DNP3 IED

A DNP3 IED (Intelligent Electronic Device) is one type of device within a SCADA system. RTU's (Remote Terminal Units) are deployed to monitor equipment within the operation, such as a DNP3 IED.

A DNP3 IED Collects Information from Sensors and Power Equipment
A DNP3 IED is a SCADA system component. The role of the DNP3 IED is to collect information from sensors and power equipment within SCADA operations, most commonly in water and power utilities. Some DNP3 IED’s are also capable of issuing equipment-controlling commands.

These DNP3 IED commands are programmed reactions to certain changes in values such as voltage or current. Upon sensing that a level is above or below the desired range, a DNP3 IED will activate a control function that engages some activity to correct the problem and return the value to the normal range. This includes activities such as raising voltage levels or activating circuit breakers.

Multiple Control Commands Can Be Enacted with a DNP3 IED
The microprocessing technology that is used in the production of a DNP3 IED is what allows these devices to issue multiple control commands. Early DNP3 IED’s could only perform a single control function. With the application of this advanced technology, a DNP3 IED can perform a number of control or protection functions.

A DNP3 IED can fall into a number of equipment categories. Some of these devices are protective relaying devices or load tap changer controls. Other DNP3 IED’s are used as capacitor bank switches or recloser controllers. A DNP3 IED can also be used to regulate voltages or circuit breakers.

You Must Monitor Your DNP3 IED Devices to Provide SCADA System Reliability
With your DNP3 IED devices serving a number of important roles within your SCADA system, it is important you know that they are operating properly. A DNP3 IED is an important component of your SCADA operations, and you can be confident it is correctly provisioned when you monitor your SCADA system components with a network alarm monitoring system.

A network alarm monitoring system is made up of a master, RTU's (Remote Telemetry Units), and monitored devices, such as a DNP3 IED. RTU’s collect alarms from the SCADA system components, and forward these alarms to the master station. The master station then displays the alarm in its user interface, while instantaneously sending out email and pager notification to network technicians. If a DNP3 IED loses connectivity, your technicians will be immediately alerted by the alarm.

T/Mon NOC Provides You with Visibility of All of your DNP3 IED Devices
Finding an advanced alarm master to perform these functions is of critical importance to your SCADA network. The T/Mon NOC is a master that can provide you with the visibility of your DNP3 IED devices while bringing in alarms from your entire SCADA network, as well as your other protocol devices.

With T/Mon NOC, you’ll be able to view all of your DNP3 IED alarms from your SCADA operation, as well as alarms from your other equipment. They’ll be brought into a single master window, eliminating the need to deploy a separate monitoring master for your SCADA system. T/Mon also offers you advanced features such as alarm grouping, displaying your alarms in user-defined categories, sorting by severity, location, and more.

Instant Alarm Notifications Alert You of DNP3 IED Connectivity Loss
With the instant alarm notifications provided by T/Mon, your technicians will instantly be informed of issues that arise with your DNP3 IED’s and other devices. This will eliminate tedious analysis of the SCADA system to locate problems, greatly speeding repair times. This will also increase your network reliability by keeping your DNP3 IED devices and other important equipment online consistently, reducing your customer churn related to network downtime.

With your DNP3 IED devices playing important controlling functions within your network, you can’t afford to leave them unmonitored. You need the most advanced technology to maintain the reliability of your mission-critical processes. Gain the reliability you need with a T/Mon NOC, and see the increase in your productivity and revenues today.

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Related Products:
T/Mon NOC

Related Topics:
DNP3 RTU (Remote Telemetry Unit)

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