HV Power
Customer Newsletter

Price reduction on test blocks!

Good news, not only do we have stocks of Reyrolle 2RMLG01 test blocks, we have also just reduced the price. If you have projects on the horizon, now is a good time to order test blocks. Give us a call on 09 6301060 or 04 3877339.

DNP 3.0 to DNPi, serial to Ethernet converter

The GarrettCom DX40 serial device router is a combination of Ethernet switch, firewall, serial device server and IP router. Designed to allow serial RS-232 or RS-485 devices to be connected into an Ethernet environment, the DX40 also provides a means of “converting” a serial DNP 3.0 connection to DNPi (DNP over TCP/IP). The DX40 has two serial ports and two Ethernet ports (either two copper or one copper and one fibre connection).

Click here for GarrettCom DX40 pdf data sheet.

When you need a larger port count, the GarrettCom DX800 offers 4 serial and 4 Ethernet ports, while the DX900 includes WAN capability.

As an example of how these device routers are used in practice, check out an application note on Eastern Iowa Light & Power, serial to Ethernet application.

REG-D / REG-DA DNP 3.0 SCADA connections

HV Power’s engineering staff work closely with customers, especially in the implementation phase of projects, so we have been privy to numerous unique installations of our products. We believe there is real value in developing a standardised approach across a network for each installation of a particular device. That way there is consistency not only in the ordering code for the device, but in any special programming (H Code) and SCADA interfacing developed for a customer.

To this end recently we’ve come up with a new DNP 3.0 map that’s designed to make implementation easier. This new map simplifies the connection of the voltage regulator to SCADA- especially important for the first time user. Contact us for details.

Protection theory

Want to learn about the latest developments in protection and substation automation? Following on from the successful Protective Relaying Training held last year in Australia and New Zealand, HV Power will again be hosting the visit of a SIEMENS engineer to NZ to provide a series of technical sessions, later this year.

As we are in the planning stages, there is the opportunity for you to tell us if there is a specific subject, or level of training that you or your organisation need.

Contact Geoff Vaughan
(email: geoffv@hvpower.co.nz, or phone 09 630 9393).

Time synchronisation for SCADA master station

IRIG-B time synchronisation of protection relays is accepted standard practice that allows fault records and sequence of events data between IED’s to be accurately compared. However, what about comparing this information to other data that receives its time stamp from the SCADA master station? Tekron International, the world leaders in power industry time synchronisation, offer Network Time Protocol (NTP/SNTP) time servers for this application. To synchronise RTU and SCADA master stations (often PC’s) connected on a network, the dedicated NTS01 Network Time Server can be used or NTP output added to an existing TCG01 (IRIG-B) Time Code Generator.

Having highly accurate IRIG-B and NTP sources allows all substation time stamped data to be synchronised within and between substations and the control room/SCADA master station, thus eliminating the difficulty in determining the true sequence of network events.

Click here for data on Tekron NTS01 NTP source.

Click here for data on Tekron TCG01 IRIG/NTP source, or contact us to discuss upgrade options for existing TCG01 clocks.

Commentary:

Office grade, hardened or substation grade?

Tempted to save some money by using office or industrial grade Ethernet hardware in your substation? Then we suggest taking a look at IEEE 1613 which addresses the reliability requirements for networking between substation IED's. While many "industrial-hardened" products claim some heightened electrical immunity relative to basic commercial grade products, substation standards are considerably more stringent! IEC 61850-3 quotes "immunity requirements for the industrial environment are considered not sufficient for substations"

IEEE 1613* defines two classes of networking devices:

Class 1 allows communication errors during EMI type testing
Class 2 allows no errors during EMI type testing

GarrettCom substation-hardened devices withstand all of the EMI and ESD type tests of IEEE 1613 (and IEC 61850-3) Class 2 without physical damage, reset, latch up or increased data error. These devices comply to the same EMI, ESD and RFI immunity requirements for substation IED's, ensuring the Ethernet devices and the IED's will all operate during periods of high EMI stress, as could be expected during a power system fault.

For the sake of saving a few hundred dollars, using products that don't have the appropriate high levels of electrical protection of the power input and I/O interfaces against transients and other common substation electromagnetic events, simply introduces an unacceptable risks of communication system failure.

Regards

Warwick Beech

*IEEE 1613 - IEEE Standard Environmental and Testing Requirements for Communications Networking Devices in Electrical Power Substations.

DIGSI status:

Latest version of DIGSI is 4.81

HV Power Customer Newsletter