Control House

Definition

A control house is the part of a substation that contains all of the relay and control panels that enable the substation to operate.

Purpose

The purpose of a control house is to house the equipment necessary for monitoring, controlling, and protecting the electrical equipment within a substation. This includes relays, control panels, communication devices, and other instrumentation critical for the operation and safety of the substation.

Examples of Use

• In electrical substations, control houses contain the equipment for managing the flow of electricity and protecting the network from faults.
• Control houses in power plants house the control systems that regulate the plant's electrical output and safety systems.
• Industrial facilities use control houses to centralize the control and monitoring of their electrical distribution systems.

Related Terms

• Relay: An electrical device that opens or closes a circuit in response to an electrical signal.
• Control Panel: A flat, often vertical, area where control or monitoring instruments are displayed.
• Substation: A part of the electrical generation, transmission, and distribution system where voltage is transformed from high to low or the reverse.

Notes

Control houses must be designed to protect sensitive equipment from environmental factors such as moisture, dust, and temperature extremes, ensuring reliable operation.