IEC TR 61850-7-6:2019

Overview

IEC TR 61850-7-6:2019 - "Communication networks and systems for power utility automation ­– Part 7-6" - is a technical report that provides a methodology to define Basic Application Profiles (BAPs) using IEC 61850. BAPs are modular subsets of IEC 61850 features that describe the functional behaviour of specific application functions in substation and power utility automation. The report aims to create a common, generic way to document application functions so that interoperability between devices, systems and implementations is practical and testable.

Key topics and requirements

• Profiling methodology: Step‑by‑step approach to create and manage IEC 61850 profiles, including the profiling concept, profile definition and governance.
• Basic Application Profiles (BAPs): Templates and rules to describe functional behaviour, data models and allocation of roles/actors for application functions.
• Basic Application Interoperability Profiles (BAIOPs): Concrete testable interoperability subsets derived from BAPs for conformance and system testing.
• Use‑case to interoperability mapping: Guidance on moving from functional use cases to SGAM function‑layer interoperability definitions.
• Managing and implementing profiles: Recommendations for profile lifecycle, engineering tool requirements, naming rules and device/test capabilities.
• Performance and service requirements: Identification of functional and service‑related performance expectations to support practical deployments.
• Examples and annexes: Informative BAP examples (e.g., reverse blocking, on‑load tap changer condition monitoring, line distance protection) and BAIOP test descriptions to aid implementation and testing.

Applications and who uses this standard

IEC TR 61850-7-6 is intended for professionals involved in power utility automation who need repeatable, interoperable solutions built on IEC 61850:

• Utilities and grid operators - defining common application profiles for substation automation and distributed functions.
• Equipment vendors and manufacturers - implementing BAP‑conformant device features and data models to increase interoperability.
• System integrators and engineering firms - selecting and mapping BAPs/BAIOPs to project requirements and SGAM function layer.
• Testing laboratories and certification bodies - creating BAIOP test suites to validate interoperability and conformance.
• Tool vendors - adapting engineering and configuration tools to support BAP templates, naming rules and testing capabilities.

Related standards

• IEC 61850 series (core standard for substation communication and data models) - IEC TR 61850-7-6 provides profiling guidance specifically for implementing IEC 61850 features.
• References to governance and device compatibility considerations from IEC Technical Committee 65 work are included.

By using IEC TR 61850-7-6:2019 to define BAPs and BAIOPs, organizations can accelerate interoperable deployments, reduce integration risk and create consistent, testable implementations of IEC 61850 across substations and grid automation projects.