Expert systems to support network switching

The techniques for the control of electrical power distribution networks are changing rapidly with the use of manual and paper based systems being replaced by computer aided techniques. The authors report work on two expert systems that are designed to support these developments. The Switching Schedule Production Assistant (SSPA)-designed to assist with the writing and management of switching schedules and which supports the control engineer in checking and authorising the schedule steps as they are carried out; and a Switching Checking Module (SCM) based on the rule checking part of SSPA for incorporation into a control room graphics system to provide real time checking of proposed switching actions and to warn of any potential problems immediately prior to carrying out the switching. The authors describe the technical aspects of the development of the two systems and also describe their role in the changing climate of operational practice and techniques for network control