GE Vernova’s GridNode High-Speed Falling Conductor Protection provides a reliable solution to detect and isolate broken overhead line conductors using secure wide-area measurements.

GridNode High-Speed Falling Conductor Protection

GE Vernova’s GridNode High-Speed Falling Conductor Protection provides a reliable solution to detect and isolate broken overhead line conductors using secure wide-area measurements.

Discover GE Vernova's solution with the interactive app

GE Vernova’s GridNode High-Speed Falling Conductor Protection provides a reliable solution to detect and isolate broken overhead line conductors prior to the conductor touching the ground for both transmission and distribution networks. This is a substation centric based solution that is based on the rate of change of impedance.

Typical Broken Falling Conductors take 1.3 seconds to touch the ground on a distribution system.

Network Benefits

  • Increased Safety through quick detection and isolation of broken overhead lines
  • Risk Reduction in fire ignition caused by a down conductor
  • Reduced damage caused by unnecessary network reclosing
  • Increased customer reliability by minimizing the number of customers interrupted through coordinated protection
  • Ability to accommodate a high and growing number of distributed energy resources on your network without impacting broken falling conductor protection
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NORMAL STATE

Traditional Protection

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BROKEN FALLING CONDUCTOR

GridNode High-Speed Falling Conductor Protection

Benefits

  • Operates in under 500ms prior to the conductor touching the ground
  • Up to 8 times better sensitivity at detecting broken conductors than conventional I2/I1 methods for distribution networks
  • Works in areas with high penetration of DERs
  • No coordination required with existing protection devices
  • Scalable to multiple feeders and beyond the substation and has the ability to isolate and coordinate the trip to the faulted line section
BROKEN DOWN CONDUCTOR

Down Conductor Technology

Benefits

  • Ability to detect down conductors under certain circumstances

Drawbacks

  • Safety and fire concerns as conductor has already touched the ground
  • Applicability depends on ground surface type

Architecture

GE Vernova’s GridNode High-Speed Falling Conductor Protection Solution is scalable system that provides reliable and fast detection of broken falling conductors in the distribution or transmission system. The solution can connect to devices inside the substation as well as along the feeder.

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SUBSTATION BASED SOLUTION
  • Increased detection capabilities on low load branches
  • Ability to coordinate and sectionalize the line closest to the fault
  • Requires V&I measurements from IEDs
  • Supports up to 10 Feeders
  • Vendor agnostic
  • Utilizes standard communication protocols
SUBSTATION + LINE DEVICES SOLUTION
  • Increased detection capabilities on low load branches
  • Ability to coordinate and sectionalize the line closest to the fault
  • Requires PMU data for connected IEDs
  • Supports industrial standard communications (fiber optic, radio (licensed or unlicensed) or cellular

Services

GE Vernova’s Advanced Application Services team provides the following engineering and consulting services as part of the High-Speed Falling Conductor Protection solution.

CONSULTINGPMU placement assessment and support
Deployment strategy
COMMUNICATIONSNetwork and communications system design
Hardware specification
ENGINEERINGSystem configuration; Settings development
Cybersecurity
FACTORY TESTING
Factory acceptance testing including Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testing and validation
INSTALLATION & SITE INTEGRATION

Field services; Site integration services

Communications, network, and I/O testing
TESTING & COMMISSIONING
Site acceptance testing and performance validation
TRAINING & SUPPORT
Master service agreement to help maintain the accuracy of the operation following network topology changes

Components

GE Vernova’s GridNode High-Speed Falling Conductor Protection Solution includes the following:

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GPG Controller

GridNode High-Speed Falling Conductor Protection Solution - Hardware specifications

  • Certification: IEC 61850-3, IEEE 1613, CE, FCC Class A, UL, CCC
  • Mounting: 2U/19” Rack mount
  • System Design: Fanless, with no internal cabling
  • OS Support: Windows and Embedded RTOS VxWorks for critical real time
  • Power Consumption: 19W/220VAC or VDC (Typical)
  • Power Supply: Redundant 100 ~ 240 VAC (47 ~ 63 Hz) DC: 100 ~ 240 VDC DC: 48VDC with isolation protection
  • PRP & HSR Ethernet redundancy
  • Two expansion slots to increase serial and Ethernet port types and quantity
GridNode HFCP HMI
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GridNode HFCP Configurator
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Solution Components
gp3 Protective Relays

S20

Communication Switches

RT430

Time synchronization clock

Manufacturing for the product has been discontinued. As an alternative, please refer to MS 3000 or DGA 900 Plus.

tMEDIC - Legacy

Manufacturing for the product has been discontinued. As an alternative, please refer to MS 3000 or DGA 900 Plus.

Manufacturing for this product has been discontinued

Comprehensive view and control of the substation to increase operator efficiency

PowerLink ™ Advantage - Legacy

Powerful and Scalable SCADA HMI Plarform

Manufacturing for this product has been discontinued

Comprehensive view and control of the substation to increase operator efficiency

One-line screens for monitoring status, control and tagging One-line screens for monitoring status, control and tagging

Comprehensive, Customizable Displays

PLA aggregates from gateways and field devices and intelligently presents relevant near real-time and historical data in an easy to understand, customizable graphical format with features such as alarm and dynamic text displays to increase operator efficiency.

Typical customizable displays include:
  • Communications Summary
  • One-line Diagrams
  • Alarm Viewer
  • Historical Alarm Viewer
  • Trending
  • Detail Pages
  • Operator Access Log
  • Operator Notes
Dynamic trending to clearly visualize substation activity Dynamic trending to clearly visualize substation activity

Trending

PLA provides aggregates trending data from substation devices and presents them in a clear visual format that is fully customizable to facilitate quick identification of potential issues or to assist in problem analysis.

  • Customizable with selectable colors, grid lines and scaling
  • Real-time and historical displays
  • Dynamic trending
  • XY plots
  • Full database connectivity
  • Support up to 300 logged points per logging table

Redundancy

Redundancy ensures system availability in the event of a hardware failure. PowerLink Advantage can be configured with redundancy so that a secondary system is ready to take over operations automatically should the primary system fail. During a failure, all main PowerLink Advantage functions are transferred to ensure that critical data acquisition, alarming, logging and security operations continue.

Multiple Computer PowerLink Advantage Architecture

PLA server redundancy to ensure continuous uptime.

Optional Features

Multiple Viewer Stations

Multiple Viewer Stations provide client-server connectivity from additional computers on the LAN.

Remote Desktop (Terminal Services)

Remote Desktop (Terminal Services) licenses provide access from remote computers (requires Windows® Server operating system).

System Sentry

System Sentry improves system availability by constantly providing real-time information about the health of the PowerLink Advantage system. It provides detailed performance data at any given moment for every resource ranging from available hard drive space to CPU usage. System Sentry also provides configurable, automated alerts for problem conditions and the tools for problem determination to restore system functionality.

Digital Fault Recording Display and Analysis

Digital Fault Recording Display and Analysis is a tool within DirectView providing advanced waveform viewing through capabilities to set multiple cursors and markers; waveform superimposition and waveform comparison functions. It also provides functionality to visualize harmonic spectrum and perform zero sequence current calculations. IEEE® COMTRADE file compatible.

Alarm Cast

Alarm Cast provides integration of PowerLink Advantage alarms for remote notification through a variety of channels such as Internet, mobile and PC media including pagers, SMS, e-mail, ODBC, UCP and more. The notification can contain key operational information and conditions.

Reporting

PLA makes it easy to generate the reports based on a timed or event basis. The report viewer allows quick, convenient access to any report.

Power Quality Event Viewer

Power Quality Event Viewer provides sag, swell and interruption plots.

DirectView

DirectView provides a Digital Fault Recording (DFR) COMTRADE file viewer and analysis application. DFR COMTRADE files are automatically retrieved from compatible field devices connected via Ethernet LAN.

Action Calendar

Action Calendar provides the ability to create, maintain and execute a calendar schedule of system events.

Automation Projects

GE Vernova Automation Projects deliver a complete solution for utilities and Industrial customers to address challenges in managing all aspects of increasingly complex substation automation systems:

  • Substation Engineering
  • Protection, Control and Automation
  • Communications
  • Cyber / Physical Security
  • Data Management
  • Enterprise System Operations
  • Standards-based Solutions

GE Vernova delivers a complete modern substation automation solution based on deep knowledge and expertise, best in class products, configuration tools and industry standards with the following offerings:

Automation Projects – Managed Solutions

Complete end-to-end system solutions including hardware, software and resources from initial evaluation to ongoing maintenance and support.

Automation Projects – Technical Services
  • Site evaluation
  • Consultation
  • System design
  • Project management
  • Procurement
  • System component assembly
  • Configuration and commissioning services
  • System testing
  • Training
  • Life cycle support of system

System Requirements – Development/Runtime Server

System requirements table

System Requirements – PLA Viewer

System requirements table

Manageable Switches

Manufacturing for the product has been discontinued. As an alternative, please refer to S20 or ML810 or ML1200.

MiCOM H Series - Legacy

Manageable Switches

Manufacturing for the product has been discontinued. As an alternative, please refer to S20 or ML810 or ML1200.

Reason H49, GE Vernova’s all in one gigabit redundancy solution, has been especially designed for the digital substation, for use on the substation bus and process bus, in a mix of PRP dual star and HSR rings. The 1000Mbps HSR ring allows to transport multiple Sampled Value streams on the same ring, simplifying network topology. In addition, IEEE 1588v2 and Power Profile compliance allow for high precision timing application such as synchrophasor application or sampled value timestamping.

Reason H49

PRP/HSR Redbox Switch

Reason H49, GE Vernova’s all in one gigabit redundancy solution, has been especially designed for the digital substation, for use on the substation bus and process bus, in a mix of PRP dual star and HSR rings. The 1000Mbps HSR ring allows to transport multiple Sampled Value streams on the same ring, simplifying network topology. In addition, IEEE 1588v2 and Power Profile compliance allow for high precision timing application such as synchrophasor application or sampled value timestamping.

Redbox PRP Switch

Manufacturing for the product has been discontinued. As an alternative please refer to the Reason H49 PRP/HSR Redbox Switch.

The DS Agile H38 is a range of standalone Ethernet switches compliant with the IEC 62439-3 Clause-4 PRP protocol, providing redundant, inter-operable, data communication. This redundancy box – ‘RedBox’- also supports the Precision Time Protocol (PTP) according to IEEE 1588 v2, to deliver precise local time synchronization to the IRIG-B port.

DS Agile H38 - Legacy

Redbox PRP Switch

Manufacturing for the product has been discontinued. As an alternative please refer to the Reason H49 PRP/HSR Redbox Switch.

The DS Agile H38 is a range of standalone Ethernet switches compliant with the IEC 62439-3 Clause-4 PRP protocol, providing redundant, inter-operable, data communication. This redundancy box – ‘RedBox’- also supports the Precision Time Protocol (PTP) according to IEEE 1588 v2, to deliver precise local time synchronization to the IRIG-B port.

Manufacturing for this product has been discontinued.

DART-Legacy

Distribution Automation Remote Terminal

Manufacturing for this product has been discontinued.

Advanced Gateway

The D400 collects data from substation protection, control, monitoring, RTU, and intelligent devices, pre-processes the data and moves it up to EMS and DMS SCADA systems providing centralized substation management.

Advanced Automation

The D400 provides the computing platform necessary to automate substation procedures, such that intricate processes are carried out safely and efficiently by creating custom automation programs using IEC 61131 compliant tools, and perform basic math functions on data points using the built-in Calculator tool.

Fault Recording/Data Logging

Using pass-through connections, users can extract valuable non-operational data such as digital fault recording (DFR) records and event files. The user can also access the historical log files and upload the archived data for trending and analysis.

Secure Remote Access

The D400 allows maintenance and relay engineers to securely access substation devices, locally or remotely, through advanced visualizations and communication tools, increasing productivity.

D400 Overview

Hardware

The D400 is built on a flexible, high performance, expandable disk-less and fan-less platform that is powered by a 1.0Ghz processor.

Two Ethernet networks are supported with separate multiport switches. An IRIG-B format time protocol input/distribution module is also supported. Isolated serial port media is selected for each pair of ports.

Redundant power supplies

The D400 has dual redundant, hot swappable power supplies, ensuring continuous uptime. Each power supply can be connected to a different source. As an example Power supply 1 can be connected to Mains, while power supply 2 is connected to the battery system. Power Supply Health Monitoring raises a SCADA point alarm when either power supply fails. This allows an alarm to be transmitted to the EMS /OMS or DMS system, where a field personnel can be dispatched to replace the failed supply, all without service disruption.

Time Sync Support

The D400 has extensive support for various time sync methodologies and will accept time sync signals from SNTP/NTP Servers, IRIG-B (un-modulated/modulated), and SCADA protocols. The D400 can also distribute this time sync information through its built-in IRIG-B distribution interface, SCADA protocols, and/or through the RS232 ports directly.

Advanced Gateway Connectivity

Advanced Gateway Connectivity
Data collection, concentration and visualization

The D400 Substation Data Manager, when operating as a SCADA host, collects, filters, and sorts data from a wide range of intelligent devices (RTUs, relays, meters) in the substation and preserves original data time stamp for accurate sequence of event. Data can be presented to multiple SCADA hosts. The D400 comes with a built-in suite of protocols and security applications to facilitate communication with various substation devices and SCADA hosts, including:

  • DNP3 serial and TCP/IP (client & server)
  • IEC 61850 (client)
  • Modbus serial & TCP/IP (client & server)
  • IEC60870-5-101/103/104 client
  • IEC60870-5-101/104 server
  • SELFast Meter/SEL ASCII
  • Hydran Host
  • GE Vernova modem
  • Generic ASCII protocols

IEC 61850 Gateway

The IEC 16850 Client application allows the D400 to act as a powerful IEC 61850 data concentrator. The D400 also includes valuable features such as Dynamic Data Sets, Buffered Control blocks, Enhanced Security controls.

Device Redundancy (Hybrid Model)

Dual D400 units can be deployed creating a redundant system where accumulators, SOE logs, and configurations are automatically synchronized between the two systems. Serial communication links are automatically switched between the units based on system health.

The D400 100Base-FX redundant Ethernet card enables automatic switchover between two sets of Ethernet switches ensuring there is no single point of failure in the system.

D400 now supports PRP by actively communicating on two physical Ethernet ports connected to two independent network LANs simultaneously. PRP allows systems to overcome any single network failure without affecting the data transmission. It provides seamless failover redundancy.

The D400 supports three modes of operation:

  • Standalone
  • Warm standby and
  • Hot standby

The D400 can be configured to operate in one mode at any given time.

Built in Media Conversion

The D400 supports various communication media types—Serial: RS-232, RS-485, Glass Fiber, and Plastic Fiber; and Ethernet: 10/100Base-T, 10Base-FL, and 100Base-FX. Hot swappable communications modules eliminate the need for dongle type media converters used to convert to glass or plastic fiber, reducing total cost of deployment.

Advanced Automation

The D400 acts as the centralized, rugged computing platform in advanced Automation systems. Using the calculator tool and/or GE Vernova's programmable logic (LogicLinx), users can create custom automation programs for a variety of applications such as:

  • Sequence switching
  • Interlocking
  • Auto-sectionalizing
  • Autoreclosing
  • Load Tap Changer Control
  • Capacitor Bank Control
  • Reactor Switching
  • Alarm grouping
HMI, one-line viewer & Annunciator

The D400 supports a web based HMI/Annunciator feature, that is accessible remotely, using a standard Internet browser or locally, through a direct connection to the unit. Users have access to all data points in the systems, alarm screens, communications status screens ,and dynamic One-Line diagrams, all through the secure web interface.

The web based HMI supports the following security features to ensure secure remote or local access:

  • Configurable auto logout/login for Remote and Local HMI access Disabling of Remote HMI Non-Observer Privileges
  • Login to specific custom screens for added security to sensitive displays
  • Remote access to Redundant or Active HMI screens
  • Support for forcing points from one line diagram
HMI

Web based HMI/Annunciator feature, that is accessible using a standard Internet browser or through a VGA monitor and USB keyboard/mouse attached directly to the unit.

Mathematical Control Logic

Using the Calculator tool, users can create advanced solutions that group, manage and control points to produce the required automation results. The calculator tool can perform mathematical, logical, or timer based operations on any data points stored in the D400. Using a graphical interface, users can define logical expressions using mathematical functions such as; addition, multiplication, logarithm, greater than, less than, as well as other boolean functions.

Programmable Logic (LogicLinx)

For more advanced applications, programmable logic (LogicLinx) software provides PLC functionality on the D400 platform. LogicLinx offers textual and graphical languages as defined in the IEC 61131-3 standard for PLC programming environments, including Sequential Functions Chart, Instruction List, Structured Text, Ladder Diagram and Function Block Diagram. In addition, a wide range of arithmetic, Boolean and logical operations are supported.

Fault Recording/Data Logging

Data Logger

The Analog Data Logger provides a variety of means to monitor and record any analog input point value changes into data files that can be retrieved by the user. A variety of recording methodologies are supported including, Continuous (all changes), Periodic, Time weighted, Out of range and Triggered by a digital input point.

Trend Viewer

All data recorded by the Analog/Digital Data Logger can be viewed by the Digital event recorder using the built in web-based Trend Viewer. Users can select the range of data to be used by time and date, alternately a real time streaming view can be displayed. Up to 8 data points (pens) can be displayed on a single view and support for curve fitting is available.

Data Base Exporter

The Database Exporter tool allows users to save Analog Data Logger and Digital event recorder points from the D400 to your local PC, using the WEB interface, in comma-separated values (CSV) format.

Automatic Record Retrieval

The Automated Record Retrieval Manager (ARRM) retrieves and stores record files from devices connected to the D400. ARRM uses the Distributed Network Protocol (DNP) and the IEC 61850 protocol to communicate with a variety of devices, and uses the Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP) or MMS to transmit the files from the IED to the device over a Local Area Network (LAN) or serial connection.

You can also retrieve downloaded records from the D400 using any FTP/SCP/SFTP client as needed or on a scheduled basis.

ARRM supports a configurable interval for polling connected devices. This can be activated or deactivated through the runtime viewer display screen.

The connection status of the devices, in addition to the data retrieved from the IEDs can also be displayed or made available directly to the Tarigma Grid Enterprise Manager (GEM) software.

The D400 fault recording capability allows system event information to be collected and viewed using a web-based trend viewer.

Parallel Redundancy Protocol

IEC 62439-3 (Edition 2), Parallel Redundancy Protocol

Substation LAN redundancy has been traditionally accomplished by reconfiguring the active network topology in case of failure. Regardless of the type of LAN architecture (tree, mesh, etc.), reconfiguring the active LAN requires time to switchover, during which the LAN is unavailable.

Parallel Redundancy Protocol is an IEC 62439-3 data communication network standard which is often used to overcome single network failure without affecting the data transmission. PRP is independent of the communication protocols and provides no packet loss (“zero recovery time”) availability by using connected nodes which transmit and receive over two independent network active paths. Under PRP, each network node has two Ethernet ports attached to two different local area networks, using standard bridges, and similar topology.

Existing D400 systems with 1 GHz or newer CPU can be upgraded via firmware in order to enable the Parallel Redundancy Protocol. The D400 can communicate simultaneously to devices connected to a common network, carrying mixed traffic: single LAN, legacy redundant or dual LAN, and PRP. This aids in implementing PRP in brown field installations, taking advantage of possible spare ports on existing managed switches LAN infrastructure. Additional LAN switches may be added as needed.

Analog Report Generation

In addition to the data logging capability within the D400, users can configure the D400 to record and generate online and offline reports from operational and non-operation analog data. While online reports can be retrieved instantly and are an extension of the data logger periodic reports, offline reports can be retrieved daily, weekly or monthly.

Offline Reports:
  • Users can use the Analog report application to generate offline reports
  • Users can configure different types of analog reports. For example: Shift, daily, weekly and monthly
  • Users can use the offline report viewer to view generated reports
  • Output format types includes: PDF, Excel and HTML
Offline Reports
  • This is an extension of the data logger periodic reports
  • Users can use the online report viewer to view periodic data logger reports
  • Output format types includes: PDF, Excel and HTML
Report Configuration Steps
  • Create report template using iReport Designer
  • Import template to D400
  • Configure Offline Reports
Types of Offline Reports and Key Parameters:
report typereport durationstart time alignmentlogging intervallogging alignment
ShiftConfigurable
4, 6, 8 or 12 hours
Configurable
0-23 hour
Configurable
15, 30, 60 minutes
Configurable
00:00, 00:15, 00:30 or 00:45
DailyFixed
1 day
Configurable
0-23 hour
Configurable
15, 30, 60 min and 4, 6, 8 hours
Configurable
00:00, 00:15, 00:30 or 00:45
WeeklyFixed
7 days
Configurable
0-23 hour
Configurable 12 and 24 hoursConfigurable 0-23 hours
MonthlyFixed
7 days
Configurable
1-31 date
Configurable
12 and 24 hours
Configurable
0-23 hours

OpenVPN Architecture Example

Key features:
  • Support for 8 clients
  • Max 3 clients allowed
  • Pk12 certificate-key format support for openvpn client [Windows]
  • Network interface combination available for Routing
  • Support for 1024 Rules in Whitelist
  • Rules includes support for:
    • Any ICMP
    • Useful ICMP
    • TCP & UDP
  • Supports Redundancy (Warm/Hot)

Secure Remote Access

D400 provides robust security environment, providing seamless integration with existing IT department policies. Role based Access Control, Secure Web Interface, Secure File Transfer, and extensive user activity logging provide a complete security toolkit required to achieve NERC-CIP compliance.

Secure Remote Access
Non-operational Data

Using pass-through connections, the utility user can extract valuable non-operational data such as digital fault recording (DFR) records and event files. The user can also access the historical log files and upload the archived data for trending and analysis.

Pass-through/Terminal Server

A built-in terminal server emulator allows pass-through connections to be initiated to substation device (relay, meter, RTU or other device). Once the connection is established, the local event records can be uploaded from the substation devices and viewed remotely. Remote access can be secured with TLS or SSH.

Virtual Serial Ports

Virtual serial ports eliminate copper wire communications to feeder bays when a serial-only device is located in the bay. A small terminal server can be placed in the bay and connected to the Ethernet network, allowing all D400 serial client applications to connect directly to the serial device.

Role Based Access Control

Role Based Access Control is achieved using LDAP, TACACS+, RADIUS or the D400’s internal database; ensuring only authenticated and authorized users gain access the system. When using LDAP, TACACS+, or RADIUS, revoking user privileges, system wide, is as simple as updating the centralized user database.

Network security protocols:

  • HTTPS
  • SSH
  • SCP
  • Syslog
  • SFTP
  • CHAP
  • SFTP
  • CHAP
  • RADIUS
  • TACACS+
  • LDAP
Built-in Firewall

Multilin D400 is equipped with a built-in firewall for enhanced gateway cyber security. D400's firewall is designed to drop unsolicited or invalid routed packages. The firewall is preconfigured to block outbound traffic on external interfaces and inbound traffic on both internal and external interfaces. The D400 automatically generates rules allowing inbound traffic on internal interfaces for all configured services. The rules are user configurable for inbound/outbound traffic customization.

HMI, One Line & Annunciator

The Multilin D400 supports a web based HMI/ Annunciator feature, that is accessible using a standard Internet browser or through a VGA monitor and USB keyboard/mouse attached directly to the unit. Users have access to all data points in the systems, alarm screens, communications status screens and dynamic one line diagrams, all through the secure web interface.

The D400's web based HMI supports the following security features to ensure secure remote or local access:

  • Configurable auto logout/login for Remote and Local HMI access
  • Disabling of Remote HMI Non-Observer Privileges
  • Login to specific custom screens for added security to sensitive displays
  • Remote access to Redundant or Active HMI screens