1.4.

1 Communications Within the Substation

Communication form a core of any system . In substation automation ,data communication is a

key for task automation . When linking multiple products together (eg. relay with relays or RTUs)
it is also necessary to consider [5]
 physical connection of the device
 protocol or language by which information is exchange
 media and network topology

A substation protection and control system is required to communicate with all the distributed
functionality in the system. If devices from different vendors are to be included in the system, then
the different protocols will need to be supported.
1.4.1.2 Physical Connection to IEDs for Substation Control and Automation
In substation control and automation systems, connection to IED communications ports at the
physical layer is generally to one of three standards:
 RS 232 recommended standards (RS)
 RS 485 recommended standards (RS)
 Ethernet

1. RS 232
The RS232 Protocol is the most basic communication protocol which specifies the criteria for
communication between two devices. A single twisted pair connection is required between the two
devices. This type of communication can be
 Simplex : one device acts as transmitter and other acts as receiver and there is only
one way traffic i.e. from transmitter to receiver
 Half duplex : any of the device can act as a transmitter or receiver but not at the
same time
 Full duplex : any of the device can transmit or receive data at the same time

2. RS 485
This protocol is similar to the RS232 protocol which allows multiple relays (up to 32) to
communicate at half-duplex. This half duplex scheme authorizes one relay either to transmit or
receive command information. This means that the information is handled by polling/ responding.
The communication is always initiated by the “Master unit” (host) and the “Slave units” (relays)
will neither transmit data without receiving a request from the “Master unit” nor communicate
with each other.
 Figure 1.9 RS485 Protocol configuration

3. Ethernet

Ethernet is a standard, which defines the connection of computing devices to local area networks
(LANs). As per IEEE 802.3, standard signaling speeds are 10Mbps, 100Mbps or 1Gbps. It is the
most widespread LAN technology. The specification allows connection to be made either
electrically using an RJ45 connector, or by direct fibre-optic connection. Ethernet over fibre-optic
cables provide a mechanism for extremely high speed and noise resistant communication.

1.4.1.3 Communications Protocols

Throughout the history, variety of systems, technologies and protocols has been developed .
Previous standards like Modbus, DNP3 or IEC 608750-5- 101 have limited options of use .With
the development of Ethernet technology inside the substations, IEDs able to connect to substation
Local Area Networks (LAN).).The substation LAN-based DNP presents great benefits when
applied to high number of IEDs.
Modern electric distribution and transmission systems are more complex and must respond to
varying customer consumption patterns . Such a system needs precise and high quality control with
protection function. The need for efficient and reliable communication between IEDs while not
requiring proprietary protocols, led to the development of the IEC 61850 standard.
IEC 61850 is the international standard for Ethernet-based communication in substations. It
enables integration of all protection, control, measurement and monitoring functions within a
substation, and additionally provides the means for interlocking and inter-tripping. The major
benefits of the standard are as follows [5] :
 Cost savings and improved reliability
• Reduction in substation wiring between relays
• Reduction in communications hardware (gateways, converters)
• Purchasing variables are reduced to Price, Delivery and Support
 Interoperability
 Ease of use
• Object oriented software design approach
•
 • Reduction of needed technical know-how, i.e. one protocol only vs. many
today

1.4.2 Communications Outside of the Substation

The communications system outside the substation considered either between one substation and
another or between the substation and the control center.

The information which has to be communicated outside of the substation is basically:

• Voice
• Data
• Signals as an essential part of a differential protection
• Protection signaling, e.g., distance protection signaling or direct transfer trip (intertripping )

Figure 1.8 Example distance relay protection via fiber optic

These signals are all communicated via a communication system using one of the types of media
There are a few types of communication media such as micro wave, radio system, fiber optic .
Many substations will have a telephone connected to the national telecommunications system
which may have a number published in the telephone directory which would enable members of
the public to contact the staff in the substation.
There are three most common type of network topologies in substation automation :point to point
connection , star connection and bus connection .
 point-to-point network is the simplest configuration with channel available only between
two nodes
 star network consists of multiple point-to-point systems with one common data collector
 bus network has single communication path which runs throughout the system to connect
nodes
The bus-type connection offers the advantage of reduced cabling and all IEDs can be accessed
using the same communications port compared with point to point or star connection . In this type
of connection, the communication channel is shared between many devices and requires advanced
addressing capabilities from the communications protocol.

Figure 1.10 Type of devices connection

1.4.4 Basic Communication Requirements for Protections
Speed/Delay
It is important to know the speed of the channel, namely, how many bits per second are
communicated and the delay as much of the information associated with protection functions is
time sensitive.
Speed
The speed of communications channels used for protection is normally 64 kbps suitable for full
duplex operation.[ 5 ]
Delays
Propagation Delay
.It is dependent upon the number of different items of equipment in the route and the route length
itself. Usually a delay time of about 6 ms or less is required for satisfactory operation. [5]
It is also important that the delay time is stable and not variable during normal operation. It will
however change if the path is rerouted due to failure conditions.
Differential Delay
Differential delay is the difference in time of the path from Ato B compared with the path from B
to A.This aspect svery important with regard to differential protections where the typical maximum
acceptable differential delay will be of the order of 400 μs.[ ]
Dependability and Security
As well as requiring high speed, constant data transfer, and protection relays have very high
requirements on reliability. Reliability has two components, dependability and security.
Dependability
This is the aspect of reliability which relates to the assurance that a relay or relay system will
respond correctly to faults or conditions within its intended zone of operation, i.e., it will trip when
it is supposed to do.
Security
This is the aspect of reliability which relates to the assurance that a relay or relay system will
restrain from faults which are out side of its intended zone of operation or other conditions, i.e.,
will not trip when it is not supposed to do. When a digital communications system isused for
teleprotection purposes both of the above aspects have to be considered .
Redundancy
Redundancy, which means that there is more than one means for performing a given function,
inherently increases dependability but it will tend to decrease security as there are more devices
which can mal-operate.
However, it is normal practice to provide duplicated and separate routes for the first and second
main protections on a circuit. These should normally be spatially separate (typically at least 5 m
apart) and should not be subject to any common mode failure which could affect both links. Also,
if a communication path fails, there will normally be a back up route which will automatically be
switched into service.[ 5]