California, U.S.A., November 2018 – Ethernet Direct Corporation, a professional and primary provider of industrial networking and communication solutions shares the important facts in choosing the right substation switch for power grid, substation and energy related applications.

For the power industry, precision timing is essential in enabling the communication and orchestration of technologies for accurate and optimal wide area monitoring, protection and control. The advancements in smart grid technologies are providing new capabilities and increased flexibility for grid operators. With the emerging use of Ethernet for intra-substation communications, IEEE 1588-2008 and IEC 61850 are established to ensure consistent and reliable time distribution within substations, between substations and across wide geographic areas. In the U.S. power grid, each interconnection stretches over a large geographical area, achieving correct timing can be challenging.

In power system protection, control, automation and data communication, the substation switches utilize Ethernet communications architectures. Ethernet Direct substation switches are designed to meet both the core Ethernet time-distribution standard, IEEE 1588-2008, PTP V2. The deployment of smart sensors in distribution and energy management systems require precision timing.

Another consideration faced by utilities and system integrators is integrity assurance. The Ethernet Direct substation switches are IEC 61850-3 & IEEE 1613 certified and operate under -40 to 85 deg C wide temperature to withstand harsh environmental conditions. The above guarantees for robust conformance to provide a degree of assurance while providing end-to-end interoperability that can meet industry specifications.

IEC 61850 is an international standard defining communication protocols for intelligent electronic devices at electrical substations. A number of protocols such as MMS (Manufacturing Message Specification), GOOSE (Generic Object Oriented Substation Event), SMV (Sampled Measured Values) can run over TCP/IP networks or substation LANs using high speed switched Ethernet to obtain the necessary response times below milliseconds for protective relaying.

Key features of Ethernet Direct Substation Switches:

• IEC 61850-3 and IEEE 1613 Certified
• Wide operating temperature of -40 to 85 deg C
• Supports GOOSE message to achieve zero packet loss
• Supports IEEE1588 PTP V2 for precise time synchronization
• Supports industrial profiles, EtherNet/IP, Modbus TCP & Optional PROFINET (rack mount)
• Supports IEC 62439-2 MRP
• Supports Multiple VLAN Registration Protocol (MVRP) and Multicast VLAN Registration (MVR)
• Advanced cyber security features 802.1x, RADIUS, TACACS+ 3.0, HTTP/HTTPS, SSL, SSH v2
• Available in 11-port DIN Rail managed Fast Ethernet & Gigabit options
• Available in 28-port managed rack mount with flexible fiber & electrical port options

Emerging smart grid systems require secure, reliable and precise timing and synchronization.

To understand more about Ethernet Direct Industrial Substation switches, please e-mail sales@ethernetdirect-tw.com