IEC 60870-5-104 Driver for Tridium Niagara

IEC 60870-5-104 Driver for Tridium Niagara represents a sophisticated solution for integrating power system automation and industrial SCADA applications with modern building automation systems.

The IEC 60870-5-104 protocol, also known as IEC 104 and IEC 870-5-104, is an internationally recognized standard for telecontrol in electrical power systems, widely deployed in substations, distribution automation, smart grid applications, and industrial SCADA systems. This protocol enables reliable real-time data exchange between control centers and remote terminal units (RTUs) over TCP/IP networks, making it essential for modern power system operations.

Our IEC 60870-5-104 Driver acts as a client (controlling station) that connects to IEC 60870-5-104 servers such as RTUs, PLCs, and other automation devices. The driver automatically discovers available data points through General Interrogation and Counter Interrogation messages and provides seamless integration with Niagara’s comprehensive point management system. By supporting both spontaneous reporting for immediate event notification and periodic interrogation for complete system status updates, the driver ensures that critical power system data is always available when needed.

Key advantages of the IEC 60870-5-104 Driver include its robust TCP/IP communication capabilities, supporting standard port 2404 for reliable network transport. The driver handles multiple data types including single and double points, measured values, integrated totals, and packed data formats. Advanced features such as precise timestamping, flow control with sequence numbering, and proper connection management ensure reliable operation in mission-critical environments.

In practical applications, the IEC 60870-5-104 Driver is essential for power system monitoring and control. In electrical substations, it enables real-time monitoring of circuit breaker positions, voltage and current measurements, power quality parameters, and protection relay status. For industrial facilities, the driver provides integration with energy management systems, load dispatch centers, and renewable energy installations such as wind farms and solar plants.

The driver implements read-only functionality as per typical SCADA client requirements, ensuring safe operation in critical infrastructure environments. This approach prevents accidental control operations while providing comprehensive monitoring capabilities. The driver supports automatic point discovery through General Interrogation and Counter Interrogation, allowing easy identification of all available data points without manual configuration.

IEC 60870-5-104 is extensively used in power system automation worldwide, with implementations spanning from small distribution systems to large transmission networks. The protocol’s reliability, standardization, and TCP/IP-based architecture make it ideal for both local and wide-area network applications. Major manufacturers including ABB, Schneider Electric, Siemens, General Electric and SEL provide IEC 60870-5-104 interfaces in their protection relays, meters, and automation devices.

Tridium Niagara’s open framework architecture provides the perfect platform for integrating IEC 60870-5-104 devices into broader building automation and energy management systems. The combination enables facility managers to monitor power system parameters alongside HVAC, lighting, and security systems through a single, unified interface. This integration is particularly valuable for industrial facilities, data centers, and large commercial buildings where power system monitoring is critical for operational efficiency and safety.

The driver’s advanced features include comprehensive quality flag handling, ensuring operators can distinguish between valid measurements and questionable data. Proper handling of various timestamp formats enable accurate historical data collection and event correlation. Flow control mechanisms with acknowledgment windows and timeout management ensure reliable operation even over challenging network conditions.

If you are looking for a solution to integrate IEC 60870-5-104 compliant devices into your Tridium Niagara platform, Baudrate’s IEC 60870-5-104 Driver provides the reliability and functionality required for critical power system monitoring applications. Schedule a consultation today to see how we can help transform your power system data into actionable intelligence within your building automation ecosystem. Contact us for a free trial of the IEC 60870-5-104 Driver, and take the next step towards comprehensive power system integration.