Each turbine is equipped with IP PoE+ CCTV HD cameras and Galaxy Dimension intruder RIOs (remote input/output) over a resilient converged IP network with a single fibre ring to a main Galaxy panel and NVR workstations at the control room.

The solution has been made possible by using a Multi-Service Ethernet Switch (MSES) with High speed RS485 (Galaxy data multiple data buses) and PoE for connected HD CCTV.

By using the AMG MSES range the customer’s requirements could be met in a onebox product solution. The MSES is a fully managed layer 2 Ethernet switch with high speed serial data (RS232/RS485), switched inputs and outputs (closed contact/alarms) integrated in one compact product. Combined with Gigabit PoE+ Ethernet ports and multiple Gigabit fibre port connectivity, all aspects of the communication could be monitored and configured though a single interface. With only one box required at each site and with PoE+ support, only the addition of a single power supply (with dual redundant PSU connected for additional protection) was necessary.

Often overlooked as a problem site, almost all wind farms are remote and cover a very large area. Standing over 100m tall and delivering up to 2 megawatts of power, each wind-turbine is a building in its own right, requiring an intruder system to detect unauthorised entry and surveillance (CCTV) to monitor equipment and provide visual verification for staff health and safety.

AMG’s challenge was to provide an Ethernet over a single converged fibre transmission solution capable of transparently transmitting the high speed Galaxy Dimension RS485 data protocol across a resilient Ethernet ring (Rapid Spanning Tree) to all RIOs and keypads whilst simultaneously transmitting video from over 60 cameras. The Galaxy protocol requires very fast and near lagless reliable communication to and from connected bus devices across 3 RS485 lines in order to operate to the required standards.