The OMICRON DANEO 400 is a hybrid measurement and recording system that captures at the same time conventional signals (voltages, currents, hardwired binary states) and messages from the substation network. It verifies IEC 61850 communication against the SCL files, checks PRP and HSR redundancy, tests merging units and monitors GOOSE, Sampled Values and PTP traffic.
What it is and where it is used
The OMICRON DANEO 400 is a hybrid measurement and recording system: it measures and analyzes the conventional signals of a substation (voltages, currents and hardwired binary states) and, at the same time, the messages of its communications network. That dual view is what makes it possible to know whether the hardwired part and the digital part are coordinated. It covers the life cycle of a protection, automation and control system: factory acceptance tests (FAT), commissioning, site acceptance tests (SAT), maintenance, changes and fault location.
It is used in hybrid substations with hardwired signals and a network, in substation local area networks, in wide area networks between substations and in redundant topologies such as PRP and HSR. The digital substation framework is in IEC 61850 digital substation.
Main uses
| Use | What it checks |
|---|---|
| Measurement and recording | Analog and binary signals and network traffic, live or recorded |
| IEC 61850 verification | That the IED servers are available and that all GOOSE and Sampled Values exist as defined |
| Network redundancy | That messages arrive over both PRP networks or in both directions of the HSR ring |
| Merging unit tests | Accuracy and timing of the Sampled Values against the input signals |
| Traffic monitoring | Abnormal events (lost samples, GOOSE timing problems, PTP synchronization) with an event log |
| Network performance | Propagation delays and load, including between substations |
Verifying communication against the SCL
The description of the communication system in the standardized SCL language is the basis of the verification. The DANEO 400 imports the IED configurations from the files and checks that the IEC 61850 servers respond and that the GOOSE and Sampled Values are present on the network as defined. The differences between the configuration and what circulates are shown side by side, and the streams that appear on the network without being in the files are listed as “orphans”. On the files, see IEC 61850 SCL files and the SCL viewer.
For redundant networks, the set compares the messages on the two PRP networks or in the two directions of an HSR ring and automatically detects problems such as missing PRP trailers or HSR headers, or incorrect wiring of an IED. The protocol is explained in PRP and HSR.
Merging unit tests
The merging unit is the element that digitizes the yard signals and publishes them as Sampled Values; it is described in merging unit. Testing it is essential for the integrity of the system. The DANEO 400 compares the waveform, magnitude and phase of the inputs with the unit’s output, and measures packet intervals and delays. The results are shown with statistics and histograms and come out in a printable report. If there are anomalies, lost packets or quality problems, it can start a recording with all the data useful for diagnosis.
Continuous monitoring and TAP mode
In normal operation the set monitors GOOSE and Sampled Values traffic according to the SCL and logs events with their severity and category. An event can trigger a recording or send an email to operations staff. It can be connected in passive TAP mode, so it obtains all the traffic of a link without configuring port mirroring on the switches. To understand the effect of a network problem on the protection, see GOOSE does not arrive or arrives late and transfer time in IEC 61850.
Hardware, software and versions
The hardware offers 10 analog or binary inputs, 4 binary outputs, network interfaces, a mass storage interface and extension interfaces. It is operated with the DANEO Control software, which allows managing one or several sets, viewing live signals, analyzing records and generating reports. Several units synchronize with the precision time protocol (IEEE 1588) and deliver a time-aligned view of a whole distributed system. A later software version, according to manufacturer announcements, added support for Sampled Values with IEC 61869-9 and IEC 61850-9-2 edition 2.1. The number of inputs and the full features depend on the package purchased; confirm them with the current datasheet.
Precautions and common mistakes
- Measuring without a common time reference. The comparison between analog and network depends on everyone sharing the time; see loss of time synchronization.
- Outdated SCL files. If the file does not reflect what is installed, the set reports differences that really belong to the file.
- Poorly configured mirror port. The capture may lose frames; TAP mode avoids that error.
- Filling the disk with long records. Triggers must be specific enough to save what matters.
- Interpreting a delay without its context. The delay of a packet depends on the topology; it is compared with the network budget, as explained in Sampled Values and GOOSE bandwidth.
Frequently asked technical questions
- DANEO 400 or a packet analyzer: the first compares with the SCL, records analog signals and works unattended; the second is used to inspect packets. See IEC 61850 traffic analysis with Wireshark.
- Manual and software: OMICRON provides the manual and updates to its customers; this sheet is based on the public brochure.
- Related standards: IEC 61850, IEC 61869-9 and IEC 62439-3 for redundancy.
How we help
Do you need this test? We do it for you: depending on your case we recommend the right test and test set and include it in the quote. That way you run the test your case really needs, without paying for tests you do not need. On site, this work is done in Colombia, or elsewhere on request.
See the scope in FAT and SAT testing and in testing and commissioning, or tell us about your case through contact.
Related guides
- IEC 61850 digital substation
- Merging unit
- IEC 61850 test tools
- PRP and HSR (IEC 62439-3)
- IEC 61850 traffic analysis with Wireshark
- IEC 61850 SCL files
- OMICRON CMC 850: IEC 61850 protection testing
- OMICRON StationGuard and StationScout: digital substation
References
- IEC 61850-6 (SCL), IEC 61850-8-1 (GOOSE), IEC 61850-9-2 (Sampled Values); IEC 61869-9, digital interface for instrument transformers.
- IEC 62439-3, industrial communication networks, high availability: PRP and HSR; IEEE 1588, precision time protocol.
- OMICRON, brochure “DANEO 400: advanced measurement and recording system”.
Frequently asked questions
What does the DANEO 400 do that a network analyzer like Wireshark does not?
It measures conventional signals and network traffic at the same time, with a common time base, to check whether both worlds are properly coordinated (for example, the current from a merging unit against the analog current it measures). It also compares the traffic with the specifications of the SCL file, checks redundancy and works standalone with triggers. A general packet analyzer captures the traffic but does not make that comparison.
Is it useful for testing merging units?
Yes. According to the manufacturer, it compares the waveform, magnitude and phase of the input voltages and currents with the Sampled Values the unit publishes, and analyzes packet intervals and delays with statistics and histograms, besides detecting lost packets and synchronization or quality problems.
Can it be left connected to capture a sporadic event?
Yes. The set can work unattended: when a trigger condition is met it saves the signals and the traffic, re-arms itself to wait for another occurrence and can accumulate several records. It supports an external disk for large volumes and remote control to query status and download records.