The Vinci is an Elseta product line dedicated to serving engineers and creators. We believe that this century is dedicated to smart energy management where electrotechnical equipment is made to be used in a smart way. A big part of this is smart tools for engineers and creators. Name The Vinci was inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s illustration “Vitruvian Man”, which represents the golden ratio of the human body. The elements are positioned so that they would prolong the lines of the drawn figure and create a perfectly ergonomic shape of the device, convenient to handle every day. The purpose of this product line is to create perfectly ergonomic tools for creators and engineers.
We have created a protocol test tool (protocol analyzer) to serve engineers and creators who do commissioning, engineering, and design of electrotechnical equipment where industrial communication protocols are mandatory.
The Vinci Software
At Elseta we started to deliver Serial protocols for smart grid systems. This includes IEC 60870 protocols. We also saw that many utilities use Modbus for sensors, meters, and other devices and later we added TCP/IP protocols to IEC 60870-5-104 and Modbus TCP. In the near future, we plan to add more protocols like DNP3, SunSpec, and IEC 61850.
The Vinci Expert
To better serve engineers and creators we have made The Vinci Expert hardware tool for serial communication protocols. That is a state-of-the-art product for engineers to avoid cables and converters. This small tool set helps during the commissioning, and setup of new designs and is very convenient for traveling due to its small size, well-arranged cables, and adapters.
As our contribution to the development of the smart grid, we are providing The Vinci Software for free with a “FREEMIUM” license.
Here is our list of the most popular communication protocols in smart grid systems now and in near future.
- IEC 60870 is a commonly used communication protocol in smart grid systems. It is a standard protocol for the tele-control of electrical systems and is widely used in Europe and other parts of the world. IEC 60870 provides a framework for communication between devices in the grid, including sensors, control systems, and other devices. It is used for monitoring and control of various devices in the grid, including transformers, switchgear, and other equipment.
- DNP3 (Distributed Network Protocol): DNP3 is a protocol designed specifically for communications between devices in electric utility networks. It is widely used in North America and is becoming more popular in other parts of the world.
- Modbus: Modbus is a popular protocol used for communication between electronic devices in industrial environments. It is often used in smart grid applications for monitoring and control of devices in substations and other locations.
- IEC 61850: This is a standard for the design of substation automation systems. It provides a comprehensive framework for the management of power system information and the exchange of data between devices in the grid.
- SunSpec is another communication protocol used in smart grid systems. It is a standardized communication protocol that enables interoperability among distributed energy resources (DERs), such as solar PV systems, energy storage systems, and electric vehicles. The SunSpec protocol is based on open industry standards, such as Modbus and IEEE 1547, and it defines a set of data models and communication profiles that allow DERs to communicate with each other and with the utility control center. It is designed to enable plug-and-play interoperability between different vendors and technologies.
- IEEE 2030.5 is an IP-based communication protocol that uses web services to provide secure, reliable communication between devices in the grid. It is designed to support a wide range of smart grid applications, including demand response, distributed generation, electric vehicle integration, and more. One of the key benefits of IEEE 2030.5 is its support for interoperability between devices from different vendors. It defines a common set of communication protocols and data models that can be used by any compliant device, regardless of the vendor or technology used. IEEE 2030.5 is gaining popularity in the US and other parts of the world and is expected to be widely adopted in the coming years as utilities continue to deploy smart grid technologies.