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ATPDraw-Graphical Preprocessor to ATP. Windows version

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 ATPDraw- Graphical Preprocessor to ATP. Windows version.

H. K. Høidalen L. Prikler J. L. Hall

SINTEF Energy Research SYSTRAN Engineering Services Bonneville Power Administration
7034 Trondheim, NORWAY Viola u. 7, H-2013 Pomáz, HUNGARY Portland, OR 97208-3621, USA
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Abstract – ATPDraw is a graphical preprocessor to the A. Improved handling of MODELS

ATP-EMTP on the MS Windows platform. This paper
outlines some of the latest developments of ATPDraw, Version 1.2 of ATPDraw for Windows is capable of
including improved handling of MODELS, direct reading a mod-file directly, examine its input, output and
execution of ATP, more components, and the User’s data variables, and creating an appropriate circuit objects
Manual. The ongoing development is also presented. automatically. A mod-file is a text file in the MODELS [2]
language describing the actual model starting with MODEL
Keywords: ATPDraw, ATP-EMTP, MODELS, graphical <ModelName> and ending with ENDMODEL. The mod-file
pre-processor, Line/Cable Constants, modelling. must be stored in <ModelName>.mod. Maximum 12
input+output variables are allowed along with 36 data
variables. As default, input nodes are basically positioned
I. INTRODUCTION on the left side of the icon and the outputs on the right.
Indexed variables are not allowed. Below, the header of a
ATPDraw is a graphical preprocessor to the ATP-EMTP mod-file is shown. When reading this file, ATPDraw
[1] on the MS Windows platform. In the program the user performs a message box shown in Fig. 1.
can build up an electric circuit, using the mouse, by
selecting predefined components from an extensive palette. MODEL FLASH_1
Both single phase and 3-phase components are supported. INPUT V1 -- Voltage on positive side
ATPDraw generates the ATP file in the appropriate format V2 -- Voltage on negative side
based on "what you see is what you get". ATPDraw takes iczn -- Current [Amps]
care of the naming of unspecified nodes. All kinds of DATA Pset -- Power setting [MJ/ms]
Eset -- energy setting [MJ]
standard circuit editing facilities (copy/paste, grouping, fdel -- firing delay [ms]
rotate, export/import) are available. Most of ATP’s fdur -- firing duration [ms]
standard components as well as TACS are supported, and VAR power -- power into ZnO [W]
in addition the user can create new objects based on trip -- gap firing signal[0 or 1]
MODELS [2] or Data Base Modularization. ATPDraw has energy -- energy into ZnO [J]
a standard Windows layout, supports multiple documents tfire -- prev fire time [s]
and offers a large Windows help file system. vcap -- voltage difference [V]
OUTPUT trip
Along with ATPDraw comes a program called ATP_LCC
that supports Line/Cable Constants in the ATP-EMTP. In If the user clicks on Yes in Fig. 1, left, the edit support file
this program the material and geometric data are specified dialog box will appear where the user primarily can edit
in dialog windows and the cross section is displayed in the the icon, change node positions and set new default values
main window. ATP executions produce punch files that in for input type (current/voltage etc.). If the user selects No,
most cases are readable by ATPDraw. PI-circuits, KCLee the default ATPDraw object is drawn in the circuit window
and JMarti formats are supported. directly, as shown in Fig. 1, right.

The ATPDraw program is royalty free and can be

anonymously downloaded free of charge from the ftp
server ftp.ee.mtu.edu. ATPDraw has been continuously
developed since 1992. A User’s Manual that covers the
Windows version of ATPDraw is available [3]. The
functionality of ATPDraw is briefly listed in the appendix.
Fig. 1. Left: Read .mod file dialog box.
Right: Default model object (flash_1.sup).
II. LATEST NEWS

This section lists some of the new facilities introduced in Version 1.2 of ATPDraw also supports RECORD of model
ATPDraw since version 1.0 for Windows was launched in variables. This option is found under ATP|Settings/Record
page as shown in Fig. 2.
June 1997. These are basically improved handling of
Models, direct execution of executable and batch files from
ATPDraw and new and improved components [4]. In the list box under Model, all models in the active circuit
are listed. When selecting a model in this box its variables
are listed in the list box under Variable. When selecting a
variable here a default alias name appears in Alias. Edit
this name and click on Add to record the variable. The All the older circuit objects of version 1.0 are supported in
Alias name can be changed by selecting an item in the the new version, but some of them has been removed from
Record list box and type in a new name. The record list is the Selection menu and replaced by other more general
stored in the circuit file, but it does not follow the circuit components. The old objects can still be used in the circuit
when using the clipboard or the export group option. and are found under User Specified|Files.. in the /SUP or
/TAC directories if absolutely required. They are supported
internally in ATPDraw and will produce the correct output.
Old circuit files will of course still contain these objects.
The objects added to ATPDraw in the new version are
listed in tab. 1.

Tab. 1. New components in ATPDraw.

Selection menu Component file Icon
Branch linear| RLC3
RLC 3-ph
Branch linear| RLCD3
RLC-D 3-ph
Branch linear| RLCY3
RLC-Y 3-ph
Branch nonlinear| NLIND96
L(i) Type 96
Fig. 2. Record of model variables.
Line distributed LINEZU_2
Untransposed
B. Direct execution of ATP/TPPLOT
Line distributed LINEZU_3
The user can specify programs to execute directly from Untransposed
ATPDraw. The option is found under ATP|Edit batch jobs
as shown in Fig. 3, left. In this window the user can select Switches| SW_STAT
a name for the batch job (under Name), which file to Statistic
execute (under Launch file), and what kind of file to send Switches| SW_SYST
as parameter when calling this program (under Parameter). Systematic
Selecting Current ATP under Parameter will send the
name of the latest generated ATP file as parameter. When Machines| UM_1,
selecting File, the user has to specify a file to send when Universal| UM_3, UM_4,
later launching the batch job. The specified batch jobs synch, ind., 1-ph, DC UM_6, UM_8
appear in the main menu under ATP as shown in Fig. 3, Transformers| GENTRAFO
right. They are stored in the atpdraw.ini file. Saturable 3-phase
TACS| TRANSF
Transfer function
TACS| DEVICE56
Devices
Line distributed| LINEZT_6
Transp. lines (… LINEZT6N
TYPE 94| TYPE94_1
1 phase , 3 phase TYPE94_3
Frequency comp.| HFS_SOUR
HFS Source
Frequency comp.| CIGRE_1
Cigre load 1/3 ph CIGRE_3
Frequency comp.| RLC_F
Linear RLC
Fig. 3. Left: The Edit batch job window Right: ATP menu.
C. More components Several generalised components have been introduced. A
new TACS laplacian transfer function with optional and
flexible limit settings replaces six older components. A
new 3-phase saturable transformer model is added which
allow 3 windings and selection of type of coupling and
reluctance. The component dialog box of this transformer
is shown in Fig. 4. Checking the 3-leg core button, turn the
transformer into a TRANSFORMER THREE PHASE type
with high homopolar reluctance, which is specified instead
of magnetisation losses. Checking the RMS button, enables
specification of the saturation characteristic in RMS values
for current and voltage on the Characteristic page. A
conversion to flux-current values is performed internally in
ATPDraw. If the button is not checked normal flux-current
values should be entered. Three type of winding couplings
are supported; Wye, Delta lead, and Delta lag (more types
will be added later). Icons visualise the selected coupling.
The tertiary winding can be turned on or of by checking
the 3-wind. button. Fig. 5. Type 94 component dialog box.

A
t=0

1 mH
B

Figure 6. Type 94 component and steady-state specifications.

ATPDraw now supports Harmonic Frequency Scan, as

shown in Fig. 7. Under Simulation type the user can switch
between time domain, frequency scan, and harmonic
(HFS). The various new output formats from ATP is also
supported and selectable under Output. A new harmonic
source is also introduced with a component dialog box as
shown in Fig. 8, along with some new frequency
Fig. 4. General 3-phase transformer component dialog. dependent loads.
New statistic/systematic switches are introduced with the
concept of independent/master/slave included. The user
can select the type of switch in a combo box and the rest of
the object adapts this setting.

The new Type94 MODELS objects [2,5] are handled in a

special way. When selecting a type 94 component the user
first has to specify a model file (*.mod). ATPDraw then
diagnoses this file like shown in Fig. 1 and finds the
number of data parameter and establishes a new
component. The two standard data parameters (n, ng/n2)
are always ignored. The user can in the components dialog
box, shown in Fig. 5, specify the type of 94 component
THEV (Thevenin), NORT (Norton) or ITER (Iterated),
along with the data paramer(s) and node names. The user
also has the option to add steady-state values to a type 94
component. This is done be specifying node names e.g. by
constructing a circuit shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 7. Selecting type of simulation.
 manual is divided in six parts. Parts 1-3 introduce
ATPDraw and explain how to get started with the program.
Part 4 is a reference manual listing all menus and
components (except for the new one listed in part II of this
paper). Part 5 is an advanced manual with several
illustrative and useful examples. Part 6 covers the line and
cable modelling supported by the auxiliary program
ATP_LCC for ATP’s LINE- and CABLE-CONSTANTS.

The advanced manual explains how to use MODELS and

User Specified Objects (USP) in ATPDraw. USPs are
external modules written in correspondence with ATP’s
DATA BASE MODULARIZATION technique, and
represented in ATPDraw with basically an icon and a
pointer to the external file. Node names and data values
can be sent as parameters when calling this external
module from ATP. Chapter 5.4 in the advanced manual
shows an example of how to model a 6-pulse thyristor
Fig. 8. Harmonic source component dialog box.
bridge as a USP and how to use this component to
construct a simple HVDC station, as shown in Fig. 10. Fig.
11 shows the USP’s component dialog where the
The handling of electrical machines has been updated
thyristor’s fire angle and the snubber circuit can be
substantially. Several universal machines are allowed with
specified.
global specification of initialisation method and interface.
Synchronous machine (type 1), two types of induction
machines (type 3 & 4), DC machine (type 8) and a single-
phase machine (type 6) are supported. The universal
U POS1 VINV
machine component dialog box is shown in Fig. 9. The VS

user enters the machine data in five pages. On the first U

some general data like stator coupling and the number of d

and q axis coils are specified. The Global data are set
under the UM page in Fig. 7. On the Magnet. page the
POS2
flux/inductance data with saturation are specified. On the
Stator and Rotor pages the coil data are given, and under
Init the initial conditions.

Fig. 10. 12-pulse rectifying station.

Fig . 9. Synchronous machine type 3 component dialog.

III. USER’S MANUAL Fig. 11. Component dialog of 6-pulse thyristor bridge.

A User’s Manual for ATPDraw version 1.0 for Windows is The difficult part of the USO construction is the
available [3]. This is a 193-page manuscript is also development of the Data Base Module file, but this task is
available as an electronic document in pdf format via ftp at only performed once for each object.
ftp.ee.mtu.edu/pub/atp/atpdraw/Manual/atpwpdf.zip. The
The advanced manual also shows an example of a V. CONCLUSION
lightning study using JMarti overhead lines, a ground fault
study, a transformer inrush study using BCTRAN with ATPDraw is continuously developed and the new facilities
external added saturation elements etc. When using added since June 1997 are mainly: improved handling of
overhead lines circuits ATPDraw is in many cases capable MODELS, direct execution of external programs like ATP,
of reading the punch files from Line/Cable Constants new and more powerful components, and a User’s Manual.
directly as illustrated in Fig. 12. On the schedule are further improvements in handling of
MODELS and inclusion of Line/Cable modelling in
ATPDraw by support of Cable Parameters.

APPENDIX ATPDraw functionality.

The appendix lists some of the functionality in ATPDraw.

Much more information is found in the User’s Manual [3].
Fig. 13 shows the main window in ATPDraw, with some
open circuit windows and the Selection menu to the right.

Fig. 12. Process of generating a 3-phase overhead line from a

punch file. Top left: Selecting an overhead line punch file. Right:
ATPDraw diagnosis, lib-file on Data Base Module format auto-
created. Bottom left: Default component icon for use in circuit.

IV. FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS

ATPDraw does not support or facilitate the usage of the

MODELS language. The user must write his own model Fig. 13. ATPDraw main window.
file without the assistance from ATPDraw. The plan is to
extend the present text editor in ATPDraw and add some From the Selection menu the user selects components to
tools to assist the user when writing a model file. This will insert into the circuit. This menu pops up when clicking the
right mouse button in an empty area of a circuit window.
include some help files and automatic inclusion of the
To select and move an object, simply press and hold down
model’s structure. The editor will also make sure that the
the left mouse button on the object while moving the
model file is stored in the correct directory with the correct mouse. Release the button and click in an empty area to
extension. unselect and confirm the new position. The object is then
moved to the nearest grid point (10 pixels resolution).
The new separate Line/Cable Constant supporting program Overlapping components will produce a warning.
ATP_LCC is on a prototype level. The schedule is to
include and improve the facilities of ATP_LCC directly in Selected objects or a group can be rotated by clicking on it
ATPDraw and to support CABLE PARAMETERS only. with the right mouse button. Other object manipulation
Selecting a line model in the component selection menu functions, such as undo/redo and clipboard options can be
will bring up a dialog box where the cross section of a line found in the Edit menu as well as on the tool bar.
or cable can be specified with its geometry and material
data. Execution of ATP will be performed automatically to Selection of a group of objects for moving can be done in
create a punch file from Cable Parameters. This file will three ways: 1) Holding down the Shift key while left-
next be filtered with an already built in module in clicking on an object adds it to the current group. 2)
ATPDraw to create a Data Base Module file that could be Holding down the left mouse button in an empty area and
included in a circuit. The whole process with files and drag will draw a rectangular outline around the desired
ATP executions will be hidden from the user who only objects. 3) Double-clicking the left mouse button in an
sees the cross section and the final ATPDraw component. empty area enables the creation of a polygon shaped
A possible next step would be to also support the Line region. Corners are created with left button clicks and the
Model Frequency Scan for verification of the correctness region is enclosed with a right click. Objects within the
of the line/cable model. drawn region become a group. An object and a group of
objects are moved and edited the same way.
It is possible to draw much larger circuits than shown on Tab. 2 Mouse operations in ATPDraw.
the screen in normal zoom mode. The circuit world is Mouse click on/in
5000x5000 pixels. The user can move around in this world Mouse Unselected Selected Node Open
using the window scrollbars or by dragging the view button Component Component space
rectangle in the Map Window. The Map Window (shortcut Left simple Select Draw Unselect +
key: M) gives a view of the whole circuit world and a - component - connection Place
rectangle showing the current circuit window position. - connection connection
Selected objects do not follow the scrollbars or the map Right simple Open Rotate Open Selection
window but stay fixed on the screen. Thus, usage of the comp. dialog-.component node dialog menu +
e.g. scrollbars will move a selected group in the circuit - connection Cancel
world. - group connection
Left hold Move Move Resize Select
Components and component nodes can be opened for component - component connection group
editing. If the user right-click or left double-click on an - group Rectangle
unselected component or node, either the Component or Left double Open Open group Open Select
comp. dialog dialog node dialog group
the Node dialog box will appear where component or node
Polygon
attributes and characteristics can be edited. Click on the
Help button to get component specific help, and press F1
to get general help on the dialog box. Default component ATPDraw offers the most common edit operations like
attributes are stored in support files. Access to create and copy, paste, duplicate, rotate and delete. The edit options
customise support files is provided under Objects in the operate on a single object or on a group of objects. Objects
must be selected before any edit operations can be
main menu. Node names should normally be specified in
the Node dialog box, and only nodes of special interest performed. Selected objects can also be exported to a disk
need to be named. ATPDraw handles the whole node file and any circuit files can be imported into another
naming process. circuit.

Components are connected if their nodes overlap or if a The circuit drawing can be stored on a specially formatted
binary file called cir-file, by selecting Save or Save As
connection is drawn between the nodes. To draw a
connection between nodes, click on a node with the left under File in the main menu. ATPDraw can read cir-files
mouse button. A line is drawn between that node and the from all Windows versions, but a separate program called
mouse cursor. Click the left mouse button again to place CONVERT is required to retrieve files from the DOS
the connection (clicking the right button cancels the version 3. A program called cir2-3.exe converts cir-
operation). The gridsnap facility helps overlapping the files between DOS versions 2 and 3.
nodes. Connected nodes are given the same name by the
Make Names and Make File options in the ATP menu. The ATP menu shown in Fig. 3, right, includes selections
Nodes can be attached along a connection as well as at for setting the miscellaneous ATP cards, creating an ATP
connection end-points. A connection should not file, study the created ATP file and the printed output of a
unintentionally cross other nodes (what you see is what simulation, making node names (also called automatically
you get). A warning for node naming appears during the when selecting Make file), and finally specifying files to
execute from ATPDraw.
ATP file creation if a connection exists between nodes of
different names, or if the same name has been given to
unconnected nodes. Connections can be selected as any
other objects. To resize a connection, click on its end-point ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
with the left mouse button, hold down and drag. If several
connections share the same node, the desired connection to The work on ATPDraw is possible due to financing from
resize must be selected first. Selected connection nodes are U.S. Dept. of Energy, Bonneville Power Administration
marked with squares at both ends of the selection and Pacific Engineering Corporation.
rectangle. Connections from a 3-phase node are visualised
as thick.
REFERENCES
Three phase nodes are given the extensions A/B/C (or
D/E/F) automatically by ATPDraw. Rotation of the phase [1] Alternative Transients Program (ATP) - Rule Book,
sequence is possible by usage of special transposition Canadian/American EMTP User Group, 1987-1998.
objects. A special Splitter object handles connections [2] L. Dubé, ”Models in ATP”, Language manual, Feb.
between 3-phase and single-phase sub-circuits. These 1996.
special objects are found under the Probes&3-phase field [3] L. Prikler, H.K. Høidalen, ATPDraw User’s Manual,
in the Selection menu. SEfAS TR A4790, ISBN 82-594-1358-2, Oct. 1998.
[4] H.K. Høidalen, “ATPDraw for Windows, Version 2”.
Proceedings of the 1998 European EMTP Users Group
Tab. 2 contains a summary of the various actions taken Meeting, Nov. 8-10, Prague.
dependent on mouse operations. The left mouse button is [5] L. Dubé, “How to use MODELS-based user-defined
generally used for selecting objects or connecting nodes; network components in ATP”. Proceedings of the 1996
the right mouse button is used for specification of object or European EMTP Users Group Meeting, Nov. 10-12,
node properties. Budapest.

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