Communications is integral to modern electrical … offers solutions for all communications requirements in ... integral to modern electrical power system management ... and software,

ABB Network Partner

Communications offers solutions for all communications requirements in thetransmission and distribution networks of power utilities and industries.

Communications is integral to modernelectrical power system management

Communications

2

Station Automation

& Protection

Network Management

BusinessManagement

Meter & LoadManagement

Consulting& Services

Communications

The total propositionPanorama is the standard for a comprehensive range of integrated solutions

for efficient and reliable management of power networks. Using innovative

information technology, Panorama delivers total control of the power process,

from generation to consumption. The Panorama standard covers six

application areas, each offering specific solutions.

Station Automation & Protection

Station Automation and Protection includes control, monitoring, and protection

for power plant, transmission, and distribution applications. Solutions range from

single function protection and control units to fully integrated, comprehensive,

high-performance substation automation systems.

Network Management

Network Management enhances operation of interconnected power networks.

It provides integrated solutions that optimize energy supply while maximizing

reliability on both transmission and distribution networks.

Business Management

Business Management provides the tools and solutions to help energy companies

grow profitably in today’s changing market place. Systems for wholesale and

retail energy supply and transportation provide the foundation for success in

the competitive environment.

Meter & Load Management

Meter and Load Management comprises electricity metering products and

integrated systems for automatic meter reading, and load management.

Consulting & Services

Our comprehensive range of consulting and other services includes pre-studies

and situation analysis, technical specifications and advice, feasibility studies,

training, installation, commissioning, maintenance, repair and help line.

Communications

Communications offers solutions for all communications requirements in the

transmission and distribution networks of power utilities and industries.

3

Communications keeps thepower flowing

ABB serves customers in power generation,transmission, distribution and numerous otherareas. Electrical engineering expertise built upover one hundred years has enabled us to developoptimized systems, products, and services forthe management, automation, control, and protection of power networks.

We have developed the Panorama standard to serve all players in both deregulated andregulated power markets. Panorama ensures allour systems, products and services within networkmanagement, automation, control, and protectioncan be fully integrated.

As a cornerstone of the Panorama standard,ABB offers a full range of communications solutions. These solutions fulfil the highestdemands with respect to safety, reliability, and real time response.

Linking the power network togetherWithout an efficient communications network,modern power systems would be unthinkable.Operators communicate with each other to coordinate actions and exchange all kinds ofoperational information. The communicationsnetwork conveys signals for the remote controlof unmanned stations, to transfer data and loadvalues from sites across the power system tocentral control, and transmits central controlcommands to the sites. And most crucially, thecommunications network carries many of thevital signals that have to be instantly exchangedin real time between different locations to ensureoptimum control of the power system.

In short, communications networks helppower utilities keep electricity flowing all theway from generator to consumer.

Reliable communications deliver higherpower system availability ABB’s communications expertise is based on theexperience gained from installations in over 140countries. This experience, allied to tried and

tested solutions, is especially important in protection signalling where communication enables protection systems to clear a line fault inthe shortest possible time, or to isolate primaryplant components directly affected by a fault,and thereby maintain the availability of all othercomponents.

The enhanced functionality and performanceof our communications systems increase boththe volume and quality of information availablefor operational and management functions. Andby enabling all business units within a powerutility to have ready access to this informationmeans the same information can be used on-linefor the remote control of substations, and forevaluation purposes, to minimize maintenanceand repair costs, for instance.

An efficient communications

network is essential for modern

power systems.

4

Integrated communications solutionsfor electrical utility requirements

For modern power utilities, powerful and reliablecommunications services are absolutely vital forthe control, supervision, and administration ofpower system operations.

Rapid developments in technology in recentyears together with the continuing deregulationof power markets, have significantly changed thecommunications requirements of power utilities.

In addition to established PLC (Power LineCarrier) techniques, which, thanks to their highreliability, relatively low cost, and long range,continue to have an important role to play,today’s communications platforms include theentire spectrum of broadband products. Theseextremely powerful communications networksare usually optical fiber based. The exceptionallyhigh transmission capacity of optic fibers enablesthem to handle both operational and administra-tive power utility data, and to provide commercialtelecommunications services.

Integrated communications network manage-ment is an important feature of digital broadbandequipment. Only an efficient network manage-ment system can achieve maximum availabilityat minimum maintenance cost to deliver the greatest benefits to users. It enables the remotesupervision, diagnostics and configuration ofequipment at any location. Integrating all thesefunctions into one single ABB system ensuresyour investment will operate at maximum efficiency.

Working closely with our customersClose cooperation with you throughout the lifetime of a system is fundamental to our servicephilosophy. Supporting you at the earliestopportunity – often from the initial planning andspecification stage – gives you the confidence,right from the start, that our future-oriented tech-nology is the right choice for you.

For us, ongoing cooperation as the projectdevelops is a natural progression, and thisextends beyond contract management, supply,installation and commissioning, to encompass theentire operational life of the system. The level ofcooperation is open to mutual agreement.

Total investment flexibility with ABBMost power utilities already have a communica-tions system or systems, possibly with a mix oftechnologies, some of which operate in isolation.Our technology and engineering capabilities tointegrate different communications techniquesand media into a single hybrid communicationsnetwork, ensure you will continue to benefit fromearlier investments. This also minimizes the needfor new investments while raising performanceto the standard necessary to compete in today’scompetitive energy markets.

ABB has the know-how and access to all significant communications technologies to pro-

Utilities benefit from an overall

integrated communications

solution.

5

pose solutions that embrace the best technologyand media relative to your present and futurerequirements, power system topology, existingcommunications equipment and investmentbudget. Our global experience in implementingcommunications projects worldwide enables usto offer customized solutions that smoothly integrate ABB systems and existing communica-tions systems whatever the transmission mediumand third-party products installed.

APPLICATIONS

• POWER SYSTEM CONTROL

• POWER LINE PROTECTION

• OPERATIONAL TELEPHONE SERVICES

• LAN INTERCONNECTIONS

• VIDEO SURVEILLANCE

• REMOTE DIAGNOSTICS & SUPPORT

• DISTRIBUTION AUTOMATION (DA)

• AUTOMATIC METER READING (AMR)

• STANDARD TELECOM SERVICES

SOLUTIONS

• FIBER OPTIC SYSTEMS

• MICROWAVE RADIO

• SYNCHRONOUS DIGITAL

HIERARCHY (SDH)

• INTELLIGENT MULTIPLEXER

• POWER LINE CARRIER (PLC)

• TELEPHONE EXCHANGES

• DISTRIBUTION LINE CARRIER (DLC)

• UHF/VHF RADIO NETWORKS

• COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK

MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

Communications applications and solutions from ABB:

6

introduced to meet the needs of deregulatedenergy markets, more capacity will be needed.

Distributed control system architectures forenergy management demand higher transmissioncapacities. The communications infrastructureABB can supply today already meets these future requirements.

Service telephone and video surveillanceA reliable and secure telephone system is stillan indispensable tool in power system control,as efficient load dispatching and the coordinationof switching procedures are usually executedby telephone.

Remote controlled video stations are ideal for the surveillance of unmanned substations,especially for inaccessible locations. Equippedwith the appropriate interface, today’s broad-band systems can transmit high quality videosignals.

ABB has the know-how and experience todesign and implement both operational telephone systems and video solutions.

Line protectionCommunications equipment for line protectionmust offer the maximum dependability andsecurity with the shortest transmission times. Forsome protection schemes, a communicationschannel is essential, and while a communicationschannel may not be necessary for others, they willperform better with one.

Teleprotection (transfer tripping) equipmentoperating in conjunction with line protection hasto be capable of reliably transmitting a signal tothe remote end of the line in the shortest possibletime under extreme interference conditions(power system fault).

ABB transfer tripping devices are available forvarious transmission media and are in operationall over the world. Thanks to their clearly definedzone of protection which offers better discrimi-nation, current comparison schemes havealways been popular, but hitherto restricted bythe availability of high speed communicationchannels. With the growth of information tech-nology and digital technology, suitable channelsare now available enabling the use of currentcomparison protection to become more wide-spread in the future. In particular, ABB’s opticalfiber or microwave broadband communicationssystems provide the necessary real time perfor-mance to transfer current amplitude and phaseinformation fast enough for accurate comparison at both ends of a line.

Power system controlThe availability of electric power is largelydependent on the reliability of the power control system. Accordingly, control systems,and the associated communications equipmentin particular, must function reliably underworst case operating conditions.

The capacity required for conventionaltelecontrol applications (SCADA, EnergyManagement Systems, EMS) is generally relatively modest. As newer, more efficientpower system control procedures are

Specific solutions for transmission networks...

ABB supplies turn key

communications systems that

meet future requirements for

higher transmission capacity.

Power utilities are under growing pressure toimprove their service and quality of supply. Inaddition to optimizing the services they provide,distribution utilities are increasingly buyingpower from the cheapest supplier.

To support these activities, ABB has developeda communications concept called DartNet®

which provides distribution utilities with a singleintegrated solution for all applications at distri-bution level, including distribution automation,meter reading, and load management.

Distribution automationABB’s DartNet system has been especiallydesigned to facilitate the automation of existingdistribution systems. Its compact, cost effectiveunits are installed at the various nodes in thedistribution system to interface between primaryequipment and the control center. The commu-nications concept includes high data transferrate modems for transmitting information viapower lines (distribution line carrier) and othercommunications media such as specializedradio systems, optical fiber, or telephone lines.Intelligent node controllers and communicationservers organize the secure flow of signalsthrough the various media on the communica-tions network and the changing structure of thedistribution power grid.

A single versatile SCADA platform can controland supervise a distribution utility system in realtime. It locates faults, controls switches andreroutes the supply from a control center, ifnecessary. The status of the primary plant is alsomonitored so that maintenance can be demandlead, to eliminate costly routine maintenance.Automated distribution systems achieve fasterrecovery and shorter repair times and so improvethe quality of supply to the consumer.

Meter reading and load managementAutomatic meter reading is a convenient meansof acquiring customer information, e.g. powerusage patterns. This also enables dynamic tariff

...and for distribution networks

Our communications systems

facilitate the automation of

existing distribution networks.

An automated solution delivers

better quality of supply and

more efficient load management.

changes, eliminates theneed to gaindirect access tometers, and provides simpletamper detection.

Metering information fromvarious points inthe system can bemade availablesimultaneously toprovide the basisfor faster, moreflexible, highlyefficient load management.

The ABB communications concept is basedon meters with integral power line modemsplus other communications media such as radio,optical fibers or telephone lines. The majorbenefit for power distribution utilities is a singlecommunications system for automation andmeter reading.

7

8

To implement the communications solutionsdescribed in the previous section, ABB offers awide range of communications products includingall hardware and software, plus service packagestailored to your exact requirements.

An open systems architecture and the modularadaptability of individual products enable us toengineer solutions to your precise applicationneeds. We offer a series of interfaces to accommo-date both special user and standard applications.

A comprehensive communications networkmanagement system where all the communica-tions network components are integrated into asingle system, offers the maximum benefits.

Optical equipment – robust solutions tailored to specific communications tasksWide bandwidth, high bit rate and immunity toelectrical interference, make optical fibers themost important communications medium today.Our product range includes the latest optical terminal equipment that not only meets today’srequirements, but can also handle new applica-tions and the capacities that will be requiredtomorrow.

ABB specializes in high capacity optical fibertransceivers for applications over very long distances using SDH (Synchronous DigitalHierarchy) multiplexing techniques (e.g. linksover 300 km without repeaters).

Optical communication is the best solution forprivate digital networks and remains economicallyviable even when only a few channels arerequired. ABB also supplies optical equipmentfor the transmission of relatively low data volumesfrom harsh HV switchgear environments to theterminal unit connected to the backbone communications system.

Microwave radio – an advantageousoption in difficult terrainOur microwave radio product range includesdigital transmission equipment for a wide rangeof frequency bands and transmission rates forboth PDH (Plesiochronous Digital Hierarchy)and SDH applications. Radio communication is

A complete range of products and servicesto guarantee systems performance

Optical fiber solutions offer high

data bit rate and immunity to

electrical interference.

Microwave radio is an ideal

alternative in difficult terrain.

not restricted to power line routes, and can, incertain circumstances, offer an advantageousalternative, especially in difficult terrain. By judiciously applying microwave and optical links,ABB can engineer the optimum communicationsnetwork topology for you.

SDH – standard communications technology for power utility applications SDH is the most recent multiplex technology forhigh capacity communications systems. It canbe used in optical and microwave radio systems.

High availability and advanced network management functions makes SDH ideal wherehigh data transfer rates up to e.g. 10 Gbit/s areneeded. Based on the latest standard SDH products from our partner Nortel (NorthernTelecom), we have developed an all-inclusivesystems solution to cover all power utility com-munications requirements.

Our SDH products permit a cost effectivesolution to be engineered for every applicationand can also integrate existing communicationsproducts.

Access multiplexer – interfaces for everytype of signalThe access to SDH highways through multi-plexers has to be carefully designed and interfacesprovided for a multitude of different types ofsignals, including simple binary I/O contacts,time-critical protection signals, voice commu-nication, low speed SCADA, video surveillance,high speed data transfer, Internet access andLAN connections. All these signals then have to be multiplexed into standard data channels.

ABB multiplexers handle all the differenttypes of signals correctly and transmit them efficiently and reliably through a complexhybrid communications network. We offer multiplexers for all capacities ranging from asmall number of 64 kbit/s channels to intelligentATM (Asynchronous Transmission Mode) multiplexers. Our access multiplexers have proved their high reliability and availability incountless power utility applications.

SDH – High capacity systems for all future requirements.

Power Line Carrier (PLC) – reliable andcost effective communications for powersystem control and protectionAn existing PLC network represents a consider-able investment made by a power utility over aperiod of many years. It is therefore not generallyfeasible to replace it with a broadband system.PLC is still the most cost effective solution forpower utility installations where low volumes of data and protection signals have to be transmitted over long distances.

As the leading supplier of PLC and telepro-tection systems, ABB has the experience, know-how, and resources to engineer the best possiblesolution however complex the application. ThePLC services we offer include network studies,noise and propagation analysis, and frequencyallocation planning to determine the most suitablefrequencies to ensure optimum performance.

FOX-U is a fiber optic terminal and multiplexer for every type of signal.

PLC is a cost effective

solution for power utilities

where protection signals

have to be transmitted over

long distances.

9

10

With transmission capacities up to 64 kbit/s, digitalPLC links can also serve as a backup to increasethe availability of important operational channelsnormally provided by other communicationstechnologies. In an integrated communicationsnetwork, our latest PLC equipment is remotelymonitored and configured by the communica-tions network management system.

PLC signals are coupled to the power line bya coupling capacitor and coupling device. Aline trap in the power line confines signalsto the particular line and prevents signalsfrom being short-circuited by the switchingcondition in the substation. Our full range ofproducts enables the best solution to be engineered for every case.

Distribution Line Carrier (DLC) – reliable communication with remotestations and consumersThe optimization of power distributioncommunications demands architectures andprotocols that can handle a large number of smallstations. DLC is one of the cheapest and mostefficient means of providing communications atdistribution level. In principle, DLC is based onthe same technology as power line carrier,modified to cope with the much more complexnetwork structure and noise conditions of MVand LV power lines. Our compact DLC modemsmatched to the operating conditions in LV andMV power systems provide two-way communi-cations via the power line, and handle data forstation monitoring and automation, load manage-ment, and meter reading.

A coupling device injects the signals from theDLC equipment onto, respectively extracts signalsfrom, the MV/LV power line. At MV level, a simplesolution is inductive coupling direct to the cableshields. However, both capacitive and inductivecoupling devices are available and can be usedtogether on mixed underground cable, andoverhead line, MV power networks.

Combining DLC with intelligent node control-lers permits communication for every purpose,from end user up to the control center, and is

the basis for distribution system control and loadmanagement in a deregulated energy market.

UHF/VHF radio terminals – tailored todata and voice communicationsNarrowband radio is the ideal communicationsmedium for many private networks and for distribution automation in particular. In manycases, this is the only cost effective means ofcommunication and an ideal complement toDLC systems.

Our products are available for point-to-point,and point-to-multipoint fixed frequency links aswell as for trunked Private Mobile Radio (PMR)systems. The protocols used are suitable for signalling and packet data communications. The integrated modem makes communicationtransparent and is tailored to handle data efficiently.

Telephone exchange – essential voicecommunication for safe systems operationReliable voice communication is an essentialtool for power system operators. We offer telephone communications via public and

Intelligent node controller for

distribution communications

systems.

Special telephone system for

power operators.

Coupling equipment for PLC.

DLC is an efficient way of providing

communications at distribution level.

11

private lines designed to support a number ofspecific ancillary services that enable the user tocontrol and operate the system faster, safer, andmore conveniently.

Communications network managementsystems – communications at your fingertipsWe are rapidly approaching the stage where allcontrol functions and systems will rely, to a greater or lesser extent, on the communicationsnetwork. The capacities and functions requiredare therefore increasing all the time. The steadygrowth in the importance and complexity ofmodern communications networks necessitatesan intelligent management tool to ensure theyare operating efficiently and can adapt quicklyto changing requirements.

We supply a single communications networkmanagement platform for our SDH products andaccess to multiplexers, and provide support forintegrating existing communications networksinto a single communications network manage-ment system. This system includes functions foremergency channel rerouting, remote configura-tion, and updating of communications devicesthrough software downloads.

There are many more means to communicate In addition to the main ABB communicationssystems and products mentioned above, wealso supply solutions embracing satellitecommunications, video transmission, coaxial cabletransmission, paging systems, connections topublic telecommunications networks and more.

Installation and commissioning,

as well as training, are normally

included in our turn key

solutions.

ABB Transmission & Distribution Management Ltd.Business Area Network Control & ProtectionP.O. Box 8131CH-8050 ZurichSwitzerlandTelephone: +41 1 317 7410Fax: +41 1 317 7947Internet: http://www.abb.com/networkpartner/

Panorama is the standard for a comprehensive rangeof integrated solutions for the efficient and reliablemanagement of power networks. Using innovativeinformation technology, Panorama delivers total controlof the power process, from generation to consumption.The Panorama standard covers six application areas,each offering specific solutions.

Station Automation

& Protection

Network Management

BusinessManagement

Meter & Load Management

Consulting & Services

Communications

WYB

O H

AAS

& TO

MCZ

AK1

MB

A 0

0010

5 -

SE

N