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The Basics of a DNP3 Protocol RTU

Monitoring your remote equipment with a DNP3 (Distributed Network Protocol) RTU can save you from losing revenues to downtime. Through data acquisition and control of remote site equipment, this device can give you the visibility you need for your operations.

A DNP3 RTU Collects Alarms From Your SCADA System Devices

DNP3 Remote Terminal Units (RTUs) are any remote terminal unit that can report alarms in the DNP3 communications protocol. This device's role in the SCADA (Site Control and Data Acquisition) system is to collect alarms from individual devices used by the SCADA operation. They forward these alarms to a DNP3 master, which notifies technicians of the communication problems reported by the RTUs.

Your DNP3 RTUs are an important part of your SCADA monitoring system. When purchasing an RTU (Remote Telemetry Unit), it is important to look for the most advanced features for your network. You'll also want to look at the needs of your individual sites. You must decide what RTU features will be most important to your mission-critical operations.

Find an RTU with the Point Capacity You Need

When deploying a SCADA monitoring system, you'll need to find a DNP3 RTU that can provide the capacity you need for all of your alarm points while leaving room for your SCADA system to grow. Your monitoring can grow easily when your RTU provides you with expansion options. You can expand your point capacity or add external temperature sensors.

If you need to monitor values such as battery levels, temperature, humidity, and more, you'll need to find a DNP3 RTU that provides alarm monitoring for analog inputs in addition to monitoring your discrete alarms. With analog alarm monitoring, your remote can report alarms detailing these values to your DNP3 master. Advanced RTUs allow you to define thresholds for these alarms. They will alert you when one of these values has crossed a major or minor threshold above or below optimal conditions.

A DNP3 RTU Will Provide You Enhanced SCADA System Visibility.

With features such as expansion options and analog alarm monitoring, your DNP3 RTU will provide you visibility of your SCADA operation. Working with an advanced DNP3 master will help you to make the most of your DNP3 RTU's capabilities. It will logically organize and report these alarms to your network technicians. This will bring your network back online quickly; minimizing lost revenues while your network is down.

DNP3 master stations receive alarms from your DNP3 RTU's, and devices of all your other sets of communication protocols. The most advanced masters will forward these alarms directly to your network technicians through pager, email, or cell phone.

They will also display these alarms in a single, convenient browser window. This allows your network the operator to easily view all standing alarms. You can even group alarms by user-defined criteria, such as severity, location, and more.

Deploy an RTU and Maximize Your Network Uptime

When seeking out an RTU, it is important to find a unit that will give you the most advanced monitoring for your money. An RTU will typically pay for itself by preventing lost revenues by maximizing your network uptime. Deploy an RTU today, and get the visibility your SCADA sites need.

Related Products:
NetGuardian 832A G5

Related Topics:
DNP3 IED (Intelligent Electronic Devices)