Electranix-Specialists in power system studies and simulation


E-TRAN - Translator for Power System Simulation

E-TRAN Support/Downloads Purchase Links Contact Information
Access the Client Download Area

Registered users of E-TRAN can download updates of the program from http://www.electranix.com/E-TRAN/Client_Downloads. Please note that this is a protected area and a username and password is required for access. If you are a commercial user of the program and require access, contact us (see Contact Information).

E-TRAN Technical Support

Technical support for E-TRAN can be obtained by contacting Electranix. You can send e-mail to E-TRAN@electranix.com.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q. What versions of PSS/E .raw file formats are supported?
A. at the time of writing of this manual, versions 23-26, 29, 30 and 31 are supported.

Q. What versions of PSCAD are supported?
A. E-TRAN can generate three phase (SLD) Single line Diagram circuit .psc files for PSCAD V4.0, 4.1 or 4.2.

Q. When I run a translated circuit in PSCAD, and the loadflow does not match. Why?
a. Check that the .raw file being used is "solved" and has the updated loadflow solution saved in it. also check that fundamental frequency behaviour of any models in the E-TRAN Substitution library match that of the standard E-TRAN components (if you turn off the Substitution library, does the solution then match?). Finally, check DC links to see if they are operating correctly. The DC link controls may have to be adjusted to work in very weak systems (if you use the "Infinite Bus" option in the DC link component, does the loadflow match then?


Q. Electro-magnetic transients simulations require detailed data (such as transformer saturation, surge arresters, line geometry for frequency dependent transmission lines etc.). This data is not available in loadflow programs, so is the case generated by E-TRAN useful for EMT studies?
A. Detailed EMT models (such as transformers with saturation, frequency dependent transmission lines?) are essential for any meaningful study (especially for overvoltage, harmonic studies?). E-TRAN supports a Substitution library which allows a user to enter the detailed model data (and maintain/manage the data in a PSCAD library) and will automatically use the detailed data if it is available. The fundamental frequency impedances from the loadflow file are used to generate multi-port network equivalents, and to determine the steady state powerflow. The powerflow is used to initialize all machines, sources and generators (or any device). E-TRAN will automatically modify the initial condition information of machines found in the Substitution library (which in turn will initialize any exciter, governor, multi-mass system), and in general can provide initial conditions for any device. This means E-TRAN can directly generate a circuit ready for EMT studies, complete with frequency dependent lines, detailed generator/exciter/governor models, detailed HVDC/SVC/FACTS devices etc? (providing that the user has entered this data once in a library).

Q. I am measuring P and Q flow using the E-TRAN components and it does not give me the same answer as the PSCAD Master library measurements. Why?
A. The PSCAD Master library models performs RMS or instantaneous PQ measurement (ie the sum of VA.IA + VB.IB + VC.IC etc..), which includes the effect of all sequence components and the effect of harmonics. The E-TRAN PQ measurements devices (or voltage measurements) measure the +ve sequence, fundamental frequency quantities (because this is what is used in loadflow programs), not the instantaneous or RMS quantities. This effect is particularly obvious at locations where there are significant harmonics (such as near a commutating model of a DC link). If the instantaneous quantities being measured are sinusoidal, distortion free and balanced (ie only +ve sequence), the results should match.

Q. Where can I get technical support or updates for E-TRAN?
A. You can visit http://www.electranix.com/E-TRAN or you can send e-mail to the Electranix Corporation (see Contact Information).

Q. Where can I get technical support or updates for PSCAD?
A. You can visit http://www.PSCAD.com or you can send e-mail to the PSCAD Support team at support@PSCAD.com . PSCAD is developed and supported by the Manitoba HVDC Research Centre Inc (http://www.hvdc.ca).

Q. What E-TRAN developments and new features are you working on?
A. The E-TRAN program is always under development. Future releases will translate transient stability data (in addition to the loadflow data) and will form dynamic equivalents which will include the effects of machine inertia and controls in the network equivalents. We also plan to support additional input formats (in addition to the PSS/E .raw format). If you have any ideas or suggestions for improvements to E-TRAN, please send them to us.

Download the E-TRAN Runtime library for PSCAD
  • The E-TRAN Runtime library for PSCAD contains models which accept the identical data as required in PSS/E. The library contains transformers, phase shifters, dc links, loads (constant PQ, Current or Impedance), switched shunt devices, measurement blocks etc..
  • The devices in this library have been tested against the loadflow results generated by PSS/E (see Theory->Matching the Loadflow).
  • This library is required in order to run PSCAD cases which have been generated by E-TRAN, and is compatible with PSCAD V4.x.
  • If you have purchased E-TRAN, then the Runtime library for PSCAD is already installed. If you want to give a case (translated by E-TRAN) to another user or if you want to simply use the E-TRAN models in your own case, then you must download and install the E-RAN Runtime library.
  • Download the file "E-TRAN_Runtime_lib_2_0.zip" and refer to the "install_runtime_library.txt" file (also contained in the .zip downloaded file) for instructions on how to install and use the E-TRAN Runtime library for PSCAD.
  • The latest release copy of the E-TRAN Runtime library can be downloaded here:
    "E-TRAN_Runtime_lib_2_0.zip"