Power/energy: System security: The computer's role: Several security-related functions can be aided by the digital computer, and linked together by a software scheme

Security functions are now incorporated into computer programs to deal with operating conditions as well as with disturbances that could lead to equipment overloads, voltage degradation, frequency decay, system instability, service interruption, or the ultimate catastrophe of a system shutdown. This article discusses how these functions fit into the overall control structure of a power system, and summarizes the extent to which they have been realized in today's power-system control centers.