Zeus | A Powerful Testing Tool for Power Industry Communication

Zeus | A Powerful Testing Tool for Power Industry Communication

April 18, 2025

Zeus is a tool used in the power industry. It helps to install, test, and maintain communication systems. These systems are very important for power stations and substations. Zeus supports both old and new types of communication. It checks many types of signals and protocols like Ethernet, IP, PTP, SyncE, IRIG-B, T1/E1, RS-232, and more. This helps engineers to clearly understand how well the systems are working.

Why Timing Is Important in Substations?

Zeus helps make sure all these systems work on the correct time by using different time signals like PTP, GPS, IRIG-B, and SyncE. In modern substations, many devices need accurate time signals. These include:

  • Devices using SV or GOOSE protocols, which need low delay.
  • Data collection tools like IEDs, RTUs, and MUs.
  • SCADA systems that use the MMS protocol.
  • Systems that protect power lines.
  • Devices that record events and logs.
  • Systems that use synchro-phasors to watch the whole power grid.

Ports and Interfaces

Zeus has many ports to connect with different systems. Some important ports are:

  • SFP and RJ45 for Ethernet
  • BNC and RJ45 for T1/E1 signals
  • GNSS port for GPS connection
  • PPS ports for time reference

It also supports hot-swappable modules. This means you can remove or add parts while it is still on. These modules include:

  • C37.94
  • Datacom interfaces
  • VF Port
  • Codirectional and E1/T1 ports
  • Optical to electrical conversion

How Zeus Works

Zeus shows results in graphs and tables. You can use a touch screen, keyboard, or mouse to control it. It can also be used remotely using VNC software. The device can store one week of test results. You can export the data in PDF, TXT, or CSV format using USB or SD card. You can also send the report to another computer using Ethernet.

Easy to Use and Carry

Zeus is small and light. It is only 260 x 160 x 63 mm in size and weighs 1.9 kg. You can carry it easily in a small bag. You can start the device manually or set a timer. You can also lock it with a password.

Battery and Clocks

Zeus includes two Lipo battery packs. These batteries last a long time depending on how you use the device.

Zeus has several types of clocks for time accuracy. It can work with or without GPS. When GPS is connected, the time accuracy is better than ±50 nanoseconds.:

  • Standard clock: ±2.0 ppm
  • OCXO clock: ±0.1 ppm
  • Rubidium clock: ±5.0e-11 (after warming up)

Clock Reference Options

Zeus supports many clock references:

  • Built-in GNSS
  • SyncE
  • IRIG-B
  • T1/E1
  • 10 MHz, 5 MHz
  • 1PPS, 1PP2S
  • Time of Day (ToD)

Testing SyncE and PTP

Zeus can test time sync protocols like SyncE and PTP. It supports many PTP profiles for both telecom and power industries. It can act like a Master or Slave clock and test delay, jitter, and accuracy.

GOOSE and SV Protocol Testing

Zeus can read and test IEC 61850 GOOSE and SV messages. This is important for checking how fast and accurate your substation messages are.

This is important for checking how fast and accurate your substation messages are.

It checks:

  • Frame count
  • Sample rate
  • Latency (delay)
  • Data ID and names

Measuring Delay and Latency

Zeus measures delay in many ways. These tests help find where time errors may be happening in the system

  • Round trip delay (RTD)
  • One-way delay (OWD)
  • Packet delay for PTP
  • Delay from Master to Slave and other types

Ethernet and IP Testing

Zeus can test Ethernet and IP networks. It can handle 8 separate streams with different addresses and settings. It supports IPv4 and IPv6. It also measures:

  • Frame counts
  • Bandwidth
  • Latency
  • Packet loss
  • Quality of service (QoS)

T1 and E1 Line Testing

Zeus can test T1 and E1 lines. These are types of digital communication used in the power industry. It can test both framed and unframed signals. It checks for errors, alarms, signal quality, and frequency. It can work in different modes such as:

  • Terminal
  • Monitor
  • High Impedance

C37.94 and Datacom Testing

Zeus also tests C37.94 fiber connections and many datacom systems. It checks delay, frequency, errors, and jitter. It also shows if the test passed or failed.

Cable and PoE Testing

Zeus checks cables too. It can also test Power over Ethernet (PoE) to check voltage and current. It can test:

  • Wiremap
  • Skew (signal timing difference)
  • Distance to cable fault

Final Words

Zeus is a powerful and complete testing tool. It helps engineers test communication, timing, and protocols in the power industry. It supports many interfaces and is easy to use.

With Zeus, companies can improve the safety, accuracy, and reliability of their power systems.

We are a leading supplier of range of equipment like Ethernet Traffic Analyzer, GbE Tester in India.