Central America Utility Uses Phone, SCADA & Video
Situation
A Power Utility in South America that currently operates
two hydroelectric facilities is scheduled to bring a new
hydroelectric facility on line in about one year. As a result,
it was looking to expand and upgrade its fiber optic
communications network to include all three dam sites.
It was currently using a
point-to-point fiber optic
multiplexer solution that
multiplexed four RS232
channels, one telephone
channel and one Ethernet
channel between the two
existing dam sites.
The Power Utility’s goal
was to add reliability,
redundancy and build
in cost effective future expansion as it continues to add
services in the coming years. Current applications included
SCADA (RS232), Telephone (FX/FXS) and IP Video.
It also wanted to add private network telephone service
for security and reliability because of quality issues with
satellite phone service.
Solution
The Power Utility first looked at using standard Industrial
Grade Ethernet Switches to link the three dam sites. It
determined that standard switches would do the job, but
would require separate converter modules for RS232 over
Ethernet and telephone over Ethernet applications. Its
network planners much preferred a “one box” solution
over a “piece meal” solution.
After further product evaluations, and making
expandability and scalability of services top priorities,
the Power Utility decided to go with the JumboSwitch
Industrial Gigabit Ethernet Modular Switch. More than
just a standard Ethernet Switch, the substation hardened
JumboSwitch was chosen for its ability to integrate
Ethernet/IP, VoIP and TDM over IP on a single network.
The JumboSwitch provided the Power Utility with a private
network telephone solution and its self-healing ring
topology enhanced overall system and network reliability.
It also liked the JumboSwitches’ hot-swappable, modular
interface cards, four different chassis options and selection
of 12 interfaces including several Power-Utility-specific
interfaces.
Another factor was TC Communications “Value-Added
Support Program.” As part of this program, the Power
Utility opted to have TC Communications commission train
its technical personnel and commission the new system on
site.
To this end, a two-person team from TC Communications,
a product trainer and a JumboSwitch Network Engineer,
spent three days at the dam sites conducting extensive
training sessions and installing/testing the new network.
The CCIE and CCNP certified TC Communication’s engineer
tested all inter-connecting equipment and ensured that
the JumboSwitch network complied with the Utility’s
system requirements and design goals.
To link IP cameras, RS232 Remote Terminal Units (RTUs)
and 2-wire analog telephones, the Power Utility installed
three “4U” JumboSwitch units, one at each dam site
(see diagram below). Units were initially configured
with 4 interface cards: two 6-port Ethernet cards, one
4-port RS232 card and one VoIP card. All telephones are
connected to a PBX at the main Control Center at one of
the dam sites.
The JumboSwitch 4U chassis has seven (7) expansion card
slots and the Utility can easily add more cards as services
dictate in the future.