Pscad Simulation In A Power Electronics Application Course

Abstract

This paper introduces computer simulation studies of basic power electronics circuits using a Power System Computer Aided Design (PSCAD) software package in a junior/senior level power electronics course in a four-year electrical engineering technology institution. The Power Electronics Applications course mainly covers the following topics: Operation and characteristics of switching devices, rectifiers, dc-dc converter and inverters. Simulation of the power electronics circuits provides students an opportunity to observe the circuit parameters and signal waveforms before actual circuit wiring is completed. Case studies include a half-wave input-output rectifier, a buck converter and a full-bridge inverter. I. Introduction In this paper, a Power System Computer Aided Design (PSCAD) software package is used to accompany the teaching of a power electronics application course. PSCAD is a software package for power system simulations developed by Manitoba HVDC Research Centre 1 . Free trial and student versions are offered on the web site at www.pscad.com. This is especially attractive for students because they are able to download the software on their personal computer and work on the simulation before or after the laboratory. PSCAD results are solved as instantaneous values in time, but can be converted to phasor magnitudes and angles via built-in transducer and measurement functions. This is very similar to how real system measurements are performed, such as rms meters and Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) spectrum analyzers. The PSCAD simulation tool can therefore duplicate the response of power electronics circuits at all frequencies. Users are able to select time steps ranging from nanoseconds to seconds 2 . In comparison with other simulation software such as PSpice, PSCAD is specifically targeted to simulate power systems and power electronics circuits. On the other hand, PSpice is a general purpose analog and mixed-signal circuit simulator used to verify circuit designs and to predict circuit behavior.