PSCADTM

Getting Started with PSCAD X4 (v4.6.3)

January 16, 2019
Revision 20
 Getting Started (PSCAD X4 v4.6.3)

Contents
1. COMPUTING REQUIREMENTS ........................................................................................................................ 1
2. LICENSING REQUIREMENTS ............................................................................................................................ 6
2.1 WHEN USING CERTIFICATE LICENSING TO RUN PSCAD ..............................................................................................6
2.2 WHEN USING LOCK-BASED LICENSING - LICENSE IS HOSTED ON THE PSCAD MACHINE .....................................................6
2.3 WHEN USING LOCK-BASED LICENSING - LICENSE IS HOSTED ON A SERVER.......................................................................6
3. SCOPE BOUNDARIES ...................................................................................................................................... 7
3.1 PSCAD IMPOSED BOUNDARIES (ALL EDITIONS AND COMPILERS) .................................................................................7
3.2 EDITION SPECIFIC BOUNDARIES .............................................................................................................................7
3.3 FREE EDITION RESTRICTIONS .................................................................................................................................8
4. SUPPORTED FORTRAN COMPILERS ................................................................................................................ 9
5. INSTALLING AND LICENSING PSCAD ............................................................................................................. 10
5.1 PROFESSIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL EDITIONS .........................................................................................................10
5.2 INSTALLING THE FREE EDITION.............................................................................................................................11
5.3 RUNNING THE FREE EDITION ...............................................................................................................................12
6. TUTORIALS AND EXAMPLES TO GET YOU STARTED ...................................................................................... 13
 Getting Started (PSCAD X4 v4.6.3)

1. Computing Requirements

PSCAD is a numerically intensive power system transients simulator; a fast and efficient personal computer is
recommended for best results. PSCAD v4.6.3 is supported on any computer running Microsoft® Windows 7 SP1
and Windows 10.

Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7 SP0 are not supported for versions 4.6.0 and higher.

Category Recommended
Computer1  Good motherboard with fast front-side speed
 8 GB + of fast high quality RAM2
 Solid state hard drive
 64 bit operating system
 4 + CPU cores with a decent CPU ranking
 One USB 2.0 port or better, or Internet connection3
Operating System4 Microsoft® Windows 7, 64-bit SP1
Microsoft®Windows 10
Processor Generally, the faster the better. We recommend at least a 4-core
processor in order to take advantage of Parallel and High Performance
Computing (refer here and here). Additional licensed capabilities may be
purchased to maximize these features. For more information, please
refer to the Requirements manuals or contact the PSCAD Support Desk
([email protected]).
Additional Software Compatible FORTRAN Compiler5
Microsoft® .NET Framework 4.0 Full6
Microsoft® Visual C++ 2015 Redistributables7
Folders permissions Users must be able to create and write to specified files and folders8
Configuration of Protection The PSCAD machine and corporate anti-virus, firewalls, and policies
Software must permit PSCAD activities9

Internet Access Some activities require Internet access10

Windows User Privileges Required Windows user privileges are specified below10
User Profiles Mandatory profiles are not supported

1. To obtain specifications for extremely high workloads, please contact the PSCAD Support Desk for
information ([email protected]).

2. Personal computers configured with slower processors and lesser RAM may be used, but slower execution
performance will result. In other words, simulation speed increases with processor speed and amount of
installed RAM.

3. Licensing: For PSCAD v4.6 and above, Internet-based certificate licensing is available, along with the older
lock-based licensing. An Internet connection is required only to activate and refresh the license certificate.
Once refreshed, PSCAD may be set to be used offline for a period of time. For the older lock-based licensing, a
USB 2.0 port or better is required for the hardware lock on the machine on which the license is installed (on
either a license server or on the PSCAD client machine).

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4. In addition to official support on Microsoft® Windows 7 (64-bit SP1) and Windows 10*, here are some
additional notes about Operating Systems:

 PSCAD Software:
 The PSCAD product is sold as a 32-bit and 64-bit application. On a 64-bit machine, both applications
are installed. On a 32-bit machine, only the 32-bit application is installed.
 It may be possible to also run PSCAD v4.6.3 on Windows 8, 8.1, Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1, and
Windows Server 2012 R2.
 PSCAD v4.6 is not supported on Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7 SP0.
 It may be possible to also run PSCAD on a virtual machine.

 License Manager Software:

 The License Manager supports Windows x86 and x64 platforms.
 License Manager v1.44 (released with PSCAD v4.6.3) and better is supported on Windows 10*.
 It may be possible to also run the License Manager on Windows 8, 8.1, Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1,
and Windows Server 2012 R2.
 License Manager v1.44 is not supported on Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7 SP0.
 It may be possible to host the License Manager on a virtual server. The USB lock must be connected;
for details, contact the PSCAD Support Desk [email protected].

 Network Lock-based Licensing: (licensing is performed over the network)

 PSCAD lock-based licensing is not supported in cloud desktop environments because generally they are
not connected to the corporate network.
 It may be possible to use virtual private network (VPN) to log into the corporate network so that
PSCAD can contact the License Manager.

 Local lock-based Licensing: (licensing is installed on the PSCAD client machine)

 Running PSCAD in a cloud desktop environment is not supported.
 It may be possible to use a virtual private network (VPN) to log in to a remote machine on which the
software and licensing are installed.

*Notes about Windows 10:

 For Windows 10 (all releases), Sentinel System Driver 7.6.0 or better is required.
This version is deployed with PSCAD 4.6.3, or available separately here:
(http://updater.pscad.com/utilities/USBDrivers_7.5.0.zip)
 For Windows 10 Build 1803 or better, the following is required: Sx32w.dll, version 7.1.0.14
 Refer to Resolving PSCAD Issues or contact the PSCAD Support Desk ([email protected]) for known issues
and solutions when running PSCAD on Windows 10.

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 Getting Started (PSCAD X4 v4.6.3)

5. A FORTRAN compiler is required to compile PSCAD cases. The Intel® Visual Fortran Compiler for Windows
2015 has been shown to provide EMTDC runtime executables that are significantly faster than those built by
its predecessors (Intel Visual Fortran 9 to 11). The latest Line Constants Program is also built with this
compiler, with significant speed enhancements as well. You may purchase the Intel® Parallel Studio XE
(Composer Edition) directly from the Intel Corporation from here.

Notes
 Using the Intel compiler requires that a compatible version of Microsoft® Visual Studio also be
installed. A free edition comes bundled with the compiler, or a commercial edition must be
purchased if compiling C-code. Alternatively, the GFortran 95 compiler that comes bundled with
PSCAD may be used to compile PSCAD cases with or without C-code, but is not recommended for
running larger cases.
 The Intel® Visual Fortran Compiler for Windows is not supported in the PSCAD Free Edition, which
uses only the GFortran 95 compiler. See further details in Section 4.
6. PSCAD requires that Microsoft® .NET Framework 4.0 Full or better be installed. This framework comes
complete with the Microsoft® Windows 7 operating system and later, but is not included with Microsoft®
Windows Vista. If not already installed on your computer, the installer will automatically install Microsoft®
.NET Framework 4.0 Full.

7. PSCAD v4.6.3 requires that Microsoft® Visual C++ 2015 Redistributables be installed. The 32-bit edition is
required on Windows 32, and both the 32-bit and 64-bit editions are required on Windows 64. If not already
installed on your computer, the installer will automatically install Microsoft® Visual C++ 2015
Redistributables.

8. The user must have permissions with regard to the following folders:

 The Common Documents folder must be present and configured to allow PSCAD and its related utilities
read/write file access and sub-folder creation permission.
For example:
 C:\Users\Public\Documents
Specifically, if using PSCAD v4.6 and better, the following two sub-folders will be created, and the user must
have permissions on these:
 C:\Users\Public\Documents\Manitoba HVDC Research Centre
 C:\Users\Public\Documents\PSCAD
 The following sub-folders will be created, and must allow PSCAD and its related utilities read/write file
access and sub-folder creation permission:
 C:\Users\[USERNAME]\AppData\Local\Manitoba HVDC Research Centre
 C:\ProgramData\Manitoba HVDC Research Centre
 Users must have permission to create the folders listed below, as well as to create and delete files within
this path:
C:\Users\Public\Documents\Manitoba HVDC Research Centre\Licensing\Licenses\

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 Getting Started (PSCAD X4 v4.6.3)

9. The protection software must allow the following actions:

 When a case is run, executable files must be allowed to be generated and launched. See Appendix F of
Resolving Issues for a listing of these files or contact the PSCAD Support Desk ([email protected]).
 PSCAD and the executables listed above must be able to communicate over TCP/IP for the purpose of
simulation control and data collection for plots.
 The following ports must be available to PSCAD users:
 For Certificate Licensing: Ports 80 and 443
 For Lock-based Licensing: Ports 2053 and 2053
 For PSCAD and EMTDC communication: Ports 30,000 to 40,000.

 For lock-based licensing performed over the network:

 ICMP Ping Echo and ICMP Ping Reply must be enabled on the Firewall for the Host and Client
machines.
 Ports 2053 and 2054 must be open on the firewall, with communication protocol TCP/IP and UDP/IP.

 For the Educational or Professional Edition, the executables must not be blocked. These files are normally
found in a path similar to the following:
For the 32-bit Edition of PSCAD:
C:\Program Files (x86)\PSCAD46\bin\win\pscad.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\PSCAD46\bin\win\tline.exe
For the 64-bit Edition of PSCAD:
C:\Program Files (x86)\PSCAD46\bin\win64\pscad.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\PSCAD46\bin\win\tline.exe
 PSCAD requires access to our license server to use certificate licensing. Specifically, one or both of the
following URL should be added to the whitelists of the anti-virus and firewall software:
 http://licensing.pscad.com:80/Licensing (preferred)
 net.tcp://licensing.pscad.com:443/Licensing (fallback)

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 Getting Started (PSCAD X4 v4.6.3)

10. Windows Privileges and Access

Task Required Windows User Privileges Internet Connection

Installation
Install MyUpdater Administrator Required
Install/Update software using MyUpdater Administrator Required
Remove software using MyUpdater Administrator Not required
Install software using InstallShield Administrator Required
Remove software using InstallShield Administrator Not required

Certificate Licensing
Activate/refresh/release a certificate User Required

Lock-based Licensing
Use the License Update tool Administrator [2]
Activate a lock-based license User [3]
Start/Stop/Restart the License Manager Service Administrator Not required
Use the License Manager Setup Tool Administrator [2]

Launching Software
Launch PSCAD (Windows shortcut) User Not required
Launch MyUpdater [1] Not required
Launch software from MyUpdater User Not required

Diagnostics
Run the Get Info tool User [2]
Run the Fortran Medic tool Administrator or User [2]
View log files User Not required

1. If MyUpdater will be used to install, update, or uninstall software, user must have Administrator rights. If MyUpdater will be used to just
launch software, then a user only requires User rights.
2. Access is required for downloading the latest posted version. No access is required when using the installed version (typically more
dated).
3. If license is hosted on a remote server, access is required.

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 Getting Started (PSCAD X4 v4.6.3)

2. Licensing Requirements

2.1 When using Certificate Licensing to run PSCAD

PSCAD requires access to our license server to use certificate licensing. One or both of the following URL should be
added to the whitelists of the anti-virus and firewall software:

 http://licensing.pscad.com:80/Licensing (preferred)
 net.tcp://licensing.pscad.com:443/Licensing (fallback)
Users must have permission to create the folders listed below, as well as to create and delete files within this path:
C:\Users\Public\Documents\Manitoba HVDC Research Centre\Licensing\Licenses\

Certificate licensing supports running PSCAD on a local desktop, or on a remote desktop or over virtual private
network (VPN). Certificate licensing is not guaranteed when running PSCAD in a cloud desktop environment, but
could be verifed by the client using our diagnostic tools prior to purchasing licenses.

2.2 When using Lock-based Licensing - License is hosted on the PSCAD Machine

The following are requirements when the PSCAD client machine is hosting the license (self-licensing):

 The license database file must be installed on the client machine.

 The Sentinal USB lock must be plugged in on the client machine.
 The PSCAD software must be installed and run on the client machine.
PSCAD lock-based licensing is not supported in a cloud desktop environment.

Although not officially supported, some customers use a virtual private network (VPN) to log in to a remote
machine on which the software and licensing are installed.

2.3 When using Lock-based Licensing - License is hosted on a Server

The following are requirements when using the Standalone License Manager:

 On the license host server and PSCAD client machines, ICMP Ping Echo and ICMP Ping Reply must be
enabled on the Firewall.
 The protocol for communication between the server and clients is TCP/IP and UDP/IP on port 2053 and
2054.
 The license database file must be installed on the server.
 The Sentinal USB lock must be plugged in on the server.
 The License Manager must be installed on the license host machine.
 The PSCAD client machines must be able to contact and connect to the license server.
PSCAD lock-based licensing is not supported in a cloud desktop environment because generally they are not
connected to the corporate network.

Although not officially supported, some customers use a virtual private network (VPN) to log into their corporate
network so their PSCAD can contact the License Manager.

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 Getting Started (PSCAD X4 v4.6.3)

3. Scope Boundaries

Any boundaries imposed on your projects will depend mainly on which PSCAD edition you are using. The following
tables list the most commonly encountered boundaries.

3.1 PSCAD Imposed Boundaries (all Editions and Compilers)

Description Boundary
Transformers Unlimited
Mutually coupled windings Unlimited
Component Graphical Layers 256
T-Lines/Cables Unlimited
Conductors per T-line Right-of-Way 30
Cables per Right-of-Way 12
Data signal dimension 1,024
Radio Transmitters/Receivers 1,024
STOR allocations Unlimited
STORF/L/I/C allocations Unlimited

3.2 Edition Specific Boundaries

Description Free Educational Professional

Simultaneous, Parallel EMTDC 4 8* 8*
simulations
Electrical Sub-systems 1 1 256
Electrical Nodes 15 200 Unlimited
Modules 5 64 2,048
Components 1,024 32,768 65,536
Output Channels 256 1,024 2,048

*Contact the PSCAD Sales Desk ([email protected]) for details on increasing this limit.

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 Getting Started (PSCAD X4 v4.6.3)

3.3 Free Edition Restrictions

Description PRO and EDU Editions Free Edition

Create Definition  
Edit Definition  
Import/Export Definition  
Copy/Paste Definition  
Commercial FORTRAN Compiler  
Frequency-Dependent T-Lines  
MATLAB Interface  
Automation Library (Python)  
Graph Watermarks  

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 Getting Started (PSCAD X4 v4.6.3)

4. Supported FORTRAN Compilers

PSCAD requires a FORTRAN compiler to build and simulate projects. The following commercially available
compilers are presently supported:

 Intel® Visual Fortran Compiler for Windows

9.x, 10.x, 11.x, 12.x, 13.x, 14.x & 15.x1
 GFortran 95 (v4.2.1 and v4.6.2)2

For your convenience, a free FORTRAN compiler, called the GFortran 95 compiler, is provided on your PSCAD CD. If
you have installed the Free Edition with your MyCentre account, the GFortran compiler is available as a separate
download.

If you are the owner of a professional or educational PSCAD license, it is recommended that you purchase the
Intel® Visual Fortran Compiler for Windows (v15) compiler, mainly for its superior debugging environment and
optimization features. Also, has shown to provide EMTDC runtime executables that are significantly faster than
those built by its predecessor (Intel Visual Fortran 9 to 11); in some cases twice as fast. You may purchase the
Intel® Parallel Studio XE (Composer Edition) directly from the Intel Corporation from here.

1
The Intel Visual Fortran Compiler for Windows compiler is not supported in the PSCAD Free Edition, which uses
only the GFortran 95 compiler.

2
GFortran v4.2.1 is supported for all versions of PSCAD X4. GFortran 4.6.2 is supported with PSCAD v4.6.0 and
onwards.

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 Getting Started (PSCAD X4 v4.6.3)

5. Installing and Licensing PSCAD

5.1 Professional and Educational Editions

Installing your PSCAD software should be a straightforward process. If problems do arise, please contact the PSCAD
Support Desk ([email protected]) for assistance. Proceed as follows:

a. Insert CD into a compatible optical drive. The installer should start automatically.
b. Follow the instructions given in each, sequential installer dialog.
c. For more detailed instructions on installation, as well as licensing instructions, please refer to the
following references:

 If certificate licensing will be used, download Certificate Licensing – WorkGroup Members.

 If lock-based licensing will be used, download Installing and Licensing PSCAD X4.

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 Getting Started (PSCAD X4 v4.6.3)

5.2 Installing the Free Edition

Installing your PSCAD Free Edition software is a simple process. If problems do arise, please request support
through the 'Support' tab in your MyCentre account. Proceed as follows:

a. Register a user profile in MyCentre (https://mycentre.hvdc.ca/register).

b. Install the MyUpdater tool, which manages your software installation and updates, from the following link
on the MyCentre Home page:

c. Launch MyUpdater, and install or update your PSCAD Free product.

d. Ensure that the GFortran product is installed (also via MyUpdater).
Note
Once GFortran is installed, ensure to log out and log in to (or restart) your computer, prior to
running a PSCAD simulation with GFortran. This is required to apply the changes to your computer.

e. More detailed instructions may be found here.

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 Getting Started (PSCAD X4 v4.6.3)

5.3 Running the Free Edition

a. Launch the MyUpdater tool.

b. If your PSCAD Free installation is outdated, you will need to first select Update before you can run it.
c. If your PSCAD Free installation is up-to-date, select Run to launch.
d. The PSCAD Free Edition should automatically be licensed to run.

Notes
 The certificate will automatically be set to expire in four weeks. However, it will be refreshed to
a new four-week period whenever you launch PSCAD online.

 The certificate may be released and returned to MyCentre, so that it may be activated on a
different machine. Or it may be retained on your machine so that you may work offline.

 Software updates are regularly published, and are only available when online and logged in on
the MyUpdater tool.

e. More detailed instructions may be found here.

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 Getting Started (PSCAD X4 v4.6.3)

6. Tutorials and Examples to get you started

The following resources may assist new users to become familiar with PSCAD:

 The Knowledge Base contains videos, user guides, examples, tutorials, webinars, and manuals.
 Examples and tutorial projects to view and run are available through the “PSCAD” start button:

 The Help system provides information on PSCAD tools and features:

 Three tutorials for designing PSCAD cases are available in the Help system:

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 Getting Started (PSCAD X4 v4.6.3)

DOCUMENT TRACKING

Rev. Description Date

0 Initial: 08/Jan/2016
Content for this manual was taken from the PSCAD v4.6.0 Help System.
This manual supersedes “Getting Started PSCAD X4 v4.5 and v4.6”, as that manual
was split out into two separate documents, one for each branch (v4.5 and v4.6).
1 Updated to v4.6.1 12/Sep/2016
2 Updated Intel Fortran compiler purchasing information, 03/Nov/2016
Updated weblinks,
Added new Section 2 (Licensing Requirements), updated remaining section numbers
Updated Section 6,
Minor formatting
3 Added new Section 2 (Recommendations for using the Parallel Computing Features), 04/Nov/2016
updated remaining section numbers
4 Removed Section 2 (Recommendations for using the Parallel Computing Features) 12/Jan/2017
(moved to standalone document), renumbered remaining sections;
Update to Section 2.1
5 Further requirements added to Sections 1 and 2; 01/Mar/2017
Updated Sections 5 and 6
6 Updated to v4.6.2 release 31/May/2017
7 Update to Section 1, Note 4 29/Jun/2017
8 Update to Section 1, Note 4 30/Jun/2017
9 Update to Section 1 31/Jul/2017
10 New requirement added to Section 1 28/Nov/2017
11 Updates to Section 1 05/Jan/2018
12 Minor corrections to Section 1 06/Jan/2018
13 Update to v4.6.3 release 26/Mar/2018
14 Minor improvements and corrections 11/Apr/2018
15 Update to Section 1 (Windows 10 support, user folder permissions) 09/May/2018
Update to new Branding guidelines
16 Update to Section 1 Note 4 31/May/2018
17 Applying new Branding guidelines 12/Jul/2018
18 Update to Section 3.3 – Added the Automation Library 25/Oct/2018
19 Updated Section 1, Notes 4 and 5 13/Nov/2018
Updated Section 2.1
20 Update to Section 2.1 16/Jan/2019

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