XRIO functionality 101, as I see it:
An XRIO converter can import a data source, possibly from 3rd party software, the relay setting software. The same XRIO converter can also use manually inputed data.
Broadly the XRIO converter manipulates this data into meaningful quantities. That is to say it takes raw line data/setting quantities and produces relevant test values. Similar manipulation could be done in an Excel spreadsheet, but that would exist outside of the occ.
Important to note is not just mathematical manipulation capability, but also conditional capability, - "IF...Then" ability, as well as boolean logic.
The XRIO convertor is produced by the relay tester who tailors it to his own specific test plan and relay application. All previous functionality is still available, and a tester could continue in blissfull ignorance of the XRIO capabilities as before.
To continue, the manipulated XRIO quantities are 'linked' to fields in actual test modules. There is a vastly greater number of fields that are available for this linkage, than previously existed with the 'RIO' functionality. Important to note is these linkages are also available to test modules that were not governed by the RIO test object. Eg ramping and sequencer modules. Furthermore it was not possible to have more than one RIO functional block, eg distance, overcurrent etc in a RIO file, in XRIO it is. So now only one test object is required, if for instance the relay has several types of conditional overcurrent or distance characteristic alternatives simultaneosly available within the protection.
Eg parameter changeover or emergency overcurrent etc.
Also important is that these linkages are done in a relative manner.
I will use a simple example to demonstrate.
To check a relay's current pickup level.
The setting is 1 * IN.
Inom is 5Amp.
Data input fields are is 1*In, and 5Amp. (the meaningful value in absolute current for the current pick up is 5A).
It is the tester, who programmes the 2 simple input fields and also creates a 3rd meaningful output field that he equates to the product of the two input fields. He then links (fixes relatively) the value of the output field to the ramp starting current value, the expected value, the tolerances, as well as ramp stop value, in a relative manner.
Eg:
The start of the current ramp is 0.9 * Third field value =4.5A
The expected value = Third field value = 5A
Minus tolerance = 5% of Third field value = .25A
Plus tolerance = 10% of Third field value = .5A
The stop of current value should a trip not be sensed = 1.5 * Third field value =7.5A
This is a very simple example of an XRIO convertor but as you can see, the XRIO convertor populates the test plan right down to the injection quatities. The XRIO is part of the occ file. If for example, the next relay of a similar type now has a setting of 2In and a 1Amp Inominal. The same occ file complete with existing XRIO is used as a template. A name change and two quick changes and all five fields in the test plan are adjusted accordingly relative to the new settings.
No value had to be manually adjusted in a actual test module itself.
This may sound simplistic, and it is. It is fully appreciated when for instance the relay has four frequency levels, 2 overvoltage, 2 undervoltage and df/dt and all pickups and drop off are to be tested. Then literally the adjustments of a handful of settings can affect thousands of actual test module fields.
Then XRIO becomes a massive time saver and there is never any finger problems, which of course there would be if thousands of fields had to be manually adjusted.
In conclusion for once-off test just test the relay as you have done previously.If multiple complex relays of the same type are to be tested. Then the time spent developing an XRIO convertor is generally recouped after about 3-4 relays.
After that the time spent testing a complex relay is halved or realistically even less.
To address the settings errors, using the relay itself as the data source is indeed insecure, and will perpetuate setting errors.
However the test plan designer could use line parameters as an XRIO data source instead of relay settings if he wished. Programs like CAPE can be used to inface with DIGSI and omicron directly, hence the the test kit and the relay have received their input data by via a parallel source, both without human intervention and can cross check each other.
These issues are real but, can be addressed easily in your way of working.
As regards mapping of output contacts:
This functionality is easily achieved. Take for example a distance relay that could be either PUTT or POTT.
Remember you are no longer limited to one distance test object block.
So in my occ file I have an advanced distance module that receives its characterics from distance block(1) and my relative shots pre-programmed. That is as per usual, prior to XRIO.
However, I have a second advanced distance module, again with relative shots pre-programmed, but this time with a logic output (Carr. Receive) pre-programmed aswell. The distance characteristic that pouplates this module is from distance block(2).
Ah!, but you say a POTT and a PUTT have completely different responses to the logic input. Well, of course they do, but this is where the conditional logic of the XRIO applies, the characteristic of distance block(2) is conditionally created different depending of whether the XRIO is told it is a POTT or a PUTT.
In other words logic outputs dont need to be manipulated, they would be pre-inserted into the template test plan. It is the characteristic expected response that populates these pre-programmed modules that is conditionally manipulated by the XRIO convertor.