IEC 61850-5:20 13适用于以变电站自动化系统（SAS）为核心部分的电力设施自动化系统；它对智能电子设备（IED）之间的通信进行了标准化，并定义了要支持的相关系统需求。与上一版相比的主要技术变化如下: -从变电站自动化系统扩展到公用事业自动化系统； -包括用于变电站之间通信的接口； -来自变电站边界以外的通信的要求。

IEC 61850-5:2013 applies to power utility automation systems with the core part of substation automation systems (SAS); it standardizes the communication between intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) and defines the related system requirements to be supported. The major technical changes with regard to the previous edition are as follows:
- extension from substation automation systems to utility automation systems;
- inclusion of interfaces for communication between substations;
- requirements from communication beyond the boundary of the substation.