Why is the ZX-7000B more suitable for smart substations in 2026?

With the full implementation of the IEC 61850 standard, the secondary systems of smart substations have entered a new stage of parallel operation of "network + messaging + time synchronization," moving beyond the era of "wiring logic." Relay protection testing has also upgraded from simple current and voltage verification to system-level verification covering merging units, digital protection, intelligent terminals, GOOSE logic, and time synchronization.

Against this backdrop, traditional relay protection testers are no longer sufficient to meet the complex debugging and maintenance needs of smart substations. The ZX-7000B digital-analog integrated relay protection tester is a professional-grade testing platform specifically designed for smart substations.

Unlike traditional testers that "add digital functions" to existing analog capabilities, the ZX-7000B was designed from the outset with the smart substation secondary system architecture as its core objective:

• Simultaneously supports analog quantity and current/voltage power amplifier output
• Simultaneously supports sending and receiving IEC 61850-9-1 / 9-2 SV messages, FT3, and GOOSE messages
• Supports mixed analog and digital output, completely covering the "transition period" scenarios of smart substations

This allows the ZX-7000B to simultaneously verify traditional protection, digital protection, and their communication links in the same test, truly achieving one-machine coverage of the entire substation's secondary system.

One of the typical characteristics of smart substations is the large number of merging units and complex data links, especially in scenarios such as bus differential protection, automatic transfer switching, and full-station joint commissioning, which place extremely high demands on testing equipment. The ZX-7000B features targeted hardware enhancements for this purpose:

• Supports simultaneous operation of multiple SV/FT3 optical ports.
• Can simulate the simultaneous operation of multiple merging units (MU).
• Supports 12-phase current output and 24-phase extended applications.

This allows the ZX-7000B to easily perform complex tests that traditional equipment struggles with, such as bus differential protection, automatic transfer switching, and whole-station cascading, making it the "core testing equipment" in smart substation system commissioning.

In smart substations, whether the protection device "can operate" is no longer the only concern; reliable operation under abnormal communication conditions is the true key to safety.

The ZX-7000B addresses this pain point by providing comprehensive abnormal simulation capabilities:

• Message frame loss, out-of-order messages, delay, and jitter
• Quality bit anomalies, desynchronization, and sequence number jumps
• Simulation of maintenance mode and false state changes

Through these tests, users can identify potential hidden dangers before commissioning, avoiding the risk of "system failure even when the system is normal but communication is abnormal." This is the most valuable yet often overlooked aspect of smart substation testing.

The protection actions of smart substations highly depend on the accuracy of time synchronization. The ZX-7000B provides complete support for time synchronization and time distribution:

• Supports GPS/Beidou time synchronization
• Supports IRIG-B, PPS, and IEEE 1588 PTP
• Can act as a time source, outputting time signals

Combined with synchronous triggering and message analysis functions, the ZX-7000B can complete full-link consistency verification from time source → message → protection action, ensuring that the smart substation system operates on a unified and reliable time base. V. Automated, Graphical Design Makes Complex Testing "Visible, Controllable, and Reproducible"

Facing the complexity of intelligent substation secondary systems, the ZX-7000B does not transfer the operational difficulty to the user:

• Intelligent test templates, reusable and expandable
• Graphical display of virtual terminals, making data flow clear at a glance
• Automatic testing and parameter scanning significantly improve debugging efficiency
• Supports fault playback and test report output, facilitating acceptance and archiving

This not only lowers the technical threshold for personnel but also significantly improves the reproducibility and standardization of large-scale engineering projects.

An intelligent substation is not just an upgrade of a single device, but an upgrade of the system architecture. The corresponding test instrument must also possess system-level, digital, and networked capabilities.

The ZX-7000B digital-analog integrated relay protection tester, with its deep support for the IEC 61850 system, multi-MU simulation capabilities, abnormal communication testing, and full-link verification methods, is not just a testing device, but a tool for ensuring the quality and safety of intelligent substation secondary systems.

Price is about 21,000USD at very competitive costs.

For users who are building, upgrading, or maintaining intelligent substations, the ZX-7000B is not an "optional" choice, but a professional-grade testing solution that deserves priority consideration.