S&C TripSaver II - Understanding the Radio Mode

S&C Instruction Sheet 461-509 85
Appendix A
The TripSaver II recloser has a built-in transceiver for local communications that can
be operated in one of two radio modes: USB Transceiver mode or Communications
Gateway mode. Both modes use short-range 2.4-GHz wireless communications. With
a USB transceiver and a PC with the service center conguration (SCC) software, USB
Transceiver mode enables settings conguration and information download directly
between the TripSaver II recloser and the SCC software loaded on a PC.
Exclusive use of one radio mode at a time is required. The mode is selected by applying
the side magnet, cordless power module, and line current in combinations as shown in
Table 6 on page 86. Radio activation is different for firmware versions 1.7 and 1.8 and
later, so methods for both versions are included in Table 6 on page 86.
DANGER
The TripSaver II Cutout-Mounted Recloser MUST be de-energized and removed
from the utility pole before attaching the “corded” power module (power module with
ac adapter and extension cord) to the base of the TripSaver II recloser. The corded
power module is ONLY intended to be used for setup and data collection when the
TripSaver II recloser is de-energized and removed from the utility pole. Failure to
remove the recloser from the pole before attaching the “corded” power module can
cause arcing, burns, electric shock, and death.
Cybersecurity–Communications Gateway Radio Mode
The TripSaver II recloser and TripSaver II Communications Gateway use open standards
such as IPv6 and 802.15.4 MAC and PHY layers as a foundation for communication security.
When a TripSaver II Communications Gateway is commissioned for the first time, it
generates a completely random network master key. The network master key is, therefore,
unique per TripSaver II Communications Gateway and the paired TripSaver II reclosers,
allowing communications only between these devices. The network master key is used
to authenticate access and to derive the encryption keys for data encryption.
The TripSaver II recloser upon power up will identify itself to the communications gate-
way and use a secure algorithm to establish an authenticated and encrypted connection
to the gateway. The operator of the gateway must then explicitly add the TripSaver II
recloser to the local network via the secure web user interface.
Communications between the TripSaver II recloser and the communications gateway for
operational/application data are always encrypted using AES with a 128-bit encryption
key derived using a one-way secure hashing function that combines the network master
key learned during the pairing, with the key sequence numbers, which are automatically
changed on a periodic basis.
Understanding the
Radio Mode