CHAPTER III: DESIGN OF ELECTRICAL

DISTRIBUTION NETWORKS
I. NETWORK ARCHITECTURES

The design of the electricity network involves choices, in terms of cost and architecture, to
allow maximum service, while rigorously taking into account technical and economic
criteria, and seeking to guarantee the safety and continuity of the electrical service.

Fig 1: The electrical distribution network

There are three types of network architecture:

-Tree networks:
These networks are made up of several arteries
branching, but without ever finding a common
point. When a defect occurs, all downstream
customers are cut off.

A tree network
-Closed networks:
The loads are fed by different sources that can be
used immediately as backup in case of
unavailability of a source.

A closed network
-Mesh networks:
Mesh networks are networks where all lines are looped.
The stations are connected to each other by numerous
lines, providing great security of supply.
The normalized voltages according to the powers are
given in the following table:

A mesh network
Table 1: Different types of networks, according to Schneider Electric.
II. GENERAL STRUCTURE OF A DISTRIBUTION NETWORK
A distribution network comprises:
- An HTB delivery station powered by one or more sources, it is composed of one or
more sets of bars and protective circuit breakers;
- An internal production source;
- One or more HTB / HTA transformers;
- A HTA main table consisting of one or more sets of bars;
- An internal HV distribution network supplying secondary switchboards or HV/LV
stations;
- HTA receptors;
- HV/LV transformers;
- Low-voltage switchboards and networks;
- Low voltage receivers.
Fig 2: Architecture of a utility network
 The power source

In general, the supply of industrial networks can be carried out, either:

- in HTB, which means that the voltage is greater than 50 kV, in general
63 kV, 90 kVou 225 kV.

- in HTA, which means that the voltage is between 1 kV and 50 kV, usually 5.5
kV, 10kV, 15kV, 20kVou33kV.

- in BTA, which means that the voltage is less than 1 kV, usually 400 V.

The voltage of the power source is related to the delivery power.

The supply voltage levels depend on the subscribed power.

III. ELECTRICAL SUBSTATIONS

Substations are electrical installations whose purpose is to transform the electrical energy
received for its distribution in a given area. In principle, they have one of two functions:
 - The transport-distribution function : in this case, the voltage received is high for its
transport or lowered for its distribution by a transformer;

- The distribution function : distribution here means the "multiplication" of the

network, i.e. the creation of several transmission or distribution points commonly
called " departure".

From a functional point of view, there are therefore several types of positions:

III.1.The different types of substations in the distribution network

The types of substations in the electrical network are:
-Source stations : They are the starting point of distribution networks. They are located at the
node of dispatch or transport networks. These substations receive the voltage by the
transmission substations, then lower this voltage for its distribution in High Voltage A (HTA)
or 10 kV ≤U≤ 50 kV. They are the sources of the various distribution departures.

-Low Voltage (LV) distribution substations: also called HV/ LV substations, these
substations receive the voltage of the source substations, lower it to LV (U=400V) and
deliver it to customers. The distribution is generally over a small area because of the online
losses that can be observed in BT.

-Delivery stations : these are substations with a power between 250 KVA and 10 MVA. They
are generally found in large private consumers.

There are several categories of distribution stations in BURKINA FASO which are:
▪ H61 stations or high post posts;
▪ Prefabricated workstations;
▪ Masonry booth positions;
▪ Gantry stations (new model of station not homologated).

III.1.1. The H61 post or high post

These stations are installed on wooden, concrete or metal supports and are supplied by an
overhead network. These positions are called pole top positions. The
H61 station has a power ranging from 25KVA to 160KVA and is mainly composed
:
➢ A pole implanted in a buried concrete massif;
➢ An assembly (armament, insulators, HVA link) allowing the connection of the
substation to the overhead line;
➢ A set of protections;
➢ Drivers;
➢ A HV/LV transformer with a power less than or equal to 160KVA;
➢ A LV link between the transformer and the LV protections;
➢ A BT protection package;
➢ One or two BT outputs depending on the power of the transformer.

Fig 2: H61 station or high post

III.1.2. Prefabricated workstations

These are wired and tested stations at the manufacturer. They mainly include the
transformer, HV and LV switchgear, connections and auxiliary equipment.
They can be at the bottom of the pole with powers greater than 160KVA and less than or
equal to 250KVA.
The advantage of prefabricated workstations lies in the record time of its study, its realization
and the quality of the equipment ensured by the construction guarantee that customers benefit.

III.1.3. The position in the masonry cabin

Its installation is ideal for the protection of HV and LV equipment against strong temperature
fluctuations, climatic hazards and in cases where the power of the installation is important.
The masonry cabin station is much more accessible for interventions.

Fig 3: Prefabricated station Fig 4: Prefabricated station in masonry cab

 Fig 5: Poste de transformation HTA/BT

III.1.4. The gantry station

This model of station is recently used in our country and can be installed anywhere, since it
does not require enough space for its installation. Thanks to its low cost and its quick
installation compared to the masonry substation, SONABEL uses it to unload overloaded
transformers in certain areas and meet an invaluable need of subscribers.
The gantry substation is an overhead station with a power greater than 160 KVA composed
of a transformer placed at the top on two steel bars connected to two twin supports (distance
between the supports = 1.6m), a metal box placed on a reinforced concrete slab at the bottom
of the transformer inside which is the urban distribution board (TUR) and surge arresters
located upstream of the transformer.
 Fig 6: Gantry station

III.2.Cabin equipment
Depending on the electrical substations, we can encounter:
➢ One or more transformers: their role is to lower or raise the supply voltage. They can also
be used as a network stabilizer in the case where the transformation ratiois close to 1;
 Fig 7: Transformer in a cab station

➢ One or more Urban Distribution Boards or TUR : It is a distribution organ equipped

with a protective fuse and to protect the downstream line from short circuits. It is also
equipped with an upstream disconnector to deactivate the downstream circuit. It allows
to create several BT departures according to the capacity of the TUR;
 Fig 8: Urban Distribution Table (TUR)

➢ Several cells that form the HTA table: these cells are kind of boxes that have, depending
on their content, different roles. A distinction is made between the arrival and departure
cells that allow the artery of the circuit to be cut, the transformer protection cells, the
counting cells and the emergency cells. The cells of the same HTA table are connected by
bars called bar set;
 Fig 9: HTA Distribution Table

III.3. Criteria for choosing a position

The criterion for choosing a position depends essentially on the power and role that one
wants to assign to this position. Thus, depending on the needs and resources available, the
posts can be distributed as follows:

Table 1: Criteria for choosing a position

Type of position Characteristic Usage

Top of posts Voltage Range: Distribution client
- Primary: 15, 20, 33 kV;
- Secondary: 400 V;
Power range: 50, 100, 160 kVA.
Post on Portico Voltage Range: Customer distribution
- Primary: 15, 20, 33 kV; (Adaptation station)
- Secondary: 400 V;
Power range: 250, 400, 600 kVA.
Masonry Cabin Station ▪ Without transformer: Allows you to perform
Voltage bar clearance: 15, 20, 33 kV; several types of
▪ With transformer: configuration; Customer
Bar clearance voltage: 15, 20, 33 kV; distribution; Distribution;
Distribution voltage: 400 V;
 Power delivered: ≥160 kVA.
Prefabricated Bar clearance voltage: 15, 20, 33 kV; Distribution client ;
Cabin
Distribution voltage: 400 V; Event feeding;
Station
Power delivered: ≥160 kVA.
Delivery station Depending on the customer Dependent on the individual
customer ;

TECHNIQUES USED FOR DISTRIBUTION SUPPLY

• On-air distribution

This supply is minimally expensive but has

low availability: users depend on the
proper functioning of a single HV line:
used in rural areas, rural or industrial
overhead distribution.
 • artery cut-off distribution

The 3 transformers connected to a loop always open at one point can be fed indifferently by
the 2 HTA departures 1 or 2 but never by the 2 sources simultaneously. Departures 1 and 2
are each protected by a circuit breaker that are not shown. In the event of a problem on a
section, the protective circuit breaker cuts the faulty half loop and after locating the fault, the
switches are switched so as to power the circuits to the source that remains in operation

• Double-bypass distribution
To ensure the best possible continuity of service, each supply is doubled: the two HTA inlets
are paralleled or come from different source stations. This solution is justified when the HV
line supplies densely populated areas and/or when continuity of service is an absolute
imperative (hospitals) because this solution is the most expensive. In general, automatic
switching is often required when this option is delivered.

IV . HVA DELIVERY STATIONS

They generally concern powers between 250 kVA and 10 MVA.

Two types of HVA delivery stations exist depending on whether the counting is carried
out in LV or HTA. There are different possible connections for delivery stations

IV.1 HVT delivery stations with BT counting

They are governed by standard NF C 13-100, they have only one
transformer whose secondary current is less than or equal to 2000 A, i.e. a power less
than or equal to 1250 kVA for a voltage composed of 400 V.

single derivation

The general protection cell P must be a

circuitbreaker r if the rated current is greater than
or equal to 45 A according to NF C 13-100
This type of substation is generally used for public HV
distribution in overhead lines, it has only one source of
power possible by the distributor.

Fig 10 Single bypass supply of a LV counting HVV delivery station

The general protection cell P must be a circuit breakerif the rated current is greater than or
equal to 45 A according to NF C 13-100
This type of substation is generally used for public HV distribution in overhead lines, it has
only one source of power possible by the distributor.
 Artery cutting

The general protection cell P shall be a

circuit breaker if the rated current is
higher
or equal to 45 A (NF C 13-100).
This type of substation is used for urban
public HV distribution in underground
networks, it allows the user to benefit
from a reliable power source from two
source substations or 2 HTA
departures, which limits interruptions for
work or in case of breakdown.

Fig 11: Cut-off supply of a LV counting HVV delivery

station
 Double derivation

The general protection cell P must be a circuit breaker

if the rated current is greater than or equal to 45 A
(NF C 13-100).
When the public HTA network has two separate
underground cables in parallel, the substation can
be fed by either of these two bypasses.
The switching from one power supply to the other is
carried out when the voltage on the cable supplying the
substation disappears. It is carried out either
automatically or manually.
This scheme, which is very costly for the distributor,
is used when availability requirements
are significant (the additional cost is usually paid by
the user).

Fig 12: Dual bypass power supply of a LV

counting HVV delivery station

VI.2. HTA delivery stations with HT metering

They comprise several transformers or only one if its secondary current is greater than 2
000 A (power greater than 1250 kVA for a voltage composed of 400 V) and may include
HTA outlets.
The part of the installation from the point of connection to the HTA network to the isolation
disconnector located downstream of the main circuit breaker is governed by standard NF C
13-100; bar sets, the HTA network and transformers are governed by standard NF C 13-200.
Similarly to BT-metered delivery stations, the supply from the distributor can be single
bypass, artery cut or double bypass.
Case of a delivery station with an artery cut-off supply with 2 transformers and 2 HTA
departures.

Fig 13: Example of a HTA delivery station with HT counting

HT metering is carried out thanks to the TT (voltage transformer) and the TC

(current transformer).
The current transformer usually has a second secondary used for overcurrent protection.

VI.3. HTA networks inside the site

HTA networks are composed of tables and links feeding these tables. We distinguish the
different modes of feeding the tables, then the different structures of the networks to feed
these tables.

VI.3.1. Feeding modes of HTA tables

- Identify the main power solutions of a HTA board, regardless of its location in the
network.
-The number of sources and the complexity of the table differ according to the desired
level of dependability .
-When dependability improves while installation cost
Increases.

◼ 1 set of bars, 1 power source

Operation: If the power source is

lost, the bar set is out of service
until the repair operation.

Figure 14: 1 Bar Set, 1 Power Source

◼ 1 set of bars without coupling, 2 power sources

operation:
The two sources can operate in
parallel or one as a backup of
the other. In case of defect on the
set of bars (or maintenance of it),
the departures are no longer
powered.

Fig 15: 1 set of bars without coupling, 2 power sources

◼ 2 half sets of bars with coupling, 2 power sources (

operation:
The coupling circuit breaker can be
kept closed or open.
If open, each source feeds half a set
of bars. In case of loss of a source,
The coupling circuit breaker is
closed and the other source feeds
the 2 half sets of bars.

Figure 16: 2 half sets of bars with pairing, 2 power sources

VI.3.2. Supply modes for LV panels

- Identify the main power solutions of a HTA board, regardless of its location in the
network.
-The number of sources and the complexity of the table differ according to the desired
level of dependability .
The power diagrams of the switchboards can be rescued by generators or by an
uninterruptible power supply.
◼ LV boards rescued by a generator
 Figure 17: LV tables rescued by a generator

In normal operation, D1 is closed and D2 is open. Table T2 is powered by the transformer. In case
of loss of the normal source, the following steps are performed:
1. Operation of normal/emergency device, opening of D1.
2. Possible offloading of part of the receivers of the priority circuits, in order to limit the load
impact suffered by the alternator.
3. Starting the alternator.
4. Closing D2 when the alternator frequency and voltage are within the required ranges.
5. Relelasting of any receptors relieved in step 2.
When the normal source is back in working order, the normal/backup device switches the supply
of T2 to that source and the alternator is stopped.
LV panels rescued by an uninterruptible power supply (UPS)
The main elements of an UPS are shown in the figure below.

Figure 18: LV tables rescued by uninterruptible power supply

V. Distribution system protection devices
In order to ensure good continuity of electrical service and protection of electrical
equipment, cut-off devices installed in transformer stations or along power lines are used to
open a line in the event of a fault or intervention.

➢ Manually Operated Overhead Switches (IACM) and Voltage Trough Overhead

Switches (IACT) provide network shutdown and isolation but do not protect the network.

➢ Surge arresters, used for protection against atmospheric surges, are placed on each
phase of transformer or transformer support, as well as on each point of change of type of
cable such as overhead / underground descents;
 ➢ Compact/electromagnetic/modular circuit breakers limit the current that can be called
into substations or consumer installations and protect against overcurrent current;

➢ Top pole circuit breakers equipped with a thermal shutter release protect
transformers from LV short circuits and overloads.
➢ HTA and BTA fuses are for transformer protection, or sometimes ejectable fuses
for high post positions.
The coordination of these different protections is ensured by means of a judicious choice of
sizes in order to respect good selectivity.

➢ Grounding (Earth Neutral and Earth Metal Masses)

The purpose of grounding is to remove abnormal potentials on drivers and masses.

They are designed to avoid:
1. Either risks for people

2. Either to damage the devices

❖ Land Regimes and Ground Binding Schemes (GBS)
Standard concept (IEC 364 and NF C 15-100)
Codification of GBS

First letter:
Characterizes the neutral point of the transformer or the source
I : isolated from the earth.
T : connected to the ground.
Second letter:
Characterizes the electrical masses of the receivers
I : isolated from the earth.
T : grounded
N : connected to the neutral conductor (N).
Third letter (optional):
Situation of the neutral conductor (N) and the protective conductor (PE).
C : N and PE form a common PEN conductor.
S : N and PE separated.
The three standardized TT, TN, IT schemes ensure good protection of people and property
against the risks associated with insulation defects:
• electric shocks for people,
• fires or explosions of electrical origin for property.
But their choice also influences other operating criteria of the installations:
• continuity of service,
• over voltage,
• etc
TT regime :
• the neutral of
the source is
connected to an
earthing socket,
generally distinct
from that of the
masses,

• All masses protected by the same cut-off device shall be connected to the same earthing
system.
TNC regime:
 TN-C in which the
functions of neutral and
protection are combined
into a single conductor,
called PEN

IT regime:

Make the fault harmless by using IT-isolated neutral networks. This solution consists in
attacking not the effect, but the cause, by limiting the fault current to a few mA.
In an IT isolated or impedant neutral network, the fault is not dangerous, there is no need to
trigger and the operation can continue
These groundings flow into the ground the fault currents initiated by the overvoltages of
atmospheric origin and by default of insulation or contacts HT / BT.
 ◼ REALIZATION OF A GROUND SOCKET :
The achievement of a good grounding, that is to say of low resistance, depends mainly on the
resistivity of the soil where it is located.
◼ PRACTICAL REALIZATION:
 ❖ SPECIAL CASE OF GROUNDING OF NEUTRAL BT:
In public distribution networks, in low voltage, the grounding of neutral is mandatory and
aims to:
To ensure the safety of users, by avoiding overvoltages in their installations as a result of
HV / LV contacts in transformers or online, and also in the event of atmospheric discharges
in the air.
To fix the potential of the neutral conductor in order to maintain the simple voltage on the
single-phase devices in case of imbalance of the loads on the different phases.
Location of neutral grounding:
The technical order requires :
More than one grounding as soon as the networks exceed 300 m
On average one earth every 1,000 m in normal zone and one earth every 300 m in
lightning zone, preferably choose the bypass support or high concentration of
connections.
at the end of a bypass when it exceeds 300 m
Nowadays, BT departures being relatively short, it is desirable that any start has at least 2
groundings of the neutral whatever its length.

VI- REGULATIONS AND DISPATCHING CENTER

The dangers associated with electric current require that distribution structures be well
insulated from their environment. The establishment rules have thus provided for
regulatory distances between the active parts of the electrical pipes and the neighborhoods of
all kinds.
 VI.1. Regulatory distances in crossings

NB: For oversized equipment, the regulatory crossing distance varies according to the height
of the equipment

VI.2. Dispatching Center

The role of the teams responsible for routing electricity is to forecast and manage the flow of power on these
networks as close to real time as possible. This activity is called dispatching. The demand for electricity varies
constantly throughout the day depending on work schedules, length of daylight or temperature. Other criteria
are also taken into account such as vacation periods, days of the week, current season and calendar events.
The electricity produced by the power plants cannot be stored. Therefore, in order to precisely adjust
production to demand, the network relies on electricity dispatching centers.
The dispatcher is in charge of managing power line outages for technical team interventions. Every day,
Technicians work on lines, pylons or any other asset of the electricity transmission network. To be able to act
and guarantee the safety of the agents, it is imperative to cut the lines concerned for the time of the
intervention.
Speaking of data, you should know that dispatch teams aggregate and analyze hundreds of thousands of pieces
of information per day:
− Weather conditions;
− Power system status and identification of lines for maintenance
− Real-time electricity production;
− Real-time consumption.
VII. SIZING IN DISTRIBUTION
1. The HTA line
1.1. The route of the line
According to the NFC 11-201 standard, the ranges of HTA lines must not exceed 80 m
in built-up areas. The following rules of the art must be respected as much as possible:
- Achieve ranges as even as possible and avoiding angles.
- Take into account the number of litters that must not exceed 15 per canton.

- Avoid overhangs of homes in the middle of spans

1.2. Electrical calculation of the line

The electrical calculation of HV lines consists of calculating voltage drops in order to check
and choose the conductor sections properly, or to determine the maximum acceptable
network length and avoid significant line losses. For this, the different parameters to be
determined are as follows:
◼ The rated current In:

With Sn: Rated power, Un: Rated voltage

◼ The permissible current Iz is:

With S: Cable section

k : coefficient due to the nature of the conductive core
Thus the permissible current for the different standard sections is determined.
Table: Coefficient k due to the nature of the conductive core

◼ The symmetrical three-phase short-circuit current in the conductor:

This calculation is done by the impedance method consisting in determining the impedance Zt
equivalent to the line traversed by the short-circuit current.
According to the standard (NF C 15-105), the short-circuit current

IK : Three-phase short-circuit current

Un : nominal compound voltage

Rt: Total Network Resistance (Ω)

Xt: Total Network Reactance (Ω)

Zt: Total impedance per phase of the network upstream of the fault (Ω)
C: Voltage factor taken is equal to:
Cmax = 1.05 for maximum currents
Cmini = 0.95 for minimum currents
◼ Short-circuit power

𝑆𝑐𝑐 = 𝑈𝑛. 𝐼𝑘. √3

• The impedance in the upstream network Za :

With Un : Nominal voltage

Pcc : Short-circuit power of the HTA network

• The current maximum crossing the driver

With Imax: Maximum current in the network (A)

S: minimum conductor section (mm²)
A : Conductor parameter 76.4 for almelec
tcc : short circuit time = 1 second(s)
 • The voltage drop:
The voltage drop on HTA network must be limited to 5% according to NF C 11-201:

With R = linear resistance (Ω/km), R = 0.438

X = linear reactance in (Ω/km), X=0.3

Tanφ = power factor = 0.75
P = power (MW)
L = length of line (km)
U = voltage in (kV)
2- BT network route

The installation of the supports is done 1 m from the boundaries of the subdivisions according to
the NFC 11-201 standard for a subdivided area. The spans are estimated at 50m.

❖ Verification of technical constraints

Cable sections according to standard NF C 15-100

• Determination of employment flows by section Ib
P
Ib =
3Un
body
With P: Transmitted power (W)
Un: network voltage (V)

• Determination of permissible currents per section Iz :

 With IR: size of the protective circuit breaker immediately greater than Ib

k1: correction factor according to the installation mode PR 17 F, k1=1

k2: correction factor according to maximum ambient temperature 45°C, k2 = 0.87
k3: correction factor according to the number of conductors (5), k3 = 0.8

Voltage drops:
Determination of the voltage drop by the relationship not to exceed 5% according to NFC 15-
100.

With
R: resistivity of section 0.036 Ωmm²/m for aluminium X:
linear reactance of conductors 0.08 mΩ/m
cosφ: assumed grid power factor = 0.8 (sinφ=0.6) L: single length of the
section (m)
S : section of section (mm²)

• Principle of the calculation of voltage drop in cables

Consider a receiver R supplied with electrical energy by a cable of length L and which absorbs a
current Ib. At the origin of the cable the voltage is V0; at the terminals of the receiver, it will be only
Vr. The voltage drop will be :

⃗ = ⃗⃗⃗
∆𝑈 𝑉0 − ⃗⃗⃗
𝑉𝑟
The receiver absorbs a current Ib (operating current) and has a certain phase shift (cos ϕ) between Vr

and Ib.

A cable of length L has a certain impedance Z, consisting of R and X which are proportional to the
length

⃗ = ⃗⃗⃗
Let r be the linear resistance and x the linear inductance. The voltage drop ∆𝑈 𝑉0 − ⃗⃗⃗
𝑉𝑟 is
represented vectorially as follows:

− Voltage drop in a conductor :

− In single-phase alternating current :

− In three-phase alternating current :

We see that for a given cos ϕ, ∆u is proportional to the length of the pipe and the current of flow. The
quantity (r × cosϕ + x × sinϕ) represents the unit impedance of a conductor. Cable companies provide
tables of apparent impedance of low-voltage cables expressed in Ω/km, for a conductor and for a given
cosϕ.
The voltage drop in a circuit is then written

B is given by the table; IB: current of use in Amper; L: length of the cable in km.
 • APPLICATION

Application 1 : Calculate the voltage drop of a three-phase line with the following characteristics:
section : 50mm², length l = 60m, open circuit voltage : 410V, current carried : Ib = 100A, cosϕ = 0.8, core
copper.

Application 2 : Determine the cross-section of a three-phase pipe with the following characteristics:
length 86m, voltage 231Volts, Ib = 60A, cosϕ = 0.8, ∆u max = 3%, copper core