E.1.2: Structure Of Iec 61850 Network - Electro Industries Shark 200 Installation & Operation Manual

E.1.2: Structure of IEC 61850 Network

As mentioned before, IEC 61850 lets you set up an automated communication struc-
ture for devices from any vendor. In order to set up this network, IEC 61850 renames
devices (e.g., meters), measured parameters (e.g., Phase to Phase Voltage), and
functions (e.g., reporting) into a specific language and file structure. This way all of
the elements of the network can function together quickly and effectively. The lan-
guage that the IEC 61850 network uses is structured, that is it is very specific in how
the system information is entered, and hierarchical, which means that it has different
levels for specific information; for example, meter information is entered on one level,
and the information about the actual physical connection between meters and other
hardware is entered on another level.
The structure of the IEC 61850 network is composed of different kinds of files, each
containing information that the system needs in order to function. IEC 61850 configu-
ration uses text-based (XML) files known as the System Configuration Language
(SCL). SCL files use the concept of an XML schema, which defines the structure and
content of an XML file. The schema used by SCL files describes most (though not all)
of the restrictions required to ensure a consistent description file. An SCL file superfi-
cially looks like an HTML file. It consists of 6 parts:
• Prologue: XML declaration, (XML) namespace declarations, etc.
• Header element: Names the system and contains the file version history
• Substation element: defines the physical structure of the system
• Communication element: defines all device-to-device communication aspects
• IED element: defines the data model presented by each communicating device
• DataTypeTemplates element: contains the detailed definition of data models
After it is written, the XML file can be checked by "validators" against the schema
using freely available tools.
The IEC 61850 network uses four types of SCL files, each with identical structure:
Electro Industries/GaugeTech
Electro Industries/GaugeTech
The Leader In Power Monitoring and Smart Grid Solutions
The Leader In Power Monitoring and Smart Grid Solutions
E: Using the IEC61850 Network Card
#
Doc E149701 E-4