Automation Services

While reliability and load requirements continue to increase, the need to keep costs at a minimum remains a concern. Let S&C help you overcome these operational pressures through distribution automation. S&C’s engineering experts can propose automation solutions that meet your system requirements for monitoring critical feeders, reducing the duration of outages, and supporting the shifting of loads between sources to alleviate overload conditions.

S&C offers a variety of services to ensure the successful design, implementation, and operation of your automated distribution system. These services can be performed individually or on a complete turnkey basis.

Engineering and Design

Engineering analysis to determine the ideal automation strategy. S&C can perform an engineering analysis to determine the best automation approach for your system: distributed intelligence and control, optimizing the use of new or existing SCADA systems, or S&C’s patented High-Reliability Distribution System.

Communication infrastructure design. S&C can specify, install, and configure radios, substation RTUs, terminal servers, and networking equipment . . . from the feeder to your corporate LAN. 

SCADA integration. S&C can specify, install, configure, and optimize SCADA and communication equipment, working closely with the SCADA supplier throughout the whole process.

System simulation. S&C can model your system and determine how it responds to disturbances such as faults and voltage losses, and capture the simulation for training purposes.

Radio site surveys. S&C engineers can perform up¬front topographical analysis and on-site communication testing, and issue a detailed report for all radios and repeaters.

Construction and Implementation

Installation. S&C’s experts can work with your contractor to ensure proper installation of all switching devices, controls, cables, etc.

Commissioning. S&C engineers can provide on-site programming of equipment, ensuring your automation project start-up goes smoothly.

Training. S&C offers hands-on training for operations personnel and engineers. We’ll make sure your people know how to set up and run the equipment, and keep it running smoothly.

Site acceptance testing. S&C can develop a comprehensive test plan and provide the necessary on-site support.

Remote monitoring. Using a modem in one of the switch controls, S&C can continuously monitor your automation system to make sure everything is working properly . . . and provide a regular “health report” on its performance. S&C engineers can also assist in troubleshooting and analyzing system events, as well as diagnostics such as battery monitoring. With this information, we can calculate and report on reliability trends.

System inspection and maintenance. S&C can develop an appropriate inspection regimen for equipment at the time of installation. Such inspections assure proper performance of the switches, their controls, and the communication system—now and in the future, as field conditions change.

To facilitate the inspection process and ensure consistent and accurate reporting. S&C will work with your line crews and dispatchers to develop an inspection checklist, and train your crews on its use. Or we can perform the inspection and maintenance for you.