Distribution System Reliability

In Distribution System Reliability, you'll learn ...

• Similarities and differences between distribution and transmission systems
• Reliability of overhead vs. underground lines
• Why a straight bus design is the least reliable
• Various fault scenarios and how they impact reliability based on the substation design

Overview

Preview a portion of this course before purchasing it.

Credit: 1 CPD

Length: 30 pages

The reliability of the distribution system varies whether the distribution circuits are overhead or underground. The distribution design plays an even bigger role, whether it is radial, autoloop, buried residential distribution or network.

The utility’s reputation is measured by the total number of customers interrupted, total outage duration, number of interruptions, whether momentary or permanent in a given time. Typical distribution circuits do not have the same capability/reliability or length as typical transmission circuits. This course will compare substation designs, impact of weather on the circuit reliability and common modes of failure.

This course will introduce you to the 5-35 kV class known as the medium voltage system, the impact of different weather patterns on various distribution designs as well as the impact of various faults from a substation and circuit level. The course will also analyze common reliability indices and how to improve them.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Determine the key components of the distribution system with sufficient accuracy to distinguish them from related concepts.
• Classify the advantages and disadvantages of overhead versus underground lines, citing the distinguishing characteristics relevant to engineering decisions.
• Investigate how weather can impact distribution system reliability and determine the resulting implications for system performance or safety.
• Assess key characteristics of a common substation design in a representative engineering or safety scenario.
• Relate the double synchronous bus design to the straight bus design, citing the distinguishing characteristics relevant to engineering decisions.
• Compare indices that are utilized to measure system reliability, citing the distinguishing characteristics relevant to engineering decisions.
• Interpret how emergency ties along radial circuits are used to increase system reliability and demonstrate understanding through an assessment question or scenario.

Certificate of Completion

You will be able to immediately print a certificate of completion after passing a multiple-choice quiz consisting of 12 questions. CPD credits are not awarded until the course is completed and quiz is passed.