BASIC CONCEPT OF

ELECTRICAL DESIGN


A. BASIC DESIGN PHILOSOPHY

The following basic considerations are fundamental to any power
system design:

1. Basic Safety
The power system must be able to perform all of its basic functions,
and withstand basic abnormal conditions, without damage to the system
or to personnel.
2.Basic Functionality
The power system must be able to distribute power from the source to
the connected loads in a reliable manner under normal conditions
3.Reasonable Cost
The power system cost to obtain basic safety and functionality should
be reasonable
4.Code compliance
-All applicable codes must be complied with

Above and beyond the basics are a multitude of considerations some
of which will apply to each particular system design:

1. Enhanced Safety
The ability to withstand extremely abnormal conditions with a minimum of
risk to personnel.

2. Enhance reliability
The ability to maintain service continuity during abnormal system
conditions.

3. Enhanced Maintainability
The system can be maintained with minimum interruption to service and
with minimum personnel protective equipment




4. Enhanced flexibility
The ability to add future loads to the system, and with loads of a
different nature than currently exist on the system

5. Enhanced Space economy
The power system takes up the smallest possible physical space.

6.Enhanced Simplicity
The power system is easy to understand and operate

7. Reduced cost
The power system costs, both first cost and operating cost are low

8. Enhanced Power quality
The power system currents and voltages are sinusoidal, without
large amounts of harmonics present. System voltage magnitudes do
not change appreciably

9. Enhanced Transparency
The power system data at all levels is easily acquired and
interpreted, and the power system is easily interfaced with other
building systems. Enhanced control of the system is also possible.

B. THINGS TO CHECK WHEN DESIGNING THE
POWER SYSTEM


1. What is the nature and magnitude of the load?
- The process and other load user must specify the loads. The rest shall
be listed by the electrical designer as needed in the substations
2. Where is the power coming from?
-Meet the local utility company early in the planning stages to know what
problems there are in power supply. Obtain data pertaining to frequency
of brownouts , voltage spread, maximum and minimum fault levels, type of
grounding and protection coordination.
3. What voltage levels should be selected for the plant primary
system and low voltage system?
-Usually 13.8KV or 4.16KV is the most advantageous primary voltage
and 480V for low voltage. (industrial)


4. What circuit arrangement is best suited?
Do you need radial or looped system? Consider service reliability as directed
by process, provision for maintenance, load growth, and flexibility required
for process changes.

5. What size of substations are most economical?
-General studies give the most economical range at 500 to 1500 kva at 480
Volts at secondary.

6. Secondary distribution system ?
-What type of feeders, cable or bus? How big should the feeders be? How
much load per feeder? How can adequate short circuit protection be secured
in the branch circuit protective equipment? Do you need sub-distribution
board?


7. Can lights and power be combined in the low voltage secondary
distribution system?
-Usually, combined light and power system are more economical, but
flicker problem must be properly evaluated particularly if large motors are
frequently started or welding machines are present.

8. Are voltage regulating means required?
- If the primary voltage varies too much, feeder or bus voltage regulators
may be required. Should there be automatic tap changer in the main
transformer? Individual regulators? Switched capacitors? Or secondary
feeder regulators?

9. Short circuit protection
- Do circuit breakers, fuses, fuses switches, and motor starters have
adequate interrupting rating? Do they have a margin to allow increases in
the plant supply?

10. Grounding
-Experience has shown that system neutral grounding is desirable at all
voltage levels. Is the system properly grounded at the neutrals and at machine
frames, properly connected to the grid?

11. Overcurrent protection
-Are there adequate overcurrent devices properly set to provide selective
tripping in the event of overcurrent conditions? Are the relays the simplest that
will do the job? Is there adequate back-up system? Do relays, circuit breakers
operate selectively? Are all parts of the systems adequately protected against
abnormal conditions?

12. Power factor and harmonics correction
- Can the power bill be reduced through increased power factor? Can you
increase the voltage and current carrying capacity by using capacitor? Where
should they be installed? Should they be switched ? Will there be problems in
harmonics? Can the power factor be corrected In conjunction with the
harmonics?