Potential advantages of a diagnostic expert system for assisting operator response to system events

The fault diagnosis expert system, RESPONDD, has been presented as a useful tool in helping operators diagnose system faults, assisting the fulfilment of their other duties, and helping attain a high standard in trainees. The areas in which assistance is given include operating under emergency conditions, restoring supply, restoring plant, routine maintenance and accounting for protection behaviour. Thereby major benefits in the operation of a power system are attainable. More so with continuing developments in control centre and substation equipment which shall continue to increase the large levels of SCADA data available. The potential for increased awareness of system conditions will only be attained if help is given to diagnose the incoming data and subsequently respond appropriately-such an expert system could fulfil this role