IEC 61850: Communication Networks and Systems in Substations

The IEC 61850 standard defines the communication between intelligent electronic devices in the substation and the related system requirements. The abstract data models laid out in IEC 61850 can be mapped to a number of protocols which include MMS (Manufacturing Message Specification), GOOSE, SMV (Sampled Measured Values), and soon to Web Services. The protocols can ran over TCP/IP networks or substation LANs using high speed switched Ethernet to obtain the necessary response times below four milliseconds for protective relaying.

To date, the IEC 61850 standard is divided into 10 parts which are the following:

1) IEC 61850-1 - Part 1: Introduction and overview - Gives an introduction and overview of the IEC 61850 standard series; refers to and includes text and figures from other parts of the IEC 61850 series.

2) IEC 61850-2 - Part 2: Glossary - Contains the glossary of specific terms and definitions used in the context of Substation Automation Systems which are standardized in the various parts of the IEC 61850 series.

3) IEC 61850-3 - Part 3: General requirements - Applies to substation automation systems and more specifically defines the communication between intelligent electronic devices in the substation and the related system requirements.

4) IEC 61850-4 - Part 4: System and project management - Describes the requirements of the system and project management process and of special supporting tools for engineering and testing.

5) IEC 61850-5 - Part 5: Communication requirements for functions and device models - Applies to substation automation systems and standardizes the communication between intelligent electronic devices and the related system requirements. Refers to the communication requirements of the functions being performed in the substation automation system and to device models.

6) IEC 61850-6 - Communication networks and systems for power utility automation - Part 6: Configuration description language for communication in electrical substations related to IEDs - IEC 61850-6:2009(E) specifies a file format for describing communication-related IED (Intelligent Electronic Device) configurations and IED parameters, communication system configurations, switch yard (function) structures, and the relations between them.

7) IEC 61850-7 - Part 7: Basic communication structure for substation and feeder equipment

A) IEC 61850-7-1 - Part 7-1: Basic communication structure for substation and feeder equipment - Principles and models - Provides an overview of the architecture for communication and interactions between substation devices such as protection devices, breakers, transformers, substation hosts, etc. Uses simple examples of functions to describe the concepts and methods applied in the IEC 61850 series. Also describes the relationships between other parts of the IEC 61850 series and defines how inter-operability is reached.

B) IEC 61850-7-2 - Communication networks and systems for power utility automation - Part 7-2: Basic information and communication structure - Abstract communication service interface (ACSI) - IEC 61850-7-2:2010(E) applies to the ACSI communication for utility automation.

C) IEC 61850-7-3 - Part 7-3: Basic communication structure for substation and feeder equipment - Common data classes - Specifies common attribute types and common data classes related to substation applications. Specifies particularly: common data classes for status information, for measured information, for controllable status information, for controllable analogue set point information, for status settings, for analogue settings and attribute types used in these common data classes. Is applicable to the description of device models and functions of substations and feeder equipment.

D) IEC 61850-7-4 - Communication networks and systems for power utility automation - Part 7-4: Basic communication structure - Compatible logical node classes and data object classes - IEC 61850-7-4:2010(E) specifies the information model of devices and functions generally related to common use regarding applications in systems for power utility automation.

8) IEC 61850-8 – Part 8: Specific Communication Service Mapping (SCSM)

A) IEC 61850-8-1 - Part 8-1: Specific Communication Service Mapping (SCSM) - Mappings to MMS (ISO 9506-1 and ISO 9506-2) and to ISO/IEC 8802-3 - Specifies a method of exchanging time-critical and non-time-critical data through local-area networks by mapping ACSI to MMS and ISO/IEC 8802-3 frames. MMS services and protocol are specified to operate over full OSI and TCP compliant communications profiles. The use of MMS allows provisions for supporting both centralized and distributed architectures. This standard includes the exchange of real-time data indications, control operations, report notification.

9) IEC 61850-9 – Part 9: Specific Communication Service Mapping (SCSM)

A) IEC 61850-9-1 - Part 9-1: Specific Communication Service Mapping (SCSM) - Sampled values over serial unidirectional multidrop point to point link - Lays down the specific communication service mappings for the communication between bay and process level; specifies a mapping on a serial unidirectional multidrop point to point link in accordance with IEC 60044-8. Applies to the communication between merging units of electronic current or voltage-transformers and bay devices such as protection relays.

B) IEC 61850-9-2 - Part 9-2: Specific Communication Service Mapping (SCSM) - Sampled values over ISO/IEC 8802-3 - Defines the Specific Communication Service Mapping for the transmission of sampled values according to the abstract specification in IEC 61850-7-2. The mapping is that of the abstract model on a mixed stack using direct access to an ISO/IEC 8802-3 link for the transmission of the samples in combination with IEC 61850-8-1.

10) IEC 61850-10 - Part 10: Conformance testing - Specifies standard techniques for testing of conformance of implementations, as well as specific measurement techniques to be applied when declaring performance parameters. The use of these techniques will enhance the ability of the system integrator to integrate IEDs easily, operate IEDs correctly, and support the applications as intended.

"IEC 61850," Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 23 Sept. 2013. Web. 31 Oct. 2013 "IEC 61850-Publication Details," IEC, IEC 2103, October 31, 2013