This part of IEC 62271 is applicable to high-voltage switchgear and controlgear for all rated
voltage levels above 1 kV and assemblies thereof and specifies equipment for digital
communication with other parts of the power utility automation and its impact on testing. This
equipment for digital communication, replacing metal parallel wiring, can be integrated into
the high-voltage switchgear, controlgear, and assemblies thereof, or can be external
equipment in order to provide compliance for existing switchgear and controlgear and
assemblies thereof with the standards of the IEC 61850 series.
This International Standard is a product standard based on the IEC 61850 series. It deals with
all relevant aspects of switchgear and controlgear, and assemblies thereof with a serial
communication interface according to the IEC 61850 series. In particular it defines:
a) a selection of the information models from the IEC 61850 series that are supported by
such switchgear and controlgear, and assemblies thereof;
b) conformance classes for the set of communication services that are supported by the
switchgear and controlgear, and assemblies thereof;
c) modifications and extensions to type and routine tests of switchgear and controlgear, and
assemblies thereof that are required due to the serial communication interface.
The standard specifies the requirements for digital communication equipment used within
high-voltage switchgear, controlgear, and assemblies thereof, as well as the relevant testing
requirements.
The relevant switchgear standards of the IEC 62271 series are applicable in general, with the
additional specifications described in this standard.
NOTE 1 This standard intends to promote interoperability of communication interfaces. Interchangeability is
outside the scope of this standard, as there is no requirement for it. Interchangeability is also outside the scope of
the IEC 61850 series.
NOTE 2 For an introduction to power utility automation communication and the related terms, definitions and
models, refer to IEC 61850-1 which provides an overview of the objectives and requirements of the IEC 61850
series in general. IEC 61850-7-1 provides an overview of modelling techniques.