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Home / Technical Articles / 3 Designs of DC Distribution Systems In Power Substations

DC Distribution Systems

The method of connection of the battery, battery charger, and DC distribution systems depends on the duty, the type or load, and whether the system needs to be duplicated or whether duplicate chargers are required. One typical example for a 125 V system is shown in figure 1 below.

3 Designs of DC Distribution Systems In Power Substations
3 Designs of DC Distribution Systems In Power Substations (photo credit: bpa.ru)

In this example, an alternative connection is shown for the battery-to-charger connection, and that alternative is preferred when sensitive digital systems are being fed or when there is a longer distance between the distribution panel and the batteries and charger.

This alternative has the advantage that the battery capacitance acts as a filter and reduces the electrical noise on the DC bus and limits interference into associated electronic and communication systems.

125 V DC system key diagram
Figure 1 – 125 V DC system key diagram

  • All breakers normally closed except those marked “NO”
  • “———–” indicates optional or alternative features
  • Fuse may be substituted for circuit breakers for any or all circuits except where transfer switching is required

Figure 1 also shows the possibility of cross connection to a second DC system, and figure 2 shows a fully duplicated high-reliability system with manual transfer capabilities.

In this configuration, the transfer (marked * in fig. 2) would be break-before-make, resulting in a short loss of power while the transfer is made. However, by adding blocking diodes into the crossover circuits, a short time parallel can be allowed without unduly hazarding both supplies.

Similarly, in fig. 1, a standby battery charger is shown with its circuit breaker normally open. Again, by providing blocking diodes on each charger feed and purchasing chargers designed to operate in parallel, both chargers could be operated simultaneously to share the load. An extension to such a system, which would be applicable when high-reliability DC supplies are necessary, is shown in figure 2.

As in all dual, dual-supply, or redundant application cases, it is essential to minimize and, if possible, eliminate common-cause events that fail both systems. This aspect should always be considered when deciding whether to apply live or dead transfer and/or dually powered devices or deciding to provide totally independent redundant systems.

High-reliability dual-DC supply system
FIgure 2 – High-reliability dual-DC supply system

In the example shown in figure 2 above, the AC system feed and the DC transfer connnections use a crossover circuit rather than a single tie switch. Such a connection provides a simple transfer connection for operation and interlocking and allows each switch or circuit breaker in the transfer arrangements to be isolated for maintenance without the need to shut down both supply systems.

Battery protection fuses are shown. The application of such fuses is to protect both the battery and the battery cables to the maximum extent possible. In this particular example, fuses are provided on both the charger and feeder side to avoid the risk of a fuse operation disconnecting the battery while leaving the charger feeding the DC loads alone.

This connection is required if the charger regulation and filtering is such that the resultant feed is unsuitable to feed sensitive electronic systems.

In many cases, unless special-duty chargers are purchased, the charger can, if operated without a battery connection, cause premature power supply failure and unacceptable electrical noise levels in the distribution system.

For any battery-protection fuse arrangement, the fuses should be located as close as possible to the battery.

However, for those batteries and battery configurations that can cause accumulation of explosive by-products, such as free-breathing and vented lead-acid batteries in battery rooms, the fuses need to be placed in a suitable protected enclosure, mounted just outside the battery room.

In such cases, separate positive and negative connections should be run from the fuse enclosure to each battery terminal, thereby retaining the maximum possible separation. This needs to be done to minimize the risk of a fault between poles in the unprotected zone. However, from the fuses to the charger and the distribution boards, standard-two conductor cable could be used.

DC power supply in substation
DC power supply in substation (photo credit: btechinc.com)

Dual battery system with single distribution

A third example is shown in figure 3, which is an example of a dual supply and dual battery AC and DC power supply arrangement. For a small hydroelectric generating station, AC and DC distribution supply is used. However, the transfer switch arrangements shown between the chargers and the two batteries in this example, which allow either charger to charge either battery, are less common.

Dual-battery system with single distribution
Figure 3 – Dual battery system with single distribution

In this arrangement, the battery protection fuse is a single fuse in the battery connection and would be suitable where the enhanced-performance chargers are used or if the downstream devices have wide power supply voltage range and have enhanced electrical noise withstand levels. Such battery fuse arrangements were also common when only electromechanical relay devices were used, noting that there were still risks in operation on a charger alone if emergency DC motors were fed from the same bus.

The single transfer switch arrangement to switch between the two battery systems would be typical for stations where operators were available to make the transfer if there were a failure on either battery system.

For remotely controlled stations or for sites where automated transfer is more appropriate, the single transfer switch could be replaced by an interlocked autotransfer arrangement.

This could also be provided with a short parallel (make before break) transfer by the addition of blocking diodes in each battery feed, noting that the provision of blocking diodes and protective circuit breakers would also make a continuous dual-feed arrangement feasible.

Reference // Industrial power systems by Shoaib Khan (purchase from Amazon)

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Edvard Csanyi

Electrical engineer, programmer and founder of EEP. Highly specialized for design of LV/MV switchgears and LV high power busbar trunking (<6300A) in power substations, commercial buildings and industry facilities. Professional in AutoCAD programming.

9 Comments


  1. Hany
    Oct 20, 2022

    What is the standard for 24VDC distribution system , What is the protection required and what is the rules then ?


  2. ASHOK TOSHNIWAL
    May 15, 2020

    Looks like there are harmonics in the AC supply from generator.
    Due to other loads, sine wave output AC voltage of generator is getting distorted, which is causing harmonics in the AC voltage. This harmonic content is causing heating due to increased IRON LOSS in motors.
    This is also clear from your statement that “when operated alone without other loads it works normally”. WITHOUT other loads, AC voltage waveshape of the generator is not getting distorted, so harmonics are not there & thus heating is not there.


  3. Anter
    Aug 01, 2019

    Iam facing a problem in a factory supplied by parallel ac diesel generators – for some DC motor controllers there is noice and overheat without any normal reason – while when operated alone without other loads it works normally


  4. hadj
    Nov 03, 2018

    dear
    i want to design a transformer protection cubicle it just contain 4000A redrawable CB i ask for precautions to take in design and cable terminations to busbar (4 bars of 80x10mm)
    thanks advance to direct me
    best regards ” i think my english is clear my second language is french”


  5. Momodu S I
    Aug 27, 2017

    Why can’t we use 12v DC system for substations ?. Please reply me through this email address.


  6. Jon smith
    Jul 21, 2017

    It’s very good portal and thanks


    • Edvard
      Jul 21, 2017

      You’re welcome Jon, glad you like it.


  7. Tan Tiong Teck
    Nov 14, 2016

    In fig. 1 how do you ensure that battery charger output voltage does not damage the load under all charging condition?


  8. Nima-Ajoudani
    Apr 21, 2016

    Dear Edvard You ‘re wonderful.

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