Main Toolbar

The main PowerFactory toolbar provides the user with quick access to the main commands available in the program (see Figure4.8.1). Buttons that appear in grey are only active when appropriate. All command icons are equipped with balloon help text which are displayed when the cursor is held still over the icon for a moment, and no key is pressed.

To use a command icon, click on it with the left mouse button. Those icons that perform a task will automatically return to a non-depressed state when that task is finished. Some command icons will remain depressed, such as the button to Maximise Output Window. When pressed again, the button will return to the original (non-depressed) state.

This section provides a brief explanation of the purpose of the icons found on the upper part of the toolbar. Icons from the lower part of the toolbar are discussed in Chapter9(Network Graphics (Single Line Diagrams)). Detailed explanations for each of the functions that the icons command are provided in the other sections of the manual.

Open Data Manager

Opens a new instance of the Database Manager. When the option “Use Multiple Data Manager"

is enabled in the user settings menu (User Settings → General) the user will be able to open as many instances of the data manager as required. If “Use Multiple Data Manager" is disabled in the user settings menu, the first instance of the data manager will be re-opened. For more information on the Data Manager refer to Chapter10.

Edit Relevant Objects for Calculation

Provides a list of elements (coloured in green) and types (coloured in red) that are in an active Grid: e.g. transformer types, line elements, composite models, etc. When an object icon is selected, all objects from the selected class(es) will be shown in a browser.

4.8. USER INTERFACE

Date/Time of Calculation Case (SetTime)

Displays the date and time for the case calculation. This option is used when parameter charac-teristics of specific elements (e.g. active and reactive power of loads) are set to change according to the study time, or a Variation status is set to change with the study time.

Edit Trigger

Displays a list of all Triggers that are in the active Study Case. These Triggers can be edited in order to change the values for which one or more characteristics are defined. These values will be modified with reference to the new Trigger value. All Triggers for all relevant characteristics are automatically listed. If required, new Triggers will be created in the Study Case. For more information, see Chapter16: Parameter Characteristics, Load States, and Tariffs. Section 16.2 (Parameter Characteristics).

Data Verification (ComCheck)

Performs model data verification, see Section21.5(Troubleshooting Load Flow Calculation Prob-lems).

Calculate Load-Flow (ComLdf)

Activates the load-flow command dialogue. For more information about the specific settings, refer to Chapter21(Load Flow Analysis).

Calculate Short-Circuit (ComShc)

Activates the short-circuit calculation command dialogue. For more information, refer to Chap-ter22(Short-Circuit Analysis).

Edit Short-Circuits

Edits Short-Circuit events. Events are used when a calculation requires more than one action or considers more than one object for the calculation. Multiple fault analysis is an example of this. If, for instance, the user multi-selects two busbars (using the cursor) and then clicks the right mouse button Calculate → Multiple Faults a Short-circuit event list will be created with these two busbars in it.

Execute DPL Scripts

Displays a list of DPL scripts that are available. See section4.9for a general description of DPL scripts, and Chapter19(The DIgSILENT Programming Language - DPL) for detailed information.

Output Calculation Analysis (ComSh)

Presents calculation results in various formats. The output is printed to the Output Window and can be viewed, or copied for use in external reports. Several different reports, depending on the calculation, can be created. For more information about the output of results refer to Chap-ter17:Reporting and Visualizing Results, Section17.2.3(Output of Results).

Documentation of Device Data (ComDocu)

Presents a listing of device data (a device is the model of any physical object that has been en-tered into the project for study). This output may be used in reports, and for checking data that has been entered. Depending on the element chosen for the report, the user has two options;

generate a short listing, or a detailed report. For more information please refer to Chapter 17:Re-porting and Visualizing Results, Section17.2.3(Output of Results).

Comparing of Results On/Off

Turns on/off comparing of calculation results. Used to compare results where certain settings

or designs options of a power system have been changed from one calculation to the next. For more information please refer to Chapter 17:Reporting and Visualizing Results, Section 17.3 (Comparisons Between Calculations).

Edit Comparing of Results (CommDiff)

Enables the user to select the cases/ calculation results that are to be compared to one an-other, or to set the colouring mode for the difference reporting. For more information please refer to Chapter17:Reporting and Visualizing Results, Section17.3(Comparisons Between Calcula-tions).

Update Database

Utilizes the current calculations results (i.e. the calculation ’output’ data) to change input param-eters (i.e. data the user has entered). An example is the transformer tap positions, where these have been calculated by the load-flow command option “Automatic Tap Adjust of Tap Chang-ers." For more information refer to Chapter17:Reporting and Visualizing Results, Section17.3 (Comparisons Between Calculations).

Save Operation Scenario

Saves the current operational data to an Operation Scenario (e.g. load values, switch statuses, etc.). See Chapter14(Operation Scenarios).

Break

Stops a transient simulation or DPL script that is running.

Reset Calculation

Resets any calculation performed previously. This icon is only enabled after a calculation has been carried out.

Note: In User Settings, on the General page, if ’Retention of results after network change’ is set to

’Show last results’ in the User Settings (see Chapter7: User Settings, section7.1), results will appear in grey on the Single Line Diagram and on the Flexible Data tab until the calculation is reset, or a new calculation performed.

User Settings (SetUser)

User options for many global features of PowerFactory may be set from the dialogue accessed by this icon. For more information refer to Chapter7(User Settings).

Maximize Graphic Window

Maximizes the graphic window. Pressing this icon again will return the graphic window to its original state.

Maximize Output Window

Maximizes the output window. Pressing this icon again will return the output window to its original state.

Change Toolbox

In order to minimize the number of icons displayed on the taskbar, some icons are grouped based on the type of analysis, and are only displayed when the relevant category is selected from the Change Toolbox icon. In Figure4.8.3, the user has selected RMS/EMT Simulation, and therefore only icons relevant for RMS and EMT studies are displayed to the right of the Change Toolbox icon. If, for example, Reliability Assessment were selected then icons to the right of the Change

4.8. USER INTERFACE

Toolbox icon would change to those suitable for a reliability assessment.

Figure 4.8.3: Change Toolbox selection