ROLE OF SCADA IN POWER SYSTEMS

V.Sindhu sri D.V.L.Swetha

EEE Dept. EEE Dept.
Vignan¶s Nirula Institute of Technology and Science for Women,
Palakaluru, Guntur.

ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION TO SCADA:

Consumers expect electrical power to always be
SCADA is the acronym for Supervisory Control
available; a power loss may become a mojor,traumatic And Data Acquisition. SCADA systems are a far reaching
affair,causing damage to communities, delaying processes technology used to monitor and control equipment and
process from a central remote location.
and also costing a lot of money.
SCADA System :
Electric distribution automation is the answer to this
problem and by being able to control power transmission
through an automated system; your business will certainly
start realizing cost, savings as well as increaed customer
satisfaction.one such automated system is the SCADA.

In 1993 it was determined that a Supervisory

Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) system was needed
to monitor the campus electrical supply and distribution
system.The SCADA software is a graphical package using a
window NT operation system. The system , manufactured by
Power Measurement Ltd (PML), provides the programming
necessary to incorporate actual Auto CAD campus maps and SCADA consists of transducers and sensors in the
diagrams and to display real time information on top of the field which are connected to Remote Terminal units (RTUs).
graphic background. Items such as : All the Power System Remote sites equipped with RTUs can be located as close as
Parameters, Breakers and Switches Status,Alarms ,Event logs within the same building or as far as across the country. The
and Historical Data logs can be if necessary overlaid on the RTUs measure a variety of conditions and parameters
Auto CAD Single- Line Diagram. including tank levels, temperature, voltage, current, volumes
and flow rates and report back to the central processing unit
This paper deals with the basic concepts and use of
(CPU). This technology is widely accepted in several
Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) system
industries as a reliable and efficient control system. These
in power distribution and maintainace of power plants and
RTUs communicate with a central computer via a
distribution networks in substations.
communication link (radio, telephone, satellite or
microwave), relaying information from the remote site back
to the control site, where it is displayed on a computer

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running Man-Machine Interface (MMI) software. Any
control signals from the central controller are sent to the
RTU, which in turn will activate the transducers. SCADA
warns when conditions become hazardous by sounding
alarms.
Basic functions of a SCADA system:
Automatic Faul t Location , Isolation and Service Restoration
(AFLISR) ±
¦ allows automatic detection and location of fault,
¦ determination of switching operations required to
isolate the fault and
¦ determination of the supply options until the fault
has been remedied.
Now complicate the problem a bit further. Imagine
we had 2000 such circuits. We could not afford 2000
communications circuits. However someone found that we
could use one communications circuit by sharing it. First we
send the status (open/closed or 0/l) of the first circuit. Then
we send the status of the second circuit, and so on. We need
to indicate which circuit the status applies to when we send
the data. The poor operator at the other end still has a
problem. He has to watch all 2000 circuits. To simplify his
task, we could use a computer. The computer would monitor
all circuits, and tell the operator when he needs to look at a
particular circuit. The computer will be told what the normal
state of the circuit is and what state is an "alarm". It monitors
all circuits and informs the operator when any circuit goes
into alarm.

Example: Description of the Key SCADA system:

Consider a simple electrical circuit consisting of a switch The Key SCADA (Supervisory Control And Data
and a light. Like this: Acquisition) system consist of five major components. They
are-

¦ Master Computer,
¦ Software,
¦ Communication Link,
¦ Remote Terminal and
¦ Signal Transducers.

The Personal Computer may be replaced by a Display panel

with lamps, push buttons and digital displays.

This circuit allows an operator to watch the light ( )

and know whether the switch is opened or closed. The switch
may indicate that a motor is running or stopped, or whether a
door is open or closed, or even whether there has been a fault
or the equipment is working. But now imagine that the switch
and the lamp were 100 kilometers apart. Obviously we
couldn't have an electrical circuit this large, and it would now
be a problem involving communications equipment.

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Function of the Key system:
One obvious advantage of telemetry, a key system is
eliminating the need for driving across town to check on, or
change, the status of equipment operating at remote
locations. Telemetry also allows the utility to discover alarm
conditions before they become critical events.
The Master Computer:
The Master Computer is usually a standard Personal
Computer (PC) with monitor, printer etc. permitting the
operator to monitor and control the field data. The PC serial
port is connected to a suitable modem for communication
with the Remote Terminals. The PC may drive a local
printer, alarms, charts or other devices through one or more
of its output ports.
Remote Terminal Unit (RTU):
A Remote Terminal (RTU), usually located at a
field location.It converts the analog values, discrete, and
counters signals into a serial digital format. This permits all
signals to be transmitted on a single telephone pair or radio
circuit.The RTUs can measure an array of conditions and a
wider variety of parameters, including temperature, current,
voltage flow, and tank levels. Real-time measurements are
obtained from the RTUs via the different sensors they have
inside. The following types of sensors can be included in
RTUs:
-Temperature
-Flow
-Level
-Pressure
-Proximity
Functions:
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All SCADA systems handle three functions:
l. Supervision
2. Control and
3. Data Acquisition.
These three functions are translated by the SCADA
central station computer into numbers and Boolean
conditions in a SCADA data base. In modern object oriented
software, like National Instrument's Lookout(NIL), it is in the
shape of objects. Information into this data base is retrieved
by the central station computer from remote RTUs, PLCs,
flow computers and other devices.This SCADA is used in
many places inpresent day life such as in -
POWER AND ELECTRIC UTILITY SURGES:
From an electric utility view, SCADA is a key
factor in the profitability of an industry, not only in
generation, but also in the transmission and distribution of
electricity. As world competition increases among electric
utilities, due primarily to the deregulation and privatization of
nationally owned utilities, the ability to transfer information
to and from SCADA systems will become a key success
factor
In North America and other parts of the world, such
as Europe, competition is rife. Power generation companies
that are now deregulated are competing, and are seeking
means to lower their costs significantly; one of the best ways
to do this is through automation. End users generating power
need to understand the capacity they have and what is
available, to avoid overloading the system, and face potential
blackouts. Electric companies can face serious fines and
lawsuits from continuous blackouts. On the distribution/
transmission side of the energy business, the ability to
provide electricity to consumers is vital. Knowing the status
of power lines, the rates of transmission, etc. will enable
companies to re-route the power through other lines or
distribution networks. Furthermore, with the development of
wholesale energy markets, if enterprises want to sell power,
they need to know in real time, how much capacity they
have. SCADA systems and software permit them to analyze
all these issues, related to capacity, transmission and
distribution, and respond effectively to prevailing market
conditions in both the wholesale and retail markets.
Other industries moving full steam ahead:
Other industries such as freight and light rail
systems also need SCADA systems. These systems are used
to monitor the status of power supplying lines and control
line traction. This enables the operator to keep trains on track
and deviate these same trains when power is low or non-
existent, avoiding delay times and accidents. In addition,
many regions of the world have a substantial amount of
railroad lines in place, continuing to have a need for
advanced controls. Furthermore, light rail systems are under
construction in areas such as Asia and the Pacific Rim,
thereby boosting revenues for SCADA systems and software.
Lastly, with an increasing number of standstill traffic
conditions around the globe, SCADA systems are anticipated
to play an integral part of traffic management systems.
How data communications are handled in SCADA
systems:
At last count, there were well over 200 SCADA
protocols in use around the world for communication
between a central computer and remote RTUs, PLCs and
flow computers. Secret protocols were designed to make the
end user captive to the manufacturer's product. Other
protocols are so complex that only the manufacturer's
representative can make additions and changes to the system,
often at exorbitant prices. This complexity is often designed
to exclude competitive products.
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Today, the PC and windows program proliferation
requires remote station communication in standard protocols
that are not company specific.
SCADA Applications:
The Network Manager SCADA applications offer
complete functions to fulfill the demands for supervisory
control of power systems.
¦ Electrical power distribution grids and generation
plants
¦ Enviromentel control systems
¦ Traffic signals
¦ Water management systems
Present Benefits:
The following functions are being utilized more and
more as the SCADA system is expanded across campus.
1. Manual meter reading is being replaced with
automatic reporting.
2. Real time alarms and data give operators the
information they need to respond quickly.
3. The Utility Department can be proactive in
providing quality information to its customers.
4. Electrical Power Substation Regulator.
5. Electrical Power Substation Recloser.
Long Term Benefits and Future Needs:
Utility System operators need to be able to continue
remotely and instantaneously, identify electrical power
System Failures at any location in the distribution system.
Accurate real time alarming and historical information is
needed to continually meet the needs of a diverse community
of energy users. A continuation of the demands for high
reliability and accurate performance and trending data is Safety / Security:
paramount.

Quality power from a reliable and efficient erectric

system infrastructure will propel the supply business to
launch its own customer automation programs in winning
over electricity consumers. The technical benefits derived
from the advanced functionalities will be translated into
improved customer satisfaction due to better service
reliability, voltage quality, fast response to emergencies and The SCADA system will monitor the security of all

safer facilities. The improved power system efficiency will remote sites in the system. Unauthorized entry, high or low

facilities will eventually defer capital expenditures. temperature, high humidity, etc. conditions may be reported
as alarms requiring human intervention. This enables us to
Actions of SCADA System: protect the critical infrastructure or at least react quickly
when an unexpected situation arises.
l. Fault Location
2. Outage Record CONCLUSION:
3. Position and Status of Breakers
As margins become tighter, downsizing of personnel
4. Amperage on Feeder Cables
continues, resources become more scarce, deregulation and
5. Substation Battery Status privatization of worldwide industries propels forward, and
6. Switching and Paralleling Operations certain sectors experience the wave of mergers and
7. Power Quality acquisitions, SCADA systems and software will need to be
8. Substation Security Fires and Door Alarms there to provide strategic information to decision makers in a
real time environment. The information Technology (IT)

Advantages of SCADA: market is expected to be enormous, with SCADA systems

and software potentially becoming a component of IT. IT is
Whether a company provides Gas, Electric, Water, really software to support a business; SCADA is really the
Communication, Manufacturing, or Security services, a acquisition of strategic information in a reliable and timely
SCADA system can provide the means to meet operational fashion that can be used to go'in and support decisions in
demands since it allows for: real-time. SCADA is the real-time IT business and cannot be
ignored by enterprises without potentially risking both the
¦ Improved quality of service.
profitability and viability of their business in fircely
¦ Faster detection of problems.
competitive environment.
¦ Optimized utilization of Equipment.
¦ Increased safety and environmental controls. REFERENCES:
¦ Reduced operating and maintenance costs.
a) Application notes on ³Distribution of SCADA data over
¦ More accurate and up-to-date management
DDE, SQL and on the web´ by Scan-Data Encino, CA
information.
91416-7028.

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b) Application notes on ³SCADA and Telemetry Design
made easy´ by Scan-Data, Encino, CA 91416-7028.
c) Paper on "SCADA and Control Applications" by Daniel
W. Nagala - UTSI International Corporation.
d) Application notes on ³Uploading of older SCADA and
Telemetry systems with data connectors´ by Scan-Data,
Encino, CA 91416-7028.
e) "SCADA Talks" by lan Weise Industrial computing
1999.
f) "Computer Applications in Power Systems-SCADA" by
Michael Leslie IEEE Ottawa section PES, RS, EA and
Algonquin College student branch.
g) Press Release of Sensaphone Inc. Aston PA 19014-A
new Breed of SCADA system.
h) "Electrical Power Substation SCADA Systems" by
Dexter Fortson Associates, Inc.
i) "Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA)"
Stanford University, Facilities
j) Operations division, Stanford CA 94305.

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