Free ASN.1 Browser for IEC 61850-8-3 ASN.1 Module from RTI2 PoC

If you want to browse easily the ASN.1 message schema for the new project IEC 61850-8-3 (DSM) underway, check out this free browser: 

https://www.nettedautomation.com/editor

A preliminary asn.1 module for IEC 61850-8-3 (from PoC of RTI2) is available for download:

This is how it looks like:

and ...

The schema is very simple compared to MMS for IEC 61850-8-1.

Let us know if you have any question.

Extended Video on IEC 61850-8-3 Available - Example Messages

 An extended version of the video on  

IEC 61850-8-3
Communication networks and systems for power utility automation –
Specific Communication Service Mapping (SCSM) –
Mapping to Direct Message Specification (DMS), JSON Encoding Rules, and WebSockets 

is available. I have added some five minutes ... total time is 23 minutes.

I have added mainly two examples of services for IEC 61850-8-1 (MMS) and IEC 61850-8-3 (DMS):

The figure above shows how a client can get the list of logical nodes from the server with MMS ... and with DMS:

Details can be watched in the video ... enjoy.

IEC 61850 Series for Any Automation Domain using Electric Power (two Examples)

The standard series IEC 61850 is applicable for simple applications and huge systems. The standard is not restricted to a specific domain. Like electric power is everywhere. So could IEC 61850 be everywhere.

I have discussed this briefly in the context of a LinkedIn post.

Now it's time to discuss briefly two simple applications ... just looking at the two models ... without further explanations.

The German FNN Steuerbox

The Steuerbox is mainly providing schedules for the interface between the grid and the power user:

This model is defined for a special use-case: Steuern (remote control). No need for an engineering tool ... it is just a fixed model ...

The Netherlands RTI (Real-Time Interface) for power generation (> 1 MW)

... this is a fixed model with some details:

The RTI models and services are currently using IEC 61850-8-1 (MMS) communication (RTI 1). The RTI 2 will finally use the IEC 61850-8-3 (DMS) once it is specified. A Task Force has started to specify the new standard in May 2026.

The fixed models allow for a high level of interoperability. The central systems (representing the IEC 61850 clients) can communicate with and IED following these specifications. In the case of the FNN Steuerbox it has been proven that the client application could talk to all steuerboxes in the field without paying attention to which vendors device it is talking to.

REAL INTEROPPERABILITY !!

Why is there an Need for an Additional Service Mapping in IEC 61850 (IEC 61850-8-3)?

The two service mappings for IEC 61850 are IEC 61850-8-1 (MMS) and IEC 61850-8-2 (MMS/XML). The mapping IEC 61850-8-1 is in operation from the first days when IEC 61850 was implemented and used ... all over ... in millions of devices and thousands of systems. Ok ... perfect.

Why is there an need for an additional service mapping in IEC 61850 (IEC 61850-8-3)? 

Simply because of the complex and tricky mapping to MMS (Manufacturing Message Specification, ISO 9506). 

IEC 61850-8-3
Communication networks and systems for power utility automation –
Specific Communication Service Mapping (SCSM) –
Mapping to Direct Message Specification (DMS), JSON Encoding Rules, and WebSockets 

In order to explain details of the new approach to be used for the new work item proposal IEC 61850-8-3 I have produced a 17 minute video (updated version 2026-06-04, 23 minutes).

It is likely that this will become a major shift in the use of IEC 61850.

Enjoy!

The PAC World Magazine Reports From the 30 Year Anniversary of IEC 61850 in September 2025

The 30 year anniversary of IEC 61850 in September 2025 was a big success.

The report mentions me: "The presentations were bracketed by the first one from Karlheinz Schwarz about how all of this started in the past Millenium ..."

I am very thankful for the invitation by Dr. Fred Steinhauser (Omicron) to speak about the history ... 

Click HERE for the Report in the PACW.

Click HERE for more photos and a link to my "Millenium" presentation.

When browsing the Web, I see many more papers, reports, posts, ... on IEC 61850 for substations and for applications beyond substations.

More to come: With IEC 61850-8-3

Final Vote on IEC 61850-7-410 (Hydroelectric Power Plants ) is Positive

The edition 3 of the standard IEC 61850-7-410 has been accepted to be published in April 2026:

Communication networks and systems for power utility automation –
Part 7-410: Basic communication structure –
Hydroelectric power plants – Communication for monitoring and control

The document is very detailed and comprehensive: almost 700 pages!

IEC has published a short news on the new document.

Congratulation to the WG 18 of IEC TC 57!

The document is an integral part of the IEC 61850 standards series. Unlike the standard for Wind Power Plants (IEC 61400-25): which is partly an independent standard series. The latest draft for the information model for wind turbine applications (Edition 3) is harmonized with IEC 61850!

OT Security - Kongressbeiträge "Security unter Kontrolle" jetzt Online

Zweitägiger Kongress öffnet die "Tore" ... alle Vorträge online!!

SECURITY UNTER KONTROLLE ist der dialog- und praxisorientierte Kongress für alle, die sich mit Security in der Industrie beschäftigen. Security? Bekommen wir unter Kontrolle!

Um Security für Automatisierungstechnik müssten Sie sich mal kümmern – wenn Sie bloß wüssten, wie genau? Das ist das Ziel von SECURITY UNTER KONTROLLE. Automatisierer, Ingenieure und Praktiker befähigen, Security selbst in die Hand zu nehmen.  

Das in die "Hand nehmen" ist leicht gesagt ... es ist zu hoffen, dass das Management in den Firmen die Mitarbeiter unterstützen, dass sich die Leute darum kümmern können!

Ich hoffe, dass die vielen Minuten Videomaterial so aufbereitet werden, dass sich die wesentlichen Aussagen und Erfahrungen in vielleicht einer Stunde in einem "kondensierten" Video kostenfrei erleben lassen.

Viele Erfolg!

New Work Item Proposal on IEC 61850-8-3 has been accepted by 95 % of the TC 57 National Committees

In December 2025 the NWIP (57/2866/NP - proposed project number: IEC 61850-8-3) was published for voting and comments:
https://blog.nettedautomation.com/2025/12/long-awaited-christmas-gift-for-smarter.html

Today we are happy that the NWIP has been approved by IEC - only one country disagreed in the voting process.

IEC 61850-8-3
Communication networks and systems for power utility automation –
Specific Communication Service Mapping (SCSM) –
Mapping to Direct Message Specification (DMS), JSON Encoding Rules, and WebSockets 

The result of this work will very likely change the usability of IEC 61850 outside substations.

Stay tuned to follow the progress.

In order to explain details of the new approach to be used for the new work item proposal IEC 61850-8-3 I have produced a 17 minute video (2026-05-13).

IEC 61850: Work-around for MMS

Very interesting paper just published ... presenting a work-around for MMS ;-)

Integration Method for IEC 61850 into Legacy and Modern PLC Systems

I am a little bit surprised ... when I worked for Siemens (Karlsruhe) I published two papers in the year 1991 (35 years ago!) expecting that MMS could be implemented into a PLC:

Click HERE for the paper “Bridging MAP to Ethernet” [PDF, 720 KB, 1991]

Click HERE for the paper “Fieldbus standardization: Another way to go” [PDF, 720 KB, 1991].

Today we know that MMS could be integrated into PLCs ... 

Gateways work always - definitely.

The expected new work on IEC 61850-8-3 (another mapping than to MMS) would change the situation tremendously:

Communication networks and systems for power utility automation –
Specific Communication Service Mapping (SCSM) –
Mapping to Direct Message Specification (DMS),
JSON Encoding Rules, and WebSockets 

Click HERE for more information on the planned project.

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!

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

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!