Time Synchronization of Automation Controllers for Power Applications

Abstract

This paper investigates various forms of industrial time synchronization and attempts to apply them to Programmable Automation Controllers (PACs) for power system applications. PACs have been used in industry for many control applications, but advancements in synchronization technology has allowed for PACs to be used in high speed control and data acquisition systems. This paper looks at utilizing a PAC as a time synchronized Sequence of Events recorder (SER) for substation automation. It is shown that a PAC can be time synchronized to multiple time references and provide accuracies accepted by the power industry.

Probabilistic identification method of distance protection misoperation due to power flow transfer

“…The synchronous reference clock is needed to ensure that the operation probabilities with the same time stamp are used in the further analysis. The synchronization system based on Global Positioning System widely applied in substations could provide the desired unified clock …”

Applications Enabled by a Deterministic Wireless Communication System Such as Industrial LTE

“…This way the basic LTE Advanced system is not changed and standard hardware might be deployed. Utilization of a GPS-based clock synchronization method [11] is proposed to solve the problem of synchrony of the communication. By having a synchronized clock in every wireless connected device, the execution of actions can be based on this common timestamp instead of the varying arrival of a message.…”

Enhancing traditional process SCADA and historians for industrial & commercial power systems with energy (via IEC 61850)

“…Previous work has shown that automation controllers can be synchronized to the same timescale and accuracy of the electrical protection network [17].…”