The equipment
The AK31 family of test sets is now available in the new Amperis catalogue. They are rugged, lightweight, high-quality relay test equipment. The most advanced technology has been used in the manufacture of these units, both in their development and in their quality control, resulting in a flexible, accurate, portable and reliable test set. They are a universal solution for testing all generations and types of protection relays.
Amperis supplies relay test equipment under the IEC61850 international standard, which describes the communication between devices within substations (the relay test sets incorporate the IEC61850 communication protocols and configuration modes). In this standard, the traditional method of tripping a circuit breaker through a contact is replaced by a GOOSE (Generic Object Oriented Substation Events) message sent over Ethernet cables or optical fibre. GOOSE messages are in fact binary status signals on the substation network and are used, among other things, to trip the substation protection relays.
The software
The software supplied with these test sets has a redesigned, simple and intuitive user interface that offers powerful functions for carrying out PC-controlled manual tests on all types of protection relays.
The great advantage shared by the modules included in the software, which are detailed below, is the automatic generation of reports. Each module provides a formatted test report. The reports are presented in table or graph form depending on the software module that generated them.
If several modules are used to carry out a test, each module contributes its specific reports to the overall report. This final report can be customised and can easily be printed, saved or exported. In addition, the recorded data will always be available (whether or not it is included in the report) and the defined settings are generated quickly.
The test modules
1.AC & DC test:
This module allows different voltage and current values to be generated through the output channels in a direct way, for testing different types of relays. It gives us simultaneous control of all the available test signals (voltage and current) of the test set in magnitude, phase and frequency, fault calculation with different modes, steady-state, step or ramp function for all magnitudes, synchronism measurements and vector diagram.
2.Ramping Test:
This module allows different ramps to be generated on the output variables, as well as the conditions (or triggers) that activate them. Min. and max. values of pick-up currents, power, direction… and tolerance ranges can be defined for the final result, as well as complex time calculations.
The Ramping module determines limit values and generates amplitude, phase or frequency ramps for the voltage and current outputs. Automated tests with ramps can be carried out, allowing simple and complex functions to be tested and even 2 simultaneous synchronised ramps of different variables.
3. Overcurrent Test:
This module is a specific module for quickly and easily testing the curves of directional overcurrent relays with automatic evaluation of the tripping time characteristic. Thanks to the flexible definition of directional limits, it is also suitable for testing the characteristic of steady-state earth fault relays.
The software overlays the characteristics of each of the elements on the I/t diagram and on the directional diagram, and includes all the elements that react to the type of fault applied.
4. State Sequence:
This module allows different states to be defined for testing complex relay logic, and is particularly suitable for tests such as multiple auto-reclosing. There are 8 controllable test states to be used according to the operator’s purpose.
When choosing the binary inputs, two options are available: “Logic OR”, meaning that the logic is activated when any of the selected inputs are activated; or “Logic AND”, which requires all the selected binary signals to be active.
5.Distance Protection:
This module allows the fixed parameters of distance relays to be calibrated, and an analysis to be made of the sensitivity and reliability of the action of each section of the distance protection.
It allows distance relay tests to be defined and carried out through impedance evaluations using simple trip definitions in the Z plane.
The parameter setting consists of three parts: parameter configuration in the RIO file, test configuration, and configuration of the binary inputs and outputs.
6.Differential Rate Protection:
This module is a compact solution for testing differential protection relays. It allows the inverse restraint characteristic of a digital transformer, generator and electric motor to be tested automatically.
It carries out single-phase tests of the operating characteristic and of the blocking function. This software module also tests the harmonic restraint function.
7.Reclose test:
This module is mainly used for distance, zero sequence and other line protection characteristics, simulating a wide variety of single-phase, two-phase and three-phase systems, including transients and permanent faults for testing entire groups.
With the “reclose” function, line differential, distance or overcurrent relays can be tested. With the built-in Fault calculation function, it calculates the output voltages and currents for the different types of fault. The test sequence is shown as a function of time and a list of events with their evaluations is presented.
8.Synchronizer test:
This module is mainly used to test the action on voltage and frequency, angle, time, pulse control- V/F, auto-synchronising devices… It simulates 2 systems that are to be synchronised, one representing the grid (fixed amplitude and frequency) and the other representing the generator or system to be synchronised (variable amplitude and frequency). A built-in synchroscope shows the voltage vector of the system to be synchronised with respect to the moment of synchronisation.
9.Fault Recurrence (COMTRADE transient analysis):
This module is used for the playback of standard COMTRADE (Common Format for Transient Data Exchange) format files through the outputs of the test set. This module allows:
• Support for files in COMTRADE format.
• Current and voltage configuration for each channel.
• Improves the original sampling on playback by interpolating the original data.
• Trips or triggers by GPS or keyboard.
• Multiple repetition of a part of the data.
• A new channel’s data can be generated from operations with the data of the others.
• The output range of the playback can be configured.
10.Time Characteristic:
This test module contains v/t, f/t and v/f-t test items, to test the voltage action of the time characteristic of the voltage relay, to test the frequency action of the time characteristic of the frequency relay and to test overexcitation, respectively.
SPECIAL MODULES (They are optional and are purchased separately):
11.Power Swing: This module uses a two-machine system model for power swing simulations, mainly to test generators outside the protection range, tripping devices, effects on distance relays… In test mode, the user can change the binary inputs and outputs, changing the fault condition.
12.Frequency Test: This module is mainly used for frequency protection, undervoltage load shedding, undercurrent load shedding…
_13.Standard Meter – Multifunction meter: _This optional module acts as a multifunction meter and allows current and voltage input values to be collected and displayed on screen. Currents, voltage, phases and frequency are shown in real time.
_14.Recorder – Transient recorder: _This optional module acts as a recorder before and during the fault, for various changing electrical conditions. It is used to analyse the causes of a given electrical problem and the performance of the protection devices.
15.Energy Meter Calibration: This optional module (purchased separately) allows electronic or electromechanical energy meters to be calibrated. Once the parameters of a meter have been configured, they can be stored for later use. The targets to be met by the meter can be edited and selected.
_16.Transmitter Calibration: _This optional module (purchased separately) allows standard and multifunction, three-phase and single-phase power transmitters to be calibrated.
For more information about the software or the equipment, please visit the following link:
Gustavo Cedrón