GarrettCom, a provider of industrial networking products for specialty and stressed applications, announced that it will roll out the next generation of IEC 61850 switches targeted for power utility applications.
The Magnum 10KT Managed Switches will be showcased at DistribuTECH 2011 in San Diego, Calif.
The new Magnum 10KT Managed Switches include sub-10-nanosecond timing precision for utility applications. It also includes the dual hot-swappable power supplies in a 1U rack-mount switch, and up to 36 ports which can be configured to meet the needs of each installation, company officials said.
The 10KT Managed Switches come in a substation-hardened enclosure utilizing thermal design techniques that let the switches to run cooler and efficiently. The switches also include an enhanced version of the field-proven Magnum MNS 6K software with security features built-in.
Magnum 10KT switches provide the bandwidth, precision and hardening required for optimization of smart grid initiatives in substation environments, company officials added.
The 10KT switches offer time synchronization based on the IEEE 1588v2 protocol to offer the sub-microsecond timing accuracy required in substation applications.
Tests have demonstrated that GarrettCom's hardware/software design supports a mean synchronization time accuracy of less than 10 nanoseconds. The 1588v2 timing features supported include master clock, boundary clock, and transparent clock. The timing accuracy exceeds the requirements of next generation 61850-3 specifications, enabling smart grid substation networks to perform in harsh environments, company officials said.
Magnum 10KT configurations offer 10 slots for combinations of port types and support up to 36 100Mb fiber and copper ports, four of which may be Gigabit. By providing high port density, the 10KT provides the connectivity in IP-intensive substations and reduces failure in a substation communications system.
Recently, GarrettCom announced that it will be acquired by Belden. The acquisition will increase Belden's position as an industrial networking solutions provider. Belden will fund the purchase price with cash on hand and expects the acquisition to be completed by calendar year-end 2010.
Rajani Baburajan is a contributing editor for IoTevolutionworld. To read more of Rajani's articles, please visit her columnist page.Edited by
Jaclyn Allard