ABSTRACT
The implementation of “distribution automation” (DA) within the continental United States is as diverse and numerous as the utilities themselves. Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) is the foundation for the DA system. The ability to remotely monitor and control electric power system facilities found its first application within the power generation and transmission sectors of the electric utility industry. A modern SCADA system should support the engineering budgeting and planning functions by providing a well-defined and documented application programming interface for access to power system data without requiring possession of an operational workstation. The main elements of a SCADA system are host equipment, communication infrastructure and field devices. Most utilities will utilize more than one communication transport with the particular choice based on system requirements, license availability for licensed frequencies, coverage, loading, and economics. DA field devices are multifeatured installations meeting a broad range of control, operations, planning, and system performance issues for the utility personnel.
