Power Sending ＼ Substation

Electricity is from the generator, which is 11000 volt to 22000 volt. The substation is used to change voltage between high transmission voltages to decrease the loss of electricity and lower distribution voltages to the city, industrial area via grids. After the times to lower the voltage, finally it becomes 110 or 220 voltage for family to use.

The high voltage tower and common wire

Most of the electrical substations are located in urban because it uses the power much more than other places. If we set the substations far away to the subscriber, it will affect the electrical quality and make the frequency unstable when transmits the electricity. While the electricity is transmitted, magnetic field is produced at the same time. Some people believe that the magnetic field is harmful, but according to the data, the further the cable is, the weaker the magnetic field is. The profession indicates that there is no harmful to human body.

On November 12th, 2018, we walked to the Taiwan Power Company around our school to take a visit because it has a substation there. When we got to the briefing room, the manager, Chuan-Wu Dai, introduce the development of the electric power industry to us. After the presentation, we take the look at the infrastructure of Shilin substation.

Shilin substation infrastructure is built outdoor. In the future, it might be reconstructed and constructed indoor. No matter it is outdoor or indoor; the function to electricity supply still remains the same.

◎Q and A
The following records are the visits of Taipower staffs when we visited the substation:
Q1：Why is the lightning rod in the outdoor equipment of the substation not installed at the highest point?
A1：The lightning conductor is mainly used to protect the transformer. The characteristic of lightning strike is that if there is no obstacle on the conductor, it will run all the time. When it reaches at the end, it will bounce back. It will accumulate after going back and forth to boost, so the weakness is the conductor terminal. Thus, we do have overhead earth wires to prevent lightning strikes.
Q2：If there are birds or animals standing on the wires, will there be an accident?
A2：If this bird’s two feet are on the same line, it will be fine. However, if it is a large bird and its wings touch the other line, it will be electrocuted, and it will cause damage to the wires at the same time.

Q3：Are there any facilities of the “Taipei Branch” of Taiwan Power Company under Japanese rule?
A3：The old buildings under Japanese rule period have been demolished and rebuilt. Taipei North Service Office and substation facilities were later built.
Q4：The character of service office is to include many hospitals, colleges and key users such as Academia Sinica, navy headquarters, and Neihu Technology Park. What are they different from general users?
A4：The main difference is the voltage strength. The user has divided the low voltage user (110V, 220V and 380V), the high voltage user (11.4KV and 22.8KV), and the UHV user (69KV and 161KV).
Q5：Taipei North Service area includes Taipei Zhongshan, Shilin, Nangang, Neihu, Beitou and some administrative districts in New Taipei City like Tamsui, Yuzhi and Sanzhi. How many maintenance personnel do they need to be responsible for line maintenance? And how often do they check and fix the circuits?

A5：Here are about 120 maintenance staffs. Yes. They maintain relevant power distribution equipment regularly.
Q6：What are those power plants which provided the power supply to Taipei North Service Office which is mainly provided by those power plants?
A6：Honestly, it is difficult to distinguish because it is a large power grid in Taiwan. There are mainly the Second Nuclear Power Plant, Hsieh-ho Power Plant, and Linkou Power Plant. If one of them is not enough to supply power, it will be supplied power from Taoyuan Datan. It’s still not enough. The power will be generated from Taichung. Otherwise, some private power producers can supply power.
Q7：The public may doubt the impact of all electromagnetic waves or electromagnetic fields on the power supply. Have any public protests happened at the substation?
A7：Yes. We have tried to communicate. In fact, the value of electromagnetic waves is measured in the substation, compared with the hair dryer at home. The electromagnetic wave of the hair dryer is even relatively stronger.

The common wire in the community

Q8：How do people know that the power supply facility has been stolen?
A8：Some inspectors will do the scene investigation, for example, the electric current of one hundred amps comes in, and the amount of the end is different from the front, indicating that the middle of electric current is taken out. The smart meter records the amount of electricity used and it can also compare whether the power consumption has changed greatly. We also announce to the public that everyone should not use unidentified power-saving devices. If we find any electricity thefts, they will be surcharged the bill for one year.

This is our first time to visiting the substation