Electric power transmission

Electric-power transmission is the bulk transfer of electrical energy, from generating power plants to
electrical substations located near demand centers. This is distinct from the local wiring between
high-voltage substations and customers, which is typically referred to as electric power distribution.
Transmission lines, when interconnected with each other, become transmission networks.
Voltage generator is generally low between 6 kV to 24 kV, the voltage is usually raised with the help
of a step-up transformer 30 kV to 500 kV (in some developed countries even up to 1000 kV). Higher
voltage levels, in addition to enlarge the conductivity of line also minimize power loss and voltage
drop across line.
The decrease voltage of the transmission voltage level was first performed in substations, where the
voltage is lowered to a lower voltage with the help of step-down transformer, for example, from 500
kV to 150 kV or 150 kV to 70 kV. Then do the second decrease in distribution substations of 150 kV
to 20 kV or 70 kV from 20 kV to. Voltage of 20 kV is called primary distribution voltage.
Transmission lines carry electric energy from one point to another in an electric power system. They
can carry alternating current or direct current or a system can be a combination of both. Also,
electric current can be carried by either overhead or underground lines. The main characteristics
that distinguish transmission lines from distribution lines are that they are operated at relatively
high voltages, they transmit large quantities of power and they transmit the power over large
distances.
There are two categories of transmission line:
1. Overhead transmission
2. Underground transmission

Overhead transmission
An overhead power line is a structure used in electric power transmission and distribution to
transmit electrical energy along large distances. It consists of one or more conductors (commonly
multiples of three) suspended by towers or utility poles. Since most of the insulation is provided by
air, overhead power lines are generally the lowest-cost method of power transmission for large
quantities of electric energy.

Underground transmission
Electric power can also be transmitted by underground power cables instead of overhead power
lines. Underground cables take up less right-of-way than overhead lines, have lower visibility, and
are less affected by bad weather. However, costs of insulated cable and excavation are much higher
than overhead construction. Faults in buried transmission lines take longer to locate and repair.
Underground lines are strictly limited by their thermal capacity, which permits less overload or re-
rating than overhead lines. Long underground AC cables have significant capacitance, which may
reduce their ability to provide useful power to loads beyond 50 miles. Long underground DC cables
have no such issue and can run for thousands of miles.