ABSTRACT
Technological developments over the past several decades have dramatically changed the way of life throughout the world. Developments and advances in microprocessor technology have been a primary driver of these changes. It was not too long ago that major sources of information and recent news were encyclopedias, newscasts, and newspapers. In recent times, just about anything you want to know can be found on the Internet within a few minutes. Not more than a decade ago, personal communications required hard wire connections or cumbersome and unreliable radio signals. Currently, a large portion of the population of the world can communicate reliably using small wireless devices that can easily t into a shirt pocket. All sorts of gadgets have emerged to keep people entertained. Computational power has grown at an exponential rate with similar reductions in cost. When electronic calculators were rst marketed in the 1960s, the cost was upward of $400-a much more powerful and smaller calculator today can be purchased for about $20. Computers, which are now considered as throwaway units, have power that required a room full of equipment during the earlier years when computers were rst developed. Power system protection has not been left out of this revolution. In recent years, microprocessorbased protection devices, programmable controllers, and digital communication systems have dominated the market and have become the norm for a large majority of new applications. Such developments have changed the landscape of substation control rooms. Massive amounts of wiring have disappeared, control boards have been greatly reduced in size, and CRTs are used to operate the substation and display substation conguration, alarms, and events.
