New and exciting fiber optic hardware solutions are rapidly changing local communication networks at public utility sites throughout the world.
These advanced fiber optic devices are intended for increasingly complex networks and result in faster, simpler and more reliable communications. On a broader scale, these new devices are helping to usher in a new era of power plant management and operation.
Once such fiber optic solution was recently developed for the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) Power Plant in Central California.
Fiber Optic Network
The DWR site uses a local fiber optic cable network for a variety of communications purposes including supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA).
The local fiber network also connects to a statewide T3 backbone to allow the Project Operations Center in Sacramento to provide emergency back-up operations. This redundancy in project operations is a basic requirement according to Control System Engineer Larry Taber.
The Power Plant houses eight turbines. The fiber optic network connects the controller for each turbine, through remote terminal units (RTUs), to the main control panel at the Area Control Center.
Remote Terminal Units
Each RTU requires four channels: one to receive satellite clock, one for the local intelligent man machine interface (IMMI), and one for each of the two front end processors (FEPs).
The satellite clock is used for time stamping and synchronization. Clocking for synchronization delay times must be in tolerance of less than one second for local transmission and less than 30 seconds for remote.
The time stamping capability helps diagnose problems by allowing technicians to see the sequence of events between units. The IMMI interface is independent of the overall network and is used only for local control. The FEPs are used for remote connections and are independent to the IMMI system. One of the FEPs connects directly into the intrastate T3 backbone, the other into an UNIX-based network.
The DWR installed a total of 32 channels at a maximum distance of about 600 feet. The fiber optic cable provided complete immunity to the electromagnetic (EMI) and radio frequency interference present in power plant environments. According to a Senior Control System Engineer, "the power plant EMI had been corrupting the data."
DWR Telecommunications Engineers, first evaluated multidrop multiplexers but, after careful analysis, recommended the fiber solution from Lascomm, a fiber optic vendor specializing in process control and traffic management applications.
"We needed something small, inexpensive, flexible and reliable"
Specifically, the DWR opted to use two hardware devices from Lascomm in an innovative star configuration: the Model LT8916 Broadcast & Receive Device and the LT8116 Fiber Optic Multiplexer.
The star configuration also included redundancy in the form of dual fiber optic cable, dual power supplies and automatic switchover of either in the event of a failure. The four channels from each RTU were multiplexed over a duplex multimode fiber optic cable operating at the 850nm wavelength.
Broadcast & Receive Device
The Broadcast & Receive Device is essentially a modern sharing device that sends the incoming RS-232 signal in parallel to all remote locations. It "broadcasts" the outgoing signals in a polled sequence through the multiplexers to the RTUs. It sends a signal to multiple ports at the same time but will receive only the port that is addressed. The LT8916 sends clock in one direction and the RS-232 signal in both directions.
Fiber Optic Multiplexer
The Fiber Optic Multiplexer is extremely compact and multiplexes up to 64 RS-232 ports. It can operate over single mode or multimode fiber and supports distances to approximately 20 km. It is expandable in increments of eight RS-232 ports. Each RS-232 channel supports data rates up to 19.2 Kbps via an RJ- 11 connector.
Configuration flexibility is easily achieved by placing the LT8916 at the near and/or far end of the fiber link. Up to five units in any combination of LT8116 and LT8916 can be housed in a card cage
(7"H X 1 l"D X 19"W) equipped with a redundant load sharing power supply.
Benefits
The combination of the LT8916 and LT8116 provides the DWR with several important benefits:
Independent cabling to each RTU enables problem isolation with a specific RTU
Each RTU receives a polling request, recognizes its address, and responds accordingly to the FEP
Improved network reliability with power and optical redundancy and automatic switchover
Cost savings compared to using multidrop fiber multiplexers
Can add additional channels to the network at any time
Can reconfigure network at any time by moving the LT8116 and LT8916 around or adding new units
Can use a variety of power sources: 115/230 VAC, -48VDC, 12 VDC or a rack mount power card that automatically adjusts voltages between 85 and 260 VAC
SCADA
The Lascomm's equipment also supports the real-time communications required for SCADA. The primary purpose of SCADA is to constantly monitor the condition of the network and identify and report any problems.
The SCADA system at the DWR is used to monitor a variety of important data including voltages, bearing temperatures, lube oil pressures/levels, brake oil pressures, etc. Abnormal conditions will trigger alarms at the local, central or remote monitoring sites.
The installation proceeded smoothly; however, installers paid special attention to port assignments, testing and cabling to help both immediate operations and future diagnostics.
DWR Control System Technician's noted an important factor when changing or upgrading a large control system similar to the Power Plant installation.
"The new equipment usually cannot be installed at once," Lewis commented. "This means that the communications system must be compatible with the old as well as with the new equipment during the transition which can also take months or even years before the new system cuts over." It turned out that no problems were encountered with the Lascomm's equipment.
Utility companies provide an ideal environment for advanced and imaginative uses of fiber optics. The Power Plant network, and other similar fiber optic networks, will undoubtedly benefit from these future advancements.
SCADA
Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems are frequently used in Utility Company environments to monitor remote terminal units (RTU). Applications typically interconnect the various vaults distribution substations and power elements that make up a particular network.
SCADA systems monitor a variety of plant data including temperatures, water levels, voltages and pressure levels. Alarms at central or remote monitoring sites are triggered by any abnormal conditions.
The primary benefit of SCADA is to identify and correct problems quickly. By enabling constant monitoring of the condition of the network, it can often pin-point problems for troubleshooting and maintenance technicians. It also helps reduce maintenance costs.
