Test Mode Management

Test mode is used when equipment is being tested after installation or maintenance, but before being returned to service on the grid.

The equipment is in communication with the SCADA system for verification of data measurement acquisition, control, and test order. The test mode state is represented by the TESTMODE composite flag on the measurement object.

The SCADA events for the measurements associated with these tests and controls must be distinguished from events on the equipment in use and must not disrupt the network operators. These events are associated to a specific area defined by a global parameter (ANALAREA).

Starting with eterrascada 3.0, a test mode function is available with a SCADA user interface. The purpose of the test mode function in the SCADA system is to provide a mechanism for allowing equipment tests in the substations without interfering with operator actions or disturbing the operators.

The SCADA test mode applied to a measurement is represented by the SELFTST indicator.

The SCADA test mode applied to a substation level or a bay equipment group level is represented by a TEST indicator. This SCADA test mode state is propagated hierarchically to all children objects by managing a HIERTST indicator on each children object.

The objects placed in SCADA test mode (hierarchically, or self) have an area assigned to the "Testmode" area (ANALAREA parameter). The original area is saved and restored when the object leaves the SCADA test mode state (hierarchically, or self).

The following Test Mode operation principles are implemented:

Operators who are currently logged on to the system and are not granted the “Testmode” PERMIT area are not presented any events or alarms associated with the "Testmode" area. The current values and quality are updated in the SCADAMOM database and are presented. A dedicated Test Mode flag is set for the same measurements.

Operators who are in charge of testing are granted a dedicated “Testmode” PERMIT area, which allows them to visualize events or alarms in Test Mode and initiate dialog on measurements placed in Test Mode. They are allowed to manage the SCADA test mode indication of the measurement (self test mode). They are enabled to manage the SCADA test mode indication at the substation level or BAY equipment group level. When applied on a substation level, the SCADA test mode is propagated hierarchically on all the children equipment groups, devices, and measurements.

A measurement placed in SCADA test mode cannot be replaced by its state estimated value.

In the new tagging application, a new “Testmode” tag type attribute is defined.

When a tag with the “testmode” attribute is placed, SCADA automatically places the related object (substation, bay, or measurement) in self test mode.

When any tag with the “testmode” attribute is removed, SCADA automatically removes the related object (substation, bay, or measurement) in self test mode.

When an object has a “testmode” tag placed, it cannot be removed from SCADA test mode by the SCADA user interface.

The SCADA user interface can be fully disabled with a global data processing parameter. In this case, the user relies on the tagging user interface to manage the SCADA test mode state of the SCADA objects (substation, bay, or measurements).

Placing a Measurement in SCADA Self Test Mode

The following procedure describes how to place a measurement in self test mode when the user is granted the “Testmode” area permission and the SCADA test mode user interface is enabled.

Call up the Substation Tabular display that contains the desired measurement.

The test mode column shows that self test mode is not set.

Click the check box.

In the test mode column, the measurement’s self test mode indication is set and the measurement area becomes the “Testmode” area.

The measurement details information shows the active area, saved area, and test mode state details (hierarchical, self, or remote). When the parent equipment group is placed in test mode, the EG Quality column shows a “T” symbol.

Note: This operation can also be performed by placing a “Testmode” tag on the measurement.

Note: This operation can also be performed from one-line displays if the test mode contextual menu option is available.

Removing a Measurement from SCADA Self Test Mode

The following procedure describes how to remove a measurement from self test mode when the user is granted the “Testmode” area permission and the SCADA test mode user interface is enabled.

Call up the Substation Tabular display that contains the desired measurement.

The test mode column shows that self test mode is set. The measurement does not have a “Testmode” tag type placed.

Click the check box.

In the test mode column, the measurement’s self test mode indication is reset. If the measurement does not stay in the hierarchical test mode state, the measurement area is restored to its saved value.

Note: This operation can also be performed by removing the “Testmode” tag on the measurement.

Note: This operation can also be performed from one-line displays if the test mode contextual menu option is available.

Placing a Substation in SCADA Self Test Mode

The following procedure describes how to place a substation in self test mode when the user is granted the “Testmode” area permission and the SCADA test mode user interface is enabled.

Call up the Substation Tabular display that contains the desired substation.

The substation header shows that self test mode STN is not set.

Click the check box.

The test mode STN indication is set. The substation area becomes the “Testmode” area.

The test mode state propagates to all children objects. All children objects have a hierarchical test mode indication set (i.e., “T” symbol in the EG quality column for the measurements), and their respective areas are saved and replaced by the “Testmode” area.

Note: This operation can also be performed by placing a “Testmode” tag on the substation.

Note: This operation can also be performed from one-line displays if the test mode contextual menu option is available.

Removing a Substation from SCADA Self Test Mode

The following procedure describes how to remove a substation from self test mode when the user is granted the “Testmode” area permission and the SCADA test mode user interface is enabled.

Call up the Substation Tabular display that contains the desired substation.

The substation header shows that self test mode STN is set.

Click the check box.

The substation self test mode indication is reset. The substation area is restored to its saved value.

The test mode state is propagated to all children objects.

If the equipment group object is not in self test mode, its area is restored to its original saved area.

If the measurement object is not in self test mode and no longer in hierarchical test mode, its area is restored to its original saved area.

Note: This operation can also be performed by removing the “Testmode” tag on the substation.

Note: This operation can also be performed from one-line displays if the test mode contextual menu option is available.

Placing a BAY in SCADA Self Test Mode

The following procedure describes how to place a BAY equipment group in self test mode when the user is granted the “Testmode” area permission and the SCADA test mode user interface is enabled.

Call up the Equipment Group Tabular display that contains the desired equipment group.

The equipment group header shows that self test mode EG is not set.

Click the check box.

The test mode EG indication is set. The equipment group area becomes the “Testmode” area.

The test mode state propagates to all children objects. All children object have a hierarchical test mode indication set (i.e., “T” symbol in the EG quality column for the measurements), and their respective areas are saved and replaced by the “Testmode” area.

Note: This operation can also be performed by placing a “Testmode” tag on the equipment group.

Note: This operation can also be performed from one-line displays if the test mode contextual menu option is available.

Removing a BAY from SCADA Self Test Mode

The following procedure describes how to remove a BAY equipment group from self test mode when the user is granted the “Testmode” area permission and the SCADA test mode user interface is enabled.

Call up the Equipment Group Tabular display that contains the desired equipment group.

The equipment group header shows that self test mode EG is set.

Click the check box.

The equipment group self test mode indication is reset. The equipment area is restored to its saved value.

The test mode state propagates to all children objects.

If the equipment group object is not in self test mode, its area is restored to its original saved area.

If the measurement object is not in self test mode and no longer in hierarchical test mode, its area is restored to its original saved area.

Note: This operation can also be performed by removing the “Testmode” tag on the substation.

Note: This operation can also be performed from one-line displays if the test mode contextual menu option is available.