User's Manual

Bridges Hardware Guide Silver Spring Networks 4
1 Introduction
1 Introduction
Silver Spring Networks’ Distribution Automation (DA) network is designed to help electrical
utilities manage field devices such as reclosers, capacitor banks, voltage regulators, and
transformers, through more efficient two-way communication. The utilities’ primary tools for
monitoring power distribution systems are called Remote Terminal Units (RTUs).
Utilities use Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) centers to remotely control
substation and distribution equipment through these RTUs. Unfortunately, many RTUs don’t
communicate effectively to SCADA management systems, making fault detection and field
response difficult. The DA network is designed to address this problem, by building a
comprehensive fault-tolerant wireless IP network for two-way communications with distribution
RTUs.
The devices used to improve communications between the utility’s SCADA central office and its
RTUs are the Silver Spring Networks eBridge
®
and the Silver Spring Networks sBridge
®
. Each
are separate bridge types that differ based on their provided types of port connectors.
Note: In this document, whenever applicable, the eBridge and sBridge will be referred to generically
as “bridges.”
Silver Spring Networks bridges are devices that provide a network for reliable and secure IP-
based two-way communications between RTUs and the SCADA system. Faster communication
with RTUs helps create a smarter, more reliable electrical grid.
The eBridge
The eBridge provides the following interfaces:
One (1) 100Base-T RJ-45 Ethernet interface.
One (1) DB-9 nine-pin serial interface.
One (1) 900 MHz RF wireless interface.
The Ethernet port on the eBridge often connects to the network leading to the back office or the
electrical substation SCADA system. A remote eBridge can use its Ethernet port to connect to one