Introduction

Communication plays a significant role in Power Transmission and Distribution

network since the inception of WBSEB. Communication between generating
and receiing stations is ery essential for proper operation of any power
system. This is more so in case of large interconnected system where a Central
!oad Dispatch station has to co"ordinate the working of arious units to see the
system is maintained in optimum working condition. The presence of dedicated
communication channels is e#tremely important as instantaneous connectiity is
re$uired in times of a crisis which cannot be guaranteed by e#ternal
communication agencies. %nother ma&or issue is security of the channel as
entire Power system is controlled based on receied information' hence outside
users cannot be allowed to gain access.
The primary responsibility of any power utility is to generate power and
transmit it to ma&or load centers where it is distributed to users. The power
utilities hae the basic obligation to cater to following re$uirements("
) Electric system operation in a manner to proide $uality energy with reliability
and at low cost.
) Superisory control of operating conditions to satisfy power re$uirements of
prearranges fre$uency and oltage.
) *inimi+e the power supply failure both in terms of e#tent and time.
%chieing these ob&ecties re$uires communication facilities in seeral ways.
To identify a few
,a- *essage. information e#change with generating station to eole generation
schedules'
,b- *essage e#change between generating stations. substations and bulk user
such as /ailways' industry' ma&or municipalities' etc.
,c- 0n case of outage to coordinate speedy recoery of affected generating
stations. transmission line'
,d- Communication with the control centre and.or head$uarters of power utility
for oerall management of system and most importantly
,e- Collection of power network status on almost real"time basis.
The re$uirement is obiously not confined to merely telephony but e#tends to
coer data transmission' telemetring' teleprinting facsimile and control
command dissemination.
The modes of communication used by WBSEB include(
(a) PLCC (Power Line Carrier Communication):
This mode utili+es the oerhead power line cables and e#isting
architecture and hence is cheaper. 0t is also used for automatic line"tripping and
proides teleprotection. The ma&or drawback of this communication system is
low bandwidth ,1 23+-.
(b)Microwave communication:
This communication mode proides higher bandwidth but
re$uires installations of communication systems which makes it costlier. 3ence'
all sub"stations do not hae this feature. %s this is wireless hence oercomes
terrain limitations.
(c) HF & VHF communication:
This mode is primarily used for communication of base"
station and field workers. The ma&or drawback of this form of
communication is its limited range and cannot be used for inter sub"station
communication.
(d)Satellite communication:
4ewly introduced communication system uses 04S%T"5"D
for communication and utili+es a 1.6 *3+ bandwidth. 0t does not encounter
!7S limitations as seen in microwae. 3oweer' delay oer the reception of
signal is a drawback.
(e) Optic fibre communication:
3igh bandwidth and high signal propagation speed with less
attenuation along the channel makes it ideal for distant communication.
3oweer' high installation cost makes restrictcs its use in e#isting
communication systems.