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Why Underground Substation Designs Rely on DC Supply for Safety

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  1. Overview of Underground Substations

  2. The Role of Power Supply Systems in Substation Operations

  3. Reasons for Preferring DC Supply in Underground Substations

  4. Technical Considerations in DC Supply Design for Substations

  5. Integration with Distribution Type Transformers in Underground Settings

  6. SHENGTE: A Trusted Supplier of Power Equipment Solutions

  7. Conclusion


In today's power distribution networks, underground substations are gaining traction in city and factory settings. They take up less space, look better, and offer improved safety. A vital part of these setups is the power system, with a special focus on using direct current (DC) instead of alternating current (AC). This piece dives into why DC is often chosen for underground substations, its benefits, and how it works smoothly with distribution type transformers for safe and effective results.

SHENGTE Factory High Voltage Substation Equipment

Overview of Underground Substations

Underground substations are built to handle the rising needs of city growth while keeping the surface neat and spacious.

  • Key Features of Underground Substations

    The ZBW-D Series underground combined substation, crafted by our team, meets the demands of modern city planning and nature protection. This setup blends high-voltage switchgear, buried transformers, and low-voltage distribution boards into a small, powerful package. With its structure partly or fully below ground, it uses minimal land, boosts land efficiency, and fits nicely with nearby surroundings.

  • Common Applications in Urban and Industrial Areas

    These substations work well in places like public parks, housing areas, shopping zones, and transit points where building above ground isn’t ideal. Their knack for blending in makes them perfect for spots where the environment matters a lot.

  • Challenges Faced in Underground Installations

    Even with their perks, underground substations come with hurdles. Think tricky air flow needs, keeping water out, managing heat, and getting to them for fixes. Strong systems are a must to keep things running smoothly under such tough settings.

The Role of Power Supply Systems in Substation Operations

A steady power supply setup is crucial to keep safety tools and control gadgets working non-stop in substations.

  • Importance of Reliable Control and Protection Circuits

    Control circuits handle switching tasks. Protection circuits spot issues and cut off faulty parts. If their power gets cut, it could harm equipment or cause long blackouts.

  • Differences Between AC and DC Power in Substation Use

    AC setups usually deliver general power. Yet, DC setups are picked for control tasks due to their steadiness during problems. DC doesn’t get thrown off by AC frequency swings or voltage drops from faults.

Reasons for Preferring DC Supply in Underground Substations

Choosing DC supply comes down to its better handling of faults and how well it pairs with backup options.

  • Enhanced Safety During Fault Conditions

    (1) Isolation Capabilities and Arc Suppression

    DC systems make it simpler to cut off control circuits during issues without sparking risky arcs. Unlike AC, which swings to zero and might restart arcs, DC flows steadily. This makes stopping arcs much easier.

    (2) Reduced Risk of Electric Shock to Maintenance Personnel

    DC control circuits often use lower voltages, like 48V or 110V. This cuts down the chance of shocks compared to higher AC levels. Safety is key in tight underground spaces, and this helps a lot.

Transformer with Oil Cooling Structure

  • Stability and Reliability of Control Systems

    (1) Continuous Operation of Protection Relays and Circuit Breakers

    DC keeps relays running without a hitch, even if AC power fails. This means circuit breakers can act fast during faults. That’s vital to stop bigger breakdowns from happening.

    (2) Battery Backup Integration for Uninterrupted Functionality

    Battery banks step in smoothly to power DC systems without delays or energy loss. They use smart tools to manage heat, drain water in emergencies, control dampness, and allow remote checks. This ensures solid performance every time.

  • Simplification of Grounding Systems

    Lower Complexity Compared to AC Grounding Schemes: Grounding DC setups is less tricky since there’s no complex behavior like in AC. This cuts costs for setup and boosts safety by lowering risks during faults.

Technical Considerations in DC Supply Design for Substations

Building a good DC supply system means picking the right voltage, setting up batteries, adding backup plans, and using tracking tools carefully.

  • Voltage Levels Commonly Used in DC Systems (e.g., 48V, 110V, 220V)

    Common voltages are 48V for phone systems, while 110V or 220V suit substation controls. The pick depends on what’s needed and how far it is from control spots.

  • Battery Bank Configurations and Charging Methods

    Battery banks are set up based on power needs, using layouts like series-parallel. Charging can be steady for constant readiness or a quick boost after heavy use.

  • Redundancy and Monitoring Mechanisms

    Having two battery sets with automatic switching ups dependability. Live tracking tools check battery stats like voltage, heat, and charge level. This helps fix issues before they grow big.

Integration with Distribution Type Transformers in Underground Settings

Distribution type transformers are key in adjusting voltages in underground substations. They stay efficient even when loads change.

  • Role of Distribution Type Transformers in Voltage Regulation

    SHENGTE epoxy resin dry type transformers shine with great efficiency, low running costs, quiet operation, and top-notch heat release. They can handle up to 120% load with forced air cooling. These traits make them a great fit for tight spots like underground substations where space is short, but output can’t suffer.

    They also resist dampness well, working fine even in full humidity—a common issue underground. Plus, they can start back up after a shutdown without needing to dry out first.

  • Interfacing Transformers with DC Control Systems

    Transformers mainly deal with AC power changes on high-voltage sides. Yet, they help DC systems by feeding rectifiers that turn AC into steady DC for control parts. Smart heat protection keeps things safe and reliable. This matches the heavy demands on both transformers and related controls in underground setups.

SHENGTE: A Trusted Supplier of Power Equipment Solutions

SHENGTE delivers a wide array of top-quality electrical gear made for both surface and underground uses.

  • Overview of SHENGTE’s Product Offerings: Transformer, Transformer Substation, Electrical Switchgear

    SHENGTE provides dry type transformers with fire-safe builds, pad mounted transformers that save space with oil-based protection, and ready-made substations with vacuum switchgear. They also offer modern low-voltage switchgear cabinets that support safety plans in many factory fields.

    Their epoxy resin cast dry Transformer runs safely, resists flames, and prevents fires. This makes it a smart choice for tight designs like underground spaces, especially near busy load centers.

ZGS11 1600kVA 10kV 0.4kV Dyn11 Connection Box Type Pad-Mounted Substation Transformer

  • Commitment to Quality, Safety, and Innovation

    SHENGTE’s gear meets global rules through strict testing for toughness in harsh settings, like damp underground spots. Their Transformer comes with a smart heat controller to keep things running well, even under extra strain. This matters a lot when constant operation is a must.

Conclusion

DC supply is a must-have in today’s underground substation plans. It boosts safety during faults, keeps things running with battery backups, and makes grounding easier than AC options. This ensures steady service in tough setups. When teamed with strong distribution type transformers from SHENGTE, which run with low loss even under pressure, you get a solid setup ready for modern city needs.

FAQs:

Q1: Why is DC supply seen as safer than AC in substations?
A: DC systems often use lower voltages than AC for the same jobs. This lowers the chance of electric shocks during repair work. Also, the steady flow of DC helps stop arcs from starting again during fault cuts. This makes it safer in tight spots like underground substations.

Q2: Can AC take the place of DC for control systems in substations?
A: It’s possible with backup AC sources or inverters, but DC is still the top pick. It doesn’t get affected by grid issues. DC keeps safety relays working even if main AC power drops. Matching this reliability with just AC setups is hard without extra steps.

Q3: What kind of upkeep do DC systems need in substations?
A: Regular checks look at battery condition, including fluid levels for some types, clean connections, steady voltage across parts, and charger tests. They also run fake load checks to make sure backups are ready for real emergencies when they’re needed most.

 


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