and adapted for no-crew plants and for remote control
from the superimposed control centre.

The main types of Exciters are:

1) Conventional D.C. Exciter.

2) Static Exciter.
3) Brushless Exciter

In modern generators, magnetic field is produced by an

electromagnet. Equipments required to produce a controlled amount of
field current is known as Excitation System.

Static Excitation Equipment:-

It consists of Regulation Cubicle, field flashing &field breaker cubicle,

thyristor cubicles, and transformer cubicle. All excitation power is
normally derived from the synchronous machine terminals through the step
down excitation transformer of 850 kVA rating, generally termed as the
rectifier Transformer or the Excitation Transformer, housed inside a
cubicle and the thyristor converter. The voltage regulator via pulse•
triggering unit controls the thyristor converter.
As synchronous machine has low remnant voltage, the voltage built-up in
the selfexcitation mode is accomplished by flashing the field from an
external D.C. supply (station battery) or with AC. supply (station auxiliary)
through a diode rectifier. The control circuit is suitable to accept

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 supervisory command signal contacts from remote Supervisory control
equipment.
The AC input supply of all electronic power supplies are given from the
secondary ofthe Excitation Transformer through suitable intermediate
transformers.
The secondary of the Excitation Transformer feeds the thyristor bridge which
consists of parallel connected bridges to meet the field current requirement of
the Machine.
The DC output of the Thyristor Bridge is fed to the generator field
through field breakers. The discharge resistance in the field circuit
enables faster suppression of stored energy in the field.

Power Rectifier:-
Threephase 6-pulse fully controlled thyristor bridges with fuse RC
circuit, gate circuit and de coupling reactors are provided with conduction
monitoring unit to indicate with the help of LEDs the non-conduction of any
thyristor in the bridge. De• coupling reactors provided in each arm of the
bridge for di/dt protection also improves the paralleled sharing between
thyristor bridges. One redundant bridge is built in the system such that in the
event of -failure of one bridge rest of the bridges can carry full rated
excitation requirement of the machine. With 2 bridges out of service,
machine can be operated at reduced load with the remaining bridge.

Voltage Build up/field flashing:-

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 Electrical generators that are self excited depend on residual magnetism
in the field to start generating. If the residual magnetism has been lost,
it may be restored by briefly applying power from an external source.
The brief application of power for that purpose is called "flashing the
field." Flashing is sometimes done manually to start a small generator.

Voltage build up (field flashing) can be done either with the help of station
battery supply through a dropping resistor and blocking diodes stack or
Station Auxiliary supply through a step down transformer and diode bridge.
At 30% of the rated generator voltage pulses to the thyristors in the main
circuits are released and they take over the build process at about 40% of the
rated generator voltage. For checking the healthiness of the main circuit, the
field flashing is kept in circuit up to 70% of the rated generator voltage after
which the field flashing circuit is automatically disconnected.

If a successful start up is not achieved during this period of time, a timer

provided in the excitation circuit, switches off the field flashing process.
It is to be noted that a minimum period of 10 minutes must elapse before
field flashing is resorted once again. For AC field flashing a diode bridge
stack consists of six screws in type diode mounted on suitable heat sink
assembled side by side and can be easily replaced from the front. The six
diodes are connected to from a three-phase bridge.

Modes of Operation:-

Two independent modes of operation are

envisaged namely1. Automatic mode2.
Manual mode.

Automatic mode:-In the Automatic Mode excitation is regulated by the

AVR. The AVR compares the actual value of generator voltage which is
sensed through PT after suitably stepping down and converting into DC
with the reference value set on the Auto Reference Potentiometer. The
amplified error (output of AVR) is used as control signal to control the Grid
control unit (Firing Circuit) for the Auto Channel. The output pulse of the
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 Grid control unit is amplified to boost the voltage level in the pulse
Intermediate amplifying stage and power supply unit. The power supply
unit of me pulse Intermediate Amplifying Stage feeds the A'VR and the
Auto; I and is termed as supply A.
Manual mode:-In the manual mode the Grid control unit of the
Manual channel is directly controlled by the Manual reference
potentiometer. The pulse generated by the Manual Grid Control unit is
amplified in the pulse Intermediate stage and power supply.unit of the
manual channel.
The power supply unit of the pulse Intermediate Amplifying stage feeds
reference voltage to the manual channel etc., and is termed as supply 'M'.

1.4.12 COOLING SYSTEM

Normally cooling water is tapped from the penstocks and connected to a
common inlet header through a duplex strainer with isolating valves on
either side. The inlet header is connected to an outlet header through
many numbers of cooling water pumps and a non-return valve. Isolating
valves are provided on either side of the pumps.

Normally cooling water for generator and transformer is taken from the
outlet header through valves. The cooling water pressure at outlet header

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 is sufficient as the same is tapped from the penstock; hence the cooling
water pumps are normally not started.
The cooling water system will be used for the following service.
1..Cooling water for turbine bearing and shaft
seal.2.Cooling water for Generator coolers and
bearing.
3. Station services.
4. Transformers

Cooling water for the above requirements is taken from cooling water pit
which is connected to the tail races. The cooling water from the pit
pushes through a duplex strainer pump motor sets with non return
valve [NRV]. Pressure switch has been provided in each line which
helps in the automatic start/stop of main and stand by pump. Discharge of
each pump is connected to common header. Cooling water is supplied
to Generator and turbine components through motor (4 Nos. llOHP)
operated valve. Cooling water connection for transformer and station
services are provided on the common header. Out of 4 pumps 3 pumps
works as main pump for each unit and one pump is common as stand
by. An emergency cooling water system is also provided to feed the
cooling during total shutdown of the power supply

High and Low Pressure Air System:-

H.P Air system consists of two H.P. compressor sets with air-cooled
systems. Air from compressors pass through non-return valve,
isolating valve, air cooled after coolers and finally to the H.P air
receiver. Isolating valve in the H.P. airline shall be kept open. The
H.P receiver has pressure gauge and safety valve mounted on it. Low
pressure (LP) air receivers are provided to supply low-pressure air to
shaft seal,
Brake & Jack panel and station service. The feeding of air to the, LP
receiver is earned out from the H.P. receiver through a pressure reducer.
Pressure switches have been provided on the H.P. receiver to work the
compressors automatically. The main compressor starts when the
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 pressure drops below 37kg/sq cm and stop at 40kg/sq cm. The stand by
compressor will start at 34kg/sq cm and stop at 40kg/sq cm. One
pressure switch is set to give alarm at32kg/sq cm.

Dewatering System:-

The de-watering system has been provided to remove water passage via.
a dewatering pump to tailrace. The de-watering sump has two oil
lubricated vertical turbine
pump set (11 OHP) placed at turbine floor on the left hand side (near
Unit-3) of the Power House. The discharge from the two pumps is
connected to a common header via non-return valve and is lead to the
tailrace. Level control relays nave been provided for the automatic
operation or the pump sets.
Pumps can also be operated manually by push buttons provided in
the starter panels. A high level alarm is also provided in the sump to avoid
flooding of the sump.

Drainage System:-

Water from the seepage, turbine leakage delivery water during the
operation of BF valve and ejectors are taken to the drainage sump. This
sump has got two vertical turbine pumps, (2x20HP) set with motors.
The discharge from the two pumps is connected to a common header
and leads to the tailrace. Level control relays have been provided for
automatic starting and stopping of pump sets and can also operate manually
by push buttons. A high level alarm is also provided in the sump..

Centralized Grease Lubrication System:-

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 To facilitate grease lubrication of every moving part of Inlet valve and
turbine, a centralized grease lubrication system has been provided.
The system is completely automatic with a synchronous time adjustable
between 6 to 120 hours for repeating greasing cycles. The system consist
of a heavy duty reciprocating pump drives plungers type pump with built in
reduction gear, a four way solenoid valve, a set of dose feeders with high
pressure pipes and fittings. The grease lubrication have provided on the
valve door turnings on both sides with non return valves, servomotor lines
of BF valve, guide vane lower bushing through non-return valves,
upper bushings, guide vane servo motor pins and the regulating ring
supporting bushes.Lubrication systems increase the life span of
machine components and they protect from wear and corrosion. As a
result, they are an inevitable part of modern service and maintenance
concepts. Lubrication systems have the task of bringing the lubricant to
the appropriate point in an exact measured quantity, at the right time. In
the field, single-line and progressive lubrication systems are largely
used. The choice of a suitable lubricant is largely dependent on the
operational method of the lubrication system and the application.
This is why both these factors need to be carefully scrutinized.

Synchronous Condenser Operation:-

A synchronous condenser (sometimes synchronous capacitor or
synchronous compensator) is a device identical to a synchronous motor,
whose shaft is not connected to anything but spin freely. Its purpose is
not to convert electric power to mechanical power or vice versa, but to
adjust conditions on the electric power transmission grid. Its field is
controlled by a voltage regulator to either generate or absorb reactive
power as needed to adjust the grid's voltage, or to improve power
factor.Increasing the device's field excitation, results in furnishing
magnetizing power (kVARs) to the system. Its principal advantage is
the ease with which the amount of correction can be adjusted.

The energy stored in the rotor of the machine can also help stabilize a
power system during short circuits or rapidly fluctuating loads such as
electric arc furnaces.

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 Large installations of synchronous condensers are sometimes used in
association with high-voltage direct current converter stations to supply
reactive power.

1.4.13 CIRCUIT BREAKERS AND GENERATOR

TRANSFORMERS

11 KV transformer

The combined electrical, physical, chemical and thermal properties offer

many advantages when used in power switchgears. Some of the
outstanding properties of SF6 making it desirable to use in power
applications are:
• High dielectric strength
• Unique arc-quenching ability
• Excellent thermal stability
• Good thermal conductivity

SF6 circuit breakers of capacity 1250 A, 40 kA, 245 KV are used in this
power house. These are of air operated single break, with individual
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 operating mechanism with one common air compressor unit coupled to the
three limbs with pipe. AH control equipment and compressor are housed in
the centre limb. The opening of the breaker is done by 15 Kg/sq. cm air
pressure. While opening, the closing spring is automatically charged this
is used for subsequent closing. The breaker can be operated locally or
remotely according to the switch position.

GENERATOR TRANSFORMER

Specification:
Technical data
Make Crompton greaves make
No load voltage ratio 11KV/220KV
Tap changing circuit OFF load provided on
HV side
Vector simple Yndl
Type of cooling ODWF (oil driven water
forced)
Constructional details
HV line end 3 Nos,245 KV oil forced
Bushing condenser type
LV line end HV 3Nos,24KV,4000A
Neutral end Out door type bushing
Supervisory Apparatus 1 out door type bushing

• A double float type Buchholz relay with a set of alarm and trip
contacts

• A dial type oil temperature indicator with two sets of contacts for
alarm and trip and maximum reading pointer

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 • A winding temperature indicator with maximum reading pointer,
heater bulb/ and four sets of contacts for alarm, trip, fan control,
and oil pump.
• A magnetic oil gauge, 2 oil flow indicators, 2 water flow indicators.
• A No pressure release valve, pressure gauges in oil and water
circuits.
• Differential pressure gauge with a set of alarm contacts

The oil is pumped through heat exchangers using motor. Water to the
heat exchangers is taken from the cooling water system controlled
by motor operated valve followed by gate valve.
While putting the transformer in service first oil pump must be started
and then only the cooling water valve is opened.
1.4.14 PROTECTION SYSTEM

Protection of Generator and Line

In this powerhouse modern solid-state type protection relays are
installed for generators and feeders. All the protective relays are of ABB
make.

Generator - Transformer differential relay:-

It is s three phase differential relay intended for all types of auto-
transformers, multi winding transformers, generator with step up
transformer over all protection, often including the auxiliary transformer
in the protected zone. In our power house overall protection of generator
and transformer is adopted. The CT wiring is taken from the generator
neutral side and from 110 kV side of the corresponding unit. A differential
relay is connected so that it is supplied with current proportional to the
current to the power transformer, and current out from the transformer.
The relay is connected to the current transformers and possible auxiliary
current transformers. For transformers with tap- changers for voltage control,
the average ratio of the taps should be used for calculation. During normal
operating conditions, small current flows through the differential circuit
of the relay. This current corresponds to the
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 excitation current of the transformer and to a current depending on the
ratio error to the current transformers. Normally these two currents only
comprise a small percentage of the rated current. The duty of the relay is to
detect the internal faults (that is the faults within the generator, power
transformer, or on the connecting lines and bus duct etc) and then rapidly
initiate disconnection of the power supply. The internal faults that can occur
are

1. Short circuit.

2. Ground faults

3. Turn-to- turn faults.

When faults arise outside the current transformer, the differential circuit of
the relay maybe supplied with a relatively large current, which can be
caused by ratio errors in the current transformers or by the tap changer not
being in the centre tap position. If the tap changer is in a position 20% from
the centre tap position, and the short circuit current is 10 times the rated
current/a differential current of twice the rated current is obtained.
Thedifferential shall not operate for this differential current. In order to make
an operate value setting for such high over current unnecessary, the
differential relay is provided with a through fault restraint with
restraining circuits. The relay then will not react for the absolute
value of the differential current, but for a certain percentage differential
current related to the current through the power transformer. When
energizing a power transformer, it is possible to obtain a large inrush
current in the exciting winding and then proportionally large-current in the
differential circuits of the relay. The magnitude and direction of the inrush
current depends on the instant of switching in the power transformer, power
transformer remanance, the design of the transformer, the type of the
transformer connection, the method of neutral grounding, the fault MVA
rating of the power system and power transformers connected in parallel.
In modem system the current can be 5 to 10 times the rated current when
switching in into the high voltage side, and 10- 20 times the rated current
when switching to the low voltage side. To prevent the relay from operating
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 when energizing power transformer, it is not possible, as a rule, to delay the
operation during such a long time as required. Thus an instantaneous relay
must have a magnetizing Inrush restraint and there by utilize a certain
characteristic difference between the inrush current and the fault current.
Auxiliary CTs are used to balance the current to the relay. In addition
auxiliary CT may be used to reduce the effective leakage burden of the
long secondary leads. The differential zone of the relay can include up to
one kilometre of high voltage cable since adequate filtering provides
security against high current oscillations.

Bus Bar Protection Differential Relay:-

Internal bus faults occur less frequently than line- faults. On the other hand,
a bus fault tends to be appreciably more severe, both with respect to the
safety of personnel, system stability and the damage at the point of fault.
The fact that bus faults occur relatively seldom is therefore of little
comfort to the engineer in-charge subsequent to a major system
shutdown caused by the Sack of adequate bus relay.
When an internal bus fault occurs the magnitude of the fault current and its
D.C. component may be so large that the line CT's (current transformers)
saturate within 23ms. In such cases it is essential that the bus differential
relay operates and seals in within 2ms, i.e. Prior to the saturation of the line
CT's. This high speed is necessary because when a line CT saturates its
output e.m.f. tend to drop to zero.
ln the event of an external fault, just outside the line CT's of a relatively
small feeder, the fault current may in an extreme case be as large as 500
times the rating of the feeder. The line CT's of the faulty feeder are then
likely to saturate at an even higher speed, particularly so if the
remanence left in the core from a previous fault has an
unfavourable polarity. The response of the restraint circuit of the
differential relay must therefore be at least the same high speed as that of
the operating circuit, if mal-operation is to be avoided.

Distance relay for feeder protection:-

Distance relaying is used to a large extent to provide protection against
ground and phase faults on HV and EHV networks, The operation of all
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 distance relays is based on information available through main
current and voltage transformers. Sometimes additional information
may be required from other apparatus such as receiver equipment in a
communication link between two distance relays.
But, the action of a protective relay cannot only be based on the sole
estimation of currents and voltages in the primary system/ but must
also take into consideration the steady-state and transient
characteristics of the relay input sources, namely the instrument
current and voltage transformers. The demands made on protective
relays are steadily increasing owing to such factors as the growing
short-circuiting power and the demand of consumers for greater
reliability in their power supply

1.4.16 OPERATION OF DIFFERENT EQUIPMENTS

Procedure for Stand By Cooling Water Pump Operation: -

In case the main pump of any unit is not functional, Stand by Cooling
Water Pump (CW4) can be used for starting and running of any
machine. Stand by Cooling Water Pump runs on station auxiliary supply.

Sequence of Operation During Starting:-

• Switch OFF the MCCB of the faulty C. W.P and put the selector
switch in
NORMAL position. Start the machine as usual. When the
C.W. Valve of the machine is opened, Switch OK the Stand By Pump
from the UCB of the respective machine. (The Stand By Pump can be
Switched ON locally by putting switch to TEST position and pressing the
START button locally from the C.W. Pump control panel at Turbine floor).

• At the same time short the terminals 64 & 67 in terminal block TB3
of the respective machine in Auto Sequencer Panel in Control Room,

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 for getting the command from the sequencer for executing next step.
When next step is executed the shorting can be removed.
The remaining procedures are same as usual for starting the machine.
• While changing the machine supply Stand By Pump will not be affected.
• After synchronization of the machine, if the Stand by pump is
switched on in TESTposition, the selector switch can be put back to
normal.

Note: - If a machine is to be run using Stand By Pump it is better to put

the machine in service as last one.

Sequence Of Operation During Stopping:-

While Stopping- Switch OFF the machine having Stand By Pump first.
Do the Stopping procedure as Usual. After breaking, when the machine
comes to stand still, Switch OFF the stand by pump either from the UCB
(Stop command is to be given from the UCBs of all machines ) or by
putting the Selector Switch in TEST position and press the OFF push
button locally. When Machine comes to standstill change the selector
switch, of Stand by Pump, back to NORMAL.

Starting Of Machine During 'Black Out' Using Emergency

Cooling Water system:-

• Avail the Station Supply from DG Set.

•To start a machine from Black Out, Switch OFF the C\VP MCCB of
the concerned machine and Switch OFF the MCCB of Stand By Pump.
The selector switch of both the Pumps should be in NORMAL position.
• Initiate machine Start Up sequence from Control Desk.
•When the CW Valve of the machine opens, OPEN the Emergency
Cooling Water Valve fully. (If required the Emergency Cooling Water
Pumps can be put in to service from DG supply)

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 • Short the concerned terminals of the Main and Stand pumps at
Sequencer panel. (Main pump-TB3 - 64,67, Stand by TB3 - 68,71- if
required).
• When the machine Voltage and Frequency reaches the required
level (before synchronization) change the supply from GA to GB.
• Put the Main Cooling Water Pump selector in TEST, Switch ON the
Main Cooling Water Pump MCCB and put the selector to
NORMAL (the CWP will start automatically).
• Close the Emergency cooling water valve.
• Synchronize the Machine and Normalize the Auxiliary supply.
Procedure for pneumatic breaking:-

Breaking of machine during stopping:-

When the Machine speed reaches 10 Hz (20% of rated speed) and

getting confirmation from Chief Operator, (AE should confirm that the
HS Pump is ON, if not, start locally). Fully open the Air valve Near the
LP air receiver Tank in Turbine Floor. Open the Air admission Valve near
the Brake & Jack panel in the Shaft Room.
Press the RESET Button until the pressure inside the Brake cylinder
fully released (the hissing sound stops). Apply brakes by pressing
APPLY push button. Confirm that ANY ON and ALL ON indications
are obtained. When the machine speed reaches Zero and Mechanical
Brakes Off status is displayed on the CD, the Chief Operator should
inform the concerned to release the Brakes.

For releasing the brakes, apply RESET button as above. ApplyRELEASE

push button until the ALL OFF indication is obtained. If ALL OFF
indication is not getting, close the air valve at shaft room and apply
RELEASE until the pressure gauge reads Zero, then conduct a visual
checkup inside the Barrel to confirm that, all brakes are released.

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 Procedures to be followed at Brake Jack panel before Starting of
Machine:-

Fully open the Air valve Near the LP receiver Tank in Turbine Floor.
Open the Air admission Valve near the Brake & Jack panel in the Shaft
Room. Press the RESET Button and confirm that ANY ON and ALL
ON indications are OFF and ALL
OFF indication is ON. The indications GEN Start Not Ready and Syn.
Start Not
Ready in Control desk should get OFF. In the Display panel at CD
"Air Pressure Normal" and "Mechanical Brakes reset" status will vanish.
Now the Machine is ready for Starting.

Machine start procedure:-

Start procedure::-

• Close the 220 KV Isolator of machine from Control Desk.

• Select Release - Close (A or B Bus)
• Physical verification of lsolator
contacts for proper closing must be done
by AE.• Give direction to the Generator Floor AE to make ready the
machine for Starting
• OPEN Air Valve and RESET brakes.
•The glowing "Gen. Start Not Ready" indication lamp in CD will fail.
• The Machine is now READY for Starting.
• Set the Speed Setting Indicator in its marked position using Raise-
Lower Speed Setting push button
• Switch ON the MCBs in the Transformer Annunciation Panel,
Machine Annunciation panel and Vibration &Rotor Temperature Indicator
Panel

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 •Switch ON Transformer Oil Pump and Cooling water Valve from
the TransformerControl Desk.

Synchronizing:-
•Put the key, open the lock and put the Synchronising Selector S/W in
CD to CHECKposition. Select Release+ 'Synch'.
•Adjust the voltage and frequency of the incoming M/c to that of Bus using
excitation auto sel. and speed setting Raise-Lower Push Button
• When the Incoming Machine frequency approaches the Bus frequency,
Switch ON theSynchronoscope Selection Switch in Vertical panel.

• When the machine frequency matches system frequency and the

green lamp of synchroscope glows steadily, Synchronize the machine
.Select Release+ CB ON• Increase the Load Suddenly to l 5MW using R-
L of Guide vane position (MW)
•Increase the Load gradually to 45MW using G.V limit PB.
• Change the Auxiliary supply from Bus to Machine.

Shutdown Procedure:-
• Load reduced to 45MW for All Machines
• (Change the station auxiliary to other Machine or Karimanal Feeder)
• Change Machine Auxiliary to Station Auxiliary
• Select Display ON/OFF
• Using Speed Setting Push Button Reduce the Load to 40 MW
•By using Guide Vane Raise - Lower (MW) reduce the load to 20 M\V

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`
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 SECTION: 2

110KV SUBSTATION
PARUTHIPPARA

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 Acknowledgement
I the student of SRM Institute of Technology, Chennai, have undertaken
practical training at 110 kV Substation ,under Paruthippara guidance and
supervision of Mr. Jacob (Assistant Executive Engineer) of 110KV
Substation Paruthippara. We are thankful to all the employees of this
substation who helped us to gain the practical knowledge and answered
our queries to the best of our satisfaction. We feel obliged by gaining
knowledge under the esteemed guidance of able personals at
Poovanthuruthu substation.

2.1.INTRODUCTION
We all know that electrical power systems are playing an important role in
our daily routine. Electrical power is generated in power stations by
different processes and from there it is transmitted to substations, which
are located in different places through transmission lines. Then it is
delivered to the consumer through a large network of transmission and
distribution cables.

In electrical systems the most important components are the Power

Transformers, circuit breakers, lightning arresters, instrument
transformers, relays, wave traps, isolators, bus bars etc.

2.2. SUB–STATION
Substation is a part of an electrical generation transmission and
distribution system. Substation transforms voltage from high to low, or the
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 reverse or performs any of the several other important functions. Between
generating station and consumer electric power may flow through several
substations at different voltage levels.

Substations may be owned and controlled by an electrical utility, or

may be owned by a large industrial or commercial customer. Generally
substations are unattended, relying on SCADA for remote supervision and
control.

Substations may include transformers to change voltage levels between

high transmission voltages and lower distribution voltages, or at the
interconnection of two different transmission voltages. The word
substation comes from the days before the distribution system became a
grid. As central generating stations became larger, smaller generating
plants were converted to distribution stations, receiving their energy
supply from a larger plant instead of using their own generators. The first
substations were connected to only one power station, where the
generators were housed, and were subsidiaries of that power station.

The electrical substation design is influenced by following aspects:

1. Rated voltage of incoming and outgoing lines

2. Total MVA to be transferred

3. Geographical area available

4. Step up and step down

5. Switching substation

6. Receiving substation

7. Distributing substation
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 8. Industrial substation

2.3.ELEMENTS OF SUBSTATION
2.3.1.POWER TRANSFORMER

The Power Transformers are those transformers installed at the ending

or receiving end of long high voltage transmission lines. The distribution
transformers (generally pole mounted) are those installed in the location of
the city to provide utilization voltage at the consumer terminals. Power
transformers are used in transmission network of higher voltages for step-up
and step down application (400 kV, 200 kV, 110 kV, 66 kV, 33kV) and are
generally rated above 200MVA.They have usually has one primary and one
secondary, and one input and output.
Power transformers generally operate at nearly full – load. However, a
distribution transformer operates at light loads during major parts of the day.
The performance of the power transformers is generally judged from
commercial efficiency. The rating of a high transformer is many times
greater than that of distribution transformer and the flux density is also
higher

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 Power transformer’s primary winding always connected in star and
secondary winding in delta. In the Substation end of the transmission line,
The power transformer connection is star-delta.( for the purpose of step down
the voltage level)
In the star up of the transmission line (H-T), the connection of the power
transformer is delta – star (for the purpose of step up the voltage level)

Transformer Core:-

A physical core is not an absolute requisite and a functioning

transformer can be produced by placing the windings near each other, an
arrangement termed as ‘air-core’ transformer. The air which comprises the
magnetic circuit is essentially lossless, and so and air core transformer
eliminate loss due to hysteresis in the core material. The leakage
inductance is inevitably high resulting in very poor regulation, and so such
designs are unsuitable for usein power distribution. They have however
very high bandwidth, and are frequently used in radio-frequency
applications for which a satisfactory coupling coefficient is maintained by
carefully overlapping the primary and secondary windings. They are also
used for resonant transformers such as tesla coils where they can achieve
reasonably low loss in spite of the high leakage inductance.

Windings:-

The conducting materials used for the winding depends upon the
application, but in all cases the individual turns must be electrically
insulated from each other to ensure that the current travels throughout
every turn. For small power and signal transformers, in which currents are
low and the potential difference between adjacent turns is small, the coils
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 are often wound from enamelled magnet wire, such are Formvar wire.
Larger power transformers operating at high voltages may be wound with
copper rectangular strip conductors insulated by oil-impregnated paper
and blocks of pressboard.

Bushings:-

Large transformers are provided with high voltage insulate bushings

made of polymers or porcelain. A large bushing can be a complex
structure since it must provide careful control if the electric field gradient
without letting transformer leak.

Tap Changer:-

A tap changer is a connection point selection mechanism along a

power transformer winding that allows a variable number of turns to be
selected in discrete steps. A transformer with a variable turns ratio is
produced, enablingstepped voltage regulation of output. The tap selection
may be made via an automatic or manual tap changer mechanism.

Cooling Equipment:-

ONAN Cooling of Transformer:-

This is the simplest form of cooling system. The full form of ONAN is
“Oil Natural Air Natural”. Here natural convectional flow of hot oil is
utilized for cooling. In convectional circulation of oil, the hot oil flows to
the upper portion of the transformer tank and the vacant place is occupied
by cold oil. This hot oil which comes to the upper side will dissipate heat
in the atmosphere by natural conduction, convection and radiation in air
and will become cold.

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 In this way the oil in the transformer continually circulate when the
transformer is put into load. As the rate of dissipation of heat in air
depends on dissipating surface of the oil tank, it is essential to increase the
effective surface area of the tank,so additional dissipating surface in the
form of tubes or radiators are connected to the transformer tank. This is
known as radiator bank of transformer.

ONAF Cooling of Transformer:-

Heat dissipation can obviously be increased by increased by increase

in surface area, but it can be made further faster by applying forced air on
that dissipating surface. Fans blowing air on cooling surfaces is employed.
Forced air takes away the heat from the surface of the radiator and
provides better cooling than natural air. The full form of ONAF is “Oil
Natural Air Forced”. As the heat dissipation rate is faster and more in
ONAF transformer cooling method than in ONAN cooling system,
electrical power can be put into more load without crossing the
permissible temperature limits.

OFAF Cooling of Transformer:-

The heat dissipation rate can be still improved if the oil circulation is
accelerated by applying some force. In OFAF cooling system the oil is
forced to circulate within the closed

loop of the transformer tank by means of oil pumps. OFAF means “Oil
Forced Air Force” cooling methods of transformer. The main advantage of
this system is that it is a compact system and for same cooling capacity
OFAF system occupies much lesser space than former two systems of
transformer cooling. Actually in Oil Natural cooling systems , the heat
comes out of the conducting part of the transformer is displaced form its
position, is a slower rate due to convectional flow of oil but in oil forced
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 cooling systems the heat is displaced from its origin as soon as it comes
out in the oil, hence rate of cooling becomes faster.

• For all T-6 models – 0.35to .84kg/cm2(any one value as per demand)
• For all T-3 models – 0.35to .84kg/cm2(any one value as per demand)

Port openings

• For all T-6 models- about 150mm Dia. For all T-3 models- about
70mm Dia.

Oil/Winding Temperature indicator:-

Scientific Controls:-

Mechanical Instruments are incorporates proven design features acquired

from many years of experience in providing Temperature
Indicators/Controllers for Power& Distribution Transformers.

Oil Temperature Indicator:-

The Oil Temperature Indicator (OTI) measures the Top oil Temperature. It
is used for control and protection for all transformers.

Winding Temperature Indicator:-

The winding is the one component with highest temperature within the
transformer and, above all, the one subject to the fastest temperature
increase as the load increases. Thus to have a total control of temperature
parameter within the transformer, the temperature of winding as well as
top oil must be measured. An indirect system is used to measure winding
temperature as it is dangerous to place a sensor close to the winding due to

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 heavy voltage. The indirect measurement is done by means of a built-in
Thermal Image.

Winding Temperature Indicator is equipped with a specifically

designed Heater which is placed around the operating bellows through
which passes a current proportional to the current passing through the
transformer winding subject to the given load. Winding temperature is
measured by connecting the CT Secondary of the transformer through a
shunt resistor inside the Winding Temperature Indicator to the Hater Coil
around the operating Bellows. It is possible to adjust gradient by means of
Shunt Resistor.

In this way the value of the winding temperature indicated by the

instrument will be equal to the one planned by the transformer
manufacturer for a given transformer load.

2.3.2.CIRCUIT BREAKER

fig 2.2

A circuit breaker is a manually or automatically operated electrical

switch designed to protect an electrical circuit from damage caused by
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 overload or short circuit. Its basic function is to detect a fault condition
and interrupt current flow. Unlike a fuse, which operates once and then
must be replaced, a circuit breaker can be reset (either manually or
automatically) to resume normal operation. Circuit breakers are made in
varying sizes, from small devices that protect an individual household
appliance up to large switchgear designed to protect high voltage circuits
feeding an entire city.

Operation

All circuit breakers have common features in their operation, although

details vary substantially depending on the voltage class current rating and
type of the circuit breaker.

The circuit breaker must detect a fault condition; in low voltage circuit
breakers this is usually done within the breaker enclosure. Circuit breakers
for large currents and high voltages are usually arranged with pilot devices
to sense a fault current and to operate the trip opening mechanism. The
trip solenoid that releases the latch is usually energized by a separate
battery, although some high voltage circuit breakers are self-contained
with current transformers, protective devices and internal control power
source.

Once a fault is detected, contacts within the circuit breaker must open
interrupt the circuit; some mechanically stored energy (using something
such as springs or compressed air) contained within the breaker is used to
separate the contacts, although some of the energy required may be
obtained from the fault current itself. Small circuit breakers maybe
manually operated, larger units have solenoids to trip the mechanism, and
electric motors to store the energy to the springs.

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 The circuit breaker contacts must carry the load current without heating,
and must also with stand the heat of the arc produced when interrupting
(opening) the circuit. Contacts are made of copper or copper alloys, silver
alloys and other highly conductive materials. Service life of the contacts is
limited by the erosion of contact material due to arcing while interrupting
the current. Miniature circuit breakers (MCB) and moulded-case circuit
breakers (MCCB) are usually discarded when the contacts have worn, but
power circuit breakers and high voltage circuit breakers have replaceable
contacts.

When a current is interrupted, an arc is generated. This arc must be

contained, cooled and extinguished in a controlled way, so that the gap
between the contacts can again withstand the voltage in the circuit.
Different circuit breakers use vacuum, air, insulating gas, or oil as the
medium the arc forms in. Different techniques are used to extinguish the
arc including.

• Lengthening /deflection of the arc

• Intensive cooling ( in jet chamber)
• Division into partial arcs
• Zero point quenching (Contacts open at the zero current time crossing
of the AC waveform, effectively breaking no load current at the time
of opening. The zero crossing occurs at twice the line frequency, i.e.
100 times per second for 50 Hz and 120 times per second for 60 Hz)
• Connecting capacitors in parallel with contacts in DC circuits
Finally, once the fault condition has been cleared, the contact must again
be closed to restore power to the interrupted circuit.

2.3.2.2.Vacuum Circuit Breaker

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 A vacuum circuit breaker is such kind of circuit breaker where the arc
quenching takes place in vacuum. The technology is suitable for mainly
medium voltage application. For higher voltage vacuum technology has
been developed but not commercially viable. The operation of opening
and closing of current carrying contacts and associated arc interruption
takes place in a vacuum chamber in the breaker which is called vacuum
interrupter. The vacuum interrupter consists of a steel arc chamber in the
centre symmetrically arranged ceramic insulators. The vacuum pressure
inside a vacuum interrupter is normally maintained at 10 -6 bar.

2.3.3.INSTRUMENT TRANSFORMERS
Instrument Transformers are high accuracy class electrical
devices used to isolate or transform voltage or current levels. The
most common usage of instrument transformer is to operate
instruments or metering from high voltage or high current circuits,
safely isolating the secondary control circuitry from the high voltages
or currents. The primary winding of the transformer is connected to
the high voltage or high current circuit, and the meter or relay is
connected to the secondary circuit.
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 Instrument transformers may also be used as an isolation transformer so
that secondary quantities may be used in phase shifting without affecting
other primary connected devices.
In Poovanthuruthu Substation there are a total of current transformers
and potential transformers. They are mainly used for metering purpose
and protection by operation of various relays.

TYPES:

2.3.3.1. Potential Transformer:-

Potential transformers are also called voltage transformers (VT) are a

parallel connected type of instrument transformer. They are designed to
present negligible load to the supply being measured and have an accurate
voltage ratio and phase relationship to enable accurate secondary
connected metering

.2.3.3.2.Current Transformer

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 Current transformers (CT) are a series connected type of instrument
transformed. They are designed to present negligible load to the supply
being measured and have an accurate current ratio and phase relationship
to enable accurate secondary connected metering.

Current transformers are often constructed by passing a single primary

turn either an insulated cable or an uninsulated bus bar through a well-
insulated toroidal core wrapped with many turns of wire. This affords
easy implementation on high voltage bushing insulators and using the
pass-through conductor as a single turn primary.

A current clamp uses a current transformer with a split core that can
be easily wrapped around a conductor in circuit. This is a common
method used in portable current measuring instruments but permanent
installations use more economical types of current transformer. Specially
constructed wireband CTs are also used, usually with an oscilloscope, to
measure high frequency waveforms or pulsed currents within pulsed
power systems. One type provides an IR voltage output that is
proportional to the measured current; another called a Rogowski coil,
requires an external integrator in order to provide a proportional output.

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 2.3.4. ISOLATOR

Circuit breakers always trip the circuit but open contacts of breaker cannot
be physically visible from outside of the breaker and that is why it is
recommended not to touch any electrical circuit by just switching off the
circuit breaker.

So for better safety there must be some arrangement so that one can see
open condition of the section of the circuit before touching it. Isolator is a
mechanical switch which isolates a part of circuit from system as when
required. Electrical isolators separate a part of the system from rest for
safe maintenance works. So definitions of isolator can be rewritten as
Isolator is a manually operated mechanical switch which separates a part
of the electrical power normally at off load condition.

Isolators are classified into two:

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 1.Line

Isolator

2.Bus

Isolator

Line Isolator:-

Line Isolator is the isolator which is situated in between potential

transformer and current transformer. This is the isolator which is coming
directly from line. This isolator has an inbuilt provision for grounding the
main transmission lines so that work can be done on them.

Bus Isolator:-

This is the isolator which is coming directly from the bus. They are used
to isolate the various buses present in the switch yard.

2.3.5.INSULATORS

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 An insulator is a material whose internal electric charges do
not flow freely, and therefore very hard to conduct an electric current
under the influence of an electric field.

A perfect insulator does not exist, but some materials such as glass, paper
and Teflon which have high resistivity, are very good electrical insulators.
A much larger class of materials, even though they may have lower bulk
resistivity, are still good enough to insulate wiring and cables. Examples
include rubber like polymers and most plastics. Such materials can serve
as practical and safe insulators for low to moderate voltages.

Insulators are used in electrical equipment to support and separate

electrical conductors without allowing current through themselves. An
insulating material used in bulk to wrap electrical cables or other
equipment is called insulation. The term insulator is also used more
specifically to refer to insulating supports used to attach electric power
distribution or transmission lines to utility poles and transmission towers
hold the conductors and prevent current through conductors to pass
through the poles to the ground.

2.3.6. WAVE TRAP

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 Wave traps in electrical systems are used for power plant communication
through transmission wires. It is a combination of low inductances in
series and high capacitances in parallel with transmission wires in power
frequencies. But communication signals are very low amplitude and very
high frequency signals. So, these signals are nearly open circuited by the
inductance and short circuited by capacitance. That is how wave trap
power and communication waves are used in PPC

2.3.7.BUS BARS
In electrical power distribution, a bus bar is also spelled as busbar or
sometimes incorrectly as buss bar, with the term bus being a contraction
of the Latin word omnibus. It is a strip or bar of copper, brass or
aluminium that conducts electricity within a switchboard, distribution,

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 substation, battery bank or other electrical apparatus. Its main purpose is
to conduct electricity, not to function as a structural member.

The cross-section size of the bus bar determines the maximum amount
of current that can be safely carried. Bus bars can have cross sectional
area as little as 10 mm2 but electrical substations may use metal tubes of
50 mm in diameter (20 mm2) or more as bus bars. An aluminium smelter
will have very large bus bars used to carry tens of thousands of amperes to
the electrochemical cells that produce aluminium from molten salts.

2.3.8.RELAYS
A relay is an electrically operated switch. Many relays use an
electromagnet to operate a switching mechanism mechanically, but other
operating principles are also used, where it is necessary to control a circuit
by a low-power signal (with complete electrical isolation between control
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 and controlled circuits), or where several circuits must be controlled by
one signal. The first relays were used in long distance telegraph circuits,
repeating the signal coming from one circuit and re-transmitting it to
another. Relays were extensively used in telephone exchanges and early
computer to perform logical operations.
A type of relay that can handle the high power required to directly
control an electric motor or other loads is called a contactor. Solid-state
relays control power circuits with no moving parts, instead using a
semiconductor device to perform switching. Relays with calibrated
operating characteristics and sometimes multiple operating coils are used
to protect electrical circuits from overload faults; in modern electrical
power systems these functions are performed by digital instruments called
“protective relays”.

Electromagnetic Relay:-
Electromagnetic relays are those relays which are operated by
electromagnetic action. Modern electrical protection relays are mainly
microprocessor based, but still electromagnetic relay holds its place. It
will take much longer time to be replaced the all electromagnetic relays by
microprocessor based static relays. So before going through details of
protection relay system we should review various types of electromagnetic
relays.

Electromagnetic Relay Working:-

Practically all the relaying device are based on rather one or more of the
following types of electromagnetic relays.

a) Magnitude measurement
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 b) Comparison

c) Ratio measurement

Principle of electromagnetic relay working is on some basic principles.

Depending upon working principle these can be divided into following
types of electromagnetic relays.

i)Attracted Armature type relay

ii)Induction Disc type relay
iii)Induction Cup type relay
iv)Balanced Beam type relay
v)Moving Coil type relay
vi)Polarised Moving Iron type
relay

Attraction Armature Type Relay:-

Attraction Armature type relay is the most simple in construction as
well as its working principle. These types of electromagnetic relays can be
utilized as either magnitude relay or ratio relay. These relays are
employed as auxiliary relay, control relay, overcurrent, undercurrent,
overvoltage, under-voltage and impedance measuring relays.
Hinged armature and plunger type constructions are most commonly
used for these types of electromagnetic relays. Among these two
constructional designs, hinged armature type is more commonly used.

2.3.9. LIGHTENING ARRESTERS

A lightning arrester, also known as lightning conductor, is a device
used to on electrical power systems and telecommunication systems to
protect the insulation and conductors of the system from the damaging
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 effects of lightning. The typical lightning arrester has a high voltage
terminal and a ground terminal. When a lightning surge (or switching
surge, which is very similar) travels along the power line to the arrester,
the current from the surge is diverted through the arrester, in most cases to
the earth

In telegraphy and telephony, a lighting arrester is placed where wires

enter a structure, preventing damage to electronic instruments within and
ensuring the safety of individuals near them. Smaller versions of lighting
arresters also called surge protectors are devices that are connected
between each electrical conductor in power and communication systems
and the earth. These prevent the flow of the normal power or signal
currents to ground, but provide a path over which high voltage lightning
current flows, bypassing the connected equipment. Their purpose is to
limit the rise in voltage when a communication or power line is struck by
lightning or is near to a lightning strike.

If the protection fails or is absent, lightning that strikes the electrical

system introduces thousands of kilovolts that may damage the
transmission lines, and can also cause severe damage to transformers and
other electrical or electronic devices. Lightning produce extreme voltage
spikes in incoming power lines can damage electrical home appliances.

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 2.3.10. DC SUPPLY

DC Supply is one of the most essential parts of a substation because all

the relays are working on DC Supply. So even if AC Supply is not
available the circuit breaker should work. For this DC Supply is very
essential.

2.3.11.BATTERY CHARGER

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 The battery charger is used to provide dc supply to the substation. It is
used to convert the AC signal to DC signal, for that purpose it employs a
rectifier circuit.

2.3.12.SWITCH YARD

Switch yard is the most important part of a substation. In switch yard

most of the part is laid with metals to reduce earthed voltage

. In the switch yard the supply taken from incoming feeders are transferred
to one or more bus bars from which they are switched on or off to various
incomers and distribution auxiliary supply etc.

2.3.13.STEEL TOWERS (Transmission Towers):-

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 A transmission tower (colloquially termed an electricity pylon in the
United Kingdom and part of Europe, and a hydro tower in certain
provinces of Canada where power generation is mainly hydroelectric) is a
tall structure, usually a steel lattice tower, used to support an overhead
power line. They are used in high voltage AC and DC systems, and come
in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Typical height ranges from 15 to 55
metres (49 to 180 ft) though the tallest are the 370 metre (1214 ft) towers
of a 2700 metre long span of Zhoushan Island Overhead Power line Tie.
In addition to steel, other materials may be used including concrete and
wood.

There are four major categories of transmission towers: Suspension,

Terminal, Tension, and Transposition. Some transmission towers
combine these basic functions. Transmission towers and their overhead
power lines are often considered to be a form of visual pollution.
Methods to reduce the visual effect include undergrounding.

110 KV SUBSTATION PARUTHIPPARA

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 Here the characteristic property ie voltage is changed and transmitted.
That is 220 KV is changed and transmitted to 110 KV , 66 KV and 11 KV .
This is a Transformer Substation.

CHARACTERISTICS OF PARUTHIPPARA SUBSTATION:-

The incoming 220 KV feeders in the substation are :

1. Brahmapuram(Diesel Plant)

2. Sabarigiri(Moozhiyar)

3. Kayamkulam(Feeder from new pallom)

4. Idukki(Feeder from new pallom)

Similarly, There are three voltage outgoing feeders

1. 110kV Outgoing:

1. Pallom-Chengannur 1(PLCE No.1)

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 2. Pallom-Chengannur 2(PLCE No.2)

3. MRF- Pallom(PL-MR)

4. Pallom –Chengalom(PL-CN)

5. Pallom-Ayarkunnam(PL-AY) 6. Singulam -Pallom(SCM-PL)

2. 66kV Outgoing:

1. Pallom- Mavelikkara No.1

2. Pallom- Mavelikkara No.2

3. Pallom- Ettumannoor No.1

4. Pallom- Ettumannoor No.2

5. Pallom-Gandhinagar

3.11kV Outgoing :

1. Puncha North
2.Puncha South
3. Puncha Central
4. Travancore Cements Ltd
5. Aymanam
6. Kottayam
MAIN COMPONENTS

Main components we observed in the visit are listed below:

1. Circuit Breakers

2. Lightning Arresters

3. wave-traps

4. Instrument Transformer

5. Transmission Lines

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 6. Isolators

7. Protection Relays

8. Transformers

CIRCUIT BREAKER

These are used as switching devices in high power lines. They are
capable to make , brake and carry current under normal circuit
conditions and abnormal conditions such as short circuit.

Properties of circuit breaker devices are :

The different types of circuit breakers are :

And we observed SF6 Circuit Breaker and Air Blast Circuit Breakers

1. SF6circuit breaker

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 In such circuit breakers, sulphur hexaflouride (SF6) gas is used as the arc
quenching medium. The SF6 is an electro-negative gas and has a strong
tendency to absorb free electrons. The contacts of the breaker are opened
in a high pressure flow of SF6 gas and an arc is struck between them. The
conducting free electrons in the arc are rapidly captured by the gas to form
relatively immobile negative ions. This loss of conducting electrons in the
arc quickly builds up enough insulation strength to extinguish the arc. The
SF6 circuit breakers have been found to be very effective for high power
and high voltage services.

2. Air blast circuit breaker

It is a comparatively high speed device and prevents re striking .Here ,
the arc quenching is by purely compressed air. The contacts are
normally kept closed by spring pressure. when opens air is admitted in
arc extinguish chamber at high pressure and it pushes the moving
contact away and against spring pressure. The arc produced is
extinguished by this air blast.

LIGHTNING ARRESTER

A lightning arrester is a device used on electrical power systems and

telecommunications systems to protect the insulation and conductorsof the
system from the damaging effects of lightning. The typical lightning
arrester has a high-voltage terminal and a ground terminal. When a
lightning surge (or switching surge, which is very similar) travels along
the power line to the arrester, the current from the surge is diverted
through the arrestor, in most cases to earth.

In telegraphy and telephony, a lightning arrestor is placed where wires

enter a structure, preventing damage to electronic instruments within and
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 ensuring the safety of individuals near them. Smaller versions of lightning
arresters, also called surge protectors, are devices that are connected
between each electrical conductor in power and communications systems
and the Earth. These prevent the flow of the normal power or signal
currents to ground, but provide a path over which high-voltage lightning
current flows, bypassing the connected equipment. Their purpose is to
limit the rise in voltage when a communications or power line is struck by
lightning or is near to a lightning strike.

WAVE TRAP

A line trap (high-frequency stopper) is a maintenance-free parallel

resonant circuit, mounted inline on high voltage AC transmission power
lines to prevent the transmission of high frequency (40 kHz to 1000 kHz)
carrier signals of power line communication to unwanted destinations.
Line traps are cylinder like structures connected in series with HV
transmission lines. A line trap is also called a wave trap.

The line trap acts as a barrier or filter to prevent signal losses. The
inductive reactance of the line trap presents a high reactance to high-
frequency signals but a low to mains frequency.What this does is prevent
carrier signals from being dissipated in the substation or in a tap
line/branch of the main transmission path and grounds in the case of
anything happening outside of the carrier transmission path. The line trap
is also used to attenuate the shunting effects of high voltage lines.

Line traps are connected in series with power line and thus their coils are
rated to carry the full line current. The impedance of a line trap is very
low at the power frequency and will not cause any significant voltage
drop.
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 INSTRUMENT TRANSFORMERS

A transformer intended to supply measuring instruments, meters , relays

and other similar apparatus are called Instrument Transformer

Current Transformers

A current transformer is defined as an instrument transformer in which the

secondary current, in the normal conditions of use is proportional to the
primary current and differs in phase from it by an angle, which is
approximately zero for an appropriate direction of the connections.

Current transformers are therefore used with the measuring instruments to:

(a) Isolate the instruments from the power circuits.

(b) Standardise the instruments, usually at 5 amps or 1 amp.

Primary current

The primary current of the CT depends on the load on the circuit at which
CT is connected. The standard values are
10,15,20,30,50,75,100,150,200,300,400,600,800,1000 and 2000.The
selection should be based on the load in the circuit.
Secondary current

The standard values of rated secondary current shall be 1A and 5A. For
distribution applications 5A is the standard secondary current. For
substations application 11kV metering CT is having 5A secondary current
. For 66Kv to 400kV metering 1A secondary current is used.

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 Potential Transformer

Potential transformers (PT) (also called voltage transformers (VT)) are a

parallel connected type of instrument transformer. They are designed to
present negligible load to the supply
being measured and have an accurate voltage ratio and phase relationship to
enable accurate
secondary connected metering. They are used for measurement of high
voltages by means of low range voltmeters or for energizing the potential
coils of wattmeters and energymeters.

potential transformer may have several secondary windings on the same

core as a primary winding, for use in different metering or protection
circuits. The primary may be connected phase to ground or phase to
phase. The secondary is usually grounded on one terminal. Potential
transformers are of shell type because such a construction develops high
degree of accuracy.

TRANSMISSION LINE

We were able to observe different types of transmission cables at

poovanthuruthu. A transmission line is a specialized cable or other
structure designed to carry alternating current of radio frequency, that is,
currents with a frequency high enough that their wave nature must be
taken into account.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF TRANSMISSION LINES:-

1) Balance Two Wire Line

In this type of construction for two wire

transmission lines the insulated spacers are used in order to maintain the
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 distance between the transmission lines or between the two conducting
wire equally throughout.

2) Coaxial cable

Coaxial lines confine virtually all of the electromagnetic wave to the

area inside the cable. Coaxial lines can therefore be bent and twisted
(subject to limits) without negative effects, and they can be strapped to
conductive supports without inducing unwanted currents in them.

4.6. ISOLATOR

Isolator is used to ensure that an electrical circuit is completely de-

energised for service or maintenance. Such switches were used
substations, where machinery must have its source of driving power
removed for adjustment or repair. High-voltage isolation switches are
used in electrical substations to allow isolation of apparatus such as circuit
breakers, transformers, and transmission lines, for maintenance. The dis-
connector is usually not intended for normal control of the circuit, but
only for safety isolation. Dis-connector can be operated either manually or
automatically (motorized dis-connector). We familiarized with different
type of isolators.

4.7. PROTECTION

Feeder protection

The feeder may be an EHT transmission line (short, medium or long) or

sub transmission line (in the distribution system).

The protection shall be

1. Overcurrent and earth fault protection

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 2. Distance protection

3. Pilot wire protection Overcurrent protection

It is the simplest and cheapest means of protection. No voltage connection

is required for this. Two phases of one earth fault protection provide
complete protection of three phase circuit.

Distance protection

Whenever the overcurrent relaying is found slow or selective, distance

protection is used. Distance provides primary or back up protection in
single schemes. It may be single or three stepped.

Auto re-close schemes

The majority of fault occurring in HV transmission line are of transient in

nature (ie. lightning) and can be cleared without affecting the system
stability, if the circuit is momentarily tripped at both ends, and reclosed. In
the feeders only short reclosing is recommended. But in radial feeders,
multiple short reclosing can be attempted to eliminate semi-permanent
fault (also). Single phase and three phase reclosing facility in conjunction
with high speed distance schemes and carrier inter-trip can be provided for
220kV line. For 110kV, 66kV line only three phase reclosing has been
provided (mainly due to breaker limitations).

Anti-pumping feature is incorporated in the circuit breaker or in the auto

reclosing scheme to avoid repeated reclosing operation during permanent
fault(s).

Conditions for auto re-close:-

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 1. Time to be allowed for the arc to de-ionize so that it will not restrike during
reclosing.
2. The opening and closing times of circuit breaker at two ends.
3. The probability of transient fault that will allow high speed reclosure of
faulty lines.

Transformer protection

Fault in a transformer may be in the external connection or in the internal

circuit.

4. 8.TRANSFORMER

A transformer is a static machine used for transforming power

from one circuit to another without changing frequency. Since the
invention of the first constant potential transformer in 1885, transformers
have become essential for the AC transmission, distribution, and
utilization of electrical energy.

4.8.1. USE OF POWER TRANSFORMER

Generation of electrical power in low voltage level is very much

cost effective. Hence electrical power is generated in low voltage level.
Theoretically, this low voltage level power can be transmitted to the
receiving end. But if the voltage level of a power is increased, the current
of the power is reduced which causes reduction in ohmic losses in the
system, reduction in cross sectional area of the conductor i.e. reduction in
capital cost of the system and it also improves the voltage regulation of
the system. Because of these, low level power must be stepped up for
efficient electrical power transmission. This is done by step up
transformer at the sending side of the power system network. As this high
voltage power may not be distributed to the consumers directly, this must

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 be stepped down to the desired level at the receiving end with the help of
step down transformer. These are the uses of electrical power transformer
in the electrical power system.

Two winding transformers are generally used where ratio between

high voltage and low voltage is greater than 2. It is cost effective to use
auto transformer where the ratio between high voltage and low voltage is
less than 2. Again three phase single unit transformer is more cost
effective than a bank of three single phase transformer unit in a three
phase system. But still it is preferable to use than the later where power
dealing is very large since such large size of three phase single unit power
transformer may not be easily transported from manufacturer.

4.8.3 TRANSFORMER CONSTRUCTION

The core, which provides the magnetic path to channel the flux,
consists of thin strips of high-grade steel, called laminations, which are
electrically separated by a thin coating of insulating material. he core is
held together by, but insulated from, mechanical structures and is
grounded to a single point in order to dissipate electrostatic buildup. Core
steel is cold-rolled, grain-oriented steel. In autotransformer, the single
continuous winding is divided into a number of "tappings" to produce
different voltages. An appropriate number of turns are provided between
each tapping to produce the required voltage, based on the turns ratio
between the complete winding and the tapping. A useful method of
calculating unknown voltages on an autotransformer, if the numbers of
turns on the various tappings are known, is to use the volts per turn
method described on the Basic Transformer Operation page. Unlike a
conventional transformer with primary and secondary windings, the
autotransformer does not provide any isolation between input and output.
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 4.8.4 CONSERVATOR TANK OF A TRANSFORMER

Conservator tank at Poovanthuruthu is half oil filled. This is a

cylindrical tank mounted on supporting structure on the roof the
transformer main tank. The main function of conservator tank of
transformer is to provide adequate space for expansion of oil inside the
transformer. When the transformer is loaded and ambient temperature
rises, the volume of oil inside transformer increases. A conservator tank of
transformer provides adequate space to this expanded transformer oil. It
also acts as a reservoir for transformer insulating oil. When volume of
transformer insulating oil increases due to load and ambient temperature,
the vacant space above the oil level inside the conservator is partially
occupied by the expanded oil. Consequently, corresponding quantity of air
of that space is pushed away through breather. On other hand, when load
of transformer decreases, the transformer is switched off and when the
ambient temperature decreases, the oil inside the transformer contracts.
This causes outside air to enter in the conservator tank of transformer
through silica gel breather.

4.8.5 CONSTRUCTION OF CONSERVATOR TANK

This is a cylindrical shaped oil container closed from both

ends. One large inspection cover is provided on either side of the
container to facilitate maintenance and cleaning inside of the conservator.
Conservator pipe, i.e. pipe comes from main transformer tank, is projected
inside the conservator from bottom portion. Head of the conservator pipe
inside the conservator is provided with a cap. This pipe is projected as
well as provided with a cap because it prevents oil sludge and sediment to
enter into main tank from conservator. Generally silica gel breather fixing
pipe enters into the conservator from top. If it enters from bottom, it
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 should be projected well above the level of oil inside the conservator. This
arrangement ensures that oil does not enter the silica gel breather even at
highest operating level.
4.8.6 BUCHHOLZ RELAY

The Buchholz relay working principle of is very simple.

Buchholz relay function is based on very simple mechanical phenomenon.
It is mechanically actuated. Whenever there will be a minor internal fault
in the transformer such as an insulation faults between turns, break down
of core of transformer, core heating, the transformer insulating oil will be
decomposed in different hydrocarbon gases, CO2 and CO. The gases
produced due to decomposition of transformer insulating oil will
accumulate in the upper part the Buchholz container which causes fall of
oil level in it.

Fall of oil level means lowering the position of float and

thereby tilting the mercury switch. The contacts of this mercury switch are
closed and an alarm circuit energized. Sometime due to oil leakage on the
main tank air bubbles may be accumulated in the upper part the Buchholz
container which may also cause fall of oil level in it and alarm circuit will
be energized. By collecting the accumulated gases from the gas release
pockets on the top of the relay and by analyzing them one can predict the
type of fault in the transformer.

More severe types of faults, such as short circuit between

phases or to earth and faults in the tap changing equipment, are
accompanied by a surge of oil which strikes the baffle plate and causes the
mercury switch of the lower element to close. This switch energized the
trip circuit of the circuit breakers associated with the transformer and
immediately isolate the faulty transformer from the rest of the electrical
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 power system by inter tripping the circuit breakers associated with both
LV and HV sides of the transformer. This is how Buchholz relay
functions.

4.8.7 SILICA GEL BREATHER

Whenever electrical power transformer is loaded, the

temperature of the transformer insulating oil increases, consequently the
volume of the oil is increased. As the volume of the oil is increased, the
air above the oil level in conservator will come out. Again at low oil
temperature; the volume of the oil is decreased, which causes the volume
of the oil to be decreased which again causes air to enter into conservator
tank. The natural air always consists of more or less moisture in it and this
moisture can be mixed up with oil if it is allowed to enter into the
transformer. The air moisture should be resisted during entering of the air
into the transformer, because moisture is very harmful for transformer
insulation. A silica gel breather is the most commonly used way of
filtering air from moisture. Silica gel breather for transformer is connected
with conservator tank by means of breathing pipe.

Silica gel crystal has tremendous capacity of absorbing

moisture. When air passes through these crystals in the breather; the
moisture of the air is absorbed by them. Therefore, the air reaches to the
conservator is quite dry, the dust particles in the air get trapped by the oil
in the oil seal cup. The oil in the oil sealing cup acts as barrier between
silica gel crystal and air when there is no flow of air through silica gel
breather. The color of silica gel crystal is dark blue but, when it absorbs
moisture; it becomes pink. When there is sufficient difference between the
air inside the conservator and the outside air, the oil level in two
components of the oil seal changes until the lower oil level just reaches
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 the rim of the inverted cup, the air then moves from high pressure
compartment to the low pressure compartment of the oil seal. Both of
these happen when the oil acts as core filter and removes the dust from the
outside air.

CONCLUSION

I was able to get to know more about substations and the different
components used in substation. I was able to know the difference between
switching station and distribution substation. I got an overview of working
of different sections in substations. I also familiarized with the working of
different types of transformers, circuit breakers, lightning arrestors and
other major power handling equipments of the substation. I learned about
the steps of power transformation and various specifications to be taken
care when doing so. I also learned about the protection of important
machines in the substation

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