DATASHEET

Fault Passage Indicator System

Type: FLA3.1V plus NX21

Locate faults quickly For use on overhead lines Link to SCADA system
Reduce Customer Minutes Lost Built in GPRS communications SMS and Email notifications

NX21

FLA3.1V

iHost Data Concentrator

Application
The system is used to detect the location of faults on
overhead distribution lines. FLA3.1V fault passage
indicators (FPI) are clipped onto the overhead conductors
and monitor the line for fault current and voltage events.
When faults and line voltage events are detected the
FLA3.1V devices communicate using low power radio to a
pole mounted NX21 RTU which provides date/time
stamping, local event storage and alarm forwarding via
GPRS to a dedicated central iHost Data Concentrator.
iHost provides a single link into SCADA/DMS system for
any number of remote FLA3.1V installations as well as
providing management of the FPI system as a whole.
FLA3.1V
The indicator may be installed under live line conditions.
Settings can be adjusted without the need to remove the
unit from the conductor. Single enclosure with all the
electronics and low power radio equipment contained
inside. Beside the basic settings of the indicator like trip
current, response delay, reset time, etc., the FLA3.1V can
be adapted to auto-reclosers in the network. This
provides for an optimised fault indication and also allows
the indication of different fault types. Permanent and
temporary faults can be distinguished and indicated
separately.
NX21
The NX21 RTU is fitted with a low power radio transceiver
to communicate with the conductor mounted FLA3.1V
devices. Up to 9 devices can be monitored by a single NX21.
The NX21 date/time stamps all network events reported by
the FLA3.1V devices and sends them over GPRS to the
central iHost Data Concentrator. Settings are sent from
iHost to the NX21 including time synchronisation, health
check intervals etc..
iHost Data Concentrator
Alarms, routine data and health checks are reported to a
central iHost Data Concentrator installed either on the web
or inside the utility’s own data centre.
iHost provides the following main features:
 Appears as 1 (or more) SCADA “Virtual RTUs”
 Listing of all installed FLA3.1V and NX21 devices
 Remote configuration management tools
 Report generation tools
 Configure email and SMS notification of events
 Searchable event history
For more information…
To discuss this product and its application please contact
Nortech.

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 DATASHEET
Fault Passage Indicator System

FLA3.1V
Unless otherwise stated the information is correct for the latest hardware/firmware combination at time of publication.
Trip current short-circuit a) Standard mode: fixed trip value
(can be switched off completely) 20A to 1500A (in steps of 20A)
b) Automatic mode: automatically adjusted
150% to 500% (in steps of 50%) of service current
Trip current earth-fault di/dt measurement and subsequent voltage loss:
(can be switched off completely) di: 20ms at 50Hz / 16ms at 60Hz
dt: 5A to 100A (in steps of 5A)
Response delay selectable between 40 and 300 ms (in steps of 20 ms)
Indication unit suitable for surface installation
Indication 6x LED indication, 360° visibility, >3000 mcd each Flag indication, 360° visibility, red
signal colour
Visibility 100m daytime / 500m nighttime
Reset of the indicator a) by recovering service current: optional yes/no
b) by recovering net voltage: optional yes/no
c) by remote control
d) by time: selectable from 30 min to 12 h (in steps of 30 min)
On-site function test by handset remote control
Dimensions diameter: 80mm
height: 184mm
Protection class IP67
Housing material ABS HI100-NP, Carbotex K20 UVR
Weight 0.610kg
EMI according to EN 50081-1:1992, EN 50082-1:1992,
EN 61010-1:1993
Type tests according to IEEE 495-2007, EN 60068-2-11 2000-02, ASTM G44-99 (2005)
Operation temperature range -20°C to +70°C
Accuracy +/- 10%
Cable diameter ranges a) 10 mm - 28 mm
b) 25 mm - 42 mm
Power supply lithium battery (LiSOCl2) type A / 3.6V / 3600 mAh self-sustained from 20A net
current upwards
Total fault indication hours 800 hours
Flashing frequency 60 per minute
Maximum operating voltage <= 46kV
Current withstand 25 kA / 170ms Sym. RMS
Communication / remote indication 433MHz or 866MHz bidirectional radio interface for remote control type handset
and RTU
Manufacturer Elektro-Mechanik EM GmbH
Country of Origin Germany

NX21
Unless otherwise stated the information is correct for the latest hardware/firmware combination at time of publication. The following data relates to the
NX21 used in conjunction with the FLA3.1V and may not represent the full data specification of the equipment.
Power supply Self powered using non-rechargeable 3.6V Lithium battery (LiSOCl2).
No external auxiliary supply required.
Battery life and capacity 10 years. User replaceable. Capacity available:
a) 32 Ah (2 x size D cells)
b) 64 Ah (4 x size D cells)
Remote communications Embedded quad band GPRS modem with SMA antenna connector

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 DATASHEET
Fault Passage Indicator System
Local communications 433MHz or 866MHz bidirectional radio interface for FLA3.1V communications
Operating temperature -20°C to +70°C
RTC Real Time Clock, synchronised with Host server, used for date/time stamping events
SIM card Mini-SIM (2FF) 25mm x 15mm x 0.76mm.
Enclosure Polycarbonate. IP66 fitted with an IP54 vent/drain hole. Grey similar to RAL7035.
Dimensions 182mm (w) x 180mm (h) x 90mm (d) plus pole mount bracket
Weight < 2kg
Type tests EMC EN61326-1:
EN55022 Radiated Emissions
EN61000-4-2 ESD
EN61000-4-3 Radiated Immunity
EN61000-4-8 Power Frequency Magnetic Field
Approvals CE declaration of conformance
Local configuration Local configuration of GPRS network settings, Host server address, register
configuration may be edited locally using the Field Support Kit cable and laptop
software.
Factory configuration to customers’ settings thereby requiring no local
configuration prior to installation and commissioning.
FLA3.1V devices supported 3, 6 or 9 devices can be monitored per NX21.
Data-mapping Standard:
Mapping for 3 sets of 3 (total 9) FLA3.1Vs:
 3 x Permanent fault/reset (1 data-point per set)
 3 x Temporary fault/reset (1 data-point per set)
 3 x HV loss of supply/healthy (1 data-point per set)
 3 x Sensor problem detected/healthy (1 data-point per set)
 NX21 temperature reading
 NX21 GPRS signal strength
Custom:
Data-mappings to suit customer requirements can be provided as a factory option.
Events Binary Events: Date/time stamped entries for any of the following:
 Set 1|2|3 Permanent fault/reset
 Set 1|2|3 Temporary fault/reset
 Set 1|2|3 HV loss of supply/healthy
 Set 1|2|3 Sensor problem detected/healthy
RTU Events: Date/time stamped entries for any of the following:
 Communication failure events (Network Unavailable etc…)
 RTU diagnostic codes
Local log sizes 100 binary event entries
100 RTU event entries
Host communications Immediately on detection of one or more binary events.
Routine health check interval (typically 2 weeks).
Retry algorithm in case of communications failure.
Remote configuration From iHost, see below.
Manufacturer Nortech Management Limited
Country of Origin United Kingdom

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 DATASHEET
Fault Passage Indicator System

iHost Data Concentrator

iHost provides a single platform to monitor numerous devices on the distribution network including Fault Passage Indicators. The following data relates to
iHost used in conjunction with the NX21 and FLA3.1Vs and does not represent the full data specification of the system.
License options Customer License: Installed in customers data centre/control room. Usually
includes a technical support contract.
Web-based Service: Nortech provided monitoring service under a pay as you go
contract. Access via secure web-based login.
Hosted License: Combination of the above. Dedicated customer iHost
server, web-based system, operated and maintained by
Nortech.
Server Specification Windows Server OS. Typical hardware specification will include RAID disks and
redundant power supply. All iHost software components can run on a single server.
iHost may be installed across multiple servers to improve resilience.
NX21 RTU count 100 to Unlimited. License dependant.
Virtual RTUs Fully configurable “Virtual RTUs” are used to present FPI alarms and status to top
end SCADA/DMS system. For example all FPIs on an 11kV feeder may be presented
as a single RTU to SCADA/DMS.
Polled and unsolicited events supported.
Slave SCADA protocols DNP3 level 3
IEC-60870-5-101
IEC-60870-5-104
User interface Browser based (no software to install on user PCs). Main displays include:
 System overview
 Alarm lists
 Event history
 Site drilldown/mimics
 RTU Configuration pages
 Bulk import/export
 Reports
 SCADA interface configuration
Remote configuration The following NX21 settings may be remotely configured from iHost:
 Number sets of FLA3.1V devices monitored (1, 2 or 3)
 Monitor permanent events per set Yes/No
 Monitor temporary events per set Yes/No
 Monitor HV supply events per set Yes/No
 SIM card APN settings (primary and secondary)
 Host IP address settings (primary and secondary)
 Routine health check interval (1-99 days)
 Call in and retry algorithm settings
SMS and Email notifications Notifications sent to any number of phones / email addresses when alarms
received. Message format is configurable.
Event archive Unlimited size. Searchable. Exportable.
User access Secure login, unlimited user roles, unlimited users.
Manufacturer Nortech Management Limited
Country of Origin United Kingdom

© Nortech Management Ltd, United Kingdom T: +44 (0) 8700 111 992 Doc Ref: D_001176
E: info@nortechonline.co.uk Issue: 1.1
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