This paper presents the design and development of a scaled down physical model for power Distribution Automation (DA) system simulation. The developed DA system simulator is useful in providing hands-on experience to utility engineers / managers to familiarize with the DA system and gain confidence in managing the power distribution system from the computer aided distribution control center. The distribution automation system simulator can be effectively used to carry out further research work in this area. This also helps the undergraduate and graduate students to understands the power distribution automation technology in the laboratory environment. The developed DA simulator has become an integral part of a distribution automation lab in the Electrical Engineering Department at Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur in India.