IEC 61850:
a comprehensive series

When people are speaking of IEC 61850, they may speak of very different aspects of IEC 61850, which may lead to some confusion. For instance, IEC 61850 is not just for Substation Automation, but is now expanded to Distributed Energy Resources, Distribution Automation, Hydro and Gas Plants, Wind Power Plants (via IEC 61400-25), and most recently, Electric Vehicles (see Targeted Markets).

One key aspect that should not be forgotten: IEC 61850 is much more than a communication protocol, and user may benefits of the highest value of IEC 61850 even without having in mind the use of the communication aspects of the standard (see Communication Concepts).

Its unique modelling capabilities are so advanced that it can be used just for the purpose of specifying an electrical system and associated functions, or for the purpose of exchanging meaningful data over other industrial communication means such as the IEC 60870-5-101:104 and IEEE 1815 (DNP3).

In order to get deeper in understanding IEC 61850, splitting it into four main aspects may help :

The four pillars of the IEC 61850 series

IEC 61850 semantic

The IEC data model holds the semantics which ensures semantic interoperability by design

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IEC 61850 language

The System Description language is the basis for a seamless and interoperable engineering process

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IEC 61850 communication protocols

Transposing a set of abstract communication, services, the set of communication protocols are the basis for real-time communication between field devices meeting the highly demanding requirements of electrical-related functions.

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IEC 61850 security
(IEC 62351)

The IEC 62351 series guarantees the security of data exchanged with the IEC 61850 protocols.

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