Explosion in electrical switch room

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdQR7
1
-Ap6YQ
 Learning Objectives
 State the identity of different stages of the
electrical network
 Identify the voltage levels of the electrical
network
 State different possible types of standby
electrical supplies
 Apply major electrical installations and
explain their broad functioning

2
 In this session…
Discuss on the followings:
 The various stages of electricity supply.
 The voltage levels of each stages.
 Transmitting electricity in High voltage.
 The utilisation voltage level at the
consumer end.

3
Pre-reading
Alternating Current
Single phase

A square coil rotating (conductor cuts

A sine wave is generated
through magnetic field)
This is alternating current (ac)
Three phase – (3 Ø)

If 3 coils are arranged 120 apart, 3 sine wave are generated.

This is called Three phase (3Ø)

The previous single coil – is called Single phase (1Ø)

Three phase – (3 Ø)

Another way is that we can rotate

the magnet with fixed coils
– same effect
Stator & Rotor
 Why 3 Ø
 A three phase (3 Ø) motor is more compact & less costly
than a single-phase (1 Ø) motor. 3 Ø motors also vibrate
less and hence last longer than 1 Ø motors.
 A 3 Ø system is generally more economical than others
because it uses less conductor material to transmit
electric power than equivalent 1 Ø
 High power transmission & its smooth wave form quality
which allow 3 Ø electrical equipment to run smoothly &
last longer
 3 Ø electric power is a common method of alternating-
current electric power generation, transmission, and
distribution
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 Transformer
• Step up voltage
• Step down voltage

• With High Voltage (HV)

• less current (P = V x I)
• reduce conductor size

• Reduce energy loss

• P = I2R 9
 Delta Star (Wye) - DY

Neutral /
Star point

VL= VL
Vph =
• VL = Line Voltage =

• Vph = Phase Voltage

• VL = 3 Vph
Live, Neutral & Earth
 Three phase to Single phase (3 Ø
to 1 Ø)

400V 400V 230V 230V 230V

3ph & 3ph & Single Single Single
neutral load neutral load phase load phase load phase load
Step down transformer
22kV/400V Brown phase
22kV HV Main
Underground Cables

Switchboard

Neutral
Switchboard
22kV Incoming

400V
400V Main

22kV
Black phase

Grey phase

Consumer’s Substation Consumer’s

Earth
to be handed over to Swichroom
Power Grid
 Singapore electrical structure

In Singapore, 2 groups handling electricity energy,

• Energy Market Authority (EMA)
• Singapore Power (SP)

• Energy Market Authority (EMA) is a statutory board under

Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI).
• formed in 2001 as part of the government’s efforts to liberalise
electricity market in Singapore.
• EMA is the regulator of Singapore’s electricity and natural gas
industries, it also serves as the Power System Operator.
• SP owns and operates electricity & gas transmission &
distribution businesses & provides energy market support
services in Singapore & Australia.
• In Singapore, the group provides electricity & gas transmission
& distribution, & market support services.

3 levels of voltages
1. Low Voltage (LV) - 1000V & below.
2. High Voltage (HV) - 6.6KV, 22KV, 66 KV
3. Extremely High Voltage (EHV). 230 KV, 400 KV
Major generation organizations
1. Tuas Power
2. Senoko Energy
3. Power Seraya
 1. Electrical Supply
Types of electrical sources in buildings:
 Purchase from Energy Retailers
 Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS)
 Generator set (Gen set )

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 1. Electrical Supply

Average monthly High-Tension consumer

consumption is or monthly
below consumption over 17
10,000 kWh 10,000 kWh
 1. Electrical Supply
 Nominal voltages of Low Voltage supply
– single-phase 1Ǿ at ______ V 50Hz
– three-phase 3Ǿ at ______ V 50Hz
 Tolerance of supply voltage that retailers
are maintained at ±___ % of the nominal
 Tolerance of supply frequency at ± ___ %

2. Power Supply
 Electricity is generated in power stations, usually located
far from the consumers.
 After generation, electricity is transmitted to sub-stations
near the load centres.
 It is then distributed to consumers.
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2. Power Supply

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 2. Power Supply
 Transmission efficiency is hugely improved by
devices , and
proportionately reduce the current in the
conductors.
 The reduced current flowing through the line
reduces the losses in the conductors.
 Energy losses are directly proportional to the
square of the current. P=I2R
 Transmission network in Singapore uses three
high voltage (EHV) levels, kV and kV.
The transmission network is by means of
underground cabling. 20
 2. Power Supply
 HV electricity has to be lowered to utilisation
level, i.e. __________ V.
 Where the load density is high, the
22kV/400V step-down transformers are
deployed. E.g. Commercial development.
 Where the load density is low, the
6.6kV/400V step- down transformers are
deployed. E.g. Residential development
 The step-down of voltages to 400V is done at
the receiving end (developer's substations).
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 We have discussed…
 Various stages of how electricity reaches the consumers.
 Voltage levels of the various stages.
 Why is electricity transmit in HV?
 Utilisation voltage level at the consumer end.

Next…
• Discuss on the followings
• Basic electrical circuit
• Major equipment found in the consumer’s sub-station.
• Voltage level of the step down transformer.
• Voltage level of single-phase systems.
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 3. Electric circuit
Protective
device
(fuse, circuit Control Device
breakers) (switch)

Load

Power Supply
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 Switch

Circuit Breakers

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Your home
Consumer
Distribution Board

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Single Line Diagram (SLD )
representation

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 Switchgear /
Busbar
Circuit Breakers (high capacity)

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Single Line Diagram 28
Transformer (Step up or step down voltage)

Standby
Generator

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Single Line Diagram
HV Switchgear
Transformer
LV Switchgear /
Switchboard
LV Sub board /
Distribution Board

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 4. Electrical Installation
 In the consumer’s substation, the
underground cables (22kV) terminates at
the .
 The 22kV cables are then connected to the
(22kV/400V).
 The Main Switch Board received the 400V
cables.
 All switch boards consist of metering
devices and protection devices.

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 4. Electrical Installation
 At the Main Switch Board, electricity
is distributed to various Sub-Switch
Board within the development to cater
loads such as _______________

 Sub-Switch Board or Distribution

Board provide supply to the final
circuitry, such as
_______________

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 4. Electrical Installation

DB
MCCB 4 nos. cable

4 nos.
cable
Step-down
Transformer 3 nos. cables

Gen Set

Bus Bar
1 no. 3 core cable
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SF6CB/ACB
 5. Voltage Level
Schematic Diagram of Electrical distribution at
consumer’s substation and consumer’s switchroom

400V 400V 230V 230V 230V

3ph & 3ph & Single Single Single
neutral load neutral load phase load phase load phase load
Step down transformer
22kV/400V Brown phase
22kV HV Main
Underground Cables

Switchboard

Neutral
Switchboard
22kV Incoming

400V
400V Main

22kV
Black phase

Grey phase

Consumer’s Substation Consumer’s

Earth
to be handed over to Swichroom
Power Grid

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 400V 400V 230V 230V 230V
3ph & 3ph & Single Single Single
neutral load neutral load phase load phase load phase load
Step down transformer
22kV/400V Brown phase
22kV HV Main
Underground Cables

Switchboard

Neutral
Switchboard
22kV Incoming

400V
400V Main

22kV
Black phase

Grey phase

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Consumer’s Substation Consumer’s
Earth
to be handed over to Swichroom
 5. Voltage Levels
 There are three ‘live’ conductors,
– Brown (Bn), Black (Bk), Grey (G).
 The voltage between any conductors,
Bn-Bk, Bk-G and G-Bn is V. It is known as the
Line Voltage, VL. It is used for 3Ǿ motors or pumps.
 The star point at the transformer provides the fourth
conductor known as ‘neutral’ (N). It is connected to
an earth electrode.
 The voltage between any conductors and neutral,
Bn-N, Bk-N and G-N is V. It is known as the
Phase Voltage, Vph. The common receptacle loads
are all in 230V. 40
 5. Voltage Levels
Amendment No 1 to SS CP 5 : 1998
Code of Practice for Electrical Installations: The new cable colour code
 From 1 March 2009, the new colour cables may be used for all new fixed
electrical installations, including the addition and alteration of electrical
wiring to existing fixed electrical installations.
 From 1 March 2011, only the new colour cables are allowed to be used.

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 We have discussed on…
Discuss on the followings
 Basic electrical circuit
 Major equipment found in the consumer’s sub-station.
 Voltage level of the step down transformer.
 How single-phase voltage level is obtained.

Next…
• Discuss on the followings:
• Common electrical faults.
• Various major components found at electrical switch board.
• What are critical or essential loads.
• Different in power supply to normal loads and critical loads.
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 6. Electrical Protection
Examples of electrical faults:-
 Short circuit - “short cut” for current to flow
– (e.g. live conductors touch each other) – resistance very low
– I = V/R ---- Extremely current – leading to excessive
generation of heat, risk of fire or damage to equipment.
 Over current or overload - larger than intended current
- Possible causes for overcurrent include short circuits,
excessive load (e.g. overload), & incorrect design
 Leakage current - Undesirable currents (normally small)
which flow thro (Insulation is NOT perfect)
 Earth leakage – leakage current to
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 6. Electrical Protection
 Protect an electrical circuit from
damage caused by
– overload or
– short circuit faults and earth faults.

 Fuse – Meant to blow when excessive

high current flow thro, thus protecting
equipment & lives.
 Circuit breakers (CB) are meant to
operate (trip) when fault is
detected in the electrical circuitry. Unlike
fuse, (operates once & then must be replaced)
CB can be
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 6. Electrical Protection

 In high capacity circuitry, Inverse definite

minimum time lag ( ________ ) relays are
used to detect overcurrent and earth faults

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 6. Electrical Protection
 Once fault is detected, the switchgears are
activated to “break” the faulty circuitry.
Eg of the switchgears are
 ACB ( ______________ ) – LV or HV
 SF6, ( _________________ ) - HV
 VCB ( ____________________) - HV

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 6. Electrical Protection
In low capacity circuitry (400V)
 Protection against short circuit
and overcurrent.
 Common Circuit Breakers
(CB) used:
– (Moulded Case
Circuit Breaker )
– (Miniature Circuit
Breaker) – smaller capacity

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 6. Electrical Protection
Protection against earth faults (Indirect
shock).
• Residual Current CB ( )
• Earth Leakage CB ( ) –old name
 to prevent shock
 detects small stray voltages on metal enclosures
of electrical equipment, & interrupts circuit if
dangerous voltage is detected.

MCCB, MCB & RCCB are installed in Sub

Board (SB) or Distribution Board (DB)

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 7. Electrical Tariff
 _____ meter records the amount
of electrical energy used in kW
within an hour.
 A revolving disk rotates as
electric current passes through
meter. Speed varies depending
on how much electricity is used.
Use more electricity, disk rotate
______
 Counter records unit based on
usage. 1 unit = 1kWh
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 7. Electrical Tariff
 Singapore electrical tariff resource:
http://www.ema.gov.sg/Electricity/new/About_Electricity_Tariff.htm

 Example of some typical domestic consumptions

Average
Estimated
Appliance & its Average Monthly Average Cost
Monthly
Typical Wattage Use kWh per kWh
Cost
Usage
A/C Window Unit 9000 8 hours
633 kwh X 0.22 = $139.3
Btu/hr per day
Clothes Washer 512 6 loads
12.3 kWh X 0.22 = $2.7
watts per week
Refrigerator, 615 watts everyday 443 kWh X 0.22 = $97.5
Television, Color 200 6 hours $7.9
36 kWh X 0.22 =
watts per day

Note: No consideration of utilization factor 50

 8. Standby Supply
 Critical systems concern the safety of the building
occupants. It is important to ensure that no
interruption to their power supply.

 Some essential systems includes:

– Lighting (to illuminate) to permit s____ exit
– F______ detection and A_______ systems
– Elevators
– F_______ pumps
– P__________ address and communication
– Critical C______________ system
– Smoke and life safety v____________ systems
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–
 8. Standby Supply
 Standby power supply such as
– generator
– UPS
– diesel engine for pumps
 Ensure has continuous power supply to
essential systems during emergency
situation (fire, power outage).

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 8. Standby Supply
 A standby generator set can
response within
sec upon activation.
 It comprises basically of
– Fuel system including
storage
– Gen set and exhaust
facilities
– Control system to operate
the gen set and
distribution of electricity
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 8. Standby Supply
 Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) is
commonly used for backing up electronic
device to prevent data losses in the event of
power failure.
 The transfer (switching to UPS) time is less
than ms.

Source: mechatronics.com.qa

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 We have discussed on…
 Name two common electrical faults.
 List the various major components found at
electrical switch board.
 Give some examples of critical or essential
loads.
 Is there any difference in term of power
supply to normal loads and critical loads?

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 9. Maintenance
 Schedule of annual shut down for electrical
installation maintenance.
 Refer to single line diagram for circuitry tracing
and checking.
 Understand the different type of tripping.
– Short circuit or earth leakage
– Isolate the faulty circuitry
 Schedule maintenance and testing for gen set
and UPS to ensure good working condition.
 Infrared and thermal testing
 Mega testing, insulation test of the wire or cable
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 Circuit Breaker Infrared Scanning

Mega Insulation Test

Power distribution source: Siemens

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~ End of Topic 4 ~
 Regulations and Legislation
In Singapore, the applicable regulations are:

The Electricity Act –

Electricity (Electrical Installations) Regulations 2004

Codes of practice that also apply include:

• CP 5 (1998): Electrical Installations

• CP17 (1991) : Maintenance of electrical switchgear for voltages up to

and including 22KV
• (Replaced by SS 538:2008 - Code of practice for maintenance of
electrical equipment of electrical installations)

• CP16 (1991): Earthing

• (Replaced by SS 551:2009 - Code of practice for earthing)
License Electrical Worker (LEW)
Broadly speaking, EMA classify installations into 2 types:
1. Electrical installation refers to any electrical wiring, fitting or
apparatus used for the conveyance & control of electricity in
any premises
2. Supply installation refers to any electrical installation
receiving electricity supply from its own generators.

Both Electrical and Supply installations are required to be

licensed to ensure that they are operated & maintained by
licensed electrical workers (LEW ) and are safe to use.

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3 Classes of LEW Approved load Voltage level

Licensed Electrician Not exceeding 45kVA 1000V and below

Licensed Electrical Technician Not exceeding 150kVA 1000V and below

(design)
Not exceeding 500kVA (operation)
Licensed Electrical Engineer No limit Subject to licence
(PE = Professional Engineer) condition

- The End -