S&C Instruction Sheet 1025-511
9
Installation
Making the Control Power, Data, and
GPS Connections
A GridMaster controller comes standard with connections
for power, two Ethernet ports, a coaxial port for connecting
a GPS antenna, and two screw terminal connectors. See
Figure 1 on page 7. Make the control power, data, and GPS
connections by completing the following steps:
STEP 1.
If present, connect a GPS antenna to the female
coaxial connector on the controller.
STEP 2.
Connect a solid-copper Ethernet cable to the
Ethernet 0 port on the controller. The other end
of the cable may be connected to either a radio,
a network switch, or directly to the local-area
network on which the GridMaster Microgrid
Control System will be interconnected.
STEP 3.
The GridMaster controller can accept 24 Vdc
control power. Connect the two 12–30 AWG
wires from the control power source to the
GridMaster controller to the first two (left-hand
facing) screw terminals of Terminal 1.
STEP 4.
S&C recommends the control power source be
supported by an uninterruptable power supply
that can power the controller for at least one
hour after control power is lost.
STEP 5.
If the associated IED communicates via
Ethernet, connect a solid-copper Ethernet cable
to the Ethernet 1 port. Connect the other end to
the IED according to the IED manufacturer’s
instructions.
STEP 6.
A three-port RS-485 screw terminal comes
standard with the controller. To connect to a
RS-485 connector module, connect three 12 – 30
AWG wires to the screw terminal and tighten
the screws until they bottom out. Do not leave
the wires unsecured. The maximum
recommended length of wire is 1,000 meters
(3,281 feet). There is no required order for use of
the screw terminals. When using stranded wire,
S&C recommends coating the stranded ends
with tin-solder before insertion into the screw
terminals. The pinout is shown in the “Module
Pinouts” section on page 11.
Note:
The RS-485 connection can communicate at
speeds up to 115200 baud and can be used to acquire data
from any compatible IED, including those that use the
Modbus protocol. Third party converters are available
to convert from RS-485 to RS-232 or RS-422. The port
is configured as Data Terminal Equipment (DTE). Both
the send and receive registers of the port have a 16-byte
FIFO and 16C550-compatable UARTs. Individual modem
handshake control signals are supported.
