Using the DNP 3.0 protocol

The Distributed Network Protocol Version 3.0 (DNP 3.0) is an open protocol used in the electric utility industry for communications and interoperability among substation computers, remote terminal units (RTUs), intelligent electronic devices (IEDs; for example, meters), and master stations.

Your meter can be integrated into a DNP network as a DNP slave, using the DNP Slave Import, DNP Slave Export and DNP Slave Options modules. For more information on the various DNP modules, see the ION Reference.

Your meter supports a maximum of three concurrent connections (or “sessions”) using the DNP 3.0 protocol; one for each serial port, up to three using Ethernet, or a combination of both. Combinations available depend on the meter's communications options. A session consists of all incoming and outgoing DNP master/slave traffic on one of the meter's communications ports.

In addition to the standard DNP Slave Export modules with update rates of once per second, high-speed versions of these modules with typical update rates of once per 8 milliseconds are available. Additionally, millisecond timestamping is supported for DNP events.

Consult the DNP User’s Group at http://www.dnp.org/ to learn more about the protocol.

The factory DNP 3.0 configuration

Your meter is preconfigured with a DNP framework that allows for basic DNP slave functionality. DNP Slave Export modules are used to send data to the DNP master while DNP Slave Options modules provide per-session settings such as communications options. Although some minor setup of the framework is necessary before it is enabled (assigning the DNP protocol to the communications ports, for example), most module settings should not require alteration.

For information on your meter’s default DNP map and factory configuration, see the ION8650 DNP 3.0 Device Profile.

Importing data using DNP 3.0

Data can be imported into the meter from a DNP control relay or analog output device. DNP Slave Import modules are used to take a DNP Analog output or Binary output object and map them into ION registers.

NOTE: DNP Slave Import modules are not part of the factory DNP framework and must be added manually. Refer to the DNP Slave Import module description in the ION Reference for details. Refer to the DNP 3.0 Device Profile protocol document for a description on the DNP 3.0 communications protocol used by the meter.

Configuring DNP 3.0

If the factory DNP configuration does not suit your needs, you can relink the existing DNP Slave Export modules to access a different set of parameters through DNP. Alternately, you can add additional DNP Slave Export modules and link the desired parameters to them.

If your DNP network requires data in a format different than that provided by the factory DNP configuration, you can edit the setup registers in the DNP Slave Export modules and the DNP Slave Options modules. Do not make any changes to the DNP Slave Options modules’ setup registers unless you understand the effects each change will cause. Refer to the ION Reference for complete details on DNP Slave Export and DNP Slave Options module function.

For detailed information on configuring your meter to use DNP, see the Multiport DNP 3.0 and ION Technology technical note.

Using the front panel

You cannot configure DNP through the meter’s front panel. You can only assign the DNP 3.0 protocol to communication ports. See Communications.

Using ION Setup

  1. Open the Setup Assistant for your meter. See the ION Setup Help for instructions.
  2. Select Communications > 3rd Party Protocols and click on the DNP 3.0 tab.
  3. Select the DNP feature you want to configure (for example, Parameter Map) and click Edit.

    4. The Setup Assistant wizard guides you through DNP configuration. See the

    ION Setup Help for more information.