What is comtrade file?

A COMTRADE file is a file format used for storing digital waveform data from power systems. It is an industry-standard format that is widely used by power system engineers, researchers, and vendors for data exchange and analysis purposes. The file contains highly accurate measurements of electrical waveforms, such as voltage and current, at specific locations in a power network. It also includes metadata, such as time stamps, sampling rates, and channel descriptions. COMTRADE files are often used for analyzing power system events, such as faults and disturbances, and for testing protection systems and communication protocols. The format is widely supported by commercial software packages and open source tools, making it easy to exchange and process data across different platforms.