DATE : 28/06/2006 DOC. MSE 20082 REV. 4.0.

COMTRADE SOFTWARE
Reproduction of Recordings
USER MANUAL
REV. 4.0.1
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REVISION DESCRIPTION OF CHANGES VISA

N PAGE DATE
4.0.0 All 30/03/2006 Issued Morandi.

4.0.1 24 28/6/2006 Labels, IMP1 and IMP2 in contact I/O Morandi

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1 GENERAL INFORMATION.............................................................................................................................................................5

2 COMTRADE SPECIFICATION.......................................................................................................................................................6

3 CONTROL WINDOW.......................................................................................................................................................................7
3.1 FILE MENU (MENU BAR)............................................................................................................................................................... 8
3.1.1 Open ...........................................................................................................................................................................8
3.1.2 Save....................................................................................................................................................................................9

3.1.3 Print preview ...........................................................................................................................................................10

3.1.4 Exit ....................................................................................................................................................................................10
3.2 EDIT MENU (MENU BAR) ............................................................................................................................................................ 11
3.2.1 Redo last operation ...............................................................................................................................................11
3.2.2 Undo last operation ..............................................................................................................................................11
3.2.3 Cut ............................................................................................................................................................................11
3.2.4 Copy ........................................................................................................................................................................12
3.2.5 Paste ........................................................................................................................................................................12

3.2.6 Scale .........................................................................................................................................................................13

3.3 W AVE MENU (MENU BAR)......................................................................................................................................................... 14

3.3.1 zoom box ..................................................................................................................................................................14

3.3.2 zoom in .....................................................................................................................................................................16
3.3.3 zoom out ....................................................................................................................................................................16
3.3.4 rms values........................................................................................................................................................................16
3.3.5 download ................................................................................................................................................................16
3.3.6 start ...........................................................................................................................................................................16
3.3.7 stop ...........................................................................................................................................................................17
3.3.8 reset ..........................................................................................................................................................................17
3.3.9 Impedance Locus ...................................................................................................................................................17
Parameters................................................................................................................................................................................ 17
Refresh plot ............................................................................................................................................................................. 18
Load Relay characteristic......................................................................................................................................................... 18
Graph settings.......................................................................................................................................................................... 19
Graphs ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 20
3.4 OPTIONS MENU (MENU BAR).................................................................................................................................................... 21
3.4.1 Header..............................................................................................................................................................................21

3.4.2 Settings ...................................................................................................................................................................22

3.4.2.a voltages ....................................................................................................................................................................... 22
3.4.2.b currents....................................................................................................................................................................... 23
3.4.2.c I/O ............................................................................................................................................................................... 23
3.4.2.d digital .......................................................................................................................................................................... 24
3.4.2.e settings........................................................................................................................................................................ 25
INSTRUMENT SETTINGS................................................................................................................................................. 25
GRAPH SETTINGS ............................................................................................................................................................ 26
DIGITAL INPUTS TYPE .................................................................................................................................................. 28
ZERO POWER................................................................................................................................................................... 28
COMMON SELECTIONS................................................................................................................................................... 28
3.4.3 notes .................................................................................................................................................................................29
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3.4.4 HEADER INFO...............................................................................................................................................................29

3.5 SYSTEM INFORMATION (MENU BAR).......................................................................................................................................... 30
3.6 LANGUAGE MENU (MENU BAR)................................................................................................................................................. 30
3.7 GRAPHS AREA ........................................................................................................................................................................... 31
3.7.1 analog graphs ..................................................................................................................................................................31
3.7.1 digital graph .....................................................................................................................................................................31
3.7.2 cursors ..............................................................................................................................................................................31
3.8 STATUS BAR............................................................................................................................................................................... 32
4 PRINT RESULTS..............................................................................................................................................................................33
4.1 PRINT........................................................................................................................................................................................... 34
4.2 ZOOM........................................................................................................................................................................................... 35
4.3 PAGE SETUP............................................................................................................................................................................... 35
4.4 OPTIONS...................................................................................................................................................................................... 35
5 IMPORT RESULTS IN EXCEL......................................................................................................................................................36

6 TEST EXECUTION...........................................................................................................................................................................38
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1 GENERAL INFORMATION

The COMTRADE software is used for the reproduction of transients or computed fault waveform
recorded in COMTRADE format. This software can be used to control any of the ISA instruments. Please
note that with the UTB, ART/3 and ART/100 there are limitations as they filter out the D.C. component.

Purpose of fault reproduction or generation of waveform is to test the behavior of the relay in particular
situations, such as those recorded in real instances where the relay did not operate correctly (false
intervention or no intervention). However, fault reproduction puts some problems, such as:

. Pre-fault is too short to allow the relay setting to the normal situation;

. Fault duration too short because of the intervention of the relay;

COMTRADE provides features to solve these problems, in order to perform a complete test of the relay in
the recorded situation and with modified values. In particular it allows to:

. repeat the test with the modified amplitudes, for the entire recordings or for a specified region;

. cut, copy, paste parts of the recording;

. measure the relay timing during fault reproduction;

. use the auxiliary D.C. supply of the instrument to feed the relay during the test;

. feed the relay with a logic input that conditions its operation, timed with respect to the recording.
The program runs under the Windows© environment and is part of the TDMS Test & Data Measurement
Software suite.

Note: Windows and DOS are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

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2 COMTRADE SPECIFICATION

• Fault reproduction: the COMTRADE software reproduces files deriving from fault recorders or fault
simulation programs like ATP, DADISP etc.

• Maximum currents and voltages depending on the instrument as it follows:

Instrument Max voltage Max current

UTS, UTB, ART/3, 250 V d.c. 50 A d.c
ART100 352 V peak* 70 A peak*
DRTS § 125 V d.c 12.5 A d.c
175 V peak* 17 A peak*
DRTS3 § 125/300 V d.c # 12.5 A d.c
175/424 V peak*# 17 A peak*
DRTS6 § 125/300 V d.c # 15 A d.c
175/424 V peak*# 21 A peak*
* d.c + a.c. component
# depending on model options
§ booster outputs have different maximum values and are handled consequently

• With UTB, ART/3 and ART/100, the exponential component of the current must have a time decay
constant less than 30 ms at a load of 150 VA; the time decay constant increases linearly as the power
decreases (300 ms @ 15 VA).

• With UTB, ART/3, ART/100, the exponential component of the voltage must have a time decay
constant less than 6 ms at a load of 50 VA; the time decay constant increases linearly as the power
decreases (60 ms @ 5 VA). NOTE: with these figures it is possible a faithful reproduction of the majority
of recordings.

• Files format: COMTRADE standard C37.111-1991, revision: draft 3.0, 15th march 1996.
COMTRADE standard C37-111-1997 draft 7C, 2nd September 1997

• Maximum samples number: 32 kWord per phase; word length up to 16 bit.

• File content: up to 64 analog channels and up to 128 digital channels.

• Sample rate: up to 10 kHz. . If the frequency is more than 10 kHz samples are reduced. Note that at
the sample rate of 5 kHz it is possible to reproduce recordings that last up to 12 s.

• Reproduction: up to 6 current outputs and 4 voltage outputs. Or if using a current booster up to 9

currents and 3 voltages.

• Edit capabilities: Cut, Copy, Paste; Scale.

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• During reproduction it is also possible to program: the selected trip inputs (maximum 8), the D.C.
voltage source and the timed relay contacts relevant to the instrument used. The D.C. voltage is not
removed after the first test.
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3 CONTROL WINDOW

Purpose of the control window is to allow the operator:

. To load the file to be reproduced;

. To decide which trip inputs will be monitored during the test;

. To use auxiliary outputs in order to simulate a digital input to the relay under test;

. To use the D.C. supply in order to feed the relay under test with the desired voltage.

This section explains the selections that are available for this task. Section 6 explains how these selections
are used for the execution of the test.

As the program is started, the following window is opened.

The center window allows the user to select which ISA instrument is connected to the test set. By pressing
the Ok button the program performs the connection to the instrument, and displays the main window.
At the top of the window there is a menu bar and a toolbar. Than there is the area where the recorded
waveforms will be displayed, and at the bottom, a status bar.
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3.1 FILE MENU (MENU BAR)

When selected, the following list of commands is displayed:

3.1.1 OPEN
When selected, the standard dialog window is opened: it is possible to select the file to be opened.

As Type of file, three extensions are available:

. Comtrade (*.cfg): default;

. Results (*.mdb)
. Man_r (*.rsr);

The first selection gives access to the *.CFG file of the COMTRADE recording; the second one displays
the test results obtained with COMTRADE; the third one provides backwards compatibility with results
obtained using Man_r.

A) COMTRADE files (*.cfg).

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With the COMTRADE standard, each recording generates at least two files: .CFG for the
configuration; .DAT for the data. Additional files are .HDR for the header and .EXT for the
extension. The list shows only the *.CFG files: as the Open command is confirmed, files are loaded
at the same time. The program executes a test of conformity to the COMTRADE format, and of
congruence between the .CFG and .DAT files.

B) Results (*.mdb)

It is also possible to load previously saved test results. Test results do not have a COMTRADE
format: they are created by COMTRADE, and have the extension .MDB, which is a standard
Microsoft Access format. This allow to easily import data into excel as described in section 5.
The test result file contains:
. Test results data: waveform, trip times;
. Test settings: CT ratio, PT ratio etc.;
. Scale values;
Other data from the original .DAT file are no more available. After test results have been loaded, it is
possible to restart them as they are or to modify them again and restart the test.

C) Man_r (*.rsr)
These are result files generated using Man_r. They also store all the information of the test, but data
cannot be imported into Excel. COMTRADE provide for backwards compatibility with this format.

3.1.2 SAVE

When selected, the standard dialog window is opened: it is possible to select the file to be saved.

As Type of file, two extensions are available:

A) COMTRADE files (*.cfg).

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The program stores the values of the recording by using the COMTRADE standard, and generates
at least two files: .CFG for the configuration; .DAT for the data. It always store .DAT files in the
ASCII file format as defined by the COMTRADE specifications.

B) Results (*.mdb)
The program stores the values of the recording, and all the settings data. Only one file is generated.

3.1.3 PRINT PREVIEW

This selection opens the print preview page as it will be described in section 4.

3.1.4 EXIT

Quits the program

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3.2 EDIT MENU (MENU BAR)

Once a file has been opened, it is possible to perform various operation on the recording data:
. Redo;
. Undo;
. Cut;
. Copy;
. Paste;
. Scale.

3.2.1 REDO LAST OPERATION

It allows to redo the last operation of cut, delete, copy and scale, that has been undone. It is not accessible
until one of these operations has been undone. All operations are accessible, one after the other, starting
from the last one.

3.2.2 UNDO LAST OPERATION

It allows undoing the last operation of cut, delete, copy and scale that has been done. It is not accessible
until one of these operations has been performed. All operations are accessible, one after the other, starting
from the last one.

3.2.3 CUT
This option is enabled when the red cursor time is less than the time at which the green cursor is positioned.
It allows deleting parts of the recording, and applies to all analog (and digital) channels altogether. With this
selection, the following window opens up.

Selections available are:

. Multiple periods
. Number of periods.
If Multiple periods is selected, the first cursor becomes the only reference for the operation. By pressing
the OK key, the selected number of periods after the first pointer will be deleted. The number of periods
can be more than the remaining part of the recording, in which case all the rest of the recording will be cut.
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The purpose of selecting Multiple of periods is that if a part inside the record is to be deleted, there will be
no discontinuity on the waveform, after the cut operation.
If Multiple periods is not selected, the area to be deleted is the one between the two cursors.

Typical case of using cut is with a recording that includes: fault - open - reclose: the part after the fault
would better be cut away.

3.2.4 COPY

It allows copying parts of the recording to another part of it, and applies to all analog (and digital) channels
altogether. This selection is available only after the two cursors are turned on and the red cursor is at a
lesser time position than that of the green cursor. After selection, the following window opens up.

Selections available are:

. Multiple periods
. Number of periods.

If Multiple periods is selected, the first cursor becomes the only reference for the operation. By pressing
the OK key, the selected number of periods after the first pointer will be copied into the temporary
memory.
If Multiple periods is not selected, the area to be copied is the one between the two cursors.

The purpose of selecting Multiple periods is that if a part inside the record is to be copied, there will be no
discontinuity on the waveform, after the next paste operation.

Typical case for using copy (and then paste) is when the recording lasts too little. Consider the case of a
wrong trip in first zone: it is necessary to have a longer fault duration, in order to explore the limit of first
zone.

3.2.5 PASTE

It allows pasting the part of the recording that has been memorized with Copy; it applies to all analog (and
digital) channels altogether. This selection is active only after a copy has been performed. With this
selection, the following window opens up.
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Selections available is:

. Period align
If the arrows under Period align are pressed, the first cursor moves (forwards or backwards) by multiple of
periods with respect to the location addressed when selecting cut or copy. By pressing the OK key,
memorized data are copied, after the position pointed by the cursor.
The purpose of using Period align is that the part copied will not cause a discontinuity on the waveform;
otherwise, it is very likely that the cursor is not positioned in a place coherent with the copy previously
made. It is possible to align to the right or to the left of the cursor’s position: as the corresponding key is
pressed, the cursor is moved to the closest position in phase with the copy.

If Period align is not used, the part to be copied will be copied directly after the position addressed by the
first cursor, irregardless to its phase relationship to the recording.

3.2.6 SCALE
It allows the scaling and the offset of the waveform to be reproduced, separately for each analog channel.
After this selection the following window opens up.

It is possible to input the desired scale and offset factors, that will modify the values of the selected output
depending on the option that has been selected:
• channel : for the entire duration of the recording
• selected data : only for the data enclosed by the two cursors
Subsequent values apply to last selection, so that the final coefficient is the product of all programmed
factors. To the right are displayed:
. Maximum values of the recording, as running RMS and peak value. If the Preview key is pressed, these
values become the ones after scaling, and the graphs of the Control window are refreshed. It is possible to
modify the factor and recalculate the corresponding maximum values until the desired value is obtained: the
last coefficient will be used to scale data after the OK key is pressed. If the Cancel key is pressed, values
are not modified.
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The important feature of COMTRADE is that after the waveform has been transmitted to the test
instrument, modifying the scaling factor involves only an amplitude change: waveform is not modified, hence
it does not need to be transmitted again.
On the other hand, if a scaling factor is applied only on a partial subset of the recording, if a DC offset is
added to a channel or if the scaling factor is negative (which results in a phase shift of 180°), the waveform
needs to be transmitted again.

3.3 WAVE MENU (MENU BAR)

When selected, the following list of commands is displayed:

• Zoom box
• Zoom in
• Zoom out
• RMS Values
• Download
• Start
• Stop
• Reset
• Impedance Locus

3.3.1 ZOOM BOX

This selection is available only if a file has been loaded.

Once the selection is made, point the mouse on the top left corner of the area of the graph that you want to
zoom. While keeping the mouse button pressed, a dotted rectangle will show the zoom area. You can
perform the zoom box option on any analog graph and all the other graphs will resize to the same time
period.
The following pictures show how to proceed:
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1. Click on the starting point

2. Select the area

3.Release the mouse

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3.3.2 ZOOM IN
With this selection the area between the cursors is zoomed.

3.3.3 ZOOM OUT

With this selection the graphs display the entire recording. It also releases the zoom box option if it was
turned on.

3.3.4 RMS VALUES

This is an off/on selection, that changes the type of measurement performed at the point of the curve where
the mouse pointer lies : with RMS on, the displayed value is the RMS of the period after the mouse
position; otherwise, the displayed value is the one pointed mouse. The relative value is shown in the legend
of the graph.

3.3.5 DOWNLOAD
This is the command that loads all data into the test set. If the total number of points to be downloaded is
greater than 10000, the following confirmation window is displayed.

Data upload erases any formerly transmitted waveform data. The operator can stop the operation by
pressing the stop key ; after confirmation, data are transmitted and a busy icon is displayed. During
data transmission the stop icon and command are active: if data is stopped, it is impossible to generate the
partially transmitted waveform.

Data transmission takes some time, usually one minute or more, according to file length. However, once the
operation is performed, modifying the amplitude does not involve any further data transmission.
At the end of the upload, the following confirmation message will appear:

If the test set is not connected, this command and the following ones are not accessible.

3.3.6 START
This is the command that actually starts the test. When pressed, currents and voltages are applied to the
relay under test until all selected trip inputs are sensed. As this occurs, currents and voltages are removed
(but not the auxiliary d.c. voltage) and test result (i.e. trip delays of selected inputs) are sent to the p.c..
Switched inputs are displayed in the graph of the digital channels. Trip delay can be measured setting
cursor 1 at the point where the fault starts, and cursor 2 at trip: T1-T2 displays the delay.
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3.3.7 STOP
With this command it is possible to stop data transmission or test execution.

3.3.8 RESET
With this command it is possible to reset to zero any output of the instrument including the auxiliary d.c.
voltage.

3.3.9 IMPEDANCE LOCUS

This command opens the Impedance Locus window.

The graphs are initially empty, then by pressing the “Refresh plot” button, the software calculates the
Impedance Locus plot for single-phase and phase-to-phase impedances and display the results in two
different graphs.

Parameters

Here the user must select the currents and the voltages of the recording that will be used to calculate the
Impedance Locus. If the recording does not include all the phase currents but it includes In, it is possible to
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select In instead of a current and the software will recalculate the missing current by using the other selected
given that, apart of sign conventions:

The parameter ko and φko allows to take into account the ground factor so that for instance:

Refresh plot
Upon pressing this button, the software performs a new calculation based on the parameter selection to
display the Impedance locus. If more than one current is missing, or if a voltage is not selected, a message
like the following will appear.

During the refresh time, a progress bar appears to display the progress status.

Load Relay characteristic

This function allows to overlap to the displayed impedance locus series the nominal characteristic of a
distance relay. Upon pressing the button a Windows standard dialog box appears asking the user to select
the file containing the characteristic. It is possible to select files of type:

1. RIO: the standard files. Version 1 and 2 of RIO files can be opened.

2. MDB: file with this extension cover a wide range of applications, and not all mdb files contain a
Distance Relay characteristic. Only MDB files generated with Z-Pro where a nominal characteristic
has been designed can be imported.

3. BPR: this files have been generated with older version of Z-Pro, they are included for backwards
compatibility

This is how the graphs would appear after loading a GRZ100 characteristic
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Graph settings

These parameters are specific for each graph. When moving the mouse over the graph, the box R and X
display the relative value.

The button Zoom all points resets the zoom to display the entire set of points.

The button Zoom characteristic sets the zoom to display the nominal characteristic.

It is also possible to manually zoom the graph. The zoom is always active, so just draw a squared area
within the graph limits with the mouse and the selected area will be zoomed.

The Show position on time recordings option, moves the red cursor on the recordings graphs in the main
window to display which time corresponds to the selected point in the R-X graph. The reference
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impedance locus is Z1 when displayed, otherwise the cursor will highlight points of Z2 or Z3 if Z1 and Z2
are not displayed.

Upon selecting the option, a green circle display the selected point, which is the closest to the mouse
position. When moving the mouse, different points are selected and the red cursor moved consequently.
Compare the following pictures.

Graphs
Two R-X graphs are displayed: one for single-phase impedances and one for phase-to-phase impedances.
The legend of each graph shows which phases can be displayed and it allows to select them on a single-
basis. This is particularly useful when there are many points: for a clearer and more detailed graph it is
possible to display only one impedance.
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By keeping the right button of the mouse on the graph area and moving the mouse, it is possible to shift the
graph area.

3.4 OPTIONS MENU (MENU BAR)

When selected, the following list of commands is displayed:

• Header
• Settings
• Notes
• Header info

3.4.1 HEADER
By choosing this menu item, data regarding plant, relay and operator are asked in a window. Furthermore,
manufacturer, model and serial number of the relay under test is stored. It is also possible to write the Serial
Number of the instrument: it will be printed on the results, allowing the traceability of the test performed.
Click on Load logo
when you want to
change the logo to be
printed on the test
report, or if the program
is not able to find the
predefined logo.
Reasons could be that
the file no longer exists
or the .INI file is
corrupted.
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3.4.2 SETTINGS

As the load is confirmed, the program controls if the .cfg file contains the information related to current and
voltage transformer ratio (latest COMTRADE standard); if not, it displays the following message, that
reminds the operator to verify these ratio in the Settings window.

After pressing the OK button, the program opens the window entitled “SETTINGS”, that allows for the
following selections:
. Voltage;
. Current;
. I/O;
. Digitals
. Settings.

With these first four selections the operator can:

. Select the analog and digital channels which one will be displayed (voltages and currents). Consider that
the recording can host up to 64 analog channels and 128 digital ones. It is also possible to select less than 6
analog channels;
. On the digital inputs select which digital channels (C1-C8) shall be monitored during the test (C1
Normally Open is selected as a default). The original trip time can be compared to the one obtained during
fault reproduction.
Channel selection is performed using selection boxes.
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3.4.2.a voltages

On the selected voltage channels, the operator can scroll all the analog channels of the recording. If a
primary / secondary voltage ratio has been provided with the registration, it will appear when selecting
assigning the recorded channel to the output of the instrument, otherwise it will be put to 132000/100 by
default. With the option Primary/Secondary it is also possible to choose whether the graph will display
primary side values or secondary side values.

3.4.2.b currents

On the selected current channels, the operator can scroll all the analog channels of the recording. If a
primary / secondary current ratio has been provided with the registration, it will appear when selecting
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assigning the recorded channel to the output of the instrument, otherwise it will be put to 800/5 by default.
With the option Primary/Secondary it is also possible to choose whether the graph will display primary side
values or secondary side values.

3.4.2.c I/O
This page allows the user to select the contact inputs to monitor and the behavior of the auxiliary contacts.
For each one it is possible to define if it is normally open or normally close

The operator can input the desired timing of the auxiliary contacts with respect to the beginning of the
recording. These digital outputs can be connected to the relevant inputs of the relay under test, so that the
same conditions existing as the fault occurred can be reproduced. Consider for instance the case of
distance relays with permissive or blocking overreach schemes: an aux contact can be timed to close at the
same time as during the fault to be reproduced. This is mandatory for a real reproduction.

For each enabled Contact Input or Auxiliary contact it is possible to define a label to describe the contact.
This comment will appear in the relative legend of the digital signals graph.

3.4.2.d digital
On the selected digital channels, the operator can scroll all the digital channels of the recording. These will
appear in the digital graph on the control window together with the auxiliary channels and the contact
inputs.
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3.4.2.e settings
Instrument settings
• maximum voltage: It is the maximum peak voltage not to be trespassed during the test. Default
voltage: 100 V.
• maximum current: It is the maximum peak current not to be trespassed during the test. Default
current: 10 A.
• limit at maximum: If selected, the software introduces a correcting coefficient so that the maximum
peak value of the channel exceeding the maximum is the programmed one. Take care as this could
alter the fault impedance in case of distance relays. If not selected, and the maximum values exceed
those of the instrument, the following message will appear:

• d.c. voltage: It is possible to program the supply voltage that will be generated during the test. This
voltage will not be removed between tests, unless the Reset push-button is pressed. If the voltage
feeds the relay under test, on first test the time necessary to power-on the relay can cause a false
test results. This problem will not occur with further tests. Default value: 110 V.
• line frequency: This is the frequency that will be used to define the duration of a period. This is
particularly important when cutting or pasting multiple periods.
• reverse current phases of 180°: If checked, the phase of the current outputs will be reversed in
order to simulate a line/busbar condition.
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Graph settings
• show graph values as: defines whether to display the values as instant values or RMS values. This is
the same setting as in menu Wave->RMS Values
• drawing menu: defines how to plot the graphs on the control window. Three selections are
available:

Draw signals into

separate diagrams,
plot a single graph for
each channel
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Group signals into

one diagram /Primary
side values, plot all
the currents and all
the voltages on the
same diagram, using
primary side values.

Group signals into

one diagram
/Secondary side
values, plot all the
currents and all the
voltages on the same
diagram, using
secondary side
values.

As it can be noted, when grouping signals of the same type in the same channel, it is not possible to
view the RMS value (or instant value depending on the selection) at the point where the mouse is
positioned.

Reproduction Length

It is possible to define the length of the reproduction according to the following selection:
• as file length: the reproduction lasts exactly as indicated by the file values
• for x seconds: the reproduction lasts for the time indicated. If shorter than the file length, then the
reproduction finishes when the time limit is reached. If longer than the file length, than the instrument
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continues the generation by cycling over the reproduction samples. This may cause a discontinuity
when the last sample and the first sample of the reproduction are not continue.

GPS synchronization

This section allows to synchronize the instrument with a GPS. The software waits at least for the delay time
before starting the test. If the contact selected in the menu trips before the end of the delay time, the test
starts upon arrival.

Digital Inputs type

This section applies to DRTS and ART/100. Inputs are divided into two blocks: C1-C4, and C5-C8, with
isolated zeros. Selections of blocks and are independent from each other.
o Debounce.
The debounce is the time during which the instrument waits for the input to become stable: this
serves to avoid stopping the test because of noise, and also to ignore contact bounces. When a
transition is sensed the debounce counter starts: any opposite transition before the debounce
expires resets the counter. Only if the input does not change for the programmed duration the input
is accepted, and the timer stopped. Default value: 500 us. With electronic inputs the value can be
programmed to 0; with heavy contacts the debounce is better programmed to 2000 us (maximum).
The time measurement is not affected by this selection.

o Type
There are three selections about the type of contact: Dry, a.c. voltage or d.c. voltage. With
selection Free, next selection is not applicable. With selection a.c. voltage, the debounce is forced
to 2000 us, to overcome the zero crossings of the input.

o Threshold
When the contact selection is a.c. or d.c., it is also possible to select the threshold voltage: all inputs
less than 70% of the selected value are made equal to zero. This serves to avoid noise on the line,
or in case there is a protective resistor in parallel to the contact driving the coil, so that the Open
contact does not correspond to zero volts. Available thresholds: TTL (5 V logic input); 24 V; 48
V; 100 V. This selection should match the wetting voltage.

If voltage Free input is selected and a voltage is applied the instrument does not suffer, provided that the
input is no more than 220 V. If a voltage is selected and the input is not polarized, the trip is not sensed.
If a wrong voltage threshold is selected:
. Threshold higher than the voltage: the trip is not sensed;
. Threshold lower than the voltage: the contact could be found closed when it is open.

Zero power
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This selection applies to the DRTS, when the EXT. AMP. connector is fit with the 0 power selection. In
this instance, it is possible to go beyond the normal limits of DRTS, and simulate 500 V and 500 A.
o Power out - 0 power out
These windows allow programming the current and voltage ratios of the transducers. The 0 power
out is the one that is generated by the DRTS, on the EXT. AMP. connector. For instance, after
programming 100 V primary and 5 V secondary, if 50 V are programmed, 2.5 V are applied at the
output. Maximum primary voltage: 500 V; maximum 0 power voltage: 7.26 V. Maximum primary
current: 500 A; maximum 0 power voltage: 7.26 V.

o Max peak voltage on current outputs

Rogowsky coils have a low voltage output at nominal current (0.2 V or so). This selection allows
increasing the accuracy of the generator by reducing to one tenth the maximum output voltage with
the same input.

Common selections

These selections are useful only in case of doubt on data communication.

• Debug test. If this button is pressed, before sending data to the test instrument a window displays
the coded message.
• Debug Results. If this button is pressed, when data are received from the instrument a window
displays the coded message.

3.4.3 NOTES
By selecting this menu the user can put some comments about the tests performed. This notes will be
included in the results file.

3.4.4 HEADER INFO

This window shows the information contained in the header file and in the extension file of the Comtrade
file. The user cannot edit the data shown in the window.
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3.5 SYSTEM INFORMATION (MENU BAR)

It’s a panel showing information regarding
the connected instrument, (RAM, Flash
EPROM etc.).

A picture of the connected instrument

appears (in the example, although the user
selected DRTS, the picture shows that no
instrument is actually connected).
It also shows ISA S.r.l. contact details.
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3.6 LANGUAGE MENU (MENU BAR)

Gives the capability to change the language of COMTRADE without closing the program. The active
language will be saved by quitting the program.
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3.7 GRAPHS AREA

The graphs are displayed into the center area of the control window. The window can be resized and the
graphs will change their width accordingly.
This area will show :
• one or more graphs for the display of analog channels
• one graph for the display of all selected digital channels, auxiliary contacts and input
contacts
The graphs are always synchronized in terms of x-axis, they show the same time portion.

3.7.1 ANALOG GRAPHS

For each graph there is a legend showing the name of the channel associated to the graph, as it has been
stored in the Comtrade file.

There are various settings that affect the way an analog graph displays the channel data:
• the graph setting may group channels of the same type on a single graph or display them separately
• the channel can be set to show primary side values or secondary side values
• the selection RMS values may be turned on

3.7.1 DIGITAL GRAPH

This graph always shows all the digital channels:
• input contacts as they have been selected
• auxiliary contacts as they have been selected
• digital channels of the recording to be displayed
At the side of each channel the legend displays the relative name. Being digital channels, a single channel
can assume the values 0 or 1.
Before the start, the input contacts are displayed in dotted lines, and at the end of the reproduction,
depending on the trips occurred and of the , they are repainted as a continuous line.

A vertical scrollbar allows to view all the graphs that may not be visible if many channels are displayed at
the same time .

3.7.2 CURSORS
There are 2 vertical lines that can be positioned in any point of the graph area by clicking on the left and
right buttons of the mouse. The reference line is the red, and appears when clicking on the left button. The
green line is useful to perform zooming or scaling in an area enclosed by the 2 lines.
All the operations of cut, copy, paste, scaling or zooming can be performed if the green line is at the right
side with respect to the red line.
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3.8 STATUS BAR

At the bottom of the control window, a status bar contains useful information. First of all, the file name (full
path) of the Comtrade (or result) file. Then the boxes T1 , T2 and T2-T1, show the time at the red cursor,
the time at the green cursor and the difference in time between the cursors, respectively. Finally an icon
showing if the instrument is connected or not appears at the right hand side of the status bar.
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4 PRINT RESULTS
By pressing the “Print” button or by selecting the menu item File ->Print Preview, a preview print
screen will be shown:

The report is made up of at least two pages:

• a page with the graphs (analogs and digital), which could well be splitted into more pages
depending on the number of graphs to show and on the height of the single analog graphs
• a page with test results, which contains the channel assignments being made, the setting of the input
contacts and auxiliary timings, and the general settings of the instrument.
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Although the print procedure is very simple here is a brief description of all the available settings and their
meaning:

4.1 PRINT

By pressing the “Setup” button the user can choose the printer via a windows standard dialog box.
The button “Font” allows the user to select the font (type and size) that will be used for printing. It is
suggested to keep the font size reasonably small to get a professional report without overlapping texts.
By pressing the “Print” button, the preview is sent to the printer, from page defined by the “From” box and
to page defined by the “To” box.
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4.2 ZOOM

This series of option buttons allow to enlarge the printing area so as to view the pages in details. When the
option is set to x4, the preview picture shows the real-dimension of the printout and therefore is more
precise in terms of details.

4.3 PAGE SETUP

These selections are useful to define the margins of the page. If the margins are too big to have a printout,
the preview page will show the message “Preview Error, Margin Outside Limits”.

4.4 OPTIONS

Here is possible to define the height of the analog graph. The digital graph height is defined by the number
of channels it displays and cannot be modified. If the height is greater than the maximum size available for
printing a single graph in a page, the graph is resized to fit vertically the available space.
Using the check box “User note page”, it is possible to choose whether to print or not the page defined by
the function “Note” as described in par. 3.4.3.
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5 IMPORT RESULTS IN EXCEL

Once a result has been saved into .Mdb format, it is possible to import data to excel. Since a comtrade file
is not simple to read and some calculations have to be performed to get the real values of the recordings,
these same calculations have to be performed in case the user wants to follow the import procedure and
plot the graphs using excel.
These are the steps to complete the import procedure:
• Define a new data base query:

• Data base type selection

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• Select the data base file:

• Select the columns:

• And, after the inclusion of all the columns without any filter, and ordering the rows by “dbSample”,
the table will appear:
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6 TEST EXECUTION

Before starting the program, the user has saved into a directory the COMTRADE file he wants to
reproduce, or a former test result.

First of all, the user will use COMTRADE in order to analyze the recording, and in particular the part of
interest to be reproduced: typically, a false intervention (no tripping or unexpected tripping). Then it is
necessary to decide which contacts of the relay are to be monitored, and to assign the corresponding trip
inputs. These decisions can be reported on the Notes, for the sake of documentation and reproduction.

Let us suppose that the task is to analyze a false tripping. Select File-> Open; then select the desired test
file. The program opens the Settings table, where it is possible to perform the following operations:
• Decide which analog and digital channels will be displayed, assign analog recordings to the
instrument outputs, set the desired representation in primary or secondary values, and set the
C.T. ratio and the P.T. ratio: take care because the COMTRADE standard does not define
these parameters as critical: they can be missing in the .CFG file. In this instance, the program
uses the default values, that can be completely wrong.
• Select all input selections so that they correspond to the relay setting
• Select trip inputs (default C1; reference level is Normal Open.) that will be monitored during
the test
• Decide which digital recordings will be displayed. This allows to compare the original recording
of the surveyed trip outputs and actual test results
• In case the test depends upon one or more external digital inputs (overreach command, relay
blocking), set the timing for A1-A4.
• Set the D.C. voltage
• Set the maximum voltage and currents to be generated in order to avoid damaging the relay
under test and/or to overload the test instrument. For current, consider that it is possible to
select 50 A only if connection cables have at least 10 sq.mm cross section, and are not longer
than 2 meters; otherwise, the instrument will be overloaded.
• Set the desired representation in primary or secondary values.
• Set the Limit at maximum, so that the operation is not interrupted by the program. In this
instance however, all values are scaled down as they are with a scale factor: take care not to go
above the limits.
Once these selections have been performed, the screen displays the recordings as they have been taken.
Before proceeding, check on the main screen that currents and voltages are the desired ones.

The second operation is to decide whether it can be passed to the test instrument for fault reproduction or
it must be modified. Instances that require modifications are:
. The preamble is too short;
. The current has been interrupted too early because of a false intervention;
. The recordings after the opening are to be deleted;
. It is desired to reproduce the first fault or the one after reclosure;
. The fault has evolved: only one part of it is to be reproduced.
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These operations can be performed by editing the waveform. It is possible to copy parts of the recording
on other parts; to delete parts that are not relevant; to scale (amplify or reduce) parts of the recording.
Delete and copy involve all channels; scale is performed separately on each channel.

Once the waveform has been rebuilt and completed, by pressing the UPLOAD icon, the transmission
of all data to the test device starts. This procedure may take some time. Once data have been passed to
the instrument, the generation command is sent by pressing the START icon. COMTRADE
automatically sets the range of each current and voltage according to the peak value of each recording. The
instrument will generate the outputs and monitor the trip inputs that have been selected. The timer is started
at the beginning of the recording, and is stopped as soon as all selected trip inputs have tripped, or at the
end of the recording.

If we have to examine a false tripping, we will:

. Cut the recording after the point where current has been removed;
. Copy and paste the fault so that it reaches a duration longer than the expected trip time;
. Start the test and verify that the false intervention is still there;
. Scale down the current channel(s) until no trip occurs. This is the relay threshold in the recorded
conditions; the test is accurate provided that the percentage change with respect to the original recording is
limited (10 - 20%).

For example, if a distance relay tripped in zone 1 while it should have tripped in zone 2, it is necessary to
copy until the current lasts more than zone 2 delay. Then, by scaling down the fault current it is possible to
find which is the actual zone limit. By doing this, the operator must understand which type of fault has been
recorded, compute the corresponding fault impedance and the fault impedance after the current has been
reduced. This procedure is reasonable specially if the fault to be simulated is close to the recorded one.

If instead we have to examine a lack of tripping we will follow the same procedure, but stepping up the
fault current until the intervention occurs. In this instance it is not necessary to increase the fault duration.

If during the execution of the test the instrument senses a fault, the test is stopped and the corresponding
fault is displayed to the operator.

When the test result is achieved, it is possible to save it or to print it. The print command causes the
printout of screen, settings and notes.

If a test result is to be printed, analyzed or reproduced again it is possible to load it from the .RSR files. In
this instance, the program will open the Settings window with the pre-set values. No limitation about scale,
copy, delete.

As an instance, the program comes with the RN18.MDB file. This is the recording of a phase 1 to ground
fault on an isolated line, as seen by a distance relay. The fault impedance is 0.2 Ohm secondary side. If you
have a distance relay, train yourself on COMTRADE as follows.
. Set zone 1 limit at 0.2 Ohm (secondary value);
. Connect the distance relay to the test unit;
. Connect C1 to the trip output;
. Connect also A1 to the over-reach command.
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.This performed, start COMTRADE, open RN18.MDB and confirm the settings and program maximum
time for A1. Upload the file. As upload is completed, start the test and monitor the trip delay.

. If the delay is in zone 2, scale down the voltage of output V1 (fault value = 6.4 V) until the delay becomes
the one of zone 1: the coefficient tells the deviation of the setting from the nominal. When zone 1 is reached,
modify again the coefficient so that the relay comes back to zone 2.
. If the delay is in zone 1, scale up the voltage of output V1 until the delay becomes the one of zone 2: the
coefficient tells the deviation of the setting from the nominal.

. This performed, program a timing for A1 so that the relay senses the over-reach command with the
nominal time delay with respect to fault start. Start again the test: trip delay will become the one of zone 2.

This confirms the operation of both COMTRADE and the relay, and is a good example of use of
COMTRADE.