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20-IEC 61850 Course #2 Beyond Introduction

From copper wires to high-speed digital networks: learn the architecture, messaging, and testing of modern substations.

Created byGraham Van Brunt
BeginnerUpdated Jul 6, 2026

What You'll Learn

  • check_circleExplain, in simple terms, how IEC 61850 is used to engineer and operate a digital substation.
  • check_circleDescribe the meaning and purpose of Substation Configuration Language, or SCL, and identify the role of ICD, CID, and SCD files.
  • check_circleExplain what an Intelligent Electronic Device, or IED, is and how logical devices, logical nodes, data objects, and data attributes are used to organize information.
  • check_circleDistinguish between GOOSE, which means Generic Object Oriented Substation Event, MMS, which means Manufacturing Message Specification, and Sampled Values, and explain where each is used.
  • check_circleDescribe, at an introductory level, how communication networks, redundancy, and time synchronization support IEC 61850 systems in substations.
  • check_circleExplain the basic idea of IEC 61850 testing, including simulation, test mode, and simple troubleshooting steps.

About This Course

This follow-up course is designed to take an entry-level student beyond a simple introductory understanding of IEC 61850 and into the practical engineering workflow used in real digital substations. The emphasis is on explaining the system step by step in very simple language, while still introducing the student to the actual file types, communication methods, and testing ideas used in the field.

Why this course is needed

An introductory IEC 61850 course explains what the standard is and why it matters, but the next practical step is to show how an actual IEC 61850 system is engineered, configured, and tested in a substation environment. Industry training beyond the basics commonly moves into Substation Configuration Language (SCL), communication services such as GOOSE, MMS, and Sampled Values, and practical testing and troubleshooting.

This makes a system-level, multi-vendor course a stronger next step than a course focused only on one relay model, because the student first needs to understand the engineering process that applies across many Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs). A relay-specific drill-down such as an SEL-710 example can still be used inside the course as a worked example, but it should support the system explanation rather than replace it.

Course Content

10 activities • 9 videos • duration: 1h 25m

  • videocamLesson 00 Introduction
    Duration 4:54

Your Instructor

Graham Van Brunt

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star245 reviews

An entire career in the power sector of engineering, Graham graduated from Queen's university coupled with subsequent studies with Wilfrid Laurier University to travel the globe and apply his skills and garner his protection and control experience internationally. His passion for staying in touch with his profession and his kinship for mentoring has kept him in front of an audience of learners.

Credit Information

Professional development requirements vary by profession, country, and regulatory body. Before enrolling, review the course details and confirm that the content, learning format, and any listed credits meet your specific requirements. You are responsible for confirming eligibility with your regulator or professional association and keeping the records required for reporting.

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Frequently Asked Questions

We are a registered provider with 300+ associations and regulatory bodies worldwide. We operate across 27 global markets including Canada, the US, Australia, and the UK. Every course page clearly displays its specific accreditations. Upon completion, you receive a professional certificate that can be validated online. Our certificates include all necessary accreditation details, credit hours, and completion dates, and are formatted specifically to meet the submission requirements of most global regulatory bodies.

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