Communication device for operation in a power automation installation, which is designed to control and/or monitor electrical devices of an electrical power supply network, having communication part, which - comprises a first communication port that is configured to transfer data packets between the communication device and external data processing equipment; - comprises at least two further communication ports (13a-13d) that are configured to transfer data packets with network devices within a communication network; - comprises communication changeover equipment that is configured to transfer data packets between the first communication port and at least one of the further communication ports (13a-13d); and - comprises a computing unit that is configured to control the communication changeover equipment, characterized in that - the communication device comprises an application part, which comprises at least one device connection (19a-19d) that is configured to connect the communication device to an electrical device of the power automation installation, which electrical device is electrically connected to the power supply network; - comprises a data memory area into which any desired automation programs (17a, 17b) can be installed in such a way that they effectuate automation functions of the power automation installation when executed by the computing unit, in such a way that they exchange data and signals with the electrical device via the at least one device connection in order to control and/or monitor the electrical device; and - comprises a program interface coupled to the communication changeover equipment and configured to establish a connection between the communication changeover equipment and at least one automation program (17a, 17b) installed in the memory area. - comprises a first communication port that is configured to transfer data packets between the communication device and external data processing equipment; - comprises at least two further communication ports (13a-13d) that are configured to transfer data packets with network devices within a communication network; - comprises communication changeover equipment that is configured to transfer data packets between the first communication port and at least one of the further communication ports (13a-13d); and - comprises a computing unit that is configured to control the communication changeover equipment, - the communication device comprises an application part, which comprises at least one device connection (19a-19d) that is configured to connect the communication device to an electrical device of the power automation installation, which electrical device is electrically connected to the power supply network; - comprises a data memory area into which any desired automation programs (17a, 17b) can be installed in such a way that they effectuate automation functions of the power automation installation when executed by the computing unit, in such a way that they exchange data and signals with the electrical device via the at least one device connection in order to control and/or monitor the electrical device; and - comprises a program interface coupled to the communication changeover equipment and configured to establish a connection between the communication changeover equipment and at least one automation program (17a, 17b) installed in the memory area.