Case Study: City Utilities of Springfield modernizes communications and relay systems with SEL ICON

SEL Icon Helps CUS Upgrade Its Primary Communications and Relay System

City Utilities of Springfield (CUS), a community-owned utility serving southwest Missouri, needed to replace an aging T1-based primary communications system that was running out of capacity, could not support Ethernet, and was becoming less reliable. CUS had long used SEL relays and turned to Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) for a more modern communications and relay upgrade.

SEL provided a turnkey solution built around the SEL ICON Integrated Communications Optical Network and replacement SEL-387L Line Current Differential Relays. The new system consolidated the network from eight small rings to three larger rings, improved reliability and timing, removed outdated pilot-wire and copper connectivity, and reduced the number of nodes CUS had to maintain from 61 to 50, saving about $192,000. CUS reported that the system performed flawlessly and appreciated SEL’s hands-on support and training throughout the project.

City Utilities of Springfield

David Thompson

General Supervisor Substation Operations