Impact of the IEC 61850 Standard 
on SAS Projects 25
Table 3.2  Content of the Standard
Standard IEC 61850
“Communication networks and systems for power utility automation”
Content of different parts
Number Title
61850–1 Introduction and overview
61850–2 Glossary
61850–3 General requirements
61850–4 System and project management
61850–5 Communication requirements for
functions and device models
61850–6 Configuration description
language for communication
in electrical substations related
to IEDs
61850–7‐1 Basic communication structure –
principles and models
61850–7‐2 Basic information and
communication structure –
Abstract Communication Service
Interface (ACSI)
61850–7‐3 Basic communication structure –
Common data classes
61850–7‐4 Basic communication structure –
Compatible logical node classes
and data object classes
61850–7‐410 Basic communication structure‐
Hydroelectric power plants –
Communication for monitoring
and control
Content
Define the communication between IEDs.
Define application scope of the standard.
Contains specific terms used in different
parts of the standard.
Establish SAS quality attributes like:
reliability, availability and security. Define
applicable environmental conditions.
Describe various topics involved with
SAS projects such as: engineering
requirements, life‐cycle concept and
quality assurance practices.
Establish a standard SAS structure. Define
station bus and process bus. Declare
interoperability as the goal of the standard.
Introduce the logical node concept and
applications.
Specify general standard file format
(SCL) for communication purpose.
Define various configuration Tools.
Establish substation, IED and
communication models. Define specific
types of SCL files.
Covers modeling concepts and
descriptions for device functions,
historical data, control hierarchy and
time synchronization.
Provides communication models for
information exchange between IEDs.
Specify data management principles
related to status information,
measuring information and setting
facilities.
Specify device modeling and names of
logical nodes for communication between
IEDS.
Specify data model and logical nodes for
use in control facilities of hydropower
plants.
(continued )
26 Substation Automation Systems
Table 3.2  (continued )
Standard IEC 61850
“Communication networks and systems for power utility automation”
Content of different parts
Number Title
61850–7‐420 Basic communication structure –
Distributed energy resource logical
nodes
61850–7‐510 Basic communication structure –
Hydroelectric power plants –
Modeling concepts and guidelines
61850–8‐1 Specific Communication Service
Mapping (SCSM) – Mapping to
MMS (ISO 9506–1 and ISO
9506–2) and to ISO/IEC 8802–3
61850–9‐2 Specific Communication Service
Mapping (SCSM) – Sampled
values over ISO/IEC 8802–3
61850–10 Conformance testing
61850–80–1 Guideline to exchange information
from CDC‐based model using IEC
60870–5‐101 or 60870–5‐104
61850–90–1 Communication between
substations
61850–90–4 Network engineering guidelines
61850–90–5 Use of IEC 61850 to transmit
Synchrophasor information
according to IEEE C37.118
61850–90–7 Object models for power
converters in distributed energy
resources (DER) systems
Content
Define information for modeling
principles applicable to dispersed
generation facilities including micro‐
turbines and photovoltaic installations.
Explain how to use logical node concept
in control functions for power plants.
Specify methods of exchanging data into
Station Bus by using MMS and GOOSE
communication services.
Specify methods of exchanging data
through process bus by using the sampled
values technique.
Specify testing techniques for
conformance checking and measurements
techniques to declare performance
parameters.
Provide guidelines to exchange
information between substations and
control centers.
Provide guideline on communication
services and communication
architectures.
This part is addressed mainly to device
vendors and system integrators. Outline
engineering considerations including
advantages and disadvantages of various
network topologies and redundant
schemes.
Provides techniques for transferring
Synchrophasor data from Phasor Merging
Units (PMUs) to Wide Area control and
monitoring networks.
Describe functionalities for systems
associated to voltage converters.
Impact of the IEC 61850 Standard on SAS Projects 27

Table 3.3  Suggested priority reading in the Standard

Standard IEC 61850

“Communication networks and systems for power utility automation”
Priority in reading by different SAS project actors

Part Number Role in the SAS project/activity

System System Project System Site Maintenance

Specification Design Lead Integrator Testing

61850–1 x x x x x x
61850–2 x x x x
61850–3 x x x x x x
61850–4 x x x x
61850–5 x x x x x x
61850–6 x x x x
61850–7‐1 x x
61850–7‐2 x x
61850–7‐3 x x
61850–7‐4 x x
61850–7‐410
61850–7‐420
61850–7‐510
61850–8‐1 x x x x
61850–9‐2 x x x x
61850–10 x x x x
61850–80–1 x x x
61850–90–1
61850–90–4 x x
61850–90–5
61850–90–7

Further Reading
Baigent, D., Adamiak, M. and Mackiewicz, R. (n.d.) IEC 61850 Communication Networks and Systems in Substations:
An Overview for Users, paper by GE Multilin and SISCO Inc.
Borroy Vicente, S., Gimenez de Urtasun, L., Villen Martinez, M., et al. (n.d.) New protection scheme based on IEC
61850, paper by C.P.S., Universidad de Zaragoza.
Botza, Y., Shaw, M., Allen, P., et al. (2008) Configuration and performance of IEC 61850 for First‐Time Users – UNC
Charlotte Senior Design Project, paper by University of North Carolina at Charlotte and Schweitzer Engineering
Laboratories, Inc.
Brand, K‐P., Brunner, C. and De Mesmaeker, I. (October 2005) How to use IEC 61850 in protection and automation,
Electra Review 222, 11–21.
Brantley, R., Donahoe P.E.K., Theron, J., and Udren, E. (n.d.) The Application of IEC 61850 to Replace Auxiliary
Devices Including Lockout Relays, paper by The Michigan Electric Transmission Company (METC).
De Mesmaeker, I., Rietmann, P., Brand, K‐P. and Reinhardt, P. (2005) Practical considerations in applying IEC 61850
for protection and substation automation systems, GCC Power Conference and Exhibition, Doha, Qatar.
Dolezilek, D. (2005) IEC 61850: What You Need to Know about Functionality and Practical Implementation, paper
by Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
Dolezilek, D., Whitehead, D. and Skendzic, V. (2010) Integration of IEC 61850 and Sampled Value Services to
Reduce Substation Wiring, paper by Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.