Distribution AutomationCommunication Equipment

For proper communication between the distribution automation system and terminal device, a dedicated communication device is needed. We produce and deliver protection coordination communication modules and communication devices exclusive to the distribution automation system. The protection coordination communication module enables the terminal device installed on the distribution line to open and close the line by detecting a problem, without the command of the main device, by referring to the measured voltage and current value.

Lines can be switched using the Ethernet-based switch, and ring topology is supported.

The concept of protection coordination communication is that a terminal device installed on a distribution line opens and closes the line by detecting and determining a line problem on its own, without commands from the control system (main device), by referring to the measured voltage and current values in the case of a problem with the line in the power distribution system. This module supports this protection coordination communication, while supporting serial or Ethernet-based optical communication between terminal devices.

The communication method of the distribution automation system can be largely divided into the wired and wireless methods. KT’s dedicated line and optical communication method are used as the wired method. Various communication methods are used for the wireless method, such as the TRS wireless network, CDMA network for mobile communication, and AIRMEDIA.
Various communication protocols (DNP 3.0, Modbus, IEC 60870, IEC 61850, etc.) are supported for communication between devices.

A packet decoder that can analyze the packets sent and received between communication modules that use the DNP 3.0 protocol. The DNP 3.0 communication protocol is widely used in many fields of power IT. Recently, this protocol has been replaced by IEC61850 but is still used by many applications. The DNP 3.0 packet decryption program helps to monitor and analyze the packet sent and received between communication modules that use the DNP 3.0 protocol using the WinPCap library.

Usually, packets are analyzed using the log that was created while sending and receiving packets between communication modules. However, it is sometimes difficult to even read the log itself if the reader does not have professional knowledge regarding the communication protocol in question. The data decryption program was developed in consideration of this issue and enables the users to analyze and monitor the log even if they have no prior knowledge, by enabling them to monitor packets of a specific IP and port in the middle of the communication module, and check and analyze packet transmission time, packet origin and destination, protocol type, packet length, actual packet data, etc.