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!

Just published: IEC 61850-7-420 Basic Communication Structure – Distributed Energy Resources And Distribution Automation Logical Lodes

IEC TC 57 just published one of the most crucial parts of the standard series IEC 61850:

This second edition of the 548 pages long bilingual standard (EN/FR) has been developed over a period of - I guess more than 10 years - taking into account the experience with IEC 61850 in general and with distributed power systems.

Now it is time to implement and use the standard in conjunction with the other core parts like IEC 61850-6, 7-1, -7-2, -7-3, and 7-4.

Click HERE for details on IEC 61850-7-420.

Click HERE for the preview.

Please note that the syntax of the object models is available for free download:

Click HERE for the download of the light name space document [zip, 30 KB] 

Excerpt of the light name space:

Sample code for Battery Monitoring LN with Cell Voltage Lo Alarm and Hi Alarm:

Note that the description (Semantic) is only available in the Full name space document that comes with the standard when you buy the standard.

It is recommended to purchase the standard in case you want to study the full content and to figure out the benefit ...!