Single Line Diagram for Substation – Detailed Explanation

What is a Single Line Diagram?

A single line diagram also called the one-line diagram is a symbolic or graphical representation of a three-phase power system. It has a diagrammatic representation of all the equipment and connections. The electrical elements such as circuit breakers, transformers, bus bars, and conductors, are represented using standardized schematic symbols so that they can be read and understood easily. In a single line diagram, instead of representing each of three phases with separate lines, only a single conductor is represented using a single line. A single line diagram makes it easy to understand an electrical system, particularly in the case of complicated systems in substations. It helps in a detailed study and evaluation of the system and its efficiency.

Advantages of Single Line Diagram:

– Gives an overall understanding of the system and eases evaluation.

– It simplifies the troubleshooting process and makes it faster.

– It further ensures the safety of personnel and makes maintenance more convenient.

– It ensures a safer and more reliable operation of the system.

Important symbols for a Single Line Diagram:

Isolating switch: In power substations, it is required to disconnect a part of the system for general maintenance and repairs. This is accomplished by an isolating switch or an isolator. An isolator is essentially a switch designed to open a circuit under no load. For example, if the entire substation is divided into five sections. Each section can be disconnected with the help of an isolator for maintenance.

Busbar: A busbar is an assembly of bus conductors with associated connection joints and insulating supports. It is a grounded metal enclosure containing factory-mounted, bare or insulated conductors, usually copper or aluminium bars, rods or tubes.

Circuit breaker: A circuit breaker is a circuit component that can open or close a circuit under normal and fault conditions. It is designed such that it can be operated manually under normal conditions and automatically under fault conditions. It is a special type of switching device which can be operated safely under huge current carrying conditions. It is used for timely disconnecting and reconnecting different parts of the power system for protection and control.

Transformers: Transformers are essential components in power transmission and distribution. They are used to step up or step down the voltage. Mostly at a power station, a step-up transformer is used to increase the generated voltage to a higher value. At subsequent substations, a step-down transformer is used to reduce the supply voltage and then finally deliver it at the utilization end.

A current transformer is a step-up or step-down transformer that multiplies the current to a known ratio. For example, if a current transformer has a rating of 100/5A, the current on the primary side is 100A and the secondary is 5A. It is a type of instrument transformer. Another type of instrument transformer is the voltage transformer or potential transformer.

A potential transformer is an instrument transformer used for protection and measurement purposes. It measures the high alternating voltage in a power system. It is usually a step-down transformer with a lesser number of windings on the secondary side.

Protective relays: The primary function of protective relays in substations is to cause prompt removal of any element from the service when it suffers a short circuit. Also, it protects when part of a system starts to operate in an abnormal manner that might cause damage or interfere with the normal operation of the complete system. There are different types of protection relays mainly based on their characteristics, logic, actuating parameters and operation mechanism.

Above, we have discussed some of the important components we see in a single line diagram. There are more components used in an electrical system that have various applications.

Now we shall see an example of a single line diagram of an 11kV/400V indoor substation and its explanation.

The 3-phase, 3-wire 11 kV line is tapped and brought to the gang operating switch installed near the substation. The gang operated switch (G.O. switch) consists of isolators connected to each phase of the 3-phase line. From the G.O. switch, the 11 kV line is brought to the indoor substation as an underground cable. It is then connected to the high voltage or primary side of the transformer (11 kV/400 V) via the 11 kV Oil Circuit Breaker. The transformer steps down the voltage to 400 V, 3-phase, 4-wire.

A single-phase residential load can be connected between any one phase and neutral. A 3-phase, 400 V motor load is to be connected across 3-phase lines directly. Current Transformers are located at suitable places in the substation circuit and supply for the metering and indicating.

The secondary of the main transformer supplies to the busbars through the main circuit breaker. From the busbars 400V, 3-phase, 4 wire supply is given to customers via 400V Circuit breaker. The voltage between any two phases is 400V, and that between one phase and one neutral is 230V.

This article is part of our series of articles on Lightning Protection, Surge Protection & Earthing, you can read more with the following links:

Introduction to the basics of Lightning Protection and Earthing and the Standards (IEC 62305 and UL 467)

Surge Protection Devices (SPD)

Lightning Protection Zones and their Application to SPD Selection

Earthing for Data Centers

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