SIST EN 60870-5-4:1997

Overview

EN 60870-5-4:1993 (adopted as SIST EN 60870-5-4:1997) is a telecontrol standard that defines how application-layer information is represented and encoded for transmission protocols. Published as part of the EN 60870-5 series (equivalent to IEC 870-5-4:1993), it provides rules for defining information elements and supplies a standardized set of elements - in particular digital and analog process variables - commonly used in telecontrol and telemetering systems.

Key topics

• Definition rules for information elements: Principles and requirements for naming, describing and formalizing application-layer data items used in telecontrol.
• Coding of application information elements: Guidelines for representing values so different devices and vendors can exchange process data reliably.
• Standardized element set: A catalog of commonly used information elements, with emphasis on digital inputs/outputs and analog measurements (process variables).
• Interoperability focus: Promotes consistent data semantics and binary/text encoding practices to support multi-vendor SCADA and telecontrol deployments.
• Adoption and localization: Includes harmonization notes for national adoption (e.g., CLC/SIST publications).

Applications

EN 60870-5-4 is directly applicable where standardized representation of process values is required for remote control, monitoring and telemetry:

• SCADA systems - consistent encoding of sensor readings, status flags and control points.
• Power and utility networks - remote supervision and control of substations, generation, distribution.
• Industrial telecontrol - telemetry links, remote I/O and process monitoring over communication networks.
• Protocol implementation and testing - developers of telecontrol stacks and conformance test labs use the element definitions to implement and verify application-layer behavior.

Who uses this standard

• Protocol designers and implementers building EN 60870-5 compatible communication stacks.
• Telecontrol equipment manufacturers ensuring devices encode/decode application data consistently.
• System integrators and utilities specifying interoperable SCADA and telemetry solutions.
• Test laboratories and certifiers validating conformance to application-layer information definitions.

Related standards

• Part of the EN 60870-5 transmission protocols family; cross-referenced with other sections of EN/IEC 60870-5 dealing with link, transport and application layer services.
• Published under CLC and adopted nationally (e.g., SIST EN 60870-5-4:1997).

By standardizing the definition and coding of application information elements, EN 60870-5-4 improves interoperability, reduces integration cost, and simplifies deployment of telecontrol and SCADA systems that exchange digital and analog process data.