This explanation clearly outlines the core definition and functions of an electrical substation—your summary is very systematic. An electrical substation is indeed a key node in the power system, primarily responsible for voltage transformation and power distribution, while also undertaking critical tasks such as system protection and regulation.
Core Definition of an electrical substation
A substation is a facility in the power system that transforms, concentrates, and distributes the voltage and current of electrical energy. Its fundamental role is to adjust voltage levels to meet the needs of long-distance transmission (high voltage) and end-user consumption (low/medium voltage), acting as a “transfer station” for electric energy in the grid.
Main Functions of an Electrical Substation
Beyond voltage transformation, substations shoulder multiple core tasks to ensure grid stability and safety:
- Power Concentration & Distribution: Gather electricity from power plants or upper-level grids, then distribute it to transmission lines, industrial users, or residential areas according to demand.
- Voltage Adjustment: Maintain voltage within a stable range through equipment like on-load tap-changers, ensuring the quality of power supplied to users and avoiding damage to electrical equipment.
- Power Flow Control: Regulate the flow direction, magnitude, and distribution of voltage, current, and power in the grid’s nodes and branches to optimize grid operation efficiency and prevent overloads.
- Equipment Protection: Deploy protection devices (such as circuit breakers, lightning arresters) to safeguard transmission lines, transformers, and other main electrical equipment from faults like short circuits or lightning strikes, minimizing outage impacts.
Classification by Purpose
Substations are categorized based on their application scenarios:
- Power Substation: The most common type, used in the public power grid to support power transmission and distribution for industrial, commercial, and residential users.
- Traction Substation: Specialized for rail transit systems, such as electric railways and trams. It converts the grid’s high-voltage electricity into the low-voltage direct current (DC) or alternating current (AC) required by train traction motors.
National Standard Definition (GB 50053-94)
The national standard GB 50053-94 “Code for Design of Substations 10kV and Below” further specifies low-voltage substations: It defines such substations as “places where 10kV and below AC power sources are transformed by power transformers to supply power to electrical equipment.” This standard focuses on the design specifications of low-voltage substations, guiding their safe and standardized construction for end-user power supply.
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