Electrical substation facts for kids

A 115 kV to 41.6/12.47 kV 5000 kVA 60 Hz substation with circuit switcher, regulators, reclosers and control building

An electrical substation is a subsidiary station of an electricity generation, transmission and distribution system where voltage is transformed from high to low or the reverse using transformers. Electric power may flow through several substations between generating plant and consumer, and may be changed in voltage in several steps.

Related pages

• Electricity

Images for kids

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  A 50 Hz electrical substation in Melbourne, Australia. This is showing three of the five 220 kV/66 kV transformers, as well as high-voltage transformer fire barriers, each with a capacity of 150 MVA. This substation is constructed using steel lattice structures to support strain bus wires and apparatus.

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  220 kV/110 kV/20 kV station in Germany

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  High-voltage substation in Kaanaa, Pori, Finland

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  Substation in Russia

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  Minimal HV station in Germany

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  Transformer tower in Germany. Medium voltage supply at the front, low voltage output on the side.

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  A distribution substation in Scarborough, Ontario disguised as a house, complete with a driveway, front walk and a mown lawn and shrubs in the front yard. A warning notice can be clearly seen on the "front door". Disguises for substations are common in many cities.

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  The Adélard-Godbout substation in Old Montreal is Canada's oldest substation, in continuous operation since 1901. It has a facade in clay brick with grey stone ornaments, to blend into its downtown environment.

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  Substation in a castle-like building from the 1910s, serves as distribution point next to the Lésna dam, one of several hydroelectrical stations at Bóbr river.

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  15 kV/400 V distribution tower in Poland

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  Tottenham Substation, set in wild parkland in North London.

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  Switchyard at Grand Coulee Dam, United States, 2006. This is a 500 kV switchyard.

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  Former high-voltage substation in Stuttgart, Germany, now 110 kV switching station. The 220 kV level is eliminated for grid simplification.

See also

In Spanish: Subestación eléctrica para niños