March 28, 2012 — Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories added modules and protocols for its SEL-2240 Axion remote terminal unit (RTU) or programmable logic control (PLC) platform. Customers can now order low-voltage power supplies, four-slot backplanes, dual four-slot backplanes, and IEC 61850 GOOSE. The low-voltage power supply supports 24/48 Vdc sources. The pre-existing high-voltage power supplies support 125/250 Vdc or 120/240 Vac in the same unit. These can be used individually, or one of each can be used in the same Axion unit to provide redundant power from separate sources, such as a substation ac supply and a battery backup.
The four-slot and dual four-slot backplanes are useful for creating small distributed control systems. Another application of the four-slot backplanes is to implement redundant control systems with two real-time automation controller (RTAC) modules. The pre-existing ten-slot backplane is useful for larger control applications with larger concentrations of inputs and outputs. Both the Axion RTAC module and the SEL-3530 RTAC now support IEC 61850 GOOSE with up to 120 receive and 48 transmit messages, for greater flexibility in integrating a variety of intelligent electronic devices (IEDs). SEL continues to develop new features for the Axion.
A variety of input/output (I/O) modules, including dc analog input, ac metering, fast high-current digital output, and dc analog output modules, will be released later this year to expand the monitoring and control capability of the Axion. SEL will also add greater flexibility in protocol selection with support of IEC 61850 MMS and IEC 60870-5 coming to the RTAC product line. The Axion extends SEL’s automation and control product family by providing a high-density, highly configurable modular RTU and programmable logic controller (PLC) system. With flexible system architecture and integrated security, the Axion is designed to meet today’s monitoring and control application needs.
Users simply select the right combination of modules in almost any arrangement to create a customized solution for each job. ACSELERATOR RTAC SEL-5033 configuration software is included with each Axion for no additional cost. It features everything you need to set up I/O, communications, security, and programmable logic in one easy-to-use package.
