International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering
Website: www.ijetae.com (ISSN 2250-2459, Volume 2, Issue 6, June 2012)
Mapping of Power Distribution Network using Geographical
Information System (GIS)
H.T Hassan1, M. Faheem Akhtar2
1
Associate Professor, Electrical Engineering Department, UET Lahore
Student of M.Sc. Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Department, UET Lahore
Registered Engineer, Pakistan Engineering Council
2
In these situations, efforts must not only be made to
maintain efficient power generation, but also to transmit
and distribute generated power with minimum possible
losses. Without appropriate record keeping and observance
of the transmission and distribution system, efficient
functioning of the generated power cannot be achieved [1].
According to Pickering, “Any organization that expects to
run an efficient day-to-day operation and to manage and
develop its services effectively must know what asset it
has, where they are, their condition, how they are
performing, and how much it costs to provide the service”
[2]. So, to take sensible decisions essential to the
operations, management and growth of distribution
facilities, information should be collected and fully
analyzed, which contribute not only in efficient services,
but also in the operation and maintenance of assets, and in
sensible planning of new works and extensions [3].
Geographical Information System (GIS) is a tool that
helps us design, analyze, store and manage spatial data.
Geographic Information Systems has the facility to map
complete HT/LT network, customer supply points and
transformers with spatial locations overlaid on satellite
image [4, 5]. These map representations contain a lot of
information stored in layers. For example, the first layer
can correspond to the HT/LT network coverage. The
second layer can contain roads and buildings. The next
layer can have information on the equipment i.e. poles,
conductors, transformers etc. Most of the electrical
equipment has a geographical location and its full benefit
can only be acquired if the work is done in the geographical
context. For example, if we want to add a new electricity
connection in the system, it must be known that no one will
be affected from this addition. GIS in combination with
system analysis tools assists to do just this [5].
Jack Dangermond said, "GIS models the utility
infrastructure. It captures the inventory of assets, their
location, their condition and relationships of asset to each
other and to their surroundings." [6].
Abstract — This research mainly focuses on the use of
Geographical Information System in management of power
distribution system. Traditional management system is not
only manual but also has flaws such as difficulties in searching
previous records and updating them, which is very time
consuming task. Using GIS, Roads and buildings of UET
Lahore have been mapped. Another layer of HT/LT network
of UET Lahore overlaid on it. Databases have been created
for poles, HT/LT lines and transformers, which stores the
required information for decision making, future planning
and analysis such as locations of dangerous/deteriorated poles,
load on a particular transformer or location of loose jumpers
of HT/LT lines. Mapping the electricity network in GIS can
help us plan for preventive maintenance, easy retrieval of
records, avoiding site surveys for new connections and
improved material management. The integration of spatial
database with analytical tools will be allowing the system to be
planned more economically resulting in more efficient power
distribution systems.
Keywords— Databases, GIS, Mapping Electrical Network,
Power Distribution Management System, Transformers,
Poles, UET Lahore
I. INTRODUCTION
Electricity is basically the flow of electric current. This
involves first of all, generation of power, then its
transmission and finally distribution of the electric power
to consumers. Power utility is very important for smooth
performance & development of society. It, not only,
supports the economy, but also, supports the well-being of
individuals. For a country to obtain its managerial
objectives and sustain its growth, efficient functioning of
power utility requires supreme importance.
In recent times, Pakistan faced the worst energy crisis of
its history. The Minister (Water & Power) promised to
ensure uninterrupted power supply to the nation by the end
of 2009. It was noted that although WAPDA has raised
electricity generation by installing some rental power
projects in order to keep up the promise. Yet, unpredictable
power supply and outages are the main problems
confronting the nation today.
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International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering
Website: www.ijetae.com (ISSN 2250-2459, Volume 2, Issue 6, June 2012)
Databases play a vital role in operation of planning.
With the help of database management system that can
store, modify, and retrieve various data of distribution
systems, analysis can be much simpler [7]. The GIS
database consists of the following:
 Map data (spatial data depicting location of
geographical objects)
 Attribute data (non-spatial data describing physical
characteristics of each object).
GIS can also be linked with GPS to help getting
information about utility facilities, which eliminate the
requirement of sending a surveying team to locate utility
equipments and then transfer it on the maps [8].
Once databases are maintained, these can be used for
analysis and modeling of power distribution network. GIS
enables this data to be extracted, joined in new ways, and
displayed as preferred by the user. Analysis can guide to
predictive tools for hazards, e.g., fault monitoring and their
rectification in a short interval of time. Large amount of
data can be easily maintained using GIS, which can be
retrieved with a single click [9].

Selection of
Base Map
Capture
Data
Store Data
in Computer
ArcGIS Desktop
ArcInfo
Display
Results
First of all, base map of a particular area is selected and
then data is collected from various sources. It may include
spatial data, which is converted to tabular form in later
stages. Then a major step is performed to digitize the
available data and different databases are maintained. In the
end, different queries are passed and data is processed by
software to get the desired results and output.
B. Area Selection
The first step in mapping was to specify an area to work
on. University of Engineering & Technology, Lahore has
been selected for this purpose. The university has its own
power plant to provide electric supply to all of its
departments, hostels, sports complex, auditorium and
administration blocks. The 11kV feeder emanating from
power plant has been mapped in GIS alongwith all roads
and buildings of UET Lahore. This research area can
further be extended to national level to achieve maximum
benefits.
C. Data Collection
A lot of surveys have been conducted to gather data for
this research. Pole-to-pole survey of 11kV feeder
accomplished with its spatial co-ordinates to know quality
of poles, type of poles etc. Transformers information has
been acquired from site surveys and from WAPDA
officials, for example, Sr. No., Make, Installation Date,
Load on Transformer etc.
Usage of GPS device has become a necessity to
accurately determine the geo-coordinates of different
attributes. Although a very high resolution map taken from
a satellite can help us to map network elements in GIS, but
door-to-door GPS survey will be the most precise option to
use. Each consumer's data and its connectivity collected
from the field. Each consumer must be defined using a
unique numeric code, showing the connectivity of that
consumer from feeder, Distribution Transformer and pole.
ArcMap
Each
Contain
Convert Data
to Digital Form
Fig. 2: GIS Process
ArcGIS Desktop is software developed by ESRI, which
consists of the following:
 ArcView
 ArcEditor
 ArcInfo
Each of these contains ArcMap, ArcCatalog and
ArcToolbox. ArcMap is software that is used for mapping
whereas ArcCatalog is used for managing shapefiles and
databases.
ArcEditor
Interpret
Data
Da
Process
Data
II. MAPPING IN ARCGIS
ArcView
Decisions, actions and results
…explore and
analyze data
and make
ArcToolbox
maps
…tools for
ArcCatalog
GIS tasks
…manage data
Fig. 1: ArcGIS Desktop
A. GIS Process
There are four major steps involved in building and
processing a Geographical Information System (GIS).
 Data Collection
 Digitization
 Process and Analyze
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International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering
Website: www.ijetae.com (ISSN 2250-2459, Volume 2, Issue 6, June 2012)
This will not only help in indexing all consumers in our
database, but also to determine the illegal connections,
factitious connections or the connections that exist at site,
but not in our record.
D. Digitization
Digitization means to convert paper / scanned maps into
digital form such as lines, polygons and points. In this
research, HT/LT line has been represented with red and
blue line respectively. Transformers have been mapped
with green colour points and Poles with red and blue
coloured points. Buildings have been represented through
polygons.
The main advantage of mapping in ArcGIS is to develop
different layers to retrieve information quickly and easily.
Here, we have created a layer for HT/LT line, one for
poles, one for transformers, one for buildings and roads.
Combining all layers, we get a complete map.
Digitization is a step-by-step process, including the
following steps:
 GPS survey of consumers and assets to allot
reference number to each consumer and their service
connections
 Preparation of base map from satellite image to
overlay network elements over it.
 Digitization of network assets (Feeders, Distribution
Transformers and electric poles etc.)
 Determining their connectivity with reference to
Distribution transformer, feeder or pole.
Fig. 4: Buildings of UET Lahore, Digitized in ArcMAP
Fig. 5: Poles and Transformers with its locations
Fig. 3: Roads of UET Lahore, Digitized in ArcMAP
Fig. 6: Grouping all layers and getting the complete map
345
International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering
Website: www.ijetae.com (ISSN 2250-2459, Volume 2, Issue 6, June 2012)
III. CREATION OF DATABASES
Oil_Level
HT_Jumper
Databases are very useful when connected with spatial
information. Databases for poles, HT/LT line and
transformers have been created in GIS, describing all
equipment's spatial locations. Transformers database
contain Transformer Location, Sr. No., Make, Capacity,
Manufacturing Year, Installation Year, No. of connections.
It also shows status and condition of Transformer fuses,
jumpers, oil leakage, and oil level. Max Load recorded by
transformer has also been feeded in the databases. Latitude
(X) and Longitude (Y) of each transformer has also been
calculated using field calculator. HT/LT line's length has
been calculated using field calculator. Poles database
contains the condition of poles and type of poles.
LT_Jumper
Max_Load
A. GIS Field Calculator
Different databases need arithmetic operations to get the
desired output. ArcGIS has the facility to write your code
in Visual Basic and integrate it with existing GIS database
using GIS Field Calculator. For example, I have calculated
length of HT/LT span in my research using the below code:
On Error Resume Next
Dim pMxDoc As IMxDocument
Dim pMap As IMap
Dim pGeometry As IGeometry
Dim pCurve As ICurve
Dim dLength As Double
Dim bSrefFromMap As Boolean
bSrefFromMap = True
If (IsNull([Shape])) Then
dLength = -1
Else
Set pGeometry = [Shape]
If (pGeometry.IsEmpty) Then
dLength = -1
Else
If (bSrefFromMap) Then
Set pMxDoc = ThisDocument
Set pMap = pMxDoc.FocusMap
pGeometry.Project pMap.SpatialReference
TABLE I
ATTRIBUTES OF POLES DATABASE
Pole_No
Pole_Class
Pole_Type
Condition
Pole numbering starting from power plant
Determines whether the pole is of HT class or LT.
Determines whether the pole is structure or PC
Whether pole is ok, rusty or damaged.
TABLE II
ATTRIBUTES OF POLES DATABASE
Span_No
Con_Type
Span numbering starting from power plant
Determines whether the line is ospray, dog,
rabbit, ant or wasp.
Span length has been calculated using field
calculator. No need of site surveys for measuring
lengths.
Length
End If
Set pCurve = pGeometry
dLength = pCurve.Length
TABLE III
ATTRIBUTES OF TRANSFORMERS DATABASE
T_Cap
Location
Make
Sr_No
Manfc_Year
Year_inst
No_of_con
Category
Status
Conditions
Fuses
Oil_Leak
Shows whether oil level is low, high or ok
Shows the HT jumper's condition as ok or
loose
Shows the LT jumper's condition as ok or
loose
Shows the maximum load recorded on
transformer during whole year.
Shows the capacity of distribution transformer
The actual location as per site situation
Shows the transformer's make.
Shows the transformer's Sr. No.
Shows the transformer's year of manufacturing
Shows the year, when transformer was
installed
Shows the number of connections on that
particular transformer.
Determines whether the transformer is
independent or general
Determines whether the transformer is overloaded or under-loaded. Can be very useful, if
integrated with Transformer online monitoring
system.
Determines overall condition of transformer as
good, bad, ok or average.
Shows the condition of fuses
Shows whether there is oil leakage or not
End If
End If
This code is written in Visual Basic and gives the span
length in decimal degrees. Converting the output in feet can
help the user to plan for all necessary calculations, such as
in calculating line losses.
IV. ASKING QUESTIONS
After databases have created, different queries may be
assigned to check the reliability of designed GIS. Finding
out all distribution transformers in UET Lahore having
capacity of 200kVA is not such a difficult task now. We
not only get each and every detail of these transformers, but
also its actual location. Searching all damaged poles may
help us plan for their rectification. Preventive/routine
maintenance is not a difficult task now, after a quick search
of all loose jumpers.
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International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering
Website: www.ijetae.com (ISSN 2250-2459, Volume 2, Issue 6, June 2012)
[3 ] J.B. Barnard, 2006, “An Investigation into Using GIS in Network
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gisdevelopment.net/application/Utility/Power/maf06_30b.htm
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gisdevelopment.net/Application/utility/power/utilityp0022.htm
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Information Systems in Distribution Management”, Project Report,
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gisdevelopment.net/application/Utility/Power/utilityp0013pf.htm
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Powering the Utility of the Future”, GITA ’08, Sydney, Australia.
[7 ] Davor Skrlec, Slavko Krajcar, Snjezana Blagajac, May 1998,
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Similarly, any of user-defined queries may be passed
and results may be used for better and optimum decision
making.
V. CONCLUSIONS & SUGGESTIONS
GIS mapping proved to be a very useful tool in decision
making. No need of site surveys for preparation of new
connections estimate. The following advantages may also
be taken:
 Power Distribution Network in front of eyes
 Easy and Speedy Retrieval of Information
 Improved material management
 Better Preventive maintenance
 Easy extension in HT/LT network
 No need of site surveys
 Accurate calculation of line losses
 This would form the basic application to which all
other business processes shall be integrated.
 Transparency in Distribution Management
 More control over line staff
Future work on GIS is not limited. All of this data may
be used for integration with Customer Information System,
Billing System, Asset Management, Trouble Call
Management, Energy audits and load flow studies.
REFERENCES
[1 ] Osman Bulent Tor, Mohammand Shahidehpor, Dec. 2005, “Electric
Power Distribution Asset Management”, presented at the 4th Int.
Conf. on Electrical and Electronics Engineering, ELECO ’05, Bursa,
Turki.
[2 ] David F. Pickering, Jonathan M. Park, David H. Bannister, Oct.
1994, “Utility Mapping and Record Keeping for Infrastructure”,
Published for World Bank/and Urban Management Program,
Washington D.C., U.S.A., Vol. 4, Issue 4.
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