REC MANUAL 10/1976 (Revised in 1983)

DESIGN OF 33/11kV SUB-STATIONS FOR RURAL ELECTRIFICATION SYSTEM

1. Introduction In the Fifth Conference on Standardisation held in May, 1974, it was decided that, in addition to the Standards relating to Technical Specifications of Materials and Construction Practices, REC may being out Comprehensive Manuals for the guidance of the field staff engaged in the construction and maintenance of rural electrification system. A special committee comprising of the representatives of REC and SEBs was set up to finalise the manuals. In pursuance of the above decision, a series of Manuals have been issued from time to time. These manuals deal with different aspects of construction and maintenance of the lines, sub-stations, service connections etc. manuals have also been issued to cover certain special aspects, viz., design of cement concrete poles, repair of damaged transformers, safety instructions etc. the list of manuals issued so far is given at the end of this manual. This manuals relates to the design of 33/11kV sub-stations for rural distribution system and was originally issued in 1976 after approval in the 7th Conference on Standardisation of Specifications and Construction Practices in rural electrification held in October, 1976. The manual has been updated upto the end of 1983. 2. Scope This manual is intended to provide guidance on the design of 33/11kV sub-stations for Rural Distribution System. It is presumed that the location of the proposed 33/11kV substation has already been selected on the basis of planning studies and suitable land for the sub-station has been procured. It may be mentioned that the aim of the planning studies should be to ensure that the load requirements of the area can be met with minimum overall capital investment and annual cost required for the transmission and distribution systems associated with the proposed 33/11kV sub-stations. The annual cost comprises of system losses and maintenance cost etc. the local considerations for the selection of site include land availability, easy accessibility by road/rail, availability of the right of way for the incoming and outgoing lines, nearness to a town/villages with amenities like school, health centre etc., and to be away from burial or a dumping ground. A separate guide covering the details of the planning studies and other factors governing the location of 33/11kV sub-stations is being separately prepared by the Corporation. 3. 3.1 Physical Layout and Design General considerations which should be kept in view in deciding the layout and design of the sub-station are as follows:

i)

Economy: Economy in the sub-station layout and design can be effected by proper choice of equipment and design of supporting structures etc. while equipments like circuit breakers should be of adequate rupturing capacity and ratings, these need not be unnecessarily high which will add to the cost of the equipment. Length of power cables and control cables should be kept to the minimum by properly selecting the cable routes etc. the design of bus-bar supports and other structures should be of proper strength but too high a safety factor may not be necessary (see clause 10.1). It will be more economical to bury the power cables instead of making pucca trenches at 33/11kV sub-stations. Lower sizes of transformers can be protected with the help of fuses rather than providing costly circuit breakers on the incoming side of the 33/11kV transformers (see clause 6.1). it is, however, important to ensure that a circuit breaker is available at the sending end of the 33kV line. Similarly, incoming circuit breakers on the 11kV side of the transformers can be dispensed with in case of smaller ratings of transformers (see clause 6.4). Flexibility of operation: The layout should be so designed as to ensure flexibility in operation and continuity of supply to the extent possible. It should be possible to take out the faulty equipment for repairs without effecting the continuity of supply to the healthy circuits. Safety : Safety considerations should be given paramount importance in the design of substation layout. Suitable clearances have been provided in the standard layout issued by REC (see clause 3.3, 11.2 and 11.3). fencing should be provided around the switchyard to make it inaccessible to unauthorized persons and cattle etc. adequate clearances should be provided between the equipment and the structures for proper inspection, maintenance and movement of the staff. Suitable mechanical inter-locking arrangements between the isolators and the associated circuit breakers should be provided wherever possible to guard against isolators being operated on load, otherwise ordinary locking arrangement for the operating handle of the isolators should be made. Isolators controlling lines should be provided with earthing blades for earthing the line for maintenance work to be carried out on the line. Provision of future extension: Adequate provision should be made in the substation layout for possible future extension. Necessary provision should be made for outgoing 11kV feeders expected to emanate from the sub-station in future. In case of 11kV out-door switch-yard, 11kV bus-bar should be so designed as to accommodate both existing and future feeders within the bus-bar and, in addition, suitable space may be kept at least at one end of the bus-bar so that the bus-bar can be extended, if necessary. Suitable provision for space should be made for 33kV and 11kV incoming breakers even if such breakers are not considered necessary at the time of construction of the sub-station. Necessary space may also be provided on the incoming side of the sub-station to accommodate additional 33kV incoming or out-going feeders in the future. It would also be desired to leave suitable space for any possible extension of the control room building to accommodate certain additional equipment which may become necessary in future.

ii)

iii)

iv)

3.2

Design Parameters : Apart from the general considerations indicated above, the physical layout and the design of the sub-station will be governed by the following factors: i) ii) iii) iv) v) Number of incoming and outgoing feeders (existing and expected to come up in the future). Expected load demand on the sub-station (existing and anticipated in the future). Soil resistivity. Expected fault levels at 11kV and 33kV. Climatic conditions (temperature, altitude, rainfall etc.

3.3 3.3.1

Standard Layout for 33/11kV Sub-stations. REC has issued Construction Standards L-1 and L-2 indicating the standard layout for 33/11kV sub-stations with outdoor and indoor 11kV switchgear respectively. The standard layout should be followed for all 33/11kV sub-stations in the rural distribution systems as far as practicable. The standard layout recommended by the REC is suitable for two power transformers and five outgoing 11kV feeders including two feeders for future. In case of indoor 11kV switchgear, provision has been made for four existing and two future 11kV panels and one bus-coupler panel has also been provided. The 33kV incoming arrangement will depend upon the requirement of each case, i.e. whether there are one or two incoming 33kV lines and whether any 33kV line and whether any 33kV line/lines are proposed to be taken out from the sub-station. The arrangement for the 33kV incoming and outgoing lines may be followed as per standard practice of the Board. However, an arrangement showing one incoming line and two outgoing lines has been suggested in the standard layout (shown dotted). The standard layout (with out-door 11kV switchgear) shows only the general arrangement of the equipments, structures, bus bars etc., but the provision for internal roads/paths has not been shown. It is important that suitable provision is made in the switchyard depending upon the local conditions for roads/paths to facilitate transportation/shifting of the heavy equipment particularly the power transformers. It would be desirable if a truck can be taken to the site of the transformer for easy shifting of the transformer. In case of 5MVA transformers, it may be necessary to use a trailer for the purpose of transportation. It would be desirable to make provision accordingly. Land Development The yard should be high enough to provide satisfactory drainage and safety against accumulation of water. The sub-station yard should be suitably graded and sloped to prevent stagnation of water. The graded area should include the entire fenced area and 1 metre outside thereof. Yard surface should be covered with granite metal, where considered desirable to prevent the growth of grass and weeds, the spread of dust and formation of mud and

3.3.2

3.3.3

4. 4.1 4.2

4.3

slush during rainy season. Use of granite metal also helps in reducing step and touch potentials. 4.4 Fencing not less than 1.82 metres (6feet) in height should be provided all around the switchyard. Fencing should have a clearance of at least 5 meters from sub-station structures and live parts. Power Transformers The capacity of the power transformers to be installed should take into account the load expected to come up on the sub-station at least during the next five years or so. It would be desirable to have two transformers at the sub-stations for proper security of supply. However, if the load demand on the sub-station will remain well within the capacity of one transformer for some time, it may be desirable in certain areas to defer installation of the second transformer for economic considerations. The standard ratings of 33/11kV transformers for use in rural areas as specified by the REC are 630 kVA, 1600 kVA, 3150 kVA and 5000 kVA and it is recommended that only these sizes should be used. Transformers should be procured as per REC Specification7/1974, which lays down the main characteristics of 33/11kV power transformers. Where no specific provision has been made in the REC Specification, Indian Standards on Power Transformers (IS:2026) should be followed. As the voltage conditions in the rural areas are generally very poor, it is strongly recommended that all transformers of 5000 kVA capacity should be provided with on load taps. Provision of on load taps is also considered necessary for 3150 kVA transformers in the case of those sub-stations where on load taps are not available on the power transformers at the main grid station feeding the 33/11kV sub-stations. Circuit Breakers On 33kV side, one group control circuit breaker should be provided when there are two transformers, each having a capacity of 5 MVA or above. In other cases, the transformers should be protected by fuses. 33kV Circuit Breakers should be procurred as per REC Specification 12/1976, which lays down important technical characteristics of the circuit breakers as also of the instrument transformers. The standard rated current for 33kV Circuit Breakers shall be 630A and the rated shortcircuit breaking current for these breakers shall be 12.5kA. Oil or Vacuum Type Circuit Breakers should, necessarily, be provided on 11kV side of the individual 33/11kV transformer with capacities 1600 kVA and above. 11kV oil or vacuum type Circuit Breakers should be procured as per REC Specification 8/1975 or 22/1983 respectively, which lay down important technical characteristics of the circuit breakers as also of the current and voltage transformers.

5. 5.1 5.2

5.3

5.4

5.5

6. 6.1

6.2

6.3 6.4 6.5

6.6 6.7

The standard rated current for 11kV circuit breakers shall be 400 A and the bus-bar rating of these circuit breakers (indoor type) shall be 800A. The rated short-circuit breaking current for 11kV breakers, as stipulated in the above REC Specification shall be 8kA or 12.5kA. However, at a number of locations the fault level may permit the use of 6kA circuit breakers, which are economical (REC Specification for such breakers/re-closures is under finalization). The approximate fault level at 33/11kV sub-stations of various capacities are indicated below for guidance. These fault levels are based on the percentage impedance of 5% for 630kVA transformers 6.25% for each of 1600kVA and 3150kVA transformers and 7.15% for 5000kVA transformers as stipulated in the REC Specification 7/1974. Sub-station capacity 2x630kVA 2x1600kVA 2x3150kVA 2x5000kVA Fault Level 25MVA ( 1.3kA) 53MVA ( 2.8kA) 90MVA ( 4.75kA) 143MVA ( 7.5kA)

6.8

It is recommended that breakers with 12.5kA breaking current may be used only when the proposed/anticipated transformer capacity is 2x5 MVA. For lower transformer capacity, breakers of 6kA and 8kA breaking current should be used. 6.9 6.10 The number and type of protective relays to be provided on various breaker panels installed in a 33/11kV substation shall be as shown in REC Construction Standard L-6. In order to assess the system losses and to take remedial measures, it is essential that adequate metering arrangement is provided at the sub-stations. The meters/instruments on the incoming and outgoing circuit breaker panels should be provided in accordance with the REC Construction Standard L-3. Instrument transformers Instrument transformers should be suitable for indoor or outdoor use as the case may be and should be of adequate VA capacity (burden). They should be of adequate accuracy class and should be able to withstand mechanical and thermal stress imposed during operation. Instrument transformer circuits are vital in the operation any station and the following data should be obtained from the suppliers of the equipment and studied. i) ii) iii) iv) Ratio and phase angle errors of the transformers at various burdens. Burden data of all connected instruments and devices. Wiring of secondary circuits. Resistance of interconnecting cables.

7. 7.1

7.2

7.3

The following standard secondary ratings should be adopted: i) ii) Potential transformers Current transformers 110 Volts. 5 Amp.

7.4

Voltage and current transformers for 33kV and 11kV circuit breakers should conform to REC Specification 12/1976 and 8/1975 respectively. These specifications lay down the rated VA burden and accuracy class for both voltage transformers and current transformers required at 33/11kV sub-stations. Isolating Switches Double break type horizontal air-break switches should be used on the 33kV and 11kV sides of the power transformers as shown in the REC Standard Layout L-1 and L-2. Isolators controlling the transformers should be provided with arcing horns. Lightning Arresters Station type lightning arresters should be provided on 33kV bus bars as shown in REC Construction Standard L-1 and L-2. Line type lightning arresters may be provided on the incoming and outgoing 33kV lines as per standard practice of the Electricity Boards. Line type11kV lightning arresters should be installed on all outgoing 11kV feeders. The standard voltage rating of 11kV lightning arresters should be 9kV and standard current rating 5kA. Out door Structures Standard 8 metre 200Kg. PCC/RCC support or other suitable supports of equivalent height and strength should be used for stringing both 33kV and 11kV bus bars as per standard layout of the REC. In case of 33kV main bus two poles placed side by side should be used at each of the four corners and a stringing tension not exceeding 100150 Kg. may be applied on bus bar conductors which corresponds to a sag 150 to 100 mm in a span of 11.1 metres. In case RS joints are used, the minimum size recommended to be use for stringing 11kV bus-bars is 175x90 mm. For 33kV bus bars, heavier section of 200x140 mm shall be used. In case this size is not available, the next higher size may be used. Alternatively, two RS joints of 175x90mm placed side by side at each corner may be used for 33kV bus bars. No guys should be provided for the supports in the switchyard. Suitable cement concrete foundations should be provided for the circuit breakers and transformers so that the minimum height of the live parts should be maintained as per REC Construction Standards L-1 and L-2. All steel structures should be suitably painted if ungalvanised, to avoid rusting and corrosion due to atmospheric conditions.

8. 8.1 8.2 9. 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 10. 10.1

10.2 10.3

10.4

11. 11.1

Bus-bar Arrangement It is recommended that 65 mm (C.E.) ACSR conductor should be used for bus bars and jumpers on both 33kV and 11kV sides for installed capacity upto 2x5MVA. In case the substation capacity is not likely to exceed 2x3.15MVA even with the possible future load growth, lower size of conductor, viz. 48 mm (C.E.) ACSR conductor may be used. The recommended conductor size has been selected taking into account the following considerations: i) ii) iii) Conductors used for busbars should be able to withstand short circuit current corresponding to the fault level at the substation. To keep the corona losses within limits, the diameter of the conductor for 33kV bus bars and jumpers should be more than 6.5mm. The maximum current carrying capacity of the bus-bars and connections in direct contact with air should be such that the operating temperature does not exceed the following: a) b) Maximum permissible temperature 70oC. Maximum hot spot temperature 75oC.

11.2

The height of the bus-bars should be kept as 6400 mm above the ground level and the height of the cross-bus should be kept as 4500 mm (REC Construction Standards L-1 and L-2). The height of bushing, terminals, low level jumpers and any other live parts should not be less than 3660 mm. Clamps connecting aluminium jumpers to copper contacts of the bushing etc., should be of bimetallic type to guard against electrolytic corrosion. Where possible, crimped joints should be used. The connections from the bus-bars to equipments should be such as to permit easy dismantling of the equipments for maintenance and repairs. Power and Control Cables Power cables, which are buried in ground, should be armoured. The armouring should be covered with waterproof jute or PVC etc., to prevent corrosion. As far as possible, cable routes should be accessible throughout their length. Cables should be either buried or carried in pucca trenches depending upon the departmental practice. Cable trenches, if provided, should have suitable slope to ensure automatic draining of rainwater. Where necessary, a sump may be provided to collect water. When more than one power cables are laid in a trench, they should be separated by providing suitable cable racks and/or they should be suitable clamped. If cables are buried, separate routes may be followed to facilitate repair of a faulty cable.

11.3 11.4

11.5 12. 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5

12.6

In selecting the size of the cable for any particular service, the short circuit rating of the cable should be considered in addition to its normal current carrying capacity, taking into account the de-rating factors. Sizes of 11kV power cables to be used with 33/11kV transformers of standard ratings have been standardized as REC Construction Standard L-4. Control cables may be single core or multi core PVC insulated and PVC sheathed. As far as possible, control cables should have a different route from power cables. In case they are laid in the trenches along with power cables, they should be separated. The control cables, wherever laid directly in the ground, should be armoured. Cables end markers in code numbers/alphabets should be provided at both ends for easy detection of the faulty cable and replacements etc. Earthing System For security of the system and safety of personnel, earthing forms an important part. The primary object of the earthing is to ensure efficient and fast operation of the protective gear in the event of earth fault and to protect life against danger due to the installation metal work assuming dangerous potentials under faults conditions. To achieve this objective, the earthing system should be so designed that it will: a) Resist fusing and deterioration of electric joints under the most adverse combination of fault current magnitude and fault duration to which it might be subjected. Be mechanically rugged. Have sufficient conductivity so that it will not contribute substantially to dangerous local potential differences. Be of such a material, the deterioration of which in soil is tolerable.

12.7 12.8

12.9 13. 13.1

b) c) d) 13.2 13.3

The earthing system shall generally conform to IS: 3043 and provision of Indian Electricity Rules 1956 as amended from time to time. Earthing Conductors and Electrodes In the past, bare stranded copper conductor or strip had been extensively used for earthing. Since copper is both expensive and scarce, the general practice now is to use mild steel flats/rods. It is recommended that in all future installations, steel may be used for the purpose of earthing.

13.4

Size of Earthing Conductor

13.4.1 The size of the earthing conductor required is determined by consideration of voltage drop and temperature rise. It is recommended that under fault conditions, the voltage drop between two normally earthed parts with which any one is likely to be in simultaneous contact should not exceed 32volts. The voltage drop is not, however, always readily calculable and the size of earthing conductor required from thermal consideration will in general be sufficient to keep these voltage drops within safe limits.

Moreover, consideration of step and touch potentials is not of much significance as far as the design of 33/11kV substation is concerned. 13.4.2 The thermal rating of earth connections shall be based on the expected fault current and the maximum temperature, which will not cause damage to the earth connection or to apparatus with which, they may be in contact. For calculating the minimum size of conductor, factors to be taken into consideration are: material of the conductor, type of the joints, grounding fault current expected and time duration of the fault. 13.4.3 According to the CBI&P Working Group on the Steel Grounding System, the short time current carrying capacity of a conductor may be determined by the following equation based on the assumption that heat loss during the short time is neglected:-

0.00104 t A = I S log 1 + m 1+ o
I = Current in Amps.

1/ 2

Where A = Cross sectional area in mm2 = resistivity of the material in micro ohm-cm = resistance temperature co-efficient of the material in 0C t = time in seconds during which current is applied. = Density of the material in gm/cm3 S = specific heat of the material in cal/gm/0C m=maximum allowable temperature in 0C o = ambient temperature in 0C For steel, following are the values of the constants: = 15.0 micro ohm-cm = 0.00423 per 0C = 7.86 gm/cm3 S = 0.114 cal/gm/0C m= 620 0C for welded joints and 310 0C for bolted joints o = taken as 40 0C

Putting these values in the formula : A = 12.15 X 10-3 .I. t for welded joints = 15.7 0 X 10-3. I. t for bolted joints

13.4.4 Based on the above, the minimum permissible cross sectional area of the steel grounding conductors corresponding to various transformer capacities is indicated below. The duration of fault current has been assumed as 5 seconds. Transformer capacity Order of fault current Minimum section of steel (mm)2 Welded joints 2x630kVA 2X1600kVA 2X3150 kVA 2X5000 kVA 1300A 2800A 4800A 7500A 35 76 131 204 Bolted joints 46 98 169 264

13.4.5 Corrosion in soil: The extent of corrosion depends upon the properties of soil. Generally poor aeration and high value of acidity, electrical conductivity, salt contents and moisture contents are characteristics of corrosive soils. A fair degree of correlation has been found between electrical resistivity of the soils and corrosion. The generally accepted range of soil corrosivity as determined by the electrical resistivity of the soil is given below: Range of Soil Resistivity (ohm-metre) 0-25 25-50 50-100 Above 100 Class Severely corrosive Moderately corrosive Mildly corrosive Very mildly corrosive

The CBI&P Report on Steel Grounding System has recommended that the following allowances in the cross sectional area of the steel may be made to take into account the effect of corrosion:i) ii) iii) in soil having resistivity more than 100 ohm metre- No allowance in soil having resistivity from 25 to 100 ohm metre 15% allowance in soil having resistivity less than 25 ohm metre or where treatment of soil around the electrode is done 30% allowance.

If the soil resistivity in the switchyard area is not uniform, the minimum value may be used for determining the allowance to be made. 13.4.6 Recommended Steel Conductor Sizes : Based on the thermal stability limit, mechanical ruggedness and making an allowance for corrosion, the following sizes in

mm of steel flats are recommended for the various values of faults currents expected at 33/11kV sub-stations:Transformer Capacity (kVA) Order of fault current (Amps) Soil resistivity more than 100 ohm metre Welded joints 2x630 2x1600 2x3150 2x5000 1300 2800 4800 7500 10x6 20x6 30x6 40x6 Bolted joints 10x6 20x6 30x6 50x6 Soil resistivity 25100 ohm metre Soil resistivity less than 25 ohm metre or where soil has been treated Welded joints 10x6 20x6 30x6 50x6 Bolted joints 10x6 20x6 40x6 60x6

Welded joints 10x6 20x6 30x6 40x6

Bolted joints 10x6 20x6 40x6 50x6

13.5

Size and number of Earth Electrodes

13.5.1 The CBI&P report recommends the use of steel rod of 22mm dia and 3 metres long buried in the ground at a depth of 0.75 metre from the ground level. The number of electrodes required in sub-station may be selected in such a way that each rod does not carry more than 500 Amp. of ground fault current. This consideration will give the minimum number of electrodes that may be required at the sub-station depending upon the expected fault current given in para 13.4.6. However, the number of electrodes may have to be increased if the combined earthing resistance exceeds 2 ohms. Based on these considerations the following table gives the number of electrodes recommended to be used at sub-stations of various capacities and soil resistivity. The approximate earthing resistance that will be obtained in each case is also indicated in the table. Soil Capacity of No. of Earth Value of Remarks resistivity in transformer in electrodes earthing ohm-metre kVA recommended resistance 25 2x630 2x1600 2x3150 2x5000 6 6 10 15 1.77 1.77 1.24 0.76

50

2x630

12

1.97

2x1600 2x3150 2x5000

12 12 15

1.97 1.97 1.52

100

2x630 2x1600 2x3150 2x5000

15 15 15 15

1.82 1.82 1.82 1.82

Treatment of soil to be done to bring down soil resistivity to 60 ohm metre.

13.5.2 In the above recommendations regarding the number of electrodes, it has been taken into account that no treatment of soil will be necessary for sub-station having soil resistivity upto 50 ohm meter. For soil resistivity varying from 50 to 100 ohm meter, the soil should be suitably treated with salt and charcoal etc. at the electrodes to bring down the value of soil resistivity. It is found in practice that by following the treatment, it is usually possible to bring down the soil resistivity by at least 40%. Accordingly, the number of electrodes and earthing resistance corresponding to soil resistivity of 100 ohm- meter as indicated in the above table are based on an assumed value of 60 ohmmeter which can be easily achieved after the treatment. Most of the locations for 33/11kV sub-station will not have soil resistivity exceeding 100 ohmmeter. In exceptional cases where the soil resistivity exceeds 100 ohmmeter it may be desirable to examine the possibility of using an earthing mat depending on the actual value of soil resistivity. 13.6 Location and Spacing Between Earth Electrodes

13.6.1 The earth electrodes should be uniformly distributed within the sub-station area and located adjacent to the perimeter fence. Care should be taken to see that spacing between the electrodes is more than twice the depth of the electrodes driven below ground level so as to keep the earth resistance to the minimum. 13.6.2 The top end of the earth electrodes should be inter connected with steel flat of the same size as that of earthing conductor. 13.7 General Requirement of Earthing System

13.7.1 In a sub-station, the following shall be earthed:a) b) c) The neutral points of systems of different voltages which have to be earthed. Apparatus, framework and other non-current carrying metal work associated with each system, for example, transformer tanks, switchgear framework etc. Extraneous metal framework not associated with the power system, for example, boundary fence, steel structures etc.

13.7.2 As stipulated in I.E. Rules, two separate and distinct earthing connections should be provided for earthing of each item covered in (a), (b) and (c) above. In case of earthing of the neutral points of the transformers, it should be ensured that each of the two earthing connections is connected to a separate electrode. 13.7.3 A main earthing ring shall be formed round the station by interconnecting all the earth electrodes so as to allow the shortest subsidiary connections to all major apparatus such as transformers and circuit breakers. From the main earth ring, branch connections shall be taken to each apparatus. Where necessary, one or more cross connections may be run between the opposite sides of the earth ring for better distribution of the fault current in the earthing system. These cross connections will also result in shorter earthing connections to individual apparatus (the apparatus located near the cross section can be earthed to the cross section instead of taking longer earth connections to the earth ring). The size of the conductors for the earth ring and for the earth connection to the ring shall be as per para 13.4 13.7.4 Earth connections to lightning arresters shall be as direct as possible. Individual earth electrodes should be provided for each lightning arrester and in turn these electrodes connected to main earth ring. The earth connection should not pass through iron pipes, as it would increase the impedance of the connection. 14. 14.1 Control Room The control room building should have a provision for the following:i) ii) iii) iv) v) 14.2 14.3 Switch gears and control panels (where indoor equipment is used). Battery and battery charger. A.C. and D.C. Distribution Switch Board. Store and tool room W.C. for the staff (with proper sanitary arrangement and continuous water supply).

The control room should be spacious to permit proper functional arrangement of the equipment. Space for future extension should also be provided. Cable trenches in the control room building should be properly planned and provided with suitable covers, flushing with the floor level and the trench should be sealed by providing brick (with light mortar) and sand at the entry of cables in the control room to avoid ingress of rain water, rats etc. Necessary indications of various equipments (like tripping of a circuit breaker, transformer temperature alarm etc.), battery charging equipment and D.C. emergency lightning should be provided in the control room even for the sub-stations with outdoor 11kV switchgear. The standard plan of the control room building for 33/11kV sub-station (with indoor 11kV switchgear) as shown in REC Construction Standard L-2 should be adopted to the extent possible. In case of sub-stations with outdoor 11kV switchgear, the overall size of the control room may be as shown in REC Construction Standard L-1.

14.4

14.5

15. 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 16. 16.1 16.2 17. 17.1

D.C. and A.C Supply A.C Supply should be provided for sub-station lightning battery charging equipment etc. 24 V DC supply should be provided for the protection system and emergency lightning. 24V battery along with charging equipment and DC distribution board should be installed to get the required D.C. supply. The A.C. and D.C. distribution switchboards should be provided with adequate number of inlets and outlets controlled by suitable switches and fuses. Communication System P&T telephone should be provided at the sub-station for communication of important information, messages and instructions to the adjacent or other grid sub-stations. Telephone should be placed in the control room within easy reach of the operator. Insulation Coordination The insulation level of the equipments in the sub-station is required to be coordinated with the protective devices so as to avoid damage to the costly equipments by lightning surges and to ensure that the surges are discharged to the ground through lightning arresters. The insulation levels in a sub-station are generally confined to two stages: (I) insulation level of transformers and other equipments and (ii) insulation level of lightning arresters. The insulation levels of transformers, other equipments and lightning arresters have already been standardised in the relevant Indian Standards. The following tables give the recommended standard insulation levels as per Indian Standards :TABLE-I Standard Insulation levels for transformers and other equipments Nominal System Voltageline to line kV(RMS) 11 33 Highest System voltageline to line kV(RMS) 12 36 TABLE-II Standard Insulation level for lightning arresters (5kA and 10kA) Nominal System Voltage line to line kV (RMS) 11 33 Arrester Voltage Rating kV (RMS) 9 30 Maximum 100% 1.2/50 s impulse Spark-over voltatge 32.5 108.0 Rated Impulse withstand voltage kV (Peak) 75 170

17.2 17.3

Books/publications referred while preparing this manual

1. Tamil Nadu Electricity Board Technical Instructions for the Maintenance of Electrical Equipment Booklet-III, 1970. 2. Maintenance Schedule for Distribution System Research Station, Haryana State Electricity Board. 3. Draft manual (volume-II) sub-stations Rajasthan State Electricity Board January 1968. 4. Maintenance Schedules for Distribution System Central Board of Irrigation and Power Technical Report2 July, 1974. 5. Technical Reference Book The Andhra Pradesh Govt. Electrical Engineers Association 1969 6. Power Engineers Hand Book Tamil Nadu Electricity Board Engineers Association 1968. 7. Central Board of Irrigation and Power Proceedings 38th Annual Research Session, Bangalore, Karnataka State, June21, 1968 VI, IV (Power). 8. Indian Standards 1886, 335, 1866