Power Protection FEATURED ARTICLE

Power utilities are increasingly turning to networking solutions for their substations because of their high reliability and feature rich specifications and RFL Electronics, which provides a complete range of protection products and services, has released two new managed Ethernet switch products, the RFL 3200 MK10 and MK16.

Available in 10 and 16 port configurations respectively, the two Ethernet switches raise the bar for applications requiring mission-critical performance, reducing the wastage of bandwidth, offering improved security and limiting the impact of network problems, said company officials.

"The MK-10 and MK-16 complete RFL's Ethernet product basket and complement the market leading eXmux 3500 TDM over IP access Multiplexer/Transport system,” said Emmanuel Duvelson, marketing director of communications products at RFL.

So what do these Ethernet switches actually do? Well, they act as a bridge in a LAN network and are reportedly more reliable than commercial devices. Incorporated with surge suppression circuitry, they can operate in electrically harsh environments such as utility substations.

As mission-critical protective relaying devices they conform to IEC 61850-3 and IEEE (News - Alert) 1613 standards and include IEEE-1588 timing Precision Time Protocol , PoE and Gigabit Line rates at very competitive price points.

Duvelson noted that the availability of a complete communications systems starting from system design to outstanding service and support would go a long way in solving mission-critical communication needs of utility substations.

In other news reports, Minuteman UPS/Para Systems (News - Alert), a provider of extensive power protection technologies, is ushering in the new season with its summer savings instant rebates, a June and July summer instant rebate program on some of the company’s leading power protection technologies.

Duston Nixon, marketing communications specialist for Minuteman, told TMCnet of the rebate program. “The savings available make these units, which are already a great value, an even better option for users looking to protect phone, security, and network systems of all sizes.”