Glossary

This section is a dictionary containing terms that can be found in MiCOM S1 Studio.

Address

A unique number, between 1 and 254, that identifies a device to the computer.

ASCII Text

A string of characters that contains only letters, numbers and symbols, and does not include any formatting information.

Baud Rate

The speed at which data is transmitted over a communications link. This is shown in bits per second.

Breaker

A circuit breaker or isolator operated by the device.

Cell

A single data location in a courier database.

Cell List

A list of all the cells in a single page from the device database.

CID

Configured IEDIntelligent Electronic Device. A device that initiates the disconnection of part of an electrical installation, and / or operates a warning signal when a fault or abnormal condition occurs, with minimum disruption of service. May also be known as a Relay. Description

Class 0

DNP 3.0Distributed Network Protocol. Static Data, if this is unchecked the index number disappears and the remainder of the indexes reset themselves into numerical order.

Class 1

An EventA message generated by a device to indicate that something has happened. Class for DNP 3.0.

Class 2

An Event Class for DNP 3.0.

Class 3

An Event Class for DNP 3.0.

Communications Link

The connection between the PC running the MiCOM S1 software and the device it is communicating with. The link may include protocol converters, modems, telephone exchanges, etc

COM Port

A serial port on the computer.

Connection

An active link between a computer and a device through which data can be sent.

COMTRADE Format

The international standard file format, specified by the IEEE, for storing power station system waveforms. Two versions of the standard exist and are known by the year in which they were published, 1991 and 1999.

Courier

The communications language developed to provide generic control, monitoring, data extraction and setting changes on remote devices within the substation environment.

Courier Database

The data and settings stored within a device that are accessible by a PC using CourierThe communications language developed to provide generic control, monitoring, data extraction and setting changes on remote devices within the substation environment..

DA

Data Attribute

Dead Band

The tolerance + / - figure before an event happens.

Device

A generic name for any piece of equipment that can be communicated with using Courier.

Device Type

Variants of a device each with different specifications and features.

Disturbance Record

A data record of a disturbance on the power system that has been recorded by a device.

DNP 3.0

Distributed Network Protocol.

DO

Data Object

Event

A message generated by a device to indicate that something has happened.

Error Log

A text file containing information generated by a error condition when running the Settings module. For example, when a device is not connected or is not responding.

Framing

FramingFraming determines how many bits there are in a character and what the bits are used for. This includes the number of start bits, the number of data bits, the number and type of parity bits (none, odd or even) and the number of stop bits. Character framing is only used for data transmission on IEC870 connections. A 10 bit frame contains 1 start bit, 8 data bits and 1 stop bit. An 11 bit frame contains 1 start bit, 8 data bits, 1 even parity bit and 1 stop bit. determines how many bits there are in a character and what the bits are used for. This includes the number of start bits, the number of data bits, the number and type of parity bits (none, odd or even) and the number of stop bits. Character framing is only used for data transmission on IEC870 connections.

A 10 bit frame contains 1 start bit, 8 data bits and 1 stop bit.

An 11 bit frame contains 1 start bit, 8 data bits, 1 even parity bit and 1 stop bit.

Frozen

The value of the counter when it was frozen.

Global Request

A request that is received by all devices.

Groups

Alternative Settings Groups are provided in some relays allowing the user to set one group for normal operating condition while further groups can be set to cover alternative operating conditions.

Header

The data, at the front of a file, that contains identification information, creation date, version and language details, etc.

ICD

IED Capability Description.

IEC 870

A communications standard defined by the International Electrotechnical Commission, which is used to transfer Courier data over modems and RS232 connections.

IED

Intelligent Electronic Devicegeneric name for any piece of equipment that can be communicated with using Courier.

IID

Instantiated/Individual IED Description

K-Bus

The 64 kbps twisted pair cable used to connect Courier compatible devices and transfer Courier data.

KITZ

The Interface unit which converts between K-BusThe 64 kbps twisted pair cable used to connect Courier compatible devices and transfer Courier data. and IEC870 format data.

LN

Logical Node

LN0

Logical Node 0 (zero)

lnType

Logical Node Type

MCL

MiCOM Configuration Language

MNR

Monitoring Data Records

Model Number

The available models for the selected device type.

Modem

A device used to convert data from a PC or device into a form that can be transmitted across a telephone line and then converted back into PC or device readable data at its destination.

The codes used to initialise and control a modem so that it can convert data from a PC or device into a form that can be transmitted across a telephone line.

Modem Control Codes

The codes used to initialise and control a modem so that it can convert data from a PC or device into a form that can be transmitted across a telephone line.

Offline

When there is no communication between the PC and a device, both are said to be offline.

OLR

Overload Records.

Online

When a communication link has been established between the PC and a device, both are said to be online.

OPR

Operating Data Records.

Pop-up Menu

The menu that appears when you right-click with the mouse. This is usually context specific to the area of the application upon which the cursor is positioned.

Protocol Converter

Hardware that converts from one communication message protocol to another.

Relay

A device that initiates the disconnection of part of an electrical installation, and / or operates a warning signal when a fault or abnormal condition occurs, with minimum disruption of service.

Request

A communication sent from a MiCOM S1 applications to a device.

Reset Cell

The reset cell operation has the same effect on a cell as pressing the RESET key on the front of the device whilst a specific cell is visible. The resulting action in cell specific.

Response

A communication sent from a device to a MiCOM S1 application. A device can only send a response after receiving a request.

Running

The continual counter. Active when checked.

SAT

Security Administration Tool

SCD

Substation Configuration Description

SCL

Substation Configuration Language

Setting

The information held within a single data location in a Courier database.

Settings Group

A collection of settings that can be activated on the relay as a group.

Settings File

The complete set of settings for a device. This may include one or more alternative Settings Groups.

Transaction

A transaction consists of a request from a MiCOM S1 application together with the response from the appropriate device.