# Distribution Systems, Cables and Insulators

 Question 1
If only 5% of the supplied power to a cable reaches the output terminal, the power loss in the cable, in decibels, is _________. (round off to nearest integer)
 A 8 B 13 C 17 D 15
GATE EE 2022   Power Systems
Question 1 Explanation:
We have, the power loss (in decibel) in the cable is given power loss = 95%
Power output as a % of power is 5%
$P_L=10 \log \left ( \frac{95}{5} \right )=12.78$
 Question 2
Two single-core power cables have total conductor resistances of $0.7\;\Omega$ and $0.5\;\Omega$, respectively, and their insulation resistances (between core and sheath) are $600\;M\Omega$ and $900\;M\Omega$, respectively. When the two cables are joined in series, the ratio of insulation resistance to conductor resistance is ___________$\times 10^{6}$.
 A 300 B 100 C 150 D 600
GATE EE 2021   Power Systems
Question 2 Explanation:
\begin{aligned} \left(R_{\text {eq }}\right)_{\text {conductor }} &=0.7+0.5=1.2 \Omega \\ \left(R_{\text {eq }}\right)_{\text {in }} &=\frac{1}{\left(R_{e q}\right)_{\text {in }}}=\frac{1}{\left(R_{\text {in }}\right)_{1}}+\frac{1}{\left(R_{\text {in }}\right)_{2}}=\frac{1}{900 \times 10^{6}}+\frac{1}{600 \times 10^{6}} \\ \left(R_{\mathrm{eq}}\right)_{\text {in }} &=360 \times 10^{6} \Omega\\ \frac{\left(R_{\text {eq }}\right)_{\text {in }}}{\left(R_{\text {eq }}\right)_{\text {conductor }}}&=\frac{360 \times 10^{6}}{1.2}=300 \times 10^{6} \end{aligned}
 Question 3
A three-phase cable is supplying 800 kW and 600 kVAr to an inductive load. It is intended to supply an additional resistive load of 100 kW through the same cable without increasing the heat dissipation in the cable, by providing a three-phase bank of capacitors connected in star across the load. Given the line voltage is 3.3 kV, 50 Hz, the capacitance per phase of the bank, expressed in microfarads, is ________.
 A 500.42 B 19.25 C 47.96 D 98.32
GATE EE 2016-SET-1   Power Systems
Question 3 Explanation:
$\text{KVA}_1=\sqrt{800^2+600^2}=100 \text{ KVA}$
Without excessive heat dissipation means current should be constant (i.e.) KVA erating must be constatn.
In second case active power,
P=800+100=900 KW
Reactive power in second case,
$Q_2=\sqrt{1000^2-900^2}=435.889 \text{ KVAR}$
Reactive power supplied by the three phase bank = 600-435.889 =164.44 KVAR
\begin{aligned} Q_{bank}/ph&=\frac{164.11}{3}=54.7 \text{ KVAR} \\ V/ph&= \frac{3.3}{\sqrt{3}}=1.9051 \text{ KV}\\ Q_c/ph&=\frac{(V/ph)^2}{X_C} \\ X_C&=\frac{(1.9052 \times 10^3)^2}{54.7 \times 10^3} \\ &= 66.36\; W\\ C&= \frac{1}{2 \pi f X_C}\\ &=\frac{1}{2 \pi \times 50 \times 66.36}\\ &=47.96 \mu F \end{aligned}
 Question 4
A distribution feeder of 1 km length having resistance, but negligible reactance, is fed from both the ends by 400 V, 50 Hz balanced sources. Both voltage sources $S_1 \; and \; S_2$ are in phase. The feeder supplies concentrated loads of unity power factor as shown in the figure.
The contributions of $S_1 \; and \; S_2$ in 100 A current supplied at location P respectively, are
 A 75 A and 25 A B 50 A and 50 A C 25 A and 75 A D 0 A and 100 A
GATE EE 2014-SET-1   Power Systems
Question 4 Explanation:
Let the resistance of whole length of feeder be $R\;\Omega$, length of feeder =1000m.
$\therefore \;$ Resistance per unit length $=\frac{R}{1000}\Omega /meter$
$\therefore \;$ Resistance of 400 m length $=\frac{R}{1000} \times 400 =\frac{2R}{5} \Omega$
$\therefore \;$ Resistance of 200 m length $=\frac{R}{5} \Omega$
Let the current supplied by the sources be $I_1 \text{ and } I_2$.

Applying KVL from source $S_1 \text{ and } S_2$, we have:
\begin{aligned} 400 &= \frac{2R}{5}I_1+\frac{R}{5}(I_1-200)\\ & -\frac{R}{5}(I_2-200)-\frac{R}{5}I_2+400\\ 0&= \frac{2}{5}I_1 +\frac{I_1-200}{5}+\frac{200-I_2}{5}-\frac{I_2}{5}\\ 0&=2I_1+I_1-200+200-I_2-I_2 \\ 0&=3I_1-2I_2\\ I_1&=\frac{2}{3}I_2\;\;\;...(i)\\ \text{also, }& I_1 +I_2-400=100\\ \text{or, }&I_1+I_2=500 \;\;\;...(ii)\\ &\text{Solvinf eq. (i) and (ii), we have}\\ I_1&=200A \text{ and }I_2=300A\\ &\text{Contribution of }S_1 \text{in 100 A at location}\\ P&=I_1-200=0A \\ &\text{Contribution of }S_2 \text{in 100 A at location}\\ P&=I_2-200=300-200=100A \end{aligned}
Therefore, $S_2$ alone supplies the total load at location P.
 Question 5
The undesirable property of an electrical insulating material is
 A high dielectric strength B high relative permittivity C high thermal conductivity D high insulation resistivity
GATE EE 2014-SET-1   Power Systems
 Question 6
Consider a three-core, three-phase, 50 Hz, 11 kV cable whose conductors are denoted as R,Y and B in the figure. The inter-phase capacitance(C1) between each pair of conductors is 0.2 $\mu$F and the capacitance between each line conductor and the sheath is 0.4 $\mu$F . The per-phase charging current is
 A 2.0A B 2.4A C 2.7A D 3.5A
GATE EE 2010   Power Systems
Question 6 Explanation:

\begin{aligned} Z'&=Z/3\\ \frac{1}{\omega C'}&=\frac{1}{3\omega C}\\ C'&=3C \end{aligned}

Equivalent capacitance ($C_{eq}$) between a phase and ground
\begin{aligned} C_{eq} &=C'+C_2=3C_1+C_2\\ C_{eq} &= 3 \times 0.2+0.4=1\mu F\\ &\text{Per phase voltage,}\\ V_P&=\frac{11}{\sqrt{3}}kV\\ &\text{Per phase charging current}\\ I&=j\omega C_{eq}V_P\\ |I_C|&=\omega C_{eq}V_P\\ &=2 \pi \times 50 \times 1 \times 1 \times 10^{-6}\\ & \times \frac{11}{\sqrt{3}} \times 10^3\\ &\approx 2A \end{aligned}
 Question 7
Consider a three-phase, 50 Hz, 11 kV distribution system. Each of the conductors is suspended by an insulator string having two identical porcelain insulators. The self capacitance of the insulator is 5 times the shunt capacitance between the link and the ground, as shown in the figures. The voltages across the two insulators are
 A $e_{1}=3.74 kV,e_{2}=2.61 kV$ B $e_{1}=3.46 kV,e_{2}=2.89 kV$ C $e_{1}=6.0 kV,e_{2}=4.23 kV$ D $e_{1}=5.5 kV,e_{2}=5.5 kV$
GATE EE 2010   Power Systems
Question 7 Explanation:

Line to line voltage $=V_{l-l}=11kV$
\begin{aligned} V_P&=\text{Phase to ground voltage} \\ V_P&=\frac{V_{l-l}}{\sqrt{3}}=\frac{11}{\sqrt{3}}kV \\ e_1+e_2&= \frac{11}{\sqrt{3}}kV=6.35kV \;\;...(i)\\ I&=I_1+I_2 \\ (j\omega 5C) \times e_1 &= (j\omega C) \times e_2 +(j\omega 5C) \times C_2 \;\;..(ii)\\ 5e_1&=6e_2\\ \text{Solving } & \text{equation (i) and (ii), we get,} \\ e_1&=3.46kV\\ e_2&=2.89kV \end{aligned}
 Question 8
Single line diagram of a 4-bus single source distribution system is shown below. Branches $e_1,e_2,e_3 \; and \; e_4$ have equal impedances. The load current values indicated in the figure are in per unit.

Distribution company's policy requires radial system operation with minimum loss. This can be achieved by opening of the branch
 A $e_{1}$ B $e_{2}$ C $e_{3}$ D $e_{4}$
GATE EE 2008   Power Systems
Question 8 Explanation:
Assuming impedance of each branch R
(i) if $e_1$ is opened

Total losses $=8^2R+3^2R+1^2R=74R$
(ii) if $e_2$ is opened

Total losses $=8^2R+7^2R+5^2R=138R$
(i) if $e_3$ is opened

Total losses $=1^2R+7^2R+2^2R=54R$
(i) if $e_4$ is opened

Total losses $=5^2R+3^2R+1^2R=38R$
Operation with minimum loss can be achieved by opening line $e_4$.
 Question 9
A 110 kV, single core coaxial, XLPE insulated power cable delivering power at 50 Hz, has a capacitance of 125 nF/km. If the dielectric loss tangent of XLPE is $2 \times 10^{-4}$, then dielectric power loss in this cable in W/km is
 A 5 B 31.7 C 37.8 D 189
GATE EE 2004   Power Systems
Question 9 Explanation:

\begin{aligned} \text{V(Phase voltage)} &=\frac{110}{\sqrt{3}}kV \\ C&=125 nF/km \\ \tan \delta &= 2 \times 10^{-4} \end{aligned}
Dielectric power loss in cable
\begin{aligned} P&=V62 \omega C \tan \delta \\ P&=\left ( \frac{110 \times 10^3}{\sqrt{3}} \right )^2 \times 2 \\ & \times \pi \times 50 \times 125 \times 10^{-9} \times 2 \times 10^{-4}\\ &\approx 31.7 W/km \end{aligned}
 Question 10
The phase sequences of the 3-phase system shown in figure is
 A RYB B RBY C BRY D YBR
GATE EE 2004   Power Systems
Question 10 Explanation:
The phase sequence of the given figure is RBY.
RYB, BRY, and YBR represent the same phase sequence of the figure (given below).
There are 10 questions to complete.