Relay parameterization made easy with a universal XML interface

Today each unique vendor of protection systems or major Protective Relay Manufactures has their own software for transmitting parameters and setting protective relays. This is almost always based on Microsoft^TM operating systems. It is in this element where the largest numbers of setting errors occur, this being the human element. Even with in the same manufacturing company different departments go off on tangents for development for the HMI software interfaces. As the devices become more intelligent the need for a simplified software user interfaces is required. These devices for years have been able to export an XML file, so that the user could generate a standard report or chart in Excel. Now with the capability of importing an XML file the full strength of XML emerges and a common HMI across all products can be accomplished. The user only has to conform to a manufactures defined template in Excel and the settings can be passed to the software and downloaded to the relay. The data has to be input only once. The Software XML import and export interface for the exchange of data of protection devices offers the user new and cost-reducing possibilities: The user can read data from other applications into the setting software via the import interface and thus parameterise devices from outside. On the other hand, the setting data can be transmitted to other applications and can be processed there. Many protection setting programs are equipped with an export interface, but often the import function is just not supported. Data from other applications can be read into the protection operating software - after a conversion, if required. Often these data are the result of complicated calculations, for example in MS EXCEL setting sheets or in network calculation software. The system allows for a simple transfer and saves engineering costs, and of course it also prevents human typing errors. Software which is equipped with an import/export interface which allows th- e exchange of protection settings and signal connections in both directions. XML is a universal, easily readable, structured and platform independent code. While the data output of most of the setting programs is restricted to a simple ASCII text or, in some cases, uses the database format CSV, a different strategy has now been pursued. Software´s which offer a universal format that is independent from the platform, comprehensible and durable, based on the standardised data description language XML (Extensible Markup Language). In accordance with the pertinent standard, suitable XML tags are offered that represent the structure of the parameter set on the one hand, and describe the meaning of the parameter on the other hand. Therefore the new XML format has a decisive advantage from the user´s point of view: It is readable, well-structured with only a few levels and can be learnt easily and quickly. Only what is visible at the surface or what is included in the annex of every manual will be included in the exchange file: the text elements in the parameterising dialog can be found in the code too.