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Learn IEC 61850 Configuration In 30 Minutes

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 Learn IEC 61850 Configuration In 30 Minutes
Wei Huang Dinesh Baradi
ABB Inc. ABB Inc.
Lake Mary, FL, USA Houston, TX
[email protected] [email protected]

Abstract— the myth says IEC 61850 is too complicated to use There are differences between IEC 61850 standard and
with a steep learning curve. The traditional IEC 61850 learning legacy communication protocols. IEC 61850 standard is not
path is to go through IEC 61850 standard then start IEC 61850 just a communication protocol. It is more than a
configuration. User spent days to go through massive content of communication protocol. IEC 61850 provides a systemic way
the standard, which includes 10 parts, 27 documents, and more to describe the device and system before applying the proper
than 4,000 pages. The standard adopts modern communication communication services described earlier.
and computer science technologies like 7-layer communication
model, XML (Extensible Markup Language), Unified Model IEC 61850 standard incorporates new achievements of
Language (UML), Object Oriented Design (OOD) and others. modern computer science and communication technology.
Many potential users are discouraged with the overwhelming Object oriented design is used to design a hierarchical object
information during the IEC 61850 training. One of IEC 61850 data mode to describe the power product system, devices and
standard’s goals is to shorten system engineering time. Learning data. Open System Interconnection (OSI) 7 layer mode [31] is
the know-how presented a challenge with such massive content. used as the base of communication. Client – Server [32] and
It is possible to get a fundamental understanding of standard Publish – Subscribe [33] are the two main communication
and be ready for IEC 61850 configuration in 30 minutes. Two models adopted by IEC 61850 standard. Unified Modeling
basic questions from protection relay engineer’s point of view Language (UML) [34] is used in the IEC 61850 standard for
are “Where is the data?” and “How to get the data?” This
implementation.
paper provides an alternate approach to comprehend core
components of IEC 61850: Semantic Hierarchical Object Data It is a challenge to absorb such large quantities in a few
model and two communication services: Client - Server and days, hence a new approach is needed.
Publish - Subscribe. The task of IEC 61850 configuration is
preparing the data list following the model and specifying II. A NEW APPROACH
communication service. IEC 61850 configuration between
Intelligent Electronic Device (IED) and SCADA (Supervisory After years of IEC 61850 training and system integration
Control And Data Acquisition) has already been prepared by experience, we came up a new approach to help learning IEC
default and requires minimal engineering time. This approach 61850 configuration more efficiently. Instead of going through
of acquainting with the fundaments followed by sharing relevant enormous contents of IEC 61850 standard in sequence, this
examples has been well received and has provided satisfactory new approach start with two basic questions: “Where is the
results in IEC 61850 training sessions. data?” and “How to get the data?”, and focuses on core
components of the standard: Semantic Hierarchical Object
Index Terms—IEC 61850, Semantic Hierarchical Object Data Data model, Client – Server and Publish – Subscribe
model, Client – Server, Publish – Subscribe. communication services.

I. TRADITIONAL WAY A. Semantic Hierarchical Object Data model

The traditional way of learning IEC 61850 configuration Legacy communication protocols, DNP3 or Modbus, are
starts with reviewing IEC 61850 standard. With an unofficial index or register based. All data points are assigned an index
count of 10 parts, 27 documents and more than 4,000 pages[2] number with the data type. Phase A load current could be
– [30], it takes more than 3 weeks to read the full content of located as analog input index 1 in the data point list manual,
the standard with normal reading speed of 2 minutes per page. which will be shared with both relay and SCADA engineers.
Being exhausted, little energy is left to practice IEC 61850 They have to use the same communication data point list
configuration on the IED. More than half of potential users in manual. If any modifications or updates are made on the
IEC 61850 class would give up or decide to look at it later points list on the relay, SCADA configuration needs to be
before the class ends. Those who intend to study IEC 61850 reviewed, or modified at the same time, to match the new list.
standard later will keep postponing until it is no longer fresh
and interesting.
 IEC 61850 standard adopts a different approach to locate One important data object DPC (Double Point Control) is
the data. A Semantic Hierarchical Object Data model is used defined to describe circuit breaker position and operation.
to describe the data points, product device and substation. Double point status attribute “stVal” is defined for the breaker
1) Object Data model: In object oriented design, a system position, as 2 bit integer, with bit 0 presents Open position
is partitioned into layers and subsystems. A large complex signal, bit 1 presents closed position. So a decimal value 1, as
system is divided into a hierarchy of smaller components or “0 1” in binary, means circuit breaker is Open. Value 2, as “1
objects with lesser complexities. The individual components 0” in binary, means circuit breaker is Closed. Value 0, as “0
are of lesser complexity, more comprehensible and 0”, neither Open or Closed signal is received, breaker position
manageable. Each component is independent and can be is intermediate. The last possible value 3, as “1 1” in binary, as
replaced without affecting the whole system. These breaker is not possible both in Open and Closed position,
components or objects are self-contained entity which means breaker in fault position. It also includes attribute “q”
encapsulates data attributes and operation services. for quality and “t” for timestamp. As a control data object, it
Adopting the approach of object oriented design, in IEC includes a Boolean attribute “ctlVal” for control output.
61850 standard, each IED (Intelligent Electronic Device) is “True” to close and “False” to open. For a data object with
divided into logical devices, logical nodes and object data name “Pos” of class DPC, when circuit breaker is open, value
points. Every IED contains several logical devices for certain of Pos.stVal will be 1. When circuit breaker closed, value of
applications. Every logical device contains a group of logical Pos.stVal will be 2.
nodes or functions. Logical nodes includes all data objects it Data object can include other data objects as its attributes.
needs for the function. IED design is now very flexible by Data object WYE, phase to ground/neutral related measured
values of a three-phase system , includes attributes “phsA”,
including different logical devices and logical nodes for
“phsB”, “phsC”, “neut”, “net”, and “res” with data object type
different protection and control applications. of CMV. Phase IEC 61850 reference of phase A load current
In object oriented design, “Class” is used for the template will be like “A.phsA.cVal.mag.f” while A is a WYE object.
or definition of a data object. Each object is an instance of the Phase B current will be like “A.phsB.cVal.mag.f”.
class. Class is the definition of the object. IEC 61850 standard
defines the common classes. Vendors of IED implement 2) Hierarchical Structure: Data structure in IEC 61850 is
actual data objects based on the class in the IED. not flat but a layered hierarchical structure.
For example a commonly used class in IEC 61850 is Logical node in IEC 61580 is used to define basic
“WYE”, which provide information about phase to ground functions in the IED as a container of data objects. IEC 61850
related measured values of a three-phase power system part 7-4 defines logical node type, or class. Logical node class
apparatus. Attributes in WYE include phsA, phsB, phsC, neut CSWI defines data structure of switch controller. One
for phase A, B, C and ground current or voltage important data object in CSWI is named “Pos” with data type
measurements. These attributes are of type CMV (complex DPC. IEC 61850 reference of circuit break status will be
measured value) and consist of magnitude and phase angle as referenced as “CBCSWI1.Pos.stVal” with logical node name
in any AC measurements. Attributes of CMV are described in “CBCSWI1”.
Figure 1. Measurement logical node named CMMXU1, of class
In IEC 61850 standard part 7-3, common data class is MMXU, contains data object A of type WYE for phase
defined to describe the data object. Phase A current is not only currents, data object phsV of type WYE for phase voltage.
index 1 of analog input. In IEC 61850, attributes of class IEC 61850 reference of phase A current measurement will be
CMV “cVal.mag.f” is used for magnitude measurement and “CMMXU1.A.phsA.cVal.mag.f”. Phase B current
“cVal.ang.f” for angle, “q” for quality and “t” for timestamp. measurement will be “CMMXU1.A.phsA.cVal.mag.f”.
Data class SPS (Single point status) is defined for binary data In IEC 61850 standard logical node classes are grouped by
including attribute “stVal” for a Boolean value, “q” for their functions. All logical node class name consists exact four
quality, and “t” for timestamp, and some other attributes. In letters, of which the first letter presents group of the logical
fact all data objects in IEC 61850 have at least three attributes: node. All logical node of metering and measurement functions
value, quality and timestamp. begin with “M”, like MMXU which contains measurement
data objects. Logical node name begin with letter “C” is for
control functions. Letter “P” is for protection functions, like
PTOC for time over-current. Any IED that supports IEC
61850 consists of a list of logical nodes. To make it more user
friendly and better manageable, IEC 61850 standard specify
virtual logical device layer. Each logical device is group of
logical nodes for a certain application. Logical device CTRL
could include all logical node of circuit breaker functions.
Logical device LD0 could include all logical node of
protection functions, and logical device DR includes all
Figure 1: CMV (Complex measured value) defined in IEC 61850 Part 7-3
logical node of disturbance records. IEC 61850 reference of
Phase A current will be “LD0.CMMXU1.A.phsA.cVal.mag.f”
in full. “CTRL.CBCSWI1.Pos.stVal” presents circuit breaker B. Client – Server Communication Service
1 position. IEDs are normally connected with SCADA (Supervisory
control and data acquisition) by fast Ethernet connections with
3) Semantic Name Space: IEC 61850 defines naming speed of 100 megabits per second. Communication protocol
MMS (Manufacturing Message Specification) is used in IEC
convention of logical node. Logical node name must use
61850 to implement Client – Server service between IEDs and
logical node class name defined in IEC 61850 standard part 7- SCADA. IED runs as a server, contains all the data and is
4, like CSWI, MMXU, or PTOC, as base. Venders are free to ready to respond to any requests. SCADA, as a client, initiates
add prefix in front of the class name, like CB, C, PHH, and the communication and sends requests to read data or control
instance number at the end. Logical node name “CBCSWI1” command. IED responds to SCADA with the value of the data
is consisted of prefix “CB”, logical node class CSWI, and or result of control operation.
instance number 1. “CMMXU1” has prefix “C”, logical node Besides this request - respond polling mechanism, MMS
type MMXU, and instance number 1. also supports reporting by exception function. When there is
no event happens or no data change on the IED, there would
be no communication between IED and SCADA. When any
critical event happens or data change, IED sends event data to
SCADA automatically without requesting. Communication
payload is reduced to minimum and SCADA always receives
events in time without waiting for the polling.
This reporting by exception communication method is
mostly used for communication between IED and SCADA.
Figure 2 Logical node name includes Prefix, Logical Node Class Name, and
When communication is first time established between
Instance
SCADA and IED, SCADA sends numerous requests to IED to
read values of all the data. After that, SCADA sends an
“enable report” command to IED. IED is now ready to send
Data object names in logical node are defined in IEC 61850
event report when any data changes. When there is no data
standard. Circuit breaker status in logical node CSWI is change, there is no communication between the SCADA and
defined as “Pos” of type DPC. Phase current in MMXU is the IED. Network is quite. Only when data change events
defined as “A” of type WYE. happened, IED sends event data to SCADA automatically.
As a Semantic Hierarchical Data model, IEC 61850
For request - response polling mode, there is no need of
reference has the format of “Logical Device”. “Logic Node”.
any configuration work. Importing CID file exported from
“Data Object”.”Attribute”. Here are some examples: IED configuration tool, SCADA receives all IEC 61580
LD0.CMMXU1.A.phsA.cVal.mag.f for phase A load current logical devices, logical nodes and data objects about the IED,
and CTRL.CBCSWI1.Pos.stVal for circuit breaker position. and is able to send request for any data it is interested.
Now the data format is defined, but where is the data in an
IED? They are normally prepared and preconfigured in the For event reporting operation, IED need to be configured
to create information report data sets to prepare the list of data
IED by the vendor. IEC 61850 configuration tool from
points for reporting and report control blocks to specify how
different vendors have a common function “Export” to export to send the report. IEC 61850 standard uses information report
CID (Configuration IED Description) file, which include all data set, as a list of data objects to report events. Report
logic device, logic nodes and data objects in the IED. CID control block is used to specify how to send these reports.
file’s format is defined by IEC 61850 in XML format. This
Most IED vendors provide default information report data
file can be opened in any XML editor or any web browser.
sets and report control blocks. The default information report
User can browse the hierarchical structure from IED to logical data sets includes lists of important data objects, like circuit
devices, logical node, data object and data attributes. breaker position, protection trip, and measurement with
threshold for reporting. Report control blocks are configured
to send event reports when data changed or quality changed. It
can also be configured to send data to SCADA periodically
with or without any data change. IED is ready for
communication with SCADA with no configuration work.
When some data points which SCADA requires are not
included in the default report data set, users need to update the
information report data set to add new data.
For Client - Server MMS communication with SCADA,
IEC 61850 configuration work on the IED is minimum.
Figure 3 This IED has three logical devices LD0, CTRL and DR
C. Publish – Subscribe Communication Service
GOOSE (Generic Object Oriented Substation Event) is the
other communication service between IEDs defined in IEC
61850 standard, which is used to replace hardwire connections
between binary output contacts of one IED to binary input of
another IED or analog connections.
Publish – Subscribe service model is used to reach
performance of both high speed and high availability for
GOOSE communication. In this model, GOOSE-sending IED Figure 5 GOOSE Subscribe
sends GOOSE message at low level of communication stack
data link layer by broadcasting to all IEDs on the same The third step is to configure GOOSE receiving IED by
network. High priority flag is assigned to these GOOSE mapping the GOOSE data to user logic of the IED. IEDs from
messages, so these messages will be moved to the front of the different vendors have different ways to map the GOOSE
queue on Ethernet switch’s communication port to be sent out data. Signal matrix is one way of data mapping. In the
in front of other messages. example above, six GOOSE data from two IEDs (F1, and F2)
in the column header are mapped to six GOOSE receiving
To make sure IEDs receives GOOSE message in 3 data object rows in the application logic.
milliseconds with any new event, IED sends several GOOSE
messages with incrementing sequence numbers at a non-linear
rate to ensure at least one message is received. IED keeps
sending GOOSE message as a heartbeat mechanism for a
fixed rate later, which can be used by GOOSE-receiving IED
to detect any communication failure.
While the IED publishes GOOSE message to all IEDs on
the network, the subscribed IED retrieves the GOOSE
message and get the data.
GOOSE configuration normally involves at least one
GOOSE-sending IED and one or more GOOSE-receiving
IEDs.
GOOSE configuration consists of three steps: prepare Figure 6 an example of signal matrix to map GOOSE data to application
GOOSE data for sending, subscribe, and receive GOOSE data. logic
Similar to MMS configuration, , user creates GOOSE data
sets, adds data points to the data set, and configures GOOSE By these three steps, GOOSE-sending IED is ready to send
control block to specify how to send the GOOSE message for the data, GOOSE-receiving IEDs are identified and are ready
GOOSE-sending IED as the first step. to receive the data.

III. SUMMARY
Starting with two basic questions: “Where is the data” and
“How to get the data”, protection and control engineers should
focus on core components of IEC 61850 standard: One data
model - Semantic Hierarchical Object Data model, and two
communication services: Client - Server and Publish –
Subscribe. IEC 61850 configuration is just preparing the data
following the data model and specifying the communication
Figure 4 A GOOSE data set with a value and quality service. There is no myth here.
The second step subscribe is to configure which IEDs
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