DIgSILENT PowerFactory

Technical Reference Documentation

AC Current Source
ElmIac

DIgSILENT GmbH
Heinrich-Hertz-Str. 9
72810 - Gomaringen
Germany
T: +49 7072 9168 0
F: +49 7072 9168 88
http://www.digsilent.de
info@digsilent.de
Version: 15.2
Edition: 1

Copyright 2014, DIgSILENT GmbH. Copyright of this document belongs to DIgSILENT GmbH.
No part of this document may be reproduced, copied, or transmitted in any form, by any means
electronic or mechanical, without the prior written permission of DIgSILENT GmbH.
AC Current Source (ElmIac)

Contents

Contents
1 General Description
1.1 Model Diagrams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3
3

2 Load Flow Analysis

3 Short-Circuit Analysis

4 Harmonic Load Flow

5 Frequency Sweep

6 Dynamic Simulation

6.1 RSM Simulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

6.2 EMT Simulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

A Parameter Definitions

10

B Signal Definitions

10

List of Figures

11

List of Tables

12

AC Current Source (ElmIac)

Load Flow Analysis

a) Positive Sequence Network

General Description

The AC Current Source model represents a constant current injection in the system. It should be
connected to 3 phase AC terminals, as it does not support 2 phase and single phase systems.
ElmIac could be used for balanced and unbalanced calculations and could be useful for:
Wind turbine modelling
HVDC system modelling
Photovoltaic modelling
b) Negative Sequence Network
Injection of harmonic currents in the system
General circuit analysis
In the Basic Data page of the AC Current Source the main parameter to be entered is the Rated
Current Ir.

1.1

Model Diagrams

Figures 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3 depict

theSequence
equivalentNetwork
positive, zero and negative sequence circuit of
c) Zero
the model. In contrast with the AC voltage source where it is possible to define negative and
zero sequence voltages, in the AC current source the current injection is always in positive
sequence. The current injection for both balanced and unbalanced calculations is always in
positive sequence, although the negative and zero sequence internal admittances are considered.

I1
U1

Isetp

G1

B1

a) Positive Sequence Network

Figure 1.1: Positive sequence AC current source model

I2

U2

Load Flow Analysis

The parameters that should

are listed in Table A.1. Output
Isetpbe defined for load
G2flow calculations
B2
current is given by the following equation:

(
(Isetp Cos + U1 G1 ) + j(Isetp Sin + U1 B1 ) if pf Capacitive
b) Negative Sequence Network
I1 =
(Isetp Cos + U1 G1 ) j(Isetp Sin + U1 B1 ) if pf Inductive

(1)

I0
U0

AC Current Source (ElmIac)

Isetp

G0

B0

G2

B2

c) Zero Sequence Network

3

Short-Circuit Analysis

b) Negative Sequence Network

I0

I1

U0
U1

G0

Isetp

G1

B0

B1

c) a)
Zero
Sequence Network
Positive Sequence Network

Figure 1.2: Zero sequence AC current source model

I2
U2

G2

B2

b) Negative Sequence Network

Figure 1.3: Negative sequence AC current source model

I0
U0
I0 = U0 G0 + jU0 B0

G0

(2)

B0

I2 = U2 G2 + jU2 B2

(3)

Equations 1 to 3 are used for unbalanced load flow calculations. The balanced option only
c)1.Zero Sequence Network
considers equation

Short-Circuit Analysis

For VDE/IEC and ANSI Short-Circuit calculation there is no defined short-circuit contribution for
AC Current Sources.
In the Complete Short-Circuit calculation data of the internal conductance and susceptance for
positive, negative and zero sequence are needed. The ElmIac behaves as a constant current source for symmetrical faults. For unsymmetrical faults, it behaves as a constant current
source in the positive sequence network and as a constant admittance in the negative and zero
sequence networks.

AC Current Source (ElmIac)

Frequency Sweep

Harmonic Load Flow

The AC current source can be used to define harmonic current injections into the network.
Figure 4.1 shows how to define the harmonic currents injection. To define the harmonics it
is possible to select a spectrum which contains the harmonic currents, for more information
regarding how to define a spectrum refer to Users Manual Definition of Harmonic Injections.
The harmonic current can be referred to either the fundamental or rated current.

Figure 4.1: Harmonic Current Definition

For the Harmonic Current Definition, the selected type can be chosen between Balanced, Unbalanced and according to IEC61000 representation as shown in Figure 4.2.

Frequency Sweep

In the frequency sweep calculation the internal current of the current source is set to 0 A and 0
deg (open-circuit). The parameter Spectral Density of the Current Magnitude/Angle (didf, ddf
in p.u./Hz, deg/Hz) and the corresponding frequency dependent characteristic allows for the
definition of an internal current according to equations (4) and (5).
AC Current Source (ElmIac)

Frequency Sweep

Figure 4.2: Harmonic Current Definition Type

ii (h ) = didf ichar (h )

(4)

Ii (h ) = ddf I,char (h ) Ii

(5)

Ii = Ii Iref

(6)

where

and didf and ddf are constant input parameters used to scale the frequency characteristics
ichar and I,char in (4). The characteristics can be either polynomial (using the PowerFactory
ChaPol object) or a vectorial characteristic (using the ChaVec object) with a frequency scale
(using the TriFreq object). The angle Ii accounts for the angle deviation between the current
and the system reference voltage angle.
A common application is the analysis of the transfer function of a part of the system or the
propagation of a current impulse in frequency domain. To do this the amplitude and phase of
the spectrum current can be defined and using the frequency sweep function, the voltage at the
remote end can be calculated.

AC Current Source (ElmIac)

isetp

G1

B1

a) Positive Sequence Network

Dynamic Simulation

i2
u2

Dynamic Simulation
isetp

G2

B2

For the RMS/EMT simulation we can independently control the phases A, B and C. Please note
that this is not the case of the LDF calculations. For RMS and EMT simulations there is the
option for balanced and unbalanced models as shown in Figure 6.1.
b) Negative Sequence Network

i1

isetp

G1

B1
isetp

G1

i0

i1

u1

u0

u1
isetp
B1

G0

B0

Positive sequence
(b) ZeroNetwork
sequence
a) Positive(a)
Sequence
Network
c) Zero Sequence
a) Positive Sequence Network

i2

i2

u2

isetp

G2

B2
isetp

G2

u2
I1

B2

Isetp

b) Negative Sequence Network

(c) Negative sequence
b) Negative Sequence Network

U1

G1

B1

Figure 6.1: RMS and

i0 EMT AC current source model.
i0
u0
a) Positive Sequence
u0 Network

6.1

RSM
isetp Simulation

I2
U2
G0
B0
For RMS simulation the user has the option to control the current source in two different ways
depending of which signals from defined in Table B.1 are used. When the current (i0, I0) and
G2
B2
frequencyc)(f0,
input
are connected together with the additional angle magnitude, phase
ZeroF0Hz)
Sequence
Network
c)
Zero
Sequence
Network
and frequency of the AC current source are controlled. The resulting output current is defined
by equation 7.

G0 isetpB0

b) Negative Sequence Network

i = i0 cos(2f 0t + phiiI+
dphii) + j sin(2f 0t + phii + dphii) I0
(7)
1
I1
U
0
U1
U1
Also is possible independently control magnitude and phase for A, B and C components using
the signals: I A, I B, I C, phii B, phii C and dphii. PowerFactory internally applies the Park
G0
B0
Isetp
1
B1 components.
Transformation
to worksGwith
dq0
for phase A can be configured with
Isetp
G1 TheBangle
1
the input parameter dphii and the internal reference phii, both in rad. phii is calculated internally
by PowerFactory and can change if the network conditions change. The power factor set point
defines the steady state initial value of dphii. The derivative of phii is being changed if there is a
Zero Sequence Network
Positive Sequence
Network the derivative ofc)
frequencya)change:
f0 is connected,
phii is set to 2 P I f (f 0 f ref ); f0 is not
a) Positive Sequence Network
connected, the derivative of phii is set to 2 P I F 0Hz 2 P I f f ref . fref is automatically
set and should not be connected.
I2
I2
U2
U2
The current source gives an injection with current phase angle defined
as follows:

G2
B2
AC Current Source (ElmIac)

b) Negative Sequence Network

G2

B2

Dynamic Simulation

A = phii + dphii

(8)

Angles of phase B and C are relative to the angle of phase A.

B = A + phii B

(9)

C = A + phii C

(10)

If the two angle signals phii B and phii C are not connected, the program will use a default
120 shift to calculate the two angles.

6.2

B = A 120

(11)

C = A + 120

(12)

EMT Simulation

In EMT studies positive, negative and zero sequence models shown in Figures 1.1 to 1.3 are
considered. And as for RMS simulation it is possible to control the source in two different ways.
When inputs i0, I0, f0, F0Hz are connected the current injection is the same as defined by
equation 7 but there is also a negative sequence current defined by the differential equation 13.

i0 (t) = G0 u0 (t) +

B0
u0 (t)
2f t

(13)

When magnitude and phase signals are connected the model is defined as in RMS simulation.
The use of input and output signals from the dynamic model shown in Figure 6.2 could be used
to control the current injection into a system. This is useful to model a current impulse source
or to define a lightning current standard model.
With the help of a composite model, the user can use a Fourier source ElmFsrc to inject harmonic currents during an EMT simulation. For more information please refer to Fourier Source
Technical Reference.

AC Current Source (ElmIac)

Dynamic Simulation

i0
I0
f0
F0Hz
I_A
I_B
I_C

RMS
Simulation

xspeed

phii_B
phii_C
i0
I0
dphii
f0
fref
F0Hz
I_A
I_B

RMS

Figure 6.2: Input/Output Definition

of AC Current
Source (RMS-Simulation)
xspeed
Simulation
I_C

i0

phii_B

I0

phii_C

f0

dphii

F0Hz

fref

I_A

EMT
Simulation

I_B
I_C
dphii

i0

I0
f0
F0Hz
I_A

EMT
Simulation

I_B
I_C
dphii

Figure 6.3: Input/Output Definition of AC Current Source (EMT-Simulation)

AC Current Source (ElmIac)

Signal Definitions

Parameter Definitions
Table A.1: Parameters of AC Current Source

Parameter

Description

Unit

loc name
outserv
chr name
for name
bus1
bus1 bar
cpZone
cpArea
Ir
isetp
cosini
i cap
G1
B1
G2
B2
G0
B0
dcurdf
fchardcur
dphidf
fchardphi
phmc
icurref
iAstabint
cTypHmc
Inom

Name
Out of Service
Characteristic Name
Foreign Key
Terminal (StaCubic)
Terminal
Zone
Area
Rated Current
Positive Sequence Current Setpoint
Positive Sequence Power Factor
Positive Sequence Reactive Power
Positive Sequence Internal Conductance
Positive Sequence Internal Susceptance
Negative Sequence Internal Conductance
Negative Sequence Internal Susceptance
Zero Sequence Internal Conductance
Zero Sequence Internal Susceptance
Spectral Density of Current Magnitude
Frequency Dependency
Spectral Density of Current Angle
Frequency Dependency
Harmonic Current Injections
Harmonic Current Injections Referred to
A-stable integration algorithm
Harmonic Current Injections: Type of Harmonic Sources
Harmonic Current Injections: Rated Current

A
p.u.

S
S
S
S
S
S
p.u./Hz
A
deg/Hz

Signal Definitions
Table B.1: Input/Output signals
Name

Description

Unit

Type

Model

i0
I0
f0
F0Hz
IA
IB
IC
phii B
phii C
dphii
fref
xspeed

Current-Input
Current-Input
Frequency-Input
Frequency-Input
Current, Magnitude
Current, Magnitude
Current, Magnitude
Current, Angle, Phase b
Current, Angle, Phase c
Additional Angle
Reference Frequency
Frequency

p.u.
kA
p.u.
Hz
kA
kA
kA
deg
deg
rad
p.u.
p.u.

IN
IN
IN
IN
IN
IN
IN
IN
IN
IN
IN
OUT

RMS, EMT
RMS, EMT
RMS, EMT
RMS, EMT
RMS, EMT
RMS, EMT
RMS, EMT
RMS
RMS
RMS, EMT
RMS
RMS

AC Current Source (ElmIac)

10

List of Figures

List of Figures
1.1 Positive sequence AC current source model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1.2 Zero sequence AC current source model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1.3 Negative sequence AC current source model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4.1 Harmonic Current Definition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4.2 Harmonic Current Definition Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

6.1 RMS and EMT AC current source model. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

6.2 Input/Output Definition of AC Current Source (RMS-Simulation) . . . . . . . . . .

6.3 Input/Output Definition of AC Current Source (EMT-Simulation) . . . . . . . . . .

AC Current Source (ElmIac)

11

List of Tables

List of Tables
A.1 Parameters of AC Current Source . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

10

B.1 Input/Output signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

10

AC Current Source (ElmIac)

12