 For maintaining proper voltage levels at transmission and

distribution level and for providing greater stability a

number of electrical transformation and switching setups
have to be created in between generating station and
consumer ends. These transformation and switching
setups are generally known as electrical substations.
 Based on nature of dielectric medium a substation is of
two
types as following :
1. AIS (Air insulation sub-station )
2. GIS ( Gas insulation sub-station )
 Gas insulated substations (GIS) have been used in power systems
over the last three decades because of their high reliability, easy
maintenance, small ground space requirement etc. In India also, a
few GIS units are under various stages of installation.
 Gas insulated bus has a surge impedance (70Ω) more than that of
the conventional oil filled cables, but much less than that of an over
head line (300Ω - 400Ω). Further, the average bus run for a
compact GIS is much less than that for the conventional station.
 life of GIS is affected by several factors such as:
A. conductive particles
B. particle discharges
C. contamination
 The GIS require less number of lightning arresters than a
conventional one. This is mainly because of its compactness.
 The basic consideration for insulation coordination is V-T characteristic.
The V-T characteristic of SF6 is considerably flat compared to that of
air.
 Air can withstand to very high voltages for very short time. However, as
the duration of voltage increases, the withstand voltage falls off
considerably.
 On the other hand, SF6 exhibits a flat characteristic, thus the ratio of
basic lightning impulse level is close to unity for GIS, whereas for the
conventional substations this ratio varies between 0.6 and 0.86.
 Gas insulated substations are in service up to the highest voltage of
800 kV, meeting almost all the requirements in urban, industrial as well
as rural areas.
 Non availability of sufficient space. It is very much required to
establish a substation at load center. Establishing a substation at
load center is quite economical and profitable in following ways :
A. Reduction in length of feeders
B. Improvement of the quality of voltage regulation due to
short length feeders
 Difficult climatic and seismic conditions at site, like high
altitude and atmospheric pollution
 Aesthetically “superior” to air insulated substations
 The higher the voltage, the more favorable gas insulated
technology becomes
 Overcomes or decreases the magnitude of limitations of AIS site
selection
1. Wide spread application of aluminium enclosure materials for
standardized component models for all voltage ranges
2. The light weight enclosures have good conductivity, low eddy- current
losses and a high resistance to corrosion
3. Easy handling, as well as reduced stresses on foundation and
support structure are additional features
4. Standard arrangements can be easily modified and extended with good
co-ordination between the manufacturer and the user.
5. A gas- tight barrier insulator in switchgear serve for the separation of gas
compartments and prevents neighbouring switchgear parts from being
affected during maintenance.
 Area and volume saving in construction for over or underground
applications.
 Greatly improved safety and reliability due to earthed metal housing of all
high voltage parts and much higher intrinsic strength of SF6 gas as
insulation.
 Short on site erection times
 Fulfilment of aesthetic requirements with indoor applications
 High service reliability
 Reduction in radio interference with the use of earthed metal
enclosures
 Use as mobile substations for transportation to load centres on standard
tracks.
 More optimal life cycle costs
 Not necessary that high voltage switchgear has to be installed out
doors.
 Switching operation generate Very Fast Transients Over Voltages
(VFTOS).
 VFTOS may cause secondary breakdown inside a GIS and Transient
Enclosure Voltages (TEV) outside the GIS.
 Field non-uniformities reduce withstanding levels of a GIS.
 Prolonged arcing may produce corrosive/toxic by- products.
 Support spacers can be weak points when arc by- products and
metallic particles are present.
• GISgenerate no noise and have no idea no radio interference.

• GIS Is necessary for extra HVand Ultra HV substations.

• More conservative.