Known Issues in PSCAD V5 Automation
Introduction
This article will be updated with known issues with the Automation Library at PSCAD V5, and will be updated often with descriptions, workarounds, and resolutions. Please contact support@pscad.com anytime to submit any new problems or feature requests.
For troubleshooting tips, please refer to this article instead.
Known Issues
The following issues have been reported by users, each issue is classified as a deficiency or a bug in the software. New feature requests are tracked by the MHI team in our internal tracking system.
#501 – Products List is Missing
Versions affected
PSCAD v5.0.0 Release (Build 337)
PSCAD v5.0.0 Update 1 (Build 338)
Symptoms
Scripts are unable to launch PSCAD
Problem
The batch file called by the Installer to create the products list is missing
Solution
PSCAD v5.0.0 Hot Fix 1 solves this issue by installing the missing batch file and uses it to generate a products list. This batch file must be used every time a new PSCAD or Fortran compiler is installed. Once run, it will generate a new products list so the Automation Library can recognize it.
#502 – Boolean Parameters Can Not Be Set in Canvas, Components, or Projects
Versions affected
PSCAD v5.0.0 Release (Build 337)
PSCAD v5.0.0 Update 1 (Build 338)
Symptoms
When trying to set certain Boolean parameter values, the values will not change when you try to chnage them with the syntax generated by the recording feature.
Problem
Booleans can be represented by 0, 1, True, False, true, false etc. PSCAD requires specific formatting and makes assumptions when wrong values are used.
Solution
Hot Fix 2 and Update 2 solves this issue by processing different Boolean values more intelligently so PSCAD can consume them.
#503 – Canvas Parameters Can Not Be Set
Versions affected
PSCAD v5.0.0 Release (Build 337)
PSCAD v5.0.0 Update 1 (Build 338)
Symptoms
Cannot change certain canvas parameters such as show_terminals, virtual_filter, and animation_freq.
Warning (from warnings module):
File "C:/Users/xxx/Documents/Support/patch/pscad-500-u2-test.py", line 27
canvas.parameters(show_signal="0", show_virtual="0", show_sequence="0",
UserWarning: Failed to set: show_terminals, virtual_filter, animation_freq
Problem
Some canvas parameters do not exist and when you try to edit them with a Python script, you get “Failed to set” type of warning.
Solution
There is currently no fix for this, but one is expected in the next release of PSCAD. As a workaround you can simply edit the canvas parameters in PSCAD and press the OK button without changing anything. Once you save the project, the missing parameters will be there.
#504 – Canvas Paremeters Throw Error When You Change Them
Versions affected
PSCAD v5.0.0 Release (Build 337)
PSCAD v5.0.0 Update 1 (Build 338)
Symptoms
raise ValueError("No such parameter: "+key) ValueError: No such parameter: creator
Problem
Some canvas parameters are read only and when you try to change them with a Python script, you get “No such parameter” type of Error.
Solution
There is a workaround, you can simply avoid trying to change these specific parameters.
Hot Fix 2 and Update 2 solves this issue by turning the Errors into Warnings.