Nowadays, electrical power system has complex system of power generation, transmission and distribution network. The most important but less developed component of electrical power system is communication system. Communication system are utilized in an electrical power system for everything from alarm monitoring, substation protection and controls, data and voice communications as well as the evolving “Smart Grid” technology.
The communication system of an electric power system has an important role of conveying information for ensuring a stable supply of electrical energy. The information shared through-out the power system is used to adjust output from power stations to prevent power outages from spreading to wider areas in the case of faulty situation.
Each generating station or sub-station has its own control room. These control room needs real time information about the generation, power flow, voltage, current, frequency e.t.c. For this purpose a reliable and dedicated communication system is required. When earth fault, over-voltage or surge, over-current or overload is sensed at one end of transmission line then a trip commend is generated which travels through the communication and opens the circuit breaker or switch-gear at the another end.
A communication system consists of a transmitter, a receiver and communication channels that is used to communicate through-out the connected network. The type of medias and network topologies provide different opportunities in communication to advance the speed, security, dependability e.t.c. There are a several types of communication media such as micro wave, radio system, fiber optic, etc
The various communication technologies must be utilized to increase autonomous and automated monitoring of the electrical power system. One major consideration is the maintenance of the power grid in a stable state, with minimal power outages. The implementation of a smart grid requires the essential components of an effective communication technology coupled with an intelligent low maintenance and low energy drain device. The system must require the absolute minimal consumer interaction, preferably a set and forget device. Studies have focused on wireless and wired technologies.