IEC 61850 serves as the cornerstone protocol, providing more than just communication standards - it defines a comprehensive framework for how substation devices organize data, communicate, and interface with the system. The protocol introduces abstract data models that enable true interoperability between devices from different manufacturers.
Within IEC 61850, GOOSE and MMS protocols serve distinct but complementary roles. GOOSE messaging operates on a publisher-subscriber model, multicasting directly over Ethernet networks to achieve transmission times under 4 milliseconds. This speed is crucial for protection applications, enabling instant communication when events like circuit breaker trips occur, allowing IEDs to quickly adjust protection settings.
MMS handles less time-critical functions through client-server communications, managing parameter setting, device configuration, and data collection. Its ability to handle structured data makes it valuable for system configuration and maintenance tasks, while providing services for remote device management and control.