Siemens strengthens timing for digital substations
New Siprotec 5 PTP Grandmaster Clocks keep protection systems running during clock changes, while improving resilience and cybersecurity across digital substations.
Image for illustrative purposes
Siemens has launched a new solution for modern energy networks with its Siprotec 5 Precision Time Protocol (PTP) Grandmaster Clocks (GMC). Designed for digital substations, the technology delivers robust and dependable time synchronisation, ensuring vital protection functions continue without interruption and helping operators maintain stable, secure power grids.
Accurate time is essential in today’s digital substations. While some systems rely on globally synchronised time signals, process bus applications mainly need stable local precision. Siemens addresses this by separating sample synchronisation from global time synchronisation, using dedicated internal time sources.
The Siprotec 5 devices include integrated PTP Grandmaster Clocks that comply with the IEEE 1588v2/PTP standard. Instead of depending on external Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals, they use internal oscillators as precise time references. This allows protection systems to continue operating even if external signals are disturbed.
A key element is Siemens’ patent-pending Seamless PTP grandmaster changeover technology. When a primary clock becomes available again, it first synchronises with the active backup clock before taking over. This prevents sudden time jumps during switchovers and keeps protection functions continuously available.
The approach also improves cybersecurity. By allowing process bus networks to run independently and without external access points, the solution clearly separates the process bus from the station bus network.
Traditional GNSS-based systems can be affected by solar activity or deliberate interference, leading to time errors, unnecessary outages or false trips. The new solution reduces these risks, supporting safer and more reliable grid operation.
Source: Industrial Ethernet Book
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