SCADA Based Power Distribution Network
Power outage is common in our daily life. It not only affect consumers but also power utilities in the long run. About 70% of the faults occur due to short circuit and overloading and it gets worst in summer season as electricity demand incre
2025-06-28 16:34:53 - Adil Khan
SCADA Based Power Distribution Network
Project Area of Specialization Electrical/Electronic EngineeringProject SummaryPower outage is common in our daily life. It not only affect consumers but also power utilities in the long run. About 70% of the faults occur due to short circuit and overloading and it gets worst in summer season as electricity demand increases. If we can find a way to minimize the duration of such faults, we can contribute in improving life quality of many people. Our final year project (FYP) idea revolves around this problem.
When Over-current fault (i.e., short circuit and overloading) occur the power utilities depend on consumer complaints or the surveying team to pin point the faulty transformer (pole mounted). Our project uses centralized Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) system which takes information of current flowing through PMTs (Pole Mounter Transformers) and determines when a fault has occurred (measured current flow would be zero). Once fault is detected, the operator using the software in his office can take several attempts to reclose the system (using auto-reclosers) as most of the faults are temporary. But in case of permanent fault the system would trip again and he would know the exact transformer tripped. Now he can easily dispatch a team of technicians to remove the fault as soon as possible. In this way time take for fault localization and removal of temporary faults by actually reaching the transformer is saved. Since the system is closed-loop PLC(Programmable Logic Controller) would also be used along with RTUs (Remote Telemetry Units).
Our Goal is to develop a prototype based on the above mentioned points which can also be used as a trainer to make students/trainees more familiar with automated power system.
Project ObjectivesFollowing are the main objectives of our Final Year Project that is SCADA Based Power Distribution Network.
- The main objective is to implement a cutting-edge automation tool (i.e., SCADA - Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) on the PMTs (Pole Mounter Transformers) in order to minimize the number and duration of power outages in our society due to overloading of PMTs.
- Our FYP is a prototype depicting actual scenario. It would be used as a trainer so that students/trainees would be able learn about SCADA based power distribution network without any risks because in actual scenario operating voltages are dangerously high.
Following are the step-by-step process through which we will implement the project.
- Literature review about SCADA systems, logic controllers, coding language (ladder logic), similar projects, transformers, power system protection, simulation of such systems, etc. (Already done)
- Components purchasing one by one after etiquette research.
- Testing each equipment bought in order to avoid future errors.
- Transformers fault analysis.
- SCADA software selection and configuration as per requirement.
- RTUs (Remote Telemetry Units) programming and interfacing with SCADA and sensors.
- PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) programming and interfacing with SCADA software and actuators.
- HMI designing.
- Trainer frame designing and building.
- Similar equipment would be placed together to form modules.
- Integration of Modules
- Analysis and Troubleshooting
- Report Writing would be the last phase of our project. Although some of the literature work might also be done in parallel with other tasks,
Time Frame is depicted below.
Following are the key benefits of our project:
- Pin point location of faulted PMT (Pole Mounted Transformer) would be shared to the central station.
- Alarm/Visual notification will be sent to the central station in case of fault.
- Power Utility (e.g., K-Electric) will not have to depend on customer complaints in order to identify fault condition.
- In conventional systems, teams are dispatched to survey transformers one by one to locate faulty transformer. Such procedure would be eliminated as the implemented system will determine fault location and send it to the operator.
- Prototype will work on 381 Volts unlike real scenario where 11000 Volts are present.
- Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) will be used to ensure the coding and implementation is simple unlike solid-state microcontrollers.
- Model-driven user-friendly Human-to-Machine interface.
- Separate module for each purpose. For example, separate cabinets for PLCs, protective gears, etc.
- Maintenance can easily be done by technicians due to modular approach.
- Ladder Logic would be used due to easy and vast applications.
- Further room for improvements such as wired to wireless communication.
- SCADA software can be installed on any third generation personal computer hence dedicated machinery is not needed.
The project diagram/flow chart is depicted below:
SCADA SOFTWARE:
We will be using LabVIEW with OPC server as our central SCADA hub which will collect information from RTUs about current values in order to distinguish between normal and fault condition. Later pass information to operate circuit breaker if fault condition occurs.
Three Phase Supply:
We will first step up our house three phase supply to 1100 Volts by a 1.5 kVA 3-phase transformer.
PMTs (Pole Mounted Transformers):
We will connect three separate 3-phase transformers depicting PMTs of a power utility to our main supply. These are the transformers which would be protected in fault conditions each transformer is of 500VA.
Auto-Recloser Circuit Breakers:
These will be the actuators which would open circuit the supply to load in case of fault. Operator can reclose the circuit multiple times to ensure the fault isn’t temporary.
Current Sensors and Load:
Each PMT would be connected with variable 3-phase load which can be set to maximum 500 Watts. Current sensors would measure the amount of current flowing from PMT to load and send the measurements to main system.
Remote Telemetry Units (RTUs):
These are responsible to read data from environment (in our case current flow) and send it to the software which is controlling the process (i.e., SCADA).
Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs):
PLC here is acting like the hand of the software while RTUs are acting as eyes. PLC will take info from SCADA software and based on it toggle the Auto-Recloser CB. We will be using Delta PLC model: dvp 14ss2 programmed with ladder logic.
Final Deliverable of the Project HW/SW integrated systemCore Industry Energy Other Industries Education Core Technology OthersOther TechnologiesSustainable Development Goals Good Health and Well-Being for People, Quality Education, Industry, Innovation and InfrastructureRequired Resources| Item Name | Type | No. of Units | Per Unit Cost (in Rs) | Total (in Rs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total in (Rs) | 77500 | |||
| Step-up Transformer | Equipment | 1 | 13000 | 13000 |
| Step-down Transformers | Equipment | 3 | 4000 | 12000 |
| RTUs | Equipment | 3 | 8000 | 24000 |
| PLC | Equipment | 1 | 12000 | 12000 |
| Current Sensor | Equipment | 3 | 500 | 1500 |
| Load bank | Equipment | 3 | 1000 | 3000 |
| Trainer body | Equipment | 1 | 4000 | 4000 |
| Wires | Miscellaneous | 1 | 3000 | 3000 |
| Printing and pain job | Miscellaneous | 1 | 3000 | 3000 |
| Power consumption during testing (estimated) | Miscellaneous | 1 | 2000 | 2000 |