PC-based remote control and fault location system for distribution line

PC-based economical remote control systems have been operated for distribution lines in 16 branch offices of Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO). Based on a personal computer with WindowsNT, supervisory control and recording with full-graphic CRT has attained the level of completion. Using newly developed automatic switches with a fault indicator (FI), operators can easily locate the fault section between "yes and no FI response". For the reduction of cost, the control devices of existing facilities such as recloser, auto-section switch, and SF₆ gas-insulated switch are revised to be remote controlled. Hand-operated switches will be gradually exchanged with automatic ones. Wireless data communication service in 8 B/Os of civil area and telephone line in the other 8 B/Os of rural area are applied for the communication media. Also, the cable TV network owned by KEPCO itself is on the field test in a downtown area to prove the reliability.