Introduction

The NPort S9650I Series 8/16-port RS-232/422/485 device servers, which come with a built-in full-function managed Ethernet switch, are designed specifically for the harsh environmental conditions found in electrical substations. With both fiber and wired Ethernet ports supported, the combination of a device server and Ethernet switch gives users the ability to easily install, manage, and maintain the NPort S9650I itself, as well as attached serial devices.

Electromagnetic Compatibility for Harsh Substation Environments

The NPort S9650I Series supports a high level of surge protection to prevent damage from the types of power surges and EMI one finds in electrical substations and industrial automation applications. Combined with a -40 to 85°C operating temperature range and galvanized steel housing, the NPort S9650I is suitable for a wide range of industrial environments.

Another plus is the NPort S9650I’s dual power supplies, which provide both redundancy, as well as a wide range of voltage inputs. The WV models accept a 24/48 VDC power input (ranging from 18 to 72 VDC), and the HV models accept a power input of 88 to 300 VDC and 85 to 264 VAC.

Power SCADA with IEC 61850 MMS for Easy Maintenance

The current trend in power SCADA applications is to control and monitor both IT devices (switches, routers, etc.) and IEDs (sensors, actuators, etc.) with the MMS protocol. Contrast this with the more traditional management approach of using SNMP for IT devices and MMS for IEDs. In fact, SIs may even need to manage a variety of legacy devices that use proprietary communications protocols.

The NPort S9650I device servers are the world’s first device servers to integrate MMS into an IT-type device designed specifically for power SCADA applications. The NPort S9650I even supports using MMS to monitor serial communications between the S9650I and legacy devices.

Supports Modbus/DNP3 Protocol Gateway

The NPort S9650I Series provides maximum flexibility for integrating industrial Modbus/DNP3 networks of all types and sizes. The NPort S9650I is designed to integrate Modbus TCP, ASCII, and RTU devices in almost any master/slave combination, including simultaneous serial and Ethernet masters.

The NPort S9650I device servers also support protocol conversion between DNP3 serial and DNP3 IP, and all models are ruggedly constructed to ensure reliable operation.

Cybersecurity Features Based on IEC 62443/NERC CIP

The NPort S9650I Series has security features based on IEC 62443/NERC CIP to provide a high level of cybersecurity. Protecting mission-critical networks from cyberattacks is a high priority for industrial automation applications, which can suffer large losses due to extended network downtime.

Supports IEEE 1588v2 and IRIG-B Time Synchronization Functions

The NPort S9650I Series, which has a modular design that supports IEEE 1588v2 and IRIG-B time synchronization, is able to interconnect and synchronize multiple types of intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) that use different communication protocols. The time source is provided via IEEE 1588v2 and converted to IRIG-B for distribution to the IEDs via the serial ports or via a dedicated IRIG-B BNC connector.

Ring Redundancy at the Device Level

Device-level communication networks for industrial automation are very critical since they are used to control and monitor device processes. The reliability of these communications depends on ring redundancy at the device level, which is designed to provide fast network fault detection and reconfiguration to support the most demanding control applications. The NPort S9650I Series integrates a full-function NPort device server with an industrial switch to carry serial and Ethernet devices at the same time. In addition, the NPort S9650I Series can achieve ring redundancy with standard STP/RSTP and Moxa’s proprietary Turbo Ring or Turbo Chain 2 redundancy protocols. This all-in-one design can be used to optimize and simplify your device network and enhance reliability.