SCAT for relay protection

Due to the high complexity of modern protection devices traditional protection testing causes problems that lead to a significant increase in equipment failure and time loss in terms of maintenance (adjustment, preventive control).

In our opinion the only effective means to control correct implementation of new protection devices (for example, during new construction or complete reconstruction of energy facilities) is a systematic approach to testing with the help of automation. This approach allows us to ensure function control of protection and automation devices in close to real life operating conditions.

Scientific-production enterprise Select provides software, testing equipment and services related to SCAT (System of complex automatic testing for relay protection) implementation to ensure effective and quality maintenance of protection devices.

PURPOSE

SCATsoftware designed by scientific-production enterprise Select is intended for automation of relay protection testing. It is a universal tool which lets you create any scenario for automatic testing of protection and automation functions. It is realized through describing a sequence of single modes characterized by a combination of analog and binary signals set for a certain time period. The signals are generated by the test set. The mode shift depends on protection commands (logical signals) received by the test set (for example, transition to a single test of current-free mode after CB trip command). Simultaneously during test programming via SCAT you can set expected combinations of protection output signals, which should appear if protection system operates correctly.

The software is designed for manufacturers, commissioning and operating personnel for commissioning testing, acceptance and periodic maintenance of relay protection devices.

SCAT implementation will let you:

• test terminals with the final version of configuration software and operation threshold values, that is, re-parameterization and approximation of operation parameters is not required. This is the main condition for adequate assessment of modern MP protection performance, in which output of one function often affects behavior of others.
• save time while testing similar relay protection equipment, such as relay protection complexes for outgoing bays, feeders, etc.

KEY FEATURES

• convenient and clear interface;
• compliant with Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7;
• joint work with testing equipment of RETOM series by “Dynamics” (RETOM-51/61, input/output expansion module RET-64/32, switching module RET-61850, GPS time synchronization module RET-GPS);
• ability to manage a significant number of analog and digital channels, and control of digital GOOSE – messages (depending on test set);
• storing of test algorithms and ability to repeat tests even during maintenance;
• saving test results in standard test reports;
• easy analysis of disturbance records of analog and binary values and event window;
• ability to generate close to real life signals on the basis of simple mathematical models;

An important feature of the software is its ability of overall testing both within a single protection device, and within a substation. It is provided by:

• easy scalability of test set due to the possibility of using any number of RETOM devices, which are controlled simultaneously and synchronously;
• control of GOOSE messages (IEC 61850) via Ethernet and their use in the test algorithm;
• possibility of synchronous analog signals issuing from test sets located at a considerable distance from each other, using GPS-synchronization (based on RET-GPS modules);