What is IEC-61850?
IEC-61850 is an international standard developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) that defines communication protocols and data models for electrical substation automation. Its main purpose is to enable devices from different vendors—such as protection relays, circuit breakers, and monitoring systems—to exchange information seamlessly over a common network. Unlike older standards that relied on fixed wiring and proprietary protocols, IEC-61850 uses standardized data structures and Ethernet-based communication to improve interoperability, reduce engineering complexity, and support real-time monitoring and control. The standard has become a cornerstone of modern power grid automation and is also being extended to cover renewable energy systems, hydro plants, and distributed energy resources.