Conventionally distribution substations utilise hardwires (copper cables) for achieving different operational requirements such as interlocking, inter-tripping and automatic transfer systems. The latest substation communication standard IEC 61850 introduced a new method for horizontal communication of digital and analogue messages between devices in the substation called GOOSE or Generic Object Oriented Substation Event. In addition, IEC 61850 adopted seamless redundancy protocols, namely PRP and HSR, to encourage the utilisation of GOOSE communication in high-dependency applications. Here, the performance of GOOSE communication is assessed under different background traffic conditions in an HSR redundant network. This is achieved by utilising a data quality analyser to inject Ethernet ARP packets simulating background traffic. The network also includes an Ethernet switch, time server, laptop and three IEDs or Intelligent Electronic Devices. The IEDs are natively supporting IEC 61850 with HSR protocol, and configured to exchange GOOSE messages. Test results show GOOSE communication is affected by the traffic, but the severity of the problem, i.e. delays and losses in the communicated messages, depends on the level of traffic, as a percentage of the bandwidth. Tests also show redundancy enhances the overall network reliability via dual paths, limiting the effect of background traffic on the communicated messages..