Section 2
IEC 61850 overview
The international IEC 61850 standard defines a framework for substation
communications networks and systems. The standard consists of several parts
ranging from the requirements on substation automation systems to the details of a
communication protocol.
One major difference between the other communication protocols applied in
substation automation and IEC 61850 is that the latter is not only a communication
protocol, but a whole framework for specifying, engineering and operating
substation automation systems. The communication part covers the connection
between the IEDs and the substation clients, for example, SCADA and gateways.
Table 1:
Structure and parts of the IEC 61850 standard
Part
Subject
Description
1
Introduction and overview
Information and understanding
2
Glossary
3
General requirements
4
System and project management
Impact on tenders and project
management
5
Communication requirements for functions and
device models
Requirements
6
Configuration description language for
communication in electrical substations related to
IEDs
Impact on engineering
7-1…
7-4
Basic communication structure for substation and
feeder equipment (data model and services)
Modelling and services
8
Mapping; stack A, stack B
Station bus mappings
9
Mapping; stack X, stack Y
Process bus mappings
10
Conformance testing
Impact on verification
The IEC 61850 standard specifies an expandable data model and services for
substation automation (standard parts 7-x). The standard does not specify any
protection or control functions, but specifies how the functions expose their
information to a communication network.
The standard supports free allocation of functions to devices. With efficient
communication facilities, the functions can be located anywhere in the system, that
is, an interlocking function can reside in the IED or on the station level.
Additionally, the standard is open for different system philosophies, that is,
different integration levels and allocation of functions to different devices is
supported.
1MRS757255 B
Section 2
IEC 61850 overview
Breaker Integrated Protection RBX615
9
Engineering Guide