Understand the importance of network monitoring for IEC 61850 applications, its technical requirements, and implementation techniques, based on Conprove’s technical paper presented at the XIX ERIAC.

The increasing digitalization of substations and widespread adoption of the IEC 61850 standard have brought significant improvements in communication between Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs) and the automation of power systems. However, this technological progress has also increased the complexity of communication networks, making continuous monitoring a key element in ensuring performance, reliability, and cybersecurity.

A national leader in testing, automation, and protection solutions for power systems, Conprove presented the technical paper titled “Network Monitoring Analysis in the Context of the IEC 61850 Standard” at the XIX ERIAC – Ibero-American Regional Meeting of CIGRÉ. The paper explores three essential pillars for the successful implementation of IEC 61850-based systems:

🔍 The Importance of Network Monitoring

Continuous monitoring enables the early detection of communication failures, packet loss, latency, and anomalies that can jeopardize GOOSE and Sampled Value messages—both of which are critical for real-time operation in digital substations.

⚙️ Technical Requirements for Effective Monitoring

The paper highlights the need for managed switches, protocol-aware traffic analysis tools, and robust infrastructure for data collection, storage, and interpretation. These resources ensure that network diagnostics are accurate and actionable.

🧰 Practical Techniques and Monitoring Tools

Key implementation strategies include port mirroring, GOOSE and SV message analysis, and signal correlationbetween analog and digital values to identify delays and inconsistencies in data exchange. These practices are crucial for engineers to assess performance and identify vulnerabilities in the system.

By understanding and applying these recommendations, engineers and technicians can enhance the reliability of IEC 61850 networks, ensuring that the protection, automation, and control systems operate securely and effectively under all conditions.

👉 Read the full article and explore more technical resources from Conprove: