Join 60,000+ competitive exam aspirants
or with email
Your Cart
SubtotalтВ╣0
TotalтВ╣0
Examoogle тАв User тАв info@examoogle.com тАв EE-2024-8821
Chapter 1 of 12 тАв Page 1 of 248ЁЯФТ Protected PDF тАв Watermarked
Join 60,000+ competitive exam aspirants
Which distribution system is less reliable ?
Ring main system
Radial system
Both are equally reliable
None of above
Radial system
The radial distribution system is considered less reliable because it consists of a single path for power flow from the substation to the consumers. If a fault occurs anywhere along the primary feeder, all consumers downstream of the fault point experience an immediate and total interruption of service.
The radial distribution system is considered less reliable because it consists of a single path for power flow from the substation to the consumers. If a fault occurs anywhere along the primary feeder, all consumers downstream of the fault point experience an immediate and total interruption of service.
VdropтАЛ=IтЛЕR тАФ Voltage drop calculation along a radial feeder
PlossтАЛ=I2тЛЕR тАФ Power loss in the distribution line
In a radial system, the feeder branches out like a tree. Power originates at the source and travels to the load through a singular path. There is no alternative route (or 'loop') to bypass a faulted section. Consequently, maintenance or a breakdown in a specific segment forces the entire branch to be disconnected from the supply.
Radial systems are the simplest and cheapest to install.
Reliability is low because a single fault affects everyone downstream.
Voltage regulation is poor compared to ring or interconnected systems.
Used primarily in low-density rural or suburban areas.
Low initial installation cost
Simple design and protection coordination
Poor reliability during faults
Voltage regulation decreases as distance from substation increases
Rural electrification
Secondary distribution networks in sparse areas
| Feature | Radial System | Ring Main System |
|---|---|---|
Reliability | Low | High |
Complexity | Simple | Complex |
The Ring Main system provides higher reliability because every load is fed from two directions, allowing the faulted section to be isolated without interrupting the entire system.
Radial systems are strictly 'one-way' power delivery paths.
B is correct тАФ The radial system has no alternative supply path for the loads, leading to total service interruption if the main feeder fails.
Always remember that in power systems, 'reliability' is directly proportional to the number of supply paths (redundancy) available to a consumer node.