A Synergistic Approach to Using AMR and Intelligent Electronic Devices to Determine Outages in a Distribution Network

Recent developments in digital electronics and communication technology have made it possible to automate remote meter reading at the electric utility distribution network. Every point at the distribution network can be monitored and controlled and two-way AMR systems are growing. Electric utilities are seeking added value applications to justify buying an AMR system. Outage mapping is one application that is popular and high in demand. In this paper, a possible method is proposed how the outage mapping function can be implemented once an AMR system is installed. Outage mapping is greatly simplified for communication technologies, which use the medium voltage distribution circuit for the physical communication infrastructure. In particular, technologies that use low frequency signals (200 Hz-650 Hz), which are superimposed on the 60 Hz waveform, have additional advantages, which further simplify the outage detection and mapping. Intelligent devices can be used at the distribution substation to monitor and capture any unusual event at the distribution network. By using an appropriate algorithm to process the captured information, a trigger activates a polling sequence of remote devices (meter reading transponders) located at only the part of the network where a fault occurs. The polling result quickly identifies which protective device has operated which can be related to the circuit and area map