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RSCAD Software Overview for Power Systems

The document introduces RSCAD software, a tool for operating the RTDS simulator, enabling users to organize simulation projects, create circuit diagrams, and analyze results. It includes various modules like FileManager, Draft, and MultiPlot for different simulation tasks, and features such as automated batch operation and multi-tasking capabilities. Additionally, it outlines the FileManager's functionalities for managing files and directories within the RSCAD environment.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
12 views20 pages

RSCAD Software Overview for Power Systems

The document introduces RSCAD software, a tool for operating the RTDS simulator, enabling users to organize simulation projects, create circuit diagrams, and analyze results. It includes various modules like FileManager, Draft, and MultiPlot for different simulation tasks, and features such as automated batch operation and multi-tasking capabilities. Additionally, it outlines the FileManager's functionalities for managing files and directories within the RSCAD environment.

Uploaded by

amitbheltbg
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Power Systems Division CPRI

Introduction to RSCAD Software


RTDS Simulation has two main software elements:

(i) RSCAD Software

RSCAD represents a family of software tools consisting of individual modules that


accomplish the different tasks involved in operating the simulator. Through RSCAD,
the user has the ability to organize and share simulation projects and cases;
assemble circuit diagrams using predefined or user-defined power and control
system component models; automate or interact with simulator operation; and
analyze and post-process simulation results.

RSCAD provides the ability to set up simulations, control, and modify system
parameters during a simulation, data acquisition, and result analysis.

(ii) Component Model Libraries

RSCAD allows the user to select the component icons from the library in order to
build the desired circuit. Once the system has been drawn and the parameters
entered the compiler automatically generates the low-level code necessary to
perform the simulation Therefore, it is the software that determines the function of
each processor card during a simulation.

(i) RSCAD

RSCAD is a user-friendly interface used to create a working environment familiar to


the power system engineer. This software is the main interface with the RTDS
hardware and is designed to allow the user to perform all of the necessary steps to
prepare and run simulations, and to analyze simulation results.

The modules of the RSCAD Software Suite include: FileManager, Draft, Tline, Cable,
RunTime, MultiPlot and ComponentBuilder.

FileManager - organize simulation files and launch other modules


Draft - graphical assembly and data input for simulation circuit
Cable - calculation of cable characteristics based on physical data
TLine - calculation of transmission line characteristics based on physical data or
positive and zero sequence impedances
RunTime - run, control and acquire results from real time simulation
MultiPlot - post analysis and annotation of results
ComponentBuilder - create user defined components including graphical
representation, data menus and real time code

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Additional features of RSCAD include:

Automated batch operation minimizes user interaction. A script file can be created by
record/replay or text editing to describe a sequence of events (starting/stopping
cases, initiating events, changing setpoints, etc.). The script can then be run
repeatedly and can also be used for automation of result reporting, analysis and
printing. Therefore, enabling thousands of automated cases to be run and a
summary report created without user interaction.

Multi-tasking capability allows multiple Draft, RunTime and MultiPlot sessions to all
be operating at once enabling optimal usage of the hardware.

Single line diagram format in Draft provides the flexibility to toggle between single
line or three phase format for viewing, editing and printing.

Load-flow initialization provides the ability to calculate the load-flow prior to starting
the run.

Drawing hierarchy provides the ability to view complex circuits in Draft in various
levels of detail.

Multiple RSCAD software can be executed on different computers. This allows


different groups to work on real time simulation, circuit construction, post-processing,
etc. all at the same time.

RSCAD - FileManager

The FileManager module is the first module to appear when the RTDS software is
started. FileManager provides a facility to organize files and other RSCAD modules.

Files and Folders are displayed on the FileManager background as default window
icons. The FileManager displays the files and folders in alphabetical order. Folders
containing files may be displayed in FileManager as open or closed. Available file
operations include copying, editing, deleting and renaming.
The process management facilities of the FileManager include the ability to start up
any of the other RTDS software applications and maintain icons of those processes
when they are iconified. Exiting the FileManager causes all processes to exit.

Exploring the Work Area

The default FileManager screen will look similar to the following. More information
about each can be found below:

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The MenuBar has the following menus

File Menu

Under File Menu, the following are the submenus:


New User Link
New Command Button
Find File Operation
Exiting the FileManager

New User Link


A user link is like a desktop shortcut - it provides a software link to files and folders
which are located on the local machine, or on other networked machines. Creating a
user link allows quick and easy access to these resources from the FileManager.

To add a new user link, select the File->New User Link item from the MenuBar or
right-click on the Network folder, and choose Create New User Link. An Add User

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Link window will appear requesting a name and path. The name provided is used to
identify the new link folder in FileManager. The new link folder will provide a shortcut
to the path specified.

The new link folder icon will appear inside the network folder.

New Command Button

A new command button can be created in the FileManager ButtonBar. The


command button is assigned a user defined command, operation or program and
placed in the ButtonBar with the RSCAD process buttons. Once created, clicking on
the new command button will execute the program assigned to it.
Selecting File -> New Command Button from the MenuBar will invoke a Button
Properties window. The Button Properties window allows the user to define the new
command button. A name, command and icon are required. Two different icons can
be specified. The over icon is the icon that is displayed when the mouse pointer is on
the button.

Clicking the right mouse button on the new command button displays the command
button menu. The properties of the new button can be changed at any time by
selecting Button Properties from the menu.

Find Files Operation

Selecting the Find Files option from the folder menu will search the directory tree for
a specified file or folder. Upon selection, a Find Files window is displayed requesting
the filename to search for and the folder to search in.

To start a search select the Search button available in the Find Files window. If the
search was successful, the path to locate the file is displayed. The Expand button in
the Find Files window will open the folder where the found file exists and draw a
shaded box around the file or folder in the folder tree. Initially the Expand button is
disabled. To enable the Expand button, the found pathname must be highlighted.
Clicking on the displayed pathname will highlight it.

Search options can be selected in the Find Files window by placing a check in the
box. The search can be performed to match the entered filename exactly, or the
upper and lower case lettering of the filename can be ignored.

Exiting the FileManager

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Selecting File Exit FileManager from the File menu will terminate FileManager and
all RSCAD processes. FileManager will verify this action before exiting if any
processes have unsaved information. The user may also specify to save or purge
the contents of the WasteBasket and the file history. Alternatively, the exit button,
located in the upper right hand corner of the FileManager window can also be used
to exit FileManager. If any file or folder icons have been changed during the
FileManager session, this information will be saved upon exiting. The icon
information is saved to a file labelled [Link] in the RTDS_USER directory.
FileManager options that are set in the Edit Display Options menu are also saved.
The options are saved to a file labelled [Link] in the users
RTDS_USER directory.

Edit Menu

Under Edit Menu, the following are the sub-menus:


Option
Directories

Selecting Edit->Options from the Menu Bar will start a Preferences window. The
Preferences window allows the user to customize how the RTDS software operates.
The preferences window contains two tabs: a General tab and a File Types tab.

Options entered in these menus are saved upon exiting FileManager. The options
are saved to a file labelled [Link] in the RTDS_USER directory.
Options menu item opens a window in which preferences can be entered. The
General Tab of this window will appear similar to this:

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Beep

Selecting the Edit Display Options General Tab window allows the user to specify
how the message bell should operate. Beep on errors, beep on all messages or do
not beep. Clicking the mouse in the appropriate circle will enable the option.

Process Button Size

Selecting the Edit->Display Options General tab window allows the user to display
the process buttons in the ButtonBar as large or small icons. Selecting Small or
Large for the Button Size will display the process buttons accordingly.

small process buttons

large process buttons

Canvas Background

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Selecting the General tab from Edit->Display Options allows the user to specify a
different File Area background. If the background is to be changed, a background gif
image file must be specified. FileManager will automatically size the image to the
size of the File Area. Leaving the Canvas Background entry blank will display the
File Area background in white.

Language

The RTDS software supports English, Chinese and Japanese languages. All RSCAD
window menus and error messages will be displayed in the chosen language. A pull
down menu is available to select the desired language.

Browser

Selecting the Edit -> Display Options General tab window allows the user to specify
a web browser. The pathname and browser executable name must be defined. If the
Browser entry is left blank, the default browser will be used.

Previous File History Size

RTDS software applications keep a record or history of file names that have been
previously used in an application. Selecting the Edit -> Display Options General Tab
allows the user to specify the Previous File History Size. The minimum size is 1 and
the maximum size is 20.

The history filenames are conveniently displayed in RTDS software applications File
Menus. This feature is useful for locating and loading previous files into an
application.

Edit Command

Selecting the Edit -> Display Options General Tab window allows the user to specify
the text editor for viewing and editing ASCII files.

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A '%s' is needed in the command string to represent the file name being passed to
the command. The pathname and text editor executable name must be supplied as
the edit command. If wordpad is the editor of choice, the edit command might appear
similar to that shown below;
C:\Program Files\Windows NT\[Link] %s

Performing a Windows search is helpful for locating the text editor executable.

Acroread Command

RTDS help documentation is available in Adobe Acrobat PDF file format. The
Acroread command is required so the adobe acrobat reader can be located to be
used to view the PDF documentation. The pathname and executable are required for
the command. Click on the Browse button to navigate to the acrobat executable.

Print Command

The Print Command is only applicable to users running under a UNIX environment.
Windows uses may ignore this entry.

Printer Resolution (dpi)

The Printer Resolution (dpi) setting, found in the Edit ->Display Options General Tab,
allows the user to choose the resolution of printed text and graphics. Higher
resoultions are generally better in quality, but may require more time to print.

Note that not all printers will support all resolution settings.

Header Text

The Header Text is only applicable to users running under a UNIX environment.
Windows uses may ignore this entry.

Graph Font Size

The Graph Font Size is only applicable to users running under a UNIX environment.
Windows uses may ignore this entry.

File Types Tab

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Selecting the Edit -> Display Options displays the Preferences window. Selecting the
File Types Tab will display a window that can be used to change file icons, and
select which files are displayed in the FileManager directory tree.

A new icon can be set for each different type of file that appears in the FileManager
directory tree. File types are determined by their file name extensions.

First a file type must be added by selecting the Add Type button. The file name
extension should be entered in to the Ends With Extension box provided. If files with
the entered file name extension are to be viewed in the File Area, place a check in
the Visible box provided. To assign an icon to the files with the entered extensions,
highlight the entry and select the Set Icon button. The user is requested for an image
file to represent the file type. Image files must be in Gif format. The above process
can be repeated for any file type in the File Area.
Any file entry can be removed by highlighting the entry and selecting the Remove
Type button.

Display Filename Extensions

The display of files may be filtered by file extension. To show all files, click to place a
check mark beside Show All - this may also be set in View -> Show All files. To set a
file type to not display in FileManager, click Add Type, type in the extension under
Ends With Extension, and remove the check mark from Visible.
Note that the Show All option shows all file types, including those type set to be not
visible as described above.

RSCAD Directories

For the RSCAD to start correctly, environment properties must be set. Selecting the
Edit->Directories options from the MenuBar will open the Environment Properties
window.

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Upon starting RSCAD for the first time, the user will be prompted for the environment
properties. Once entered, the properties are stored in a [Link] file in the
RTDS_USER directory. These properties need only be set once.

RSCAD User Directory

All of the user's RSCAD files are located in a directory structure beneath the
RTDS_USER directory. The files in the RTDS_USER/FMGR directory will be
displayed in the FileManager File Area. The PscadUser directory must be specified
so FileManager can locate the RSCAD files.

If the entered user directory does not currently exist, then RSCAD will create one. A
confirmation box is displayed to ensure that the new directory can be created.

Master and User Directories

The location of the master and user directories must be specified. These directories
contain files that are required by the RSCAD to operate. After installing the RSCAD,
the software locates the user and master directory and enters the pathnames in the
appropriate box in the Properties window. These entries should not have to be
modified by the user. If the RSCAD is installed in the C:\Program Files directory, the
PscadUser directory should be set to C:\Program Files\RTDS_USER, and the
Master directory should be set to C:\Program Files\RTDS_SW.

In previous versions of PSCAD, the Group directory was used to store all RTDS
components. In the new RSCAD version the Master directory contains all the RTDS
components. Also, the Master directory is installed on the local computer and not
shared. This is due to the fact that the RSCAD operation speed is considerably
increased by sharing only a small number of files over a network.

Shared Lock Directory

If a RTDS rack is in use, and the racks directory is shared, other RSCAD users will
be aware that the RTDS rack is being used. If the racks directory is shared between
a number of computers or if the racks directory is shared between the new RSCAD
and an old PSCAD version, the location of the racks directory should be entered as
the Shared Lock Directory.

View Menu

View Menu has the following sub menus:


Show All Files
Include Extension For Known Types
Refreshing Directory Listings

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Show All Files

Placing a check in the View -> Show All Files box displays all files in the File Area -
overriding the individual file types visible settings found in the File Types Tab of Edit
-> Display Options.

Include Extension For Known Types

File types entered in the Edit -> Display Options File Types Tab are considered to be
"known types" of files. The View -> Include Extensions For Known Types toggles the
display of the file extension on and off.

Refresh

Selecting the View -> Refresh option will refresh the FileManager directory tree.

History Menu

During a FileManager session, a record is kept of the various actions performed in


FileManager by the user. The History menu provides access to the history related
functions.

Open History

The default text editor (which is defined in the Edit Command of the Preferences
window) is used for both on-screen display and for hard-copy output, of a simple
line-by-line account of the operations performed. A history record may look as
follows.

Purging the History Record

Selecting History -> Purge deletes the contents of the history record.
When exiting FileManager, the user can select to save or purge the history record.
By default, the history record is purged upon exiting FileManager.

Printing the History Record

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A hard copy of the history record can be obtained by selecting the History -> Print
command.

Tools Menu

Tools menu has the following sub menus:


View Memory Usage
Diagnostic
Hub Detect
Config File Editor
Firmware Upgrade
View Memory Usage

Choosing Tools -> View Memory Usage displays a Memory Usage window which
provides a summary of the system memory use.

Diagnostic

Diagnostics is further split into Diagnostic Info and IRC check.


Diagnostic Info will perform a self check of the racks and display the summary of the
diagnosis.

Similary, IRC check will perform diagnosis of the Inter-rack communication card and
display the summary.

Hub Detect

Hub Detect option is used configure the Hub Setup for the RTDS racks.

Config File Editor

RSCAD provides a tool to edit the rack configuration file (config_file). Because this
file reflects the actual hardware in RTDS system, editing this file is only necessary

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when changes are made to the hardware. An alternative to editing the file is to
completely re-generate it using the config_file generation tool.
Help Menu

Help menu has the following submenus:


Version Release Notes
Help Topics
View RSCAD License
View JRE License
View GCC License
About File Manager
Version Release Notes

RSCAD release notes can be viewed in FileManager by selecting Help->View


release notes. The release notes describe any recent enhancements or bug fixes
that have been made in the current version of RSCAD.

Help Topics
Selecting Help -> Help Topics will display FileManager on-line help.

View RSCAD License


The RSCAD license agreement can be viewed in the FileManager by selecting Help-
>View RSCAD license option.

The modules of the RSCAD Software Suite include: FileManager, Draft, Tline, Cable,
RunTime, MultiPlot and ComponentBuilder.

View JRE License

The JRE (Sun Java RunTime Environment) license agreement can be viewed in
FileManager by selecting the Help->View JRE license option.

JRE License displays Sun Microsystems, Inc. Binary Code License Agreement (Sun
Java Run Time Environment)

About FileManager

Selecting Help->About FileManager displays the RSCAD version number.

RSCAD Draft

Displays graphical layout of a schematic diagram of the system to be simulated


using the RSCAD/Draft module. The right side of the Draft screen contains various
libraries of power and control system components. To create a schematic, icons are

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simply taken from the library and pasted onto the Draft Canvas on the left side of the
screen. Then the required parameters associated with that model are entered in a
pop-up window. Features such as group/ungroup commands are provided for easy
on-screen arrangement. The compile process provides preliminary error checking of
component parameters and generates the real time code that will be run on the
RTDS Hardware.

RunTime

All loading, running, and controlling of the simulation is done entirely from the host
computer through the RSCAD RunTime module. This module is also known as the
Operator's Console. The RunTime screen is customizable for each simulation by
creating meters, plots, sliders, buttons, dials, switches, etc.

The user is able to control and interact with the simulation in this graphical
environment. Non-critical monitoring can be minimized for efficient use of workspace.
RunTime automatically triggers plot updates during simulations. Calculation
functions are available to condition plots. As well, text, annotation and time stamps
can be added to categorize simulation result. Plot data can be saved for post
processing in MultiPlot, printed, or saved in pdf, jpeg or vector format.

CBuilder

CBuilder is a separate RSCAD module used for building Draft component icons. In
addition to an advanced graphical editor to create and edit the icon, it allows for
customizing all aspects of the model, including the user-entered parameters and the
simulation code behind the model. It has adopted many of the conventions of other
popular drawing software, in an effort to make the interface intuitive and easy to use.
Because the creation of a model is a fairly complex process, the CBuilder module
itself is fairly complex, with several different components to it. The data associated
with the model is entered in the 'Parameters' tab, and then this data can be used in
'c' type expressions when defining the model's graphics, computations and nodes.
The user writes the executable code for the model in standard 'c', in a file that has
been divided into initialization logic and the simulation code.

MultiPlot

Post-processing, analysis, plotting, and printing of results captured on the RTDS


Simulator may be done from the MultiPlot module. The user can fully annotate plots
and prepare them for report ready printouts. RSCAD also enables the user to create
an ASCII file of the simulation data which can then be imported into other software
programs for further analysis if desired.

TLine

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TLine provides a mechanism to calculate the traveling wave characteristics for


transmission lines. The input to TLine is generally the physical data and geometry of
the line. Alternatively, for 3 and 6 conductor AC lines the positive and zero sequence
data may be used. TLine can provide standard Bergeron traveling wave output or
frequency dependant modal or phase domain data.

Cable

Cable provides a mechanism to calculate the traveling wave characteristics for


cables based on physical data entry. Cable can provide standard Bergeron traveling
wave output or frequency dependency modal or phase domain output.

Help

GUI help will display the FileManager online help

Convert

This option is selected to convert the PSS/E and BPA formatted files to RTDS
format.

Manual

RTDS help will display the RTDS manuals in PDF format. The RTDS manual contain
hardware documentation and documentation about Draft components.

Power System Component Library - Component Types

Real Time Network Solution

Solves nodal equations for simulation circuits including passive elements, breakers
and faults. The network solution performs real time decomposition of the admittance
matrix which allows continually varying conductance elements to be represented in
the circuit. The current dimensioning of the network solution allows 66 single phase
nodes per rack (ie per subsystem) and 56 switches.

Sources

Voltage sources provide several impedance options to act as network equivalent


models and allow the positive and zero sequence impedance to be specified
independently.

Transmission Lines and Cables

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Traveling wave (Bergeron) and PI section components can represent full coupling
between as many as 12 conductors. Frequency dependent model or phase domain
components allow a maximum of 6 conductors.

Machines

Synchronous and induction machines, multi-mass model (maximum 7 masses).


Optionally the synchronous machine model can also represent the unit transformer
and the generator terminal bus, therefore reducing the load on the network solution
and freeing up more nodes.

HVDC

Converter models for point-to-point and back-to-back schemes. The converter


models can be easily configured to represent UHVDC (ie with several series groups)
and allow faults to points both internal and external to the converter. The improved
firing algorithm is used to allow the converters to represent a continually variable
firing instant with an accuracy of 1µs.

Switched Filter

Provides as many as 12 individually switched filters without requiring the use of any
additional nodes. The entire component is embedded in the main network solution as
variable conductance elements. Various filter configurations including single, double
and triple tumed options are available.

FACTS

Voltage source converter (VSC) based devices such as STATCOM, SSSC, UPFC,
VSC based HVDC, etc. are represented using small timestep VSC subnetworks.

Series Compensation

Either fixed or variable (TCSC) compensation components are avalable with MOV,
bypass breaker, spark gap, capacitor bank unbalance, etc.

Transformers

Two and Three winding transformers with on-load tap changers, saturation and
hysteresis, internal faults.

Instrument Transformers

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CT, CVT with ferroresonance damping cct., and PT all with saturation and hysteresis
representation.

Distributed Generation

Wind turbines, photo voltaic, fuel cell and various other power sources can be
represented by library components while the corresponding VSC converters can be
freely configured in small timestep subnetworks.

Control System Component Model Library

The Control System Component Library allows customized control systems to be


created that can interact with the model power system and/or the outside world.

The descriptions below provide an overview of the components.

User-Input - Slider, switch, button, dial


Constants - integer, floating point, utility
Data conversion - deg -> rad, int -> float, etc.
Math functions - exp, log, gain, sqrt, inverse, abs, sum, multiply, divide, fourier
transform, integrator, lead-lag, wash-out, etc.
Trigonometric functions - sin, cos, tan, arcsin, arcos, 3 phase sin, etc.
Standard control blocks - deadband, pulse generator, edge detector, time, counter,
ramp, limiters, meters, phase-locked loop, flip-flops, etc.
Logic functions - and, or, nor, bit shift functions, bit -> word, etc.
Sequencer functions - wait, apply fault, close breaker, etc.
Generator controls - exciters (IEEE Type 1, AC1, ST1, X1, SCRX, IVO, etc.),
governors (IEEE Type 1, European BBGOV1, Gas turbine, steam turbine, hydro
turbine, etc.), power system stabilizers (PT1ST1, PSS2A, IEEEST, IEE2ST)

The Control System Library contains specialized components for Power System
Protection and Automation. The protective relay models are useful when real devices
are not available or for training and educational purposes. The IEC 61850 models
are used to connect a physical device to the RTDS in a closed loop test
environment. The SCADA component provides a DNP3 slave interface to the RTDS
for an external master. The extended file playback model is very useful when a large
amount of data needs to be interfaced into the simulation in real time.

Protection and Automation Models

Protective Relays - Multifunction Distance, Overcurrent, Differential, and Generator


protection

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Power System Metering– 3 phase symmetrical components,impedance
measurement with sequence components
IEC 61850 - GOOSE binary and analog, Sampled Values (IEC 61850-9-2)
SCADA functions – DNP3 Slave
Extended File Playback - very large file (many GB) in COMTRADE or ASCII file
format
Control - 1/3 pole circuit breaker control with sync-check

Automated batch mode operation

In many situations, particularly when testing protective relays, a large number of


simulation cases must be run and evaluated (e.g. point on wave switching, varying
fault type and fault impedance, etc.). Therefore, an automated multi-run or "batch"
operating mode that essentially eliminates the need for user intervention is required.
The RTDS Simulator provides the Automated Batch Mode capability for running
cases, analyzing results, and customizing report generation with limited user
interaction.

The RTDS Simulator's automated operation software is incorporated into RSCAD


RunTime and can be divided into three major sections:

Record / replay facility


Script file facility
Pre-processor components

The record feature allows the user to store manually initiated events such as
downloading of simulation cases, adjustment of system set points, application of
faults, capture of output waveforms, etc similar to a macro. Once a series of actions
has been recorded, the replay feature can be used to repeat those actions many
times without the need for further interaction by the user. Optionally, the text file
containing the recorded commands can be edited to change the sequence or
remove unwanted commands.

The record and replay features are particularly useful when a large, complex
simulation case (e.g. with many synchronous machines) is being brought to its
steady-state condition. Each time the case is started, the script file can be executed
to ensure same start-up procedure is applied and steady-state conditions are
achieved in a consistent, stable manner. Once in steady state, the transients that are
to be studied can be applied.

Refining and customizing operation with script files

When it comes to creating entire test sequences and customized reporting, the full
power of the script file feature is used. This feature is essentially an extension of the

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record and replay facility through which the user can introduce additional functions or
events to pre-record operations.

The record feature described above automatically generates and stores a script file.
After recording, the script file may also be modified to introduce refinements or to
create a more complex script sequence. For example, the user may introduce result
analysis functions such as trip time measurements, FFT's, max./min. searches,
logical operations, etc. and have the results of these functions displayed graphically,
stored in separately defined output files, or printed. Additionally, conditional/adaptive
looping via if, for and while statements may also be added to the script file. In this
manner, the user can completely customize test sequences and the reporting of
results. Essentially the script file is a "C" program that includes special simulator
commands (ie. start, stop, push button, etc.).

Pre-processor components make it all possible

The RTDS Simulator pre-processor components provide a method to automatically


re-compile simulation cases when certain types of circuit variables are changed.
Similar to record/replay and script file management, all operations relating to the pre-
processor are accomplished through the RSCAD RunTime.

Modifying the value of a fault impedance represents a typical situation in which the
pre-processor is required and utilized. In this case, the user may specify from either
RunTime or from a script file that the fault impedance at a particular point should
vary between a minimum and maximum value. Since changes in the fault impedance
effect the overall system admittance matrix, new matrices must be created. The
RTDS software recognizes the requested change and takes the appropriate action.
The next time the simulation is run, either manually or automatically, the new fault
impedance will be available.

All parameters of the RSCAD Draft case can be modified by substituting a parameter
with a special Draft variable.

Small Time-Step VSC Subnetwork

Voltage Source Converter (VSC) based schemes require small timesteps to properly
represent high frequency switching and circuit dynamics. To efficiently include such
schemes in larger scale simulations, the small timestep VSC subnetwork technique
is to be adopted.

The VSC subnetworks operate with timesteps in the range of 1-4µs and can be
interfaced to large scale simulations operating with timesteps in the order of 50µs. A
key feature of VSC subnetworks is that the circuit and valve topology is user
configurable. Two- and three-level converters can be freely configured to provide

Training Programme on ‘ Real Time Digital Simulation of Power Systems’, 21st -25th Sept. 2010
31
Power Systems Division CPRI
crow-bar circuits, etc. for PWM switching <2kHz. A fixed topology two-level converter
is also available for operation at PWM switching frequencies in the range of 10kHz.

Multiple VSC subnetworks can be linked together by traveling wave transmission


lines or cables to create entire sytems running with timesteps <4µs.

Training Programme on ‘ Real Time Digital Simulation of Power Systems’, 21st -25th Sept. 2010
32

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