Electromagnetic Transients Software: A Personal Recommendation

The electrical engineer is often faced in his daily work with complex problems that need to be solved using complex mathematical equations. Fortunately, unlike the mathematician, software was a developer that helps an engineer in this difficult task.

In an electrical power system, my professional activity area, companies that carry out electrical studies of electromagnetic transients have two options to choose from: cheap (also called X) and expensive (Y).

Y - Paid: These are tools with a friendly interface that facilitate user learning. They have an excellent "help", provided by the software development. Therefore, the user quickly learns the features of the program. Example: MATLAB, EMTP, PS Simu [1]-[3].

X - Free: The most famous software is ATPDraw (see Figure 1). This is a graphical, mouse-driven preprocessor for the ATP version of the Electromagnetic Transients Program (EMTP) on the MS-Windows platform [4]. It has an unfriendly interface that makes learning difficult for the user.

In my opinion, the choice of the electromagnetic transients study software depends on the country and the professional condition of the engineer. In Brazil, the Brazilian National Electric System Operator (ISO), ONS, recommends the use of ATPDraw for studies of electromagnetic transients. Therefore, there is a low probability that an engineer that works in a Brazilian company uses other software than ATPDraw.

For undergraduate and graduate students, I recommend the ATPDraw. Learning to use ATPDraw has been a pleasurable challenge for me. It reminds me of my first semester at college when I was introduced to Differential and Integral Calculus. Developed by HK H?idalen, NTNU-Norway, the program is the graphical preprocessor to ATP (Alternative Transient Program).

It's possible to perform insulation coordination, lightning, switching, and harmonic studies with these tools. A free alternative for all those who are passionate about transient phenomena in electrical power systems.

PS: I suggest that you visit the website of the National Electric System Operator Brazilian, (ONS) for more information about the Continental Brazilian Electric Power System (https://www.ons.org.br/).

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References

[1] Designed for the way you think and the work you do. (2022, Jan 04). 1994-2022 The MathWorks, Inc.Available:https://www.mathworks.com/products/matlab.html

[2] The simulation of power systems transients has never been so easy! (2022, Jan 04). EMTP Alliance. Available: https://www.emtp.com/products/emtp

[3] PS SIMUL - Software para Modelagem do Sistema de Potência e Simula??o de Transitórios Eletromagnéticos (2022, Jan 04). Conprove Engenharia. Available: https://conprove.com/produto/08-ps-simul-software-para-modelagem-do-sistema-de-potencia-e-simulacao-de-transitorios-eletromagneticos/

[4] ATPDraw - The Graphical Preprocessor to ATP Electromagnetic Transients Program (2022, Jan 04). H. K. H?idalen, NTNU-Norway. Available: https://www.atpdraw.net/