Application and field experience of a digital substation switch

Conference · Sat Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1994

OSTI ID:192066

Spain, R; Fodero, K

There has been an increase in the use of solid-state, microprocessor-based relays, fault recorders, meters, and programmable controllers; in transmission and distribution substations. These devices can be remotely interrogated or programmed, and can send reports back to a host computer through their RS-232 communications ports. These devices use a wide variety of communications software and protocols. Because these devices can be located in the substation yard, induced surges and voltages can be present on the communication lines. This can impair the ability to communicate over RS-232 lines, and even cause equipment damage. In addition. the distance from the control house to the substation yard can limit the use of standard RS-232 protocol. For greater system economy, several devices must use the same communications channel. This requires a means of reliably connecting several devices to the incoming and outgoing communications circuits. This paper describes a digital substation switch (DSS) that was designed for this application, and its initial installation and field experience at Savannah Electric. The DSS connects various meters, transmission relays, and distribution relays to PCs in remote locations through a voice-grade telephone circuit. In this application, the DSS uses a fiber loop to communicate with the devices in the substation yard.

• OSTI ID: 192066
• Report Number(s): CONF-940129--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
COMMUNICATIONS
COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE
COMPUTERIZED CONTROL SYSTEMS
DESIGN
DIAGRAMS
LOAD MANAGEMENT
POWER SUBSTATIONS