Electrical power is amazing and dangerous at high voltages. Electrical substation is a part of an electrical generation, transmission, and distribution system that transform voltage from high to low, or the reverse, or control the flow of electrical power. Substations may be owned and operated by an electrical utility, or may be owned by a large industrial or commercial customer. Generally substations are unattended, relying on SCADA for remote supervision and control. Here is a collection of videos on electrical substations:
Electrical Grid 101 : All you need to know !
Power Substation Overview
3D Animation of 33/11KV Substation (Outdoor Section)
Electrical Substation visit. Inside an Electrical Substation.
6 Electrical Substation Bus Schemes Explained
375 MVA Transformer – A quick look and energising
500kV substation equipment – A quick look
Broken Hill Substation
132/33 kv Substation overview
132kV Circuit breaker – A brief overview
ABB 145 KV SF6 circuit breaker
354KV Disconnect Openning
500,000 volt line opened under load
Electrical Substation Tour
How to Install the TripSaver II Recloser
Substations and Switchyards [PREVIEW]
50KVA distribution transformer 20Kv-400V
Isolator vs Circuit Breaker – Difference Between Isolator and Circuit Breaker
A practical working explanation of ISOLATOR-Dissconnector switch for 220kV switchyard
Isolator opening on load. All video
Difference between Circuit breaker and Disconnector/Isolator | Explained | TheElectricalGuy
Operation of Isolator With Earth Switch in Electrical Substation
Electrical Substations
Brazil-Argentina HVDC Interconnection
110 kV transformer switching on line
Sub Station Training
20KV High Voltage Transformer – Jaycobs Ladder demo
186 Comments
Tomi Engdahl says:
Hurricane Matthew Exploding And Burning Power Lines – 10/7/2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVM76c_ACog
Stock B-Roll footage from the HD Live Streaming Dash Camera during the overnight as Hurricane Matthew moved into Brevard County Florida.
Extreme footage of power lines exploding and sending sparks into
the air and lighting up the nights sky.
Additional footage of downed power lines shorting out and burning
the asphalt ground in Cocoa Beach, FL.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Three Phase and Single Phase Powerline Lecture
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_1Np-AP4r0
This video is about single and three phase powerlines and video three of my electricity lectures video series which are meant to be an introductory most of them will deal with powerlines and industrial wiring although sometimes I will touch on other area’s.
Tomi Engdahl says:
3D Electrical Substation Installation Tutorials
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYAznWqWGuo
The Benefits of 3D Modeling in Substation Design & Construction
Tomi Engdahl says:
POWERLINES SNAPPING. INCREDIBLE!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFq-XBL9hng
Watch this incredible footage shot by Chuck Robertson. You can see utility poles snap and drop cables onto the road in Norman, Oklahoma.
Feuer und Explosion in RWE-Trafostation, in Siegen-Weidenau
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=872WxQqH0D4
A fire in one of the transformers of the RWE-substation in Weidenau, width road, occurred this afternoon 3.01.2013) caused by an explosion of an insulator that is filled with oil. Initially nothing was noticed at the competent energy verse Oger of it all. There was not even a short surge of power which appear there immediately.
After first investigations is caused by a “ground stop” (short circuit), in consequence of which it came to an extremely high current flow, which so severely overheated the insulator, that it exploded and was blasted off. Debris broke through a massive protection fence,
Tomi Engdahl says:
PSO ELECTRICITY 34 KV FAULT DONT TOUCH
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecHddF1Rc84
PSO ELECTRICITY TRAINING VIDEO
Tree on a power line
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84zSwjNNo3k
After lots of rain tree falls on power lines behind Magic-mart shopping center in Lenoir, NC. Fire dept on site, (beside me). No one hurt. Shopping center without power for hours.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Birds make a power transformer “explode” in Houston (the fuse really)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tN9vZcAN0co
If a huge flock of birds sitting on a hydro line leave all at once they make the line swing (known as a swing short) which causes a cut out fuse to blow
Fuse blows back on lineman
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIAT51y4NIQ
Tomi Engdahl says:
Electrical Substation Tour
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cuMH-pBeE8
Harris provided construction management services for an electrical substation project in the Silicon Valley. In this video, Harris Project Manager Rocco Colicchia gives a tour of the substation and discusses the services Harris provided. The project reached completion in March and the municipal utility’s crews successfully connected the new substation to the 60kV line.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Circuit Breaker Testing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKXPeTvmVQg
Circuit breakers allow the flow of energy to be controlled by safely switching currents on and off at all voltage levels of the energy grid. The interrupter and the mechanical drive are the main components that are subject to wear and aging. In order to ensure the proper operation of a circuit breaker throughout its lifetime, diagnostic tests are performed, such as resistance, timing, minimum pick-up, travel, and power factor.
Interested in circuit breaker testing? – Watch all of our circuit breaker videos:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLC025A643CDBEE7B3
Tomi Engdahl says:
Power pole burning and breaking off
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rv-52aH_RRg
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.netaworld.org/sites/default/files/public/neta-journals/NWsp07Jowett.pdf
Tomi Engdahl says:
Air circuit breaker testing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=637348rSKuU
Russian 110 kV circuit breaker VVBM-110B. Test was carried out using KoCoS ACTAS P14.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Power company repairing exploded transformer for hurricane rain
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyMgju2Xa38
Ocala utility repairing hurricane damaged transformer in ocala Fl
Tomi Engdahl says:
Partial Discharge Testing │ Webinar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmN2WjJUe5k
Tomi Engdahl says:
Substation kiosk explosion test
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sbSaL1wd4k
MCL Utility explosion tested their substation kiosk on 18th June 2014. To our knowledge, this is the first such test in the UK for over 14 years
Tomi Engdahl says:
Power Transformer Testing – Measuring capacitance and power factor or dissipation factor
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nk536_QmrNI
The condition of the bushings and the overall insulation of power transformers can be investigated by measuring the capacitance and dissipation factor, also known as the tangent delta, or power factor. Aging and decomposition of the insulation, or the ingress of water, increases the losses and thus more energy is turned into heat in the insulation. The level of this dissipation is expressed by the dissipation factor or power factor. The CPC 100 together with the CP TD1 can measure the capacitance and dissipation factor or power factor in laboratories, test fields, and on site.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Good Question: Why Aren’t More Power Lines Buried Underground?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Vp4a7OC8Sw
Every year, we see neighborhoods lose power because of storms. So, why aren’t more power lines buried underground? John Lauritsen answers this Good Question
Tomi Engdahl says:
Can living near power lines cause cancer?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJi57Qmk4mM
I’ve heard there might be a link between exposure to power lines and cancer. How worried should I be if I want to pursue this house?
Power Line Fears | Retro Report
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTJUh8yE3H0
News media coverage in the 1980s and early 1990s fueled fears of a national cancer epidemic caused by power lines and generated a debate that still lingers today.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Officials: Underground power lines very expensive
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6js-1VEHZU
The recent power problems have many people asking if power lines should be run underground.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Don’t make contact with overhead power lines
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uws5o3hq4Es
Using a hot dog to symbolize the human body, SMECO’s safety experts show what happens when the hot dog makes contact with power lines.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Taking the Transformer Up the Pole
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7soLDHlee2I
Demonstration of hanging and removing a transformer on a wooden pole from a climbing position.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Corona partial discharge 400kV transformers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuHNMDMYEVc
Tomi Engdahl says:
Transformator fault
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxzhbOnC19M
This 1 MVA transformator was causing low voltage on one of the phases in the street. ( industrial area )
After a planned shutdown and lowering the oil level it was quickly determined what the fault was.
Poor contact in the off load tap changer sliding contacts.caused some taps to fail 1 – 2.
As a temp solution we shifted the tap selector to 3 – 4. Off load voltages were 242 / 422 Volts, as soon load was applied it dropped on the red phase to 205 / 360 Volts. other two phases were alright.
The tap-changer contact ( not visible ) had failed.
DC measurements of the 11 kV HV windings were 1.3 , 1.3 and 2.5 Ohms ( faulty )
Tomi Engdahl says:
Arc Resistant Switchgear
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDXiwMTM8xQ
Tomi Engdahl says:
inoRAC2 Overview – Racking of 15kv PowlVac Circuit Breaker
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uM252SdWMoM
inoLECT’s universal Remote racking device, the inoRAC2, allows users to operate curcuit breakers from over 80 feet away from the dangers of electrical arc flash. The unit monitors torque and breaker position during the entire process, and displays data on a high-resolution color touchscreen. No switchgear modifications are needed.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Overhead vs. Underground Utilities
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogYA1AE9_lc
Learn about overhead and underground power distribution.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Pad-Mounted Transformer Safety Procedures
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCj0ywq7nW0
Underground electrical systems are becoming wide-spread throughout the world. Performing work around pad-mounted transformers and switchgear requires that lineworkers be qualified in the skills to recognize energized parts. OSHA regulations stipulate training in the technical and safety practices to inspect and work on this type of equipment.
Tomi Engdahl says:
A Look at Liquid Dielectrics
https://hackaday.com/2018/09/18/a-look-at-liquid-dielectrics/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.electricaltechnology.org/2018/03/power-transformers-maintenance.html
Tomi Engdahl says:
Typical Faults on Distribution Lines
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0CeE-nfHZg
Typical faults in distribution network
To gain a broader understanding of power system reliability, it is necessary to understand the root causes of system faults and system failures. A description of major failure modes is provided
Tomi Engdahl says:
Step N Touch Potential Monitor Overview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3Lrk5daBhg
Awareness of step and touch potential, caused by ground potential rise, is important for anyone working on high-voltage power transmission systems. In a typical SNT application, the transmission line is de-energized and is bonded to the tower to be safe to work on. However, the transmission line itself acts as a very large antenna, and can pick up large amounts of energy which must be shunted to earth ground. And if the tower ground is faulty, the ground potential may rise and a dangerous condition can result.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Difference between a grounded and ungrounded system
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZL8zrkahuL0
Difference between Ungrounded & Grounded System
Tomi Engdahl says:
Step and Touch potential animated video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vAA95ZZdjI
Awareness of step and touch potential, caused by ground potential rise, is important for anyone working on high-voltage power transmission systems. In a typical SNT application, the transmission line is de-energized and is bonded to the tower to be safe to work on. However, the transmission line itself acts as a very large antenna, and can pick up large amounts of energy which must be shunted to earth ground. And if the tower ground is faulty, the ground potential may rise and a dangerous condition can result.
Tomi Engdahl says:
What happen when a high voltage wire is dropped in a sea?
https://www.quora.com/What-happen-when-a-high-voltage-wire-is-dropped-in-a-sea
In most cases, the High Voltage lines are given utmost care in providing protection against faults. No single phase HV lines are ever drawn to long distances. So as in your case,
If the HV wire drops without getting touched to any other object it may first get tripped due to unbalance.
Let’s say this particular protection is not in line, then the moment the wire touches earth it would trip on earth fault.
Even if earth fault protection doesn’t act, the saline sea water being conductive would draw enough current probably of the magnitude to trip on overcurrent.
And most importantly… it would be dangerous and wet
If not isolated it will demand a lot of current and trip breakers, meanwhile the sea voltage around the contact will rise to dangerous level for any living being but sea water is salty and HV transmission lines has internal impedance then equipotential surfaces with differential voltages strong enough to kill will remain quite close to the contact (within meters).
Tomi Engdahl says:
Safety Around Power Lines
https://waterwelljournal.com/safety-around-power-lines/
Does your crew know how to prevent electrocutions from contact with overhead power lines?
Before beginning operations, a hazard assessment inside the work zone must be performed. The hazard assessment must:
Identify the work zone and assess it for power lines. Determine how close the crane or any high-reaching equipment could get to the lines. The employer has an option of assessing the area the entire 360 degrees around the crane or assessing a more limited area.
If the assessment shows the crane could get closer than 20 feet for power lines up to 350 kilovolts (kV) or 50 feet for lines over 350 kV—then requirements for additional action are triggered.
OSHA’s requirements regarding working near overhead power lines with cranes and other high-reaching equipment are straightforward. For lines 50 kV or less, the operator must keep all parts of the crane or other equipment at least 10 feet away from all power lines. For lifting equipment, this also includes any load being carried.
If any part of the crane, equipment, or load (including rigging and lifting accessories)—while operating up to the maximum working radius in the work zone—could get closer than the minimum approach distance permitted in Table A, a number of precautions should be followed.
Power line contacts involving mobile cranes generally don’t result in injuries to the crane operator. Injuries and death are often suffered by the riggers or workers standing near the equipment.
Contact with overhead power lines continues to be the most common cause of crane-related fatalities. Overhead power lines should be identified before any equipment arrives on site by conducting an assessment inside the work zone.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Don’t Mix Electricity And Water!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvbvMT-ieTw
Why do people say you shouldn’t mix electricity with water? What happens if you do? Let’s find out
Actually everything is conductive. If you have enough voltage to pierce the internal resistance.
Floods and High Voltage Safety
https://www.powerlink.com.au/sites/default/files/2017-12/Floods%20and%20High%20Voltage%20Safety.pdf
After the flood, be aware that towers and poles carrying power lines may have suffered
damage and can be dangerous. Stay away from them until they have been proven safe.
Treat all electrical equipment as live until advised otherwise by the electricty authority.
When driving power vehicles across flooded or water logged areas do not drive your vehicle
across the fallen lines. If powerlines have fallen across or become entangled in your vehicle,
remain inside your vehicle and call for help.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Safety around power lines
https://www.svk.se/en/national-grid/safety-around-power-lines/
Our goal is that no accidents caused by electricity take place on or around Svenska kraftnät facilities. Over the past ten years, we have fortunately had no serious accidents. But it is always important to be careful when dealing with electricity.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Power Line on Metal Swing Set Between Gibbons Ave and Forrest Ave, Arlington Heights
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28Xq3JulV1o
No, you can’t play on the swingset. YOU”RE GROUNDED!
Simply electrifying!
That was a “shocking”, experience!
the electric slide
next time my mom tells me to go play outside, I’ll show her this video
Tomi Engdahl says:
Power Line Falls on Swing Set Between Gibbons and Forrest and Interrupts Viewing of Bears-Vikings Game for Many Arlington Heights Residents
https://www.arlingtoncardinal.com/2013/09/power-line-falls-on-swing-set-between-gibbons-and-forrest-and-interrupts-viewing-of-bears-vikings-game-for-many-arlington-heights-residents/
Police and firefighters kept neighbors away from the lines and energized fences in the backyards and side yards. Firefighters also evacuated residents from at least one house on Forrest Avenue.
After about 30 minutes, a huge arc exploded with energy and lit up a chain link fence all the way around toward the front of the house on Forrest Avenue. A neighbor also reported seeing fire and smoke around an air conditioner at the side of the house.
ComEd responded in about 30-45 minutes and went to work to de-energize the lines and repair the lines.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28Xq3JulV1o
Tomi Engdahl says:
Electrical safety information, just when its needed most.
Introducing the “Energised Alert”
http://www.energisedalert.co.uk/
This animation demonstrates how the Energised Alert helps people to see and hear when the vehicle or machine that they are working with, comes into contact with live electricity conductors. It senses the rise in electrical potential with no connection to earth. It can help to avoid electrocution by sensing the rise in electrical potential beyond a pre-determined threshold then turning on audible and visual alarms.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFRpki2Ep-c
Tomi Engdahl says:
Transformer at substation in Arlington/Lakeland TN Blowing up
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfLIuaztIuw
Tomi Engdahl says:
Conductor/Connector Sensor Installation Animation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q29ouMlkKo4
The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) is developing low-cost RF sensors to assess conductors and compression connectors on overhead transmission lines. This animation illustrates the process by which the sensor is installed.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Compact indoor substation with Disconnecting Circuit Breakers from ABB
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qmXgBNL6ro
Turnkey 145 kV S/S project for Borlänge Energi, Sweden, emphasizing the advantages of ABB Disconnecting Circuit Breakers. Small footprint enables indoor air insulated Switchgear solutions, increasing the substation availability and reliability for the customer.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Brazil-Argentina HVDC Interconnection
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOTGuWCfS-A
This HVDC back-to-back station located between Brazil and Argentina involved considerable innovation in manufacturing and construction techniques for both transmission lines and converter station. The scheduled time to deliver was only 22 months. The first phase went into commercial operation in 1999 and the second phase in 2002.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Disconnecting Circuit Breaker (DCB) with Fibre Optic Current Sensor (FOCS)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oE9zmaMh8RE
A space saving, smart and flexible high voltage switchgear solution that integrates the breaker, disconnector and current measuring equipment.
Tomi Engdahl says:
600V 3 phase Powerline Blowing and Melting
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UE0YuuR9-F0
Yet another power outage, this time caused by a weak neutral wire which broke and in turn shorted the phases.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Inside energized 380 kV AC / 450 kV DC converter station of Baltic Cable in Luebeck-Herrenwyk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UalNJbVmcOM
The Baltic Cable is a high-voltage DC (HVDC) link between Germany and Sweden that carries up to 450 kV. On the German side, it makes landfall at Luebeck-Herrenwyk. This video was taken inside and outside the converter station that links the cable into the 380 kV AC transmission network. Nice boy-tall insulators!
The place was energized when this video was taken. Never enter an energized substation unless authorized by qualified personnel, the fence is there for a reason.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Tree branch vs High Voltage power line
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2GUSbdkUVc
MN Valley Electric was called to the scene of a tree branch on a power line. They started cutting and it shorted the line.
Tree Vs Power Lines
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9BiCAMAA4w
Tomi Engdahl says:
Tree falls on powerlines
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50mVnQhgMbA
Tree on power line
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLeAzIXVYHM
Tomi Engdahl says:
Tree branch vs. 11000 volt power line.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoeTTbgCIfY
fallen across an 11000 volt power line. It started smoking almost instantly so I thought I’d record it to see what would happen. I’m glad I did.
The ensuing explosion brought down one of the lines. I called ETSA Utilities as soon as it blew and they had a crew out within half an hour.
Tomi Engdahl says:
High Voltage Electrical Explosion 110 Kv,50 Hz
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1wsAd9q_4w&list=PLSZdfv6sTnUEdZIpNW8inpOXhsGJy_UH9&index=2
34 kv Switch failure
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCpH19TkMqo&list=PLSZdfv6sTnUEdZIpNW8inpOXhsGJy_UH9&index=3
This is a 34 kv switch that did not operate correctly. It arced across the switch then burned till it went to ground and cleared it self.