Page 45 - CE_Industral_Journal_2014

A. Architecture IEC61850-3 and IEEE 1613 compliance include a
One of the most important considerations with video wide operating temperature range of -40ºF/ to +175ºF
monitoring solution is in the understanding of deployed (-40°C to +85°C) without the use of fans, and utilizing
architecture or topology. Figure 1 previously illustrated the industrially rated power supplies (ideally in dual power
distributed nature of the utility infrastructure. supply configurations). Consideration for communications
interfaces should also be made especially given that fiber
Typically, most commercially available video monitoring interfaces are more reliable and immune to EMI then
solutions utilize a centralized architecture whereby there cooper interfaces.
is one central server and cameras are connected directly
to it (either direct via analog or through an IP network). C. Cameras
The underlying assumption in these solutions is that Design considerations for cameras include whether
there is unlimited bandwidth and that the communication to choose analog or IP cameras. While the trend to IP
infrastructure is not a limiting factor, two characteristics that cameras continues, analog cameras do have a place
are generally not true when talking about communications where cost and ease of use are of primary concern. There
to and from a remote substation. are fixed cameras and PTZ cameras and while PTZ camera
increases flexibility, there is an associated increased
For utilities, there are multiple sites each with different cost for functionality that may not be needed. Camera
bandwidth capabilities. In a centralized architecture, having lens selection is another oft-forgotten consideration.
multiple remote sites becomes a huge limitation as video This helps define the camera field of view, controlling
competes for available bandwidth with critical network the flow of light toward the image sensor, and deals with
traffic 100% of the time. This has an effect of requiring a focusing issues. Finally, since most camera installations
large amount of bandwidth, limiting the number of users are in outdoor environments, the environmental factors
that can utilize the system and results is the possibility or and enclosure types must be considered. As with other
stopping the recording process if there are any problems hardware components in the substation, resistant to EMI,
in the network. meeting substation specifications, and a wide operating
temperature range are required. Ingress Protection rating
In a distributed architecture, the cameras and at least is also important with a minimum of IP66 (dust and water
one video server are located at each substation. The tight) recommended. Finally, since no two substations are
use of video servers allows constant recording at a identical, the selection of cameras and their placement
high resolution, optimizes bandwidth by only delivering become dependent on the actual site.
video “on-demand” over the network, is not affected
by disruptions in the network, and allows for multiple
simultaneous users. Additionally, a distributed architecture D. Software
more easily allows the user to optimize the configuration of All video management software contain the basic functions
the architecture to the available network communication to provide real-time and historical video monitoring,
infrastructure while still maintaining high fidelity in recording video recording, event management, and other support
and long term archiving. Thus intelligence at both ends of and management functions to access and configure
the line reduces dependency on the bandwidth available. multiple cameras over multiple remote locations. There
is, however, a difference between video management

B. Harsh Environments software designed for commercial security applications
versus industrial automation environments. Features
As previously discussed, the harsh substation environment such as industrial protocol support for easy integration
is particularly problematic for utilities and requires specific to SCADA systems, ability to control digital I/O for use
solutions to address. These environments require in an automation application, and the ability to integrate
specialized hardware components and packaging in other automation equipment through various serial or
addition to software designed with reliability in mind. The communication interfaces should be available.
utility industry’s response to the deployment of technology
and hardware products within the substation has been Video management software designed for industrial
to define rigorous specifications that the equipment applications are generally more reliable since they have
must pass. Equipment that meets specifications such taken into account the critical nature of the application
as IEC61850-3 and IEEE 1613 are necessary to insure during the design process. In particular, the available
reliable and proper operation within the harsh substation video analytic functions should be designed to work in
environments. outdoor and uncontrolled environments that are the
norm for substation applications. In addition to automatic
Other key specification requirements in addition to
INDUSTRY JOURNAL 43