Introduction

The power utility industry has many unique protocols in its infrastructure, such as DNP 3.0, Mobus, LON, Profibus and etc. Many of these protocols are utilized in the smart grid, and within the smart grid exist a standard called IEC 61850. This standard is for the design of electrical substation and power station automation. The IEC 61850 is widely used in: security and process control; sensor and switch technologies; metering, supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA); automated dispatch and control; asset management; condition monitoring and diagnosis for power plant and substations.

The typical micro grid application has two major parts that communicates by fiber optic. The first part is a substation with a wind farm composed of 30 to 50 wind towers. These wind towers communicate with each other through a single-mode fiber optic based α-ring technology, which is a redundant and reliable networking infrastructure. The second part is a control center that manages the state of power energy and integrates different types of power plants together, such as a nuclear energy plant, thermal power plant or a hydro power plant.

Axiomtek’s iCON series, including managed Ethernet switches, unmanaged Ethernet switches and media converters, all support the IEC 61850 standard and is capable of managing the smart grid more efficiently and intelligently.

Related Products

Media Converter

Axiomtek's media converters are designed to operate in harsh environments at temperatures ranging from -40°C to 75°C (-40°F to 167°F). Whether on the factory floor or the street corner, the media converter will provide flawless communications. It may be DIN rail or panel mounted, and comes with power options to match the applications that require a tough, environmentally hardened media converter.

Industrial Managed Ethernet Switches

Axiomtek's redundant ring managed Ethernet switches support fast recovery time (<15mS) keeping your industrial Ethernet applications running nonstop. If the primary communication path is disconnected, the redundant ring technology will provide a redundant path in the network within 15mS. The IP30 aluminum housing with DIN-rail or panel mounting helps dissipate heat efficiently making it perfect for space restricted applications. This series can be configured smartly by a web browser, CLI, and windows utility.

Industrial Unmanaged Ethernet Switches

Axiomtek's 5/8/16-port industrial unmanaged Ethernet switches are designed to operate in the harsh environments at the edge of the network. They are available in standard 10/100Mbps and Gigabit 10/100/1000Mbps speeds, with both copper wire and fiber optic cable connections. Except to the Ethernet generic switches, the PoE (Power over Ethernet) switches that send both power and data through an Ethernet cable are also available. All of the switches feature DIN-rail or panel mounted, and come with power options to match the applications that require a tough, environmentally hardened Ethernet switch.

Application Diagram