FDIS of IEC 61850-3 “General requirements” published

IEC CO has just published the 67 page FDIS (57/1391/FDIS) for the IEC 61850-3 Edition 2:
Communication networks and systems for power utility automation –
Part 3: General requirements

Ballot closes 2013-11-08

What’s new?

1. Requirements are in line with those of other equipment used in the same environment (e.g. protection relays);
2. Product safety added based on IEC 60255-27;
3. EMC requirements completed and in line with IEC 60255 series and IEC 61000-6-5.

Main clauses are:

• Environmental conditions
• Ratings
• Design and construction
• Tests
• Marking, labeling and packaging
• Rules for transport, storage, installation, operation and maintenance
• Product documentation

How Does IEC 61850-3 Apply for IEDs Outside Substations?

I have been contacted several times on the question: “What are the requirements in IEC 61850-3 (General requirements, EMC, EMI, …) that have to be applied in DER, SA, … Wind turbines, Hydro Power stations?”

In IEC 61850-3 these applications are partly excluded (57/1246/CDV) says under

6.7.1 Electromagnetic environment

“… In addition to the mentioned electrical plants, Electricity Utilities can install apparatus in

control centers, radio repeaters, or low voltage distribution points in industrial, commercial or residential areas. These locations are covered by other generic standards or product standards. …”

An IED for a Hydro power plant, PV inverter, other DER or DA application to become compliant with IEC 61850-3 requires some definition in IEC 61850-3 for these domains. Pointing to “other standards” is to fuzzy.

I would highly appreciate to get your opinion which most crucial standards for other areas than HV/MV substations are applicable. We could then summarize the result and publish some guidelines … hints.

Please contact me in case you have some useful hints on the applicability of IEC 61850-3 outside substations.

IEC 61850-3 Ed2 CDV is out for ballot

The CDV for IEC 61850-3 Ed.2 is out for comments and ballot:

Communication networks and systems for power utility
automation – Part 3: General requirements

The ballot closes 2012-10-19

This part of IEC 61850 defines general requirements, mainly regarding construction, design and environmental conditions for utility communication and automation IED's and systems in power plant and substation environments. These general requirements are in line with requirements for IED's used in similar environments, for example measuring relays and protection equipment.

IEC 61850 is used in many applications in the power distribution. The applicability of the requirements (defined in the above CDV) for distribution networks or DER seems to be defined in a more details. Currently clause 6.7.1 defines “In addition to the mentioned electrical plants, Electricity Utilities can install apparatus in control centers, radio repeaters, or low voltage distribution points in industrial, commercial or residential areas. These locations are covered by other generic standards or product standards.”

Does this mean that all or most or some requirements defined in IEC 61850-3 Ed2 are not applicable for these locations? etc.

It is highly recommended that experts from all over have a close look at this CDV to make sure that IEDs applied in DER and distribution networks are not burdened with requirements not needed.

Contact your IEC TC 57 national committee for a copy of the IEC 61850-3 Ed2 CDV.