Journal of Power and Energy Engineering, 2015, 3, 23-28
Published Online April 2015 in SciRes. http://www.scirp.org/journal/jpee
http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/jpee.2015.34004
How to cite this paper: Eslava, H., Rojas, L.A. and Pineda, D. (2015) Tele-Protection Implementation Using IEEE 1588 Preci-
sion Time Protocol in Colombian High Power Substations. Journal of Power and Energy Engineering, 3, 23-28.
http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/jpee.2015.34004
Tele-Protection Implementation Using IEEE
1588 Precision Time Protocol in Colombian
High Power Substations
Hermes Eslava1, Luis Alejandro Rojas1, Danny Pineda2
1Universidad Distrital, Bog otá, Colombia
2Openlink Sistemas DE Redes DE Datos S.A.S, Bogotá, Colombia
Received November 2014
Abstract
Optical fiber has been used as typical physical transmission medium in Colombian high power
substations for effective communication between substations and control centers. However, suita-
ble transmissions of tele-protection services continues to be a challenging area in the electrical-
supply sector since link stability as well as various performance tests suggest that link recurrence
requirements still exhibit limitations when using Metroethernet networks in this context. At pre-
sent, improvements have been achieved via proprietary protocols such as Mirrored Bits, which
matches the performance of a tele-protection link transmission under normal operation condi-
tions. However, this imposes commercial limitations on the Colombian electrical-supply sector
since proprietary protocols hinder fair competition among manufacturers. This is the rationale
behind conducting trials with precision time protocol as it is defined in IEEE 1588 standard. The
main purpose is to validate whether, under real operation conditions, it is possible to substitute
such tele-protection links via Metroethernet networks, yet considering a standard protocol that
allows incorporating various pieces of equipment from different manufacturers into the system as
well as providing common benefits derived from using this type of communication networks. The
present work provides technical results obtained after conducting various simulated tele-trigger
tests, including stress tests, where results-stability validation occurs through network-saturation
simulations. These saturation conditions are achieved by incorporating additional traffic, which
involves several switching events over link paths and permits validating tele-protection-response
timing when specifically using IEEE 1588 precision time protocol. Based on the aforementioned
reasons as well as on the resulting benefits, a series of laboratory tests have been defined in order
to evaluate delay and availability on tele-protection services when transported over IP networks.
Keywords
Metro Ethernet, IEEE 1588, IEC 61850, Tele-Protection, Effective Communications, Tele-Trigger
Simulations

H. Eslava et al.
24
1. Introduction
The present paper provides technical results obtained after conducting various simulated tele-trigger tests, in-
cluding stress tests, where results-stability validation occurs through network-saturation simulations. These
saturation conditions are achieved by incorporating additional traffic, which involves several switching events
over link paths and permits validating tele-protection-response timing when specifically using protocol IEEE
1588. Based on the aforementioned reasons as well as on the resulting benefits, a series of laboratory tests have
been defined in order to evaluate delay and availability on tele-protection services when transported over IP
networks. This paper also provides detailed explanations on the following aspects: test setup, potential results,
devices, and quality of Service schemes. The final part of the paper summarizes and discusses the most relevant
results.
2. Problem Formulation
As multi-service complexity increases within connectivity-oriented networks (so called Metro Ethernet), such
networks must support a wide range of services and applications that include large-scale traffic mechanisms in
order to successfully provide time-sensitive services such as conventional telephony and VoIP. Likewise, re-
quirements also become more demanding for the failure-avoidance equipment that protects the various system
elements; preserving system stability. Ethernet architecture allows detecting errors, and although it is unable to
make corrections, it does prevent damage to key devices within a network. In this context, tele-protection plays
an important role in successfully disconnecting the affected parts of a system by means of quick signal transmis-
sions.
The use of this type of networks has been implemented in order to promote features such as simplicity, com-
patibility, equity, stability, maintenance, and flexible addressing schemes over a multi-layer architecture; also
including short delays, high speed and low cost [1]. This is the rationale behind the increased number of imple-
mentations of these networks, as indicated in a comparative study conducted by Cisco Systems, Inc. [2]. At this
point it is worth asking what the connection is between Metro-Ethernet networks and tele-protection; can im-
plementation of such networks have an impact on tele-protection systems? Tele-protection systems are based on
tele-communication channels that provide deterministic signal-transmission delays together with constant bit
rates (bandwidth) in time with no delay variations. Static multiplexing techniques, like those associated to Ple-
siochronous Digital Hierarchies (PDH) and Synchronous Digital Hierarchies (SDH), meet this requirement and
so have been applied for decades by many companies when establishing their wide-area networks. Table 1
shows comparison between Ethernet and other technologies.
Thus, in various situations where Ethernet/IP-based networks are used for protection signaling, it is necessary
to implement a solution that allows supervising the availability and quality of WAN communication channels
(wide area network) and also send alert signals to the protection equipment in case reliable remote-terminal-
command transmissions were not guaranteed [3].
Table 1. Ethernet Compared to other alternatives.
Technological Differences Alternatives
Ethernet FR ATM
Scalability 10 M a 10 G 56 K a 45 M 1.5 M a 622 M
QoS Supported Limited Yes
Service Flexibility High Low Low
Protocol Efficiency High Mid Low
IP-Optimized Yes No No
Provisioning Fast Slow Slow
CPE (Cost per Engagement) $ $$ $$$
Cost/Mb $ $$ $$$
aTechnological differences where Ethernet outperforms other alternatives.

H. Eslava et al.
25
Tele-Protection in Electric Substations
At present, electrical energy companies focus on the potential risks of using non-deterministic Ethernet to
transmit protection signaling at substations. This may cause failure in electrical supply systems, leading to volt-
age sags or service interruptions that have a negative impact on every-day-life activities and, to a worse extent,
have serious financial consequences.
The main purpose of protection systems is to quickly isolate (take out of service) from the system any piece of
high-power equipment that shows faulty behavior. Likewise these protection systems must limit the extent of
damage caused to equipment and disconnect the faulty equipment as quickly as possible in order to keep stabil-
ity and preserve the good condition of the whole power system. Since transient stability is closely related to the
capabilities of the power system to maintain synchronization when undergoing massive perturbations, satisfac-
tory behavior of protection systems is important in order to ensure stability.
In order to serve its purpose, a protection system must be capable of detecting variations that may occur
around a given equilibrium point, reducing uncertainty and undefined states as much as possible. Such a system
should also detect anomalies in specific components or pieces of power equipment as well as and limiting the
time span of any anomaly (minimizing undesired delays). In conclusion, protection must contribute to the fol-
lowing desired features: 1) availability (% of time estimated for equipment, or parts of the power system, to op-
erate properly and be fully available), 2) reliability (probability that a piece of equipment, or part of the system,
is fully operational with no failure events within a given time span) and 3) instability (ability to recover a previ-
ous operation state as a synchronous operation of generators after disturbances) [4].
Classification of different types of protection falls into three main groups. The first group corresponds to
transmission-line protection, where the following devices are used: over-current breakers (either time-set or in-
stant-response, directional, non-directional, or directional with communication capabilities), differential line
breakers and distance breakers (with or without communication). The second group corresponds to distance
breaker protection, which is normally installed in places where failure-isolation instantaneous response times are
set. This second group allows larger instantaneous operation zones, greater sensitivity, easy adjustment, easy
coordination, and offers particular advantages such as remaining unaffected by configuration changes in the
power system. Lastly, the third group corresponds to power oscillation protection. This type of protection pro-
vides a balance between what is generated and what is consumed in terms of active and reactive power. Within
an electrical power system, in stationary regime, any change in either the generated, the power demand, or in the
electrical system itself, causes changes in the corresponding power transfer, which in turn oscillates until reach-
ing a new equilibrium point between the generation system and the load.
Typical power system response to disturbances depends on configuration and also on the extent of perturba-
tions. Depending on the type of disturbance as well as on the counteractions of protection equipment and control
systems, electrical systems may remain stable and continue their normal operation around a new equilibrium
point. This type of oscillation is referred to as stable-power oscillation. In case of system instability due to dis-
turbances, a separation of rotor angles occurs in some generators, accompanied by power oscillations that lead to
synchronization losses among generators (or among interconnected systems). This type of oscillation is called
instable power oscillation [5].
3. Laboratory Equipment and Application
Considering the aforementioned conceptual framework as well as the operation of Metro-Ethernet networks, the
structure of standard IEC61850 and IEEE 1588 precision time protocol and the benefits of applying tele-protec-
tion; the following section describes the equipment that constitutes a complete laboratory installed at the facili-
ties of Openlink in Bogotá (Colombia). The main laboratory components are the following:
3.1. CISCO ME 3400 Series Ethernet Access Switches
Built for service providers, these multilayer customer-located switches allow you to deploy Ethernet-to-the-
home (ETTH) “triple play” services and Ethernet-to-the-business (ETTB) VPN services. Based on today’s most
widely deployed access switches, the Cisco Catalyst 2950 and 3550 Series, the Cisco ME 3400 Series provides
service-provider-friendly hardware and mission-specific software [6] a single ETTH and ETTB access solution
to help reduce total ownership costs and operating expenses, compact form factors for ease of deployment, only

H. Eslava et al.
26
front connectors to simplify access (except for ME-3400G-2CS-A), NEBS Level 3 and ETSI certification (ME-
3400G-2CS-A is only NEBS3 certified), Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF) 9 and 14 certification and support for
multiple software images. The switches feature comprehensive security capabilities network based security to
protect the network from unauthorized traffic, switch security to help maintain continuous switch operation and
subscriber security to shield subscribers from other malicious users.
3.2. CISCO 2500 Connected Grid Switches
The Cisco 2500 Series Connected Grid Switch is a rugged switch optimized for use in transmission and distribu-
tion (T&D) power substations. The Cisco 2520 Connected Grid Switch (CGS 2520) is designed for substation
networks to endure harsh environments, common in transmission and distribution substations. The CGS 2520
uses Cisco IOS Software, the operating system that powers millions of Cisco switches worldwide [7]. Below
primary features:
• Rugged industrial design and substation compliance: IEC-61850-3 and IEEE 1613 for utility substation en-
vironments
• No fans, no moving parts for maximum reliability
• Tools for easy deployment, management, and replacement
• Extensive instrumentation and remote diagnostic capabilities
• Advanced Cisco IOS Software features such as 802.1x, Layer 2-Layer 4 access control lists, port security,
and more
• Advanced QoS capabilities to support mission-critical substation applications such as supervisory control
and data acquisition (SCADA) and IEC 61850 Generic Object-Oriented Substation Events (GOOSE) mes-
saging
• Comprehensive network security features based on open standards
• Field-replaceable components such as power supplies and Small Form-Factor Pluggables (SFPs)
• Intuitive graphical user interface (GUI) using Cisco Configuration Professional
In addition, the 2520 Connected Grid Switch has REP and Flexlink, which provide fast re-convergence in ring
and hub-and-spoke topologies [8], and smart-port templates provide one-touch global and port-level macros to
simplify switch deployments. There are two models for added flexibility first 24-port 10/100TX with dual-pur-
pose gigabit Ethernet uplinks and 24 ports of mixed fiber and copper, including 16 fast Ethernet fiber SFP ports
and 810/100 Power over Ethernet (PoE) ports with dual-purpose gigabit Ethernet uplinks.
In addition to these two essential pieces of equipment Figure 1, within the laboratory design we also included
general components such as routers, remote terminal units (to capture information whenever event/second direc-
tive triggers occurred), multiplexers, oscilloscopes (with terminals intended to capture delay-associated data)
and a network manager (to supervise the acquired statistical data). The 24-Volts-p er-time-unit input (one second
in this case), allows 200 ms, providing the necessary interruption time span required by the system [9]. The
voltage-measurement map associated to source generation for tele-protection equipment electrical connections is
shown in Figure 2:
4. Results
Regarding overall results, it is worth mentioning that:
• In virtually all cases (99.96%), maximum end-to-end delay remained below 9 ms (at tele-protection equip-
ment terminals). Moreover, 99.99% of the times delay did not exceed 25 ms.
• During the longest tests (22.7 days capturing data and using congestion-drive devices), significant availabil-
ity (99.987%) of trigger events was achieved (100% availability is not achievable due to unavailability peri-
ods, non-defined for the model within working hours).
• Results are based on a very large number of samples. All the cases analyzed herein include over 2 million
samples.
5. Conclusions
In conclusion, the most relevant aspect of an electrical-energy substation lies in the protection of electrical lines.

H. Eslava et al.
27
Figure 1. IP teleproteccion test model-laboratory (installed equipment).
Figure 2. IP tele-protection test model-measurement and source-voltage-generat-
ing electrical connections to the tele-protection equipment.
To successfully achieve this purpose, nowadays, there is sophisticated equipment based on reliable sensors that
are capable of measuring hundreds of line parameters on a regular basis, supported by implementation of stan-
dard IEC61850 and IEEE 1588.
Acknowledgements
The present study was conducted at Openlink laboratories in Bogotá (Colombia). At present, advances are being
developed regarding the identification of configurations and patterns that comply with international regulations
on the deployment of grids that cover this type of services. Based on the present is study, electrical-energy dis-
tribution companies have begun adopting this technology as well as deploying Metro-Ethernet networks using
robust, highly reliable optical-fiber links. The authors would like to thank Openlink for the permanent support
throughout this research project, particularly in its various stages, namely the technological survey, the search
for target applications and the process of acquiring experience in the field of Ethernet-network protection com-
plying with international standards.
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