About IEC 61850 Europe
If you work in protection and control, you have felt the shift: hardwired schemes are giving way to digital substations, and IEC 61850 sits at the centre of that change. Across the UK, from National Grid’s transmission substations to distribution networks run by SSEN and SP Energy Networks, the standard is shaping how we design, test, and operate the grid. This blog explains what that means in practice — no vendor spin, no academic padding — with experience-led commentary on substation automation and smart grid standards.
Our Mission: Making IEC 61850 Practical for UK Engineers
Our mission is simple: cut through the complexity of IEC 61850 for UK protection and control engineers. We cover real projects and real constraints, whether that is a National Grid digital substation rollout, an SSEN distribution upgrade, or an SP Energy Networks scheme balancing legacy plant with new intelligent electronic devices (IEDs).
Why IEC 61850 matters for UK substation automation
The standard replaces miles of copper with Ethernet-based communication, letting IEDs exchange data peer-to-peer and with SCADA. Done well, that means faster commissioning, richer data, and simpler expansion. Done badly, it means interoperability headaches — which is exactly why we write about it.
From legacy hardwired schemes to digital substations
Most UK sites are hybrids, running GOOSE and MMS alongside traditional wiring during staged outages. We focus on that transition: migration paths, testing strategies, and the practical questions that come up on site.
Our Editorial Focus: Standards, GOOSE, and Digital Substations
We prioritise hands-on content: GOOSE messaging, Sampled Values, and SCADA integration. We reference UK rollouts such as National Grid’s digital substation programme and the work of vendors including GE Grid Solutions, Siemens Energy, and Hitachi Energy, because that is where the theory meets the terminal.
GOOSE and Sampled Values explained without jargon
We break down how GOOSE delivers fast peer-to-peer tripping and interlocking, and how Sampled Values carry digitised current and voltage from merging units — with the timing and network design implications spelled out.
Interoperability testing and IEC 61850 Edition 2
Edition 2 brought clearer modelling and better engineering tools, but interoperability still has to be proven. Our articles cover test plans, conformance checks, and the questions to ask before you sign off a scheme.
Cybersecurity and the NIS Regulations in UK substations
Digitisation widens the attack surface. We look at practical hardening for IEC 61850 networks and what the NIS Regulations mean for UK operators, from network segmentation to monitoring.
Our Team Approach: Informed, Opinionated, and On the Ground
Our editorial team combines protection engineers, SCADA specialists, and writers who have worked on UK transmission and distribution projects. We share opinions grounded in real site experience across England, Scotland, and Wales.
How we research and review IEC 61850 products
We assess tools and devices against criteria that matter in the field:
- Interoperability with third-party IEDs and Edition 2 conformance
- Engineering workflow, configuration effort, and test tooling
- Cybersecurity features and support for NIS-aligned practices
- Vendor support quality and UK project track record
How to suggest topics or contribute
If you have a commissioning story, a testing tip, or a topic you want covered, get in touch. We welcome guest contributions from UK engineers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is IEC 61850 in simple terms?
It is an international standard for communication in substations, defining how devices exchange data over Ethernet — including GOOSE for fast protection signals and MMS for SCADA.
What is the difference between GOOSE and Sampled Values?
GOOSE carries status and trip signals peer-to-peer with very low latency. Sampled Values carry digitised current and voltage waveforms from merging units to protection IEDs.
Can I contribute to IEC 61850 Europe?
Absolutely. We welcome topic suggestions and guest articles from UK protection, control, and SCADA engineers.
IEC 61850 Europe exists to make the standard usable for UK engineers. Subscribe, suggest topics, and join the conversation about IEC 61850 and smart grid standards across the UK.