COM600 + FDIR = A Simple, Money Saving Solution

We recently visited a utility customer in the Southeast US who is interested on improving distribution reliability in their circuits. As we started the meeting, the customer stated in a few words why they are interested in ABB as a partner: we have a strong product offering and we have made significant investments in or acquired  smart grid companies and that means commitment to the industry.Our customer couldn’t have said it better. Among the myriad of companies that play in the smart grid arena, ABB leads the way with a product portfolio that is becoming broader and more complete. We are proud to have several products to increase power distribution reliability (reclosers/sectionalizers, protective relays, automated switches among them). A fundamental part of self-healing networks is what is known as FDIR (Fault Detection, Isolation, and load Restoration). This technology ensures that two things happen when there’s a fault in a circuit with automated switches: 1) limit the size of impacted areas and 2) speed restoration of power. A fault on a circuit means several negative things for a utility â€" loss of revenue, customer dissatisfaction, dispatching personnel to solve the problem, etc.Another member of our distribution automation portfolio is the COM600 station computer. This product has been successfully installed in the US and other countries around the world for several years. With the recent inclusion of FDIR logic in our COM600 station computer, we offer a true solution for FDIR that reduces utilities’ costs and helps them become more efficient at their engineering processes. COM600’s FDIR has a simple configuration tool that reduces configuration time from days to hours by doing dynamic generation of logic for fault isolation and load restoration. In addition, this solution supports open protocols, which means a customer is not forced to a single-supplier solution. This is what translates into real savings for our customers and helps them make a business case for investment in smart grid technologies.The latest addition to our DA portfolio is RIO600, which is a module designed to provide I/O for the COM600 using IEC61850 communications. RIO600 helps in simplifying and decreasing the wiring inside the substation. The fully hardwired traditional medium voltage switchgear/substation control and protection system contains a centralized rack room approach resulting in extensive wiring. By using RIO600, signals can be transmitted between IED’s using ethernet-based IEC61850 GOOSE communication.To learn more about distribution automation solutions, click HERE or call +1 954 752 6700