Batangas State University

Main Campus II
Alangilan, Batangas City

In partial fulfilment for the requirements in EE 353 Electrical Circuits III

Power Distribution from Power Plants to Home
and Industrial Consumers

Submitted by:
Amboy, Carmelo H.
Garcia, John Jhastin M.

Engr. Justiniao B. Menes Jr.

Instructor

Abstract
A transformer is an electrical device that transfers energy between two or
more

circuits

through electromagnetic

induction.

varying

current

in

the

transformer's primary winding creates a varying magnetic flux in the core and a
varying magnetic field impinging on the secondary winding. This varying magnetic
field at the secondary induces a varying electromotive force (EMF) or voltage in the
secondary winding. A wide range of transformer designs is encountered in electronic
and electric power applications. Since the invention in 1885 of the first
constant potential transformer,

transformers

have

become

essential

for

the

AC transmission, distribution, and utilization of electrical energy.

Executive Summary
Electrical power is generated from local power plants, mostly from fossil-fuel
plants, nuclear power plants and hydroelectric plants. Thus, the power plant doesnt
create energy; merely transforms it into another form of energy. After generating
enough energy, voltage from what is generated is stepped up for it to be able to
travel hundreds of kilometres to reach a number of substation then its consumers.
At the electric distribution substation that serves your home, the electricity is
removed from the transmission system and passed through step-down transformers
that lower the voltage. The electricity is then transferred onto your local electric coop's network of distribution lines and delivered to your home. There, the electricity's
voltage is lowered again by a distribution transformer and passed through your
electric meter into your home's network of electric wires and outlets.

Introduction
Normally, voltages generated from power plants are around 11-25kv. For it to
be able to cross long distances, power transformers steps up these voltages into
132kv, 220kv or 400kv depending on the necessity. Power transformers are used in

transmission network and nor directly connected to the consumers due to its very
high load, greater than 33kv at almost 100% efficiency.
Before reaching consumers at our homes, from transmission line, the power
is delivered into a common power pool called grid. This grid is connected into
substations where the arriving voltage is stepped down to 33kv or sometimes 66kv.
After being terminated into 33kv or 66kv substation, distribution transformers steps
it down again to 11kv line.
Having 11kv on the line, which is used for industrial purposes, another
distribution transformer steps down the voltage to 440-220v for domestic
consuming. These transformers work at low efficiency at 50-70%, small size, easy in
installation, having low magnetic losses & it is not always fully loaded. At increased
load at these levels, adding another transformer or two solves the conflict.

Methodology
The reason of this paper is to let the readers to understand this certain topic
with less confusion and understanding mostly of what is presented. This is a
compiled research from different authors with different approach of this topic.
Mostly of this research paper is done by sole research and comparing data
from one another. Throughout this paper, the researchers are able to gather data,
apprehend and distinguish which one is to be included.

Findings
Electrical power generation, transmission and distribution systems consist of
multiple, distributed power plants (nuclear, hydro, thermal, solar, wind etc.) that
operate as a grid that is linked by Transmission, Sub-transmission and Distribution
Systems. Unless specified otherwise, all voltages indicated below are phase to

phase voltages. The following designations, symbols and units are used for the
electrical parameters:
Electrical Power: Designated by symbol P; measured in Watts, designated by
symbol W
Electrical Current: Designated by symbol I; measured in Amperes, designated by
symbol A
Electrical Resistance: Designated by symbol R; measured in Ohms, designated
by symbol
When very high magnitude of electrical power is transmitted over long
distances, one of the major causes of power loss is heat dissipation in the
conductors. This heat dissipation is proportional to the square of the current and the
resistance of the conductors i.e. Power loss Ploss = I2 x R. This equation shows that
the power loss can be decreased by reducing the current, or reducing the resistance
of the conductors or reducing both. The resistance of the conductors can be
reduced by increasing the crosssectional area of the conductors and reducing its
length. Increasing the cross-sectional area of the conductors increases its cost and
weight and hence, this option is not practical for transmission purposes. Therefore,
to reduce power loss during transmission, it becomes necessary to reduce the
current by some means.
Mathematically, Power (P) = Voltage (V) x Current (I). A particular value of
power can be obtained by changing the ratio of voltage and current. For example, a
power of 120 kW can be transmitted over a length of conductors with resistance of
say 0.01 Ohm by generating at a lower voltage of 120 VAC and at a higher current
of 1000 A. In this case, the power loss P loss = 1000 A x 1000 A x 0.01 = 10 kW
which is a very huge loss. The same 120 kW can be transmitted at a high voltage of
say 230 kV and a very low current of 0.521A using a step up transformer. In this
case, the power loss Ploss = 0.521A x 0.521A x 0.01 = 0.0027 W which is almost
negligible. This explains why electrical power is transmitted at very high voltages
and at very low currents. At the point of use, the voltage is stepped down to the
required lower value of voltage and higher value of current using step down
transformers

Electrical power plants generate electrical power at voltages of 2.3 kV to 30

kV. The generated power is first stepped up to very high voltages (> 110 kV) by the
Step-up Transmission Sub-station and is transmitted over long distances to distant
users using overhead transmission lines .Very high voltages are used for long
distance transmission to reduce losses as explained above. The specific voltages
leaving a Step-up Transmission Sub-station are determined by the customer needs
of the utility company supplying power and by the requirements of any connections
to regional grids. Typical transmission voltages are:
High voltage (HV) AC: 69 kV, 115 kV, 138 kV, 161 kV, 230 kV
Extra-high voltage (EHV) AC: 345 kV, 500 kV, 765 kV
Ultra-high voltage (UHV) AC: 1100 kV, 1500 kV
Direct-current high voltage (DC HV): 250 kV, 400 kV, 500 kV

Power

for

regional

consumption

is

stepped

down

using

Step-down

Transmission Sub-stations located at switching points in an electrical grid. They

connect different parts of a grid and are a source for sub-transmission lines or
distribution lines. The Step-down Transmission Sub-station can change the
transmission voltage to a Sub-transmission Voltage, usually 69 kV or less. The Subtransmission voltage lines then serve as a source to Distribution Sub-stations.
Sometimes, power is tapped from the Sub-transmission Line for use in an industrial
facility along the way. Otherwise, the power goes to a Distribution Sub-station.
Distribution Sub-stations are located near to the end-users. Distribution Sub-stations
use step-down transformers to change the transmission or sub-transmission
voltages to lower levels for use by the end-users. Typical distribution voltages vary
from 7 kV to 13 kV. A few common distribution voltages are:
2.4 kV, 3-phase, Delta
7.2 kV, 3-phase, Delta
12.47 kV, 3-phase, Wye (Y)

 13.2 kV, 3-phase, Wye (Y)

13.8 kV, 3-phase, Wye (Y)
From here, the power is further stepped down using Distribution Transformers
and is distributed to industrial, commercial, and residential customers. Distribution
Transformers step down the distribution transmission voltages fed from the
Distribution Substations to lower voltages required by the end users. Circuits are
connected to the bus bar in the switchgear apparatus and distribute via Distribution
Power Lines at 11KV and 13.8 KV. This is also called the Primary Distribution Voltage
and these circuits are routed to the areas which can be called the Load Centres. At
the load centre the voltage is breakdown to a usable level by a machine called the
Step-down Transformer, the step-down voltages are namely 120, 240 and 480 volts
for the consumers to utilize. At this usable level the electricity is routed in the area
via network of wire called the Secondary Mains and at the consumers home a
Service Line is connected from the secondary mains to the consumer home.
The step down Distribution Transformers are either Pole Mounted Type mounted on a utility pole for overhead distribution or Pad Mounted Type - mounted
on a concrete pad on the ground for underground distribution. These transformers
works at low efficiency ranging from 50%-70% having low magnetic losses and it is
not always fully loaded.
Typically, the output voltages from the secondary of the Distribution Transformers
are:
120 V / 240 V Single Split Phase for residential customers,
480 V / 277 V, 3-phase, Y (Wye) or 208 V / 120V, 3-phase, Y (Wye) for commercial
or light industry customers.

Conclusion

Before the generated power from power plants reaches its consumers, first it
needs to travel thousands of kilometres. With this, resistance from the transmission
line are very high which would result also into very high losses.
Power generated from power plants have to undergo a certain increase or
decrease in levels of voltage in order to reach a designated load. Considering
efficiency of the transformers and losses from distant transmission lines, experts are
able to determine what is needed to be done, whether to step up or step down the
line voltage.

Recommendation
Considering most of the factors, it is most suitable for a power plant to supply
the nearest group of consumers to lessen the power losses from the lines and
expenses. Site for grids, transmission towers and substation must be chosen
carefully considering the environment and the livelihood of the consumers around it.
Last, to utilize what resources are available in the environment and if possible,
consider a renewable source for generating power suited for supply.

Reference
Sharma, V. Grid/Utility Power Generation & Distribution.
Professor Sachchidanand. (1999, March). Automation in Power Distribution, Volume
2, No. 2.
Parmar, J. (2011, August 27). Difference between Power Transformer and
Distribution Transformer.
Brain, M. How Power Grids Work.