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What Relay Test Equipment Do You Use and Why?

This post is pretty old.  I suggest you check this post to get a better idea of my thoughts on test-sets.  https://relaytraining.com/what-is-the-best-protective-relay-test-set/

Relay Test Equipment

I understand Chris has a Manta MTS-5000, do you like it!
Does anyone else has info on the Manta?
What about other test equipment?
Thanks for any info you can give!!
SDG

Some of the comments below are pretty old. You can get my take on test-sets with this linkWhat is the Best Protective Relay Test-Set? —Chris

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About the Author

Chris is an Electrical Engineering Technologist, a Journeyman Power System Electrician, and a Professional Engineer. He is also the Author of The Relay Testing Handbook series and founder of Valence Electrical Training Services. You can find out more about Chris here.

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  1. I do have the Manta 5000 and I love it so far. I’ve tried many of the other test set’s and think it is the best manual test set out there. I love the fact I can do just about anything from the front panel that you can do with software like pro-test. I HATE pro-test. The only thing I don’t like about the 5000 is that there are only 3 current channels and would love it if they had a smaller slave unit for additional current and maybe one more voltage channel. A couple of my colleagues have good things to say about the Omnicron and I’ll ask them to post their thoughts.

  2. We are running the Omicron 256-6 relay test sets complete with sattelite gear. Although the units cannot be run without the computer we have found them to be amazing. The computer interface is set up so that a child could operate the thing and we have found that they have decent tech support. We mostly use them for high end relay work for the utilities but have also found it a great tool for testing industrial relays, the ufortunate part is when you automate these basic relays you get the work finished so fast that it barely makes it worth doing the job (of course it also gives you quite the competitive edge). We have had the odd problem with synchronization during end-end satellite testing but otherwize the units are great.

    We have two main 256-6 units that have 4 ac/dc voltage outputs, 6 current outputs (12.5A each), 1 auxilliary DC, 4 contact outputs, 10 contact inputs. We also have the current booster that has 6 current outputs (25A each) which is excellent for testing transformer differential relays and we have a I/O module with 24 inputs and 16 outputs which has room for 5 more cards of either 24 input and 16 output. We found the I/O module an excellent tool when testing any auto restoration scheme.

    We have also used the doble 6K series unit and found them somewhat similar except the doble reporting kind of sucks. We went to the omicron just because of the ease of software and the reporting features.

    Cheers!

  3. Hi,
    I am also using ProTesT/F6TEST but, ProTesT (Older software)/F6TEST(Advance visulized graphical Software) are not a data managment softwares. It is relay testing software. Actually, what i have done in ProTesT/F6TEST are; first i have made Manufacturers names at location level1———> Relay models at location level2————>IEEE numbers (21, 51, 46, 40, 78, 64R etc)—–> Test format.

    I have made calculations in “Worksheet” Tab of ProTesT which can allow to calculate test parameters automatically based on relay settings. For example; my reverse power relay settings are; %P = 2%, CTR = 2000, PTR = 2000, In = 1A/5A, VLL = 110V & Power factor =0.8 lag now it’s automatically calculating expected values of voltages & currents.

    Thanks

  4. DOBLE F6150(Harware) & F6TEST software is just similar to OMICRON’S CMC256(Hardware) & TEST UNIVERSE SOFTWARE. F6TEST is having good visulization, graphical representations & more technical features than others.

  5. Hi:

    I will like to know if some one has been worked with RTS from Enoserv and what is your opinion about this soft ware.

    1. I’ve been using RTS 7 Enoserv for over a year now working with a mobile protective relay test group, testing digital relays at power generating and nuclear plants. Presently, I’ve upgraded to version 7.1.0.17 which has greater than 650 relay database.
      Enoserv works well with just about all SEL digital relays with not much operators interaction during testing. Beckwith relays need more manual attention and computer savvy to complete all test functions. However, Enoserv test support is pretty good with helping solve most issues we encountered. The Basler relays work well also. I am looking possibly to switch test systems from the Doble F6150 to MTS-5100 because I read it would be more efficient and less wiring configuration manually than using the Doble. If true, that would help reduce operator error. If anyone has used Enoserv with the MTS-5100 I would like to hear your opinion and experience with it before we purchase one.

      Thanks

  6. I haven’t used it or even looked at it but many, many perople at the NETA conference (even test set manufacturer’s with their own software), all told me that it was the best relay testing software out there.

  7. Thanks for your information, I am looking for implementing a relay database that meet with all the information filed, by the way have you worked with some kind of relay database.

  8. There are some relay database management softwares that you can use for application, like DigSilent, CAPE & ASPEN etc.

    For your information; we have made our own relay database tool in EXCEL + VB control for our internal use which is having almost all relay O/C, O/V, OE, Thermal O/L & DIfferential characteristics of AREVA, SIEMENS, ABB, SEL & BASLER & GE relays. We can able to compare relay charactertsics of one OEM with another OEM. Obiviously, it’s not dedicated tool like software but, still it is quite good & easy to use it.

    RTS software is also good for relay testing as well as data storage.

    Thanks

    1. Dear Mr. karmin dave it is nice to hear that you have made own tool for testing. Can you share it with me also.

      Thanks.

  9. Thank you for the information Kamin.

    We are using the Protest software right know but it dose not meet aore complete information requirement

  10. The Company I work for bought the OMICRON CMC 256-6 about a year ago, and has had a AVO SR-90 and SR-51. I mostly do all the relay work, and 90% of it is electro-mechanical relays. I had to do a lot of persuading to get 3 of us to receive training on the OMICRON software. So far I think the OMICRON is a great test machine! We also got the OMICRON CPC-100 for primary testing, which is very good as well. The automatic report generation on both machines is a great time saver!

  11. Hi:
    I have used RTS to calibrate over 1000 elctro-mechanical relays. I found it to be very user friendly and easy to use. In the beginning I had a little trouble getting started, but it all fell into place once I got to going.

    Additionally, if a relay is way out of tolerance RTS will not recognize this and return with what appear to be RTS issues, but just change the acceptable tolerances.

    Frank

    I will like to know if some one has been worked with RTS from Enoserv and what is your opinion about this soft ware.

  12. I have stayed away from this topic because I do have a relationship with Manta Test Systems but seeing there are 2800 views, I would be remiss if I didn’t add my two cents. These views are not the views of Manta Test Systems.

    I think that this is a fair assessment of the most common test equipment used, but remember that I do have a bias. Most of the comments I receive from competitors are probably disgruntled customers:

    Megger MPRT
    A lot of Manta customers are former MPRT customers who have expressed to us that the quality control and customer support for this product are lacking. The product offers 4 lower VA currents and at least 3 voltages. They offer a software package and a manual controller that is tethered to the device. A benefit for this unit is that results can be saved in the Megger database software for consistent reports across the Megger test-equipment line.

    Doble 6XXX
    Doble offers 12 customizable Lower VA channels that can be configured for voltage and/or current with a impulse setting to provide additional current for short-duration tests. Tests can only be performed using software, and the supplied software can seem dated and confusing to a new user who had never used it before. The software is database driven with several ramping/timing test macros. Reporting options are limited but, because they are driven by a database, it can perform some NERC reporting criteria.

    Someone earlier posted that the Doble and Omicron software are similar but I would strongly disagree except for the state simulation software which is similar across all manufacturers.

    Omicron
    There are several different options for VA and channels but I will assume that the Cadillac model for the comments.

    You can purchase an Omicron test set with 6 higher VA current outputs and 4 voltage outputs. All units must be controlled via software or an optional control unit.

    The software is device driven (One file per device) with templates for state control or specific elements. Report and template creation happens simultaneously which allows for many options around the test results, but the actual test formats are fixed with limited options. Report and template sizes can be quite large (>3MB per relay). Data management for NERC may be difficult due to the 1 file per relay formula. The software is very powerful but many users may find the added complexity difficult to manage. Many Omicron users I have talked to say that they stick to the state simulator for 90% of their tests.

    The control unit has a lot of cute features that look good during a sales pitch and useful for a couple of tests, but I am not sure whether it would be effective for a full batch of relay tests. It appears to me to be designed to fill a gap when only a couple of tests are required and you don’t want to turn on the software.

    Enoserv RTS
    Enoserv RTS is a database driven software package that can be used on nearly all relay manufacturer’s digital test sets. The software is relay-model driven and they have a large library of test plans. This is an excellent solution for NERC reporting requirements and Electro-mechanical relays.

    However, their model of universal test-set control limits the pre-canned templates to the lowest common denominator of one output, one input, 3 currents, and 3 voltages. This limitation is OK for element tests in digital relays but makes logic testing more complicated and repetitive. They are also unable to fully utilize any of the individual test sets strengths. A user with a basic understanding of computer language can create their own custom logic plans to create logic testing plans.

    Manta Test Systems MTS-5100
    The MTS-5100 has 6 high VA current outputs and 4 voltage outputs. All functions are available via the built-in front panel or the unit can be control via a software package with identical controls. The MTS-5000 has a power-system philosophy that allows the user to quickly create a system fault that will appear realistic to any relay. The idea is that all relays respond to the power system conditions and if you know what the fault should look like, Manta makes it easy to create that fault. The faults can be saved and replayed into any relay model and should respond as it would when installed, without changing relay settings.

    The front panel allows the user to performing the following functions without a computer:
    Create, save, and restore test templates
    Save and edit test results
    Perform end-end tests with or without comtrade files
    Play semi-automted/pre-configured test plans for some common EM relays or protection elements

    Additional software is available to:
    Manage test results and print software
    Convert spreadsheet results from modeling software into test plans

  13. I prefer the best, the OMICRON CMC 356 for all IEC 61850 and Protective Relay testing and the CMC 430 for any and all Metering equipment. The Test Universe V4.10 software is just an absolute pleasure to work with, very intuitive and also user friendly and then also not to even mention the Protection Testing Library for almost every relay imaginable. The OMICRON 356 offers 6 current channels and 4 voltage, has a rated current output of up to 32A per current channel and 300V per voltage channel, supports IEC 61850 GOOSE testing, ARC Flash testing with the ARC 256x, simplifies testing of transformer differential schemes, directional protection, impedance/line protection and much more and for those who do not wish to use their laptops there are also options to make use of the testing apps from a smart device such as a tablet or smart mobile device.
    I swear by the OMICRON products, they’ve never failed me.

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