Introduction

In today’s modern automation and power environments, microprocessor-based devices such as IEDs, RTUs, and PLCs require seamless, standardized communication with SCADA and protection systems. This program has been specially tailored to address key industry protocols — IEC 61850, IEC 104, IEC 103, Modbus, Profinet, and TCP/IP — along with the associated hardware interfaces and configuration software tools. Participants will gain deep insights into integration, configuration, testing, and troubleshooting.

Target Audience

• Electrical and instrumentation engineers

• SCADA, automation, and protection specialists

• Substation communication engineers

• Commissioning and testing teams

• Network and control systems engineers

Objectives

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Understand and apply major communication protocols (IEC 61850, 103, 104, Modbus, TCP/IP, Profinet)

• Identify and configure communication hardware interfaces

• Work with software tools for protocol configuration and diagnostics

• Design and troubleshoot integrated systems with multiple protocol environments

Training Program Outline

Day 1: Communication Fundamentals and Hardware Interfaces

• Role of IEDs, RTUs, PLCs in substation automation

• Communication needs and architecture in substations

• Physical interfaces: RS-232, RS-485, Ethernet, Fiber optics

• Interface devices: protocol converters, switches, routers

• TCP/IP protocol structure and application in electrical systems

Day 2: Industrial Networking and Profinet

• Ethernet networking: LAN/WAN structure, IP addressing

• Introduction to Profinet: protocols, applications, and topology

• Industrial switch configuration and VLANs

• Redundancy and diagnostics in Ethernet/Profinet networks

• Integration with automation systems

Day 3: Modbus and IEC 103/104 Protocols

• Modbus RTU and Modbus TCP/IP architecture

• Protocol frames, addressing, and diagnostics

• IEC 60870-5-103: serial-based substation protocol

• IEC 60870-5-104: TCP/IP-based real-time communication

• Protocol comparison, interfacing, and real-world application examples

Day 4: IEC 61850 Implementation

• IEC 61850 model: logical nodes, data objects, datasets

• GOOSE messaging and Sampled Values

• MMS protocol for client-server communication

• Tools for configuration (e.g., IED Configurator, PCM600, DIGSI)

• Interoperability between multi-vendor devices

Day 5: Integration, Software Tools, and Troubleshooting

• Device and system integration process

• Protocol testing using simulation and diagnostic software

• Troubleshooting communication faults (timeouts, loss of sync, address mismatch)

• Case studies

• Maintenance and documentation practices