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Substation connectorssubtend electric power at the centre of electrical transmission Distributionand use once the net close usually subdivides into smaller usage points.Another important part is the substation connector within such substations thatguarantee safety, reliability and efficiency of operation of the electricalsystem As more and more substations are designed to accommodate modern AIS& GIS technology, suitable connectors availability seems to be a keycompetitive advantage for western companies

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Substation connectors come in various types. There aresubstation connectors that allow connection and switching of high voltageelectricity from other components with transformers, busbars or circuitbreakers, and any substation equipment. Such appropriate connectors should bechosen to a substation as this would increase the efficiency of operations andthus reduce wastage of electrical energy in rated power levels.

What Are Substation Connectors?

Substation connectors are, therefore, mechanical means forjoining together electrical conductors in a manner that the flow of electricityis made through various components of a substation. They are designed to be lowresistance to appropriate current for a duration of time providing security tothe contacts. Primarily, the two categories of integration can be identifiedfor electrical connectors, the integration to survive the substation’sdetrimental conditions, and the integration responsible for the performance ofthe mechanisms.

Types of Substation Connectors

There are different types of substationconnectors which are used for their designated purposes in a station. Someof these are:

Clamp Connectors: Clamp connectors are primarily usedin providing mechanical fastening of adjacent conductors to ensure a reliableelectrical connection. They are also bolted and can be used for the bus-to-busor bus-to-equipment connections.

Clamp connectors can be divided into:

• T-clamps: Thesewere applied to connect a main busbar to a tap bus or equipment

• Parallel clamps: These are used to connect busbars andconductors in parallel

Compression Connectors: Compression connectors createa rigid connection between two conductors through the application ofcompressive force. These connectors are normally offered for crimping, usuallywith hydraulic equipment which guarantees that contact points would be tightand the dangers of resistance as well as power loss would be minimized. It ispredominantly adopted because of trustworthiness and low maintenanceconstraints

Bolted Connectors: Bolted connectors are also thetype of mechanical connectors that employ bolts and nut to maintain theconnection of the conductors together. These cannot be fixed therefore willpermit for easy fitting and removal which makes them very useable in substationswhere ease of maintenance and flexibility is a requirement.

Splice Connectors:

Splice connectors allow for the end-to-end connection of twoconductors. In particular, these connectors are of great importance intransmission lines and in substations where two ends of a cable or busbar needto be connected together with minimal electrical attenuation.

Terminal Connectors:

Terminal connectors serve to link electrical conductors tothe apparatus of a substation such as transformers and circuit breakers. Theyserve as terminal connections to various elements in order to provide a strongconnection point, however, these elements allow various components to beconnected for example a busbar and the equipment and so on.

Bus Support Connectors:

During construction of substations, bus support connectorsare used to fix the busbars to the insulator supports. In situations wherebusbars are deep and or long, these connectors provide mechanical support andelectrical continuity making use of the busbars without safety or performanceconcerns.

Flexible Connectors

Also known as expansion connectors, flexible connectors areplaced in substations for the purpose of standing the thermal expansion andcontraction of the conductors and busbars. They prevent mechanical stress,which leads to damage when temperature and mechanical movement changes withrespect to time. This is more important where high voltage is involved becausethe materials expand and contract as frequently as often.

Important Considerations in the Process of SelectingSubstation Connectors

Choosing substation connectors is an exercise that warrantsmany considerations to ensure that they are suitable for the requirements ofthe application:

Electrical Loading and Voltage Reticulation:

The connectors should ensure that there is electricalconduction of the load without overheating or burning out inside theconnectors. The other relevant factor is the level of voltage in the system andit is equally important that, voltage control connectors should be insulated ordesigned to avoid arcing and corona discharges at higher voltages.

Choice of Materials:

The majority of the substation connectors are made out ofaluminum or copper because they are good conductors and do not corrode easily.Because of the weight aspects of aluminum connectors they are fitted in highvoltage applications while the later is used for low to moderate voltagesystems because of its high conductivity feature.