In electrical substations, an interconnected system of multiple capacitors is used for improving the power factor of the system, this interconnected system of capacitors is referred to as a capacitor bank. In short, a capacitor bank is device which consists of multiple capacitors connected in parallel or series and provide reactive power for improving the power factor of the electrical system. Capacitor banks are important components in utility and industrial substations as they are useful in improving power factor and efficiency of the power supply system. Read this article to learn the basic concepts related to a capacitor bank, ... Read More

Ring Main Unit (RMU) is a switchgear device used in secondary distribution systems, i.e., between the distribution substation and the end consumer to ensure continuous power supply and isolate the faulty section from the network. The main purpose of using a ring main unit is to provide an uninterrupted power supply to consumers even in fault conditions. It is basically a small sized switchgear unit enclosed completely within a cabinet and consists of disconnectors, fuses, and circuit breakers. Read this article to learn the structure, types, advantages, and applications of a ring main unit (RMU). What is a Ring ... Read More

In electrical power systems, an isolator is a type of switchgear device which is mainly used for ensuring that the circuit is completely disconnected from the source of power supply. Since its main function is to provide isolation in the circuit, hence it is termed as an isolator. However, it is also known as a disconnector. It is mainly used in substations, distribution feeders, industrial power supplies, etc. By providing a visible disconnection in the circuit, isolators ensure the safety during maintenance work. Read this article to learn more about isolators, its types, working, advantages, limitations, and applications. ... Read More

A VFD (Variable Frequency Drive) is a power electronic device used for controlling the operation of electric motors, especially induction motors. It is a type of motor drive whose working principle is based on the variation of supply voltage and frequency. It is also known by many other names such as variable speed drive, AC drive, adjustable frequency drive, adjustable speed drive, micro-drive, etc. VFD is primarily used for controlling the speed of an induction motor by varying the frequency and voltage of the input supply. In this article, we will discuss the basics, working, advantages, disadvantages, and applications of ... Read More

Motor Protection Circuit Breaker (MPCB) is a type of circuit breaker used for providing protection to electric motors. MPCBs are specially designed for protecting electric motors only. Read this article to learn the functions, working, and applications of motor protection circuit breaker (MPCB). What is an MPCB? Motor Protection Circuit Breaker is a specially designed circuit breaker used for protecting electric motors from faults or abnormal conditions. In any industry, electric motors are very important and significantly expensive devices. Therefore, they have to be protected from faults and abnormal conditions that occur in power system. For this purpose, MPCBs ... Read More

Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker (ELCB) is a type of circuit breaker used in electrical circuits for providing protection against earth leakage fault. In other words, an ELCB is a protection device used to protect people from getting electric shocks in case of an earth leakage fault. The primary function of an ELCB is to detect and interrupt an electric current that leaks to the ground, which is basically the condition of earth fault. Read this article to understand the basics, working principle, types, advantages, disadvantages, and applications of Earth Leakage Circuit Breakers. What is an ELCB? Earth Leakage Circuit ... Read More

A power plant is a systematic arrangement of electrical equipment used for producing electrical power. In other words, an industrial facility used for producing bulk amount of electric power is called a power plant. Power plant is also called generating station or power station. These power plants are connected to an electrical network, called grid or power grid. A typical power plant contains many electrical and mechanical equipment such as prime mover or turbine, alternators, transformers, circuit breakers, conductors, etc. A source of energy like steam/flowing water is used to rotate the prime mover that in turn drives the alternator ... Read More

In electrical power systems, electric power is generated, transmitted, and distributed in the form of alternating current. The electrical power is generated at a power generating station which is located far away from the consumer's load. The generated power is then transmitted and distributed through an electrical network to the load ends. But it is also important to note that power is generated at a lower voltage, transmitted at a higher voltage, and distributed at a lower voltage again. This voltage variation is for many technical and economic reasons. For changing this voltage at many locations in the power system, ... Read More

An indoor substation is one in which the entire substation is built inside a building, whereas an outdoor substation is a substation in which the equipment are installed in an open environment. Read this article to understand all the important differences between indoor and outdoor substations. Let us start this article with a brief overview on electrical substations, indoor substations, and output substations. What is a Substation? A substation or electrical substation is an arrangement of electrical equipment for changing the voltage levels of electric supply for transmission, distribution, and utilization purposes. Basically, a substation is used for the following ... Read More

AIS and GIS are the two most widely used switchgear technology in the field of electrical substations. AIS stands for Air Insulated Switchgear and GIS stands for Gas Insulated Switchgear. A substation in which the insulation between phases is provided by the atmospheric air is called an air insulated substation or AIS substation. On the other hand, a substation in which the insulation within phase and between phases is provided by SF6 gas is known as a gas insulated substation or GIS substation. The primary difference between AIS substation and GIS substation is that an AIS substation uses the atmospheric ... Read More