Ethernet switch is rugged enough for substations

The RuggedSwitch RSG2100 offers utility customers the highest fibre optical and gigabit port densities, the highest EMI immunity, and the widest operating temperature range in the industry.

Dubbed "the substation Ethernet switch", the RuggedSwitch RSG2100 offers utility customers the highest fibre optical and gigabit port densities, the highest EMI immunity, and the widest operating temperature range in the industry, all in a ruggedised and highly flexible, modular design.

The deployment of Ethernet within utility substations for substation automation is gaining strong momentum.

Spurred on by the emergence of new substation automation communication protocols such as IEC61850 and an abundance of equipment manufacturers ready to support it, utilities are replacing antiquated and expensive proprietary technologies and choosing the flexibility and cost effectiveness of Ethernet for mission critical substation local area networks.

With the introduction of the substation Ethernet switch, RuggedCom is delivering exactly what utilities have been asking for.

"The RuggedSwitch RSG2100 really raises the bar in this market", said RuggedCom President and CEO Marzio Pozzuoli.

"We're pleased to have many of the world's largest power utilities as customers".

"We've taken the insight gained from working with them and designed this product from the ground up, to meet the specific demands of the substation".

With three gigabit uplink ports, the product enables the creation of fault tolerant high-speed fibre optical Ethernet networks suitable for mission critical real-time control applications.

It is ideal for use with demanding industrial protocols like the emerging IEC61850-9-2 standard, known as Process Bus, for broadcasting power system current and voltage samples over a 100Mbit/s fibre-optic Ethernet link.

The RSG2100, which features the highest port density in the industry, provides up to sixteen 100Mbit/s ports and three gigabit fibre optical Ethernet ports.

This allows up to 16 Process Bus nodes to multicast their current and voltage samples, and the gigabit uplink ports may be used to create a fibre optical gigabit network backbone or ring, or to provide redundant gigabit uplinks.

The RSG2100's modular architecture allows the customer to choose the precise configuration of ports that they require.

This permits a mix of legacy and new Ethernet devices and port options, while allowing for future expansion and upgrades.

An additional level of flexibility is the availability of rear port mounting.

This provides users with the ability to connect all communications and power cables from the rear of the unit, facilitating easy connection to rear port automation devices which are commonly found in the substation.

RuggedRated for reliability in harsh environments, the RSG2100 provides the highest levels of EMI immunity in the industry.

It exceeds IEC61850-3 EMI immunity levels and provides IEEE1613 Class 2 error free device operation for mission critical substation automation and protection applications.

In addition to performing in harsh EMI environments, the device will operate reliably in temperatures ranging from -40 to +85C without fans.

Optional, integrated, dual-redundant power supplies, which can be powered from different sources at different voltages, deliver additional assurance and flexibility.

The RuggedSwitch RSG2100 is now shipping.

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