As the power and automation landscape evolves, IEC 61850 remains a pivotal standard for substation automation and intelligent electrical systems. To help engineers learn, verify, and implement IEC 61850 more efficiently, we’re launching a focused set of helpful resources. These materials are designed for quick onboarding, practical reference, and reliable testing—whether you’re new to IEC 61850 or looking to sharpen your skills.
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Terms, definitions, and abbreviations (Reference: IEC 61850 Communication networks and systems in substations – Part 1: Introduction and overview)
ACSI
A virtual interface to an IED that provides abstract communication services such as connection, variable access, unsolicited data transfer, device control, and file transfer. These services are independent of the actual communication stack and profiles in use.
bay
A substation subdivision consisting of closely connected subparts sharing common functionality. Examples include:
- The switchgear between an incoming/outgoing line and the busbar
- The bus coupler with its circuit breaker and associated isolators and earthing switches
- The transformer, along with its switchgear between the two busbars representing the two voltage levels
The bay concept can be extended to configurations like one-and-a-half breaker and ring bus substations by grouping primary circuit breakers and associated equipment into a virtual bay. Bays form a power system subset intended to be protected; control of their switchgear is subject to common restrictions such as mutual interlocking or well-defined operation sequences. Identifying these subparts is important for maintenance (which parts can be simultaneously switched off with minimal impact) and for extension planning (what needs to be added to connect a new line). Subparts of this kind are called bays and may be managed by devices referred to as “bay controllers,” with protection systems called “bay protection.” The bay concept is not universally used worldwide, and the bay level represents an additional control tier below the overall station level.
data object
A component of a logical node that represents specific information, such as a status or a measurement. From an object-oriented perspective, a data object is an instance of a data object class. Data objects are typically used as transaction objects (data structures).
IED
Any device containing one or more processors capable of receiving or sending data/control to or from an external source (for example, electronic multifunction meters, digital relays, controllers).
interchangeability
The ability to replace a device from one manufacturer with a device from another manufacturer without making changes to the rest of the system.
interoperability
The ability of two or more IEDs (from the same or different vendors) to exchange information and use that information to correctly execute specified functions.
functions
Tasks performed by the substation automation system, i.e., by application functions. Functions exchange data with other functions. The details depend on the specific functions in question. Functions are implemented by IEDs (physical devices) and may be distributed across multiple IEDs, with some parts of a function communicating with other parts (distributed function) and with parts of other functions. The communicating parts of these functions are called logical nodes. In this standard, the organization of functions or their granularity is governed by communication behavior, so all functions consist of logical nodes that exchange data.
Logical Node (LN)
The smallest part of a function that exchanges data. A LN is an object defined by its data and methods.
open protocol
A protocol whose stack is standardized or publicly available.
PD
Equivalent to an IED within the context of this standard.
protocol
A set of rules that determines the behavior of functional units in achieving and performing communication.
Abbreviated terms
ACSI — Abstract Communication Service Interface
AIS — Air Insulated Switchgear
CB — Circuit Breaker
CDC — Common Data Class
DO — Data Object
EMC — Electromagnetic Compatibility
GOMSFE — Generic Object Models for Substation and Feeder Equipment
IED — Intelligent Electronic Device
GIS — Gas Insulated Switchgear
LN — Logical Node
PD — Physical Device
PICOM — Piece of Information for COMmunication
SA — Substation Automation
SAS — Substation Automation System
SCSM — Specific Communication Service Mapping
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