IEC TR 61850-90-1-2010 PDF

Full title and description

Communication networks and systems for power utility automation - Part 90-1: Use of IEC 61850 for the communication between substations. This IEC Technical Report (IEC TR 61850-90-1:2010) provides use cases, communication requirements, recommended communication services and architectures, guidance on data definitions for interoperability, and advice on using and extending the Substation Configuration Language (SCL) for inter-substation information exchange.

Abstract

IEC/TR 61850-90-1:2010 surveys the aspects to be considered when applying the IEC 61850 series for information exchange between substations. It defines inter-substation use cases, derives communication and service requirements, recommends architectures and communication services, and describes data and SCL usage needed to support interoperable applications across substations. The report is intended as guidance rather than a normative protocol specification.

General information

• Status: Published / Active (Technical Report).
• Publication date: 16 March 2010.
• Publisher: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), TC 57.
• ICS / categories: 33.200 (Telecontrol / Telecommunication for power systems).
• Edition / version: Edition 1.0 (2010).
• Number of pages: 79 pages.

Scope

This technical report focuses on the application of IEC 61850 for communication between substations (inter-substation communication). It covers representative use cases that require data exchange across substations, specifies the communication requirements those use cases impose (latency, reliability, data models), offers guidance on selecting communication services and architecture, and describes how to define and use data and SCL extensions to achieve interoperable inter-substation applications. The document is guidance-focused and intended to complement the normative parts of the IEC 61850 family.

Key topics and requirements

• Defined inter-substation use cases (control, protection, monitoring, information exchange requirements).
• Communication requirements: latency, availability, determinism and security considerations for inter-substation links.
• Recommended communication services and architectures suitable for inter-substation exchanges (e.g., mappings of IEC 61850 services to communication technologies).
• Guidance on data modelling and definition to support interoperable applications across substations, including SCL usage and enhancements.
• Interoperability and engineering process recommendations (configuration management, SCL exchange, testing scenarios).

Typical use and users

Primary users are power utility engineers, system integrators, protection and control engineers, telecom planners for utilities, and vendors implementing IEC 61850-based solutions. Typical uses include planning and specifying inter-substation communications for wide-area protection schemes, SCADA and telemetry integration, data exchange for asset management and analytics, and defining SCL profiles to enable interoperable engineering and commissioning.

Related standards

Part of the IEC 61850 family (Communication networks and systems for power utility automation). Related normative and technical documents include core parts of IEC 61850 (e.g., IEC 61850-7-x series for data models, IEC 61850-8-1 and -9-2 for protocol mappings) and other TR parts in the -90 series such as IEC/TR 61850-90-5 (synchrophasor transport guidance). This TR is intended to be used alongside the normative 61850 parts to guide inter-substation application design.

Keywords

IEC 61850, inter-substation communication, substation configuration language (SCL), interoperability, power utility automation, use cases, communication requirements, technical report.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: IEC/TR 61850-90-1:2010 is a Technical Report that provides guidance on using the IEC 61850 series for communication between substations; it is not a normative protocol specification but a guidance document produced by IEC TC 57.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers inter-substation use cases, communication and service requirements, recommended architectures and communication services, data definitions for interoperability, and SCL usage and extensions to support inter-substation information exchange.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Utility engineers, protection & control engineers, system integrators, telecom planners, and vendors implementing or integrating IEC 61850 systems for wide-area and inter-substation applications.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The document was published on 16 March 2010 (Edition 1.0). It remains a Technical Report (guidance) and the IEC webstore lists its stability date; users should verify whether any newer TR or normative amendments affecting inter-substation guidance exist when planning projects. For authoritative status and any updates, consult IEC publications and the IEC 61850 parts index.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is part of the IEC 61850 family and the "-90" TR series that provide application and implementation guidance (for example IEC/TR 61850-90-5 covers synchrophasor transport). The TR complements the normative parts (e.g., -7-x, -8-1, -9-2).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: IEC 61850, inter-substation, SCL, interoperability, communication requirements, use cases, power utility automation.