Expert System Supplemented by a DataBase Management System Serving as an Electrical Distribution System Engineering Aid

摘要

Electrical distribution systems provide power to loads. Numerous individuals are involved in the design, operation, maintenance, and modification of these systems. Traditionally these individuals have relied on drawings, operations manuals, meter readings, and experience as primary resources in accomplishing these tasks. Emerging as a new resource is the Expert System. Expert Systems (ESs) are knowledge based computer programs which provide assistance in domain specific problem solving. They solve problems by duplicating human problem solving methods using deductive reasoning techniques in conjunction with factual information to analyze a problem and reach a solution. The required reasoning skills can be obtained by analyzing the problem solving methods of human experts. Factual information can be organized as individual fact statements or, in the case of large systems, the information can be gathered and organized into database form by DataBase Management Systems (DBMSs). The codification of these reasoning techniques and the factual information makes up the knowledge base of an ES. This thesis demonstrates and ES concerned with electrical distribution system connectivity problems. Connectivity concerns the paths for transferring power from sources to loads. Using DBMS database information, the ES analyzes how the distribution system provides loads with power. The ES additionally determines the effects of various system faults, such as line failures and the opening of circuit breakers. The results of the analysis includes determining which loads have lost service and which circuit breakers or lines have been rendered unusable.