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Chapter 17
IEC 61850 Protocols Used in
Protective Relays
Communication
17.1 INTRODUCTION
In 2005, a new standard, IEC 61850, that defined communication protocols
for intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) at electrical substations was intro-
duced. It discusses how substations and power systems components commu-
nications should be designed, built, commissioned, operated, and maintained.
The same technology is used in transmission and distribution systems.
The substation automation system (SAS) was introduced in 1980 in trans-
mission and distribution substations. Once IEDs were introduced in protec-
tion and control, local area network (LAN) architecture was used to link the
IEDs.
However, communication is only possible between the linked devices
with the use of protocol conversions. The speed of the IED protocols limited
the functionality and services and varied between manufacturers. Once the
IEC 61850 protocol for communication networks and systems in substations
was introduced, it allowed for standardized high speed communication
between IEDs from different manufactures using the protocol. This meant
that companies could reduce the use of expensive standalone devices and
complex real copper wiring and convert to a new protocol that allows engi-
neers fully use the functions of IEDs in protection and control of substations.
Table 17.1 shows a list of common abbreviations used in this field.
17.2 IEC 61850
The use of IEC 61850 is to help standardize the communication within sub-
stations with low costs and increased flexibility for all functions between dif-
ferent IEDs. It is a structured definition of data within devices over any
communication media and protocol used.
The use of this standard reduces installation and maintenance costs by
reducing manual configuration and hard wire costs. More functions are avail-
able in IEDs that meet this standard, giving more flexibility to exchange
Practical Power System and Protective Relays Commissioning.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-816858-5.00017-4 179
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