Monday, February 23, 2026

What is the Scope of the IEC 61850 Series?

The seven IEC 61850 CDVs published the other day (7-4, 7-4n and 7-4nn) use all the same Scope which starts:
Excerpt from:
Communication networks and systems for power utility automation – Part 7-4: Basic communication structure – Compatible logical node classes and data object classes – Core
-------------
1.1 General
This part of IEC 61850 specifies the information model of devices and functions generally related to common use regarding applications in systems for power utility automation. In particular, it specifies the compatible logical node names and data object names for communication between intelligent electronic devices (IED). This includes the relationship between logical nodes and data objects.
...
This standard and its direct counterparts (7-4, 7-4n and 7-4nn) are applicable to describe device
models and functions for:
substation and feeder equipment,
substation-to-substation information exchange,
substation-to-control centre information exchange,
power plant-to-control centre information exchange,
• information exchange for distributed generation,
• information exchange for distributed energy resources,
• information exchange for metering,
• information exchanged for hydro power plants, or
• information exchange for wind generation plants.
--------------
The main title of all parts of the series IEC 61850 is: 
Communication networks and systems for power utility automation 
This title is some how an indication of the scope.
IEC 61850 can be used everywhere as follows:
Communication networks and systems for power utility automation
The narrow scope to power utilities is sometimes used by people that do not like the IEC 61850 series ... or do not want to let people outside the power utilities to apply it ... 
But the crucial content of the many different parts is applicable in most automation domains ... where ever electric power is found - buildings, factories, ... 
A lot of Logical Nodes, e.g., STMP (Supervision of Temperatures) are useful for transformers, bearings, tanks, ... 
Lessons learned:
  1. The various parts of IEC 61850 are applicable far beyond of the written scope - if you like it or not.
  2. Often the discussion related to the scope is aimed to tell you, that IEC 61850 is not applicable outside power utilities (or substations) - trust me: it is applicable far beyond.
By the way, the discussion of scopes could be ridiculous: IEC 60870-5-104  defines:
"This part of IEC 60870 applies to telecontrol equipment and systems with coded bit serial data transmission for monitoring and controlling geographically widespread processes. It defines a telecontrol companion standard that enables interoperability among compatible telecontrol equipment"
IEC 60870-5-104 does not have substation automation (usually not a widespread area) in its scope - BUT, you know 104 is used as the communication inside many substations! Ok ... why not. But then also IEC 61850 can be used for telecontrol ... see IEC 61850-80-1, ...
In the wind power industry it was discussed some 20 years ago: IEC 61850 is not applicable for wind turbines, because wind turbines are not substations ... hahaha
Enjoy IEC 61850!

Wednesday, February 18, 2026

IEC 61850: Realtime Interface Version 2.0 - Why This Matters

Netbeheer (the Netherlands organization of Distribution System Operator) published the Realtime Interface version 1.0 (RTI 1) in 2024.

The revised specification (named RTI 2) has been developed last year and proposed to IEC TC 57 as an additional solution for communication of IEC 61850 information (New Work Item Proposal IEC 61850-8-3).

The one page list of good reasons for the new solution 

The combination of IEC 61850 data model / services and WebSocket protocol
Why this matters

can be found here.

See also:
https://blog.nettedautomation.com/2025/12/long-awaited-christmas-gift-for-smarter.html

Saturday, February 14, 2026

Seven IEC 61850 Model Documents Published for Public CDV Comments

Please note that seven IEC 61850-7-xxx model documents have been published for CDV comments on 2026-02-13. The following documents are available for public comments until 2026-04-10:

IEC 61850-7-4 ED3
Communication networks and systems for power utility
automation - Part 7-4: Basic communication structure -
Compatible logical node classes and data object classes -
Core

IEC 61850-7-40 ED1
... Common part

IEC 61850-7-43 ED1
... Primary equipment

IEC 61850-7-44 ED1
... Instrument transformers

IEC 61850-7-400 ED1
.... Substation automation

IEC 61850-7-401 ED1
... Protection

IEC 61850-7-440 ED1
... Power quality metering

Enjoy!