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Bringing Meter Readings into the 21st Century with REE’s IP Communications for IEC 60870-5-102
A Quick Overview
It felt as if the day would never arrive, but at last, REE (Red Eléctrica Española) has decided to step into the 21st century and modify the connection procedure for all measurement points that directly communicate with the main concentrator and provide readings to the system operator.
Under the new procedure, effective from October 15, 2023, access to the measurement point will be restricted solely to public IP and port addressing.
For detailed information on the IP communications change procedure, please refer to REE.
Adapt your meters with N3uron
The N3uron platform allows, through the IEC 102 Client module, to quickly adapt the meters to comply with the new procedure. All you need to do is install N3uron on a lightweight device with a serial port that supports TCP/IP communications, such as Seed Studio’s EdgeBox-RPi-200 or a similar option. The connection to the meter can be established through a serial port, an Ethernet converter or the meter’s optical port.
Gateway Functionality for Smooth Multi-Client Access
N3uron’s IEC 102 client includes a gateway functionality which guarantees smooth multi-client connections and prevents communication errors and collisions caused by concurrent access. The gateway listens to a TCP port and pauses communication with devices when a third-party application connects. This feature allows for transparent access to any device on the channel. Once the application disconnects, communication automatically resumes seamlessly, ensuring uninterrupted data flow.
An infographic showing N3uron gateway functionalities of the Software Module IEC 102 Client.
Scalable and Unlimited
N3uron’s IEC 102 Client offers unlimited connections, providing an exceptional solution for consolidating meter readings at a central point. Even in situations where the meters are located on a private network, the gateway configuration guarantees the system operator’s access through a single public IP.
Sharing Data with Third-Party Applications
The data retrieved from the meters using the IEC 102 Client can be easily shared with third-party applications through any Data Delivery module. N3uron supports multiple options, including MQTT Client, OPC UA Server, Sparkplug Client, REST API Server, and more. This flexibility enables seamless integration with existing systems and opens up possibilities for advanced data analysis and utilization.
The infographic illustrates how N3uron’s IEC 102 Client module enables seamless integration and advanced data analysis for shared meter data.
Conclusion
In summary, N3uron’s IEC 102 Client represents a significant step forward in the realm of meter reading. It offers enhanced efficiency, accuracy and flexibility, making it an ideal choice for modernizing existing infrastructures.
If you are ready to embark the journey of updating your infrastructure, we invite you to download the N3uron free trial version today. Get started by reading our comprehensive IEC 102 Client Manual, which provides all the necessary information to harness the full potential of N3uron’s IEC 102 Client capabilities.