Abstract

The Common Format for Transient Data Exchange (COMTRADE) defined by IEEE C37.111 and IEC 60255-24 is a file format most commonly produced by protective relays and digital fault recorders, though some power quality monitors also support the format. Records are typically used by power quality and protection engineers to review disturbances, faults, and other system anomalies. Because the format is defined by a public standard, records produced by one device can be opened by any conforming analysis tool. This paper describes the structure of a COMTRADE record, including the header, configuration, data, and information files, as well as the Combined File Format introduced in the 2013 revision. The workflow for importing COMTRADE records into PQ Canvass is presented, followed by a detailed discussion of the analytical capabilities available once a record is loaded. COMTRADE support is part of a broader PMI initiative to allow customers to bring data from common industry formats into PQ Canvass alongside native PMI recordings.