Wireshark GOOSE: Decode IEC 61850 Messages

GOOSE messages are high-speed Ethernet signals used in modern substations to share protection and control information between devices. Although they may look technical, decoding them with Wireshark is actually very easy. With just a few filters and clicks, you can see events, state changes, and dataset values in real time.

This article is part of the broader IEC-61850 series. If you're new to this protocol family, start with What Is IEC 61850? The Language of Power System Functions.

In this guide, you’ll learn step-by-step how to capture and decode IEC 61850 GOOSE traffic so you can troubleshoot, commission, or simply understand IEC 61850 systems much more confidently.

• Step 1 : Open Wireshark and Select Your Network Interface
• Step 2 : Start the Capture
• Step 3 : Set a Capture Filter for Only GOOSE Traffic
• Step 4 : Select a GOOSE Packet to Decode
• Step 5 : Expand the Ethernet II Header
• Step 6 : Expand the GOOSE Protocol Section
• Step 7 : Identify When an Event Happens
• Step 8 : View Dataset Values
• Step 9 : Export Packets for Reporting
• Conclusion

Practical tool: Use our IEC 61850 to parse raw packets and inspect field-level details while you read.

Step 1 : Open Wireshark and Select Your Network Interface

Choose the network card that is connected to your substation/test network. If you’re unsure which one to pick:

• Look for the interface with traffic activity
• Avoid Wi-Fi unless your GOOSE traffic is bridged to it (usually it’s not)

Select the Ethernet interface that carries your GOOSE traffic

Step 2 : Start the Capture

Click Start Capturing Packets (the blue shark fin icon). You’ll immediately see frames scrolling by.

Click the blue shark fin icon to begin capturing packets

Step 3 : Set a Capture Filter for Only GOOSE Traffic

In the "Capture Filter" box, type:

goose

This is where you enter the display filter ‘goose’ to show only GOOSE traffic.

Hit Enter, and the packet list will show only GOOSE frames.

Step 4 : Select a GOOSE Packet to Decode

Click the first packet in the list.

You will see three panes:

1. Packet List (top)
2. Packet Details (middle)
3. Packet Bytes (bottom)

Wireshark interface showing GOOSE packet list, packet details, and raw packet bytes

We only need the middle pane for decoding.

Step 5 : Expand the Ethernet II Header

This shows important fields:

• Destination MAC: Multicast (starts with 01:0C:CD…)
• Source MAC: Publisher IED
• EtherType: 0x88B8 (this confirms it is a GOOSE frame)

Ethernet II header showing GOOSE EtherType (0x88B8)

Step 6 : Expand the GOOSE Protocol Section

This is where the real decoding happens.

Decoding the GOOSE PDU in Wireshark

You’ll find key fields:

• gocbRef → GOOSE control block reference
• datSet → Dataset name
• goID → Publisher's GOOSE ID
• stNum → State Number
• sqNum → Sequence Number
• timeAllowedToLive → How long the message is valid
• Test flag
• ConfRev
• Dataset values (status, analogs, etc.)

Step 7 : Identify When an Event Happens

GOOSE messages repeat constantly.

The trick is to watch the stNum and sqNum fields.

✔ Normal operation

• stNum stays the same
• sqNum increments with each retransmission

✔ Event occurred (trip, open/close, interlock, change)

• stNum jumps to a new number
• sqNum resets to 0
• Dataset values may change (e.g., breaker opens)

This is the fastest way to detect substation events.

Step 8 : View Dataset Values

Inside the GOOSE decoder, scroll to the bottom.

Dataset values inside the GOOSE message (boolean, bit-string, etc.)

You’ll usually see values such as:

• Boolean statuses
• Analog measurements
• Protection signals
• Interlocking states

These are defined by the device vendor and the IEC-61850 model.

Step 9 : Export Packets for Reporting

You can save the decoded packets:

File → Export Packet Dissections → CSV / TXT / JSON

Exporting GOOSE packet dissections to CSV

This is perfect for:

• Engineering reports
• Protection studies
• Commissioning documentation
• Forensics after an event

Conclusion

Decoding IEC-61850 GOOSE messages in Wireshark doesn’t have to be complicated. With a few basic filters and an understanding of key fields like stNum, sqNum, and the dataset values, anyone can quickly follow real-time events happening inside a substation network.

Wireshark’s built-in GOOSE dissector makes it easy to spot changes, verify protection behavior, and troubleshoot communication problems without needing advanced IEC-61850 knowledge. Whether you’re commissioning, maintaining, or learning substation automation systems, these steps give you a reliable way to see exactly what your IEDs are sending — clearly, transparently, and in seconds.

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💡 Want a deeper understanding of GOOSE and IEC 61850? Check out our full article: IEC 61850 GOOSE Explained: Complete Guide to Fast Substation Messaging, Protection & Automation.

IEC-61850 Related reads in the same family:

• What Is IEC 61850? The Language of Power System Functions
• What Is a Merging Unit? IEC 61850 Process Bus Explained
• IEC 61850 Sampled Values (SV): Process Bus Reference