Technology Corner


Micrapac 92xx 
Ethernet - DNP3 Interface

Micrapac 925e 
Distribution Automation

Micrapac RTUs support
DNP3.0 protocol

Micrapac 925e 
Substation Automation

Micrapac RTUs support 
IEC870-5-101 protocol

Micrapac 925g
Well Head Monitoring Unit

Micrapac 92xx - Ethernet 10BaseT Interface

Horton Automation is pleased to announce the availability of Ethernet (10baseT) TCP/IP interface to both our MPac 9200 and MPac 925 Remote Terminal units. At this time HAI has implemented DNP3.0 as the application layer.


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Micrapac 925i - Intelligent Electronic Device (IED) Interface

Horton Automation is pleased to announce the availability of the Micrapac 925i - IED Interface unit. The MP925i can be equipped with 1 or 2 of the new 8-port Fiber Optic Communication modules and when install the unit can support up to 16 Fiber optic ports for communication with IED devices. The standard protocol supported for IED communication is DNP3.0. Other protocols are available including MCP2, Modbus, and L&G 8979.

The MP925i IED Interface unit was developed as part of the Western Farmers Electric Co-op project whereby the MP925i unit acts as a Data Concentrator and communicates with multiple SEL351R Recloser Controllers, Beckwith M-2001A Tap Changer Controllers, and Transdata Mark V meters. All the data from the IED units is collected within the MP925i, where it is organized for subsequent communication to the WFEC SCADA master station via the 950Mhz radio system.

The MP925i IED Interface unit is the perfect front end processing (FEP) unit for all Substation Automation requirements.

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Micrapac 925e - Distribution Automation

The Micrapac 925e product was specifically designed for use in the emerging Electric Utility - Distribution Automation marketplace. The all inclusive unit c/w 120/220Vac power supply, 8DI/4SBO/4AI(dc) and 6PT/6CT (120Vac/5A) I/O module options allow the MP925e unit to support all Electric Utility DA requirements (other I/O configurations are available). The MP925e unit can be used for poletop switching, recloser and capacitor bank telemetry & control.

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Micrapac 925e - Substation Automation 

Horton Automation's Micrapac 925 product line is the perfect fit for use in the Electric Utility Substation Automation environment. The Micrapac 925i IED Interface unit acts as the FEP for the substation and multiple MP925e units are then installed close to the field devices. This system scheme decreases the requirement for one single large RTU device with miles of instrumentation cabling within the substation. In this approach, locating smaller RTU devices close to the instrumentation and only requiring communication cabling back to the MP925i unit greatly decreases the cabling cost for a particular station. Other key benefits include maintainability and reliability.

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Micrapac RTUs support DNP3.0 protocol

Horton Automation's Micrapac RTU products support communication with SCADA master station systems, SubRTUs and other IED devices using DNP3.0 protocol.

DNP, the Distributed Network Protocol, is a standards-based communications protocol developed to achieve interoperability among systems in the electric utility, oil & gas, water/waste water and security industries. This robust, flexible non-proprietary protocol is based on existing open standards to work within a variety of networks. The IEEE* has recommended DNP for remote terminal unit to intelligent electronic device messaging. DNP can also be implemented in any SCADA system for efficient and reliable communications between substation computers, RTUs, IEDs and master stations; over serial or LAN-based systems.


DNP offers flexibility and functionality that go far beyond conventional communications protocols. Among its robust and flexible features DNP 3.0 includes:
  • Output options
  • Secure configuration/file transfers
  • Addressing for over 65,000 devices on a single link
  • Time synchronization and time-stamped events
  • Broadcast messages
  • Data link and application layer confirmation

DNP 3.0 was originally designed based on three layers of the OSI seven-layer model: application layer, data link layer and physical layer. The application layer is object-based with objects provided for most generic data formats. The data link layer provides for several methods of retrieving data such as polling for classes and object variations. The physical layer defines most commonly a simple RS-232 or RS-485 interface.

DNP 3.0 is very efficient for a layered protocol while ensuring high data integrity.

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Micrapac RTUs support IEC870-5-101 protocol

Horton Automation's Micrapac RTU products support communication with SCADA master station systems, SubRTUs and other IED devices using the international protocol standard IEC870-5-101.

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Micrapac 925g - Well Head Monitoring Unit 

The MICRAPAC 925g RTU can be provided with Natural Gas applications and can support the following functionality:
  • Instantaneous, Hourly, Daily, Monthly Flow Values
  • AGA 3, 5, & 7 Flow Calculations
  • AGA 8 Supercompressability Calculations
  • Redlich/Kwong, Wichert Aziz Sour Gas Corrections
  • Local PID Control
  • Odorizer Control
  • Emergency Shutdown Sequencing (ESD)
  • Fluid Lift Control
  • Blowdown Control
  • Pig Launching Control
  • Historical Data Storage for 1 year

The MICRAPAC 925g RTU, when equipped with the appropriate I/O, can perform several AGA calculations along with local PID control. Parameters for PIDs and AGAs can be downloaded from the master or input locally through the MICRATAP-RTU test set and stored in the RTUs battery backed-up memory. 

The MICRAPAC 925g RTU performs multiple AGA3 calculations including AGA8 Supercompressability calculations with Redlich/Kwong, Wichert Aziz corrections for sour gas. These calculations are performed in a matter of seconds, providing fast, accurate flow values for valve control and/or transmission to the master. MICRAPAC RTUs can be programmed for PID and Odorizer control. Flow calculations can be performed in set intervals of Monthly, Daily, Hourly etc.

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