61850

IEC 61850 is an international standard for electrical substation automation and power utility communication networks. Developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) under IEC TC57, it provides a comprehensive framework for modeling, exchanging, and managing information between intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) in substations and control centers. The standard emphasizes interoperability through a common object model and a set of communication services, enabling equipment from different vendors to work together.

Core concepts include the Abstract Communication Service Interface (ACSI), which defines services, and the object-oriented data model built around Logical Nodes (LNs). This model represents equipment and functions such as protection, control, metering, and measurement. Data is organized as data objects, data attributes, and common data classes (CDC). Substations are configured with the Substation Configuration Language (SCL), an XML-based format used to describe device roles, communication paths, and IED configurations.

The technical architecture supports different communication mechanisms: MMS for client-server interactions; GOOSE for fast, line-rate protection and control messaging; and SV for time-synchronized measurement data streams. The standard relies on Ethernet/IP networks and supports publisher-subscriber and peer-to-peer communication, enabling fast protection as well as detailed monitoring and data exchange.

IEC 61850 has undergone multiple editions and parts since its inception in the 1990s. It is now widely adopted in transmission and distribution substations worldwide, promoting interoperability, reduced wiring, easier integration of new devices, and standardized engineering workflows. Challenges include the complexity of configuration, need for proper conformance testing, and cybersecurity considerations as networks become more interconnected.