IEC TS 61850-2:2019
(Main)Communication networks and systems for power utility automation - Part 2: Glossary
Communication networks and systems for power utility automation - Part 2: Glossary
IEC TS 61850-2:2019 (E) contains the glossary of specific terms and definitions used in the context of Substation Automation Systems which are standardized in the various parts of the IEC 61850 series.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition, published in 2003. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
a) definition of new definitions used in the new edition of the IEC 61850 standard series;
b) updating of existing definitions to the new domain power utility automation of the IEC 61850 standard series and to provide homogeneity
c) removal of deprecated definitions (logical device class; generic system state event; substation automation system);
d) provision of clarifications and corrections to the first edition of IEC 61850-2.
This publication is of core relevance for Smart Grid
General Information
Standards Content (Sample)
IEC TS 61850-2
Edition 2.0 2019-04
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATION
Communication networks and systems for power utility automation –
Part 2: Glossary
IEC TS 61850-2:2019-04(en)
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IEC TS 61850-2
Edition 2.0 2019-04
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATION
Communication networks and systems for power utility automation –
Part 2: Glossary
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
ICS 33.200 ISBN 978-2-8322-6799-8
Warning! Make sure that you obtained this publication from an authorized distributor.
® Registered trademark of the International Electrotechnical Commission---------------------- Page: 3 ----------------------
– 2 – IEC TS 61850-2:2019 © IEC 2019
CONTENTS
FOREWORD ........................................................................................................................... 3
1 Scope .............................................................................................................................. 6
2 Normative references ....................................................................................................... 6
3 Terms and definitions....................................................................................................... 6
4 Abbreviated terms .......................................................................................................... 32
Bibliography .......................................................................................................................... 38
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INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
COMMUNICATION NETWORKS AND SYSTEMS
FOR POWER UTILITY AUTOMATION –
Part 2: Glossary
FOREWORD
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The main task of IEC technical committees is to prepare International Standards. In
exceptional circumstances, a technical committee may propose the publication of a Technical
Specification when• the required support cannot be obtained for the publication of an International Standard,
despite repeated efforts, or• the subject is still under technical development or where, for any other reason, there is the
future but no immediate possibility of an agreement on an International Standard.
Technical Specifications are subject to review within three years of publication to decide
whether they can be transformed into International Standards.IEC 61850-2, which is a technical specification, has been prepared by IEC technical committee
57: Power system management and associated information exchange.---------------------- Page: 5 ----------------------
– 4 – IEC TS 61850-2:2019 © IEC 2019
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition, published in 2003. This edition
constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes
with respect to the previous edition:a) definition of new definitions used in the new edition of the IEC 61850 standard series
(abstract data model for communication; application function; backward compatible;
common data class; communication system; composition; configuration compatibility list;
configured IED description CID; conformance; data object class; decomposition;documentation; domain; forward compatible; function-related naming; granularity; IED
configuration tool; IED parameters; instantiated IED description IID; intelligent electronic
device capability description ICD; language; local function; logical device; mandatory data
attribute; mandatory data object; meta model; namespace; object reference; optional data
attribute; optional data object; performance; power system; power utility automation system;
PUAS installation; PUAS parameter set; PUAS product family; product-related naming;
secondary system; semantic name; system configuration description SCD; systemconfiguration language SCL; system configuration language implementation conformance
statement SICS; system configuration language version; system master; systemconfiguration tool SCT; system design specification; system extension description SED;
system related test; system requirement specification; system specification description
SSD; system specification tool; technical issued conformance test TICS; tool; virtualisation;
extensible mark-up language schema XSD);b) updating of existing definitions to the new domain power utility automation of the IEC 61850
standard series and to provide homogeneity (abstract communication service interface
ACSI; bay; client; data; data attribute; data object; device; distributed function; engineering
tools; expandability; factory acceptance test FAT; flexibility; function; gateway; generic
object-oriented system event GOOSE; generic system event model; IED parameter set;
information model; instance; intelligent electronic device IED; interchangeability; logical
connection; logical node; logical system; manufacturer; merging unit; model implementation
conformance statement MICS; physical connection; physical device; physical system; piece
of information for communication PICOM; process level functions; process related station
level functions; protocol; protocol implementation conformance statement PICS; protocol
implementation extra information for testing PIXIT; redundancy; scalability; server; site
acceptance test SAT; specific communication service mapping SCSM; station levelfunctions; supporting tools; system; system integrator; system life cycle; system
parameters; system test; test equipment; type test);c) removal of deprecated definitions (logical device class; generic system state event;
substation automation system);d) provision of clarifications and corrections to the first edition of IEC 61850-2.
The text of this Technical Specification is based on the following documents:Draft TS Report on voting
57/1970/DTS 57/2024/RVDTS
Full information on the voting for the approval of this Technical Specification can be found in
the report on voting indicated in the above table.This document has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
IEC 61850 consists of the following parts, under the general title Communication networks and
systems for power utility automation.Part 1: Introduction and overview
Part 2: Glossary
Part 3: General requirements
Part 4: System and project management
Part 5: Communication requirements for functions and device models
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Part 6: Configuration description language for communication in electrical substations
related to IEDsPart 7-1: Basic communication structure – Principles and models
Part 7-2: Basic information and communication – Abstract communication service interface
(ACSI)Part 7-3: Basic communication structure – Common data classes
Part 7-4: Basic communication structure – Compatible logical node classes and data object
classesPart 8-1: Specific communication service mapping (SCSM) – Mappings to MMS (ISO/IEC
9506-1 and ISO/IEC 9506-2) over ISO/IEC 8802-3Part 9-2: Specific communication service mapping (SCSM) – Sampled values over
ISO/IEC 8802-3
Part 9-3: Precision time protocol profile for power utility automation
Part 10: Conformance testing
The committee has decided that the contents of this publication will remain unchanged until the
stability date indicated on the IEC website under "http://webstore.iec.ch" in the data related to
the specific publication. At this date, the publication will be• transformed into an International standard,
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn,
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.
A bilingual version of this publication may be issued at a later date.
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COMMUNICATION NETWORKS AND SYSTEMS
FOR POWER UTILITY AUTOMATION –
Part 2: Glossary
1 Scope
This part of IEC 61850, which is a Technical Specification, applies to power utility automation
systems (PUAS). It defines the communication between intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) in
the power utility automation system and the related system requirements.This document contains the glossary of specific terminology and definitions used in the context
of Power Utility Automation Systems within the various parts of the standard.This document is, by its nature, a living part since new definitions and abbreviations will be
created continuously in the standard documents that are being written inside the IEC related to
IEC 61850.2 Normative references
There are no normative references in this document.
3 Terms and definitions
The following terms and definitions apply to all parts of the IEC 61850 series.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following
addresses:• IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.electropedia.org/
• ISO Online browsing platform: available at http://www.iso.org/obp
3.1
abstract communication service interface
ACSI
virtual interface inside an IED between the data model (objects, services) and the mapping to
the communication stack3.2
abstract data model for communication
data standardized with their semantic meaning exchanged between the functions by the IEDs
Note 1 to entry: All application functions shall trust these data and perform their algorithm using this data. The
formal description of the automation system by SCL is also based on this standardized data.
[SOURCE: IEC 61850-5:2013, 3.1.14]3.3
access point
communication access point to an IED
Note 1 to entry: This may be a serial port, an Ethernet connection, or a client or server address dependent on the
stack being used. Each access point of an IED to a communication bus is uniquely identified. Each server has at
---------------------- Page: 8 ----------------------IEC TS 61850-2:2019 © IEC 2019 – 7 –
least one logical access point, but the maximal number is not limited by the standard but only by the actual
implementation.3.4
application layer
layer 7 in the OSI reference model for Open Systems Interconnection comprising the interface
between the OSI environment and the IED’s or user’s application[SOURCE: ISO/IEC 7498-1:1994, 7.1]
3.5
application function
task, which is performed in or by power utility automation systems
Note 1 to entry: Generally, a function consists of subparts which may be distributed to different IEDs, which
exchange data with each other. More precisely these sub-functions implemented in the IEDs exchange data. Also
between different functions data are exchanged. The exchanged data exposed to the communication system shall
be standardized based on the semantic content to be understandable by the receiving function. For this purpose the
standard groups the exchanged data in objects called Logical Nodes which refer to the name of the allocated
functions by their mnemonic name.[SOURCE: IEC 61850-5:2013, 3.1.1]
3.6
association
conveyance path established between a client and a server for the exchange of messages
3.7attribute
named element of data and of a specific type
[SOURCE: IEC 61850-8-1:2011, 3.11, modified (original term was "data attribute")]
3.8backward compatible
property of a newer system or product that allows interoperability with a former version of such
system or product3.9
bay
subpart of a substation, having some common functionality, closely connected to the other
subparts, and forming a substation[SOURCE: IEC 61850-1:2013, 3.1.2]
3.10
bay level functions
functions that use mainly the data of one bay and act mainly on the primary equipment of that
bayNote 1 to entry: Bay level functions communicate via logical interface 3 within the bay level and via the logical
interfaces 4 and 5 to the process level, i.e. with any kind of remote input/output or with intelligent sensors and
actuators.EXAMPLES Feeder or transformer, protection, control and interlocking.
[SOURCE: IEC 61850-5:2013, 3.5.3, modified (Note 1 to entry and examples added)]
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3.11
broadcast
message placed onto a communication network intended to be read and acted on, as
appropriate, by any IED. A broadcast message will typically contain the sender’s address and a
global recipient addressEXAMPLE: Time synchronising.
3.12
bus
communication system connection between IEDs with communication facilities
3.13
class
description of a set of objects that share the same attributes, services, relationships and
semantics[SOURCE: IEC 61850-7-3, 3.1]
3.14
client
entity that uses data from a server
3.15
common data class
template that groups all the possible data attributes that are parts of a data object class
representing information related to status, measurements, control, settings3.16
communication connection
connection which utilises the communication mapping function of one or more resources for
the conveyance of information3.17
communication functions
functions that use communication services to coordinate their actions
3.18
communication stack
multi-layer stack
Note 1 to entry: In the 7 layer OSI reference model for Open Systems Interconnection, each layer performs
specific functions related to Open Systems Interconnection communication.3.19
communication services
services implemented over a communication system
3.20
communication system
interconnected set of all communication links
Note 1 to entry: Depending on the size it is called either LAN (local area network) as used in substations or plants,
or WAN (wide area network) as used globally in the power utility system.[SOURCE: IEC 61850-5:2013, 3.1.10]
3.21
composition
process of building up devices using logical nodes
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3.22
configuration (of a system or device)
step in system design for example selecting functional units, assigning their locations and
defining their interconnections3.23
configuration compatibility list
overview of all compatible hardware and software versions of components and IEDs, including
the software versions of relevant supporting tools operating together in an UAS-product family
Note 1 to entry: The configuration compatibility list also contains the supported transmission protocols and
protocol versions for communication with other IEDs.[SOURCE: IEC 61850-4:2011, 3.12]
3.24
configuration list
overview of all compatible hardware and software versions of components and IEDs, including
the software versions of relevant supporting tools, operating together in a PUAS product family
Note 1 to entry: Additionally, the configuration list details the supported transmission protocols for communication
with IEDs of other manufacturers.3.25
configured IED description CID
a file format in SCL language that describes the communication-related part of an instantiated
IED within a projectNote 1 to entry: This is essentially an SCD file, possibly stripped down to what the concerned IED shall know,
Note 2 to entry: This term is used in IEC 61850-6.3.26
conformance
accordance of the implementation of a product, process or service with all specified
requirements or standardsNote 1 to entry: Additional features to those in the requirements / standards may be included,
Note 2 to entry: All features of the standard/specification are implemented and in accordance, but some additional
features are not covered by the standard/specification,[SOURCE: IEC 62361-103, 3.4]
3.27
conformance test
verification of data flow on communication channels in accordance with the standard conditions
concerning access organization, formats and bit sequences, time synchronization, timing,
signal form and level and reaction to errorsNote 1 to entry: The conformance test may be carried out and certified to the standard or to specifically described
parts of the standard. The conformance test should be carried out by an ISO 9001 certified organisation or system
integrator.[SOURCE: IEC 61850-4:2011, 3.17]
3.28
connection
association established between functional units for conveying information
Note 1 to entry: A connection is established between two IEDs prior to any data exchange. A connection may be
of short duration or long term.---------------------- Page: 11 ----------------------
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3.29
connectivity node
identifiable, named, common connection point between terminals of primary devices whose
only function is to connect them electrically with minimum resistance; for example a bus bar as
a connectivity node connects bus bar disconnectorsNote 1 to entry: The connection to a device is done at a device terminal. A connectivity node can connect an
arbitrary number of terminals (devices).3.30
Cyclic Redundancy Check
CRC
check which is calculated and included in each frame transmitted by the sending device; the
receiving device recalculates the CRC for that frame, as received, as a check for any transit
damage in that frame3.31
data
information represented in a manner suitable for automatic processing
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-701:1988, 701-01-11]
3.32
data object
meaningful, structured, information of applications, located in an IED, which can be read or
written[SOURCE: IEC 61850-8-1:2011, 3.12, modified ("automation device" replaced by "IED")]
3.33data attribute
attribute name (semantic), format, range of possible values, and representation of values
3.34data class
class that aggregates data classes or data attributes
Note 1 to entry: Specific data classes carry the semantic within a logical node.
3.35
data link layer
layer 2 of the OSI reference model for Open Systems Interconnection,
responsible for the transmission of data over a physical mediumNote 1 to entry: After establishment of a link, layer 2 performs data rate control, error detection,
contention/collision detection, quality of service monitoring and error recovery.
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC 7498-1, 7.6]3.36
data object
instance of a data object class in a logical node instance whose values can be read or written
3.37data object class
typed by a common data class, providing the semantic within a logical node class, representing
meaningful, structured, information of applications---------------------- Page: 12 ----------------------
IEC TS 61850-2:2019 © IEC 2019 – 11 –
3.38
data set (dataset) class
named list of ordered references to one or more Functionally Constrained Data (FCD) or
Functionally Constrained Data Attributes (FCDA)Note 1 to entry: This is used to group commonly used data objects for easy retrieval.
3.39decomposition
process of stripping application functions in smaller parts (such as logical nodes) to a
reasonable or given granularity3.40
device
element or assembly of elements performing a required function
Note 1 to entry: A device may form part of a larger device.
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-151:2001, 151-11-20, modified ("material" deleted from beginning of
definition)]3.41
device
mechanism or piece of equipment designed to serve a purpose or perform a
function for example, circuit breaker, relay or substation computer[SOURCE: IEEE 100:2000, device (10), The Authoritative Dictionary of IEEE Standards Terms]
3.42device
physical plant item for example transformer or circuit breaker
3.43
device
IED which hosts application functions for operating the
system3.44
diameter
<1½ breaker arrangement>complete switchgear between the two busbars, i.e. the 2 lines and
the 3 circuit breakers with all related isolators, earthing switches, CTs and VTs
Note 1 to entry: It has some common functionality and relationship both for operation, maintenance and
extensions.[SOURCE: IEC 61850-5:2013, 3.4.2]
3.45
distributed function
when two, or more, logical nodes, that are located in different IEDs, together represent a
common application functionNote 1 to entry: Since all functions communicate in some way, the definition of a local or distributed function is not
unique but depends on the definition of the functional steps to be performed until the function is completed. In the
case of loss of one LN or one included communication link, the function may be blocked completely or show a
graceful degradation, as applicable.3.46
distribution
that part of the power system operating at voltages typically up to 69 kV
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3.47
documentation
a set of documents
3.48
domain
given subset of the IEC 61850 application scope, e.g., substation domain, DER domain, etc.
3.49electronic current transducer
transducer in the primary plant measuring system current providing low level analogue and/or
digital data output(s)3.50
electronic voltage transducer
transducer in the primary plant measuring system voltage(s) providing low level analogue
and/or digital output(s)3.51
engineering
first phase of a project i.e. detail design
3.52
engineering tools
tools that support the creation and documentation of the conditions for adapting the PUAS to
the specific substation and customer requirementsNote 2 to entry: Engineering tools are divided into system and product tools.
[SOURCE: IEC 61850-4:2011, 3.1.1, modified ("automation system" replaced by "PUAS",
modification of Note 1 to entry)]3.53
equipment
entity that performs an energy transport function for example transformer, circuit breaker, line
Note 1 to entry: It may be stand alone or interfaced to an automation system via an integral device or associated
external device.3.54
expandability
capability to extend a PUAS (both hardware and software) by use of the engineering tools
3.55factory acceptance test
customer agreed functional tests of the specifically manufactured PUAS installation or its parts,
using the parameter set for the planned applicationNote 1 to entry: This test should be carried out in the factory of the system integrator by use of process simulating
test equipment.[SOURCE: IEC 61850-4:2011, 3.20, modified ("system" replaced by "PUAS installation", Note 1
to entry modified)]3.56
flexibility
capability for the fast and efficient implementation of functional changes, including hardware
adaptation, in a PUAS by use of the engineering tools---------------------- Page: 14 ----------------------
IEC TS 61850-2:2019 © IEC 2019 – 13 –
[SOURCE: IEC 61850-4:2011, 3.3, modified ("criteria" replaced by "capability", addition of "
adaptation, in a PUAS by use of the engineering tools")]3.57
forward compatible
property of a given system or product to interoperate with newer versions of such system or
product3.58
freeze
lock and hold a value at that instant, associated typically with measurands and counters
3.59function
task performed by the power utility automation system i.e. by application functions
Note 1 to entry: Generally, functions exchange data with other functions. Details are dependent on the functions
involved. Functions are performed by IEDs (physical devices). A function may be split into parts residing in different
IEDs but communicating with each other (distributed function) and with parts of other functions. These
communicating parts are called logical nodes.Note 2 to entry: In the context of this document, the decomposition of functions or their granularity is ruled by the
communication behaviour only. Therefore, all functions considered consist of logical nodes that exchange data.
Such logical nodes represent the standardized data model for communication of the allocated function. Functions
without an explicit reference to logical nodes mean only that in the a...
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