The development of communication, indication and telemetering equipment for the British grid

The development of a `standardized system¿ of communication, indication and telemetering to control the British Grid was started in 1949 by certain telephone manufacturers and the then British Electricity Authority. The system is now in full operation in all Grid control areas of the Central Electricity Generating Board. The paper explains some of its design features. The facilities and services it affords are described in the companion paper.6 The methods employed in transmitting general indications and instructions over the rented Grid control networks, between Grid Control Centres and stations in the control areas, are explained, and the paper shows how group working is catered for by satellite and minor-station equipment and how unattended minor stations are controlled from associated major stations. The design of the telephone system, which caters for administration as well as Grid control traffic, is explained in some detail, as also is the telemetering system with its initiating devices, miscellaneous instruments and arrangements for telemeter summation and retransmission. The paper concludes with a description of power supplies, testing facilities, alarms and general equipment.