Prepared by: MR L.

S RAMLUGON
MAURITIUS INSTITUTE OF TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT
KNOWLEDGE BASED TRAINING CENTRE

ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION WORKS NC 3

Module 2 Competency 15

DEMONSTRATE KNOWLEDGE OF THE CENTRAL ELECTRICITY

BOARD SUPPLY SYSTEM

15.1 State the methods of generation of electricity:-

Hydro:- Here, the source energy is gravitational potential energy. A mountain

stream is dammed in a high place, to create an artificial lake or reservoir. Farther
down the mountain, the power station is equipped with water turbines. These are
simply highly efficient versions of the old fashioned water-wheel; effectively they
harness the kinetic energy of a carefully channelled waterfall to produce
mechanical rotation. The rest you know.

Thermal:- In a coal or oil fired power station, the fuel is burned (converting its
chemical energy into heat) and the heat used to convert water into steam at very
high temperature and pressure. This then drives a steam turbine, a device which
harnesses the energy in the steam (heat and pressure) to produce rotational
movement (mechanical energy). The rotating shaft of the steam turbine is
coupled to the armature of the alternator, so the final result is electricity.

Geothermal:- This is another underdeveloped source. If you drill down into the
Earth's crust, at first the temperature drops, because the sun's warmth can't
penetrate. But deeper, the temperature rises. Volcanoes are evidence of this -
molten lava is pretty hot! That amount of energy is there to be tapped. As always,
the final conversion process is the familiar steam turbine. And, like solar energy,
it is environmentally friendly, provided you don't accidentally trigger a local
volcano!

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Wind:- Windmills have been around for centuries and all have harnessed the
energy of moving air (wind!) through rotating sails or fan blades. Traditionally, the
mechanical energy was used directly, to turn a mill wheel. A modern wind turbine
simply couples the rotating shaft to an alternator armature. The last link in the
chain is always the same - electricity from mechanical rotation.

Solar:- Photovoltaic (PV) technology transforms the energy of solar photons into
direct electric current using semiconductor materials. The basic unit is a
photovoltaic or solar cell. When photons enter the cell, electrons in the
semiconductor material are freed, generating direct electric current
(dc).Photovoltaic cells are used in large arrays of solar panels to collect the
suns rays and convert them into electrical energy and conversely be stored in
large backup of deep cycle batteries to be later converted from DC to AC.

15.2 Draw a line diagram to explain the transmission system from power station
to consumer.
alternator
transformer
transmission lines
typical voltages before and after transmission
connection detail-single-phase, two-phase, and three-phase
consumers
Below are sample diagrams that can make you clearly understand how the
distribution is done

Simplified diagram of AC electricity distribution from generation stations to consumers

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15.3 State the reasons for using alternating current for generation, transmission
and distribution to end users in terms of:
ease of transformation and
simplicity of electric motors.

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15.4 State the advantages of using three-phase supply in terms of:

economy,
generation,
transmission and
induction motors.
The advantages are simply represented through a simplified diagram as shown
below

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15.5 Draw a labeled diagram of a TT (MEN) distribution system to explain the

typical distribution of electricity from supply transformer to consumers main
switchboard.

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15.6 State the reasons for earthing the neutral conductor at multiple
points in TT (MEN) system.
Line voltage stability
Effective operation of protective devices
Reduction of resistance in fault current path
Consumers contribution to the TT (MEN) system

With PME. the neutral and earth conductors of the supply are combined. The
supply company connects the neutral solidly to earth frequently throughout the
distribution network. At the customer's connection point the company supplies an
'earth' (which is actually connected to the neutral) to which all the installation
earths and equi-potential bonding are connected. Note that within the installation,
the earth and equi-potential bonding are kept separate from the neutral in the
usual way.
With PME. there is a potential danger in that if the combined neutral/earth
conductor of the supply became broken (very unlikely but nevertheless possible),
the voltage on the earth conductors could rise towards the full supply voltage. It
is most important therefore that equi-potential bonding is rigorously applied in
installations supplied by PME. The minimum size of main bonding conductor is
10 sq mm but may need to be up to 25 sq mm depending on the size of the
incoming neutral/earth conductor: the supply company will advise you.

15.7 State the maximum allowable neutral-to-earth resistance as per regulations.

The resistance between the neutral conductor of the distribution

system and the earth must not exceed 10 ohms at any location.

15.8 Draw a labeled diagram of TN-S system derived from a TT (MEN) system.

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SKILL
15.9 Connect main cable from energy meter to consumers distribution board.
15.10 Wire distribution board.
Single phase circuits
Two phase circuits
Three phase circuits
Protective devices
Distribution block (Bus bars)
Metering system
Earthing terminal
Surge protection
Back up system

15.11 Observe safe work practices throughout

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The pictures below are explicit ways for you students to have a better
understanding of the different methods of generating electricity :

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