Expressions

Introduction
This document describes the options for defining the logical and relational functions in the units in the RTU7
series from ELVAC IPC s.r.o. The expressions are supported in the units in the RTU7 series with FW version 92.03
or a later version (see Appendix B). For editing and parameterization of expressions, the dialogue was developed
in the User centre RTU application.

Areas of use
The following examples of use are not complete and it depends on the user which functionality will be
implemented using the expressions.

The association of several signals into one (for example, general trip of protection)
The relay control on the basis of the status of the signal (for example, indication of the status of the
backup accumulator).
Logical functions for regulation of the output of recoverable energy sources
Permanent relay output
Indication of difference between the measured and adjusted analogue value
Control according the analogue values
Definition of own meaning for all signalling LED on the signalling panel

Inputs
Digital inputs, virtual digital inputs, analogue inputs, internal statuses and auxiliary variables can be used in the
expressions as inputs.

Digital inputs
The filtered values of the inputs are used in the expressions due to the prevention of any oscillation. Logical 1
corresponds to 1 on the input; logical 0 corresponds to 0 on the input, intermediate state (for double-point
signalling) and/or an invalid value.

Virtual digital inputs

Any virtual digital inputs defined in the unit tree can be used in the expressions. Logical 1 corresponds to 1 on the
input; logical 0 corresponds to 0 on the input and/or an invalid value.

Digital outputs
As the input of the expression digital output can be used. This input is in logical 1 when the digital output is
switched on; otherwise it is in logical 0.
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Virtual analogue inputs
In the expressions it is possible to work with the values of virtual analogue inputs. In this manner it is possible to
dynamically change the threshold value in the relation expression.

Internal statuses
The statuses of internal variables, not available through (virtual) digital inputs, are accessible through internal
statuses. The set of potential statuses is not final and is gradually expanded according to various applications.
The list of actual internal statuses is in Appendix A.

Temporary variables
For temporary calculations it is possible to use up to 10 auxiliary variables which are not directly related to any
physical input. All temporary variables are set into logical 0 after restarting the unit and after parameterization of
expressions.

Outputs
The results of expressions are stored into digital outputs, virtual digital outputs, digital inputs, auxiliary variables
and signalling LED.

Digital outputs
The digital output is switched on only if the power supply is connected to the unit and the unit is running. During
disconnection of the supply voltage (source and battery voltage), all outputs are disconnected.
Impulse output
In the expressions it is possible to define the impulse output of the relay. This input has the length of switching
defined by the tDO default parameter in the IEC system parameters.
Permanent switching of the relay
Using expressions it is possible to generate permanent switching on of relay (a copy of the virtual output to the
digital output). Relays in the RTU unit are with connecting or disconnecting contacts. This means that if the unit is
disconnected (breakdown of supply), or during the update of FW in the unit, the relay is disconnected/connected
(according to the type of relay).
For implementation of permanent outputs, which will not be influenced by the breakdown of the supply for FW
update, it is possible to use external memory relay which will be controlled by impulses.

Expressions
The permanent connection of the relay during parameterization is interrupted for RTU units with FW older than
93.02 (units produced before 12 October 2010). For these units, during parameterization, there was clicking of
connected relays.

Virtual outputs
The values of virtual inputs/outputs are stored in the persistent memory (saving is made within one second in the
case of a change). This means that after restarting the unit, the value remains on the value set before the restart.
With the copy of the virtual input to the digital output, it is possible to achieve permanently switched on digital
output.

Digital inputs
Digital inputs can be used as outputs when time filtering the change of the status (for example, to delay the
signalling of a failure status) is desired. By using the digital input, it is possible to prevent undesired oscillation
that could occur by using virtual digital input.

Temporary variables
Up to 10 temporary variables can be used for the temporary calculations. These variables are identical with the
temporary variable that can be used as inputs. For the temporary variables, it is possible to define time delay, see
below.

LED signalling
In the expressions it is possible to use signalling LED located on the signalling panel as outputs. In this manner it is
possible to select which values and statuses will be displayed on these signalling LED. There are three signalling
modes (permanent lighting/no lighting, flashing with the frequency of 1Hz and flashing with the frequency of 5Hz).
It is possible to assigned LED values in the same manner as other outputs. Moreover, it is possible to use the
special operator sigmode (signalling mode), by which it is possible to modify the behaviour of signalling LED. For
signalling LED, it is possible to define the time delay, see below.

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Operation
Above the individual inputs, the following logical operations can be performed:
AND logical product (the result is logical 1, when both inputs are logical 1, otherwise the result is 0)
OR
(inclusive) logical sum (the result is logical 1, when at least one input is logical 1, otherwise the result is
logical 0)
XOR exclusive logical sum (the result is logical 1, when just one input is logical 1, otherwise the result is logical
0)
With analogue values it is possible to perform the following relational operations:
<
lower than (the result is logical 1, when the first operand is smaller than the second; otherwise the result
is logical 0)
>
greater than (the result is logical 1, when the first operand is greater than the second; otherwise the
result is logical 0)
<=
lower or equal (the result is logical 1, when the first operand is smaller or equal to the second; otherwise
the result is logical 0)
>=
greater or equal (the result is logical 1, when the first operand is greater or equal to the second;
otherwise the result is logical 0)
==
equal (the result is logical 1, when the first operand is equal to the second; otherwise the result is logical
0)
!=
is not equal (the result is logical 1, when the first operand is not equal to the second; otherwise the result
is logical 0)

Delay element
The special operations that can be used only on auxiliary variables and signalling LED, are the following two types
of delay:
delay0 delay in the change to logical 0 by the defined time
delay1 delay in the change to logical 1 by the defined time
After the delay operators, there must be a time constant stating the time of delay. The time delay for logical 0 and
logical 1 can be used in sequence and the filtration of both logical levels is performed this way. If the selected
logical level does not correspond to the actual, then it is not affected by the delay element. If the semi-result in
front of the delay element did not last for a certain time, the previous status of the output temporary variable is
copied on the delay element output. It is possible to put further requested operators and operands behind the
delay element. The behaviour of the delay element delay0 with the time 100 milliseconds is expressed in the
following table (for the delay1 element the behaviour is similar).

Expressions
Previous status of
the temporary
variable

Semi-result
(in front of the
delay element)

Duration of the
semi-result [ms]

Resulting status
(behind the delay
element)

< 100

< 100

is not evaluated

>= 100

is not evaluated

is not evaluated

is not evaluated

is not evaluated

Table 1: Function of the delay element

Signalling mode
Special operation which it is possible to use only on the signalling LED is sigmode (signalling mode). There are
three signalling modes (permanent lighting/no lighting, flashing with the frequency of 1Hz and flashing with the
frequency of 5Hz). These modes are then divided according to the actual status, as shown in the following table.
The signalling mode can be used only for signalling LED outputs.
Signalling mode

Behaviour

OFF at 0

When the actual value of the expression is 0, the LED is set to

0
When the actual value of the expression is 1, the LED is set to
1
When the actual value of the expression is 0, the LED flashes
with the frequency 1Hz
When the actual value of the expression is 0, the LED flashes
with the frequency 5Hz
When the actual value of the expression is 1, the LED flashes
with the frequency 1Hz
When the actual value of the expression is 1, the LED flashes
with the frequency 5Hz
Table 2: Signalling regimes

ON at 1
flashes 1Hz at 0
flashes 5Hz at 0
flashes 1Hz at 1
flashes 5Hz at 1

If the signalling mode is not used, it is possible to set signalling LED values similarly as the other outputs. During
the evaluation, the signalling mode which appears first and is valid is applied. The remaining expression on the
line is not taken into consideration. If the signalling mode is not valid (e.g. flashing at 1, but the actual status of
the expression is 0), the value of the expression is not influenced and the evaluation continues. In this manner it is
possible to place in sequence, several signalling regime operators and to achieve the requested behaviour. If in
the line, at least one operator signalling mode is used, the LED value is changed only on the basis of the results of
the signalling modes (i.e. the total result of the expression does not influence the LED status). The following
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example shows chaining of signalling modes. If the input is DI0 in 1, LED0 flashes with 5Hz. If the input is DI0 in 0,
LED0 flashes with 1Hz.

It is also possible to use the delay element and so prolong the signalling, as shown in the following example. If DI0
is in 1, LED0 shines. After the change of the status DI0 from 1 to 0, LED0 flashes for 10 seconds then stops.

Editing of expressions
Expressions can be edited by using the application User centre RTU item expressions in the unit parameters.
After double clicking on the value of the item expressions, the expressions editor appears as shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 1: The expressions editor in the User centre RTU application

Using the expressions editor, it is possible to easily create sequences of logical expressions which are sent to the
RTU unit where they are evaluated.

Expressions

Saving expressions
Expressions are saved in file number 20 which maximum length of data is 1014 bytes (1024, including length, ID
and CRC). Individual expressions are saved in sequence and are separated by the end mark END.

Evaluation of expressions
The expressions are evaluated every 10 milliseconds in the sequence order in which they are recorded, from the
first expression up to the last. Individual expressions are evaluated from the left to the right irrespective of the
type of operators (all operators have the same priority).
In the expressions it is possible to define brackets; nevertheless, by using temporary variables it is possible to
define the sequence of expressions which will have the same result and the expression with brackets.
If during the evaluation of the expression there is a syntactic error, the evaluation of all expressions is interrupted.
The User centre RTU allows creating only syntactic correct expression, i.e. if using to create a file with expressions,
there is no risk of the occurrence of a syntactic error during the evaluation of the expression.

Evaluation of expressions during parameterization

During the parameterization of analogue and digital inputs, the evaluation of expressions is interrupted (during
this period the analogue and digital inputs need not have any actual status). The parameterization of the other
parts of the unit does not affect the evaluation of expressions.

Expressions

Appendix A Internal statuses

In the following table there are the addresses and description of the internal statuses that can be used in
expressions and inputs. For each internal status there is also a version of the RTU unit firmware in which this
status was implemented and which can be used.
Address

Description

Implemented in FW

Second tick

105.02

105.02

Status of communication HioCom2

Status of communication IEC (only for direct communication
from the unit)
Loss of primary voltage (see documentation on protection)

Voltage A (see documentation on protection)

105.02

Voltage B (see documentation on protection)

105.02

Status of the switchgear (double bit)

105.02

Status of the switchgear OFF

105.02

Status of the switchgear ON

Table 1: Internal status

105.02

105.02
105.02

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Appendix B Revision
The functionality described in this document is valid for the last FW version of RTU units and the User centre RTU.
The following table shows in which version the mentioned functionality was implemented.
Functionality

RTU unit

RTU user centre

Starting implementation

92.03

3.1.2.36

Analogue values

96.05

3.1.2.47

Time delay

99.01

3.1.2.52

LED output, internal statuses

105.02
Table 1: Revisions

3.1.3.7

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Appendix C Sample expressions

The Appendix C contains several sample expressions which may serve as inspiration when creating expressions.

Signalling
In the following figure is the setting of signalling so that it has the same functionality which was previously
implemented directly in the FW of the unit when the behaviour and the meaning of signalling LED could not be
changed in any manner. It is evident from the mentioned example that it is now possible to arbitrarily select what
will be signalled and in which manner.

Fig. 1: The expression editor in the User centre RTU application setting the signalling

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Regulation of renewable energy sources
The following three chapters describe various methods of regulating the output for renewable energy sources.
Regulation using only RTU
In this case, the output is only regulated by RTU.

Fig. 2: Block connection diagram regulation only from RTU

Expressions are displayed in Fig. 6. The description of the signals used is as follows:
DO7
DO8
DO9
VDI218
VDI219
VDI220
VDI221
VDI222
VDI223
VDI224
VDI225
AI14
P0
P1
P2
DI103

digital output is permanently switched on when the request is at 60% of the output
digital output is permanently switched on when the request is at 30 % of the output
digital output is permanently switched on when the request is at 0 % of the output
the virtual digital output signals the request at 100% of the output
the virtual digital output signals the request at 60 % of the output
the virtual digital output signals the request at 30 % of the output
the virtual digital output signals the request at 0 % of the output
virtual input, which is for selecting 100 % output
virtual input, which is for selecting 60 % output
virtual input, which is for selecting 30 % output
virtual input, which is for selecting 0 % output
analogue input with the output
temporary variable indicating exceeding the regulation at the request for 60%
temporary variable indicating exceeding the regulation at the request for 30 %
temporary variable indicating exceeding the regulation at the request for 0 %
digital input indicating failure of the signalling
(time filter for 1 is set for 60 seconds, for 0 it is set for 10 seconds)
Physical DI and DO can be changed according to the actual connection of the application. Output values must be
adapted to the actual situation.
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Expressions

Fig. 3: Expression editor in the User centre RTU application regulation only from RTU

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Expressions
Regulation of the output by parallel RTU and HDO
In this case, the output is regulated by HDO (mass remote control) and backup by RTU.

Fig. 4: Block connection diagram HDO and RTU are connected in parallel
Expressions are displayed in Fig. 5. The description of the signals used is as follows:
DI0
DI1
DI2
DO7
DO8
DO9
VDI218
VDI219
VDI220
VDI221
VDI222
VDI223
VDI224
VDI225
AI14
P0
P1
P2

digital input indicating regulation at 60 % of the output

digital input indicating regulation at 30 % of the output
digital input indicating regulation at 0 % of the output
digital output is permanently switched on when the request is at 60% of the output
digital output is permanently switched on when the request is at 30 % of the output
digital output is permanently switched on when the request is at 0 % of the output
the virtual digital output signals the request at 100% of the output
the virtual digital output signals the request at 60 % of the output
the virtual digital output signals the request at 30 % of the output
the virtual digital output signals the request at 0 % of the output
virtual input, which is for selecting 100 % output
virtual input, which is for selecting 60 % output
virtual input, which is for selecting 30 % output
virtual input, which is for selecting 0 % output
analogue input with the output
temporary variable indicating exceeding the regulation at the request for 60%
temporary variable indicating exceeding the regulation at the request for 30 %
temporary variable indicating exceeding the regulation at the request for 0 %

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Expressions
P3 to 5 temporary variables indicating the current request for various regulations (further relays are switched
on at the same time)
DI103

digital input indicating failure of the signalling

(time filter for 1 is set for 60 seconds; for 0 it is set for 10 seconds)
Physical DI and DO can be changed according to the actual connection of the stated application. Output values
must be adapted to the actual situation.

Fig. 5: Expression editor in the User centre RTU application HDO and RTU are connected in parallel

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Expressions
Regulation of the output by RTU and HDO (connected to RTU)
In this case, the output is regulated by RTU, to which the HDO receiver is directly connected. RTU unit can only
regulate if HDO (mass remote control) does not regulate (all contacts are disconnected).

Fig. 6: Block connection diagram HDO is connected to RTU

Expressions are displayed in Fig. 7. The description of the signals used is as follows:
DI0
digital input indicating regulation at 60 % of the output
DI1
digital input indicating regulation at 30 % of the output
DI2
digital input indicating regulation at 0 % of the output
DO7
digital output is permanently switched on when the request is at 60% of the output
DO8
digital output is permanently switched on when the request is at 30 % of the output
DO9
digital output is permanently switched on when the request is at 0 % of the output
VDI218 the virtual digital output signals the request at 100% of the output
VDI219 the virtual digital output signals the request at 60 % of the output
VDI220 the virtual digital output signals the request at 30 % of the output
VDI221 the virtual digital output signals the request at 0 % of the output
VDI222 virtual input, which is for selecting 100 % output
VDI223 virtual input, which is for selecting 60 % output
VDI224 virtual input, which is for selecting 30 % output
VDI225 virtual input, which is for selecting 0 % output
AI14
analogue input with the output
P0
temporary variable indicating exceeding the regulation at the request for 60%
P1
temporary variable indicating exceeding the regulation at the request for 30 %
P2
temporary variable indicating exceeding the regulation at the request for 0 %
P3 to 5 temporary variables indicating the current request for various regulations (further relays are switched at
the same time)
P6, P7 temporary variables signalling HDO regulation (regulation from the RTU unit is blocked)
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Expressions
DI103

digital input indicating failure of the signalling

(time filter for 1 is set for 60 seconds; for 0 it is set for 10 seconds)
Physical digital inputs and digital outputs can be changed according to the actual connection of the application.
Output values must be adapted to the actual situation.

Fig. 7: Expression editor in the User centre RTU application regulation of HDO transferred to RTU

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