Lessons Learned Through Commissioning and Analyzing Data From Ethernet Network Installations

Sigre 2015. — 9 с. Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc., USA Ensuring the correct setting and installation of Ethernet networks used for communications-assisted protection, safety, and automation is critical. Reconfiguration algorithms must detect internal network faults, enable hot-standby links, and redirect data flows, while remaining secure against delaying or damaging Ethernet packets. The ability to use shared bandwidth and to multipurpose Ethernet connections on microprocessor-based relays, controllers, and other digital devices has simplified physical installations, while complicating device settings and configuration. Many of these sensors, controllers, and communications network devices include better commissioning features and standalone tools than those available with older, traditional, standalone relays and devices. However, installation and commissioning remain complicated when the features and tools are not used or understood. Installation and settings errors continue to be widespread, implying a need for more rigorous commissioning tests. IEC/TR 61850-90-4 network engineering guidelines [1] and other technical references describe the need to perform specific and measurable performance tests of Ethernet networks as part of each network design verification, then during factory acceptance tests, and finally at site acceptance. Even with greater commissioning effort, occasional communications problems develop over time. These problems can best be resolved by analyzing application and communications performance data stored within the digital devices. In the interest of reducing communications misoperations, this technical paper shares practical lessons learned through experience with troubleshooting, diagnosing, and correcting in-service Ethernet networks. These examples are important for all users and designers of Ethernet communications to review because they represent mistakes that are easy to make, hard to diagnose, and difficult to correct after the fact.