Data Reduction and Visualization in Computer Simulation of Electrical Transients

Abstract

The traditional approach to computer simulation of electrical transient scenarios implies the recording, usually at all steps of numerical integration, of the values of state variables and of the auxiliary characteristic quantities, provided as closed-form expressions in terms of state variables. In this manner, to preserve the output files at a reasonable size, in the course of numerical integration, the state variables time-related derivatives are not stored but discarded right after updating the state variables. The outputs are traditionally communicated by employing different diagrams in the t-y plane, where y-coordinate successively holds the values of the characteristic quantities that comprehensively depict a certain transient event. To accompany the traditional manner of running the simulation of electrical transients, the present investigation advances an approach that calls on storing the characteristic quantities derivatives with the straight purpose of highlighting small areas of interest encompassing the characteristic quantities critical values, which are of utmost practical significance for the system analysts. Alongside the time domain representation, we will emphasize the benefits of communicating the outputs by employing both x-y planes, with the coordinates represented by characteristic quantities only, and mixed “characteristic quantity - characteristic quantity derivative” type of Cartesian plane.