ABB has been recognized as a qualified test center to certify products as compliant with the new global standard for communication in substation automation, IEC 61850.

ABB is the first manufacturer to achieve official Conformance Test Center status as determined by the UCA International Users Group, an organization of utilities, vendors and users of communications for utility automation.

The certification authorizes ABB's System Verification and Validation Center in Baden, Switzerland, to perform IEC 61850 Conformance Testing in accordance with the group's Quality Assurance Testing Program Procedures.

The IEC 61850 standard makes it easier for various substation automation devices such as protection relays and bay controllers, as well as their engineering tools, to exchange data among each other. Recognition as a test center for products seeking compliance certification depends on meeting the strict procedures, guidelines and requirements laid down by UCA.