USER’S GUIDE
on the use of PSCAD
PSCAD
Power Systems Computer Aided Design
244 Cree Crescent, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3J 3W1
Copyright © 2005 Manitoba HVDC Research Centre Inc. All rights reserved.
Information in this document is subject to change without notice. No part of this
document may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronically or
mechanically, for any purpose without the express written permission of Manitoba
HVDC Research Centre Inc.
PSCAD is a registered trademark of Manitoba HVDC Research Centre Inc.
EMTDC is a trademark of Manitoba Hydro, and Manitoba HVDC Research
Centre Inc. is a registered user.
Microsoft, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows
ME, NT, XP, Developer Studio are the registered trademarks or trademarks of
Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries.
DEC and DEC Fortran are trademarks of Digital Equipment Corporation.
UNIX is a registered trademark in the United States and other countries licensed
exclusively through X/Open Company.
Netscape and Netscape Navigator are registered trademarks of Netscape
Communications Corporation in the United States and other countries.
MATLAB and Simulink are registered trademarks of The MathWorks, Inc.
Compaq and the names of Compaq products referenced herein, are either
trademarks and/or service marks or registered trademarks and/or service marks
of the Compaq Computer Corporation.
WinZip is a registered trademark of WinZip Computing, Inc.
Other product and company names mentioned herein may be trademarks or
registered trademarks of their respective holders.
Print history:
• February 3, 2003 - Version 4.0.0, first printing.
• March 21, 2003 - Version 4.0.1
• July 18, 2003 - Version 4.0.2, second printing.
• December 23, 2003 - Version 4.0.3
• April 30, 2004 - Version 4.1.0, third printing.
• April, 2005 - Version 4.2.0, fourth printing.
Foreword
The evolution of the power system simulator is born from many forces. Some are
driven by the need to solve a problem while others have come directly from sci-
entific research. Over the last decade, the manipulation of increasingly complex
systems has been the driving force behind the graphical interface and its working
environment. Every year there is an increasing demand for more flexibility and
speed, taxing the software in every direction.
I once read a quote, “To do the difficult task easily, you must do the simple tasks
perfectly.” Nowhere has this been more applicable as in the latest rendition of
PSCAD. The fundamentals have been revisited once again to ensure that they
perform precisely and consistently every time. Built on the strong foundation left
by the original creators of EMTDC some twenty years ago, the software has sol-
idly reached the ranks of world class. This by no means indicates that the tasks
are complete. Like the wave on a beachfront, there are always more to come.
As I look back on the last decade of development, the question of the next de-
cade moves into the light. Solutions are found in a montage of tools specifically
targeted for their domain. The distinction of these domains fades as the drive
toward a unified tool grows. Convergence forces us to view it not as waves on
rocks, soil and trees, but to consider it as a beach where all these forces interact.
Thus, tackling this convergence and creating a more powerful set of tools is the
next great challenge for the team and those that partner with us.
The many hours and hard work that has gone into the software over the last two
decades is hard to imagine. It has become and will continue to be the bedrock
of development for the future. In the next years, the many tools will form a nexus
point and change the nature of those solutions and how they are used once
again. I am proud to be a part of the last decade, working alongside all the great
contributors and look forward in earnest to the next.
Craig Muller, P. Eng.
Software Development Manager
September 2005
This masterpiece is dedicated to all the hardworking,
programmers, engineers, students, professors and support
staff who made this program possible.
PSCAD
vPSCAD User’s Guide
Table of Contents
About This Guide ....................................................................... xxvii
Organization ............................................................................ xxvii
Documentation Conventions ...................................................xxviii
References .........................................................................xxviii
Notes ................................................................................... xxix
Text Boxes ........................................................................... xxix
Chapter 1: Welcome to PSCAD .................................................. 1
What is PSCAD? .......................................................................... 2
Typical PSCAD Studies ................................................................ 3
What’s New in PSCAD V4? .......................................................... 3
V3/V4 Comparison Tables ....................................................... 6
Appearance and Terminology ............................................ 6
Chapter 2: Installation and Setup ............................................ 19
Hardware and Software Requirements ...................................... 19
Fortran Compilers ....................................................................... 20
Licensing .................................................................................... 20
Multi-User Licensing .............................................................. 20
Single-User Licensing ........................................................... 22
Trial Licensing ....................................................................... 23
Hardware Locks (Dongles) .................................................... 23
License Key ........................................................................... 24
License Manager Software ......................................................... 25
Standalone License Manager ............................................... 25
Maintenance and Support ............................................... 25
Local License Manager ......................................................... 25
Trial License Manager ........................................................... 26
PSCAD Usage Log ............................................................... 26
Installing V4 For The First Time ................................................. 27
Installing PSCAD ................................................................... 27
Installing the License Manager ............................................. 33
Possible Messages .......................................................... 35
Troubleshooting ............................................................... 40
Installing EGCS/GNU Fortran ............................................... 42
Installing LiveWire/LiveWire Lite ........................................... 42
Upgrading Your V4 Software ...................................................... 42
Upgrading a Previous Installation with a Patch ..................... 42
