Siemens has announced a new time synchronization technology designed to improve the reliability and security of digital substations. The company’s Siprotec 5 devices now feature integrated PTP Grandmaster Clocks that comply with the IEEE 1588v2/PTP standard, allowing them to synchronize using internal oscillators rather than relying on external Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals.
The new system separates sample synchronization from global time synchronization by using specialized internal time sources. This approach enables precise local timing without depending on external global signals, which are often vulnerable to disturbances such as solar storms or intentional interference like jamming and spoofing. Such disruptions can cause abrupt changes in the time base, forcing equipment to resynchronize and potentially disabling critical protection functions.
A central component of Siemens’ solution is its patent-pending Seamless PTP grandmaster changeover technology. This feature ensures that when primary clocks return after an outage, they first align with active backup clocks before taking over again. This process prevents disruptive jumps in the time base during clock switchovers, maintaining continuous availability of protection functions.
The ability for process bus networks in digital switchgears to operate autonomously—without needing external access points—also enhances cybersecurity by isolating these networks from broader station bus systems.
Onyeche Tifase, Vice President Product Lifecycle Management at Siemens Smart Infrastructure, said: "This technology directly addresses one of the most critical vulnerabilities in digital substations. By keeping protection functions active through any time source change and shielding process networks from external threats, we are helping customers operate safer, more reliable, and more sustainable power systems."