Description

The IED Plugin provides a detailed view of all IEDs defined in the IEC 61850 project. It allows users to filter IEDs by name or by their Logical Nodes, select individual IEDs, and inspect their communication relations and assignments within the substation.

This plugin is also used to explore the complete data model of an individual IED, including its Logical Devices (LD), Logical Nodes (LN), Data Objects (DO), and Data Attributes (DA). A filter function allows the user to focus on a specific LN or section of the IED model.

The plugin is purely for navigation and visualization — no direct editing or structural modifications can be made here. Structural changes to the IED must be done in the Templates Plugin.
However, the plugin does support setting DA or DO instances (default value assignment), which is useful for defining consistent defaults (e.g., identical voltage level such as 380 kV across multiple IEDs).

It supports focus and preference settings to adjust the view and helps users better understand both the data model of a single IED and the system’s communication structure.

Features and Functions

• View and filter IEDs by name or connected bay

• Display all IEDs within the current SCD or SSD file

• Visualize how IEDs are connected within the communication structure

  • Inspect the internal data model of an IED (LD, LN, DO, DA hierarchy)

  • Filter and focus on a specific Logical Node or data object

  • Assign DA/DO instances for default value definition (e.g., voltage level defaults)

• Enable Focus Mode to highlight selected IEDs or substations

• Configure visual display preferences (layout, filters)

• Fully read-only: No editing or modification of IEDs possible

Developer, Version and Qualitiy Level

• Developer: OpenSCD

• Version: v0.39.0 (Releases · openscd/open-scd)

• Quality Level: widley used

Preconditions

• A valid SSD or SCD file must be loaded or a new project created

• IEDs must be defined and connected within the substation section

• Logical Devices and Logical Nodes should already be created within the IED for meaningful inspection

Results

• Displayed overview of all defined IEDs and their communication connections in the <Comunication Explorer> and <Communication>

  • Detailed hierarchical view of the IED’s internal data model (LD, LN, DO, DA)

  • Default values (DA/DO instances) applied and visible within the model

Process steps

Previous Process Step:

• Import or define Substation structure

• Add and configure IEDs with Logical Devices and Logical Nodes

Define:

• Filtering options for IEDs or Bays

• Visual representation of communication

• Data model exploration of Logical Devices and Nodes

Next Process Step:

• Review and validate communication configuration

• Navigate to the Communication Explorer plugin for further inspection or setup

• Adjust or extend the IED structure (if needed) in the Templates Plugin

Future Vision

content for improvements

Description

The Substation Plugin is used to define the physical substation including its conducting equipment, IEDs, Functions and general equipment. It displays as Zero-Line diagram the voltage level, its assigned bays and within the bays, the located conducting equipment, general equipment as well as the functions. 

Features and Functions

• Fill the SCL-File part <substation> with content

• Create, Edit and configure the IEC61850-Substation

• Create Substation, Voltage-Level, Bays

• Create and Edit Conducting Equipment

• Show/Hide IEDs

• Show/Hide and Edit Functions

• Connect IEDs to conducting Equipment and Functions

• Configure Communication like SV, GOOSE, Reports

Developer, Version and Qualitiy Level

• Developer: OpenSCD

• Version: v0.39.0 (Releases · openscd/open-scd)

• Quality Level: widley used

Preconditions

• Valid SSD or SCD-File is loaded or a new project is created

Results

• Zero-Line-Diagram including :

  • VoltageLevel

  • Bay

  • referenced and unreferenced IEDs

  • Allocated conducting Equipment, general equipment

Process steps

• Previous Process step:

  • Engineering Base: Export of the SSD/SCD file

• Define:

  • Functions and LNodes

• Next Process step:

  • Create DataModel e.g. with Template Generator

Future Vision

content for improvements

Description

The Communication Plugin in OpenSCD enables the creation and configuration of subnetworks (e.g., a station bus for supervisory control) within an IEC 61850 project. Users can define each Subnetwork, add Devices and their corresponding AccessPoints (physical ports), and customize network parameters such as IP, subnet mask, gateway etc. Once configured, the network layout and settings can be verified using the Network Explorer. A valid example configuration should be created for testing and validation purposes.

Features and Functions

• Create and name subnetworks (e.g., “StationsBus”, “ProcessBus”)

• Add devices to subnetworks and assign their AccessPoints (AP)

• Configure connection parameters per device:

  • IP address, subnet mask, gateway

• Ensure "Add XMLSchema-instance type" where needed

• Access intuitive UI for editing via popup forms

• Integrated network validation via Network Explorer for compliance checking

• Supports creation of valid example scenarios for verification and demonstration

Developer, Version and Qualitiy Level

• Developer: OpenSCD

• Version: Releases · openscd/open-scd

• Quality Level: stable, widely used

Preconditions

• A valid .SCD or .SSD file must be loaded or an existing project opened

• Substation and IED structure should already be defined (via Substation Plugin)

• Devices/IEDs and AccessPoints must exist to be connected to subnetworks

Results

• Fully configured subnetworks with device-to-port connectivity and addressing info

• Attributes such as IP, gateway, and OSI parameters are correctly stored in the SCL file

• Configured example systems can be validated using the Network Explorer

• Network view supports project review, engineering validation, and guideline compliance

Process steps

Previous Step:

• Define substation equipment and IEDs in the Substation and IED Plugins

• Ensure AccessPoints (ports) exist on devices for communication configuration

In this Plugin:

• Create a Subnetwork (e.g., “StationBus”)

• Add Devices and AccessPoints to the Subnetwork

• Edit Connected AP parameters (IP, subnet, gateway, OSI TSEL/SSEL/PSEL, etc.)

• Save the configuration into the SCL file

• Validate using the Network Explorer to verify correct topology and parameterization

Next Step:

• Review logical communication mappings in the Network Explorer

• Proceed to Communication Explorer or Validation Plugin for advanced checks (GOOSE, SV, Reports)

• Export or simulate the finalized SCL configuration for device commissioning

Future Vision

content for improvements

Description

• The Template Generator plugin facilitates the creation and configuration of Data Types within the OpenSCD environment. This includes:

  • Logical Node Types (LNode Types)

  • Data Object Types (DO Types)

  • Data Attribute Types (DA Types)

  • Enumeration Types (Enum Types)

Features and Functions

• Create new Data Types from scratch

• Configure existing Data Types persistently

• Automatically apply default values (default values are generated without manual input)

• Display existing types and their type references for better overview and navigation

• Validation support: Ensures that newly created or modified types conform to the NSD specification and SCL schema rules

Developer, Version and Qualitiy Level

• Developer: TransnetBW

• Version: 0.0.1 (not released)

• Quality Level:

Preconditions

• Validated SCD or SSD file required

• NSD Type specification must be available

Results

• Configured Data Types:

  • Logical Node Types

  • Data Object Types

  • Data Attribute Types

  • Enumeration Types

Process steps

• Load a valid SCD or SSD file

• Use existing Data Types or create new ones

• Configure and apply default values

• Validate and optionally export the configured types

Description

The Engineering Wizard guides users through either predefined or custom-defined engineering workflows. Each workflow consists of rules and checkpoints that need to be completed step by step. This approach simplifies the setup of a digital substation and ensures a structured, consistent, and traceable engineering process.

Features and Functions

• Option to select predefined or custom workflows

• Step-by-step guidance through the engineering process

• Rule-based checkpoints that can be marked as completed

• Simplifies and structures digital substation setup

• Improves process safety and reduces errors

• Enables seamless handover

Developer, Version and Qualitiy Level

• Developer: TransnetBW

• Version:

• Quality Level:

Preconditions

• Valid and verified SCD/SSD file

• Defined workflows or available standard process steps

Results

• Completed and documented engineering workflow

• Consistent and traceable digital substation configuration

• Clear process documentation

Process steps

• Load a valid SCD/SSD file

• Select predefined or create custom workflow yourself

• Then use the workflow and go through each process step in sequence

Description

The Archive Explorer allows users to search, filter, and access archived projects. It provides flexible filtering options to quickly locate specific projects based on attributes such as location, UUID, approver, or type. Once a project is found, it can be selected and downloaded as an XML file for further use.

Features and Functions

• Apply filters by location and project

• Add multiple filter types for refined search (UUID, Approver, Type)

• Browse and select projects from filtered results

• Download selected project as XML file

Developer, Version and Qualitiy Level

• Developer:

• Version:

• Quality Level:

Preconditions

• Archive with validated stored projects must be available

• Valid project metadata

Results

• Filtered list of projects based on user-defined criteria

• Selected project available for download in XML format

• Easy access to archived project data

Process steps

• Select filter type (e.g., Location)

• Choose the project input for filtering

• Add additional filters if needed (UUID, Approver, Type)

• Execute the search

• Select a project from the filtered list

• Download the project as XML file

Description

The History Viewer provides access to existing projects with associated SCD files. Users can either display all projects directly or refine results using filters such as filename, author, type etc. The plugin offers options to select projects, review their version history and changes, or download them for further use.

Features and Functions

• Display all available/official projects with one click

• Search projects using filters (filename, author, type, etc.)

• Select and activate a project

• View project version history and changes

• Download project

Developer, Version and Qualitiy Level

• Developer:

• Version:

• Quality Level:

Preconditions

• Valid archive of projects with associated SCD files

• Accessible metadata for filtering (filename, author, type, etc.)

Results

• Complete overview of available projects

• Filtered project list according to search criteria

• Access to version history and documented changes

• Downloadable project in .scd format

Process steps

• Click Search to display all projects, or apply filters (filename, author, type etc.)

• Select/activate a project using the pencil icon

• Open the version history and review changes using the magnifier icon

• Download the project using the download icon

Description

The Location Manager allows users to create, edit, and manage locations within a project. New locations can be added, existing ones can be adjusted, and unused locations can be removed. This ensures a clear and organized structure for location data in the engineering process.

Features and Functions

• Add a new location

• Edit existing locations

• Remove locations

• Provides a simple interface for structured location management

Developer, Version and Qualitiy Level

• Developer:

• Version:

• Quality Level:

Preconditions

• no preconditions

Results

• Newly created locations available in the project

• Updated and structured location data

• Removed unused or outdated locations

Process steps

• Add a new location using the Add Location option

• Edit location details via the pencil icon

• Remove locations with the trash icon

Description

The Location Viewer provides an overview of validated projects and enables their assignment to specific locations. Users can search and filter projects (e.g., by UUID, author, or type), select a location, and link projects to it. Assigned projects are then visible in the Location Manager under Assigned Resources.

Features and Functions

• Display validated projects

• Apply filters (UUID, author, type, etc.) for refined results

• Select a location from the Location field at the top

• Assign a project to the selected location

Developer, Version and Qualitiy Level

• Developer:

• Version:

• Quality Level:

Preconditions

• Validated projects with associated SCD files

• Defined location(s) available in the project

Results

• List of validated and filtered projects

• Selected projects assigned to a location

• Assigned projects are shown in the Location Manager under Assigned Resources