Alstom MiCOM P546 - 1. SCADA COMMUNICATIONS; 1.1 Introduction

SCADA Communications P54x/EN SC/La4
MiCOM P543, P544, P545 & P546 (SC) 13-3
SC
1. SCADA COMMUNICATIONS
1.1 Introduction
This section outlines the remote communications interfaces of the MiCOM P54x series of
relays. The relay supports a choice of one of three protocols via a rear 2-wire EIA(RS)485
communication interface (RP1), selected via the model number when ordering. According to
the protocol and hardware options selected, the interface may alternatively be presented
over an optical fiber interface, or via an Ethernet connection. The protocols supported by the
first rear communications port, RP1, of the MiCOM P54x are :
 Courier
 IEC 60870-5-103
 DNP3.0
The protocol implemented in the relay can be checked in the relay menu in the
‘COMMUNICATIONS’ column. Using the keypad and LCD, firstly check that the ‘Comms.
Settings’ cell in the ‘CONFIGURATION’ column is set to ‘Visible’, then move to the
‘COMMUNICATIONS’ column. The first cell down the column shows the communication
protocol being used by the rear port.
Note: The standard IEC 60870-5-103 is sometimes abbreviated to
IEC870-5-103, IEC 60870, or even -103. In some references it may
even be described as the ‘VDEW’ standard.
The Courier rear port interface may be presented as EIA(RS)485, or, using the same
connection, it may be set to present an interface compliant with the K-Bus standard.
The rear port described above (RP1), is complemented by the front serial interface, and an
optional second rear communications interface, RP2, both of which have fixed protocol
support for Courier only.
The implementation of both Courier and IEC 60870-5-103 on RP1 can also, optionally, be
presented over fiber as well as EIA(RS)485.
The DNP3.0 implementation is available via the EIA(RS)485 port and an additional Ethernet
implementation is also available as an option.
All rear port communication interfaces are fully isolated and suitable for permanent
connection. EIA(RS)485 (and K-Bus) connections allow up to 32 devices to be ‘daisy-
chained’ together using a simple twisted pair electrical connection.
Note: The second rear Courier port, the fiber optic interface, and the
DNP3.0 over Ethernet are mutually exclusive as they occupy the
same physical slot.
For each of the communications ports an outline of the connection details is provided in this
section. The ports are configurable by means of settings and a description of the
configuration follows the connections part. Finally, details of the protocol characteristics are
presented.
The protocol characteristics described in this section are those specific to the implementation
of the protocol in the MiCOM P54x. They are not exhaustive. Further information may be
found by referencing the following:-
 R6509 K-Bus interface Guide
 R5610 IEC 60870 Interface Guide
 R6511 Courier Protocol
 R6512 Courier User Guide
 www.dnp.org
Further details regarding physical connections to the interfaces can be found in the
installation (IT) section of this manual.