When Power Meets Quality

BlackBox DFR
Designed for Your Needs
The BlackBox DFR, a fully featured digital fault recorder
embedded with PQZIP technology, is a distributed multi-
functional data acquisition device that continuously
records all waveform signals at sampling rate of 1,024
samples per cycle. The continuous waveform recording
makes the BlackBox DFR ideal for monitoring, protecting
operating, power quality, synchro phasors and load profiles.
The BlackBox DFR modular design allows to expend the
system to almost any application in order to offer a cost
effective performance solution. When coupled with the
Elspec PQSCADA Sapphire - a multi-vendors support
power management software - the BlackBox DFR provides
a powerful platform for acquisition, analysis and reporting
of data from power system substations.

Multi-Functional Features
• Digital Fault Recorder (DFR) • 24-Bit Continuous acquisition at 1,024 sample per
• Phasor Measurement Unit (PMU) cycle[50/60Hz]
• Power Quality Monitoring (PQM) • Modular Design
• Sequence of Event Recording (SER) • Centralized and decentralized architecture
• Dynamic System Monitoring (DSM) • Supreme synchronization <0.1 µsec on any channel
• Impedance based Fault Location (IbFL) • 7” touch LCD
• Energy Billing Measurement (EBM)
• Comprehensive web interface
• Scalable architecture
• Complies with IEC 61850 MMS, GOOSE messaging and
sample value

PQZIP Compression Technology Parameter Resolution

Elspec’s Unique Technology

The PQZIP is a patented compression algorithm that Waveform 20μsec

enables the DFR to continuously store waveform
RMS ½ Cycle
signals over a long period of time. This advanced
technology is unique to Elspec and ensures precise THD ½ Cycle
and accurate charachterization of electrical system TDD ½ Cycle
dynamics. Unbalance ½ Cycle
PQZIP Compression features: K Factor ½ Cycle
a Continuous waveform recording Crest Factor ½ Cycle
a Supreme Trend Resolution
Powers 1 Cycle
a Extended Harmonic Recording
a Threshold free setup Harmonics 1 Cycle
a Easy deployment Frequency 1 Cycle
Accurate Results
Continuous High Speed Recording Continuous Waveforms Recording Cyclic Histogram

The BlackBox G5DFR measures and • Continuously samples & records Shows overlaid voltage waveform
records 10,000 power parameters waveform signals at 1,024 S/C cycles for a selected time range.
continuously at ½ cycle resolution. • Threshold free setup The histogram shows the deviation
• 24 bit converter yield superior from the expected ideal waveform
• waveform resolution by overlaying millions of waveforms
• Waveform capture of up-to 8kVPk cycles.

Harmonics & Inter-harmonics Analysis

The BlackBox has two FFT engines for harmonics analysis:
• Cycle by Cycle: performs FFT at 1 cycle resolution for
extended bandwidth. This engine provides 512 harmonics
order at 50Hz resolution.
• 10/12 Cycles: performs FFT at 10/12 cycles resolution for
extended resolution and sub-grouping calculation. This
engine provides the magnitude and angle of 1,024 spectrum
components at 5Hz resolution.

Comprehensive Event Mechanism

The BlackBox G5 DFR is designed to detect any event occurring
on your system. The event mechanism allows you to configure
events on any measured parameter (more than 10,000) and/or
I/O ports. The event mechanism supports out-of-limit events,
rate of changed limits, and short transient as well as notches
events on the waveform. Since the BlackBox G5DFR records the
waveform signals continuously, event configuration don’t trigger
the recording but rather stores summary logs including start and
end time, duration, severity and magnitude of the event. All the
events can be displayed in a tabular or scatter charts as CBEMA/
ITIC.

Phasor Analysis
Phase angle between voltage and current channels are logged
continuously at 1 cycle resolution.
The Phasor chart displays the phase angled over time.
Discover
Outstanding Features
Web Interface Power Quality
The BlackBox G5DFR features a full HTML5 based web The BlackBox G5DFR provides a comprehensive power
server. The BlackBox G5DFR can be accessed from quality module that is fully compliant with IEC 61000-4-
any web-enabled device using a secure user name 30 class A for analysis and presentation. Power quality
and password. The web interface, which is used for measurements available include:
configuration and monitoring purposes, includes two • Harmonics recording: Compliant to IEC 61000-4-7,
main modules: the harmonic recording is available for all 32 virtual
• Overview: An at-a-glance-view of the full status of channels. 100 harmonics and 100 inter-harmonics
the system and measurements subgroup quantities per channels can be recorded
• Investigation: The Investigation module shows at a resolution of 10/12 cycles, 150/180 cycles,
graphs of trends, histograms, events lists, summary 1min and 10min continuously.
tables, and statistical summaries of all stored • PQ Events: Compliant with IEC 61000-4-30 Class
parameters. This module allows the user to analyze A, the power quality module can detect voltage
voltage sags/dips, swells, interruptions, and any sags (dips), swells, interruptions, and rapid voltage
other incidents that took place. changes for all 32 virtual channels. The PQ module
includes event aggregation for poly-phase system
support.
• Flicker recording: Compliant with IEC 61000-4-15.
All power quality parameters are continuously logged-
in at ½ cycles 150/180 cycles, 10min and 2 hours
resolution for up-to 1 year.

10 k 1 k 512
parameters samples harmonics

LCD Energy Meter

The BlackBox G5DFR is equipped with a 7” touch screen The BlackBox G5DFR is equipped with a high precision
display in high resolution along with led backlight. 4 quadrat energy meter with 0.1% accuracy in power &
energy.

Communication Fault Location

The BlackBox G5DFR rear panel is equipped with: The BlackBox G5DFR is equipped with a one and two-
• 2 SFP Ethernet ports that enable communication terminal impedance-based distance to fault calculation
to either two separate networks or for redundant algorithm.
communications. The SFP is a hot-swappable input/ The accurate results increase the network reliability and
output device that offers multiple connectivity availability by:
options. • Reducing aerial patrol costs
• 2 USB ports extend the DFR wireless communication • Prevent re-occurring faults
capabilities by connecting standard USB • Reducing power quality impact of ‘preventable
communication sticks. faults’
• 1 serial RS232 port • Reducing the cost of regulatory fines due to power
Additional Ethernet, serial and USB ports can be added outage
to the front panel for use by field technicians. Detected faults:
• Three-phase short circuit
• Two-phase short circuit

4 x 2x 2x
USB SFP Serial
• Two-phase short circuit to ground
• Single-phase short circuit to ground
• Single-phase open wire
PMU Time Synchronization
• Complies with the most updated standard for The BLACKBoxDFR’s synchronization algorithm is
synchro-phasor measurements of power systems based on several sources with an automatic hierarchy
IEEE C37.118-2011, including the amendment IEEE for the preferred source availability (accuracy based hi-
C37.118.1a-2014 erarchy). The main time source serves as the primary/
• Two independent synchrophasor data streams external time synchronization source while the alter-
enable reporting of synchrophasor data with two native time sources are used as the secondary time
different report-rates and/or different performance source in case the primary source fails. The Table be-
classes (P/M) and/or data types simultaneously. low outlines the accuracy of the BLACKBOX G5DFR’s
• Ultra-fast reporting rate for both P & M classes. individual time sources.

Performance Max report Max report Time Source Accuracy

Class rate for 50Hz rate for 60Hz
Internal Clock ±10ppm
P 200/sec 240/sec NTP 100μsec
M 100/sec 120/sec GPS/IRIG B 0.5μsec
DSP Sync 0.1μsec
• Phasor measurement reporting function for up to
32 phasors on each data stream. Standard synchronization methods such as GPS, IRIG-B,
• Streaming of any of the 10,000 calculated analog NTP, etc., synchronize the time stamp of the signal.
data parameters is available via the PMU protocol, Power quality application in general, and especially
eliminating the need to calculate power parameter in continuous waveform recordings, the sampling
in the PDC or anywhere else. frequency between devices must be synchronized as
• Analog data streaming also includes streaming well. Elspec’s propriety time synchronization algorithm
of mili-Amp input signals for control purposes. is a cost effective, high performing technology, able to
There is no need to use any other means to transfer achieve a simultaneous synchronized sampling from
transducer’s signals hundreds of channels in a decentralized redundant
• Support for simultaneous synchrophasor data architecture.
stream over TCP/IP and UDP/IP. Each individual BLACKBOX G5DFR acts as a Sync Master,
• It can be configured for unicast or multicast, and therefore can be used as a time reference to other
enabling a better design of WAMS communication units at a time accuracy of 50-100nsec.
and suitable for WAMS with several utilities or
applications involved.
PQSCADA Sapphire
Accurate Data Anywhere, Anytime
PQSCADA Sapphire is a comprehensive, yet easy to use, analysis and engineering software designed to manage
and monitor power quality analyzers, digital fault recorders, revenues meters and other IED. The PQSCADA Sapphire
express edition is complimentary with all Elspec devices.

Features
• Easily read COMTRADE, PQDIF & PQZIP files
• Comprehensive power quality module
• Geographical map view*
• Automatic power quality report for EN50160,
IEEE1159, FOL, GOST.
• Configurable report module to design your
own report template
• Power quality grid line code configuration GOST
• Export to Excel, word, JPG & PDF
• API to Matlab for advance post processing NRS048
analysis*
• Export data to COMTRADE, PQDIF, Excel & FOL
CSV
• Multiple Site investigation EN50160

* Available on the Enterprise & Professional plan only

PQSCADA Sapphire
Extensive Charts Capabilities
• Spectrum chart: View • Trend chart: View
selected parameters electrical parameters for
for selected time range a selected time range as
in a column graph. This one or more graphs
allows viewing and
investigating frequency
domain phenomenon.

• Statistics chart: View • Scatter Event chart:

selected parameters for View events for a selected
a selected time range. time range according
This chart shows two to standards or custom
sub charts: a “relative definition (such as
chart”and a “cumulative CBEMA)
chart” .

• Scatter Parameter • Summary chart: View

chart: View selected parameters for a selected
parameters for a time range. This chart
selected time range. displays the minimum,
This chart allows maximum and average
reviewing scattered value of each parameter.
dots of a specific
parameter in relation to
another parameter.

• Grid chart: View • Phasor chart: View the

selected parameters for phasor’s amplitude and
selected time range in a angle for a selected time
table. range.

• Cyclic Histogram • Event chart: View

chart: View overlaid system, power quality,
voltage waveform I/O and custom events in
cycles for a selected a table for a selected time
time range. This is range. This table provides
possible due to the valuable information
unique continuous regarding occurrence,
recording mechanism duration and severity of
of the Elspec those events.
BlackBox analyzer.
The histogram shows
the deviation from
the expected ideal
waveform by layering
the waveforms.
Flexible Architecture
• The system architecture of the BlackBox The Data acquisition cards are divided into two
G5DFR enables concentration and monitoring main groups:
of a large array of analog and binary channels • Analog cards – each device can be mounted
as well as controlled and processed signals. with up to 2 analog cards. The analog card
The G5 DFR is a 1⁄2 19” rack mount device that meaures fast analog channels (voltage and
includes 1 CPU module, 1 PSU module and 1 currents) at various ranges and sampling rate.
data acquisition unit. The data acquisition unit Based on the waveform raw data capture by
is assembled out of 5 data acquisition cards those cards, the CPU calculates displays and
performing the following functions: stores 10,000 different power parameters. Each
• Connection to the input/output signals analog card can hold up to 8 analog channels
• Filtering and isolation • Auxiliary cards – the auxiliary cards extend
• Analog/digital conversion the G5DFR capabilities by adding various
• Synchronized sampling for all channels I/O signals such as digital I/O, process signals
I/O 4-20mA and relays output. The auxiliary
cards are continuously sampled and stored at
128samples/cycle.

General View with Connectors Back View

Side View with Measurements Front View with Measurements

Specifications
Basic Unit
Data Acquisition
Recording period 1 Week
1 month
1 year
Analog Channels Sampling Rate 256 Sample/Cycle
512 Sample/Cycle
1,024 Sample/Cycle
Digital & Aux Channels Sampling Rate 128 Sample/Cycle
Mechanical
Dimensions [W X H X D] 21.5 x 22.1 x 29.1 cm (8.48” x 8.7” x 11.45”)
Frequency
Fundamental Frequency 37 – 70Hz
Frequency Resolution 1mHz
Frequency accuracy ±1mHz
Type of Analog to Digital Converter 24 Bit
PMU*
Applicable Standard IEEE C37.118 – 2011
M Class transmission Max rate 100/sec for 50Hz, 120/sec for 60Hz
P Class Transmission rate 200/sec for 50Hz, 240/sec for 60Hz
Communication
Rear Panel SFP Ports (100/1,000MB/s) 2
Serial Ports 1
USB PORTS 2
PPS 1
Front Panel* USB PORTS 2
Ethernet Port (10/100MB/s) 1
USB Port 2
Serial 1
Communication Protocols
IEC 61850 MMS, GOOSE, Sample Value*
MODBUS TCP/IP, RTU**
Power Supply
Main 100-260 VAC @50/60 Hz or
100-300 VDC
Aux 24VDC
Time
Internal Real Time Clock 20PPM
GPS 0.5µsec
IRIG B 0.5 µsec
NTP 100 µsec
Environmental Conditions
Operation Temperature -200C to 700C (-40F to 1580F)
Storage Temperature - 400C to 850C (-400F to 1850F)

Human Machine Interface

Built in 7” 1MP LCD. Additional comprehensive web server for local and remote real-time monitoring, historical data analysis and control.
Ordering Options
1. Software Features
• Modbus interface
• IEC 61850 – MMS, GOOSE, Sample Values
• Phasor Measurement Unit (PMU)

2. Front Panel communication ports:

• 2xUSB
• 1xSerial
• 1xLAN
•
3. Analog Cards: up to 2 cards per unit
3.1. Analog Cards: 4V/4I (50A)
Voltage full range scale 500V/1,500V/4000V
Voltage accuracy 0.1% from Nominal
Current sensor type CT/ Hall Effect
Capacity 50A (for 5sec)
Thermal withstand 10A continuous
Current accuracy 0.1% from Nominal
Current full scale 5A

3.2. Analog Cards: 4V/4I (100A)

Voltage full range scale 500V/1,500V/4000V
Voltage accuracy 0.1% from Nominal
Current sensor type CT/ Hall Effect/Shunt
Capacity 100A (for 5sec)
Thermal withstand 10A continuous
Current accuracy 0.1% from Nominal
Current full scale 5A

3.3. Analog Cards: 8I (50A)

Current sensor type CT/Hall Effect
Capacity (for 5sec) 50A
Thermal withstand 10A continuous
Current accuracy 0.1% from Nominal
Current full scale 5A

3.4. Analog Cards: 8I (100A)

Current sensor type Hall Effect
Capacity (for 5sec) 100A
Thermal withstand 10A continuous
Current accuracy 0.1% from Nominal
Current full scale 5A
3.5. Analog Cards: 8V
Voltage full range scale 500V/1,500V/4000V
Current accuracy 0.1% from Nominal

3.6. Analog Cards: 4LV 4V

Number of high voltage channels 4

Voltage range full scale 500V/1,500V/4000V

Current accuracy 0.1% from Nominal

Number of low voltage channels 4

Voltage range full scale ±10V

Accuracy 0.1% from Nominal

4. Auxiliary Cards: Up to 5 cards per unit

4.1. Digital Input
32
Number of channels

On-stage, nom 5VDC 24VDC 115VDC 230VDC

On-stage, max 6VDC 57.6VDC 138VDC 264VDC

On-stage, min 4VDC 19.2VDC 92VDC 176VDC

4.2 Digital Output

Number of channels 16

Blocking voltage 250Vp

Load current 120mArms & mADC

On-resistance (max) 35 Ω

4.3 Relay Output

Number of contacts 8

1 form C (CO)
Contact arrangement

Rated voltage 250VAC

Max. switching voltage 400VAC

Rated current 16A

Limiting continuous current 16A

Max. 4sec, duty factor 10% 30A

Breaking capacity max 4,000VA

Operate/release time max., DC coil 8/6ms

Worldwide
Innovator in
Power Quality
Since 1988 Elspec has developed,
manufactured and marketed
proven power quality solutions far
exceeding our clients’ needs and
Headquarters
Elspec Ltd.
expectations. Our innovations not E-Mail: info@Elspec-ltd.com
only simplify the understanding
of the quality of power itself, North America
but are also highly compatible, Elspec North America, Inc.
E-Mail: info@Elspecna.com
making them suitable for any
business and/or application.
Europe
Elspec’s international team Elspec Portugal Lda.
comprises professionals with E-Mail: info@Elspecportugal.com
extensive experience in electrical
engineering and commitment to India
customer satisfaction. We are Elspec India Pvt Ltd.
E-Mail: info@Elspec.in
ready to provide a tailor-made
strategies that will lead to a long
term sustainable and efficient
Colombia
Elspec Andina
use of your electrical energy. E-Mail: info@Elspec.com.co

For all Products & Applications Visit us at:

www.Elspec-ltd.com

When Power Meets Quality

Elspec is a registered trademark. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.