1.

A Sample Power System Design

Here we consider the design of electrics for a chemical plant which receive power at 110 kV from a utility through overhead lines,
transforms it to 11 kV at its 110 kV sub station and transmits the power through underground cables to a 11 kV switch board in the
new plant premises. There is a captive power generator (16 MW, 11 kV) in the company, 3.3 kV induction motors and hundreds of
415 V induction motors. There are several transformers with the ratio 11/3.45 kV and 11/0.44 kV. We will consider the design
aspects of each of the components.
1. 110 kV system in existing sub station
2. New 11 kV panel in existing 110 kV sub station
3. 11 kV switch board in new plant
4. Contribution of alternator to fault level
5. 3.3 kV system in new plant
6. 433 V system in new plant
7. Cable size calculations
8. Calculations for earth conductor sizes
1.0

110 kV System

1.1

Fault level of utility's 110 kV system at the nearest substation

2762 MVA

1.2

Fault level of 110 kV system considering probable increase due to

future expansion of the utility network

3500 MVA

2.0

11 kV System in 110 kV sub station

2.1

Base MVA assumed

2.2

System percentage impedance equivalent to 3500 MVA at 110 kV on

(10 x 100)/3500 = 0.286 % (Z1)
10 MVA base

2.3

Percentage impedance of 110/11 kV, 12.5/20 MVA transformer at

company's 110 kV sub station

2.4

Percentage impedance of 12.5/20 MVA transformer on 10 MVA base (15.2 x 10)/20 = 7.6 % (Z2)

2.5

Operating conditions of transformers

2.5.1

Two numbers of 15 MVA transformers in parallel will feed the existing 11 kV switch board, the working load on the switch
board being 23.95 MVA

2.5.2

Two numbers of 12.5/20 MVA transformers in parallel will feed the new 11 kV switch board in 110 kV sub station, the
normal working load on the switch board being 9.75 MVA (from load study)

2.5.3

If one of the 15 MVA transformers fails/is taken for maintenance, 8.95 MVA (that is, 23.95-15) will have to be fed from the
new 11 kV switch board to the existing 11 kV switch board. This can be met by releasing the nearest 12.5/20 MVA
transformer by opening its adjacent bus coupler breaker and closing the tie breaker connecting the new 11 kV switch
board to the existing 11 kV switch board (positive mechanical interlock shall be provided between these two breakers so
as to ensure that only one of these breakers can be closed at a time. This will prevent paralleling of the two 11 kV
systems)

3.0

Fault level at the new 11 kV switch board in 110 kV sub station

3.1

For fault level calculations, the worst condition, viz. two numbers 12.5/20 MVA transformers operating in parallel feeding
the load with 16 MW generator synchronised.

3.2

Contribution from source and transformers

3.2.1

Effective percentage impedance of 2 nos 12.5/20 MVA transformers Z2/2 = 7.6/2 = 3.8% (Z3)
in parallel on 10 MVA base

3.2.2

Total percentage impedance up to 11 kV switch board

Z1 + Z3 = 0.286 + 3.8 = 4.086%

3.2.3

Fault level at 11 kV bus due to contribution from source and

transformers

(10 x 100)/4.086 = 244.7 MVA

3.3

Contribution from 16 MW alternator

3.3.1

Fault level contribution of alternator of new plant

122.5 MVA (See clause 4.7 for details)

3.3.2

Equivalent percentage impedance on 10 MVA base of 3.3.1 above

(10 x 100)/122.5 = 8.16%

3.3.3

Percentage impedance of 3 runs of 3x400 sq.mm XLPE aluminium

cable on 10 MVA base

(0.2694 + j0.2339)% (Refer clause 1.4)

3.3.4

Total percentage impedance up to new 11 kV switch board in 110 kV j8.16% + (0.2694 + j0.2339)% = 0.2694+j8.394%
Sub station
=8.398%

10 MVA

15.2 % (from mfr's specs)