PTDU Lab no.

08
PSCAD – MODELING &SIMULATION FOR POWER SYSTEMS
ABDUL WAHAB NASIR (02) BSEE 16-20

Abstract

The main objective of this lab experiment is to understand and observe PSCAD and run simulation on it for
modeling the power systems. This lab session is an introduction to this simulator, how circuits are made, component
values are specified and then their simulation results are obtained and analyzed. As power systems evolve, the need
for accurate, intuitive simulation tools becomes more and more important. With PSCAD™/EMTDC™ you can
build, simulate, and model your systems with ease, providing limitless possibilities in power system simulation.
Included is a comprehensive library of system models ranging from simple passive elements and control functions,
to electric machines and other complex devices.

Index terms --- PSCAD, PSCAD modeling, PSCAD Simulations, PSCAD for power systems, Power system
Simulator

I. INTRODUCTION [1]
PSCAD stands for Power Systems Computer Aided
Design. It is a powerful and flexible graphical user
interface to the world-renowned, EMTDC
electromagnetic transient simulation engine. PSCAD
enables the user to schematically construct a circuit,
run a simulation, analyse the results, and manage the
data in a completely integrated, graphical
environment. Online plotting functions, controls and
meters are also included, enabling the user to alter
system parameters during a simulation run, and
thereby view the effects while the simulation is in
progress. Graphic interface of PSCAD simulator is
shown in Fig 8.1.
The PSCAD Graphical Interface greatly enhances the
power and efficiency of your simulation.  It allows
the user to schematically construct a circuit, run a
simulation, analyze the results, and manage the data
in a completely integrated graphical environment.
Some of the main features of PSCAD simulator are
as follows: [2]
 Modeling of small and big systems.
 Real time modeling.
 Sub networks can be developed and
electrically connected.
 Run-time slow motion, allowing to detect
and observe minute changes in our
waveforms.
 Surge generator so that we can observe the
reliability of our system.

II. PROCEDURE [3]

In this lab we are required to explore PSCAD

simulator and perform certain tasks to know about
modeling of power system problems and finding their
simulation results. The procedure is provided in ‘lab
manual’ provided by Sir Abu Bakar. Following the
instructions of lab manual tasks were completed and
results were observed.

Figure 8.1: Graphic interface of PSCAD simulator

 III. LAB TASKS Outputs of Voltmeter and Ammeter are shown in Graph 8.4
and 8.5 respectively.
Task 01

Understand the working of input controls and the

displaying units of Examples\tutorials\inputctrl.pscx
by running the simulation.

By moving the sliders down following result is

obtained (Fig8.2).

Figure 8.4: Es vs t

Figure 8.2: Input control and Displaying units

Task 02

Explore the different libraries of PSCAD and Draw a

simple RLC circuit and show its output by using the
displaying units. Add a circuit breaker and fault timer Figure 8.5: Ia vs t
in the above circuit and plot the response.
Task 3
By exploring different libraries for components, an
RLC circuit was connected as given in Fig 8.3. Now, we added a circuit breaker and fault timer to
introduce fault in the circuit after 0.7s as shown in Fig 8.6:

Figure 8.6: Circuit Diagram of Task 3

Figure 8.3: Circuit Diagram

The outputs after the introduction of faults are as
follow:
VI. REFRENCES

[1]. V. Lizard, "PSCAD Overview | PSCAD", Hvdc.ca,

2019. [Online]. Available: https://hvdc.ca/pscad/.
[Accessed: 16- Apr- 2019].

[2]. "Nayak Corp | PSCAD - Electromagnetic Transient

Simulator", nayakcorp, 2019. [Online]. Available:
https://www.nayakcorp.com/pscad. [Accessed: 16- Apr-
2019].

[3]. Lab Manual Mr. Abubakar | PSCAD Simulator.

DEE PIEAS, 2019.
Figure 8.7: E vs t (fault introduction)

Figure 8.8: I vs t (fault introduction)

IV. DISCUSSION CONCLUSION

The lab was conducted successfully. We learnt how

power systems can be analyzed using PSCAD
software .By exploring different libraries we
simulated an RLC series circuit and its response by
fault introduction. First we observed the use of
different types of switches and sliders through an
example. The output waveform is shown in figure
8.3. Here our only objective was to understand how
outputs can be observed and links are made in this
software. When we introduced fault devices, we
observed sharp surges in our output. This is to be
expected since our circuit has an inductor. It doesn’t
allow sudden change in current. The outputs are
observed and analyzed to simulate the software and
get used to it for the deigning and modeling of power
systems.