IEC 61850-7-2-2020 PDF

Full title and description

Communication networks and systems for power utility automation — Part 7-2: Basic information and communication structure — Abstract Communication Service Interface (ACSI). Published as IEC 61850‑7‑2:2010 with Amendment 1 issued in 2020 (often referenced as IEC 61850‑7‑2:2010/A1:2020 or IEC 61850‑7‑2:2010/AMD1:2020). Defines the abstract, protocol‑independent information model and abstract services that support interoperability of intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) in power utility automation systems.

Abstract

IEC 61850‑7‑2 specifies the Abstract Communication Service Interface (ACSI) for the IEC 61850 family. ACSI provides a hierarchical, protocol‑independent information model (logical devices, logical nodes, data objects, data attributes) and the abstract services (read, write, control, reporting, logging, publish/subscribe concepts, etc.) that operate on that model. The 2020 amendment clarifies models and data types and harmonises details across the IEC 61850 parts to improve consistency and interoperability.

General information

• Status: Published / Active (consolidated edition with Amendment 1).
• Publication date: Amendment published 10 February 2020 (base edition originally published 24 August 2010).
• Publisher: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), TC 57.
• ICS / categories: 33.200 (Telecontrol. Telemetering).
• Edition / version: Edition 2.0 (IEC 61850‑7‑2:2010) with Amendment 1 (2020) — commonly cited as IEC 61850‑7‑2:2010/A1:2020 or IEC 61850‑7‑2:2010/AMD1:2020.
• Number of pages: Base edition 2010 — ~213 pages; consolidated/Amendment edition commonly quoted ~230 pages (consolidated file sizes and page counts vary by publisher and national adoption).

Scope

This part of IEC 61850 defines the abstract, protocol‑independent information model and the abstract service interface (ACSI) which together enable interoperable communication between clients and servers and support publisher/subscriber event and sampled‑value distribution. It applies to power utility automation applications (substation and system‑level automation) and specifies the semantics and behavior of services; mapping to concrete communication stacks is covered in other parts of the series (for example mappings to MMS, IEC 61850‑8‑1, and process‑bus mappings).

Key topics and requirements

• Definition of the hierarchical information model: logical devices, logical nodes, data objects and data attributes.
• Abstract communication services (ACSI): read, write, select-before-operate, direct control, reporting (buffered and unbuffered), logging, file transfer, and configuration services.
• Publish/subscribe concepts for event distribution and sampled values at an abstract level.
• Data type definitions and harmonisation across the IEC 61850 family.
• Service tracking and control‑block behaviour (report/control/log blocks) and their state semantics.
• Security considerations referenced to the IEC 62351 series (security mechanisms and profiles are handled in related standards).
• Requirements intended to be protocol neutral — concrete protocol mappings (e.g., MMS, IEC 61850‑8‑1) described in other parts.

Typical use and users

Used by utility engineers, protection and control engineers, device vendors (IED manufacturers), system integrators, test and certification labs, and standards committees. Typical uses include specification and procurement of IEDs and substation automation systems, development of interoperable device firmware and system software, system integration, and conformance testing.

Related standards

IEC 61850 series (notably 61850‑7‑3 Common Data Classes, 61850‑7‑4 Compatible Logical Node Classes, 61850‑8‑1 Mappings to MMS, 61850‑9‑2/9‑3 Process bus and Sampled Values mappings), IEC 62351 (security for power systems communications), and various technical reports and application profiles in the IEC/TC57 work program (for example 61850‑90‑x family for interoperability and application profiles).

Keywords

IEC 61850, ACSI, Abstract Communication Service Interface, information model, logical node, logical device, protection and control, substation automation, publish/subscribe, MMS mapping, power utility automation, IEC 62351.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: IEC 61850‑7‑2 specifies the Abstract Communication Service Interface (ACSI) — the abstract, protocol‑independent information model and services used across IEC 61850 power utility automation systems.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the hierarchical information model (logical devices/nodes/data objects), abstract services (read/write/control/reporting/logging/publish‑subscribe), data types and semantics, and how these abstract definitions support interoperable communication in utility automation. Protocol mappings and security mechanisms are addressed in other parts of the IEC 61850 family or related standards.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Utility engineers, IED and software vendors, system integrators, testing and certification bodies, and anyone specifying or implementing IEC 61850‑based systems.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The base Edition 2.0 was published in 2010 and Amendment 1 was issued in 2020 (consolidated as IEC 61850‑7‑2:2010/A1:2020). The publication was maintained with a stability date into 2026; corrigenda and maintenance documents may be issued from time to time (e.g., a corrigendum record was registered in late 2025). Users should check national adoptions or the IEC catalogue for the very latest corrections or amendments before formal procurement or certification.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is Part 7‑2 of the IEC 61850 series (Communication networks and systems for power utility automation). The series includes parts for data models, logical nodes, mappings to protocols, process bus specifications, and application profiles.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: ACSI, abstract communication, information model, logical node, logical device, reporting, control, publish/subscribe, IEC 61850, substation automation.