Power System: Introduction, Block Diagram & Layout

Energy plays a very important role in day to day life for overall development of country. There are different forms of energy out of that the dependence of electrical energy is such that without it life get somewhat cumbersome.

The use of electrical energy is in different fields such as for domestic purpose, where it is used for heating, cooking, refrigeration, light etc. Also it is used in industries, commercial complex, irrigation purpose etc.

Thus to satisfy everyone's need, supply utilities, provide electrical energy to them via a network which is known as power system. Fig. indicates the general arrangement of a power system.

General Arrangement of power system

Block Diagram Of Power System:

Block Diagram Of Power System

It mainly consists of generating stations (also known as power stations), substations, transmission network and distribution network.

According to the law of conservation, energy can neither be created nor be destroyed, it can be transferred from one form to another form.

Therefore power stations converts some form of energy into the electrical energy. It mainly consists of two parts, one is turbine and other is alternator.

Turbine converts some form of energy into mechanical form and then alternator converts it into electrical form.

Fig. indicates the above principle.

Prime Mover- Alternator Unit

Generated electricity is in the form of 3 phase supply which is step up in power substation.

Then this high voltage electrical energy is transmitted by transmission lines over a long distance. Then it is stepped down in distribution substation to utilization level.

This step up and step down is done by transformer. Then the electrical energy is distributed to different consumers.

Generated electrical energy has to be transmitted over a long distance owing to following reasons:

The load on the power system is not concentrated but it is widely spread.

Generating stations are created away from the load centers due to some particular site selection criteria. As the case in hydro power station is, it should be located at hilly areas owing to its requirement of huge amount of water and construction of dam.

In case of thermal power station and nuclear power station the pollution level is very high which is dangerous to human beings.

Owing to these reasons, the generated electrical energy has to be transmitted to the consumers via some conducting materials.

If these conductors are located over head with suitable spacing between them and adequate clearance from ground then it is called as overhead transmission system. 

If these conductors are placed underground by properly insulated from each other then the system is known as underground transmission system.

Fig. shown the typical layout of the power system.

Typical Layout Of Power System

Article Related To Transformer:

1. Drying Out Procedure For Transformer
2. Filtration Of Insulating Oil
3. Installation Handling Of Transformer
4. Shifting Of Distribution Transformer Centers