IEEE Std 1613-2009 PDF

Full title and description

IEEE Std 1613-2009 — IEEE Standard Environmental and Testing Requirements for Communications Networking Devices Installed in Electric Power Substations. Defines service conditions, electrical and thermal ratings, and environmental testing requirements used to design and evaluate communications networking devices and the communications ports of protective relays for installation in electric power substations.

Abstract

Revision standard (2009) establishing a reproducible basis for environmental and testing requirements for communications networking devices intended for substation environments. The document describes required performance under electrical, thermal and environmental stresses typical of substations. (This edition has since been inactivated and later superseded by a 2023 revision.)

General information

• Status: Inactive — Inactive‑Reserved (inactivated by IEEE; later superseded).
• Publication date: 27 August 2009 (Board approval 17 June 2009; ANSI approval 10 November 2009).
• Publisher: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Power & Energy Society.
• ICS / categories: Substations / power system communications (example ICS 29.240.10).
• Edition / version: IEEE Std 1613-2009 (revision of IEEE Std 1613-2003). Amendment activity includes 1613a (altitude/derating) and 1613a-2011.
• Number of pages: 58 pages (published PDF length as distributed by IEEE).

Scope

This standard specifies standard service conditions, ratings, environmental performance criteria, and test methods for communications networking devices and communications ports in protective relays installed in electric power substations. It is focused on the harsh substation environment (electrical transients, temperature extremes, humidity/condensation, vibration/shock, corrosive atmospheres, altitude effects) and does not apply to equipment intended for benign office environments or, except for their communications ports, to devices whose principal function is protective relaying (for which C37.90 series tests apply).

Key topics and requirements

• Defined service conditions and standard electrical/thermal ratings for equipment installed in substations (voltage, frequency, ambient temperature ranges, altitude considerations via amendment).
• Environmental tests: temperature cycling, humidity/condensation, salt/fog or corrosive atmosphere where applicable, and mechanical vibration/shock tests.
• Electrical immunity and transient tests: surge, fast transients (EFT), dielectric withstand and transient immunity representative of substation switching and faults.
• EMC considerations and reproducible test methods for communications networking devices and communications ports of relays.
• Requirements and test procedures for altitude and derating factors were introduced via amendment activity (addressing high‑altitude installations).

Typical use and users

Used by manufacturers of networking equipment, intelligent electronic devices (IEDs), communications modules and protective relays to design and verify products intended for electric power substations. Also used by utility engineers, procurement/specification writers, test labs and certification bodies to set and verify minimum environmental and electrical robustness for substation communications equipment. Compliance is commonly required by utilities as a condition for deployment.

Related standards

Related and complementary standards include IEEE C37.90 family (surge and transient testing for relays), IEC 61850‑3 (utility automation IED environmental and EMC requirements), IEEE Std 1613.1 (transmission & distribution facilities extension), and the IEEE 1613 amendment documents (1613a). The 2009 edition was later superseded by IEEE Std 1613-2023, which consolidates and updates requirements.

Keywords

substation, communications networking devices, IED, environmental testing, EMC, surge immunity, dielectric test, altitude derating, IEEE Std 1613, protective relay communications.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: IEEE Std 1613-2009 is an IEEE standard that specifies environmental and testing requirements for communications networking devices installed in electric power substations, defining service conditions, ratings and test methods to ensure reliable operation in harsh substation environments.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers electrical, thermal and environmental performance criteria and associated test procedures for communications networking devices and the communications ports of protective relays used in substations — including transient immunity, surge, temperature, humidity, vibration and altitude/derating considerations (via amendments). It does not cover office‑grade equipment or, except for communications ports, protective relaying functions that are covered by the C37.90 family.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Manufacturers of substation communications equipment and IEDs, utility engineers and procurement/specification authors, test laboratories and certification bodies use this standard to design, test and qualify equipment for substation deployment.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: IEEE Std 1613-2009 is inactive (Inactive‑Reserved/inactivated) and has been superseded by IEEE Std 1613-2023 (published 26 February 2024). Users specifying current requirements should refer to the 2023 edition.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — IEEE 1613 is part of a family of related documents and amendments (for example 1613a altitude/derating amendment and IEEE 1613.1 for transmission & distribution facilities). It is also commonly referenced alongside IEC 61850‑3 and the IEEE C37.90 series for protective relay testing.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Substation, environmental testing, communications networking devices, IED, EMC, surge immunity, dielectric test, altitude derating, IEEE 1613.