A distribution automation laboratory for undergraduate and graduate education

This paper outlines a five-year work of developing a distribution automation laboratory for undergraduate and graduate education at the Electrical Engineering Department of National Taiwan University. A scaled-down three phase distribution system model with a data acquisition system connected to a personal computer is built to facilitate physical experiments and real-time measurements. Remote control of the switches in the distribution system is made possible through the function of 8255 output ports and solid-state relays. Digital simulation programs are also written in order for the students to understand the basic concepts before they actually perform experiments. Three important applications in distribution automation, fault location identification, feeder reconfiguration, and feeder reactive power/voltage control using capacitor switching, are described.