This paper presents an overview on use of mobile computing to support routines of operation and maintenance planning of electrical distribution systems. A review of main technologies is presented, together with a discussion about definitions, services and applications of each one. Some potential utilisation in power system is described. The paper is illustrated with a practical implementation of Personal Digital Assistant - PDA technology to collecting and validation of outage events in electrical distribution systems, another system to aid inspections and maintenance routines using PDA and a communication system to a small hydropower plant using mobile phone network.
Mobile computing; personal digital assistant - PDA; distribution planning; distribution operation
