AC System Faults and Multiple

Run Simulations:
1. General
Different parts of the simulation model can be arranged inside page modules.
PSCAD allows nested page modules. If you make a change to your existing
case, PSCAD will identify the page modules where changes took place. Only
these modules will be re-compiled. (Time savings in large cases)
Create a page module and include the equivalent source at Bus 3 inside this
module as shown in Figure 1and Figure 2. What is the use of the XNODE
component?
Place line from Bus 2- Bus 3 inside a page module.
Place line from Bus 6- Bus 7 inside a page module.
Note: Your instructor will briefly discuss the use of signal transmitters which
can also be used to transmit (control) signals from a page to another.
BUS 3

A
V

210 km

T2

P = 329.5
Q = 91.97
V = 0.8683

P = 127.1
Q = -78.06
V = 0.9021

P = 218.1
Q = 415.7
V = 0.9021
A
V

BUS 2

P = 537.9
Q = 821.5
V = 0.9021

RRL

A
V

A
V
Gen - 3
120

120

Figure 1 Main page

RL

RRL

Figure 2 Subpage

2. Simulating Faults:
1. Modify the circuit to include breakers, breaker controls, meters and the
PSCAD fault component (Figure 3). Plot, E6, E7 and I1 and the rms
value of E7 (display on a meter).
BUS 6

B6
E6

120

T18_a

0 = No Fault
1 = Phase A to Ground
2 = Phase B to Ground
3 = Phase C to Ground
4 = Phase AB to Ground
5 = Phase AC to Ground
6 = Phase BC to Ground
7 = Phase ABC to Ground
8 = Phase AB
9 = Phase AC
10 = Phase BC
11 = Phase ABC

55 km

Main : Controls
Type

I1

10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1

Type
1
Timed
Fault
Logic

T18_b

Timed
Breaker
Logic
Closed@t0

RRL

B6

B7

BUS 7
E7

RL

A
V

Timed
Breaker
Logic
Closed@t0

B7

P = 227.1
Q = 199
V = 0.999

Figure 3 Simulating a line fault

2. Simulate an A-G fault. The fault inception time is 0.4s. The fault
duration is 0.11 s. Note the dc offset of I1.
Note: The dc offset can cause mal-operation of protection due to CT
saturation. We will study this in later-on as a separate example .

3. What factors influence the initial dc offset and its rate of decay?
Change the fault inception time to 0.404 s and observe the results.
4. Breakers B6 and B7 are initially closed. Open both breakers at 0.5 s.
Re-close B7 (only) at 0.55 s and observe the line end voltage transient
at Bus 6.
5. Include a FFT block in your simulation cases shown in Figure 4. Convert
I1 to its sequence components. Verify the results of the FFT for
different fault types.
1

2
I1
1

XA

XB

XC

I1
I1

Mag+ Mag- Mag0

(31) (31) (31)
Ph+
(31)
FFT
Ph(31)
F = 60.0 [Hz]
dcA

dcB

Ph0
(31)
dcC

Figure 4 FFT Block

Your instructor will demonstrate the sequencer units available in

the Master Library of PSCAD to define a series of timed events.

4. Network frequency Scans

Calculate the network harmonic impedance at Bus 3 under system intact and
outage conditions.
Discuss the features of the harmonic impedance scan module of PSCAD

4. Multiple Run Component in PSCAD:

Ask your instructor to explain the features of this important component and make
sure you understand its functions before proceeding to the next set of tutorials and
examples.

I1
mrunout.out

1
2
3

| X|

1
C

| X|
| X|

Max

D
E

Ch. 1

Meas-Enab
.
V1
.
.

Ftime

V2
Ftype

Multiple
Run

Figure 5 Multiple Run component

Use the Multiple run component to perform a parametric study to identify the
worst current peak during faults. Study the influence of
a) Different fault types
b) Point on wave of fault inception.
Note: Multiple run settings for sequential variation of parameters.
60 Hz system:
Cycle time (T): T = 1/60 = 0.0166 s
For 20 point on wave simulations over a cycle: = T/20 = 0.0008 s
Start time t1 = 0.5 s (for example)
End time t2 = t1+T = 0.51666

5. Starting a PSCAD simulation from a Snap Shot file

Your instructor will demonstrate the snap shot feature available in PSCAD.