IEC 60870-5-104 telegram structure

APCI = Application Protocol Control Information

ASDU = Application Service Data Unit
APDU = Application Protocol Data Unit

Telegram format with variable length

This frame type is used to transmit user data between controlling and controlled station

Telegram format with fixed length

Control field formats
Two types of control field formats: I-Format, S-Format are used to perform numbered information transfer.
The third: U-Format control field is used to perform unnumbered link layer control functions.

I-Format

S-Format

U-Format

Simple samples and explanations

104 substation configuration: COT = 2 octets (includes originator address), ASDU address = 2 octets, IOA
address = 3 octets

Sample 1
68 0E 4E 14 7C 00 65 01 0A 00 0C 00 00 00 00 05

Sample 2
68 34 5A 14 7C 00 0B 07 03 00 0C 00 10 30 00 BE 09 00 11 30 00 90 09 00 0E 30 00 75 00 00 28 30 00 25
09 00 29 30 00 75 00 00 0F 30 00 0F 0A 00 2E 30 00 AE 05 00

Sample 3
68 04 01 00 7E 14