Symmetricom has introduced the XL-750 GPS Time Source, a highly accurate, versatile GPS timing instrument for power industry substation and utility companies.

The XL-750 will be demonstrated at the DistribuTECH Conference & Exhibition, January 25-27, 2005 at the San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, CA, Booth #1544 & 1546.

Power companies and utilities have fundamental requirements for time and frequency to support their core functions of electricity generation, transmission and distribution. The blackout of August 2003 demonstrated the need for improved time synchronization throughout the power grid.

Analysis of the blackout generated strong recommendations by the North American Reliability Council (NERC) to place GPS based time synchronization devices in power plants and substations and to upgrade existing recorders to include GPS time synchronization. NERC’s analysis of the blackout increased the awareness for GPS time synchronization in the power sector.

“The unique low-cost, high performance XL-750 clearly identifies Symmetricom as the premier vendor for time and frequency solutions in the power/utilities market,” commented Ron Holm, product marketing manager for Symmetricom.

“When selecting a GPS timing solution, customers will see the enormous value in the XL-750’s suite of features and functions that support many power industry applications.”

The XL-750 GPS Time Source synchronizes SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition Systems) RTU’s (Remote Terminal Units), protection relays and power/tariff meters and related equipment in harsh substation environments. The XL-750 provides accurate, GPS referenced timing signals that feature high electrical isolation to insure reliable operation.

“Precise time and frequency synchronization is critical to the operation and maintenance of electric power systems including generation, transmission and distribution,” commented Ken Martin, principal engineer at The Bonneville Power Administration.

“It is essential to service restoration as well as system analysis following any significant system disturbance including the blackouts of August 1996 and August 2003. Bonneville Power has used equipment from several different Symmetricom product lines for a number of years and has been very satisfied with their performance.”

The XL-750 GPS Time Source will be available in March 2005.