Documenti di Didattica
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Author
Matthias Gromeier | matthias.gromeier@omicron.at
Date
17th April 2014 (1st version 7th December 2010)
Application Area
Protection Systems, Power Utility Communication
Key words
IRIG-B protocol, GPS, PermaSync, PMU, line differential protection, synchronization
Version
v1.1
Document ID
ANS_10012_ENU
Abstract
The necessity of synchronized protection testing exists at least since the introduction of the first line
differential protection relays which communicate via fiber optic cables to compare the current values.
OMICRON has offered this option of synchronizing two test sets since 1993 [1].
Synchronization using the CMIRIG-B, which is described in the present Application Note, is particularly
suitable for testing high-precision components such as Phasor Measurement Units. It also offers the user a
quick method for starting a synchronized test without requiring GPS signals. This Application Note is
intended as a quick setup guide since most users do not regularly use the CMIRIG-B and since the settings
to be made for testing with the CMIRIG-B are rather complex. Hence, this document provides instructions for
performing a synchronized test quickly and reliably using IRIG-B.
© OMICRON Page 1 of 24
General information
OMICRON electronics GmbH including all international branch offices is henceforth referred to as
OMICRON.
The product information, specifications, and technical data embodied in this application note represent the
technical status at the time of writing and are subject to change without prior notice.
We have done our best to ensure that the information given in this application note is useful, accurate and
entirely reliable. However, OMICRON does not assume responsibility for any inaccuracies which may be
present.
OMICRON translates this application note from the source language English into a number of other
languages. Any translation of this document is done for local requirements, and in the event of a dispute
between the English and a non-English version, the English version of this note shall govern.
All rights including translation reserved. Reproduction of any kind, for example, photocopying, microfilming,
optical character recognition and/or storage in electronic data processing systems, requires the explicit
consent of OMICRON. Reprinting, wholly or partly, is not permitted.
© OMICRON 2014. All rights reserved. This application note is a publication of OMICRON.
DANGER
Death or severe injury caused by high voltage or current if the respective
protective measures are not complied.
Carefully read and understand the content of this application note as well as
the manuals of the involved systems before starting its practical application.
Please contact OMICRON before you continue the process if you do not
understand the safety instructions, operating instructions, or parts of it.
Follow each instruction mentioned there especially the safety instructions
since this is the only way to avoid danger that can occur when working at
high voltage or high current systems.
Furthermore, only use the involved equipment according to its intended
purpose to guarantee a safe operation.
Existing national safety standards for accident prevention and
environmental protection may supplement the equipment’s manual.
Only experienced and competent professionals that are trained for working in high voltage or high current
environments may perform this application note. Additional the following qualifications are required:
• authorized to work in environments of energy generation, transmission or distribution and familiar with
the approved operating practices in such environments.
• familiar with the five safety rules.
• good knowledge of the CMC test sets and Test Universe.
IRIG or "Inter Range Instrumentation Group Timecode" refers to a group of time codes that were
developed beginning in 1956 [2]. They are used for transmitting time signals from a master to several slaves.
The most well-known application of the IRIG protocol is the WWV time signal radio station in the USA. The
signal is broadcast from Fort Collins in Colorado and makes it possible for radio stations and radio controlled
clocks to synchronize the time via IRIG-H. In Germany, a similar function is provided by the time signal radio
station DCF77 in Mainflingen.
IRIG-B is one of these time codes and described completely in the IRIG standard, revision 200-04 [2]. The
protocol consists of a 1s frame containing 100 pulses with a duration of 10 ms. Each of these pulses
represents one bit. A frame with a length of 1 s therefore contains the complete time information.
As shown in Figure 1, the CMIRIG-B is connected to the ext. Interface on the rear of the CMC test set. Use
the port labeled CMC on your CMIRIG-B interface box for this purpose. The other ports of the CMIRIG-B
used later on for the synchronization process include the IRIG-B OUT output for use of the CMIRIG-B as a
master and the IRIG-B/PPS IN input for operation as a slave.
It is also possible to use a GPS receiver as an external time base for the CMIRIG-B. However, the GPS time
is not required for simple synchronization of two test sets since its use does not influence the accuracy of
synchronization. Nevertheless the use of the CMGPS 588 and CMGPS will be described in more detail in
chapter 5. The function of the PPX OUT output (configurable pulse output, e.g. PPS = pulse per second) is
not covered in detail in this Application Note. For more information about this and the other ports, please
refer to the CMIRIG-B reference manual [3] stored on your PC within the Test Universe documentation.
3.2 Which Test Universe modules can be used for synchronized testing
with IRIG-B?
The following modules of the Test Universe software are compatible with IRIG-B:
> State Sequencer
> Advanced Diff. Configuration
> Advanced Diff. Operating Characteristic
> Pulse Ramping (Test Universe 2.411 and higher)
> PQ Signal Generator
> NetSim
> EnerLyzer (this module provides time synchronization of signal recordings)
> Advanced TransPlay ( to start the synchronized playback of two or more recordings)
1 In modes other than Direct Mode and for df/dt ramps only full seconds will be executed for all time settings for synchronized operation.
When configuring a slave, you may also leave the standard settings as shown in Figure 5.
Set the Time Trigger Configuration as shown in Figure 7. It is important that the start time for both
computers (i.e., for master and slave) is set the same.
If the Current local time displayed should not yet be correct and/or synchronous for both computers, this is
not unusual. The time is transmitted from the master PC to the slave PC only after test start. After the start,
the Current local time will be set correctly and the time for the next possible start will be updated.
You should also note that the time appearing as Current local time in the Time Trigger Configuration is
overwritten by the Hardware Configuration if there the Set date and time at test start function is
activated.
Example for the function "Set date and time at test start":
If a current local time of 12:55 o'clock (as shown in Figure 7) is specified in the Time Trigger Configuration
before test start, you will assume that the first trigger occurs in five minutes if you set the start time (see also
Figure 7) of the trigger to 13:00 o'clock. However, if you set a start time of 12:00 o'clock in the Hardware
Configuration (as shown in Figure 8) and the option Set date and time at test start is selected, the
Current local time will be overwritten at test start and the next trigger will arrive after one hour.
The following chapters describe the settings that are necessary to perform a successful synchronized test
with the individual test modules.
Start the measurement on the master first, since it will then begin to transmit the time signal and
update the slave. Start the test on the slave only after this. This is especially important if you
selected the option Set date and time at test start in the Hardware Configuration.
4.2.2 Advanced differential modules: diff. configuration and diff. operating characteristic
The following instruction refers to the Diff. Configuration and Diff. Operating Characteristic modules. For the
Diff. Trip Time Characteristic and Diff. Harmonic Restraint modules, it is not possible to synchronize a test.
When using the Diff. Configuration module, please note the information at the end of this chapter. All of the
screenshots in this chapter were taken from the Diff. Configuration module. However, in the Diff. Operating
Characteristic module you will find the settings for synchronized testing at the same place.
Please note that the Primary and Secondary settings made in step 2 refer to the current outputs. In
order to output the correct Idiff and Ibias currents, it is indispensable to select the settings on the
master and slave sides correctly. Please verify once more if the wiring is selected correctly for this
setting in the Hardware Configuration.
Start the measurement on the master first, since it will then begin to transmit the time signal and
update the slave. Start the test on the slave only after this. This is especially important if you
selected the option Set date and time at test start in the Hardware Configuration.
Note that in the Diff. Configuration module the assessment is made manually for each test shot. It is
important to be aware of the fact that the output of the next test point is subject to the following condition:
As soon as the test point is manually assessed OK and the next trigger pulse is received, the module
changes to the next shot. Until then, the output values remain unchanged.
If the assessment is made close to the next trigger point, it may happen that the assessment of one side is
made before the trigger and the assessment of the other test set occurs just after the trigger. One of the
CMC test sets will then output the next test shot while the other CMC continues to output the values of the
previous shot. It is therefore essential to ensure that the manual assessment is done clearly before the next
trigger impulse arrives.
Verify all time settings of the ramping parameters on the master and on the slave. The values for
Prefault time, Reset time and Fault time as shown in Figure 13 must definitely be the same on
both computers since otherwise the test cannot run in synchronized mode.
Start the measurement on the master first, since it will then begin to transmit the time signal and
update the slave. Start the test on the slave only after this. This is especially important if you
selected the option Set date and time at test start in the Hardware Configuration.
Start the measurement on the master first, since it will then begin to transmit the time signal and
update the slave. Start the test on the slave only after this. This is especially important if you
selected the option Set date and time at test start in the Hardware Configuration.
Start the measurement on the master first, since it will then begin to transmit the time signal and
update the slave. Start the test on the slave only after this. This is especially important if you
selected the option Set date and time at test start in the Hardware Configuration.
4.2.6 EnerLyzer
The EnerLyzer test tool for recording transient signals has a special role for triggering via GPS/IRIG-B.
Recording is not started by the time trigger and the EnerLyzer software module cannot be used as an
IRIG-B master. Only the Trigger via IRIG-B with CMIRIG-B option can be selected in the Hardware
Configuration and this makes it possible to provide the recording with a time stamp indicating the
GPS/IRIG-B time. For this purpose, the Use time-synchronized trigger option of the trigger conditions
must be selected. However, the trigger does not originate from the IRIG-B but from a different channel, for
example, the signal of binary input 1 as shown in Figure 16.
In order to be able to use EnerLyzer, you have to make all hardware settings according to chapter 4.1.
Please note that EnerLyzer cannot be configured as a master but only as a slave.
In version 2.40 of the Test Universe software, there is a minor restriction of this function for technical
reasons. In order to take this into account, the trigger is not set to the current trigger time but depends on the
trigger settings. For example, if the start time is set to "Next full 20 s", the trigger occurs every full 20-second
interval, i.e., on h:m:20 s, h:m:40 s and h:m:00 s.
Figure 17: Trigger configuration with start time "Next full 20 s"
You can display the trigger time afterwards in your transient viewer. An example is shown in figure 18 in the
OMICRON TransView module.
Figure 19: Connecting the CMGPS and the CMIRIG-B to the CMC test set
If you use a CMGPS 588 for time synchronization, connect this GPS controlled time reference directly to the
CMC test set as described in the CMGPS 588 manual.
Figure 20: Connecting the CMGPS 588 directly to the CMC test set
Figure 21: Testing a PMU using IRIG-B as a reference time base according to [5]
These tests of a PMU involve special requirements for the software; these are described in the following
chapters. For this reason, it is recommended to carry out these tests with a CMIRIG-B only.
1. For long-time tests, it is not only necessary to synchronize individual shots, but the signal output
must be synchronous with the external time base throughout the whole test (chapter 5.1).
2. Since the outputs of a test set involve a certain dead time in relation to the trigger signal because of
response and filter timing, this time delay must be compensated (chapter 5.2).
3. When performing synchronized testing of high-precision components, the test must be aborted if the
synchronization cannot be ensured any longer, e.g. because of a loss of the GPS signal
(chapter 5.3).
5.1 PermaSync
The PermaSync function has been available since version 2.30 of the Test Universe software. This "long-
time synchronization tool" keeps the outputs of the test set constantly synchronous with an external time
base such as GPS. In this way, it is possible to test a high-precision component such as, for example, a
GPS-synchronized PMU, also in a long-time test. With older Test Universe versions prior to 2.30, which still
operate without PermaSync, phase offsets of the phasor may occur during long-time tests. Such time
deviations occur because the test shots are only synchronized in the beginning and then kept synchronous
only by the internal clocks of the CMC test sets. Please note that a relatively small time deviation of e.g.
500 µs already result in a phasor offset of 9° at 50 Hz.
Normal use of a trigger involves a delayed output of the signals because of the response times. With the
CMC test set, this delay may reach up to 500 µs. When using a CMIRIG-B, a software algorithm is
implemented which compensates the output time delay. Figure 22 shows that although the delay of the two
CMC output signals (red and blue) to the trigger (pink) occurs, it is fully compensated by the time of the first
zero crossing at 5 ms. This makes it possible to test PMUs and display both phasors completely
synchronously.
Figure 22: IRIG-B synchronization of two CMC test sets according to [3]
The option Only test if synchronized to ext. time base (see Figure 23) in the Hardware Configuration is
provided for the testing process, for example, if the GPS signal should be lost. Usually the test continues in
this case, since the output is kept fairly synchronous within the precision of the internal test set clock.
However, this level of synchronicity is insufficient for applications such as PMU tests. It is therefore
recommended to abort a test when the GPS link is interrupted in order to avoid corrupted test results.
Figure 23: Option for testing only if synchronized to ext. time base in the Hardware Configuration
This is addressed with the option Only test if synchronized to ext. time base. If this option is selected, the
test stops when the signal of the external time base is lost.
As already explained, you need optical/electrical converters for the slaves and electrical/optical converters
for the master. In practical tests the converter models J720 and J730 made by Highland Technology have
proven to be suitable.
For the technical data of the converters, please refer to the Technical Manual on the Internet page of
Highland Technology [6, 7]. Please note that numerous different fiber optic connectors and couplers are
available and that the correct components need to be procured prior to testing.
The functional and operating principle when using the CMIRIG-B is described in chapter 4. The following
sections are therefore limited to describing the configuration and cabling. Only the converters made by
Highland Technology are addressed.
Connect the passive electrical/optical converter J720 with the IRIG-B Out port on the master side.
Connect the active optical/electrical converter J730 with the IRIG-B/PPS input on the slave side.
Connect the optical side of the converters directly with a short fiber optic cable in order to test the
functionality of the system. After setting the Hardware Configuration, the LED A of the CMIRIG-B
should light up green. In addition, the PPX LED of the master should start flashing at a rate of once
per second. If the LED A lights up red, the hardware is not configured correctly.
[2] IRIG Standard 200-04 - IRIG Serial Time Code Formats // Timing Committee
Telecommunications and Timing Group Range Commanders Concil, U.S. Army White Sands
Missile Range, New Mexico 88002-5110, September 2004
[3] CMIRIG-B Reference Manual // OMICRON electronics GmbH, Oberes Ried 1, 6833 Klaus
Austria, 2010
[4] Synchronized Phasor Measurements – A Historical Overview // A.G. Phadke Virginia Tech,
Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
[5] Time-Synchronized Operating Modes of the CMC Test Set and Their Applications //
Dr. Fred Steinhauser, OMICRON electronics GmbH, Oberes Ried 1, 6833 Klaus Austria, 2009
IPTS Vienna
[6] J720 Electrical/Optical Converter Technical Manual // Highland Technology, Inc. San
Francisco USA, July 3, 2007
[7] J730 Optical/Electrical Converter Technical Manual // Highland Technology, Inc. San
Francisco USA, May 27, 2009