Dong Nai Technology University

Lesson 3: POWER SUPPLY

Reading passage 1:
The electricity produced by a generator travels along cables to a transformer, which changes
electricity from low voltage to high voltage. Electricity can be moved long distances more
efficiently using high voltage. Transmission lines are used to carry the electricity to a
substation. Substations have transformers that change the high voltage electricity into lower
voltage electricity. From the substation, distribution lines carry the electricity to homes,
offices and factories, which require low voltage electricity.
Complete the blanks :

Reading passage 2:
Electrical symbols can vary widely, but the following closely adhere to industry standards.
Industry standard symbols often are modified to meet client- and/or project-specific
requirements.
Switches
S Single – pole switch
S2 Double – pole switch
S3 3 – way switch
S4 4 – way switch
SP Single – pole switch and pilot light
Sbe Boiler emergency switch
SDM Single – pole dimmer switch
SDM3 3 – way dimmer switch
ST Single – pole switch with thermal overload protection
Push button switch
Power
Electrical panel 480/277 volt

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Electrical panel 120/208 volt
Special – purpose electrical panel or equipment
Electrical power transformer
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Electric motor
Variable frequency drive
Floor or ceiling mounted junction box
Wall mounted junction
Electrified bus duct with fuse, plug in, branch circuit device
Hard –wired equipment connection
Relay
Electric door opener
One - line
Current transformer
Potential transformer
Fuse
Fuse cut out
Fuse and switch
switch
Circuit breaker
Draw-out circuit breaker
Medium voltage draw-out circuit breaker
Bus plug circuit breaker
Bus plug fuse & switch
Ground
Thermal overload
Relay/coil
N/O contact
N/C contact
Protective relay
Ammeter
Ammeter switch
Voltmeter
Voltmeter switch
Watt-hour meter
wattmeter
Watt-hour demand meter
Transformer
Shielded transformer

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Auto transformer
Lighting arrester
generator
delta
WYE
Key interlock

Automatic transfer switch (A.T.S)

Main lug only panel board

Main circuit breaker panel board

Fill in the gaps in the following sentences by using information from

passage 2 :

1. Voltmeter is instrument for measuring in volts the differences of potential between

different points of an electrical circuit.

2. generator is a device that produces electrical energy from a mechanical energy source.

3. wattmeter is an electro-dynamic instrument for measuring the electric power.

4. Current transformer is designed to provide a current in its secondary, which is

accurately proportional to the current flowing in its primary.

5. Relays is an electrical switch that opens and closes under control of another electrical
circuit.

6. Variable frequency is system for controlling the rotational speed of an alternating

current (AC) electric motor by controlling the frequency of the electrical power
supplied to the motor.

7. Transformer switch is a device for changing the course (or flow) of a circuit.

8. Current breaker is an automatically operated electrical switch, which is designed to

protect an electrical circuit from damage caused by overload or short circuit.

Reading passage 3:
In order to provide electrical service to a building or buildings, you must first determine
what type of system is available from utility company or from a privately owned and
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operated system such as might be found on a college or university campus or industrial or
commercial complex, as the case may be. Once this is known, it is very important to
understand the characteristics of the system – not only voltage, capacity, and available fault
current but also the operational, reliability and relative cost characteristics inherent to the
system by virtue of its configuration or arrangement. Knowing the characteristics associated
with the system arrangement, the most appropriate service and distribution system for the
application at hand can be determined.
 Radial Circuit Arrangement
in commercial buildings
Diagram 1

Characteristics:

• Simplest and lowest cost

way of distributing power
• Lowest reliability. A fault in the
supply circuit, transformer, or
the main bus will cause
interruption of service to all
loads.
• Modern distribution
equipment has demonstrated sufficient reliability
to justify use of the radial circuit arrangement in
many applications.  Most commonly used circuit arrangement

 Radial Circuit Arrangement Common primary feeder to secondary

unit substations Diagram 2

Characteristics

• Multiple small rather than single large secondary substation.

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• Used when demand, size of building, or both may be required to maintain
adequate voltage at the utilization equipment.
• Smaller substations located close to center of load area.
• Provides better voltage conditions, lower system losses, less expensive installation
cost than using relatively long, high – amperage, low – voltage feeder circuits.
• A primary feeder fault will cause the main protective device to operate and
interrupt service to all loads. Service cannot be restored until the source of trouble
has been eliminated.
• If a fault were in a transformer, service could be restored to all loads except those
served by that transformer.
Fill in the diagrams 1 and 2 by using information from passage 2:

Reading comprehensive by using information from passage 3:

1. What are the advantages of Radial Circuit Arrangement in commercial buildings?

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2. What are the disadvantages of Radial Circuit Arrangement in commercial buildings?
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3. What are the advantages of Radial Circuit Arrangement Common primary feeder to
secondary unit substations?
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4. What are the disadvantages of Radial Circuit Arrangement Common primary feeder to
secondary unit substations?
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Grammar:
Article : A / An
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Passive voice

Prepositions: up, of, with, into…etc

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Relative clauses:

There are three kinds of relative clauses: defining, non-defining and connective.

Eg: The circuit breaker that he replaced is right. (Object of a verb)

The bulb, which you have bought from the shop, has a problem. (Object)
He is an electrician, who set up the electric system for LG company.

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