Electrical substations are an essential part of the power grid, responsible for converting high-voltage electricity generated at power plants into low-voltage electricity that can be safely used in homes and businesses. The reason it is known as a “substation” is because, like train and bus stations, it is the place where energy passes from one system to another, allowing electricity to travel over long distances with minimal loss of power. Inside each power, the substation is a control room containing the protective devices, switchgear, and control equipment necessary to ensure that the energy is safely routed at the correct voltages and currents. Operated by trained technicians, these components help ensure the safe and reliable operation of the electrical system.
Power substations play a vital role in the power grid by converting high-voltage electricity generated at power plants into low-voltage electricity that can be safely used in homes and businesses. They are also responsible for stepping up and down the voltage for transmission and distribution and switching and isolating circuits for maintenance. In addition, substations are used in load shedding when demand is more significant than supply, power factor correction to protect generating plants, placing safety devices such as circuit breakers and fuses, and splitting the power for distribution using bus bars. With these functions, substations ensure the safe operation of the electrical system and efficient transmission of electricity over long distances.
Power is generated from a variety of sources, such as thermal power plants, hydroelectric power plants, and nuclear power plants. The electricity produced is then transmitted to a transmission substation near the generating plant where it is stepped up using transformers to reduce losses over long distances. This high-voltage electricity is next sent to a power substation, which reduces the voltage even further so it can be supplied to a distribution grid. In the distribution grid, voltage is lowered and divided into multiple paths with additional transformers before finally reaching residential quarters. Once in the home or building, step-down transformers reduce the voltage to 110/220 volts according to standards set by individual countries. For more information on portable substations and power substations, contact Becker today.
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This post was written by Justin Tidd, Director at https://beckersmcusa.com/. For nearly a half a century, Becker Mining has been at the forefront of industry safety. Becker/SMC is the industry’s leader in increasingly more sophisticated electrical control systems. Most of the major innovations, design features and specialized electrical components have been developed by Becker/SMC.
