Sree Rama Sree Rama Sree Rama

What is Distribution Automation?

The operation of power distribution system requires

1. Maintenance of power parameters like voltage, frequency and power quality
(harmonics,voltage dips, flicker etc.,) at consumer end and at various places
2. Attending to disruption in power supply caused by outages due to faults
3. Ensuring efficient operation by proper balancing of loads etc.,
4. Planning for changes in distribution network and expansions
5. Meter reading at consumer premises at regular intervals
6. Routine maintenance of equipment in distribution system like circuit breakers
and other switches, transformers, feeders, measuring and protection
equipment
7. Communicating with the control centers of distribution system and
transmission system
In the conventional power distribution system some of the functions to achieve the
above are automatically done but most of the activities are done manually. With the
result the following disadvantages are there
1.
2.
3.
4.

Inefficient operation due to losses, poor meter readings, pilferages etc.,

Long time to attend to outages
More personnel requirement for meter reading and for maintenance
Not so profitable

Distribution Automation Systems have been defined by the Institute of Electrical

and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) as systems that enable an electric utility to
monitor, coordinate, and operate distribution components in a real-time mode from
remote locations.
Basic philosophy in distribution automation is
1. To provide means for measurement of required parameters
2. To have proper bidirectional communication system from field devices to
distribution system control/ operations center
3. To have proper software (application programs) for analysis, decision making
and command generation
4. To have good Human Machine Interface for visualizing the system, getting
alerts, alarms for contingencies like faults, to get decision support for
restorative actions
1

Distribution Automation functions

1. Fault Detection, isolation and Service Restoration (FDISR)
2. Automatic Meter Reading (AMR)
3. Load Balancing
4. Remote controlling switches and breakers on MV feeders
5. Volt and VARs Control system including remote controlling
capacitors on MV feeders
6. Fault location system
7. Power Quality monitoring system
8. Load side management
9. Automatic reconfiguration for MV feeders
10.
DER to feed customers directly when a major outage
occurs Microgrids
11.
Direct access between the consumer and distribution
system data such as consumer energy consumption,
dynamic rates, etc. Consumer data portal

Direct benefits
Service Continuity and Reliability
Energy Efficiency
Reduction in Labour Costs
Indirect benefits
Carry-forward Investment
Social Costs
Information Management, Predictive Maintenance, Power Quality

The overall goals of distribution automation are to:

Reduce costs
Improve service reliability
Provide better consumer service
Enhance govenunent relations
The successful implementation of the DA System results in:
Deferred capital expenditures
Reduced operations and maintenance expenses
Improved outage response and restoration
Enhanced system efficiencies
Enhanced consumer satisfaction
Improved data and information
Positive Public Image

The techniques used to determine the location of faults on the distribution networks
can be classified into four categories namely]:
(i)

The primitive method of fault location consisted of visual inspection

(ii)

Impedance-based method: this is classified into two (a) One-terminal data

methods (b) Two-terminal data methods

(iii)

Traveling wave method

(iv)

Artificial Neural Network (ANN)

Elements of Distribution System

The benefits of distribution automation system

implementation can be classified in three major areas are
as
follows:
Operational & Maintenance benefits
1. Improved reliability by reducing outage duration using
auto restoration scheme
2. Improved voltage control by means of automatic VAR
control
3. Reduced man hour and man power
4. Accurate and useful planning and operational data
information
5. Better fault detection and diagnostic analysis
6. Better management of system and component loading
Financial benefits
1. Increased revenue due to quick restoration
2. Improved utilization of system capacity
3. Customer retention for improved quality of supply
Customer related benefits
1. Better service reliability
2. Reduce interruption cost for Industrial/Commercial
customers
3. Better quality of supply