Invalid CID file, Missing CID file, Error parsing CID file when uploading IEC 61850 CID file into ION meter

Search FAQs

Issue
When uploading IEC 61850 CID file to ION meter, CID Status in ION Setup indicates as Invalid CID file or Missing CID file. There is an Error parsing CID file message in log file inside the IEC 61850 folder when SFTP to the meter.

Products
ION9000, ION7400, ION 7x50, PM8000, ION8650, ION8800

Environment
ION Setup, SFTP to IEC 61850 folder of ION meters

Resolution
CET850 is the recommended Tool to build a CID(Configured IED Description) file which is also used to validate the process to be sure that the CID file has not been modified or corrupted before being loaded into the target device.

Therefore, an integrity key is generated by CET850. This key is stored in a private section at the beginning of the SCL file.

When ION meter does not find the integrity key, meter gives an error indicating Invalid CID file or Missing CID file. An Error parsing CID file message also can be found in log file inside the IEC 61850 folder when SFTP to the meter.

Here is one example comparing two CID files one without Integrity key(left) and the other with Integrity key(right):

This could happen when using other tool that does not generate the integrity key or using older versions of CET850.

One workaround when using CET850, is using the latest version(4.5.1 or higher) which is able to include the SchneiderElectric-SFT-Key value again.
The latest version can be found from the shared link at the bottom.

If using other tool or old versions of CET850, the workaround is to bypass the Integrity check by adding the following line on the third row of the file using one standard text editor(in this example Notepad++) to bypass the integrity check:
<Private type="SchneiderElectric-SFT-Key">no_check</Private>
Added no-check line to bypass integrity check

Note: There could be other reasons behind the Invalid CID file, Missing CID file or Error parsing CID file message specifically when ICD(IED Configuration Description) file is modified and configured in a way that is not supported by ION meters. Examples include but not limited to when “doName” and “daName” attributes are not configured and left empty.

For more information, refer to documents inside the zipped folder CET850 IEC 61850 configuration tool:
https://www.se.com/ca/en/download/document/CET850+IEC850+configuration+tool/