This document provides an overview of IEC 61850 and its benefits. IEC 61850 is a framework for substation automation that standardizes object models, data meanings, services, and device configurations. This standardization allows devices from different vendors to interoperate and reduces engineering and configuration costs. The benefits of IEC 61850 include lower installation, maintenance, wiring, and commissioning costs through the use of self-describing devices and a common configuration language.

1. Overview of IEC 61850
and Benefits
Ralph Mackiewicz
SISCO, Inc.
ralph@sisconet.com
Marketing Subcommittee Chair
UCA International Users Group

2. Agenda
• Brief Technical Overview of IEC 61850
• Benefits of IEC 61850
• UCA International Users Group
– Users group for IEC 61850
– Interoperability Demo

3. What is IEC 61850?
• IEC61850 is a framework for substation
automation that addresses more of what is
required for interoperability of intelligent
electronic devices (IEDs) beyond just the
protocol:
• Standardized object models and naming conventions
• Standardized meaning of data
• Standardized services and device behavior models
• Self-describing devices
• Common configuration language
• Profiles for:
– Control/SCADA
– Protection messaging
– Transducers and I/O

4. Process Bus
Process Bus Mappings (9-1, 9-2)
•High-Speed Multicast of Sampled
Measured Values (SMV) over Ethernet
SCADA
•For Instrumentation & Transducers
Substation
Host
Station Bus
IED1 IED2 IED3
Process Bus
CT VT

5. Station Bus Protocols
Station Bus Mappings (8-1)
•Layered Mapping (TCP/IP) for Data
Acquisition and Control
SCADA
•High-Speed peer-to-peer messaging
for protection
Substation
Host
Station Bus
IED1 IED2 IED3
Process Bus
CT VT

6. IEC 61850 Abstract Model
Application Process
Abstract Communication
Common
Abstract Device and Object Models
Applications
Service Interface (ACSI)
SCSM 1 SCSM 1 SCSM 2 Specific
Communication
Protocol Protocol Protocol Service Mappings
Stack 1 Stack 2 Stack 3 (SCSM) or
“profile”

7. Reference Models
• Reference models divide the problem
according to abstract data and service
models.
• Each layer of the model can be added to
in the future without impacting other
layers, providing a framework for future
standardization

8. IEC61850 – Abstract Layered Standard
Device Object Models - IEC61850-7-3, 7-4
Device Model Data Objects Data Types Naming Conventions
Abstract Communications Service Interface (ACSI)
IEC61850-7-2
Associate Reporting Self-Description Control Data Set Logs
Mapping to MMS Protocol - IEC61850-8-1
Initiate InfoReport. GetNameList Write VariableList Journals
TCP/IP Protocol Stack
Switched Ethernet

9. IEC 61850 Reference Model
• Isolation of application services and object
models from underlying communications
stack provides for ‘future proofing’
• New mappings can be developed to allow
adoption of future technologies

10. Logical Device Model
IEC61850 Clients:
• SCADA/HMI
• Historian
Station Bus • Bay Controls
IEC61850 Server Physical Device
Represents
Logical 1 to N Logical Devices Logical
a power Device Device
system
function
Logical
Node
... Logical
Node
Logical
Node
... Logical
Node
Data … Data Data … Data Data … Data Data … Data
Communications Driver
Process Bus
Field Signals Legacy Device

11. Examples of Logical Nodes
Breaker
Current
Transformer
Breaker
Voltage
Transformer
Breaker

12. Anatomy of an IEC61850 Object Model
Data Objects Feeder #1
Pos A Current
Measurements
Logical Nodes
XCBR1 MMXU1 Circuit
Breaker #1
Logical Device Position
(e.g. Relay1)
Measurements
Circuit Breaker
Physical Device
(network address)

13. IEC61850 Object Names
Brand X Brand Y
IOC Relay Diff Relay
Measurements Measurements
PIOC MMXU1 PDIF MMXU1
ST DC DC MX ST SG DC MX
(status) (settings) (description)
Mod Mod PhV PhV Mod Mod PhV PhV
MMXU1$MX$PhV
IEC61850-8-1 Name
for phase-to-ground voltages

14. Substation Configuration Language
SCL – IEC 61850-6-1
• XML to provide a formal description of the substation
automation system, the IEDs within the substation and the
switchyard
• SCL File Types:
• SSD: System Specification Description.
– XML description of the entire system.
• SCD: Substation Configuration Description.
– XML description of a single substation.
• ICD: IED Capability Description.
– XML description of items supported by an IED (required).
• CID: Configured IED Description.
– XML configuration for a specific IED.

15. SCL Applications
• For users to specify IED requirements.
• For vendors to specify IED capabilities.
• Configure clients without IEDs.
• Extract IED configuration from power system
design tools.
• Export IED configuration to power system design
tools and other applications.
• Enable design tools from one vendor to work
with another’s products

16. IEC 61850 Multicast Relay-Relay
Network Based Protection
Station Bus Network
GOOSE -
GSSE
Relay 1 Relay 2 Relay 3 Relay 4
Breaker Breaker Breaker Breaker
GOOSE - Generic Object Oriented Substation Event (data sets)
GSSE – Generic Substation Status Event (status only)

17. IEC61850 Process Bus
Bay Protection Fault RTU
Controller Relay Recorder
Ethernet Ethernet Ethernet Ethernet
9-2 Process Bus
Ethernet
Merging Unit (MU)
A/D A/D Input
Voltages
Breaker
and
currents Status

18. Benefits of IEC 61850

19. IEC61850 is Unique
• Not a recast serial RTU protocol and does not
replace RTU protocols bandwidth limited apps.
• Designed specifically for LANs to uniquely lower
the cost to install, configure, and maintain
substation devices.
• Object-oriented with a broader scope :
• Supports standardized device models using names instead
of register numbers and indexes.
• Abstract services with multiple protocol profiles.
• Standardized configuration language (SCL).
• Support for functions difficult to implement otherwise.
• Conformance testing requirements defined

20. The benefits of IEC 61850
include lower…
• installation and maintenance costs with self-
describing devices that reduce manual
configuration.
• wiring costs enabling more advanced protection
capabilities via the use of direct exchange of
data between devices over existing station bus.
• communication infrastructure costs using readily
available TCP/IP and Ethernet technology.

21. The benefits of IEC 61850
include lower…
• engineering and commissioning effort with
standardized models and naming
conventions that eliminates manual mapping
of I/O signals to power system variables.
• cost to configure and deploy devices with
standardized device configuration files.
• sensor and wiring costs via a high speed
process bus that enables sharing of
instrumentation signals between devices.

22. Legacy Protocol Mapping
Protocol objects must be manually mapped to
power system functions for each different
device, application, and vendor.
Legacy Device
Power System Functions
R400040
R400041
R400042
Phase A Voltage
R400043
Measurements Phase B Voltage
R400044
Phase C Voltage
R400045
Local/Remote Status
R400046
Controls Breaker Position
R400047
Blocked Open
R400048
Activate Phase A R400049
Protection Activate Phase B R40004A
Activate Phase C R40004B

23. IEC61850 View of Devices
Brand X Brand Y
IOC Relay Diff Relay
Measurements Measurements
PIOC MMXU1 PDIF MMXU1
ST DC DC MX ST DC DC MX
Mod Mod PhV PhV Mod Mod PhV PhV
MMXU1$MX$PhV
IEC61850-8-1 Name
for phase to ground voltage

24. IEC 61850 Object Mapping
NO MANUAL MAPPING NEEDED
IEC61850 objects already portray the
power system context.
IEC61850 Device
LD
MX.A.PhsA.cVal.mag.f
MMXU1 MX.A.PhsB.cVal.mag.f
MX.A.PhsC.cVal.mag.f
ST.Loc.stVal
XCBR1 ST.Pos.stVal
ST.BlkOpn.stVal
ST.Op.phsA
PIOC1 ST.Op.phsB
ST.Op.phsC

25. What is involved in migrating to
IEC 61850?
• IEC 61850 can co-exist with protocols in a
system, even running on the same network.
• IEC61850 devices and clients are currently
available for substation applications.
• IEC 61850 gateways and data concentrators
can be used to migrate existing systems and
devices.

26. Where Can You Get Help?
http://sharepoint.ucausersgroup.org

27. UCAIug Mission
• Advancing Interoperability for the Utility
Enterprise via support for international
standards:
• Educational Activities
• Help Desk
• Improvement Process for International Standards
• Testing and Certification
• Promotional Activities

28. Broad Technical Focus
• Utility enterprises are complex and cross
many functional boundaries
• Promoting interoperability in the utility
enterprise requires a similarly broad focus
• UCAIUG uniquely offers members an
organization to promote standardization
across several functional areas

29. UCAIug – Technical Focus
• Communications
• IEC 61850 – Substation Automation
• IEC 61850 based extensions for wind, hydro, distributed
generation, etc.
• Application Integration
• Common Information Model (CIM) IEC 61970 and IEC 61968
• Generic Interface Definition (GID) IEC 61970
• Metering and Demand Response
• OpenAMI – Information/data models, reference designs and
interoperability guidelines based on IntelliGrid and IEC
standards.
ONE MEMBERSHIP

30. Bottom-Line Benefits
• Test and certification activities that lower costs for
users
• Provide input to international standards activities
at no additional cost and no travel
• Members only access to:
– Resolution of technical issues related to standards
– Industry experts via a global help desk
– Technical documents and best practices from existing
users
– On-line discussion forums
• Discounts on paid seminars and exhibitions

31. Demo in Booth #1164
14 UCAIug members are displaying IEC 61850 products
interoperating on a common network in booth #1164
– Stop by and see it work for yourself
– Ask questions…get answers

32. Thank You
Ralph Mackiewicz
SISCO, Inc.
6605 19 1/2 Mile Road
Sterling Heights, MI 48314 USA
Tel: +1-586-254-0020
Fax: +1-586-254-0053
E-Mail: ralph@sisconet.com