TDMSPro

Software Platform for

Protective Relay Testing
 TDMSPro - Software Platform for Protective Relay Testing
2

TDMS Pro TDMS Pro licenses for protective relay testing

TDMS Pro is an integrated software platform, designed to effi- Standard Advanced
ciently run tests and manage test data of almost any kind of
electromechanical and digital relay from any manufacturer. Relay Setting Manager x x
From the simplest to the most complex type, it can be used for
DRTS Configurator x x
testing of all types of multifunction protection relays installed
in power transmission and distribution networks, in production Manual Control x x
plants and industries. TDMS Pro allows to quickly and easily Sequencer x x
use the most appropriate software module for the required
application. There are three modules that form the base of the Overcurrent x x
platform: Relay Setting Manager, DRTS Configurator and Test Playback Waveforms x x
Plan Editor. These modules allow the importation of parameters
of the protective relays that are about to be tested and quick Transcope x x
preparation of the tests. Transducers, Energy & PQ Meters x x
The universal test set compatible with TDMS Pro are: DRTS 66,
DRTS 64, DRTS 34 and DRTS 33. Test Plan Editor x
TDMS Pro comes with two license levels, Standard and Advanced. Distance x
Differential x
IEC 61850 x

RSM - Relay Setting Manager

RSM allows to import the protective relay’s setting file of each testing in every software module. Once the settings file has been
protection relay directly in their native format: RIO, XRIO, XML, created, the possible operations are:
TXT, CSV. If the setting file is not available, having Library greatly • Add a protective function
assists the user. the library of protective relays is a list of templa- • Copy a protective function
tes (specific for every user and model of relay) that allows the • Delete a protective function
user to simply copy all the settings from the relay into a correctly • Copy a group of settings
chosen template, thus creating a version of a setting file. All the • Delete a group of settings
major relay producers such as ABB, Siemens, Alstom, Schneider, • Define which group of settings is active
GE, SEL, Nari and many others are available. Once RSM is fully set The settings file can be set as default at the start of each test
up, the relay configuration is automatically made available for module.
 3

DRTS Configurator
DRTS Configurator allows the operator to set the universal relay The creation of a configuration file takes place through a guided
test set in a way that best suits his needs. Once the connection procedure. The procedure helps the operator in choosing the op-
with the PC is established, the optional modules installed in tional devices to be activated to then be used in each test module
DRTS are automatically recognized and are immediately ready to (for example GPS).
be used in each software module for the execution of the tests. In that way, once the connection to the relay test set is establi-
If necessary, the operator can make changes to the configura- shed, the recognition of the present optional modules happens
tion at any point in time, for example by setting the parallel con- automatically.
nection of two current outputs to double the maximum current Working like this, correct reproduction of the front and rear pa-
amplitude. nels of the instrument in use is available. By selecting a specific
section in both panels, the operator is given the opportunity to
change its settings.
 TDMSPro - Software Platform for Protective Relay Testing
4

Test Plan Editor

The complete verification of a multifunctional

protective relay requires an execution of nume-
rous tests in sequence, using different software
modules on the basis of the various protection
functions enabled.
The purpose of Test Plan Editor is to simplify the
creation of complex test sequences. Thanks to its
great flexibility it is possible to recall and reuse
each of the software modules available in TDMS
Pro.
It is also possible to insert instructions to the ope-
rator by combining them with images for a better
understanding of the operations to be performed.
Once started, the sequence can be paused, stop-
ped and finally restarted, starting from the point
where it was interrupted.
Finally, the results of each test will be collected
and printed in a single general report.

Report Manager
TDMS pro is able to create professional reports
for each type of test performed. Thanks to its
great flexibility, it is possible to generate detailed
tables or the ones containing only the most rele-
vant data. Reports can be customized by adding
the company logo on the cover but also on each
page.
 5

TDMS PRO

RELAY SETTINGS RELAY SETTING DRTS CONFIGURATION OF

MANAGER CONFIGURATOR DRTS TEST SET

2 WAYS OF TESTING

TEST MODULES: TEST PLAN EDITOR:

to perform a test of a to perform complex tests
protective function of multifunction relays

Manual
Control Test Plan
Editor

Sequencer

Playback
Waveform

Distance

Overcurrent

Differential
 TDMSPro - Software Platform for Protective Relay Testing
6

Manual Control
This software allows the operator to choose and
set the test parameters with maximum freedom,
exploiting the full potential of the DRTS test set.
Each voltage and current output can have am-
plitude, angle and frequency changed indepen-
dently. The tripping thresholds can be verified
by setting gradual ramp tests or by varying the
quantities generated with continuous slopes.
The test results are displayed in a table or a Car-
tesian graph.

Playback Waveform (Comtrade)

The Playback Waveform module is used for the
accurate representation and reproduction of files
containing the recording of a real fault event. In
this way it is possible to verify the correct or incor-
rect behavior of the protective relay.
Playback Waveform allows a detailed analysis
of the waveforms, evaluating the amplitude and
phase values of each sample of the recording. It
also allows to modify the recorded signals in or-
der to study the behavior of the protection in simi-
lar, but not equal situations, to the real one.
The processing and verification functions are as
follows:
• Variation of amplitudes on the whole recording
or on parts of it
• Cut, copy, paste of the parts of the registration
• Measure the switching times of the relay’s digi-
tal outputs
• Send a logic signal to the relay by switching a
contact
• Calculation of the sequence components for
each sample of the recording
• Display of the evolution of the fault in the im-
pedance plain.

Sequencer
This module allows to create sequences of ope-
rations used to verify the programmable logic
present in the protection relays, such as automa-
tic re-closings or switch on to fault.
Sequencer allows the operator to choose and
set the test parameters with maximum freedom,
thanks to the integration of Relay Setting Mana-
ger. You can import the relay configuration and
perform the simulation of faults.
Each step of the sequence allows to set a condi-
tion which, if fulfilled, lets the operator to proce-
ed with the execution of the next step. The digital
inputs and outputs are freely configurable inde-
pendently in each phase of the sequence.
 7

Distance
This module allows automatic tests to be carri-
ed out on all types and models of distance pro-
tection relays.
Thanks to the integration of the Relay Setting
Manager, it is possible to import the relay confi-
guration in its native RIO, XRIO, XML, TXT or CSV
format and to perform calculations for the simu-
lation of all types of faults (L-N, L-L, LL-N, LLL).
Once the settings of the protection have been
loaded, its functionality can easily be verified by
performing an automatic and complete check.
It is possible to perform an automatic search on
the basis of the tripping times if the parameters
that describe the characteristic are not known.

Overcurrent
This application provides the complete list of
characteristic curves defined by the international
IEC and IEEE standards. In few steps it is possible
to choose the trip curves according to the relay
settings, while through the Relay Setting Mana-
ger it is possible to automatically import the pa-
rameters exported by the protective relay.
The overcurrent characteristic can be expressed
in values of primary side, secondary side or as a
percentage of the rated current.
In the case of directional relays, the setting of the
tripping sector is very flexible, just choose the
convention of the positive angle - clockwise or
counterclockwise, the sequence of phases, enter
the limits of the tripping angles and the directio-
nal elements are ready to be tested.
Also, all functions for checking the protections
for earth faults are available.

Differential
The differential module is divided into two distin-
ct parts, one dedicated to checking the transfor-
mer differentials and the other for checking the
generator differentials.
The application is designed to guide the operator
while setting all the fundamental parameters. By
using the Relay Setting Manager, it is possible to
automatically import the parameters exported
from the relay protection.
The differential currents are calculated by se-
lecting the vector group and the transformer
side, the type of fault (single-phase, phase-pha-
se or three-phase), by indicating whether phase
and homopolar sequence compensation is per-
formed internally by the relay or if it has been
performed through external transformers.
It is also possible to verify the functionality of the
second and fifth harmonic blockings.
The verification of the differential intervention
and of the characteristics of the harmonics can
be performed completely automatically.
 IEC 61850 Energy Meters, Transducers and
Most of the modern protective relays today, as well as many se- PQ Meters
condary equipment use IEC 61850 protocol to exchange informa- This software modules are designed for the automatic test and
tion amongst themselves. TDMS Pro uses a specific application calibration of energy meters, transducers and PQ meters.
to handle this protocol, and this application can be called from
any other function of TDMS Pro. So, while using Distance or Dif- Energy meters
ferential or some other application of TDMS Pro, you can also be Automatic program for checking and calibrating single-pha-
using the IEC 61850 application. se and three-phase energy meters in accordance with IEC 687,
With the IEC 61850 – 8 GOOSE messages - this application allows 60736, 62053-21 standards.
you to explore (sniff) the traffic on Substation Bus. It is also pos- • Calibration of counters in class 0.2 - 0.5 - 1
sible to Publish messages on a Substation Bus. A user can also • Test of counters without sample counter, thanks to the
select a message to be used as Virtual Contact that is later used • high precision of the amplifiers of the DRTS test equipment
to stop the generation of the test set, instead of using the relay’s • Test of counters with sample counter
binary output. Apart from that we can also read the ICD, CID and • Automatic and manual test
SCD files to see the assignment of messages in the protective re- • Customizable test plans
lay or the whole substation. • Automatic calculation of the error.
With the IEC 61850 – 9 – 2 Sampled Values a user can generate
up to 3 streams of 4 currents and 4 voltages and thus simulate up Transducers
to 12 CTs and 12 VTs. The Sampled Values streams can be gene- Automatic program for the verification and calibration of power,
rated simultaneously with the normal voltage and current output voltage, current and frequency transducers.
channels of DRTS. • Automatic and manual test
• Automatic calculation of the error.

PQ Meters
Transcope It allows the automatic testing of quality meters according to the
IEC 61000 - 4 - 30 standard.
Transcope is a module which allows the use of the corresponding This module carries out the tests by checking the following pa-
option installed in DRTS test set. The option must be specified in rameters:
the order. • Frequency variations
With transcope the 10 binary inputs of DRTS can be configured as • Voltage variations
10 analog voltage inputs expanding the performance of the DRTS • Presence of flickers
with the following features: • Voltage and current harmonics / interharmonics
• Three phase voltage and current measurement (with external • Voltage unbalances
clamp or shunts) • Voltage transients.
• Phase angle between imputs
• Frequency
• Harmonic content. Measurement of Total Harmonic Distortion
and and of the distortion of all harmonic components up to
the 40th.
• Oscilloscope
• Analog Transient recorder
• Sequence of event recorder.

www.altanova-group.com
DS TDMSPro EN - REV. 05/2020

TECHIMP - ALTANOVA GROUP ISA - ALTANOVA GROUP IntelliSAW - ALTANOVA GROUP

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