What is the substation automation system (SAS) and

what you MUST know about it

electrical-engineering-portal.com/what-is-substation-automation-system-sas

By Edvard March 27, 2023

Substation Automation at a Glance

Substation automation system, or shorten SAS, is not a new term, its been in use for the
last 30 years. However, substation automation as a technology has rapidly evolved in the
last 10 years and nowadays represents a highly advanced system capable of controlling
every single process of a power substation.

What is the substation automation system (SAS) and what you MUST know about it

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In a few years, the next generation of substations will begin to massively appear in many
countries worldwide. At that time, the station bus will connect the IEDs that are used for
protection, control, and monitoring with the devices that are located at the station level,
and the process bus will connect the bay units with the devices that are located in the
switchyard.

In addition, because it will be based on the IEC 61850 architecture, conventional

wiring will be done away with, and binary and analogue signals will be delivered and
received via the communications interface. In addition, the technologies of sensor and
traditional instruments transformers are going to coexist in new installations, as well as in
an increasing number of secondary retrofit or extension installations. This is going to be
the case for both types of installations.

Also, the devices known as condition monitoring and diagnosis systems, which are
designed for the supervision and diagnosis of primary equipment, are going to garner an
increasing amount of consumer interest. With them, traditional maintenance procedures
will transition from the preventive and reactive approaches that are currently used to a
predictive strategy that is more efficient financially.
In conclusion,  the utilization of Ethernet network architectures would be expanded
in order to facilitate communication inside substations as well as between those
substations and the control center.

Ok, let’s get into the subject, and that’s the basics of Substation Automation. To begin,
let’s discuss the fundamental concepts that underpin such a system. After that, we’ll
examine the most important tasks that an SAS completes, and the final section will focus
on the primary components of an SAS.

Table of Contents:

1. What Makes SAS?

The first one is primary equipment. The term “primary equipment” refers to a bunch
of high-voltage components whose individual sizes are determined by the voltages at
which the substation operates. In addition, every electric substation is made up of a large
number of low-voltage components that are on the smaller side.

The secondary system is the collective name for all of these low-voltage components.

The group of high voltage equipment consists of changing-state equipment or switchgear

(circuit breakers, disconnectors, and earthing switches used to maintain or to interrupt
the energy flux from/to transmission lines or load feeders connected to the substation),
instrument transformers (voltage transformers and current transformers) that reflect
voltages and currents present at high voltage terminals of primary equipment, and also, in
most cases, power transformers to change the voltage of the primary equipment’s high
voltage terminals.

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The secondary system consists of a set of devices that are less visible to the naked eye.
These devices include components and facilities required by the power system operator to
make changes in the power system configuration (such as opening or closing
switchgear), relays to protect power system segments from short-circuits, overloads, and
other potentially hazardous conditions, internal power sources to serve all substation
electricity requirements, and various other components that are used to support the
substations.
The foundation of substation automation systems, also known as SASs, is a large amount
of specialized software that is kept in hardware components that are part of a set of
substation secondary components.

Figure 1 – Advanced relay control and protection panel used in SASs

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Figure 1 – Advanced relay control and protection panel used in SASs (photo credit: Kamran Ansari via
Linkedin)

SASs can be built utilizing a straightforward method that makes use of more
contemporary technology by integrating three distinct sets of devices together with two
local area networks.

The process devices group is comprised of analog-to-digital converters as well as

actuator devices, and its primary function is to facilitate the transition between SAS and
high voltage equipment. The term “inteface devices” refers to a collection of
“Intelligent Electronic Devices“, or “IEDs,” which are able to receive and process
signals that are transmitted from high voltage apparatus.

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The application devices group is comprised of all of the computers and other components
that are necessary to successfully operate control features and interface with both internal
and external subsystems.

Figure 2 – Simplified model of a substation automation system (SAS)

Figure 2 – Simplified model of a substation automation system (SAS)

*** NCC stands for Network Control Center

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2. Substation Automation Functions

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The following are the most significant functions that an SAS performs:

Control Function:

1. Selecting, opening and closing circuit breakers and disconnectors.

2. Commands to block and unblock.
3. Giving release information to circuit breakers and disconnectors for securing the
opening and closing actions.

Monitoring Function:

1. Showing substation configuration with position indication (open or closed) of circuit

breakers and disconnectors based on signals coming from their own position
contacts.
2. Acquiring and process data coming from power transformers and other primary
equipment related to condition operation.
3. Displaying substation events including information regarding switchgear opening
and closing actions due to any external cause, such as the activation/operation of a
protective relay.

Alarming Function:

1. Announcing to a substation operator all adverse conditions that may represent a

risk to substation integrity.
2. Preventing trouble with SAS operation.

Measurement Function:

1. Acquiring and showing current values of electrical or other relevant parameters.

2. Giving indications of energy flows through substation primary equipment and
transmission lines.

Setting and Monitoring of Protective Relays:

1. Allowing changes on operating parameters of protective relays.

2. Giving alarm signals when any undesirable condition may affect the right relay
performance.

Control and Monitoring of the Auxiliary Power System:

1. Displaying screens/drawings showing the configuration of the auxiliary power

system.
2. Allowing selection and execution of control commands.
3. Driving automatic transfer switches.
4. Managing interlocking logics.
5. Supervising AC/DC power source conditions.
6. Giving alarm signals from abnormal conditions.

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Voltage Regulation:

1. Monitoring actual voltage value on the power system.

2. Changing the position of the tap‐changer of power transformers.
3. Giving alarms and signals.

In a nutshell, SASs are responsible for handling the data acquisition process, as well
as the control, monitoring, and alarming functions associated with high voltage
equipment that is primary equipment. In addition, SASs are also responsible for handling
the similar functions that are associated with secondary substation systems.
The operator is presented with control and monitoring information via a graphical
interface that displays overview diagrams, control means, alerts, measurement, trends,
and event sequences on user-friendly screens.

Figure 3 – Newly installed IED for bay control in a 220 kV substation

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 Figure 3 – Newly installed IED for bay control in a 220 kV substation

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2.1 Control Function

The system operator, using the SAS, opens (or closes) circuit breakers and
disconnectors situated at the substation to make changes in the primary arrangements
essential for power system functioning.

Switching operations can be performed in a hierarchical order from several physical

places, the most typical of which are:

1. The switchyard itself (process/switchyard level)

2. The local control room (bay level)
3. The main control house (station level)
4. The network control center (remote/network control center level).

The SAS displays various screens with various features. At least one of them includes a
control dialog box that allows the substation operator to choose whether to open or
close a circuit breaker or disconnector. The switching command is then given as a second
phase.

Figure 4 – SAS Communications Network Overview

Figure 4 – SAS Communications Network Overview

A previous check synchronization process occurs when the switching command is for the
closing activity of a circuit breaker. This procedure verifies the voltage values on both
sides of the specified circuit breaker, as well as the voltage differential across it and the
phase shift between voltages.

The following requirements must be met before one or more of the following operations
on a circuit breaker can be authorized:

1. Voltage is only present in the substation busbar; that is, the feeder is dead.

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 2. Voltage is only present in the feeder; that is, the substation busbar is dead.
3. Voltages are present in both substation busbar and feeder and lie within
permissible ranges for the conditions.

Additional previous testing conforms to the interlocking condition provided by internal

switchgear interlocks, local bay interlocks, and substation interlocks. These interlocking
conditions encompass, without exception, all necessary switchgear positions and
switching operations at all control levels to guarantee the safety of people and the
protection of substation equipment.
In addition, when no blocking condition is present, all switching commands are
permitted. These blocking situations may originate from both high voltage equipment
(such as low gas pressure on the chosen circuit breaker) and the SAS itself (e.g., disregard
for the control hierarchy).

Figure 5 – Sample Interlocking Screen

Figure 5 – Sample Interlocking Screen

Figure 6 – Sample 380 kV Bay View

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 Figure 6 – Sample 380 kV Bay view

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2.2 Monitoring Function

The SAS includes a collection of mimic diagrams that represent different areas of the
substation. These diagrams include color-coded symbols and information regarding the
position of principal equipment and secondary pertinent components. In this substation,
there is a provision for displaying lists of messages and alarms, as well as lists of events
that are happening in the substation and are related to the transmission lines.

Single-line diagrams provide the substation operator with a simplified representation of

the current state of all of the switchgear in the substation, allowing for a more rapid
comprehension of the following topics:

1. Which feeder is connected to which busbar

2. The actual busbar configuration
3. Those feeders that are generating signals.

The position of the switchgear can be effectively depicted visually by ways such as the
following examples:

Switchgear in the closed position: Steady light in symbol filled out.

Switchgear in the open position: Steady light in symbol empty.
Circuit breaker tripped by a protective relay: Flashing light, symbol empty.

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 Disconnector in motion: Flashing light, symbol empty or filled out according to
direction of movement.
Disagreement in position information: Steady light, symbol half filled out.

Figure 7 – Sample single-line overview screen

Figure 7 – Sample single-line overview screen

In addition to this, SAS diagrams will typically include all of the data pertaining to the
feeders at each voltage level, such as the following:

1. Switchgear and auxiliary power system

2. Related signals
3. Change of status
4. Measurements.

The following variables’ values are also displayed:

1. Voltages
2. Currents
3. Powers
4. Temperatures.

In addition to this, self-monitoring and diagnostic tools for essential

parameters and functions are built into SASs. The following are the minimum things
that are monitored:

1. Auxiliary supply voltages

2. Availability of the various assemblies
3. Circuits to transmission and execution of control commands
4. Serial data communication links

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 5. Software procedures
6. Memories capabilities
7. Timing periods
8. Agreement of actual switchgear status and displayed status.

It is recommended that substation events that occur during operation (e.g., changes or
updating of switchgear position, changes in alarm status, circuit breaker trips caused by
protective relays) be displayed on the screen and also available in printed copy
through a printer.
At the very least, event messages must include the following information:

1. Event description
2. Date and time of event
3. Related voltage level
4. Supplementary information.

All occurrences with the potential to significantly impact the substation and associated
transmission lines must be recorded in chronological order on the event list.

Suggested Guide (PDF) – Substation automation and communications for controlling

primary equipment (switches, breakers, etc.)

Go back to the Contents Table ↑

2.3 Alarming Function

In addition to controlling the substation from a local control room and the main control
house and processing the return confirmation signals from the switchgear, the SAS
processes and displays defect signals and other anomalous condition signals that require
acknowledgment.

It also serves as the basis for the substation operator’s decision regarding what
additional action should be taken, and it processes the return confirmation signals from
the switchgear.

Typical alarm signals include:

1. Switchgear operational unavailability.

2. Overloading or overrunning of the circuit breaker operating mechanism.
3. Excessive oil and/or winding temperature of the power transformer.
4. The power transformer protective relay has been triggered.
5. Voltage readings that are too high or too low.
6. Voltage loss or drop.
7. Communication links fail.
8. Station/bay controller failure.
9. Protection relays fail.

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Alarm signals are often classified as major or minor based on their potential influence on
substation operation. An additional device (alarm annunciator) may be added in
addition to the control system screen to show alarm signals.
This component improves alert perception and recognition by the substation operator.

Figure 8 – Typical alarm annunciator in substation

Figure 8 – Typical alarm annunciator in substation

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2.4 Measurement Function

The ability to measure is another important aspect of substation automation systems.
This supplies the most up-to-date information that is required for the efficient
operation of the power system. The following are the primary parameters that are
subjected to measurement:

1. Active powers
2. Reactive powers
3. Voltages
4. Currents

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 5. Temperatures on power transformers.

In most cases, the values are displayed in measurement dialog windows that are
specifically devoted to each voltage level of the substation.

Further Study – SCADA applications in thermal power plants (TPPs)

Go back to the Contents Table ↑

2.5 Setting and Monitoring of Protective Relays

The operation of protective relays that are tailored to specific applications (such as busbar
protection, protection for transmission lines, protection for power transformers, and so
on) is dependent on reference parameters, which determine when the relay is prepared to
send a selective trip command to a circuit breaker.

The operator of the power system can use the facilities provided by SAS to either fix or
alter those reference parameters.

Figure 9 – An example of setting of control and protection relays in a substation

Figure 9 – An example of setting of control and protection relays in a substation (on photo: Micom
P643 Final settings test with Freja 543; full credit: Abdelrahman Fayyad via Linkedin)

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Go back to the Contents Table ↑

2.6 Control and Monitoring of the Auxiliary Power System

Internal electrical loads at substations include things like motors for circuit breakers
and power transformers, lighting circuits, and air conditioning equipment.
These loads require alternating current (AC) power service. In addition to this, DC power
sources are required so that IEDs and other secondary devices can be supplied with
electricity.

A well-configured low voltage network that is comprised of distribution transformers,

transfer switches, LV cubicles, batteries, and sometimes diesel generators is used by the
auxiliary power systems to meet these internal power requirements.

In today’s world, the functions for control and monitoring of such systems are wholly
incorporated into the solutions provided by SAS.

Suggested Course – Relay Circuitry and Understanding Control and Protection

Schematics

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2.7 Voltage Regulation

Electrical equipment is designed to function in a steady state at nominal voltage plus or

minus a particular percentage of the nominal voltage, for instance 5%. If the applied
voltage is higher than the limit value, there is a possibility that damage will occur;
this damage will primarily harm the internal insulation.

In addition, malfunction may occur if the voltage that is applied is lower than the value
that is permitted.

The procedure that ensures that the voltage of the power system remains within the
parameters that have been set is known as voltage regulation. With the use of a
transformer subsystem known as a tap changer, it modifies the number of winding turns
that power transformers include.
The following list includes examples of control instructions and signals that are associated
with such a subsystem and managed by the SAS:

1. Control commands to adjust the position of the tap-changer.

2. Indication of tap-changer position.
3. Alarms caused by electrical or mechanical failures along the voltage regulation
process chain.

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Further Study – Instructions for making specifications and selecting the main
components of an HV substation

3. SAS Components

3.1 Servers

Speaking using simple words, SAS servers are the secure computers running SCADA
software that talk to IEDs to monitor and operate the power grid. The block diagram for a
transmission SAS is depicted in simplified form in Figure 10.

Figure 10 – Block Diagram of SAS

Figure 10 – Block Diagram of SAS

3.1.1 Database Server

The main SCADA application software is installed on the database (DB) server. It
interfaces with field IEDs to collect data and deliver control commands. Real-time analog
values, indications, alarms, controls, and set points comprise data.

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This data are shown on the SCADA HMI by the computer. Because the servers are
critical, the optimal setup is to have them redundant inside a master-standby (hot-cold)
arrangement. Furthermore, dependent on the number of voltage levels and IEDs, the
number of redundant sets of database servers can be raised.

Figure 11 – SCADA server

Figure 11 – SCADA server

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3.1.2 Gateway Server

The gateway (GW) server is in charge of communicating outside of the substation (for
example, to a master station) in order to supervise the operation of all substations in a
certain geographical area. The gateway server also has the SCADA application database
configured.

The primary function of this machine is to act as a protocol converter between IEC 61850
and numerous other substation protocols and the protocols used in the master station
(primarily IEC 60870-5-101 and IEC 60870-5-104).

The gateway server plays an important role; it is critical that a backup machine be
supplied. Nonetheless, both GW servers are always in contact with the field. The master
station provides redundancy by selecting which gateway server to interact with. In other
words, both gateway servers are set up as master-slave (hot-hot).

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Figure 12 depicts a typical SAS database and gateway server configuration.

Figure 12 – Database and Gateway Servers in an SAS Network

Figure 12 – Database and Gateway Servers in an SAS Network

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3.2 Network Components

An SAS’s two primary network components are industrial-grade controlled Ethernet

switches and a redundancy box. Let us mention a few words about each.

3.2.1 Managed Ethernet Switches

Managed ethernet switches are network-switching devices that link all SAS components
to a network and transmit/receive data according to the defined and necessary
functionality. These are multiport devices that can be configured at each port level.

A controlled Ethernet switch has two distinguishing features: VLAN awareness and
support for the Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP).

Further Study – Ethernet in substation automation applications – Issues and

requirements

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3.2.2 Redundancy Box

Redundancy boxes are found in substations where a communications network based on

IEC 62439-3: Parallel Redundancy Protocol is established (PRP). IEDs and
devices with only one network interface that are not PRP compatible are linked to a PRP-
based network via a redundancy box, which offers a redundant communication line.

Go back to the Contents Table ↑

3.2.3 Intelligent Electronic Devices

An IED is a smart device in power system automation that may perform both basic and
advanced activities relating to protection, automation, monitoring, and control.
Any IED in an IEC 61850 context can connect independently with SCADA, which acts as
an intelligent interface for field devices.

Bay control units, protection relays, transformer tap changer control modules, smart
metering devices, and IEC 61850 compliant I/O modules are examples of IEDs used in
transmission substations to integrate outdated devices into the SAS.

Figure 13 – IEDs – Intelligent Electronic Devices

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 Figure 13 – IEDs – Intelligent Electronic Devices

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3.3 Workstations

Grid operators are provided with two main workstations to execute routine maintenance
and undertake operational duties. These are operator and engineering workstation.

3.3.1 Operator Workstation

The operator workstation machine includes a graphical user interface (GUI) that is
linked to the database servers. The operator workstations (OWS) are not linked to field-
level IEDs; instead, the IEDs rely entirely on the integrity of the database servers for
proper data representation.

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The operator workstation is set up to only communicate with the master database server.

Figure 14 – SCADA interface in operator’s workstation

Figure 14 – SCADA interface in operator’s workstation

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3.3.2 Engineering Workstation

The engineering workstation (EWS) communicates with all substation devices. The EWS
is responsible for configuring or modifying IED configuration parameters and Substation
Configuration Description (SCD) files for all IEDs in the substation. It is not responsible
for any SCADA functions.

This computer must be extremely secure because it has access to any IED in the
substation.

Go back to the Contents Table ↑

3.4 Satellite Clock for Time Synchronization

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In SCADA applications, time synchronization is critical for properly analyzing
data acquired via any distributed control system or network. Installing a dedicated
Simple Network Time Protocol (SNTP) server that can obtain proper, precise time via
Global Positioning System (GPS) and Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS)
satellites allows for time synchronization.

There are benefits to installing an SNTP server. It lowers the cost of physical layer
implementation and makes use of the same local-area network (LAN) over which IEDs
interact. Inter-Range Instrumentation Group (IRIG)-based protocol is also utilized in
critical applications needing great accuracy.

Further Study – Protocols applied for time synchronization in a digital substation

automation

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3.5 Security Gateway

The SAS used in modern substations is built with the capability to connect with each
remote-control center using either a serial or an Ethernet-based protocol. This gives
the SAS greater flexibility.

To protect the option of using Ethernet-based communication, security gateways that are
up to date with the latest cybersecurity standards are set up according to the
specifications of the customer.

Suggested Video – 170kV HV GIS Substation, Automation Protection Communication &

Cybersecurity

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Watch Video At: https://youtu.be/gj7XgWvXDOw

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References:

1. Substation Automation by E. Padilla

2. Modern Power System Automation for Transmission Substations by G. M. Asim
Akhtar, Muhammad Sheraz, Ali Safwan, M. Akhil Fazil, and Firas El Yassine at
Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc. 
3. Emerging Technologies and Future Trends in Substation Automation Systems for
the Protection, Monitoring and Control of Electrical Substations by Bruno Tiago
Pires Morais
4. Substation Integration and Automation by Eric MacDonald

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