Smart Gird Sensors

Course Code: EEE-445

Course Title: Smart Grid
SAN COY BAR UA,
A S S I S TA N T P R O F E S S O R , D E P T.
OF EEE, CUET
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 Smart Sensors
 In a Smart Grid, Smart Information Systems (SIS) rely on various
types of sensors to monitor, measure, and communicate data
across the power system.
 These sensors are critical for achieving real-time monitoring, fault
detection, load balancing, energy efficiency, automation, and
integration of renewable sources.
 A categorized list of various sensors used within a smart grid:
1. Electrical Parameter Sensors, 4. Energy Storage and DER Sensors,
2. Switching and Status Sensors, 5. Communication and Data Acquisition
3. Environmental Sensors, 6. Consumer-End Sensors
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 Summary of Different Types of Sensors
1. Electrical Parameter Sensors
These monitor electrical characteristics in real-time.
Voltage Sensors: Measure voltage levels at different points in the grid.
Current Sensors (CTs – Current Transformers): Measure current flow.
Power Sensors: Monitor active, reactive, and apparent power.
Energy Meters (Smart Meters): Measure energy consumption and provide time-
stamped data.
Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs): Measure voltage and current phasors in
real-time to monitor grid stability (part of Wide Area Monitoring Systems –
WAMS).
Frequency Sensors: Detect deviations from nominal frequency (e.g., 50 Hz).
Power Quality Sensors: Detect harmonics, voltage sags/swells, flicker, etc.
 Summary of Different Types of Sensors
2. Switching and Status Sensors
Used for detecting the state of equipment and devices.

Breaker Status Sensors: Monitor whether circuit breakers are open

or closed.
Relay Position Sensors: Indicate status of relays and protective
devices.
Load Tap Changer Sensors: Monitor the position of LTCs in
transformers.
Fault Indicators: Detect short-circuits or overcurrents on feeders.
 Summary of Different Types of Sensors
3. Environmental Sensors
Used for ambient or environmental condition monitoring.
 Temperature Sensors: Measure transformer oil temperature,
battery temperature, ambient temperature, etc.
 Humidity Sensors: Important in substations or control rooms to
prevent condensation.
 Wind Speed Sensors: Help manage wind turbine output and load
shedding.
 Solar Irradiance Sensors: Monitor sunlight intensity for solar PV
system optimization.
 Weather Stations: Provide data on temperature, humidity, wind,
and radiation for forecasting and load planning
 Summary of Different Types of Sensors

4. Energy Storage and DER Sensors

Used to monitor and control energy storage systems and distributed
generation.
 Battery SOC (State of Charge) Sensors
 Battery Voltage/Current Sensors
 PV Panel Voltage and Current Sensors
 Inverter Output Sensors: For monitoring AC output from inverters
 Summary of Different Types of Sensors
5. Communication and Data Acquisition
While not sensors themselves, some embedded systems enable
sensing and data collection.

 Smart Meters (AMI – Advanced Metering Infrastructure): Collect

time-series usage data.
 RTUs (Remote Terminal Units): Collect sensor data and send it to
SCADA.
 IoT Sensors/Devices: Low-cost, wireless sensing for distribution
and prosumer environments.
 SCADA-compatible Sensors: Feed real-time data to control
centers.
 Summary of Different Types of Sensors
6. Consumer-End Sensors
Used in homes, buildings, and industries.
 Smart Plug Energy Monitors
 Home Automation Sensors (motion, occupancy, light, etc.)
 Thermostats and HVAC Sensors
 Appliance Usage Sensors

# Sensors = Eyes, ears, skin → Sense the world. PMUs

# RTUs/PLCs = Nerves → Transmit informa on. PLCC

# SCADA = Brain → Processes informa on and decides what to do.

 Phasor Measurement Units (PMU) Features
PMUs can measure the voltage phasor at the bus and current phasor at the lines
Collect measurements between 10 and 60 times per second for 60 Hz systems and
between 10 to 50 times per second for 50 Hz systems (IEEE C37.118 Standard)
Equipped with GPS receivers that provide a very accurate clock signal
GPS time information is used to timestamp the PMU measurements
Phasor Data Concentrators (PDCs) collect measurements from multiple PMUs
Buffer input streams to account for differences between times of delivery from
different PMUs
Align data according to their time-stamp
Provide the data to other PDCs or the control center
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PMUs in North American Grid

21
https://www.naspi.org/node/372
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 Overview: What is a PMU and How It Works
A Phasor Measurement Unit (PMU) is a high-speed electrical sensor used in
the power grid to measure the magnitude and phase angle of electrical
quantities—such as voltage or current—in real time. But what makes a PMU
different from traditional measuring devices? The key is synchronization.

• Time Synchronization with GPS

PMUs use a common time reference, usually provided by the Global
Positioning System (GPS), to tag each measurement with an exact time. This
means that PMUs installed in different locations across the power grid can
take measurements at precisely the same moment — even if they are
hundreds of kilometers apart. Because of this synchronization, the data
from PMUs is called a Synchrophasor.
 What is a Synchrophasor?
A Synchrophasor is a time-stamped measurement of:
• Magnitude (how big the voltage or current is),

• Phase angle (where the waveform is in its cycle), and

• Additional information like frequency and rate of change of frequency

(ROCOF).

• These measurements are taken multiple times per second (typically 30–
60 times), making PMUs much faster than traditional SCADA systems,
which might only update every 2–4 seconds.
Why Is This Important?

 The electricity grid must maintain a perfect balance between supply and
demand.

 If that balance is disturbed — like during a fault or a sudden drop in

generation — the frequency of the system can shift, causing instability.

 PMUs help operators detect these changes almost instantly by providing

a real-time, synchronized view of the grid’s behavior.

 With PMU data, control centers can: i) Detect and isolate disturbances, ii)
Analyze system performance, iii) Make fast corrective actions to prevent
blackouts.
Breakdown of the types of information derived from PMU measurements

Measured Information
Use
Parameters Derived
 Detect faults (over-voltage, under-voltage),
Voltage &
Magnitude of V, I or overload conditions.
Current
 Assess power quality and equipment stress.
 Power flow direction, synchronism different
parts of the grid,
Phase Angle Phase relationship
 Angle stability (important for avoiding
blackouts).
Power management (power factor and
Active (P) and Reactive
V & I Phasors reactive power compensation) and
(Q) Power
optimization
Time-stamped
Synchrophasors Real-time, wide-area visibility
signals
Breakdown of the types of information derived from PMU measurements

Measured
Information Derived Use
Parameters
 Grid stability monitoring
Frequency Load/generation balance
 Initiate load shedding or corrective action
Early warning for protection schemes, like:
• Detect sudden disturbances or generation
loss.
ROCOF Rate of frequency change
• Trigger fast protection mechanisms.
• Useful for islanding detection in distributed
systems.
Angle Inter-bus power
differences dynamics (Angle
Oscillation analysis, blackout prevention
between separation between two
Locations buses or substations)
Ref T.B.: ‘Smart Grids: Infrastructure, Technology,
and Solutions’ by Stuart Borlase
• 3.4.3 Wide Area Monitoring, Protection and Control
• 3.4.3.1 Overview
• 3.4.3.1.1 Phasor Measurement Unit
• 3.4.3.1.2 Time Synchronization
• 3.4.3.1.3 Phasor Data Concentrator
 Phasor Measurement Unit (PMU)
What is PMU?
 A device used to estimate the magnitude and phase angle of an electrical phasor
quantity (such as voltage or current) in the electric grid using a common time source for
synchronization.

 Time synchronization is usually provided by GPS and allows synchronized real-time

measurements of multiple remote points on the grid.

 A phasor measurement unit (PMU) has been defined by the IEEE as “A device that
produces Synchronized Phasor, Frequency, and Rate of Change of Frequency (ROCOF)
estimates from voltage and/or current signals and a time synchronizing signal.”

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 Phasor Measurement Unit (PMU)
PMU’s are capable of capturing samples from a waveform in quick succession and
reconstructing the phasor quantity, made of up of an angle measurement and a
magnitude measurement.

The resulting measurement is known as ‘Synchrophasor’. These time synchronized

measurements are important because if the grid’s supply and demand are not
perfectly matched, frequency imbalances can cause stress on the grid, which is a
potential cause for power outages.

The PMU provided the critical synchronized time lapsed information that enabled a
clear understanding of the events leading to the northeast blackout of 2003 in the
United States.
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 PMU/PDC network

Local PDC
• Hardware based device Super PDC
• Physically close at the PMU • Operates at regional scale
(e.g., at the substation) • Organizes dataset and makes it
available for control center functions
Corporate PDC
• Collects data from multiple PMUs
and PDCs at high speeds
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 FIGURE 3.76 Levels of PDCs: (1)
local or substation level, (2)
transmission owner control centers,
and (3) Regional control center level
(ISOs, RTOs)

3. Super-PDC
• Larger, regional scale
2. Control center PDC. • Hundreds of PMUs &
1. Local or substation PDC multiple substations and/or
• Collection & communication from • Aggregates data (PMUs & Substations)
• Simultaneously sending multiple control center PDCs
multiple PMUs
output streams. • WAMS, visualization, EMS,
• Close to the PMU source (minimal
• Visualization alarms, storage, & EMS SCADA applications
latency)
applications. • Enterprise-level/Cluster
• Short-term data storage system
• Accommodate new protocol and software (several Terabytes
(Network Failure)
output formats /day)
 Block Diagram of PMU

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Analog Input:
 CTs and PTs are employed at substations for measurement of voltage and
current.
 The analog inputs to the PMU are the voltages and currents obtained
from the secondary winding of CTs and PTs.

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Anti-Aliasing Filter: Anti-Aliasing Filter is an analog LPF which is used to
filter out those components from the actual signal whose frequency are
greater than or equal to half of Nyquist rate to get the sampled
waveform. Nyquist rate is equal to twice the highest frequency component
of the input analog signal.

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Phase-Lock Oscillator: Phase-Lock Oscillator along with GPS reference
source provides the needed high speed synchronized sampling. The
phase locked oscillator corrects for any error between pulses per second
and clock frequency.

GPS Receiver: A satellite-based

system for providing position and
time. In GPS clock, a crystal
oscillator is used to supply clock
pulses.

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A/D Converter: It converts the analog signal to the digital signal.
Quantization of the input involves in ADC that introduces a small amount of
error. The output of ADC is a sequence of digital values that convert a
continuous time and amplitude analog signal to a discrete time and
discrete amplitude signal. The input is then converted into digital format in
accordance with IEEE C37.118 standard specifications which is finally sent to
the phasor estimation unit.

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Phase Estimator:
 It is microprocessor-based processing unit which calculates positive
sequence estimates of all the current and voltage signals using the DFT
techniques.
 Frequency and rate of change of frequency measured locally, and these
are also included in the output of the PMU.
 Finally, the time stamped phasor measurement is sent to the PDC via a
communication interface.

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 Distribution of a common
source clock signal across the
network either by satellite,
via the communications
network (e.g., using the
IEEE.1588† protocol), or using
dedicated synchronization

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 Applications
1.Power system automation, as in smart grids

2.Load shedding and other load control techniques such as demand response mechanisms
to manage a power system. (i.e. Directing power where it is needed in real-time)

3.Increase the reliability of the power grid by detecting faults early, allowing for isolation of
operative system, and the prevention of power outages.

4.Increase power quality by precise analysis and automated correction of sources of system
degradation.

5.Wide area measurement and control through state estimation, in very wide area super grids,
regional transmission networks, and local distribution grids.

6.Phasor measurement technology and synchronized time stamping can be used for Security
improvement through synchronized encryptions like trusted sensing base. Cyber attack
recognition by verifying data between the SCADA system and the PMU data.

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 Applications
7. Distribution State Estimation and Model Verification. Ability to calculate
impedances of loads, distribution lines, verify voltage magnitude and delta
angles based on mathematical state models.

8. Event Detection and Classification. Events such as various types of faults, tap
changes, switching events, circuit protection devices. Machine learning and
signal classification methods can be used to develop algorithms to identify these
significant events.

9.Microgrid applications––islanding or deciding where to detach from the grid,

load and generation matching, and resynchronization with the main grid.

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 GPS Spoofing

• A type of cyberattack
• Malicious agents transmitting unauthorized GPS signals with the
intention of misleading the estimation of position and time by the
GPS receiver
• The user may not realize that they are reading a manipulated GPS
signal

Copyright © 2019 46
 Time Synchronization Attacks

• GPS provides time reference of microsecond precision

• PMUs
• Cellphone towers
• Air traffic control towers
• Financial institutions
• Industrial control systems
• Time Synchronization Attacks: GPS Spoofing Attacks against
stationary GPS receivers with the intention of altering the GPS-based
time reference.

Copyright © 2019 47
 GPS Spoofing Mechanisms
• Successful GPS spoofing for stationary receivers (e.g. PMU): The attacker must not
alter the receiver’s position estimate
• Data-level spoofing: The attacker synthesizes fake GPS signals with altered navigation
data
• Signal-level spoofing: The attacker synthesizes fake signals that carry the same
navigation data as concurrently broadcast by the satellites, but can affect the
perceived time of reception TOR
• Record-and-replay attacks: The attacker records valid GPS signals and transmits them
with a delay
• In all the above scenarios, a time offset is introduced in the time reference signal
for phasor timestamping
• Translates to a phase error in the PMU measurement

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 Countermeasures (1)

• At the GPS receiver level

• More sophisticated receiver architectures that tracks legitimate
and forged satellites
• Encryption based techniques
• Setups with multiple antennas or multiple receivers
• Statistical and anomaly detection methods for the receiver clock
offset estimates

Copyright © 2019 49
 What is PLCC?
A method of data transmission using high-frequency signals superimposed
on power lines. It does not perform sensing but enables communication
between devices and substations.

PLCC (Power Line Carrier Communication) is a technique where:

• Communication signals (30 kHz to 500 kHz) are injected onto high-voltage
transmission lines.

• These signals carry information such as:

• Relay trip commands
• Teleprotection signals
• Telemetry and control data
 PLCC is typically used for:
 Substation-to-substation communication.
 Remote control of circuit breakers.
 Fault detection and signalling.
 Voice or data communication in older systems

How it works:
1.High-frequency communication signals are coupled onto the
power line using coupling capacitors.
2.Signals are transmitted along with high-voltage power line
3.At the receiving end, the signal is filtered, demodulated, and
processed.
 Analogy:
• Think of PLCC as the postal system, and sensors as the letter
writers. The postal system (PLCC) doesn’t generate
information—it just carries it from one point to another.

• PLCC is a communication technology, not a sensor. It supports

the smart grid by enabling data transmission over power lines,
especially in remote or rural areas where fiber or wireless
options may be limited.
2.4.1 Wired Communication Reference Text Book: ‘Smart Grid’ – by J. Ekanayake
2.4.1.1 Open wire
1. Coupling Capacitor
2. Line Trap Unit
3. Transmitters and Receivers
4. Hybrids and Filters
5. Line Tuners
6. Master Oscillator and Amplifiers
7. Protection and Earthing of Coupling Equipment
1.Coupling Capacitor
 Coupling capacitor connects the carrier equipment to the transmission line.
 The coupling capacitor’s capacitance is of such a value that it offers low
impedance to carrier frequency (1/ωC) but high impedance to power
frequency (50 Hz).

For example 2000pF capacitor offers 1.5MΩ to 50Hz but 150Ω to 500kHz.
Thus coupling capacitor allows carrier frequency signal to enter the carrier equipment.
To decrease the impedance further and make the circuit purely resistive so that there is no reactive power in the
circuit, low impedance is connected in series with coupling capacitor to form resonance at carrier frequency.
2. Line Trap Unit

 The carrier energy on the transmission line must be directed toward the remote line terminal
and not toward the station bus and it must be isolated from bus impedance variations. This
task is performed by the line trap.
 The line trap is usually a form of a parallel resonant circuit which is tuned to the carrier
energy frequency.
 A parallel resonant circuit has high impedance at its tuned frequency, and it then causes
most of the carrier energy to flow toward the remote line terminal. The coil of the line trap
provides a low impedance path for the flow of the power frequency energy.
 Since the power flow is rather large at times, the coil used in a line trap must be large in
terms of physical size.
 Hence a line trap unit/Wave trap is inserted between busbar and connection of coupling
capacitor to the line. It is a parallel tuned circuit comprising of inductance (L) and capacitance
(C). It has low impedance (less than 0.1?) for power frequency (50 Hz) and high impedance
to carrier frequency.
 This unit prevents the high frequency carrier signal from entering the neighboring line.
3. Transmitters and Receivers
• The carrier transmitters and receivers are usually mounted in a
rack or cabinet in the control house, and the line tuner is out in the
switchyard.
• This then means there is a large distance between the equipment
and the tuner, and the connection between the two is made using a
coaxial cable.
3. Transmitters and Receivers
 The coaxial cable provides shielding so that noise cannot get into the
cable and cause interference. The coaxial cable is connected to the line
tuner which must be mounted at the base of the coupling capacitor.
 If there is more than one transmitter involved per terminal the signal must
go through isolation circuits, typically hybrids, before connection to the
line tuner.
4. Hybrids and Filters

• The purpose of the hybrid circuits is to enable the connection of

two or more transmitters together on one coaxial cable without
causing intermodulation distortion due to the signal from one
transmitter affecting the output stages of the other transmitter.

• Hybrids may also be required between transmitters and receivers,

depending on the application.

• The hybrid circuits can, of course, cause large losses in the

carrier path and must be used appropriately. High/low-pass and
band-pass networks may also be used, in some applications, to
isolate carrier equipment from each other.
5. Line Tuners

The line tuner/coupling capacitor combination provides a low impedance path to the power line by
forming a series resonant circuit tuned to the carrier frequency.
On the other hand, the capacitance of the coupling capacitor is high impedance to the power
frequency energy. Even though the coupling capacitor has high impedance at power frequencies,
there must be a path to ground in order that the capacitor may do its job. This function is provided by
the drain coil, which is in the base of the coupling capacitor. The drain coil is designed to be low
impedance at the power frequency and because of its inductance it will have high impedance to the
carrier frequency.
5. Line Tuners
• Thus the combination of the line tuner, coupling capacitor, and the drain coil
provide the necessary tools for coupling the carrier energy to the
transmission line and blocking the power frequency energy.

• One last function of the line tuner is to provide matching of impedance

between the carrier coaxial cable, usually 50 to 75 ohms, and the power line
which will have an impedance of 150 to 500 ohms.
6. Master Oscillator and Amplifiers
• High frequency carrier signal is generated in the oscillator.

• Oscillator can be crystal oscillator with which operation for a particular bandwidth
can be achieved. The output voltage of a oscillator is held constant by voltage
stabilizer.

• The output of oscillator is fed to amplifier so that loses in transmission can be

compensated.

• Losses occurring in carrier current is termed as attenuation of carrier signal.

• They are mainly: Losses in coupling equipment which are constant losses for a
given carrier frequency bandwidth.
• Line losses vary with length line, size of line, weather condition etc…
• Frequency spacing is a process using different carrier frequency in two adjacent
transmission lines. Wave trap/Line trap help in accomplishing this.
6. Master Oscillator and Amplifiers
7. Protection and Earthing of Coupling Equipment
Over voltage can be caused due to
lightning, switching and sudden loss of
load etc.
They produce stress on coupling
equipment and line trap units. Non linear
resistor in series with protective gap is
connected across the line trap unit and
inductor of coupling unit.
The gap is adjusted to spark at a set value
of over voltage.
Coupling unit and PLCC equipment are
earthed through a separate and dedicated
system, so that ground potential rise of
station earthing system does not affect the
reference voltage level/Power supply
common ground of the PLCC equipment.
 PMU vs. SCADA
SCADA PMU
Measurements Power flows and Voltage and current
injections, phasors, frequency
voltage magnitudes,
current magnitudes

Measurement model for Nonlinear Linear

state estimation
Solution of state Iterative Direct
estimation
Measurement rate One measurement every 10 – 60 measurements per
one to a few seconds second

Synchronization between Poor: Time skewness Precise: GPS time

measurements
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 Introduction:
Due to the rapid development in automation system, the remote operation,
control and monitoring are necessary for any modern system. The SCADA
stands for Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition.

SCADA systems are used for controlling, monitoring, and analyzing

industrial devices and processes. The system consists of both software
and hardware components and enables remote and on-site gathering of
data from the industrial equipment.

In that way, it allows companies to remotely manage industrial sites such
as wind farms, because the company can access the turbine data and
control them without being on site.
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 Introduction:
 The SCADA system becomes popular in the 1960’s in order to monitor
and control remote equipment. The early SCADA systems used
mainframe technology and required human operators to make actions,
decisions and maintain the information systems.

 Because of the increased human labor cost, early SCADA systems were
very expensive. Today, SCADA is much more automated and
consequently more cost-efficient.

 The SCADA is the foundation for the distributed automation system.

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 Introduction:
 The application of SCADA for industrial automation system in
Bangladesh started in late 80s and now it is widely used for remote
operation, control and monitoring of industrial automation system.

 Whereas the use of SCADA in power system of Bangladesh started in late

90’s and still its application is limited in controlling the transmission
network of power system.

 Nowadays almost all critical industrial infrastructures and processes are

managed remotely from central control rooms by using SCADA.

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 Objectives:
The main milestones of a SCADA system are –

1) Operating and establishing communication with different types of sensors

and actuators.

2) Operation of single or multiple machines from local or remote locations

through Human Machine Interface (HMI).

3) To control bunch of operations from a central room.

4) To operate and control multiple operations and acquire data, vital

parameters such as frequency, phase shift, load, demand factors.
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 Where we use this technology?
1) Power substations, large industrial organizations
2) Private as well as government product manufacturers
3) Mass traffic controlling systems
4) The flow of gas and oil through pipes, the processing and distribution of
water
5) The management of the electricity network, the operation of chemical
plants and the signaling network for railways.
6) Even you may get surprise to hear when you’ll travel by bus or airplanes,
your movement will be monitored by smart travel agencies through SCADA.
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 Function of SCADA System
 In Bangladesh, the SCADA is used to bring all the remote power plants under one
network. Distribute all the electricity that is produced at a certain time, as AC
electricity can not be stored.

 The SCADA collects load demand data from each substations and inform the
generating stations about - how much electricity it should produce at particular
hour, since the demand is always fluctuating.

 The SCADA distributes the total generated electricity at a particular time period
among the different zones within the power system momentarily. It also establishes an
interconnected grid system by connecting one power plant with another.

 With the SCADA system it is possible to find out – demand of a specific zone,
increment or, decrement of generation, load scheduling of particular area, how to
maintain plant-to-plant frequency. 79
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 Function of SCADA System
 SCADA is a means of controlling from remote location by using
communication technology. It is used to collect data and control processes
at the supervisory level.

 The SCADA monitored system could be just about a generation system, a

communication network or even a simple switch. To monitor and
control the automation system, the SCADA collects data from the system
and issue commands accordingly.

 By using sensors (discrete or analog) and control relays, the SCADA

collects information about processes and control individual equipment.
The system is supervised by a SCADA master station which collects
data from monitoring devices and issues controls accordingly (either
automatically or at the request of human
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Architecture of SCADA System

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 Components of SCADA System
The SCADA system comprises of,
1. Sensors (either digital or analog): Sensors control relays that directly
interface with the managed system.

2. Remote telemetry units (RTU): These are small computerized units

deployed in the field at specific sites and locations. It serves as local collection
points for gathering information from sensors and delivering commands to
control relays.

3. Communications network: It connects the SCADA master station to the RTU.

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 Components of SCADA System
4. SCADA master units: These are larger computer consoles that serve as the
central processor for the SCADA system. Master units provide a human
interface to the system and automatically regulate the managed system in
response to sensor inputs.
5. Remote communication server (RCS): The RCS communicates with the RTU and
collect information which is also called master station. The master station, an HMI
(Human Machine Interface) or an HCI (Human Computer Interface) performs data
processing on information gathered from sensors.

Figure 1. A Simple
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 Components of SCADA System
6. Communication Devices:
1. Field data interface devices
– one or more, usually RTUs or PLCs, which interface to field sensing devices
and local control switchboxes and valve actuators.

2. Communication system
- transfers data between field data interface devices and control units and the
computers in the SCADA central host.
- can be radio, telephone, cable, satellite, etc., or any combination of these.

3. Central host computer server or servers

- sometimes called a SCADA center, master station, or Master Terminal Unit
(MTU)
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 Components of SCADA System
7. Software systems
- A collection of standard and/or custom software
- sometimes called Human Machine Interface (HMI) or Man Machine
Interface (MMI).

- Software systems used to:

a. provide the SCADA central host and operator terminal application

b. support the communication system
c. monitor and control remotely located field interface devices

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 Components of SCADA System
Software Components

 Software can be a significant cost item when developing, maintaining, and

expanding a SCADA system, depending on the size and nature of the SCADA
application.

 A successful SCADA system depends on a well defined, designed, written,

checked, and tested software; poor performances in any of these project
phases will very easily cause a SCADA project to fail.

 It is important to ensure that adequate planning is undertaken to select the

software systems appropriate to any new SCADA system.

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 Components of SCADA System
Field Data Interface Devices (Sensors):
- Field devices such as
i. reservoir level meters,
ii. water flow meters,
iii. valve position transmitters,
iv. temperature transmitters,
v. power consumption meters, and
vi. pressure meters

All provide information that can tell an experienced operator how well a
system is performing.

- They form the "eyes and ears" of a SCADA system.

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 Components of SCADA System
Field Data Interface Devices (Actuators):
- Field devices or equipment such as electric valve actuators, motor control
switchboards, and electronic chemical dosing facilities can be used to form the
"hands" of the SCADA system and assist in automating a process of a particular
system.
 RTUs are primarily used to convert electronic signals received from field
devices into the language (known as the communication protocol) used to
transmit the data over a communication channel.

 PLCs, which have in the past been physically separate from RTUs,
traditionally held the instructions for the automation of field devices. They
connect directly to field devices and incorporate programmed intelligence in
the form of logical procedures that will be executed in the event of certain
field conditions. SANCOY, EEE, CUET 88
 Components of SCADA System
Field Data Interface Devices
Communication Networks
 Refers to the equipment needed to provide the means by which data can be
transferred between the central host computer servers and the field-based
RTUs.
 The medium used can either be cable, telephone or radio.

Cable: usually implemented in a factory, not practical for systems covering large
geographical areas (expensive: high cost of the cables, conduits and the
extensive labor in installing them).

Telephone lines: more economical solution for systems with large coverage.

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 Components of SCADA System
Field Data Interface Devices
Communication Networks
Leased lines: used for systems requiring on-line connection with the remote
stations, expensive since one telephone line per site needed radio repeater is
used to link sites where a direct radio link cannot be established.

Dial-up lines: used on systems requiring updates at regular intervals (e.g., hourly
updates), ordinary telephone lines can be used, host can dial a particular number
of a remote site to get the readings and send commands.

Radio: an economical solution for remote sites not accessible by telephone lines,
radio modems are used to connect the remote sites to the host, an on-line
operation can also be implemented on the radio system, a radio repeater is used
to link sites where a direct radio link cannot be established.
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 Components of SCADA System
Field Data Interface Devices
Central Host Computer
Most often a single computer or a network of computer servers that provide a
man machine operator interface to the SCADA system, process the information
received from and sent to the RTU sites and present it to human operators in a
form that the operators can work with.
• Operator terminals are connected to the central host computer by a
LAN/WAN so that the viewing screens and associated data can be displayed
for the operators using high resolution computer graphics to display a
graphical user interface or mimic screen of the site or water supply network
in question.
• Historically, SCADA vendors offered proprietary hardware, operating systems,
and software that was largely incompatible with other vendors' SCADA
systems. Expanding the system required a further contract with the original
SCADA vendor. SANCOY, EEE, CUET 91
 Components of SCADA System
Field Data Interface Devices
Operator Workstations
 They are most often computer terminals that are networked with the SCADA
central host computer.

 The central host computer acts as a server for the SCADA application, and the
operator terminals are clients.

 Clients request and send information to the server based on the request
and action of the operators.

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Components of SCADA System

Figure 2. Typical SCADA System

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 Electrical Network Operation by Using SCADA
 All 132/33 kV and 33/11 kV substations of the electricity network of
Dhaka city are controlled by the SCADA system. The SCADA central
control room manages the electricity network by coordinating with the
central load dispatch center and other related electricity authorities of
Bangladesh.

 The SCADA manages the load demand of Dhaka city according to the
power generation of Bangladesh. It also keeps proper coordination
within the system and the regulating authority during any emergency
situation in order to avoid overall system failure.

 The power flow status within the overall system, daily and monthly
power supply report and overall system operation are main functions of
the SCADA system. 94
 Electrical Network Operation by Using SCADA
Functional Steps of SCADA
The functional steps for managing the overall power system network of Dhaka city are
briefly described below:
 All data points at the substation equipment are connected with the
RTU card by using wire. The figure 1 shows the block diagram of RTU.
When any substation is remote or manually operated, the RTU gathers
operational information in the central database through microwave
linkage which is transferred to the RCS later.

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 Electrical Network Operation by Using SCADA

 This RTU is installed at every 132/33 kV and 33/11 kV substation of

Dhaka city. For collecting information circuit breaker and other
switchgears of any substation are connected to the RTU card at a
specific point. The installed data in the database of the RTU is
transferred to outstation radio through modem.

 The data from the outstation radio is conveyed to the nearby base
station either by pilot cable or radio communication unit.

 The SCADA system which controls the electricity network of Dhaka city
has six (06) base stations. The base stations are: Dhanmondi, Fatullah,
New Mirpur, Tongi 2, Bhulta and Narshingdi.
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 Electrical Network Operation by Using SCADA
 Sixty six (66) grid and distribution substations are connected with six
(06) base stations.
 Each base station receives data from the substation RTU as UHF signal.
 The base station transforms the UHF signal into microwave signal.
Each base station is associated with the microwave transreceiver.
 These microwave trans-receivers form a communication ring and the
master station receives data from the microwave ring. The microwave
ring and the linkage between the microwave ring and the master station
are shown in the figure 2.

97
Electrical Network Operation by Using SCADA

Fig. 2. Microwave communication ring 98

 Electrical Network Operation by Using SCADA
 The master station receives data through microwave receiving antenna and
later data are processed by RCS according to the status. The RCS of the
master station collects all information regarding to switchgear operation of
any substation.

 This information is processed cyclically, which is then sent to the application

server. All information of the application server is stored in the database.

 The SCADA master station comprises a LAN network of a server and

workstation computers. The coordination between the LAN and the RTU is
carried out through the communication network.

 The figure 3 shows the block diagram of the database system.

99
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SANCOY, EEE, CUET 101
Electrical Network Operation by Using SCADA

Fig.4. Block diagram of

database system.

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 Electrical Network Operation by Using SCADA
 The remote operation of the substation is performed by the workstation PC
according to the status of the SLD of that sub-station which is shown in the
figure 4.

 The single line diagram (SLD) generally shows the status of circuit
breakers of any substation. The control room of the master station has
overall SLD of the power system network of Dhaka city.

 The SLD visually indicates and displays the operation of circuit

breaker, active line, system voltage, frequency and power factor.

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Electrical Network Operation by Using SCADA

Fig. 4. Single line

diagram of substation.

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 Electrical Network Operation by Using SCADA

Operation of Electrical Network

 The daily operation and supervision is maintained by DPDC for overall

operation of the electrical network.

 For proper operation, the coordination between the manual and

remote operation of the overall system is required.

 Besides that the maintenance schedule plan of equipment is required

for uninterrupted supply of electricity.

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 Operation of Electrical Network
The tasks which are performed for daily network operation are mentioned below:
1. Supervision of network conditions
2. Switching and regulation of components
3. Maintenance and servicing of equipment
4. Preventive and corrective action against disturbances
5. Co-ordination with other utilities
6. Buying and selling electricity
7. Planning of the daily work schedule
8. Calculation, setting and testing of protection equipment
9. Electricity billing and customer service
10. Employee administration
11. System design, dimensioning of expansions
12. System expansion projects
13. Purchase and construction
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 Operation of Electrical Network
 It is to be mentioned that the operation, control and monitoring of the
overall system along with the managerial tasks are performed by HMI
or an HCI with the help of SCADA system.

 Generally 132, 33 and 11 kV circuit breakers are operated remotely by

using SCADA system.

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 Electrical Network Operation by Using SCADA

Figure 5 shows the on screen

command mode in the work station
computer during circuit breaker
operation of any substation.

Fig. 5. On Screen Command Mode for Circuit

109
Breaker Operation
 Electrical Network Operation by Using SCADA
Some operational steps or commands are generally followed for circuit
breaker operation which are mentioned below –
 Step 1: The circuit breaker to be operated is selected from the
on line application server.
 Step 2:The remote control is not blocked.
 Step 3:The breaker is marked as updated.
 Step 4:Each breaker is connected with the RTU.
 Step 5:Remote control authority for the action is established.
 Step 6:Breaker is not controlled from any other work station.
 Step 7: The interlocking of breaker must be in proper
sequence.
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 Electrical Network Operation by Using SCADA
 If any of these prerequisites is not met, a message box explains the present
status of the circuit breaker. An alarm is also issued on a command sequence
error.

 The Error Message can be seen in error message box and also in the
event list. If no command acknowledgement is returned within a certain
time, an alarm is issued.

 A circuit that needs to be operated is selected by using password and later

the operator operates that by using workstation PC.

 The overall operation of the power system network and intercommunication

within the system is shown in figure 6.
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Electrical Network Operation by Using SCADA

112
 Load Shedding Procedure
In case of shortage of electricity generation according to the load demand,
load shedding (LS) is required.
The load shedding schedule is generally done according to the deficiency of
the system power shortage.
The circuit breakers on the 11 kV sides are operated according to the daily
load shedding schedule.
The status of a LS group is mentioned in tabular form in table 1.
Table1. Status of a Load Shedding Group

Status Meaning of the Status

This is the default status which means the load
Free
shed group is not used.
Execute The load shed group is executing
Restore The load shedSANCOY,
group is restoring
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 Load Shedding Procedure
Table1. Status of a Load Shedding Group

Status Meaning of the Status

Wait for The load shed group is waiting for object
execute return return after restore
The load shed group is in edit mode. In this
Edit
mode objects can be added or removed
Set Execution is completed
Return completed Return is completed

The work station computer displays all available load shedding (LS)
groups and their group status within the electrical network.

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 Electrical Network Operation by Using SCADA

 The identities of the LS groups can be changed from the load shedding
menu of the display in the workstation computer.

 Generally one load shedding group shows its status, restores delay and the
time of the load shedding.

 A maximum of 50 load shedding groups exists at the same time but one
LS group can be executed at any stipulated time according to the load
shedding schedule.

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 Electrical Network Operation by Using SCADA

 From Edit mode of the display menu any object in a load shedding group
can be added or deleted according to the system requirement.

 In order to add or delete an object (a line or breaker) from a LS group it is

required to open a new WS400 (work station) window and then select that
object from the corresponding single line diagram.

116
Thank You

SANCOY, EEE, CUET 117