Overview

PSCAD/EMTDC version 2 consists of a set of programs which enable the efficient simulation of a wide variety of power system networks. EMTDC (Electromagnetic Transient and DC) [1], [2], although based on the EMTP method, introduced a number of modifications so that switching discontinuities could be accommodated accurately and quickly [3], the primary motivation being the simulation of HVDC systems. PSCAD (Power Systems Computer Aided Design) is a graphical Unix-based user interface for the EMTDC program. PSCAD consists of software enabling the user to enter a circuit graphically, create new custom components, solve transmission line and cable parameters, interact with an EMTDC simulation while in progress and to process the results of a simulation [4].

The programs comprising PSCAD version 2 are interfaced by a large number of data files which are managed by a program called FILEMANAGER. This program also provides an environment within which to call the other five programs and to perform housekeeping tasks associated with the Unix system, as illustrated in Figure A.1. The starting point for any study with EMTDC is to create a graphical sketch of the circuit to be solved using the DRAFT program. DRAFT provides the user with a canvas area and a selection of component libraries (shown in Figure A.2). A library is a set of component icons, any of which can be dragged to the canvas area and connected to other components by bus-work icons. Associated with each component icon is a form into which component parameters can be...