Overview of Communication Scenarios for IEC 60870-5-104 Substation Model

With upcoming development of Smart Grid networks, demand on higher awareness of power grid behaviour is present. This includes expansion from higher levels of power grid to lower ones, such as distribution part of network including substations. This paper describes communication process between client and server based on protocol IEC 60870-5-104 in detail. It also includes communication scenarios for such substation with focus on its overhead communication in comparison to useful data. Types of overheads and volume analysis are presented in different communication scenarios. Measurements with real device commonly used in substations outlines recommendations and possible solutions of reducing overhead, which might be beneficial especially for low throughput communication services such as PLC, cellular networks or LPWANs.