IEEE 1588 Time Synchronization in Power Distribution System Applications: Timestamping and Accuracy Requirements

The monitoring and control of power distribution systems requires an accurate and stable time synchronization infrastructure. The major requirement for a time synchronization system is sharing a global time throughout the network. This article provides an overview of the synchronization techniques implemented in power distribution systems. The implementation of different techniques for time synchronization due to heterogeneous communication infrastructure creates various challenges in the system. Therefore, this article aims to propose a homogeneous, uniform approach for a network-based synchronization mechanism in or to implement multiple distribution system applications. For this purpose, the precision time protocol (PTP), IEEE 1588, is tested experimentally for various time criticality with an Ethernet-based communication network. The testbed uses single board computers to explore different criticality of the timestampings for IEEE 1588 (PTP) to determine how various applications need different type of timestamping depending upon the performance, cost, and accuracy requirements. These different levels of timestamping requirements for synchronization affect the performance of a range of next-generation distribution system applications. The proposed solution provides monitoring for each application using only a single time synchronization technique with an Ethernet-based network.