AT61

AT61 is an IEC61850 client simulator that acts like a handy workbench for testing different networking devices. It’s great for checking out signal strength and figuring out how components relate to each other.

Easy Installation and User-Friendly Interface

The best part? This program is super quick to install, and you don’t have to worry about any tricky system requirements. When you fire it up for the first time, the interface is all set up in a neat way, making it easy to navigate through different areas.

Connecting to IEDs Made Simple

When you open the app, you’ll be asked to pick an IED and connect to it right away. This feature really helps save time so you can jump straight into testing your components!

Testing Communication Protocols

The main goal of AT61 is to test communication protocols over TCP/IP networks. You’ll want response times under four milliseconds—that’s key for ensuring protective relaying works smoothly.

MMS and GOOSE Support

This software supports standard mappings like MMS (Manufacturing Message Specification) and GOOSE (Generic Object Oriented Substation Event). Plus, it can show GOOSE in Substation Configuration Language (SCL) format, which is pretty handy!

Data Management Features

You can also run queries on data models and see their structure and hierarchy. And if you need it, all your data can easily be exported to CSV format.

User Experience Challenges

Now, while the software isn’t huge or overly complex in terms of its GUI, it does lack some guidance. If you're new to this kind of software, configuring IED values for a proper connection might be a bit tricky. You might struggle with commands like Direct-Operate or Select-Before-Operate since there aren’t any obvious buttons.

A Specialized Tool for Professionals

AT61 is definitely specialized software meant for testing protocols. It works with lots of hardware devices and lets you switch between them quickly.

Final Thoughts on AT61

To wrap things up, while AT61 offers tools that professionals need for testing IEC 61850 communication substations, its organized interface might not be enough help for beginners trying to dive in.