3.
6 Fault Recorder
- Fault recorder refers to a device in power systems used to record the dynamic changes of analog quantities such as current and
voltage at various points in the power grid, as well as switch quantities (status quantities) during grid faults or abnormalities.
- Fault recorder devices are important equipment in modern power grids, and fault recording data is an important basis for
evaluating relay protection action behavior and analyzing system and equipment faults. The widely used microcomputer
recorders are automatic fault recording devices with data acquisition systems composed of single-chip computers or DSP digital
processors, and data storage, management, and analysis units using industrial control computers. Their characteristics include
strong memory function, large storage capacity, ability to perform fault timing, fault type identification, fault parameter and event
sequence recording, and ability to implement remote data transmission and facilitate background analysis.
Types of Fault Recorders
- Fault recording devices can be divided into transmission line fault recording devices and main equipment fault recording
devices according to their purposes. Currently, fault recording in power systems can be implemented in two ways as needed: one
is to configure dedicated fault recording devices and use the communication function of the local monitoring system to transmit
the results to remote dispatching in a timely manner; the other is to use the recording plugin in the microcomputer protection
device for recording and distance calculation, and transmit the results to the monitoring system, which stores and prints the
waveforms.
Functions of Fault Recorders
1 Analysis of Protection Behavior
Based on the recorded current, voltage, and protection device status (switch quantities) to analyze whether the behavior of relay protection and safety automatic dev
2 Fault Location Guidance
Based on the fault distance measurement results output by the recording device during system faults, guide the search for fault points.
3 Equipment Status Analysis
Based on the changes in current and voltage of various components during system faults, analyze the working status of transformers, circuit breakers, and other com
4 Accident Response
When a system accident occurs, dispatchers can quickly understand the accident situation based on the fault recording analysis reports transmitted to the
dispatch terminal from various nodes of the power system, accelerating the accident handling process.
5 System Analysis
Can be used to analyze the variation patterns of electrical parameters in the dynamic process of the system, and to verify the correctness of power system
calculation programs and model parameters.
6 System Planning
Analyze the transient process and power flow of the power system under fault and abnormal conditions, used to guide the construction of the power
system and the arrangement of operation modes.
3.6.1 Microcomputer Fault Recorder
Backend Software Functions Working Process
• Display operating status Before a fault occurs, all green LEDs indicating operation on
• Manage recorder operating parameters and startup settings the device are lit, and other lights are off. If the parameters
connected to one or several CPUs meet the startup conditions,
• Analyze and calculate recording data
the device starts, and all CPU plugins equipped with the
• Send recording data and analysis results to the fault
device start, and the device sends a call signal, which is
information management system
shown by the "Report Available" lights on each CPU plugin
and the call light (call) on the alarm plugin all lighting up
At the same time, the backend machine automatically powers
(red).
on and begins to receive fault data from the front-end
machine. At this time, there will be instructions on the display
screen of the backend machine, receiving time, fault situation,
and completion of reception. After calculation and processing,
it automatically outputs an emergency table of fault analysis.
At this time, you can operate the computer according to your
wishes. If no further operation is needed, you can press the
reset button on the screen, then the backend machine powers
off, and at the same time, the call light of the front-end
machine goes out. The device returns to normal operating
state.
Fault Recorder Device Working Process Flow Chart
3.6.2 Input Quantities and Trigger Quantities for Fault Recorders
Available Trigger Quantities
Voltage Triggers Frequency Triggers
• • Frequency too high, too low limit trigger
Phase voltage and zero sequence voltage sudden change trigger
• Positive sequence voltage over-voltage limit, under- • Frequency change rate trigger
voltage limit trigger
• Negative sequence voltage, zero sequence voltage limit trigger
Current Triggers Other Triggers
• 10% current change within 1.5s trigger • Switch position change trigger
• Phase current sudden change trigger • Long-term low voltage, low frequency trigger
• Phase current, negative sequence current, zero • High-frequency signal
sequence current limit trigger • Manual or remote trigger
• Main transformer neutral point current limit trigger
1. 220kV Fault Recorder Input Quantity Circuits
When a power system fault occurs, the type and nature of the power system fault can be analyzed through the fault recording
graph. In order to comprehensively analyze the protection action process, the analog quantities and switch quantities connected
to the recorder should be as comprehensive as possible. The switch quantities that should be connected to the 220kV recorder
include the following three parts:
1 2 3
Line Part Main Transformer Part Bus Differential Protection
• •
Part
Line protection's phase-by-phase Main transformer protection trip
output commands, three-trip output commands • Differential protection output
commands, permanent trip • Circuit breaker auxiliary contacts signals (divided into I bus
commands, reclosing commands and other signals differential, II bus differential)
• Transceiver's receiving output contacts • Charging protection output signals
• Failure protection startup contacts • Failure startup contact signals
• Operation box's phase-by-phase
output commands and reclosing
• commands
Circuit breaker auxiliary contacts
and other signals
Analog Quantities to be Connected
220kV line, bypass, bus tie circuit breaker and Transformer low voltage side three-phase current,
transformer high and medium voltage side three-phase transformer side current quantities must be connected to
currents and zero sequence current; the same recorder, and each side current should be
taken from the main transformer bushing current
transformer;
220kV bus voltage transformer's three-phase to ground Longitudinal protection communication channel signals.
voltages and zero sequence voltage, and zero sequence
voltage should be taken from open delta voltage;
220kV Fault Recorder Input Quantity Circuit Diagram
220kV LF Line Primary Connection Diagram
1) AC Voltage Input Circuit
The 220kV bus is a double bus connection method. The fault recorder is connected to the secondary voltage of the first winding of
the I and II bus voltage transformers. 1GWJ and 2GWJ are the contacts of the heavy-duty relays of the 220kV I and II bus voltage
transformer primary isolation switches, respectively. When the isolation switch is pushed up, the corresponding contacts close,
and each phase voltage is connected to the fault recorder through the voltage parallel and switching device RCS-9663D. Zero
sequence voltage is connected externally, rather than using self-produced zero sequence voltage. The fault recorder voltage
startup methods include over-voltage startup, under-voltage startup, zero sequence voltage over-limit startup, negative sequence
voltage over-limit startup, phase voltage sudden change startup, and zero sequence voltage sudden change startup.
2) AC Current Input Circuit
The fault recorder is connected to the secondary first winding current of the LF line 211 circuit breaker current transformer. The
circuit load also includes CSL-101B and CSI-101C protection devices. The fault recorder is connected at the end of the circuit, so
if a fault recorder test needs to be done during operation, it can be taken out of operation without affecting the normal operation
of the line protection. The fault recorder current startup methods include phase current over-limit startup, phase current sudden
change startup, negative sequence current over-limit startup, zero sequence current over-limit startup, etc.
3) Switch Quantity Input Circuit
The switch quantities connected include: CSL-101B's single trip, three trip, and permanent trip contacts. RCS-901B's A, B, C
phase trip, reclosing action, and startup transmission contacts. RCS-923A protection trip and startup failure contacts,
transceiver's receiving output contacts.
4) High-Frequency Quantity Input Circuit
The high-frequency quantities connected include: high- 1. The fault recorder can use 24V as the switch quantity
frequency channel recording of transceiver GSF-6A and power supply for connecting indoor switch quantities. If it
transceiver LFX-912. needs to connect circuit breaker auxiliary contacts, strong
Precautions: electricity should be used as the switch quantity power
supply to improve anti-interference ability.
1. Considering that when individually inspecting the
recorder, the related intervals are all in operation, a large
number of safety measures need to be implemented.
Especially since the TA secondary winding is tight, the
situation where the recorder shares TA windings with
protection and safety automatic devices is becoming more
common. When individually inspecting the recorder, a
slight carelessness may cause these devices to
malfunction. Therefore, under the premise of ensuring
safety, the relevant analog and switch quantity channels
connected to the recorder in the same interval should be
checked at the same time as the protection device
inspection work.
2. Operation and Maintenance of Fault Recorders
(1) Daily Operation and Maintenance Work for Fault Recorders
1 2
Daily Inspection Monthly Testing
During daily patrol, check that the fault recorder screen operation Manually record once a month to check if the recorder can work normally.
indicator lights are normally lit, and other alarm lights are off.
3 4
Fault Response System Management
When a fault occurs, if the recording graph is not automatically Operating personnel should not arbitrarily shut down the backend
printed, it can be manually started to print. computer, exit the main control program, or restart the main
control program.
After the recorder is activated, operating personnel should
immediately print out the fault report, report to relevant
departments and superior dispatching. Then press the cancel
button on the panel, reset the recording alarm signal, and notify
relay protection personnel to take away the recording data.
(2) Precautions for Fault Recorder Operation and Maintenance
Time Checking Daily Inspection
Operating personnel should check the device clock once a Operating personnel should conduct a daily inspection of
week to ensure the correct recording time. the equipment, paying attention to various alarm signals
and the power indicator lights of the power supply box. If
there is an alarm signal, it should be reported and handled
promptly.
Alarm Reset Equipment Cleaning
When the device starts, operating personnel can only reset When cleaning the equipment, please pay attention to the
the reset button on the alarm board and must not perform current terminal lead wires to prevent disconnection.
any other operations.
Printing Supplies Abnormal Handling
The substation must ensure that the recorder has enough When operating personnel find that the device clock is
printing paper and is installed correctly. inaccurate or the recorder's status is abnormal, they
should report it promptly for early resolution.
3. Analysis Methods for Fault Recording Graphs
(1) Fault Type Identification
Grounded vs. Ungrounded Short Circuits Single-Phase vs. Multi-Phase Faults
All grounded short circuits have zero sequence current For single-phase short circuits, the current waveform
and zero sequence voltage waveforms, while ungrounded amplitude of this fault phase increases, and the voltage
phase-to-phase short circuits have no zero sequence waveform amplitude decreases, with obvious changes; for
current. multi-phase faults, there are obvious changes in two or
three phase current and voltage waveforms
simultaneously.
Short Circuit Faults vs. Line Break Faults Evolving or Converting Faults
The current of the short circuit fault phase increases, Development from a single-phase fault to a two-phase or
while the current of the line break fault phase drastically even three-phase fault, or conversion from a single-phase
decreases or becomes zero. fault to another phase or even two other phases.
(2) Determination of Fault Phase
For any fault phase, its current and voltage waveforms will simultaneously have significant jumps, i.e., current increases and voltage decre
(3) Circuit Breaker Opening and Closing Conditions
1 2
Opening Time Arc Extinction Analysis
(Including protection action time and circuit breaker's For good arc extinction, the current and voltage waveforms
inherent opening time). The time from the beginning of the of the fault phase should have obvious jumps, and the
fault to the first jump in the electrical quantities of the waveform of the fault phase should drastically decrease or
fault phase is the circuit breaker opening time. If the become zero; otherwise, there is an arc-drawing
digital quantity of the circuit breaker position change is phenomenon, i.e., poor arc extinction.
connected, its opening time can be observed more clearly
and directly from the waveform diagram.
Reclosing Analysis
When the fast protection on both sides of the line trips, the time between the first jump and the second jump of the electrical
quantities of the fault phase is the reclosing time. If the reclosing is successful, the current and voltage of each phase return to
the normal load state, the three phases should be symmetrical, with no zero sequence current and zero sequence voltage; if the
reclosing is unsuccessful, the current increases and the voltage decreases again, causing the waveform to change again. For
systems that do not allow non-full-phase operation, all three phases should trip when reclosing is unsuccessful, at which time the
current of each phase should be zero. For repetitive faults, if the charging is not completed after the last reclosing action, then
even a single-phase fault will directly trip all three phases and the reclosing will not operate.
Oscillation Waveform
When the system oscillates, its current and voltage waveforms will undergo periodic gradual changes. The oscillation current and
voltage change from small to large, and then from large to small. The time between two maximum or minimum values in the
waveform change is the oscillation period.
(4) Measurement of Fault Current and Voltage Values
In the analysis software, there is a function to measure electrical quantities, such as the instantaneous and effective values of
current and voltage, which can measure the value of any point as the mouse moves. The primary value can be directly obtained
under the known equipment ratio.
The fault phase current (Ic) of Line AB
significantly increases, the fault phase voltage
(Uc) decreases to varying degrees, and zero
sequence voltage (3U0) and zero sequence
current (I0) appear. After the fault is cleared,
the fault phase current becomes zero, the fault
phase voltage also becomes zero after both
ends are opened, the zero sequence current
becomes very small, close to zero, but there is
still a large zero sequence voltage. The moment
when the fault phase current becomes zero is
the moment when the fault is cleared, and the
moment when the fault phase load current
appears or fault current appears again
(referring to reclosing onto a permanent fault)
is the reclosing moment. After this reclosing
action, there is still fault current in the fault
phase, indicating that it reclosed onto a
permanent fault. Before the circuit breaker
accelerated three-phase tripping, it developed
into a B-C phase-to-phase fault.
The characteristics of the
waveform of the adjacent line
to the fault line are: the
current of the same phase as
the fault line increases
significantly, and zero
sequence current and zero
sequence voltage appear at
the same time, but after the
fault is cleared, the current of
the fault phase does not
become zero, but changes to
load current. Zero sequence
voltage and zero sequence
current all become zero,
which is the biggest difference
from the fault line.
(5) Key Points for Analyzing Short Circuit Fault Recording Graphs
1) Key Points for Analyzing Single-Phase Ground Short Circuit Fault Recording Graphs
Current and Voltage Changes Phase Relationships
① One phase current increases, another phase voltage ③ Zero sequence current phase is in the same direction as
decreases; zero sequence current and zero sequence the fault phase current, zero sequence voltage is in the
voltage appear. opposite direction to the fault phase voltage.
② The phase with increased current and decreased voltage
is the same phase. ④ Fault phase voltage leads fault phase current by about
80°; zero sequence current leads zero sequence voltage by
about 110°.
2) Key Points for Analyzing Two-Phase Short Circuit Fault Recording Graphs
Current and Voltage Changes Phase Relationships
① Two phase currents increase, two phase voltages ③ The two fault phase currents are basically in opposite directions.
decrease; no zero sequence current or zero sequence
④ The fault phase-to-phase voltage leads the fault phase-to-
voltage.
② The phases with increased current and decreased phase current by about 80°.
voltage are the same two phases.
3) Key Points for Analyzing Two-Phase Ground Short Circuit Fault Recording Graphs
Current and Voltage Changes Phase Relationships
① Two phase currents increase, two phase voltages ③ Zero sequence current phase is between the two fault
decrease; zero sequence current and zero sequence phase currents.
voltage appear.
② The phases with increased current and decreased ④ The fault phase-to-phase voltage leads the fault phase-to-
voltage are the same two phases. phase current by about 80°; zero sequence current leads
zero sequence voltage by about 110°.
4) Key Points for Analyzing Three-Phase Short Circuit Fault Recording Graphs
Current and Voltage Changes Phase Relationships
① Three phase currents increase, three phase voltages ② Fault phase voltage leads fault phase current by about 80°.
decrease; no zero sequence current or zero sequence
③ Fault phase-to-phase voltage leads fault phase-to-phase
voltage.
current by also about 80°.
4. Contents of Recording Reports and Operational Requirements for Fault
Recording Devices
Recording Report Contents
Recording reports should include the bureau (plant), substation name where the recorder is located, the model and voltage level of the
recorder, the name and number of the fault line (transformer), the recording date and time of the fault, a brief description of the system fault,
protection action analysis, and conclusions.
Operational Requirements
Automatic fault recording devices should reliably start when system faults or system oscillations occur, recording relevant electrical
parameters in the system. At the same time, the recorded waveforms and data should be analyzed to meet the following requirements:
Accident Analysis Protection Evaluation
(1) Correctly analyze the causes of accidents, clearly understand (2) Based on the recorder waveform diagram, the correctness of
the current status of the system, promptly handle accidents, and the actions of relay protection devices and automatic devices can
apply to preventive measures. The waveform diagrams recorded be correctly evaluated, which can be used to discover device
by the recording device under fault conditions can correctly defects.
reflect the fault type, phase, current and voltage values, circuit
breaker opening and closing times, and reclosing action, which
can be used to quickly analyze and determine the cause of the
accident.
Fault Location System Analysis
(3) Based on the current and voltage values and fault (4) Can analyze and study system oscillation patterns.
distance measurement values displayed on the recording
diagram, a relatively accurate range of the fault location
can be given, facilitating fault finding.
Equipment Defect Detection Parameter Measurement
(5) Recording diagrams can provide materials for (6) Can measure system parameters.
converting faults and non-full-phase operation re-faults,
used to discover primary equipment defects, eliminate
hidden dangers in a timely manner, and provide a basis for
improving equipment operation levels.
Fault recording devices play a very important role in ensuring the safe operation of power systems. At the same time, they can
also accumulate operating experience, improve operation levels, and are an important part of equipment operation status
analysis that cannot be missing.
Summary of Fault Recorders
Key Functions Operational Benefits
• Record dynamic changes during grid faults • Faster accident response
• Provide data for protection behavior analysis • More accurate fault analysis
• Guide fault location searches • Better equipment maintenance
• Analyze equipment working status • Improved system reliability
• Support system planning and operation • Enhanced operational knowledge
Fault recorders are essential components in modern power systems, providing critical data for both immediate fault response and
long-term system improvement. Their ability to capture detailed waveforms during system disturbances makes them invaluable
tools for protection engineers, system operators, and maintenance personnel.
