Digital substation can be regarded as the intermediate transition state from traditional substation to intelligent substation. Based on intelligent electronic equipment and electronic transformer of IEC61850 communication protocol, digital transformation of substation is promoted. On the basis of traditional substation, intelligent substation further increases advanced application and improves intelligent application and management of substation.

It is not that the intelligent substation needs IEC61850 protocol converter, but the communication mode of intelligent substation is IEC61850 communication protocol, which symbolizes the standard of intelligent substation. The equipment in the intelligent substation needs IEC61850 protocol converter. Some manufacturers have not produced the technology supporting IEC61850 communication, so the equipment produced does not have the support of IEC61850 communication standard. Through 61850 protocol converter, the original communication mode is converted to IEC61850 communication, so the equipment can be used in intelligent substation.

The communication process between substation and substation is divided into three layers, i.e. the interface between substation and automation layer is divided into three layers, i.e. the interface between substation and automation system is divided into three layers. According to the characteristics and requirements of power production process, IEC61850 summarizes the network services of information transmission necessary for power production, and defines the abstract information service interface. Because of the wide application of IEC61850 standard, 61850 protocol converter is also favored by the market.