Per the IEC 61968 Interface Reference Model, the Network Operations function defined in this part of IEC 61968 provides utilities the means to supervise main substation topology (breaker and switch state) and control equipment status. It also provides the means for handling network connectivity and loading conditions. Finally, it makes it possible for utilities to locate customer telephone complaints and supervise the location of field crews.

IEC 61968‑3 specifies the information content of a set of message payloads that can be used to support many of the business functions related to network operations. Typical uses of the message payloads defined in IEC 61968‑3 include data acquisition by external systems, fault isolation, fault restoration, trouble management, maintenance of plant, and the commissioning of plant.

The scope diagram shown in Figure 1 illustrates the possibility of implementing IEC 61968‑3 functionality as either a single integrated advanced distribution management system or as a set of separate functions – OMS, DMS and SCADA. Utilities may chose to buy these systems from different vendors and integrate them using the IEC 61968‑3 messages. Alternatively, a single vendor could provide two or all of these components as a single integrated system. In the case of more than one system being provided by the same vendor, the vendor may chose to use either extensions of the IEC 61968-messages or a proprietary integration mechanism to provide enhanced functionality over and above what is required/supported by the IEC 61968‑3 specification.

An additional part of IEC 61968 will document integration scenarios or use cases, which are informative examples showing typical ways of using the message payloads defined in this document as well as message payloads to be defined in other parts of the IEC 61968 series.