Abstract:
When Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone in 1876, he never envisioned
the wealth of late 20th century high technology applications of his intended simple
personal communications device.
With this investigation, advantage was taken of combining the existing Eskom
communications network with new-technology SCADA equipment, in order to allow
communications from the control centre at Bloemfontein to the actual pole-mounted
breaker in the field, covering the Free State distributor.
Due to the high costs, and the complex maintenance performance of the existing
network, a telecontrol system was developed that requires minimal maintenance and
provides high reliability in order to promote efficient functioning of the network.
With this development the use of existing products, skills and technology were
applied to obtain effective pole-mounted telecontrol, to enhance the use of present
technology in the rural areas of the distributor.
