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IEEE 1547 is the IEEE standard for interconnecting distributed energy resources (DER) with the electric power system. The current edition is IEEE 1547-2018, published 2018-04-06 and active as of 2026-11-07; it superseded IEEE 1547-2003. Its companion, IEEE 1547.1, defines the conformance tests for equipment. This page maps the family and shows what each document is for.
What IEEE 1547 is
The full title is IEEE Standard for Interconnection and Interoperability of Distributed Energy Resources with Associated Electric Power Systems Interfaces. IEEE Standards Association (IEEE SA) describes it as covering interconnection between utility electric power systems and DER, including requirements relevant to the performance, operation, testing, safety considerations and maintenance of the interconnection.
It is a published standard document, in the same sense as other technical standards: a consensus text maintained by a working group and approved by the IEEE SA Standards Board. The 2018 edition was approved by the Board on 2018-02-15, following a project authorization request approved on 2014-03-27.
Who maintains it and what it covers
IEEE SA publishes and maintains the standard; a revision working group (the 1547 Revision Working Group) runs the current revision project, listed as P1547. According to the IEEE SA catalog page, the scope is:
- DER at typical primary or secondary distribution voltages, with a focus on radial distribution systems;
- 60 Hz systems;
- interconnection and interoperability requirements, together with test specifications and requirements for design, production, installation evaluation, commissioning and periodic tests.
The standard is not a utility’s own interconnection rulebook. Utilities and regulators set their own application procedures and settings; the standard supplies the technical interconnection and testing requirements that those documents refer to.
The IEEE 1547 document family
IEEE 1547-2003 vs IEEE 1547-2018
IEEE 1547-2003 is the earlier edition. IEEE SA lists IEEE 1547-2018 as superseding it, so a reference to “IEEE 1547” without a year in newer material normally means the 2018 edition, while older interconnection agreements may cite 2003 by year.
IEEE 1547a-2020
IEEE 1547a-2020 is Amendment 1 to the 2018 edition. IEEE SA states that it revises the allowable trip clearing time ranges in Table 13 for abnormal operating performance category III, and the informative Figure H.9.
IEEE 1547.1 (conformance testing)
IEEE 1547.1-2020, Standard Conformance Test Procedures for Equipment Interconnecting Distributed Energy Resources with Electric Power Systems and Associated Interfaces, specifies tests to confirm that the interconnection and interoperation functions of equipment conform to IEEE 1547. IEEE SA’s page marks it as superseded by the active project P1547.1 (project authorization approved 2026-06-04), with an Amendment 1 (P1547.1a) in development.
| Document | What it is | Status on IEEE SA (checked 2026-11-07) |
|---|---|---|
| IEEE 1547-2003 | Earlier edition of the interconnection standard | Superseded by 1547-2018 |
| IEEE 1547-2018 | Interconnection and interoperability requirements for DER | Active; published 2018-04-06 |
| IEEE 1547a-2020 | Amendment 1: revises Table 13 trip clearing times (category III) and Figure H.9 | Amendment to 1547-2018 |
| P1547 | Revision project, 1547 Revision Working Group | Draft revision project |
| IEEE 1547.1-2020 | Conformance test procedures for equipment | Page marks it superseded by project P1547.1 |
| P1547.1 / P1547.1a | Revision and Amendment 1 of the test standard | In development (P1547.1 PAR approved 2026-06-04) |
How to find the standard and its companions
The authoritative record for each document is its catalog page on IEEE SA (standards.ieee.org), which shows the title, scope, status, publication date and any superseded or in-development projects. Searching the catalog for “1547” returns the base standard, the amendment, the 1547.1 test standard and the revision projects together. Because the status lines change as projects progress, read the catalog page directly rather than a copy of the standard on a third-party site.
Strengths and limits
- Strength: one technical reference for interconnection, interoperability and testing of DER, which lets equipment makers, utilities and engineers cite the same requirements.
- Strength: the testing companion (IEEE 1547.1) separates “what the equipment must do” from “how to prove it.”
- Limit: scope is DER at distribution voltages with a focus on radial systems at 60 Hz, so it does not address everything about the grid.
- Limit: it does not replace utility or regulator requirements; local settings and application procedures are set elsewhere.
- Limit: editions, amendments and revision projects overlap, so always state the exact edition and amendment when citing it, as with any technical report or standard.
Alternatives and related documents
| Document | Relationship to IEEE 1547 | Source |
|---|---|---|
| IEEE 1547.1 | Test procedures to confirm equipment conforms to IEEE 1547 | IEEE SA catalog |
| UL 1741 (Supplement SA) | UL test methods for grid-support functions in inverters and other utility-interconnected distributed generation equipment; UL describes the supplement as a way for devices to ride through abnormal grid conditions rather than disconnect, with a Source Requirement Document such as California Rule 21 supplying parameter settings (UL announcement, 2016-09-08) | UL |
These are not substitutes for each other: IEEE 1547 sets the interconnection requirements, IEEE 1547.1 defines conformance tests against them, and UL 1741 is an equipment certification standard from a different organization. Compliance programs are often described in terms of accreditation and conformity assessment; for another example of an ANSI-referenced technical standard on this site, see ANSI/AIHA Z9.5.
FAQ
What is IEEE 1547?
It is the IEEE standard for interconnection and interoperability of distributed energy resources with associated electric power systems interfaces. The current edition is IEEE 1547-2018 (published 2018-04-06).
What is the difference between IEEE 1547-2003 and IEEE 1547-2018?
The 2018 edition supersedes the 2003 edition. IEEE SA lists 1547-2018 as the active edition, with 1547a-2020 as Amendment 1.
Is there an IEEE 1547-2022?
The IEEE SA page for the standard lists IEEE 1547-2018 as the active edition, with 1547a-2020 as Amendment 1 and P1547 as the revision project. A “2022” date in search results more likely belongs to a different IEEE document, so check the number and title before citing it.
Where can I get the IEEE 1547 PDF, and is there a free download?
The standard is published by IEEE SA, and its catalog page is the place to obtain an authorized copy and see current terms. Unauthorized copies on other sites may be outdated or incomplete, so cite the edition from the IEEE SA record.
How does UL 1741 relate to IEEE 1547?
UL 1741 is a separate UL standard for inverters and similar equipment. Its Supplement SA, per UL’s 2016 announcement, provides test methods for grid-support functions; IEEE 1547 itself is the interconnection standard and IEEE 1547.1 is its conformance-test standard.
Does IEEE 1547 apply to transmission systems?
The IEEE SA scope statement addresses DER at typical primary or secondary distribution voltages, with a focus on radial distribution systems.
Sources
- IEEE SA, IEEE 1547-2018 catalog page, standards.ieee.org/ieee/1547/5915/, read 2026-11-07.
- IEEE SA, IEEE 1547.1-2020 catalog page, standards.ieee.org/ieee/1547.1/12654/, read 2026-11-07.
- UL, UL Launches Advanced Inverter Testing and Certification Program, 2016-09-08, read 2026-11-07.
Related reading in the publishing cluster: OAIS Reference Model (ISO 14721) is another formal standard worth citing by exact edition.
