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Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2025-09-25 Origin: Site
As the world’s need for energy keeps growing, the systems that carry and share electricity must improve to stay safe, dependable, and effective. A key piece in this puzzle is the air insulated substation, often called AIS. This setup is known for being budget-friendly and adaptable, playing a huge role in power networks, especially in places with plenty of open space and mild weather. This piece will take a closer look at how AIS is built, its main parts, the perks it offers, the hurdles it faces, and how it’s being used and updated in today’s world.
Air insulated substations are a basic but essential part of power delivery systems. They depend on the surrounding air to keep electrical parts safely separated.
An air insulated substation, or AIS, is a type of electrical hub where high-voltage gear like circuit breakers, disconnect switches, and busbars are placed outside. They use the natural air around them to prevent short circuits. These pieces are set up on strong steel or concrete frames in an open area.
AIS Setup: It relies on air to insulate, leaving electrical bits open to the outdoors. They’re usually fixed on sturdy steel or concrete bases.
The big difference between AIS and GIS comes down to what insulates them and how they’re enclosed. AIS depends on regular air in an open design. On the other hand:
GIS Setup: It uses SF6 gas to insulate inside a completely sealed metal frame. This offers stronger defense against electrical noise and needs less upkeep.
AIS works well in areas with gentle weather where nature isn’t a big problem. Meanwhile, GIS is smaller and fits better in tight spots or tough conditions.
Back in the day, AIS became a go-to choice because it was simple and didn’t cost much to start with. It gained traction during efforts to bring power to rural areas when land wasn’t hard to come by. Over the years, better tech has made it even more trustworthy in action.
Getting to know the main pieces of an AIS helps show how it works well in all kinds of places.
These tools manage the flow of electricity and shield gear from problems. Circuit breakers cut off power when something goes wrong. Disconnect switches, though, help separate parts for fixing without dealing with active power loads.
Power transformers are super important. They adjust voltage levels, either raising or lowering them as needed. Their insulating materials can handle high heat and resist damage from extra voltage or current during use. The oil inside them flows easily, moves heat well, and insulates nicely, keeping the core and windings safe.
Instrument transformers, such as current transformers (CTs) and voltage transformers (VTs), give exact readings. These help with keeping an eye on systems and protecting them.
Busbars help spread power to different paths within the station. Insulators stop stray currents by holding live wires safely off the ground. Surge arresters guard the equipment from sudden voltage spikes, like those from lightning or switching tasks.
These setups keep track of what’s happening at the station. They use relays, sensors, alarms, and SCADA tools to react quickly to any issues or odd events. Often, they’re kept indoors to protect them from rain or harsh weather.
AIS stations bring a bunch of handy benefits that make them a solid pick for power companies everywhere.
When you stack them up against GIS setups:
AIS relies on air for insulation, making it a cheaper option right from the start due to its straightforward build. Since there’s no need for sealed gas containers, both the initial price and long-term care costs stay low.
With everything out in the open:
The outdoor design of AIS makes it simple to check things over. You don’t need to take apart sealed boxes to spot issues during power cuts or regular reviews.
Here’s a big plus:
AIS Growth: It’s easy to add more to it without much hassle thanks to the open setup. This works great for power grids that need extra space or gear down the road.
With a tough build:
AIS fits nicely in rural or less crowded areas where land isn’t tight. Its outdoor style matches well with spots far from busy city limits.
While air as an insulator is kinder to nature compared to gas systems like GIS, which use SF6—a strong greenhouse gas—there are still some green and safety points to think about with AIS.
Regular air is everywhere, safe, and doesn’t burn, which makes it good for the planet. But there’s a catch:
AIS leaves a smaller mark on the environment than SF6. Still, it needs more land space.
This balance can harm local nature if big setups mess up wildlife areas.
To lower risks like electric flashes or accidental touches:
Grounding setups, fences, warning labels, safety gear, and ongoing training are common steps built into AIS projects.
Even though it doesn’t release much pollution:
Big land use might cut down trees or push animals out if not planned well. Studies on environmental effects help cut down these issues when picking a spot.
Even with its strong points, AIS has some downsides that need careful thought and planning.
One clear weakness:
GIS takes up way less room than AIS, so it’s better for city spots.
On the flip side:
AIS needs a larger area because of its open design.
This makes it tricky to use in packed urban zones unless mixed with other solutions.
Being outside means it’s open to dampness, rust, and dust buildup. Special coatings on metal parts help stop corrosion. Routine cleaning keeps things running smoothly. Weather-tight covers protect delicate tools from the elements.
Since it’s out in the open:
AIS asks for more upkeep than GIS. This includes tightening bolts that loosen from heat changes or shaking over time.
AIS stations work in many fields because they can adjust to different power levels and layouts.
In countryside spots with lots of room:
AIS stations make it easy to send power over long stretches. They don’t need the fancy indoor setups that GIS does.
Factories needing medium-level power gain from flexible designs. These let them grow step by step as production rises without needing huge changes.
Solar fields or wind farms often pick AIS for connecting to the grid. It’s affordable and simple to set up in far-off places with little existing setup.
New ideas keep old-school AIS tech useful, even as the energy world goes digital fast across the globe.
Modern tools like advanced meters and IoT sensors send live updates to control hubs. This helps balance power loads in networks with green energy or changing needs.
Smart tracking tools spot issues before they hit. This cuts downtime and stretches equipment life by focusing on real use, not just set schedules.
Some setups mix the small size of GIS parts with wider AIS designs. This balances space needs with cost cuts, especially when part-indoor setups join existing outdoor yards.
For anyone looking for a reliable teammate in building electrical systems:
Guangdong Shengte Electric Co., Ltd., based in Danzao Town, brings deep know-how in making oil-immersed transformers, pad-mounted units, and low-voltage switchgear.
They boast a skilled R&D team with more than a decade of experience.
Their dedication goes past just products:
They also have a seasoned setup crew with plenty of hands-on skills.
On top of that, SHENGTE provides custom solutions with ready-made substations, perfect for city projects where saving land space is key today.
Air insulated substations keep showing their worth with low costs, easy care, and readiness for outdoor use, even with big space needs and risks from weather. With new digital upgrades and mixed setups popping up quickly, they stay a good choice. This holds true even as smart grid changes roll out worldwide, with trusted names like SHENGTE pushing smart progress forward at every turn.
Q1: How long does an air insulated substation usually last?
A: An air insulated substation often runs for 30 to 40 years. This depends on the weather around it and how well it’s looked after. Checking it often can make it last longer by catching early wear or rust before it turns into a bigger problem.
Q2: Can air insulated substations work for high-voltage needs?
A: Yes, they can. Today’s designs let AIS handle up to 400kV without issues if built right. They keep enough space between live parts using insulators that meet local rules.
Q3: How does weather mess with an air insulated substation’s work?
A: Weather can cause trouble with dampness leading to electrical tracking, dust lowering insulation strength, or heat changes stressing joints. But these problems get handled with special coatings and regular care to keep things running smoothly all year, even outside.
