Telecommunications in Power Utilities

Anthony S Rajamanickam
Tenaga Nasional Berhad

This paper aims to introduce and discuss telecommunication services, technology and
systems that are employed in electric power utilities. Participants of this short lecture will
be able to list telecommunications services that power utilities use and identify and
describe the various technologies employed. Some of the illustrations given in this paper
have been referred to practices employed in Tenaga Nasional Berhad.

1 Introduction

Telecommunication services in power utilities are being widely used for providing
important operational, business and administrative applications of the utilities.
Power utilities have traditionally owned and operated their own dedicated
communications network to mainly provide SCADA, teleprotection and
operational telephony services. With information and communications technology
(ICT) increasingly becoming an important tool for increasing productivity and
efficiency in light of deregulation and competition, utility communications system
need to be reliable, versatile and efficient to provide the necessary quality of
service for its business requirements.

Various telecommunication technologies are utilised to meet the different

operational and business service requirements of power utilities. The applications
range from narrow-band critical teleprotection and SCADA applications to
broadband video and corporate ERP needs. Technologies used range from
analogue power line carrier technologies to high-speed fibre optic and wireless
systems. Traditional utility communications technology such as powerline carrier,
plesiochronous digital hierarchy (PDH), microwave, lease line and pilot cable
networks have for may years provided reliable telecommunication services for
legacy applications. However, such systems are now incapable of meeting the
bandwidth, reliability and diverse requirements of modern utility applications.
This is more so as information and communications technology (ICT) is now
widely accepted as a key enabler in ensuring excellence in business, operations
and administrative services in electric utilities.

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2 Telecommunication Services for Utility Power System Operations

Telecommunication services reuired for power system oprations include

teleprotection, scada/telecontrol, telemetering, voice, fault/disturbance recorder
monitoring etc. Figure 1 shows a typical network configuration that supports
services for power system operation such as teleprotection, SCADA, telemetering,
etc. These services require stringent performance levels such as high availability
and low transmission delays.

Substation A Substation B

Protection Relay

scada
COMMUNICATIONS
NETWORK

SAS

Fault
recorder meters
meters

Headquarters
Data/Control
Centre

Figure 1. Operational Network Configuration

Telecommunication service level requirements for the different operational

requirements have been established by CIGRE[ i ] as given in Table 1. As shown,
teleprotection requires the extremely high network availability and response time.

Service Data Service requirement Network

Rate transmission time Availability
(Kbit/s) (ms)
Voice 8-64 100 >99.5%
Telecontrol 1.2-64 <1000 >99.98%
Teleprotection
Blocking <64 <10 >99.99%
Permissive <64 <20 >99.99%
Differential <64 2-10 >99.99%
Intertrip <64 <40 >99.99%
Video Surveillance 9.6-2048 1000 >99.95%
Other operational data 1.2-64 <1000 >99.95%
Table 1. Operational Service Requirements
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2.1 Teleprotection

Teleprotection services impose the greatest performance requirements on the

communications network and system. Teleprotection channels are required to be:

a) Fast – Teleprotection operation times are required to be between 10 and

30ms[ii] to ensure high voltage system faults are cleared within 5 cycles or
100ms. For fibre based systems, this delay time includes optical fibre
propagation delay (5μs/km) and equipment delays due to buffering,
switching, multiplexing or de-multiplexing and protection signalling
equipment operation time. SDH equipment typically causes a delay of less
than 0.2ms for 2Mbit/s terminating circuits and 60μs for 2Mbit/s through
traffic while delay through primary multiplexers where 64Kbit/s circuits
terminate can be up to 1ms. Propagation and equipment delays do not
generally cause problems for command type protection schemes and
delays below 10ms are easily achievable.

Delay variations or asymmetric delays between transmit and receive paths

poses the greatest challenge to telecommunications systems and networks.
This situation can occur in SDH networks when path protection switching
occurs. Traditional current differential relays require a delay variation of
less than 0.25ms[ii] for protection with high sensitivity characteristics. IEC
60834-1 recommends propagation delay of less than 5ms[ ii ]for current
differential protection schemes.

b) Reliable - Availability of at least 99.99%[i] is required (~50 minutes of

downtime per year).
c) Dependable – Services must be available when required especially during
blackouts or emergencies. The equipment must not fail when it is required
to operate.
d) Secure - Maximum security for protection against unwanted tripping
caused by interference and high bit-error rates (BER).

Typical teleprotection configuration for command type and current differential

protection schemes are given in Figure 2 and Figure 3.

Substation A Substation B

X X

Protection Protection
Relay Relay

COMMUNICATION
Protection LINK Protection
Signalling Signalling
Equipmen Equipmen

Communication Communication
Equipment Equipment
Figure 2. Command Type Teleprotection Scheme
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 Network
Substation A

X X
Current Differential Current Differential
Protection Relay Protection Relay

64Kbit/s G.703 64Kbit/s G.703

COMMUNICATION
Data Interface Data Interface
LINK

Communication Communication
Equipment Equipment

Figure 3. Current Differential Protection Scheme

2.2 SCADA/Telecontrol

SCADA/telecontrol applications need dependable and secure communications

systems but may tolerate slight delays (1-2 seconds). Slow speed serial data up to
9600bit/s are being employed. However, newer systems are moving towards IP
technology to provide a more flexible and versatile data network.

2.3 Voice

Voice communication is a critical service for power systems operations especially

during emergencies. Load despatchers will require secure communications with
power plant operators and substation operators during these situations to restore
power supply with minimum disruption. Use of public telecommunication voice
services be it fixed line or mobile during supply interruption is not reliable as
network congestion and failure is high during power supply failures.

Generally, utilities own and operate dedicated circuit switched or TDM based
PABX systems for grid system operation. The network usually uses a 3 or 4 digit
numbering system.

2.4 Other Data Services

It is now common for power utilities to use technologies such as substation

automation systems, surveillance video, telemetering and on-line condition
monitoring systems to help improve reliability and availability of power supply
and to improve operational efficiency. Fault diagnostics and on-line monitoring
tools such as fault recorders, fault locators and condition monitoring systems are
installed to assist operators and maintenance staff in determining the integrity,
location and probable causes of faults quickly. Information is quickly relayed to
the operational and maintenance staff so that supply restoration time can be
minimised or potential catastrophe may be avoided.

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3 Telecommunication Services for Business & Administrative Applications

A corporate data network is used for enabling corporate IT systems that are
necessary for business operations such as enterprise resource planning, customer
information and billing system, e-mail, management information systems,
facilities management, internet access etc. Business and administrative service
requirements do not require stringent delay and availability performance as
compared with operational requirements; however a data network that can provide
the performance requirements of users with respect to response time and
availability is important to ensure business continuity and efficiency. Data
network bandwidth requirements and utilisation far exceeds operational
requirements and requires careful planning and traffic engineering efforts to
ensure all services are delivered with the expected performance levels.

The performance requirements of business and administrative services are shown

in Table II.

Data Rate Network

Service
(Kbit/s) Availability
CIBS
ERP (AM, FM, MM)
E-Mail 64Kbps-10Mbps 99.5%
Internet Access
GIS
Telephony
64Kbps-2Mbps 99.5%
Video Conference

Table 2. Business and Administrative Service Requirements

CIBS- Customer Information and Billing System

ERP- Enterprise Resource Planning
AM- Assest Management
FM- Facilities Management
MM- Material Management

The corporate data network required to support these important services must
have the following features:
• reliable
• fast
• secure
• flexible
• manageable

A high speed core data network providing reliable connectivity for all branch
offices is essential for efficient operation of IT applications. High capacity IP
network operating on a SDH backbone network provides the flexibility, reliability,
speed and manageability features. The corporate data network configuration is
shown in Figure 4.

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 Head Office
Database & Servers
Application
PC Server X Terminal

LAN

router

WAN (Wide Area

Network)

Branch Office A Branch Office B

Application Application
X Terminal
Server router
router X Terminal

LAN
LAN (Local Area Network)

Figure 4. Corporate Data Network Configuration

4 Telecommunication Network

Telecommunication networks consist of transport and access networks to provide

communication channels for the required services. A combination of different
technologies is used to ensure required service performances are achieved.

4.1 Transport Network

The transport network consists of transport media and transmission system. PDH,
SDH and microwave systems are the most common forms of transport network.
However, power line carrier systems are still being utilised to form the transport
network albeit its limited bandwidth capacity compared with fibre optics or digital
microwave systems.

4.1.1 Optical Fibre Cables

With liberalisation of the telecommunication and power industry, power utilities

are investing in fibre optic infrastructures on power lines either on their own or
through joint venture partnership with telecommunication operators. A ready
network of power line infrastructure enables reliable, quick and cheap installation
of optical fibre cables as compared to conventional duct installation.
Three types of cable construction that are installed on transmission lines are:-
• OPGW - it is now common for power utilities to install optical fibre ground
wire (OPGW) on all new transmission lines.
• Wrapped or lashed optical fibre cable - installed on existing lines.
• All dielectric self-supporting optical fibre cables - installed on existing lines.

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Retrofitting lines with fibre optics with either wrap/lashed, self-supporting type or
even OPGW depends on power system operation constraints, tower structure
design, environmental conditions and local statutory requirements.

Cable Design and Construction

Figure 5. OPGW Construction with 2 helical slotted core

consisting of 6 fibres per slot

Design and construction of optical fibre cables on power lines shall meet the
following criteria:
• High mechanical strength – the cable shall be able to withstand continuous
stress and exposure to harsh environmental conditions.
• Light weight – the cable shall impose minimal loading on support structure.
• Consistent optical properties - the optical properties shall be stable even at the
most severe conditions.
• Good electrical properties - if the cable is used as a ground wire, the electrical
requirements on fault current carrying capacity and conductivity shall be met.
• Withstand effects of EHV - dielectric optical cable shall withstand effects of
high electric field on its sheath for long years of service.

OPGW

Optical ground wire or OPGW is a composite earthwire conductor that contains

optical fibres in its central core. Loose tube or tight buffered single mode optical
fibres are centrally located in aluminium tubes or in aluminium slots and are
covered by one or two layers or aluminium clad steel wires or aluminium and steel
wires. Typical cable construction is shown in Figure 5.

As OPGW functions as both electrical and optical transmission media, its design
and construction shall satisfy both the electrical and optical specifications. The
two major electrical requirements of the cable are low DC resistance and fault
current withstand capability. The optical performance of the cable shall be stable
and unaffected during lightning and fault conditions. Particular attention should be
given on fibre strain as the cable is under tension throughout its life. The
conductor is subject to continuous changes in strain due to temperature and wind
load variations. OPGW is very robust as the fibres are well protected against
mechanical damage by the aluminium clad steel strands.

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ADSS

Figure 6. Construction of All Dielectric Self-Supporting Cable

All dielectric self-supporting or ADSS cables are retrofitted on existing

transmission lines. Figure 6 shows the construction of ADSS cable employing
aramid as the tensile strength member. A central GRP rod prevents cable kink.
Loose tubes containing optical fibres are jelly filled to prevent moisture ingress
and also to act as a buffer for the fibres. A layer of aramid strength material
provides the necessary tensile strength. An anti-tracking outer sheath of HDPE
material provides protection against sheath degradation when the cable is placed
in high electric field zones. These cables can be installed under hot-line or live
line conditions in utilities where local statutory regulations permit such
installations. Optical cables installed in this manner are de-coupled from the
power system unlike OPGW and wrapped/lashed optical fibre cables. The
flexibility of ADSS installation enables installation and maintenance to be carried
out without power line outage. The cables are attached to the power line structures
along the centre line of the transmission route at points where the electrical field
potential is low.

ADSS cables are under constant and dynamic load conditions and span lengths
can be extremely long, for instance 800 - 1000m. When installed on high voltage
lines above 132kV, the cable sheath is subject to high electrostatic stress and will
experience tracking and dry-band arcing activity. Dry-band arcing and tracking
are major factors that determine the cable life on a power line. Factors that
contribute to dry-band arcing are field potential at ADSS cable location, pollution
level, amount and type of rain, jacket material and maximum line voltage.
Research[ iii ] has shown that for dry band arcing to occur, a field potential of at
least 25kV is required to cause sheath damage. Dry band arcing results in 3 failure
modes, viz.
1. tracking - carbon tree on polymer leading to polymer deterioration
2. erosion - polymer bond gives way to stress and strain and heat
generated from dry band arcing activity.
3. puncture - creating a hole in the sheath due to generation of substantial
heat from arcing.

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 Wrap Around Optical Fibre Cable

Wrapped cables were lashed or wrapped around phase conductors initially but
were later installed on earthwires. Compared with OPGW and ADSS cables,
wrapped optical cables are the lightest, smallest and have the least fibre count.
Wrapped cables introduces minimal mechanical loads on tower structures and
requires minimal installation tools and manpower compared with the installation
methods for OPGW and ADSS optical cables. However, specialised installation
tools are required. Wrapped optical cables can be installed under life-line
conditions on power line with a single central earthwire or if sufficient clearance
is available on two earthwire constructions. If low fibre counts are sufficient, this
type of cable installation is especially suited for installation on power lines that
traverses along rough and inaccessible terrain.

4.1.2 Power Line Carrier

Narrow band PLC

Dedicated power line carrier (PLC) systems were one of the earliest technologies
used by utilities worldwide. High frequency carrier signals carrying voice and data
messages are superimposed with the power frequency voltage and current signals
on transmission lines. This feature enabled a fast and cheap method to develop a
telecommunication network. PLC systems typically operate between 30-500kHz
and offer the most reliable and economical channel for teleprotection applications.
PLC systems were only used for power system operational requirements such as
SCADA, teleprotection and voice and were owned, operated and maintained by
the utilities. PLC systems are still widely used and when used together with
broadband fibre systems provide excellent backup for teleprotection, voice and
slow speed data applications. Power line carrier is throughout the world. PLC
communication is however limited to a 4kHz bandwidth and its performance is
subject to electromagnetic interference, frequency congestion, environmental
influence and variation in line characteristics.

The components of a PLC system as shown in

Figure 7 are as follows:

Figure 7. Power Line Carrier Communication System[iv]

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 Line trap – a device installed in series with the power conductors that is used to
block the communication signals which are superimposed with the 50Hz power
frequency currents from being absorbed into substation power equipment.

Figure 8. Line Trap and Capacitor Voltage Transformer[v]

Coupling capacitor – a device that allows high frequency signals to be coupled

into and extracted from the high voltage network. This device is used in
conjunction with capacitor voltage transformers to provide a electrical insulation
between the high voltage system and the PLC equipment.

Line Tuner (Matching Unit) – a device that provides tuneable impedance

matching facilities between PLC equipment and the power line.

Broadband Digital Powerline Technology

Broadband digital power line technology promises high-speed connectivity using

customer’s existing power line connections. Although narrowband DPL has been
successfully implemented in many utilities for SCADA and telemetering
applications, broadband DPL for speeds above 45Mbit/s have yet to be technically
demonstrated for distances more than 500m. Low voltage distribution power
network characterisation, standards and regulatory compliance, safety concerns
are among the other issues that need to be addressed before deployment, if
commercially viable, can be made.

DPL technology is a potential revenue earner for utilities as it may provide

broadband connectivity to customers using existing distribution power lines.
However, the commercial viability of such investment requires serious
consideration as competing technologies using wireless and cable systems by
telcos are developing rapidly.

4.1.3 PDH

Plesiochronous Digital Hierarchy (PDH) transmission systems were developed in

the 1970s to efficiently transport large number of telephone circuits using
microwave or fibre optics transmission media. Time domain multiplexing using
bit interleaving techniques were used to increase transmission capacity in a
hierarchical manner.

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 The PDH hierarchy levels in accordance with ITU-T Recommendations are as
follows:
Hierarchy Bit Rate (Kbit/s)
0 64
1 2048
2 8448
3 34,368
4 139,264
Table 3. ITU-T Recommended PDH Hierarchy

Transmission bit rates for the North American and Japanese systems differs from
that of the International standards given by ITU-T.

PDH implementation is cumbersome especially as multiplexing and

demultiplexing is required at every intermediate node. PDH is essentially a point-
to-point networking technology as channel cross-connections at 2Mbit/s and
higher require hardwire terminations. Even channels that are not required to be
dropped have to be terminated. This is illustrated in Figure 9 below.

Figure 9. 34Mbit/s PDH Equipment Configuration

4.1.4 SDH

SDH technology was introduced in the mid 1980s to replace plesiochronous

digital hierarchy (PDH) technology that had shortcomings such as lack of
standardised interfaces, capacity and management features. Key advantages of
SDH over PDH are as follows:
⇒ simple multiplexing and demultiplexing structure
⇒ advanced management features
⇒ standardised optical interfaces that allows multi-vendor interoperability
⇒ advanced network protection mechanism such as path protection and
self-healing ring architecture.
⇒ high transmission capacity; up-to 10Gbit/s

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 ⇒ increased element reliability
SONET/SDH Designations and bandwidths

SONET Frame SDH level and Frame

Line Rate (kbit/s)
Format Format

STS-1 STM-0 51 840

STS-3 STM-1 155 520

STS-12 STM-4 622 080
STS-48 STM-16 2 488 320
STS-192 STM-64 9 953 280
STS-768 STM-256 39 813 120
STS-3072 STM-1024 159 252 240
Table 4. SDH Levels and Bit Rates

Telecommunications network operators world-wide use SDH in the backbone

because it is able to provide the required bandwidth, reliability and network
resiliency. Transmission speeds begin at 155.52Mbit/s or STM-1 level
(Synchronous Transport Module) and increase in multiples of 4 up-to STM-64 or
10Gbit/s. Equipment protection switching time of less than 50ms enables rapid
restoration of services and ensures service level guarantees are complied.
4.1.5 Next Generation SDH (NG-SDH)

Next generation SDH technology enables both deterministic TDM and non-
deterministic packet based traffic to be switched and transported. NG-SDH
provides traditional PDH/ SDH and Ethernet/FICON/ESCON/fibre channel
interfaces for switching and transmission. Several standardised features such as
Generic Framing Procedure (GFP), Link Capacity Adjustment Scheme (LCAS)
and Virtual Concatenation (VCAT) enables multi-vendor interworking. GFP and
VCAT enables efficient utilisation of SDH capacity as bandwidth for Ethernet
traffic can be allocated in increments of 2Mbit/s or VC-12 levels. VCAT enables
traffic to be transported over different path for protection and efficient utilisation
of network resources.

A typical SDH network configuration is shown in Figure 10 where cross-

connections, multiple line and access interface are supported. This enables flexible
and efficient use of resources and simplifies operations and maintenance.

Figure 10. Typical SDH Equipment Configuration

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4.1.6 DWDM

DWDM was developed to provide increased transmission capacity using existing

fibres. Submarine and long haul transmission systems where fibre is a premium,
uses DWDM to transmit up to 40 or more wavelengths in a single fibre with
transmission capacities in terabits/s. Long haul DWDM systems however require
non-zero dispersion fibres compliant with ITU-T Recommendations G.655 for
transmission. Standard ITU-T G.652 grade fibres are not suitable for such long
haul transmission as signal dispersion (chromatic and polarisation mode
dipersion) and non-linear effects (wave mixing) would degrade the composite
signal. DWDM is transparent to different transmission protocols such as TDM
traffic, ATM, FICON, Gigabit Ethernet, fibre channel etc.
4.2 Data Network Technology

4.2.1 Frame Relay

Frame relay is a data network technology that supports flexible connection of data
circuits based on demand on a shared infrastructure. Frame relay evolved from
X.25 packet switched technology and operates at layer 2 (link layer) of the ISO 7
(Open System Interconnection) layer model. Data is sent in packet form using
statistical multiplexing techniques. Data circuits are virtual and hence bandwidth
is only used when required. Frame relay thus optimises network resources and
with protection switching features, provide efficient and reliable data
transmission. Although frame relay is designed for pure data transmission, voice
and video can also be transmitted. Frame relay provides a wide-area data network
for intranet, distribution automation, substation control system, SCADA,
telemetering and fault recording applications.
Frame relay provides an efficient data network for non-critical operational,
administrative and corporate data services. Due to the nature of its statistical
multiplexing and switching technology, it is unsuitable for transmission of
teleprotection signals as there are no deterministic propagation and equipment
delay times. Furthermore, packets may be discarded during sudden burst of traffic.
SCADA and distribution automation systems are low bandwidth users but require
secure, dependable and fast response times. As such, these applications should not
share a corporate frame relay network that supports high bandwidth applications
and bursty data traffic.

4.2.2 IP Network

Network technologies using IP (internet protocol) is becoming the preferred

method of communications and is the network technology of the internet. IP is the
standard that defines the manner in which the network layers (layer 3 of the 7
layer ISO model) of two hosts interact. IP is unreliable as it does not guarantee
transmission of packets since transmission of packets is based on best effort
means. Hence there is no guarantee that packets will be delivered as expected as
data corruption, lost data, non-sequence arrival etc. can occur. It is a
connectionless technology that allows connection from anywhere to anywhere. IP
also supports transmission of voice packets allowing huge savings in call charges.
Ethernet, fast Ethernet and gigabit Ethernet all use IP for communications.
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4.2.3 ATM

ATM or asynchronous transfer mode technology is a high-speed transport and

switching technology for broadband telecommunications services. Voice, video,
image and data are transmitted using fixed packet sizes of 53 bytes (5bytes header
and 48 bytes payload) or cells using the same ATM switch. This simplifies
network management, optimises network resources and saves cost. ATM serves
well for multimedia, LAN/WAN and intranet services. ATM is a matured
technology that is able to guarantee quality of service (QoS) and prioritisation
requirements for different types of services.

ATM and IP have similar characteristics as frame relay since they employ packet
switched technology but unlike IP and frame relay, ATM provides quality of
service features. ATM is however not efficient for slow bit rate data such as
asynchronous V.24 or RS232 data for SCADA and telemetering as significant
signal transfer delay is caused by buffering, packetisation and ATM mapping.
ATM is unsuitable for teleprotection and slow speed data services but is well
suited for non-critical high-speed data, voice and video services.

4.2.4 MPLS-VPN

MPLS-VPN provides an efficient way to transport traffic of different classes or

priority of over an IP network. Traffic engineering, quality of service and
differentiated services are supported by MPLS to ensure data is transported fast
and efficiently. Labels marking different classes of services are attached to label
switched routers and transported over core routers. IP packets are routed through
the network to its destination by label identification without the need to access the
IP headers thus reducing packet forwarding time.

4.3 Communications Technology Suitable for Power Utilities

The unique communications requirements of power utilities require the selection

of a suitable communications technology. SDH, ATM and IP network
technologies that may provide the required services. The advantages and
disadvantages of these technologies are given in Table 5.

SDH uses time domain multiplexing technology that guarantees transmission of

data between two points as communication channels are dedicated. Delays and
delay variations are minimal as long as the send and receive paths are the same.
However, for ring or mesh networks, delays and delay variations may pose
problems when SDH network protection mechanisms come into play as illustrated
in Figure 11.

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Technology Advantages Disadvantages
Guaranteed QoS Resources tied down even when
SDH Resilient idle.
Very low latency Low efficiency when transporting
Very high capacity (upto bursty data traffic.
10Gbps).
Delay variations are extremely
low
ATM QoS available Medium latency
Very efficient in switching and Non-deterministic delay
transporting Voice, Video and Limited capacity (upto 622Mbps)
Data traffic. Moderate delay and delay variations

IP QoS using RPR and MPLS Medium latency

Very high capacity (upto Non-deterministic delay
10Gbps) Moderate to high delay and delay
variations
Table 5. Comparison of Communications Technologies.

protection or
SDH alternate path SDH
ADM ADM

155Mbit/s 155Mbit/s
(STM-1) (STM-1)
155Mbit/s
SDH (STM-1) SDH
ADM ADM

working or main 2Mbit/s

path tributaries

Pmux Pmux
G.703 64Kbit/s G.703 64Kbit/s
CD CD
Relay Relay

Key: Fibre Optics Link

Pmux - Primary Multiplexer
CD Relay - Current Differential Relay
SDH ADM - Synchronous Digital Hierarchy Add-Drop Multiplexer

Figure 11. Teleprotection using SDH Network

Command type teleprotection may be used on SDH systems so long as the delay
on alternate or redundant transmission path caused by switching is less than 30ms.
The most stringent delay condition imposed on SDH networks are by current
differential relays that typically require delay variations of less than 0.25ms. Large
delay variations may occur as a result of asymmetrical transmission caused by
protection switching as shown in Figure 11.

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 In these situations, path protection for the teleprotection channels may be disabled
to avoid unwanted relay operation. The teleprotection channels may be restored
after equalising the delays by manual switching from the network control centre.
As timing is a key issue, protection relays that have GPS (global positioning
system) synchronisation [ vi ] and delay compensation features will be able to
operate correctly even with large delays or delay variations.

5 Network Management System

To manage the operations and performance of the telecommunications network

effectively, a centralised telecommunications network management system
located at the network operations centre is required. The main functions of the
operations centre will be as follows:
• Provide central network monitoring and control facilities
• Assist in network restoration activities
• Configure and allocate network resources for optimisation
• Detect faults as soon as they occur for immediate restoration
• Monitor network capacity utilisation for future expansion plans
• Manage alarms and system faults
• Maintain network database
• Monitor and produce network performance reports
• Plan and schedule network maintenance activities
• Coordinate with grid system operators during emergencies
• Coordinate network restoration activities with regional field staff
• Generate service level agreement performance reports

The ISO (International Standards Organisation) model for NMS has established
the following conceptual areas (FCAPS):

a) Fault Management – equipment and network faults and alarms are captured
and notified to operators via alarms for fast restoration.

b) Accounting Management - network utilisation parameters are measured to

facilitate regulated use of network.

c) Configuration Management – network and system configuration information is

monitored so that effects on network operation by different versions of
hardware and software can be tracked and managed.

d) Performance Management – network performance parameters such as error

rates, system availability etc are monitored and captured once the set
thresholds have been breached.

e) Security Management - access to network resources are controlled to ensure

the network cannot be sabotaged (intentionally or unintentionally) and
sensitive information cannot be accessed unauthorized staff.

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6. Network Architecture

Establishment of a common integrated telecommunications network will provide

efficient utilisation of telecommunication assets to provide services for
operational, business and administrative applications as shown in Table 6.
Shared
Applications/Services Dedicated
Backbone
Sub-Network
Infrastructure

Teleprotection
Distance,
Current Differential,
Direct Intertrip, Wide Area
Operational
Applications

Protection
Telephony Operational
Sub-Networks
Condition Monitoring,
RTU,
Fault recorder, Trunk/
Power Quality monitoring, Backbone
Telemetering, video Network
surveillance
Administrative

ERP
Applications

Business &

CIBS,
Business &
Internet Access,
Administrative
Video Conferencing
Sub-Networks
MIS
Telephony

Table 6. Integrated Telecommunication Network Services

The telecommunication network architecture that supports the integrated model is

shown in Figure 13. Optical fibre and SDH backbone network (next generation
type) provides a common infrastructure to transport packet and TDM traffic. This
ensures that both delay sensitive and high speed network connectivity is assured.

Video

voice Data
Mbit/s

IP
Frame Ethernet
SDH Network
DWDM
Optical Fibre

Figure 13. Integrated Telecommunication Network Architecture

Asean Residential School in Electric Power Engineering (ARSEPE06), 13th to 24th November 2006,
Universiti Tenaga Nasional.

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7. Conclusion

The information age together with deregulation, globalisation and competition has
brought rapid change in the way businesses especially utilities operate.
Telecommunications services together with information technology are key
enablers for power utilities to ensure power system operations, business and
administrative processes are efficiently and effectively delivered. With the
availability of a wide range of telecommunications technologies, utilities need to
select the right mix of technologies to meet the diverse operational, administrative
and business requirements.

Asean Residential School in Electric Power Engineering (ARSEPE06), 13th to 24th November 2006,
Universiti Tenaga Nasional.

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REFERENCES

[i] “Power System Communications in the High Speed Environment”, Cigre Technical SC 35,
WG 07, Dec. 1996.

[ii] “Communications for Protection”, Cigre JWG 34/35.11, 2000.

[iii] CN Carter, “ Arc control devices for use on all-dielectric self-supporting optical cables”, IEE
Proceedings - A, Vol. 140. No.5, September 1993, pp 357-361.

[iv] “Power Line Carrier Communications System Modeling”

B. A. Mork, D. Ishchenko, X. Wang, A.D. Yerrabelli, R.P. Quest, C.P. Kinne

[v] Areva T&D Magazine - Line Trap

[vi] “Transmission Line Current Differential Protection Using GPS Timing Information”, H.Y.Li,
E.P. Southern, S. Potts, P.A. Crossly, I.J. Hall.

Asean Residential School in Electric Power Engineering (ARSEPE06), 13th to 24th November 2006,
Universiti Tenaga Nasional.

19