Substations are facilities where electricity is transferred from high-voltage transmission lines to lower voltage distribution lines which will be stepped down further for public use. Electrical substations rely heavily on industrial-grade networking devices to keep the power grid cycle running with minimal downtime.

Each substation has a control building on the premise with transformer protection systems networked inside large metal enclosures. Inside each enclosure encompasses main controllers utilizing industrial Ethernet switches and serial devices that monitor meter and IED data. This data is sent via fiber to an administrative center that remotely monitors, accesses, and controls transformer protection systems.

At an administration center, SCADA systems closely monitor substation equipment and an alarm is signaled if an event happens. An administration center worker is able to monitor power flow and control breakers by opening and closing them.