Field demonstrations of communication systems for distribution automation. Final report

Technical Report · Mon Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1981

OSTI ID:6339241

The objectives of the one-year demonstration project were to evaluate overall performance of an automated distribution system (ADS) using power-line carrier communications. The ADS was designed to provide both load control and metering information (data acquisition) on the distribution system using bidirectional carrier communications on the distribution lines. The system functions included load control, load survey, remote meter reading, remote time-of-use metering, and the automation of distribution feeder operations. A minicomputer at the Central Station controlled the system, either by manual commands generated by an operator or by a program of automatically scheduled commands. The minicomputer stored data collected from the remote terminals. The measured system performance presents a worst case condition because data collected during this project generally were not adjusted to account for equipment malfunctions. The overall system performance for the period, which includes logged errors of all types, was 77%. Two-way carrier performance for the same period measured 91%. A successful communication is defined as an error-free bidirectional interchange of information between the Central Station and any terminal device. An unsuccessful first or second try (error or time-out) caused the Central Station to immediately repeat the communications (maximum-two repeats). This cycle was logged as one attempt; and a success if any of up to these three attempts were successful. The results of these early tests support the conclusion that distribution line carrier communications is a viable medium for conducting ADS operations. Both experimenters recommend that follow-on efforts be conducted to demonstrate the extended capabilities of distribution line carrier equipments and operating software and additional information be obtained to develop a larger data base related to carrier signal propogation.

• Research Organization: Westinghouse Electric Corp., Raleigh, NC (USA); Detroit Edison Co., MI (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC65-80WP15223
• OSTI ID: 6339241
• Report Number(s): EPRI-EL-1860(Vol.3); ON: DE81025260
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

200301* -- Power Transmission & Distribution-- AC Systems
EHV & UHV-- (-1989)
24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION
AUTOMATION
COMMUNICATIONS
COMPUTERS
CONTROL SYSTEMS
DATA
DATA ACQUISITION SYSTEMS
DATA TRANSMISSION
ELECTRIC UTILITIES
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
INFORMATION
LOAD MANAGEMENT
MANAGEMENT
NUMERICAL DATA
PERFORMANCE
POWER DISTRIBUTION
POWER SUBSTATIONS
POWER TRANSMISSION LINES
PUBLIC UTILITIES