EE-313: Power

Distribution &
Utilization
Lecture 8
By: Dr. Gul Rukh
Introduction
• Electric power can be transmitted or distributed either by means of
underground cables or by overhead lines. The underground cables are
rarely used for power transmission due to two main reasons.
• Firstly, power is generally transmitted over long distances to load
centers.
• Obviously, the installation costs for underground transmission will be
very heavy.
• Secondly, electric power has to be transmitted at high voltages for
economic reasons.
Introduction
• It is very difficult to provide proper insulation to the cables to
withstand such higher pressures. Therefore, as a rule, power
transmission over long distances is carried out by using overhead
lines.
• With the growth in power demand and consequent rise in voltage
levels, power transmission by overhead lines has assumed
considerable importance
Introduction
• The underground cables have several advantages such as less liable
to damage through storms or lightning, low maintenance cost, less
chances of faults, smaller voltage drop and better general appearance.
• However, their major drawback is that they have greater installation
cost and present insulation problems at high voltages compared with
the equivalent overhead system.
• The chief use of underground cables for many years has been for
distribution of electric power in congested urban areas at
comparatively low or moderate voltages.
Introduction
• However, recent improvements in the design and manufacture have
led to the development of cables suitable for use at high voltages. This
has made it possible to employ underground cables for transmission of
electric power for short or moderate distances.
Introduction
An underground cable essentially consists of one or more conductors
covered with suitable insulation and surrounded by a protecting cover.
Although several types of cables are available, the type of cable to be
used will depend upon the working voltage and service requirements. In
general, a cable must fulfil the following necessary requirements :
(i) The conductor used in cables should be tinned stranded copper or
aluminum of high conductivity. Stranding is done so that conductor may
become flexible and carry more current.
(ii) The conductor size should be such that the cable carries the desired
load current without overheating and causes voltage drop within
permissible limits.
Introduction
Introduction
(iii) The cable must have proper thickness of insulation in order to give
high degree of safety and reliability at the voltage for which it is
designed.
Introduction
(iv) The cable must be provided with suitable mechanical protection so
that it may withstand the rough use in laying it.
Introduction
(v) The materials used in the manufacture of cables should be such that
there is complete chemical and physical stability throughout.
Construction of Cables
• Fig. shows the general construction of a 3-conductor cable. The
various parts are :
Construction of Cables
(i) Cores or Conductors. A cable may have one or more than one core
(conductor) depending upon the type of service for which it is intended.
For instance, the 3-conductor cable shown in Fig. is used for 3-phase
service. The conductors are made of tinned copper or aluminum and are
usually stranded in order to provide flexibility to the cable.
Construction of Cables
(ii) Insulation. Each core or conductor is provided with a suitable
thickness of insulation, the thickness of layer depending upon the
voltage to be tolerated by the cable. The commonly used materials for
insulation are impregnated paper, varnished cambric or rubber mineral
compound.
Construction of Cables
(iii) Metallic sheath. In order to protect the cable from moisture, gases
or other damaging liquids (acids or alkalies) in the soil and atmosphere,
a metallic sheath of lead or aluminum is provided over the insulation
as shown in Fig.
Construction of Cables
(iv) Bedding. Over the metallic sheath is applied a layer of bedding
which consists of a fibrous material like jute or hessian tape. The
purpose of bedding is to protect the metallic sheath against corrosion
and from mechanical injury due to armoring.
Construction of Cables
(v) Armoring. Over the bedding, armoring is provided which consists
of one or two layers of galvanized steel wire or steel tape. Its purpose is
to protect the cable from mechanical injury while laying it and during
the course of handling. Armoring may not be done in the case of some
cables
Construction of Cables
(vi) Serving. In order to protect armoring from atmospheric conditions,
a layer of fibrous material (like jute) similar to bedding is provided over
the armoring. This is known as serving.
Construction of Cables
It may not be out of place to mention here that bedding, armoring and
serving are only applied to the cables for the protection of conductor
insulation and to protect the metallic sheath from mechanical injury.
Thankyou