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5 Power monitoring and control

5.4 Technical inputs on communicating systems

Here is a quick glossary concerning the main terms used associated to communication technologies

Communication layer OSI model

Communication layer concept is useful to understand the communication glossary, and how these terms can be associated or not. Referring to the OSI model (see Fig. B21 ), there are 7 communication layers, but all the communication wording not always refers to the 7 layers. In addition a 8th layer is sometimes added to describe the application specific domain wording and services.

Ethernet
Ethernet is the common word which designates the 802.3 standard family. Ethernet refers to OSI layers 1 and 2 of a communication mean. Ethernet use is not enough at all to specify a communication mean to interoperate between two devices. Ethernet 802.3 is usually associated to other words to define others aspects of the network : Ethernet 802.3 10 Base T means Ethernet 10Mb/s using RJ45 connector

IP
IP means Internet Protocol. However, even if the Internet has been its effective success factor, IP is not exclusive to the Internet. IP is also widely used for internal use such as on the Intranet, but also in closed zone. IP is an intermediate communication that enables the communication between two distant devices, even if between them many successive medium types are used. The switch from one type to another is totally transparent for the application.

RS 485
RS 485 is an electrical standard which defines a balanced serial communication mean.

Modbus
Modbus is originally a communication protocol set up by the Modicon company. Now Modbus definition is under the management and property of Modbus-IDA.org association, an independent and open association whose role is to extend and ensure Modbus interoperability. Modbus messaging protocol refers to layer 7 of the OSI model. It can be associated to different medium : c Serial Line such as RS 485 and RS 232 standard the most usual way for defining Modbus c Ethernet (in fact over TCP/IP, over Ethernet) But Modbus is also capable of going through modem, whatever their type (PSTN, Radio, GSM, ). Modbus is now recognized a the de-facto standrad for electricity application in the industry and building field.
Et h IP ern et M od TC bu P s Et /IP he rn et RS bu s 48 5 Et he rn et
ck Ba

Web technologies
By such wording we includes all the technologies usually used through the Web for : c Visualising information (HTML files over HTTP/HTTPS protocol) c Sending mails (SMTP/POP protocol) c Retrieving/ exchanging files (FTP) c Managing the network (SNMP) c Synchronising the device attached to the network (NTP/SNTP) c . These protocol are managed by the IETF, an international association. Using Web technologies is very often licence-free for the user as there are the basis of common tool such as Web browsers.

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Services Application Presentation Session Transport Network Frame Physical

X X X X X X X X

X X X X

Interoperability
In order to ensure interoperability, at least the 7 OSI layer of communication should be absolutely compatible between themselves. This means for example that having two Ethernet (OSI layer 1 and 2) devices doesnt mean that these devices will interoperate.
Schneider Electric - Electrical installation guide 2005

Fig. B21 : OSI layers, from 1 to 8

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5 Power monitoring and control

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5.5 Main constraints to take into account to design a communicating or intelligent power equipment
Equipment bus choice
Here are the main constraints to evaluate when choosing a communication network : c Openness and maturity c Proven ability to run in harsh Electrical environment c Availability of bus compliant Power Devices with interoperability guarantee c Level of effort at the Power Equipment interface to make it communicating with the rest of the system (seamless architecture availability) c Bus communication accessories to ease the wiring inside the cubicle. Modbus over serial line is today one of the most stable communication mean in the Electrical Distribution environment, and compatible with most of 3d party devices. It has also been chosen by most of the manufacturers as their preferred network. Its easy and seamless openness to Ethernet is a guarantee for easy integration into the rest of the system. It can also been seen as an easy way for upgrading in the future, without impact on connected applications.

Equipment bus topology

Equipment bus topology must be flexible enough to be spread on the Equipment structure. What is also important is the disconnectability of sections within the power equipment for transportation. Usually there are needs of (impedance) termination at the ends of the bus. The higher the bus speed is, the more sensitive to wiring, terminations and grounding, the bus is.

Front communication socket

In order to ease the work of operators, introducing a socket on the front door of the equipment may be of great benefit. This option will be even more effective if from this switchboard, the operator can not only have access to information related to the connected power Equipment, but also to the rest of the site (for exemple downstream or upstream switchboard).

Auxiliary power
In the same way as communication bus, auxiliary power has to be distributed to the main Power devices. Isolated Auxiliary DC Power is usually required. Its distribution may be merged with the communication means : the same cable includes communication and auxiliary power.

Communication accessories
Communication accessories may be necessary to ease the wiring and the maintenance of the switchboard. It then offers higher ease of reading and understanding the internal wiring of the switchboard. It may also make it possible the disconnection of a communicating device, on line.

Electrical measurement options

Measurement is one of the foundation of Power monitoring. It may appear in the future as a systematically required feature. There are mainly two basic concepts for introducing measurement into a Power Equipment : c Implement TCs on cable or busbar. This may take space but this is the only solution for retrofitting an installation. c Use multifunction protection relays that possibly embed such feature and which are upgradable in that sense. Even if todays requirement doesnt ask for measurement, making some provisions for introducing it later makes a lot of sense : either choosing power devices that can evolve to measurement inside devices, or reserve the necessary space for adding CTs eventually.

Schneider Electric - Electrical installation guide 2005