Friday, September 22, 2017

IEC 61850: Usage of XML Schemata for Model Name Space Definitions

One of the crucial challenges in dealing with IEC 61850 is the sheer unlimited amount of Models (Logical Nodes, Data Objects, Data Attributes, Data Attribute Types, ... and related Services). How to manage these? How to figure out which model was valid last year, which model details are currently valid, ... questions, questions ...
What are the answers to these questions? Simply: good documentation of content, modifications, extensions, and changes.
The IEC TC 57 WG 10 has published a document that defines the rules for model content of IEC 61850 based core data model in IEC 61850-7-2, IEC 61850-7-3 and IEC 61850-7-4. Other domains (like DER, Hydro, Wind, etc.) could define their own data model based on IEC 61850 core data model to be able to use IEC 61850 core parts as a common layer.

The published 70 page document 57/1925/DTS contains the new draft rules:

Communication networks and systems for power utility automation –
Part 7-7: Basic communication structure –
Machine-processable format of IEC 61850-related data models for tools

The voting and commenting period closes 2017-12-15

"Year after year the IEC 61850 data models are extended both in depth with hundreds of new data items, and in width with tens of new parts.
In order to foster an active tool market with good quality, and at the end to improve IEC 61850 interoperability, we need a machine-processable file describing data model related parts of the standard as input. This is the purpose the new language Name Space Definition (NSD) defined by this part of IEC 61850.
This will avoid the need for any engineering tool related to the IEC 61850 data models to get the content of the standard manually entered, with the highest risk of mistakes. This will also help spreading easily any corrections to the data model, as requested to reach interoperability. Tool vendors will be able to integrate NSD in their tools to distribute the standard data models directly to end users."

This new document seems to be crucial for all experts that deal with models and their implementation in Tools and IEDs.

Sunday, September 17, 2017

IEC 61850 Logical Node Group Designation


IEC 61850 uses a well defined designation of Logical Node Groups like MMXU for 3phase electrical measurements. The following groups are defined:

A   Automatic control
C   Supervisory control
D   DER (Distributed Energy Resources)
F   Functional blocks
G   Generic function references
H   Hydro power
I    Interfacing and archiving
K   Mechanical and non-electrical primary equipment
L    System logical nodes
M   Metering and measurement
P    Protection functions
Q    Power quality events detection related
R    Protection related functions
S    Supervision and monitoring
T    Instrument transformer and sensors
W   Wind power
X    Switchgear
Y    Power transformer and related functions
Z    Further (power system) equipment

A total of several hundred of Logical Nodes are already defined and published.

Machine Processable SCL/XML Schema Available for Download

Please note that the SCL Schema Edition 1 and 2 are available for download from the IEC Website.

Click HERE for more details.

There will be more machine processable documents of the series IEC 61850 available in the near future.

I highly recommend to stay tuned to this IEC 61850 Blog ... just Subscribe to it (details can be found on the top right of the site).

First Document of Series IEC 61850 Published as Edition 2.1 FDIS

IEC TC 57 has just published the FDIS of IEC 61850-6/AMD1 ED2:

Amendment 1 – Communication networks and systems for power utility automation –
Part 6: Configuration description language for communication in power utility automation systems related to IEDs

The voting ends: 2017-10-27

Amendment 1 means finally Part 6 Edition 2.1:

The present FDIS reflects amendment 1 to IEC 61850-6 Ed. 2. TC 57 WG 10 has also developed a so-called consolidated edition 2.1 based on the present amendment and the existing Edition 2. The consolidated edition is circulated in parallel under reference 57/1919/INF, so that national committees can see the implementation of the amendment in the existing edition.
Once the present FDIS is approved, the consolidated edition will be published together with the amendment under reference IEC 61850-6 Ed. 2.1.

Machine processable Schema available!!

Note that the Schemata for Edition 1 and 2 of part 6 could be downloaded from the IEC Website:



The availability of the machine readable schemata is a very great progress in getting IEC 61850 applied in more and new application domains. More to come.

Congratulation!

Saturday, September 16, 2017

IEC 61850: Training for Protection, Control, and SCADA experts

FMTP and NettedAutomation offer one of the most wanted

Training for Protection, Control, and SCADA based on systems according to IEC 61850
:

10.-13. October 2017
Karlsruhe/Germany (just one hour south of Frankfurt International Airport)

We have a few seats available - one for you and maybe one for your colleague.

Click HERE for details and registration information.
Click HERE for further training opportunities.

Saturday, September 9, 2017

TÜV SÜD Offers Interoperability Tests - What comes next?


The UCAIUG (UCA International Users Group) has issued 800 Certificates for IEC 61850 devices and tools. Congratulation for the success.

The global market has accepted the new technology standardized since 1995! No question!

In multi vendor projects quite often devices from different manufacturers or from different device firmware versions show interoperability issues. Device A and B may conform to the standard series - but device A may support options that are not supported by device B. This ends up in interoperability problems ... discussions and frustrations.

It is highly recommended that devices used in a multi vendor project are tested for interoperability! Interoperability tests are usually organized by users, e.g., big utilities. The UCAIUG organizes interoperability tests every second yer - far away from being sufficient! The next one is planned for being conducted in New Orleans (USA) in November. It requires a lot of resources to go there ... I guess European utilities may send very few experts only ... and small vendors are likely not travelling across the Atlantic.

So, what to do? I have recommended early to TÜV SÜD to offer interoperability test services.

TÜV SÜD (Munich, Germany) is offering interoperability test ... contact them to figure out how your device can interoperate with other devices.


Interoperable components save time and money during integration into complex systems - and help to reduce frustrations when struggling with implemented or not implemented options, with different interpretations by vendors, ...

And note this: Traveling to Munich (Germany) is easier and cheaper than flying around the globe!

Partners in the industrial automation domain have learned that interoperability (for easier integration) is a crucial means to save a lot of resources ... they are partnering:

Open Integration Partner program for practical testing of multi-vendor automation topologies

Endress + Hauser is proposing the following: “Open Integration validates the interplay of all products in a reference topology by mutual integration tests.” in a permanent lab environment.

I hope that some companies and organizations in the Power Industry will also implement such permanently available “LAT” (Lab Acceptance Tests) that would offer 24x7 support services to the power industry.

Maybe you are interested to discuss this with TÜV SÜD or ... or myself. Please feel free to contact me.

Thanks to TÜV SÜD to offer the interoperability test services. I look forward to see more in the near future - the whole energy market would appreciate it.

Tuesday, September 5, 2017

IEC 61850 Tissue Database is Crucial for Improving the Quality of IEC 61850

The Tissue (technical issues) Database is one of the most important means to improve the quality of the standard series IEC 61850.
When IEC published the first parts of the series in 2004 the editors used a Word document to keep track of technical issues reported to the key experts and the results of their discussions. NettedAutomation developed the Tissue Database to offer a public tool to support the standardization and quality assurance process.

The following parts have an entry in the Database:



We just added an entry to part 90-2 (Substation to Control Center communication).
Please note that the almost 1,500 entries play a crucial role in the latest parts published and in the UCAIUG testing specification. Excerpt of IEC 61850-6 Amendment 1 to Edition 2:



This list has 50+ entries referring to the Tissue Database.

Products that claim conformance with IEC 61850 have to be accompanied by the so-called "TICS" Technical Issues Conformance Statement. This is a list that describes which Technical Issues have been implemented in a specific product. It is quite important to understand, that a specific Technical Issue that has an impact on client and server (publisher and subscriber) has to be implemented on both sides!!

The test labs for IEC 61850 have to test Technical Issues - when required by the testcase. The UCAIUG maintains a list of all "green" Tissues that are integral part of UCAIUG Testing requirements.

If you have an issue with IEC 61850 I recommend to check the Database and search for the topic you are looking for. Maybe your concern has already been solved ... you find a lot of good discussions in many tissues.

NetteAutomation will continue to offer the Tissue Database for the next parts to be published, e.g., Edition 2.1 of the core documents.

Enjoy the Database.


Monday, September 4, 2017

LIMA/PERU: PROTECCIÓN, CONTROL Y AUTOMATIZACIÓN CON LA NORMA IEC-61850

NAKAMA SOLUCIONES S.A.C., FMTP, and NettedAutomation conduct a 5 days course on

PROTECCIÓN, CONTROL Y AUTOMATIZACIÓN CON LA NORMA IEC-61850


in Lima (Peru), NM Lima Hotel, Av. Pardo y Aliaga N° 330, San Isidro 15073

Del 13 al 17 de Noviembre del 2017

Horario: De 09:00 a 17:00 horas

Click HERE for general information.
Click HERE for the full program.