Another feature that is helpful when ordering components is the Signals option in the Canvas Settings dialog. When this option is enabled, PSCAD will use icons placed on connections and wire termination points to allow for graphical determination of where time step delays are present. In addition, icon colours are used to represent the signal type.
The icons used are listed below with explanations:
Feed-Forward Connection/Electrical
Signal: This symbol indicates that the signal passing
through the connection point is classified as a feed-forward signal,
if a control signal. This means that the value of the control
signal is always defined within the present time step. This simple
is also used to indicate an electrical signal type.
Feedback Signal: This symbol indicates that the
signal passing through the connection point is classified as a feedback
signal. This means that the value of the signal was defined
in the previous time step (t - Dt).
Due to this fact, feedback signals must be written to, and then
extracted from storage each time step.
Feed Fixed: This symbol indicates that the
signal passing through the connection point is classified as a feed
fixed signal. Feed fixed signals are similar to feedback signals,
in that their value is always extracted from storage. The difference
is that their values are usually defined by an online control, such
as a slider or switch.
Control Signal Legend:
Green: Indicates a signal of type REAL
Blue: Indicates a signal of type INTEGER
Magenta: Indicates a signal of type LOGICAL
Electrical Signal Legend:
Green: Indicates an active node
Brown: Indicates a ground node
Grey: Indicates a removed node
Red: Indicates an isolated node