Opto 22, Power Engineers develop Ethernet, DNP3-based RTU alternative

Temecula, CA— Opto 22 and Idaho-based Power Engineers have co-developed Snap DNP I/O, which they report is a low-cost remote telemetry unit (RTU) alternative for use with DNP3-based supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems. Opto 22 produces hardware and software for remote monitoring, enterprise data acquisition, and machine-to-machine applications. Power Engineers provides consulting and engineering services to the energy, communications, and facilities industries.

The latest in Opto 22’s Snap Ethernet-based line of intelligent I/O systems and controllers, Snap DNP I/O is an open and expandable DNP slave hardware device that connects substation equipment, such as power transformers, motor operators, circuit breakers, and other critical utility systems, to master SCADA stations over standard Ethernet networks.

Snap DNP I/O represents a lower-cost, non-proprietary, standards-based way to aggregate instrumentation values; track energy consumption, monitor equipment status, and other variables; control remote equipment; and otherwise bring all of a utility’s most critical assets under the scope of a DNP SCADA network, without incurring the cost of deploying and maintaining traditional RTUs.

‘The development of SNAP DNP I/O would not have been possible without the participation of our long time business partner Power Engineers,’ says Bob Sheffres, Opto 22′ s VP. ‘Power Engineers’ expertise in designing DNP-based communications solutions for customers in power generation and distribution and other industries makes us supremely confident in bringing Snap DNP I/O to market.’

Snap DNP I/O connects to virtually any electrical, electronic, or mechanical utility device or system via a broad array of optically isolated and guaranteed-for-life analog and digital modules. The hardware is therefore suitable for deployment throughout the entire SCADA environment.

‘Snap DNP I/O is appropriate in any utility for gathering meter data and logging performance data from equipment for optimizing individual system performance, establishing maintenance schedules, reporting, and meeting regulatory compliance and Homeland Security requirements,’ says Scott Olson, Power Engineers SCADA manager.

Snap DNP I/O is also suited for remotely monitoring, controlling, and managing auxiliary systems and equipment not typically included in SCADA systems, such as security and access control for substations. Also, Snap DNP I/O system’s modularity and distributed intelligence allows quick and seamless expandability, giving users the ability to monitor and control newly added facility equipment without reprogramming or altering existing systems.

Control Engineering Daily News DeskJim Montague, news editorjmontague@reedbusiness.com

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