Tips & Tricks

OMICRON Test Universe

 OMICRON Test Universe

Manual Version: TipsTricks.ENU.9 – Year: 2015

© 2015 by OMICRON electronics GmbH. All rights reserved.
This manual is a publication of OMICRON electronics GmbH.
All rights including translation reserved. Reproduction of any kind, e.g., photocopying, microfilming,
optical character recognition and/or storage in electronic data processing systems, requires the explicit
consent of OMICRON electronics. Reprinting, wholly or in part, is not permitted.
The product information, specifications, and technical data embodied in this manual represent the
technical status at the time of writing and are subject to change without prior notice.
OMICRON electronics translates this manual from the source language English into a number of other
languages. Any translation of this manual 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 manual shall govern.

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 Table of Contents

Table of Contents

1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
1.1 The Test Universe Documentation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

2 First Steps with OMICRON Test Universe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

2.1 Start Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

2.2 Basic "Front Panel" Testing with QuickCMC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

2.3 Generating Test Steps with State Sequencer and Ramping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

2.4 Combining Test Modules in a Control Center Document . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

2.5 Advanced Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

3 How to Simulate Circuit Breaker Contacts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

4 How to Monitor all Binary Input States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

5 How to Manually Set Binary Outputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

6 How to Predefine Typical Channel Assignments for COMTRADE Playback . . . 10

7 How to Test Transient Ground Fault Relays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

8 How to Get, Use and Modify a Relay-Specific PTL Template . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

9 How to Test Differential Relays with Delta Interposing Transformers. . . . . . . . . 11

10 How to Generate a Double Line-to-Ground Fault. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

11 Test Assessment Fails - Things to Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

11.1 Binary Inputs Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

12 How to Check if a Binary Input State has Temporarily Changed ("Glitch

Detection") . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

13 How to Prevent a CMC from Switching Off Because Of Overheating at High

Output Currents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

14 How to Duplicate or Rearrange OCC Entries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

15 How to Reuse Custom Parameters in Multiple Test Modules with Differing

Test Object Needs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

16 How to Change the CMGPS Setup for External Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

17 Communication of a CMC Test Set with a Test Universe computer . . . . . . . . . . 14

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18 How to Import Relay Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

19 How to Test Distance Relays with Constant Source Impedance Simulation . . . 15

20 How to Handle Test Report Settings (Forms) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

21 How to Auto-Save Intermediate Test Results during a Control Center Test. . . . 17

22 More Application Hints. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

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 Tips & Tricks

1 Introduction
This collection of tips and tricks addresses both Test Universe novices and experienced users.
• Section 2 guides beginners through the first steps with Test Universe.
• More experienced users will find useful hints in the other sections of this collection.
This way, Tips & Tricks supplements the Test Universe Help (functional description of the software)
as well as the Examples of Use (PDF application examples of how to use the individual test modules).

1.1 The Test Universe Documentation

Test Universe Help
The Test Universe software comes with a comprehensive Help covering every single component
that Test Universe offers you: a start screen, Control Center, the Test Object and the Hardware
Configuration, all test modules, tools, setup and configuration utilities, CMEngine, PTL, Automation,
etc.
You can launch the Help from anywhere in Test Universe, either by clicking the Help Topics...
command on the File menu, the Help Topics toolbar icon , by clicking available Help buttons or via
the context-sensitive Help feature . Pressing the <F1> key does the same.
With Test Universe version 3.00, the Help comes in 6 languages: English, German, Spanish, French,
Russian and Brazilian-Portuguese. If you installed your Test Universe in any other language, the Help
will start in English.

Test Universe manuals

The Test Universe software furthermore provides a large number of software manuals, practical
examples of use and hardware manuals for each CMC test set, CMA current and CMS voltage
amplifier and piece of accessory. The manuals are available as PDF files on your hard disk at
installation folder\Test Universe\Doc. For languages other than English, language specific sub-folders
exist.
The purpose of these manuals is to familiarize users with these devices and to show how to properly
use them in various application areas. The manuals contain important information on how to use the
devices safely, properly, and efficiently. Its purpose is to help you avoid danger, repair costs, and down
time as well as to help maintain the reliability and life of the devices. The manuals are to be
supplemented by existing national safety standards for accident prevention and environmental
protection. They should always be available at the site where the device is used. It should be read by
all personnel operating the device.
In addition to the manuals and the applicable safety regulations in the country and at the site of
operation, the usual technical procedures for safe and competent work should be heeded.
Not all manuals are available in all Test Universe languages. In such a case, Test Universe will
i
attempt to open the manual in the language of your Windows operating system. Should that
language also not be available, the English manual will open.
You won’t have to access any of these folders to view a manual. You find direct hyperlinks to all of these
manuals in the Test Universe Help topic User Manuals.

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 OMICRON Test Universe

Most of the test modules provide module-specific practical examples of use. The Examples of Use are
a set of manuals showing you how to employ Test Universe modules in practical everyday test
applications. The Help command provides a direct link to open the test module-related examples. Click
File > Help > Example of Use to view a list of the available Examples of Use.
You can open the related OMICRON Control Center (OCC) files referred to in these manuals by
selecting Open Examples of Use in the Control Center section of the Test Universe start screen and
selecting the Examples of Use icon.

2 First Steps with OMICRON Test Universe

Test Universe is a software suite for setup, execution and administration of secondary system testing
(for example, relay testing) by means of one or several test sets such as CMC 356 that generate the
test signals and analyze the reaction of the device under test.
These hints are intended for users not yet familiar with the general concept of Test Universe. Please
also have a look at the Tutorials (see entry on Test Universe start screen; installation from DVD or
download from the OMICRON website → “Support” on page 19) that give a live demonstration of some
aspects of Test Universe.

2.1 Start Screen

The Test Universe start screen is an organizing element of the Test Universe software. From the start
screen you
• launch the Control Center, all test modules and test tools
• set up your working environment,
• call up the Test Universe Help, PDF manuals and tutorials,
• start a diagnosis tool for troubleshooting,
• launch hardware check and calibration utilities for your CMC test set,
• and start applications of your choice via custom entries.

About individual start screen sections → Test Universe Help topic “Test Universe Start Screen”.
Modules and tools of the Test Universe software cover all aspects from simple test shots to complex
and/or automated test sequences, as well as the maintenance of test setups and results.

Test Modules
The Test Modules section allows the individual launching of modules for diverse test purposes, from
generic ("virtual front panel") QuickCMC over general (Ramping, State Sequencer) and dedicated
(Overcurrent) to network simulation.

Configuration Modules
Configuration Modules prepare some aspects of the test environment for the test.
IEC 61850 Modules provides a Sampled Values and a GOOSE Configuration module → module-
specific Help.

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 Tips & Tricks

AuxDC Configuration allows for setting the voltage of the AuxDC output of adequately equipped test
sets, such as the CMC 356.
CB Configuration controls the parameters of a process that may run in parallel to ongoing tests. It
simulates the behavior of a circuit breaker (timing of position contacts 52a and 52b as resulting from
Open or Close commands) using binary inputs and outputs of the connected CMC.

Control Center
The Control Center section allows the bundling of individual modules (as those listed in the
Test Modules section) to form complex test sequences. Besides arranging modules as needed in a
so-called Control Center Document (*.occ file) from New Test Document you may directly use
predefined test arrangements defined for specific relay types using Open Protection Testing Library.
These Control Center documents are open to further alterations as needed. This library is updated on
a regular basis, announced on the OMICRON website and in the OMICRON News window launching
together with the start screen (if set accordingly at System Settings).
OCC Batch can line up several Control Center documents to be executed as a test sequence.
The Test Tools section contains further test-related applications that are to be used in a stand-alone
fashion as opposed to the modules under Test Modules that can be included in Control Center
documents.
In the Setup section you find all means to set up your working environment. With the Test Set
Association component you associate and configure your OMICRON CMC test set(s) via Ethernet or
USB. Using the Ethernet interface, you can put as many CMC test sets as you wish on the network and
control them by even geographically remote computers (clients). System Settings provides the means
for system-wide default settings. The License Manager combines the functionality of a license browser,
a merge tool and a license file editor. It searches for OMICRON license files stored on the computer's
hard disk(s) and displays their contents. It merges license information from different files or from
connected test sets into the master license file Omicron.lic. It furthermore allows to add license keys
manually. And Language Selection lets you change the default language for the Test Universe user
interface.
The Support section offers access to the video tutorials, the Help (functional description of the
Test Universe software), the hardware and software manuals, OMICRON Assist for troubleshooting
support, and more.
The Custom section might contain pre-configured entries for certain customers, and is open for your
own add-ons of external programs that you would like to launch from this location. For further details
how this is done, click the User-specific Tools link on the start screen.
The header area contains links to OMICRON websites. Furthermore, if your computer has access to
the Internet and when an update or service pack for your current Test Universe software version is
available, a related link will be shown next to the version indication allowing you to directly look up the
related information on the website.
But now for some first steps in actual testing...

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 OMICRON Test Universe

2.2 Basic "Front Panel" Testing with QuickCMC

Launch QuickCMC, the first entry under Test Modules. The module starts in Direct Set mode, i.e., you
can directly define the currents and voltages per output. In other set modes you may define the
quantities, for example, as fault impedance. On the View tab you may select an additional Phasor View
(allowing the representation of the electrical quantities in various ways, for example, symmetrical
components, power, …) and/or an Impedance View (for example, for simple tests of distance relays).
For the overall TU philosophy it is essential to note that two setups should be edited according to your
needs: The Test Object parameters (Test Object icon in the Test Setup group on the Home tab)
describing the device under test (DUT) (for example, the tripping zones of a distance relay which will
show up in the Impedance View), and the test equipment itself (Hardware Configuration icon in the
Test Setup group on the Home tab) where you, for example, can combine the 6 currents of a CMC 356
in various ways from generating 6 individual currents to generating just one current but with a much
higher magnitude and/or compliance voltage. Here you also set the definition and routing of binary input
and output signals (these are, for example, shown in the Binary Inputs/Trigger section of the
QuickCMC Test View). So, whenever you use a module (QuickCMC or any other one), check the Test
Object and Hardware Configuration settings prior to executing tests with the module.
You will later see that this approach shows its full power when combining tests in a Control Center
document where you may do these definitions just once for common usage in all modules.
For all details regarding the user interface and functions of QuickCMC please make use of the Help
function (F1 key or icon in the upper right-hand group) or select File > Help > Example of Use, which
provides links to detailed working examples. You may also want to have a look at the video tutorials on
the Test Universe start screen.
Take your time to explore all QuickCMC features: right-click the Test View’s Analog outputs elements
for default value setting; explore the abs/rel and
time/cycle display options; select the "Trigger" signal that should detect the successful reaction of the
DUT; mark "Switch off" under "On Trigger" if signal output shall automatically stop at this trigger; use
F8 to generate healthy voltage prior to fault output; start the fault output with F5, and stop any output
with F6. If you would like to add the test data to a test report, click F10 (for the results, click Report
View on the View tab). Saving the test module saves all settings (including Hardware Configuration
and Test Object settings) plus all stored test results in one test file that can later be reopened to view
or be re-used for another test with similar settings.
Even step ramping and pulse ramping can be achieved with QuickCMC (see the aforementioned
documentation for details).

2.3 Generating Test Steps with State Sequencer and Ramping

Once you are familiar with QuickCMC and the OHM concept you may want to try out State Sequencer.
To put it simple, State Sequencer links a sequence of QuickCMC-like shots (states) and tracks the
reaction of the DUT. The transition trigger from one step to the next can be individually set up, for
example, a fixed time delay, a binary input signal (see the Trigger tab in Detail View). This module is
ideally suited for time measurements. For more details view its Help, the Examples of Use, or the video
tutorials.
Ramping and Pulse Ramping modules are best suited for threshold determination. For more details
view their Help, their Examples of Use, or the according video tutorials.

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 Tips & Tricks

2.4 Combining Test Modules in a Control Center Document

Once you are familiar with the various test modules you may want to combine several of them to a test
sequence. This is done using the Control Center features. On the Test Universe start screen, select
New Test Document. The newly created Control Center document (OCC document) already contains
a Test Object (TO) and a Hardware Configuration (HWC) block to remind you that it is good practice
to define these settings in advance. Please open each and set them as needed for the test. You may
now insert test modules as needed by clicking Test Module on the Insert tab. Note that all modules
inherit settings from the preceding TO and HWC. You may insert additional TO and/or HWC further
down the sequence, if required; they will apply to succeeding test modules. If you deal with many
modules in one document you may hierarchically structure them inserting Group elements and adding
modules to them.
You may execute any module in the OCC (using the OCC as a collection of individual tests) or typically
execute all contained modules in sequence for a combined test. The right side shows the report section
for each test module, so the OCC file contains all test reports together with the test settings. You may
add text, graphics (for example, your company logo) etc. in the report area; even Microsoft Excel
spreadsheets etc. for added information. Please see the Help for details.

2.5 Advanced Features

One great advantage using a central TO in an OCC is that all modules can access relay parameters
from the TO by linking to them instead of using fixed value settings (for example, a ramping limit can
be dynamically derived from a relay parameter). This drastically reduces the maintenance effort when
re-using an OCC for relays with different settings. Look for "LinkToXRIO" in the Help index for details
of this great feature. The OCCs in the Protection Testing Library make extensive use of this
approach. It might be quite interesting to load a PTL template (Open Protection Testing Library in
the Control Center section of the Test Universe start screen) as a working example and have a look
at the Test Object entries and at the links in the test modules to get an impression of the strength of
this approach.
For specialist applications with sophisticated scripting please have a look at the Automation and
CM Engine chapters in the Help.

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3 How to Simulate Circuit Breaker Contacts

Launch CB Configuration from the Test Universe start screen to set up the behavior of the simulated
contacts 52a and 52b, i.e., to simulate the timing of closed-position and opened-position contacts of a
circuit breaker (via binary CMC outputs) reacting to Trip and Close commands (received via binary
CMC inputs). By default, Binary Input 1 is CB Trip and Binary Input 3 is CB Close, while
Binary Output 1 is CB 52a and Binary Output 2 is CB 52b (open the HWC from CB Configuration for
these settings).
Transmit the prepared setting and simulation initiation by clicking Apply Configuration on the Home
tab. CB Configuration can now be closed. No other test module or OCC needs to be open, the CMC
does the CB simulation all by itself until a simulation Stop is applied (by clearing Simulation active,
and then selecting Apply Configuration) from the newly launched CB Configuration, or when the CMC
is turned off.

4 How to Monitor all Binary Input States

Use the test tools Binary I/O Monitor from the Test Universe start screen. This works in parallel to other
test modules.

5 How to Manually Set Binary Outputs

While you can activate binary outputs in QuickCMC, these are only activated as long as the analog
outputs are activated (i.e., F8 Prefault or F5 Start). If you want the contacts to keep their state while
continuing with other test tasks, launch State Sequencer. It contains one default state, which is all we
need for this task. Set all voltages and currents to zero (right-click on the value, select 'Zero' and then
'Equal magnitudes'). Select More > Latching Binary Outputs on the Home tab. Go to Detail View,
Binary Out tab. Set the contact states as needed. To transfer this state set, either click "Start/Continue
test", or click and release the "Static output" icon on the Home tab.
You may now close the module (possibly save it for later re-use) and work with another test module or
test document. The binary output states will stay as selected until a test module redefines the states or
the unit is switched off. The same latching can of course be achieved in an automated fashion by
including such a single-state sequence in an OCC test document.

6 How to Predefine Typical Channel Assignments for

COMTRADE Playback
• Launch Advanced Transplay
• Set up the Hardware Configuration
• Save this "empty" Advanced Transplay file (*.tra)
• Load this template file before importing a COMTRADE file. This gives you the predefined
assignment. Save under a new name.
• Set up and save as many different template files as needed for your typical setups.

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 Tips & Tricks

7 How to Test Transient Ground Fault Relays

From the Test Universe start screen section Network Simulation… launch the test module
Transient Ground Fault, and start the related Help, or look at the included Examples of Use under File
> Help > Example of Use.
Note: This test module is intended for isolated or compensated grid operation, only. These transient
ground fault relays typically signal the fault direction without the need to instantly trip, and rely on the
transient phenomena at fault incidence for their operation, thus this dedicated module is required for
these cases.

8 How to Get, Use and Modify a Relay-Specific PTL

Template
New versions are frequently added to be downloaded from the Customer Area of our website
www.omicron.at. Each template is accompanied by a detailed description about its proper handling.
Since these templates are "normal" OCC files, they can be modified as needed by staff experienced
with TO editing, LinkToXRIO etc., for example, to adapt test steps to your company testing philosophy.
Adding new test steps might be done best in a new subgroup in the OCC to distinguish these entries
from the parts delivered (and documented) by OMICRON. Save the resulting OCC with a different
name to be used as a new template.

9 How to Test Differential Relays with Delta Interposing

Transformers
The interposing transformer can be seen as a part of the protection system and therefore it is
recommended to test it together with the relay. The CMC current generators are internally Y-connected
to the neutral.
So, for testing Differential relays using an interposing transformer and therefore having delta circuits on
their input side, it is recommended to test the relay as a complete system together with the
corresponding interposing transformer. In general the interposing transformers use YD vector group,
hence the question of how to connect CMC is as well answered. That means, if you connect on the Y
side of the interposing you will have a starpoint available to connect the CMC neutral to.
The interposing transformer automatically takes care of the zero sequence current elimination which is
considered by the test module.
Just activate the "interposing transformer" option in the Advanced Differential Test Object.

10 How to Generate a Double Line-to-Ground Fault

For this type of fault, several boundary conditions need to be defined for a proper simulation. This is
why two dedicated Test Cases (grid models) are available within the NetSim test module for full
modeling flexibility.

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11 Test Assessment Fails - Things to Check

11.1 Binary Inputs Operating Mode
Check if the connections to the binary inputs (for example, the start and trip signals) carry voltage or
are driven by contacts, only. Make sure that in the Hardware Configuration of the OCC (or of the
stand-alone test module) the binary inputs are set accordingly.
In the Protection Testing Library templates a Pause module at the beginning of the template reminds
the user to adapt this setting prior to the test.

12 How to Check if a Binary Input State has Temporarily

Changed ("Glitch Detection")
Launch the Binary I/O Monitor in parallel to your test module (for example QuickCMC) or
Control Center document. It will display all binary inputs and outputs, taking the signal names from the
currently active test module. Select the "Indicate state change" option. Any signal change will now be
captured and indicated with a double-arrow mark. Reset the marks by clicking Indicate state change
twice.

13 How to Prevent a CMC from Switching Off Because Of

Overheating at High Output Currents
In the Hardware Configuration you find a "Compliance Voltage" slider (click the "Details" button on
the General tab). If the DUT including the connecting leads show a very low burden (for example,
modern digital relays), the driving voltage for the current paths of the CMC causes high power loss
inside the CMC leading to high heat dissipation. This may cause the CMC to switch off due to
overheating if generating high currents for a long time. In this case you may move the "Compliance
Voltage" slider towards low burden/continuous duty cycle. This reduces the driving voltage and thus
the power loss and heating inside the CMC. In case the compliance voltage level becomes too low (i.e.,
the output currents will be distorted), the Overload indicators in the test module will turn red for affected
the current signals, giving you a feedback for acceptable compliance voltage settings.
Note: Due to its different amplifier technology, this slider is not required if a CMC 356 test set is
connected. There, on the other hand, you find the Fan Mode settings. Select "Max. Power" to cool the
amplifiers for extended high-power output duration for the price of increased fan noise.

14 How to Duplicate or Rearrange OCC Entries

You can move or duplicate test modules in the left navigation area by drag-and-drop. Click the module
once to select it (possibly add a consecutive range of adjoining modules by shift-clicking the test
module at the other end of the range), then click again and hold to drag the selected test module(s) to
the target location. If you do not want to move but duplicate, just hold the <Ctrl> key while dragging and
dropping (a plus sign will indicate the duplication).
Alternatively, you can use the (right-click) context menu options to cut/copy items and paste them to
another location.
This works for test modules as well as for TO or HWC.

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 Tips & Tricks

15 How to Reuse Custom Parameters in Multiple Test

Modules with Differing Test Object Needs
Do not include multiple Test Objects in the OCC but include multiple RIO blocks for the test modules
in one common Test Object. Open the Test Object from each test module, and select the RIO block
(activate) to control this module. In this way all custom parameters defined in the TO are available to
all modules although they have individual RIO settings (for example, differing impedance zone setups).
Using several Test Objects would result in duplication of the custom parameters - duplication of user
settings should be avoided due to awkward setting changes and maintenance issues.

16 How to Change the CMGPS Setup for External Use

If you would like to prepare CMGPS as synchronized clock pulse source for externally triggered
devices, for example, changing the pulse sequence from the default of 1 pulse per minute, you can
launch State Sequencer from the start screen. Open the Hardware Configuration, select the Time
Source tab and select "Trigger via GPS using a CMGPS". Click O K . Now open the
Time Trigger Configuration dialog box (select Time Trigger on the Home tab). Modify the GPS
settings as needed and click the "Save to Device…" button to write them back to the CMGPS device.
It will remember these settings after disconnection and is ready to be used as stand-alone device,
generating the pulses as set up, for example, via the Pulse out 2 connectors.

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17 Communication of a CMC Test Set with a Test Universe

computer
A CMC test set connects to a computer with an installed Test Universe via Ethernet or USB. Both
communication methods require to be set up properly, in particular the data traffic that needs to pass
the computer’s firewall.
For an overview of the possible NET-x communication ports of your CMC test set → chapter Technical
Data of the Communication Ports of your CMC’s Reference Manual.
Today, new CMC test sets are equipped with a NET-2 interface board that, in addition
to the ETH1 and ETH2 Ethernet ports and a USB port for the communication with the
computer, provides one extra USB port for the use of USB peripherals, such as
memory sticks, etc.
For detailed technical data of the NET-2 interface board → chapter The NET-2 Board
in the Technical Data section of your CMC’s Reference Manual.
The NET-2 board requires a Test Universe software version 3.00 SR2 (or later).
Earlier Test Universe software versions support NET-1x interface boards (→ chapter
Technical Data of the Communication Ports of your CMC’s Reference Manual).

How do I connect my CMC test set to my computer?

• CMC test sets with the NET-1, NET-1B or NET-1C or NET-2 interface board via Ethernet port
ETH1 or ETH2 ⇔ Ethernet port of your computer.
• CMC test sets with the NET-1C or NET-2 interface board via USB ⇔ USB port of your computer.
• Any CMC test set with a parallel Host Interface or a PAR-1 option ⇔ CMUSB-P converter ⇔ USB
port of your computer.
• Any CMC test set with a parallel Host Interface or a PAR-1 option ⇔ parallel printer port of your
computer.
For a detailed description of how to connect your CMC test set to and associate it with your
computer, refer to the The First Steps to Get Started chapter of your Getting Started with Test
Universe manual.
The Getting Started with Test Universe manual is provided as printed manual and as PDF. The PDF
is available on your hard disk after the installation of OMICRON Test Universe. To view the manual,
start the Help from the Test Universe start screen or any test module, and navigate to the table of
contents entry User Manuals (at the beginning of the table of contents). Click User Manuals. In this
topic you find a direct link at "Getting Started". To view the manual, click the link.
The Troubleshooting chapter of the Getting Started with Test Universe manual provides specific
suggestions in case the test set association with your computer does not work, explains error
messages, and explains the Firewall configuration for ETH and USB connections.
If you are reading this manual on your computer, click here to view the Getting Started with Test
Universe manual.

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18 How to Import Relay Settings

The most comfortable way to make the actual relay settings known to Test Universe test modules is to
import the settings from a file, for example, a data file generated by the relay settings program.
For selected tools, such as Siemens Digsi or Schneider electric MiCOM S1, or for generic data import
via XML data structure, so-called Import Filters can be used to copy the settings from the settings file
to the Test Object of the test module or of the OCC test document. They are installed together with
Test Universe.
The Customer Area of the OMICRON website www.omicron.at provides the most recent selection of
import filters for download, next to the selected relay template on the Library tab of the Protection
Testing Library (PTL) section at Software Downloads.
It is important to remember that these filters copy relay settings to a predefined parameter structure in
the Custom XRIO section of the Test Object. Therefore, you first have to create this relay-specific
parameter structure, for example, by loading the XRIO converter into the Test Object or opening a PTL
template that contains this converter. With these parameter definitions in place the
Import relay settings... command on the File menu is enabled, allowing the selection of the
import filter to fill the predefined parameters with relay settings.
Test modules referencing these Test Object entries (for example, via LinkToXRIO) automatically adapt
to the relay settings.

19 How to Test Distance Relays with Constant Source

Impedance Simulation
In the Advanced Distance test module, select "Constant Source Impedance" as Test Model on the
Settings tab to activate kind of a network simulation that properly calculates all phase voltages and
currents that result from the fault type and fault impedance data for a specified infeed (source)
impedance, with the source being upstream of the assumed VTs and CTs (in backwards direction) and
the fault being downstream of the VTs and CTs.
This is especially helpful for testing relays that rely on voltages of the non-faulted phases for close-up
faults.
A common test is to find the zone boundaries in all 4 quadrants. The important thing to notice is that
with this arrangement the fault is always in forward direction; so the lower left half of the R-X plane does
not mean "fault in backward direction".
Due to polarization (offset) effects, using the non-faulted voltages, the resulting relay zones reach a
little into (lower-left) quadrant 3 giving better forward direction assessment margin.
To test the behavior with inversed feeding direction (with faults to be simulated in backward direction),
resulting in changed four-quadrant zone boundaries typically excluding the origin, the best way is to
insert a second Advanced Distance module into the OCC test document (rename it to, for example,
"Backward Direction") and to reverse the current output polarity for this module, for example, by
changing the "CT starpoint" setting in the RIO Distance block of the associated Test Object.
To do so, add a second RIO Distance block to the OCC Test Object (you can copy/paste the first
block, thus preserving all other settings), change the CT starpoint setting in this second block, and then
open the Test Object from each Advanced Distance module and set the related Distance block as
"Active Function" (right-click the block to open the context menu).

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 OMICRON Test Universe

This way, each test module gets its Distance settings from a different block in the same Test Object.
The advantage of inserting a second Distance block into one Test Object as opposed to inserting a
second individual Test Object is that all user-specific settings (for example, relay settings in an XRIO
converter section) can easily be changed and maintained since they only exist once: all related RIO
Distance parameters in both RIO blocks refer to the same Custom parameter, if you choose to.
Hence, the test report will contain the results of two Advanced Distance modules; one showing the
4-quadrant characteristic for forward fault direction, and the other one for backward fault direction.
NOTE: For proper automatic assessment, separately define those "polarized" zone characteristics for
forward and backward direction (in the related RIO block) that differ from the "standard" (non-polarized)
characteristic. If you want to test the standard characteristic, do not use the "Constant Source
Impedance" model.

20 How to Handle Test Report Settings (Forms)

Click Report Settings on the Home tab of any test module to specify the details shown in the module’s
test report. By default, the Report Settings dialog box provides two predefined test report templates:
"Short Form" and "Long Form". In case these two predefined report templates do not match your
needs, click the Define… button.
In the Define Report Forms dialog box you can now either customize the settings and then store them
to redefine the "Short Form" or the "Long Form", or you can click the Add… button (in the Advanced
section) to save the changed settings to a new report template with a name of your choice.
Up to this point these changes apply to the currently open test module file only. They will be stored
along with the file but will not be available to other newly created or opened files.
If you want to keep the redefined form (either with the default name "Short Form" or "Long Form", or
with the new name you gave it), click the Set as Default button (in the Advanced section). From now
on you can assign this customized report template form to all module reports.

Important to understand in this context:

If you assign a report template from the Report Form list, only the position of this template within the
Report Form list is stored to the test report file, not the actual contents (as opposed to the definition
described above).
The effect is:
• If you open this test report file on another computer (let’s call it computer "B") that has a different
definition at this particular list position than the source computer (computer "A") - for example a
"Short Form" that has previously been redefined and stored with different in comparison to computer
"A" -, you will get a test report created according to the settings of the form definition of computer
"B", i.e., most likely different from the source system on computer "A".
• If you open this test report file on a computer "B" that does not provide this position in the Report
Form list (example: the test module file was assigned a user-added report template form Form3 on
the 3rd position in the Report Form list of source computer "A", but the Report Form list of computer
"B" only contains the first 2 default forms), you will get a test report created according to the first
form definition in the of Report Form list of computer "B" (for example, "Short Form") - again different
in comparison to computer "A".

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 Tips & Tricks

There are two ways to ensure that the representation of the test report on a different computer "B" is
identical to the one on the source computer "A":
1. If you need it for one or a few specific test reports only:
Click Report Settings to open the Report Settings dialog box. Click the Define… button. Toggle
any of the white check boxes of your choice back and forth. This is interpreted as a "modified"
selection, and even though no real change was performed that way, it is now treated as a local
variant. If you now save the test module file, it will carry the test report definition along with it.
2. If you want to use the same default report template definitions on the source and on the target
computer without having to touch the test module file, you need to copy the template definition file(s)
from the source computer "A" to the target computer "B".
There is a template definition file for each test module, for example, a file named OMADist.TPVRep
for Advanced Distance. The files are located at the Documents and Settings folder, for example,
C:\Documents and Settings\username\Application Data\Omicron\Test
Universe\Report Settings\OMADist.TPVRep
Search for *.TPVRep to get a list of all template definition files.
Note that these files only exist for those modules whose default report form definitions were
changed (or extended) by the user. Copy these files to the respective path on the target
computer(s), and all test reports relating to these forms will have the same look on all target systems
without making the settings local as in solution 1.
And, eventually, if you want to make a default report template form from a local setting received with a
test module file:
Open the Report Settings dialog box. Click the Define… button. Click the Add… button (in the
Advanced section), change the template’s name if you want to, and then click the Set as Default
button. This way is identical to the way to create or modify a form on your own.

21 How to Auto-Save Intermediate Test Results during a

Control Center Test
Control Center (OCC) currently does not offer a proprietary way to save intermediate test results during
an ongoing test. If you work with complex OCC tests that involve many test modules and/or take a long
time to execute, it might be advisable to intermittently save results in order to avoid losing all results if
anything goes wrong during the test.
There is a way to achieve this by using scripting, i.e. including Basic programming code in the Script
View of Control Center, adding it to your OCC test file. Basically, the script redefines the
Start/Continue All button function by extending it with a Save command every time a given number of
test modules have been executed.
You can find a detailed application note providing and describing such a sample script (plus the script
code for import) in the Customer Area of the OMICRON website www.omicron.at under Software
Downloads ► TU Software x.xx ► Documents.

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 OMICRON Test Universe

22 More Application Hints

• In each test module and in the Control Center, click File ► Help ► Example of Use to open one
or more application-oriented test examples.
• Have a look at the list of documents in the Customer Area of the OMICRON website
www.omicron.at under Software Downloads ► TU Software x.xx ► Documents.

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 Support

Support
When you are working with our products we want to provide you with the
greatest possible benefits. If you need any support, we are here to assist you!

24/7 Technical Support – Get Support

www.omicron.at/support
www.omicronusa.com/support
At our technical support hotline, you can reach well-educated technicians for all
of your questions. Around the clock – competent and free of charge.
Make use of our 24/7 international technical support hotline:
Americas: +1 713 830-4660 or +1 800-OMICRON
Asia-Pacific: +852 3767 5500
Europe / Middle East / Africa: +43 59495 4444
Additionally, you can find our Service Center or Sales Partner closest to you at
www.omicron.at or www.omicronusa.com.

Customer Area – Stay Informed

www.omicron.at/customer
www.omicronusa.com/customer
The customer area on our website is an international knowledge exchange
platform. Download the latest software updates for all products and share your
own experiences in our user forum.
Browse through the knowledge library and find application notes, conference
papers, articles about daily working experiences, user manuals and much more.

OMICRON Academy – Learn More

www.omicron.at/academy
www.omicronusa.com/academy
Learn more about your product in one of the training courses offered by the
OMICRON Academy.

OMICRON electronics GmbH, Oberes Ried 1, 6833 Klaus, Austria, +43 59495

19
 Support

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