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Primary Transmission

The document summarizes the primary transmission of electricity from generating plants to customers. Generator step-up transformers near generators increase the voltage to transmission levels between 13.8-24kV. These high voltage transmission lines carry bulk power on overhead lines between towers, sometimes connecting different systems. The transmission lines use large, three-phase step-up transformers and elaborate switching systems to route power safely and allow for emergencies without damage.

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Michael Sharpe
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163 views2 pages

Primary Transmission

The document summarizes the primary transmission of electricity from generating plants to customers. Generator step-up transformers near generators increase the voltage to transmission levels between 13.8-24kV. These high voltage transmission lines carry bulk power on overhead lines between towers, sometimes connecting different systems. The transmission lines use large, three-phase step-up transformers and elaborate switching systems to route power safely and allow for emergencies without damage.

Uploaded by

Michael Sharpe
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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PRIMARY TRANSMISSION
The transfer from the generating plant to the customers is much more complex than connecting
the output of the generator to the large high voltage structures used to carry the primary
conductors. Electricity distribution is actually made up of mass array of switching, transforming,
rerouting, and metering. Generator step up (GSU) transformer are located near the generator.
The GSU function is to change the voltage of the power at the generator to a level that complies
with the transmission system needed to supply their customers demand.
Because these transformers must make a large change in the level of voltage and are therefore
quite big, there usually three phase step up or step down transformers. As would be expected,
elaborated switching and monitoring are integral parts of this system so that in the event of a
failure, proper emergency switching may be made with no equipment damage or personnel
getting hurt.
The lines that leave this step up transformers at the generating plant are called transmission
lines. Transmission lines carry a minimum voltage of 13.8kilovolts (kv), and maximum voltage
level of 24kilovolts. Most transmission system transfer overhead alternating current lines.
These are generally the power lines that are installed on very high towers and may
interconnected into other systems through switching stations to share power. The high voltage
carried by the transmission system is called bulk power. This power is primarily distributed
through switching stations to another component of the overall primary distribution system
called the sub transmission system. However, some large industrial customers may receive the
bulk power directly and regulate it utilizing their own substations. Depending on the level of load
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requirements, the electricity is routed to the next stage of distribution or is routed directly to the
large industrial consumer.
The transmission of electrical power on these high voltage transmission conductors isnt a
simple or inexpensive process. Most of the electricity transferred is in the form of AC. The
electricity tends to travel the outer portion of the conductor, not evenly over the cross section of
the conductor. This is called the skin effect, which increases the electrical resistance of the
conductors to AC current. Overhead transmission lines span long distances and generally use
bare conductors. Since theyre bare, these conductors must be connected by insulated mechanical
connections to towers or poles that support them. The components in a transmission line include
the conductors, insulators, mechanical supports, and usually shielded wires, used to protect
energised conductors from lighting. Conductors used for high voltage transmission lines are
usually aluminum, with steel reinforcement. Compared to other conductor material, they have
low cost and high strength to weight ratio. Commonly, the insulators that connect the
conductors to the towers are constructed of porcelain; however, less expensive polymer materials
are beginning to be used to construct insulators.

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