System automation in power distribution

The type of automation scheme selected for a distribution network depends on numbers of customers, network configuration, accessibility to the network and availability of operational staff. Remote system control and automation can be of benefit for routine network switching when system loads can be moved quickly and with little or no effort by operational field staff. Its greatest use, however, is under fault conditions and especially at times of adverse weather conditions when the system may be suffering from numerous faults and engineering demands are stretched to the limit. In these conditions automation can help restore customer supplies locally allowing the System Control Centre engineers to deal with higher priority network problems, without rural customers being disadvantaged. The underlying objective however, is for the supply authority to provide its customers with a safe, secure and reliable source of electricity supply. System automation provides an essential element in achieving these objectives