How and why, using IEC 61850 protocol should help the global management of an Electrical Control System

As for any complex Control System, four aspects have to be considered for design and management of an Electrical Control System, taking into account its operability, maintenance and sustainability over time: a) Capital Expenditure: Acquisition / Installation / Commissioning, b) Operating Expense: Maintenance / Evolution / Obsolescence fighting / Training / Technical Assistance, c) Costs of production losses: To be avoided thanks to a high Operating Efficiency, d) Safety. The intent of this paper is to express how and why using a generic communication protocol and associated tools should help an PMS to the satisfaction of the 4 previous points, all along the working life of its managed plant (Power Plant, Offshore platform, Refinery, FPSO...), over the lifespan of its constitutive components.