Basler Electric BE1-851 - Manual (Page 305)

SECTION 14 • BESTCOMS™ SOFTWARE
Description
BESTCOMS is a Windows® based program that runs on an IBM compatible computer and provides a
user friendly, graphical user interface (GUI) for use with Basler Electric communicating products.
BESTCOMS is an acronym that stands for Basler Electric Software Tool for Communications, Operations,
Maintenance, and Settings.
BESTCOMS provides the user with a point and click means for setting and monitoring the in-service relay
or relays under test. The point and click method provides an efficient, fast setup for configuring one or
several relays. This software is provided free with every BE1-851.
Introduction
A primary advantage of the 32-bit BESTCOMS is that an actual unit (operating BE1 Numerical System) is
not required to perform any or all settings and adjustments for any preprogrammed scheme. Nor is it
needed to create a custom scheme complete with settings and adjustments. In addition, BESTCOMS for
all of the BE1 Numerical Systems are identical except for differences inherited in the Systems. This
means that once you become familiar with a BESTCOMS for one Basler Electric system, you are also
familiar with BESTCOMS for all of the Basler Electric systems.
Using the BESTCOMS GUI, you may prepare a settings file off-line (without being connected to the relay)
and then upload the settings file to the relay at your convenience. These settings include protection and
control, operating and logic, breaker monitoring, metering, and fault recording. Engineering personnel can
develop, test, and replicate the settings before exporting them to a file and transmitting the file to
technical personnel in the field. In the field, the technician simply imports the file into the BESTCOMS
database and uploads the file to the relay where it is stored in nonvolatile memory. (See the paragraphs
on File Management, later in this section for more information on saving, uploading, and downloading
files.)
The BESTCOMS GUI also has the same preprogrammed logic schemes that are stored in the relay. This
gives the engineer the option (off-line) of developing his setting file using a preprogrammed logic scheme,
customizing a preprogrammed logic scheme, or building a scheme from scratch. Files may be exported
from the GUI to a text editor where they can be reviewed or modified. The modified text file may then be
uploaded to the relay. After it is uploaded to the relay, it can be brought into the GUI by downloading
settings. It cannot be brought directly into the GUI from the text file. The GUI logic builder uses basic
AND/OR gate logic combined with point and click variables to build the logic expressions. This reduces
the design time and increases dependability.
The BESTCOMS GUI also allows for downloading industry-standard COMTRADE files for analysis of
stored oscillography data. Detailed analysis of the oscillography files may be accomplished using
BESTwave™ software.
This section introduces all of the screens in the BE1-851 Overcurrent Protection System with their field
layouts and typical entries. Common program activities such as applying settings, modifying logic and
setting up password security are discussed. These discussions are application oriented. We explore how
the activity or task can be performed using an appropriate BE1-851 BESTCOMS screen.
BESTCOMS screens are similar to most Windows based GUI. You may immediately notice common
features such as the pull-down menu, toolbar, icons, and help prompts when the mouse pointer is paused
over an icon. Some of these features are shown in Figure 14-1. Like most computer programs, there is
more than one way to perform an activity or task. These various methods are discussed in the following
paragraphs in conjunction with the appropriate BESTCOMS screen.
9289900990 Rev R BE1-851 BESTCOMS™ Software 14-1