# Disturbance recorder

Canonical URL: https://eloragrid.ai/symbols/disturbance-recorder
Publisher: Elora Grid
Updated: 2026-10-28
Lookup label: DFR
Drawing use: SLD, Schematic
Reference families: IEC, IEEE / ANSI, Manufacturer

Recorder that captures analogue waveforms and binary signals before and after a trigger for fault analysis.

## In plain English

### What does Disturbance recorder mean?

A disturbance recorder captures sampled current and voltage waveforms together with breaker and protection contact states when a trigger occurs. Pre-fault and post-fault data let engineers check how protection performed, so the recorder is drawn with its analogue inputs from CTs and VTs and its binary inputs from trip and position contacts.

### A simple example

Many protection relays now include this function, so a separate recorder symbol usually indicates a dedicated substation-wide unit. The symbol does not show trigger conditions, sample rate or record length, and records are commonly exchanged in a standard file format that should be named in the specification.

### What the drawings help you do

Trace analogue inputs to their CTs and VTs. List binary inputs and their sources. A disturbance recorder stores high-rate waveforms around an event; a sequence-of-events recorder stores timestamped contact changes only.

### This particular reference

Recorder that captures analogue waveforms and binary signals before and after a trigger for fault analysis. A disturbance recorder stores high-rate waveforms around an event; a sequence-of-events recorder stores timestamped contact changes only.

### Terms

- Normally open / normally closed: The contact state in the normal condition defined for the drawing.
- Coil: A wound conductor that can produce a magnetic field when energised.
- Signal: Electrical information passed between devices, rather than necessarily the main power supply.

Concept diagram: Identify the device and form → Read the connections and state → Check the equipment reference
A guide to reading this reference. The original symbol illustration and its drawing notes appear below; these boxes are not a wiring diagram.

- [Relion 620: functions, codes and symbols](https://techdoc.relays.protection-control.abb/r/620-series-IEC-60870-5-103-Point-List-Manual/2.0-FP1-IEC/en-US/Functions-codes-and-symbols)
- [PowerLogic ION9000 user manual](https://www.se.com/us/en/download/document/26719674/)


## What it represents

A disturbance recorder captures sampled current and voltage waveforms together with breaker and protection contact states when a trigger occurs. Pre-fault and post-fault data let engineers check how protection performed, so the recorder is drawn with its analogue inputs from CTs and VTs and its binary inputs from trip and position contacts.
Many protection relays now include this function, so a separate recorder symbol usually indicates a dedicated substation-wide unit. The symbol does not show trigger conditions, sample rate or record length, and records are commonly exchanged in a standard file format that should be named in the specification.

## How to read it

- Trace analogue inputs to their CTs and VTs.
- List binary inputs and their sources.

## Information to show or reference

- List analogue channels
- List binary channels
- State trigger and record length

## Important distinction

A disturbance recorder stores high-rate waveforms around an event; a sequence-of-events recorder stores timestamped contact changes only.

## Facts

- Inputs: Analogue currents and voltages plus binary signals
- Record: Pre- and post-trigger waveforms
- Preview: Functional illustration of the device role; not a product footprint or certified standard graphic

## Public references

- [Relion 620: functions, codes and symbols](https://techdoc.relays.protection-control.abb/r/620-series-IEC-60870-5-103-Point-List-Manual/2.0-FP1-IEC/en-US/Functions-codes-and-symbols) — ABB. Public relay function list including disturbance recording within protection IEDs.
- [PowerLogic ION9000 user manual](https://www.se.com/us/en/download/document/26719674/) — Schneider Electric. Public meter manual describing measurement, logging and recording features of a revenue and power-quality meter.

## Graphic scope

Independent original educational concept illustration by Elora Grid. Not a certified standards graphic or manufacturer footprint. Unitless; not to scale. Original artwork licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. Publisher material is linked only.