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Difference between Primary Distribution and Secondary Distribution Systems
Introduction to Electricity Distribution
Electricity distribution refers to the process of distributing the electrical power from generating stations to the consumers. In the first step, electricity is distributed to substations from the generating stations through transmission lines by increasing the voltage level to reduce transmission losses. In the second step, the increased level of voltage is stepped down using the transformers and supplied to consumers by the utility companies.
In any industry, more than one voltage level is used for different purposes like 415 V, 690 V, 6.6 kV, and 11 kV. There is a process of voltage conversion and in this way, the electricity is distributed. This voltage conversion is done by using the transformers.
The utility companies supply 13.8 kV and this voltage level can vary with respect to the companies. Now, this level of voltage will be converted into the desired level like 6.6KV or 415V to the consumers.
Electricity distribution systems play an important role by providing a reliable supply of electricity to meet the energy demands of various sectors.
Types of Electricity Distribution Systems
There are majorly two types of electricity distribution systems as given in the following:
Primary Distribution system
Secondary Distribution system
What is a Primary Distribution System?
The primary distribution system is responsible for distributing the electricity from high-transmission lines to distribution transformers located at the user end. Behind this system, there is a power generating station, that is producing the power and using the transmission lines, that are kept at high voltage levels, this power is transferred to the distribution transformers.
The distribution system starts with 11KV and 33KV voltage levels, where these voltage levels are directly distributed to industries and to heavy loads like railways, etc., and is called a primary distribution system.
What is a Secondary Distribution System?
The secondary distribution system is connected to the primary distribution system and is responsible for distributing the electricity to the end users. It operates at a low voltage level, which is stepped down by the distribution transformers.
The secondary distribution system is the use of 440V and 230V, where domestic consumers use these voltage levels. It is generally a three-phase four wire distribution system that supply both single-phase and three-phase loads.
Difference between Primary and Secondary Distribution Systems
| Parameter | Primary Distribution | Secondary Distribution |
|---|---|---|
| Basic description | It concerns the portion of the power system that delivers high-voltage electricity to distribution transformers. | It concerns the portion of the power system that provides low-voltage electricity to the end users. |
| Distance covered | This portion of the power system covers hundreds of km distance by transmission lines. | This portion of the power system covers less distance as it only delivers the electricity from distribution transformers to the end users. |
| Point of origin | This portion of the power system starts from the power generating stations | This portion of the power system starts from the distribution transformers. |
| Including components | This portion of the power system includes overhead lines, underground cables, and associated equipment such as circuit breakers, transformers, switches, etc. | This portion of the power system includes distribution transformers that stepped down the voltage coming from the primary distribution system. |
| Management & Operation | This portion of the power system is managed by a utility company or transmission system operator. | This portion of the power system is managed by local distribution companies. |
| Voltage level magnitude | The voltage level of the primary distribution system depends upon the size of the area being served and the amount of electricity being delivered. | The voltage level of the secondary distribution system depends upon the customers being served. |
| Power capacity | It controls the large power capacity. | It deals with the smaller power capacity. |
| Line losses | More power losses due to a larger distance | Fewer power losses due to a smaller distance |
| Flexibility | Less flexible due to large distance | More flexible because of less distance. |
| Power Restoration | Power restoration takes a long time due to the complex system connected in a ring. | Power restoration is faster because of the localized network. |
| Level of Fault current | This portion of the power system involves high fault currents due to high transmission lines. | This portion of the power system involves a small fault current due to low-voltage lines. |
| Capital cost | This portion of the power system will require higher capital costs due to the large infrastructure and additional components | This portion of the power system will require less capital cost due to the small infrastructure and small types of equipment. |
| Power factor | This distribution system transmits the power at a higher power factor. | Here, the power factor depends upon the consumer load. |
| Maintenance requirement | It involves more requirements of maintenance. | It involves fewer requirements of maintenance |
| Number of lines | The primary distribution system involves fewer lines. | The Secondary distribution system has a larger number of lines and they are in dense. |
| Inspection | There will be more need for Inspection in this portion because of the complex network. | There will be less need for Inspection in this portion because of the localized network. |
| Insulator size | This portion of the power system involves larger insulators due to high voltages. | This portion of the power system involves smaller insulators due to low voltages. |
| Interfacing | The primary distribution system interfaces with higher-capacity transmission lines. | The secondary distribution system interfaces with lower-capacity distribution lines. |
Conclusion
The process of delivering electrical power from generating stations to customers is referred to as electricity distribution. The first stage is to transmit power from generating stations to substations via transmission lines by boosting the voltage level to reduce transmission losses. The higher voltage is stepped down using transformers in the second stage and distributed to consumers via utility companies.
Electricity distribution networks play a significant role in meeting the energy demands of diverse industries by supplying a consistent supply of electricity. The primary distribution system is in charge of delivering energy from high-transmission lines to distribution transformers at the consumer end. Behind this system is a power generating station that generates power and transfers it to distribution transformers through transmission lines that are kept at high voltage levels. The secondary distribution system is linked to the primary distribution system and is in charge of providing power to end consumers. It runs on a low voltage that is stepped down by the distribution transformers. Moreover, we have studied the basic differences between the primary distribution system and the secondary distribution system in a detailed-oriented way.
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