ITU Department of Electrical Engineering ELK420E Electrical Distribution Automation Lab.

Experiment 1: SCADA and RTU Applications in Power

Distribution Systems

SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) is designed to achieve control and monitor
processes remotely. This system consists software and hardware components and it is based on
remote data acquisition. Generally, they are used for monitoring systems with highly accurate
real time data, providing a robust distribution networks and improving the networks operations.
SCADA systems consists from RTU or modem to receive the information, communications
protocols to receive or control operations and several software such storing, monitoring,
visualizing.
Distribution automation allows utilities to implement modern techniques in order to improve
the reliability, efficiency, and quality of electric service. Distribution automation is also referred
to as feeder automation. It has been defined by the IEEE as follows: ‘‘Distribution Automation
is a system that enables an electric utility to remotely monitor, coordinate and operate
distribution components in a real-time mode from remote locations.’’
With the widespread use of systems under free-market conditions by removing the state
monopoly in electricity generation and distribution, competitive free market conditions have
made it necessary for the operating companies to manage systems better. In addition, the rules
set by the electricity market boards put system operators under obligations. SCADA / DMS
(Distribution Energy Management System), which is considered the heart of smart grids,
provides system operators with various applications to improve management by using
information and communication technologies.
Data received from distribution components (transformers, lines, consumers, etc.),
measurement devices, or remote reading of meters at consumer points can be evaluated with
various application software. Also, reports and decisions can be produced for system
management. The general scheme of the SCADA system is given (Figure 1).

Figure 1: The general scheme of the SCADA system

ITU Department of Electrical Engineering ELK420E Electrical Distribution Automation Lab.

In order to improve system operations, DMS (Distribution Management System) provides

several applications such as:
 Volt/VAR Control: Volt/VAR control deals mainly with the detection and prediction of
voltage violations which require close control of the relationship between the voltage
and the reactive power equipment. The equipment involved includes mainly capacitor,
static VAR control (SVC) devices, load tap changers and voltage regulator controls.
 Reconfiguration: Feeder reconfiguration refers to the operation of switches, breakers,
or re-closers to reconfigure the topology of feeders and improve the operating condition
of the system. It is done under normal conditions in order to reduce losses and increase
reliability. It also helps to minimize voltage drop on the feeders. Feeder reconfiguration
represents great benefits. However, it is not always possible to achieve all the objectives
simultaneously.
 Service Restoration: The use of automated feeder switching aids in detecting feeder
faults, determining the fault location (between two or more switches), isolating the
faulted section of the feeder, and providing the possibility of restoring service to
‘‘healthy’’ portions of the feeder.
 Advanced metering infrastructure (AMI)/automatic meter reading (AMR): AMI/AMR
plays an important role as it aids utilities in establishing competitive strategies that
conduct load profile gathering in order to characterize the value of individual customers
to the utility. It identifies the major customers (aggregated load) and offers load
information to customers as a special service.

Figure 2: SCADA system network

ITU Department of Electrical Engineering ELK420E Electrical Distribution Automation Lab.

SCADA/DMS systems consist embedded systems, sensors, communications, information

systems (Figure 2). To sum up, there are:
 Communication components,
 Remote location sensors, relays or IEDs,
 Remotely located RTUs,
 Master stations,
 Human Machine interface
SCADA applications are globally accepted as a real-time power system monitoring and control
tool, especially in the generation, transmission, and distribution systems. The RTU
collects telemetry analog data and devices' status in the substations and communicates
control commands. It is installed in a central location such as the control center of the
utility with GUI, engineering applications managing history software, and other
components (Figure 3).

Figure 3: SCADA system

RTU (Remote Terminal Unit)

RTU (Remote Terminal Unit) is a crucial element to monitor and control the system. RTU is
generally located near the field equipment such as substations. Also, it creates an interface
between the control center and relay panels or metal-clad switchgear. RTU gathers all the
information from field devices and sends it to control center. Commands sent from the control
center is also transmitted to the field device, and necessary maneuvers are executed. In other
words, the responsibility of providing two-way communication belongs to RTU. Small RTUs
have 10 to 20 analog, digital inputs, and medium ones with 100 digital and 30-40 analog inputs.
It is considered a large RTU if input numbers are high.
ITU Department of Electrical Engineering ELK420E Electrical Distribution Automation Lab.

Figure 4: RTU structure

General RTU structure consists of several units (Figure 4). These are CPU, analog inputs,
digital inputs, graphical interface, power source. RTU and auxiliary equipment are placed over
the racks. The main rack comprises several houses, and communication cards are placed in
these houses. RTU's primary functions, including input and output data coordination, are
executed with these communication cards' help. SLI (Serial Line Interface) cards in RTU's
processor generate an interface among intelligent electronic devices. ETH (Ethernet) cards
control process events and communication to the control center.
Input and output modules of RTU are located in external racks. Input modules check the status
of network equipment and send information to the control center. For example, input modules
send circuit breaker contact info (open or closed) to the control center. Output modules are used
to send trip or close signals involving breakers. For example, when the breaker's trip circuit is
energized, the breaker will open and de-energize the feeding area.

Figure 5: SICAM TM 1703 ACP

ITU Department of Electrical Engineering ELK420E Electrical Distribution Automation Lab.

SICAM TM 1703 ACP model is used to design the system architecture of the SCADA system
in the lab (Figure 5). Signal types, communication protocols, serial and ethernet card
configurations are the essential procedures to provide fully operational communications of
components.
Siemens RTU is a tool that controls the whole engineering process in the system. To build this
interface, we need three different types of tree structures. Network tree comprises network
structures (generators, substations, switchgears, etc.) to determine monitored and controlled
systems. A signal tree is used to assign communication addresses to signals and define types
(status, analog, command, etc.) of signals. Hardware trees consist of choosing communication
protocols and introducing serial and ethernet cards to the communication system. After building
these trees, system communication is activated, and monitoring and control functions can be
realized.
SICAM 230
SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) software monitors and stores
measurements and events which are taken from remote sites (Figure 6). Also, it allows receiving
faster warnings and remote control to provide fault location isolation and restoration. RTU,
PLC, measurement devices, etc., are monitored and controlled remotely from SCADA. There
are several protocols such as IEC 61850 Server/Client, IEC 60870-101 / 104, IEC 60870-103,
IEC 61400-25, IEC 62056-21, DNP3.0, Modbus RTU/TCP to provide communication of
devices in the system.
SICAM 230 provides real-time monitoring and control for primary and secondary equipment
of transmission/distribution systems. With the help of the SCADA system, operators can access
protection and control elements in the network and perform necessary actions (Figure 7).

Figure 6: SICAM 230

ITU Department of Electrical Engineering ELK420E Electrical Distribution Automation Lab.

Figure 7: SICAM230 screenshot

Aim of the Experiment
Generally, investigation of distribution automation, briefing about highly important products
as SCADA, RTU, communication devices, and protocols are aimed in Electrical Distribution
Automation Laboratory. In that manner, the importance and functions of distribution
automation are presented.

Figure 8: Single-line diagram

Figure 9: Single-line diagram in SICAM 230

ITU Department of Electrical Engineering ELK420E Electrical Distribution Automation Lab.

Figure 10: Experiment setup

Implementation of the Experiment
1) General investigation of experiment setup and its components
The main objective of this laboratory is to emphasize the importance of distribution
automation and its functions. Thereafter, both software and hardware components are
going to be explained.
A single-line diagram adopted from real-life applications is shown (Figure 8). The
general configuration of protection relays which are defined in the SCADA system is
shown (Figure 9). In the figure, code “7SA” refers to distance protection, 7SJ (OUT)
refers to overcurrent protection, 7UT refers to differential protection, and 7SJ INC
refers to under/over voltage protection relay. 7SA, 7UT, and 7SJ (OUT) relays are
connected to the ethernet switch via ethernet cable, 7SJ INC is connected to the switch
with optical fiber. Data (Alarms, analog values, status values) coming from protection
relays are transferred to RTU via this ethernet switch. The communication protocol
between RTU and protection relays is IEC 61850. RTU gathers and processes all the
data. After that, these processed data are sent to SCADA software using IEC 60870-
104 protocol. All intelligent devices are in the same local area network.
2) SCADA implementation
Distance protection, differential, overcurrent, voltage relays are used to monitoring the
components in the laboratory; further, protection and control are implemented via
SCADA software (Figure 10).
Buttons placed on the System Configuration page give access to interfaces which
include sorted and classified information taken from protection relays. Alarm List
contains pre-determined emergency warnings, Event List contains both general event
information and emergency warnings, and Trends gives the user a 2-D graphics: analog
value with respect to time.
Furthermore, voltage, current, power, frequency, etc. data are shown next to the relays.
Changes in the breakers' positions are visualized in the SCADA monitoring screen
depending on the signals received from the relays (Figure 9, Figure 11).
ITU Department of Electrical Engineering ELK420E Electrical Distribution Automation Lab.

Figure 11: General configuration of the system

Experiment steps are given as:
 RTU and communication structure
 Introduction of SCADA software
 Examination of system’s one-line diagram on SICAM 230
 Viewing event records
 System monitoring/ sending commands via SCADA

References
 SIEMENS SICAM230 documents
 SIEMENS TM 1703 documents
 Özkara, A., 2009. Bir Orta Gerilim Dağıtım Sistemi Modelinin SCADA ile İzlenmesi.
Yüksek Lisans Tezi. İstanbul Teknik Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü. İstanbul.