20 Products and technology

Products and technology

Simulation-based testing
New RelayLabTest CMC software revolutionizes type
and acceptance testing for protective relays

OMICRON Magazine | Volume 3 Issue 1 2012

 Products and technology 21

With RelayLabTest, OMICRON is getting ready to launch a new

and unique software product that fundamentally changes the
type and acceptance testing of protective relays. For the first
time, in-depth system tests can be performed based on a net-
work simulation by those without expert knowledge or program-
ming skills. Diverse evaluation functions and integrated statistical
analyses provide valuable assistance when performing compre-
hensive assessments of protective devices.

Modern, highly integrated protective relays
present test engineers with major chal-
lenges. Complimentary and sometimes
overlapping protection functions can make
it extremely difficult to isolate and test
certain individual functions. Comparing
protective relays can also be made difficult
by the fact that each manufacturer is fo-
cused on something different that relates
to specific individual functions.
Answers provided by a new approach
Testing methods that are not focused on
individual functions but rather examine
the overall behavior of a protective device
can offer a way out of this scenario. The
relay is treated like a kind of black box,
which grants no access or insights into its
inner workings. Therefore, the only thing
that is assessed is behavior that can be
observed from outside of it.
Ideally, tests using this method should be
performed under conditions that are as
realistic as possible. A transient network
model is ideal for such applications. It
allows test quantities to be generated that
reflect reality far more accurately than
those based on sine waves, which are
traditionally used.
A new standard for type testing
The practical problems associated with
testing modern relays have been discussed
many times at industry conferences.
Standardization committees have also
recognized this problem and devised new
procedures for testing protective relays. For
example, the IEC 60255-121 standard for
type testing of distance protection relays is
currently in the process of being approved.
In the future, this standard will require the
use of transient network models.
In addition to the practical, real-world
evaluation of protective equipment,
another objective of the IEC 60255-121
standard is to make it easier to compare
devices that have been produced by dif-
ferent manufacturers with one another.
Particularly when it comes to distance
protection, different tripping characteris-
tics are employed and different definitions
concerning operating speed, etc. exist. The
goal is to make it easier for users to com-
pare different protective relays through
systematic testing with results that can be
documented uniformly. This should give
them a proper overview that will assist
them in finding the most suitable device in
each case.
The development of RelayLabTest
IEC 60255-121 represents an important
starting point in the development of
RelayLabTest. OMICRON’s goal was to
create a solution that was capable of
performing all of the simulation tests and
evaluations prescribed by this standard.
However, another important aspect was
for users to be able to define and perform

OMICRON Magazine | Volume 3 Issue 1 2012

 The flexible Network Editor in RelayLabTest
allows networks/grids to be modeled freely in
order to reflect real-world configurations.

Even complex fault scenarios and auto-

reclosure sequences are easy to simulate.

Integrated analysis functions allow conclusions

to be drawn regarding any weaknesses
in the protective device. (This screenshot shows
an SIR diagram in line with IEC 60255-121.)

OMICRON Magazine | Volume 3 Issue 1 2012


similar tests not included in the standard.
The ease of use should also guarantee
that protection engineers are able to work
effectively with the software without par-
ticipating in tedious training.
Modern testing equipment for
modern relays
The use of simulation-based testing with
RelayLabTest not only offers a wide range
of opportunities for manufacturers of
protective relays, it also supports electricity
supply companies who want to conduct
accurate investigations into the behavior
of devices in different situations. The
functional scope of the software covers
everything that is needed to define tests,
control the CMC testing device and to
evaluate the results.
Tests that are quick and
easy to set up
Networks can be modeled freely using
the intuitive editor. The events are then
defined in the network plan, examples
include fault inception, switching to exist-
ing faults or autoreclosure cycles. Even the
way circuit breakers react to the com-
mands from their associated relays can be
simulated realistically. This allows complex
fault scenarios and switching sequences to
be created readily.
Automatic parameter adjustment
When performing extensive testing, fault
or network parameters can be selected
freely and then varied between test shots
automatically. In certain circumstances,
this kind of in-depth testing can include
thousands of individual tests intended to
»Networks can be freely modeled
using the intuitive editor.«
highlight any weaknesses that may exist
in the algorithms employed by the protec-
tive devices. The test variables are output
directly via the OMICRON CMC testing
devices and optional amplifiers. Protective
systems comprising multiple relays (e.g.
line differential protection) can be tested
together as a complete system. This repre-
sents a major advantage when addressing
more complex issues.
Evaluation and analysis
Definable time values allow the reaction
of a test object in a defined scenario to be
evaluated automatically. This allows users
to quickly determine whether the respec-
tive protective requirements have been
met or not. The analysis functions offered
by the software demonstrate their true
potential when performing extensive test-
ing. The statistical distribution of the trig-
ger time allows conclusions to be drawn
about the algorithm being employed by
particular protective devices. The display of
measured times based on varied param-
eters (e.g. Off command time against
fault location) also offers insights into any
fundamental weaknesses in the protection.
Within the scope of the analyses, different
test cases can easily be compared with one
another. Examples of this include cases
with high and low power feed, with and
without transformer saturation, or with
old and new firmware. All of the results
from the individual tests, as well as all
of the statistically determined data, is
available for use in documentation or for
further evaluation (e.g. in Microsoft Excel)
via the export function.
OMICRON Magazine | Volume 3 Issue 1 2012
Products and technology 23
Faster and easier
RelayLabTest makes the practical evalua-
tion of protective relays faster and easier
than ever before. The unique integration
of simulation, testing and analysis allows
manufacturers to perform fast, compre-
hensive type testing.
Power supply companies in particular, can
now benefit from the ability to be able to
analyze the behavior of protective equip-
ment in their own grid configurations.
Comparative tests can also be performed
easily every time the relay’s settings are
changed or its firmware is updated.
RelayLabTest also provides valuable as-
sistance in selecting the most suitable
protective equipment for a particular
application.
Additional services
In addition to the RelayLabTest software,
OMICRON also offers complementary
services at its laboratories in Erlangen /
Germany. Relay tests can be performed for
manufacturers and power supply compa-
nies in line with IEC 60255-121, including
special customer requests. The service offer
is rounded out by including consulting
services and training courses that cover
protective relay type and acceptance tests.
www.omicron.at/relaylabtest