building a new electric world pc mimic diagram multi-client pcmd training v3.6.41

Building a New Electric World

PC Mimic Diagram

Multi-Client PCMD training v3.6.41

2Services & Projects - Chris Hodges – 25/02/2015 - Multi-Client PCMD training v3.6.41

PCMD user training course sections

Introduction Logging on Understanding the diagram Basic operations Advanced operations Switching List creation Diagram/database modifications System management Creation of a new diagram


PCMD Introduction

Wall-diagram replacement (recording of the current state of the electrical equipment and the network layout)

Automation of the switching log Semi-automation of Switching Programme production Simple addition of diagram fragments to Switching Programmes Training personnel on the operation of your network Assessment of trainees on the operation of your network Assessment of personnel on safe-system-of-work procedures Simple network behaviour modelling, including CB tripping responses,

live/dead/isolated/earthed indication, interlocks, automation and trapped key interlocking systems.

Simple network loading computation Asset data recording Equipment reference information storage and retrieval Network reports, including maintenance schedules Diagram modifications can be carried out by users.

PCMD has been designed for basic users with minimal computer familiarity. It provides the following facilities:


Logging on to PCMD - 1

To log on to PCMD, the following actions are required:

Startup PCMD Identify yourself Enter your security details Choose a diagram set – if the set is not currently

available on your PC, then you will need to take out the required Mimic, Copy or Checkpoint diagrams from the library first.

Open a Mimic, Copy or Checkpoint diagram from the diagram set chosen.



A PC that has PCMD installed will have the following icon on the desktop:

To start PCMD, double-click on the icon.

PCMD will automatically synchronise with the PCMD file server (if connected),

… and then display the initial log on form:

… show the current status of the PCMD license on this PC (the license expires 30 days after the last time that the server was connected),



… click on the dropdown arrow,

and then select a user name

Now enter the password for the chosen user account… (Note: passwords are case-sensitive)

… and click on GO



The user is now logged on to PCMD.

One of the following screen layouts is displayed:

Basic:

Advanced:

You can switch between these layouts by clicking on the Advanced View tick-box

To exit PCMD, click the ‘off’ button



For either layout, the next action is to choose a diagram set. A diagram set comprises a Mimic diagram, and zero or more Copies and Checkpoint (audit trail) diagrams.

Click on the dropdown arrow to inspect the list of diagram sets that are available on your Client PC.

You can hide or show the standard Schneider diagram sets in the list by clicking on this button

A Multi-Client PCMD system uses a library on a file server to store its diagram sets.

If the diagram set you wish to work on is not in the list, then you will need to ‘take out’ the required diagram(s) from the diagram set in the library…



…To access items in the library, click the Diagram Library button.

You can also get a list of diagrams that you have borrowed.

The Diagram Transfer form is shown.

Now you need to choose the diagram set which contains the diagram you want to transfer…

Note that the selected diagram set is locked while this form is active. The form is automatically dismissed when the timeout expires.



Now you transfer a diagram, or make-a-copy-and-transfer a diagram:

It is also possible to delete Copy diagrams.

The progress of the transfer is shown thus:

Note that you will need to be a Privileged user to be able to carry out some of the above operations…

You can transfer or make a copy of:- a Mimic diagram (unless it is already checked out by another Client)- a Checkpoint diagram- a Copy diagram

…by clicking on the appropriate transfer icon.



…You must be a Privileged user to: Take out (‘borrow’) a Mimic diagram from the library Return a Mimic diagram to the library Add a new Mimic diagram to the library

In addition, the PCMD license limits the number of Client PCs that can concurrently hold ‘Taken out’ Mimic diagrams. This is handled as follows: When a Client PC Takes out its first Mimic diagram, it becomes an Authorised Client. When a Client PC Returns (or deletes) its last Mimic diagram it ceases to be an Authorised Client. The PCMD license for the system being used is configured with a maximum number of permitted Authorised Clients. If this limit would be exceeded by another Client PC trying to Take out a Mimic diagram, this operation will be rejected.



When a Mimic diagram has been transferred to a Client, the Diagram Library form displays the new location of the Mimic diagram…

…and the master Mimic diagram in the library is locked.

Select Dismiss to return to the main PCMD management page

Note that a local Checkpoint is shown here, as the Mimic has been edited. This will be automatically transferred to the library when the Mimic is returned.

Diagrams may be deleted using the red cross

Diagrams are returned to the library using the Return arrow



Now you can select the diagram set that contains the Mimic, Checkpoint and/or Copy diagram that you have transferred…

To open the Mimic, click on Open Mimic Diagram button (Advanced View), or

Mimic Diagram (Basic View)


Logging on to PCMD - 11The chosen Mimic diagram is now displayed:


Understanding the diagram - 1

The Mimic diagram is always shown with a green background.

The screen layout consists of: A Ribbon header line The diagram window with scroll bars

The Mimic diagram is shown in the diagram window, and comprises graphical symbols representing electrical lines and equipment.

The diagram has a title box at the bottom right.

Multiple diagram pages are accessed using the tabs at the bottom left of the diagram window



A number of different types of switchgear are identified on PCMD diagrams, and their current state is also indicated. For example:

Withdrawable CB Off-load isolator HV Fixed pattern CB LV ACB (in Open state) (Load break) switch Fuse-switch Switch-fuse

Note: Normally-open switchgear is identified using the DNOs’ “lollypop” convention. This is a customisable item.



HV and LV busbars may be distinguished by their central colour (if live):

HV busbarLV busbar

All diagrams must have at least one source of infeed:

Mains infeed (usually from a DNO) is coloured according to its voltage (eg: red = 11kV)

The other possible sources of infeed supply are Generators and Batteries.



PCMD determines the current electrical state of all circuits from the state of the switchgear

Circuits that are live are shown in solid colours according to their voltage. For example: green = 33kV yellow = 22kV red = 11kV blue = 6.6kV magenta = 3.3kV black = LV (eg: 415V) grey = dc

These colours may be changed if required.



Circuits that are not live are shown using patterned lines. This

allows monochrome printers to be used for diagram prints.

Isolated Faulty Dead Earthed Dead/earthed (earthed beyond a transformer)

For non-live circuits, five

line patterns are used:

Busbars are infilled with the Live colour, or a pattern if Dead, Isolated, Earthed or Dead/earthed. They may also be shown as Faulty.



There are also a few special purpose line styles:

Neutral earth LV Busbar riser (live) LV Busbar riser (dead)

The LV Busbar risers may also be shown as isolated.

…and more switchgear: HV Fixed pattern CB with one disconnector Withdrawable LV CB Contactor (open)



Electrical equipment is usually installed in secure areas (substations).

A substation is shown on the diagram using a dotted line box that encloses a group of equipment items. Each substation must be assigned a unique name.

PCMD uses the more generic term ‘location’, to cover equipment groupings such as switchrooms, switchboards, switchyards, and compounds.



Individual switchboards within substations can be shown by ‘nesting’ one location within another.

In this example, switchroom HVAC A contains two packaged substations (M4 and M5), two UPS units, and two output LV switchboards


Understanding the diagram - 9Central to the operation of PCMD is the manual updating of the state of switchgear (DNOs call this action ‘dressing’). When the state of a switchgear item is changed, its graphical representation is updated. The symbols used are very simple: in most cases, only the safety lock, caution sign, padlock and/or earth symbol are used, together with the open/closed switchgear state.For example: a withdrawable CB may be shown as follows:

Closed Open Busbar shutters isolated

with safety lock and caution sign

Isolated, and circuit earthed with safety lock


Basic operations - 1

There are three important areas of basic operation for users:

Use of the Ribbon header line and the Ribbon interface

Diagram navigation

Diagram dressing



The Ribbon header line is laid out as follows:

Click the File button to call up the following page

The Management tab to allow you to: save and close the diagram generate a PFD, and then save and close the diagram take a graphic snapshot of the current screen secure the screen from tampering while you are absent.



The other items in the left column operate as follows: the Information item selects a page showing detailed diagram data. the Reference data item allows the reference file directory structure to be created or updated. the Help item calls up PC Mimic Diagram Help documentation the Print button is used to produce a hard copy of

all of the pages of the diagram in its current state.

If you want to only print the currently displayed part of the current page, you should select ‘Current view’

To produce a PDF file, instead of a hard copy print, choose ‘PrimoPDF’ as the print device



Buttons on this form are greyed out when they are not applicable, or when their action is not permitted in the current operating mode.

Clicking on the Home button on the ribbon header line causes the Home Ribbon to drop down:

Items on the ribbon either operate directly

or those with small down arrows call up drop down lists from which further actions can be selected.



The items on the Home Ribbon operate as follows:Show the ID of the currently logged in userShow the current operational mode and allows a different mode to be selectedExport the current screen to a file of a chosen typeAllow one of the following additional data windows to be selected:

The info window, which shows the pointer’s current Location The Equipment Maintenance list The list of equipments in an abnormal state A list of equipment types shown on the diagram

Show the current zoom level % and allows its adjustment Adjust the current page’s zoom level to fill the screen



Fill the screen with the graphic displayZoom in to the diagramZoom out from the diagramUndo the previous dressing operation (if permitted)Return to the previously displayed page of a multi-page diagramDisplay the System Activity logReports allows a Report to be selectedCauses the Annotation selection window to be displayedAllow the following diagram actions to be selected:

create a Copy diagram from the current diagramcreate a Copy diagram from the current diagram and run it upedit the current diagram


Basic operations - 7The SysActLog button is used to call up a form that shows PCMD’s activity log for the current diagram (the most recent entry is at the top):

The Export PDF button can be used to copy the entire System Activity log’s contents to a PDF document.

The New Entry button allows a comment line to be added to the top of the Activity log.



Validate the diagram, having completed any editing Terminate editing the diagram and discard the edits Clear the highlighting on the edit screen showing where validation errors are present Lock Locations on the screen to prevent selection Clone one or more selected items onto another diagram page (for use by advanced users only !) Mark one or more selected items as Future or Not-future Adjust the height/width of the current page Adjust diagram options Carry out detailed diagram admin options(Currently: updating all of the equipment definitions from a new release of PCMD)

When editing the diagram, the Home Ribbon is changed:



When a Copy diagram is open, the Switching List button is shown:

This is used to prepare switching schedule documentation (see Switching List section of this document).

In addition, snapshots of particular diagram states can be Loaded, Saved and Managed. These allow a series of system states to be rapidly selected in sequential order to allow system operation to be demonstrated.


Six Fields with Dropdown Arrows are presented. The Detail, Key Interlock, Automation, Interlock, and Protection Fields each have three possible states:


On: maskable details of that type are always displayed.

Off: maskable details of that type are always hidden. Note that a switchgear’s trapped key interlocks are displayed when the associated switchgear is selected

Auto: maskable details of that type are only revealed when the zoom level is set greater than a predefined limit

The Future Field allows equipment marked as future to be turned on or off (displayed or hidden).

The Visibility button on the Ribbon header line causes the Visibility Ribbon to drop down:



The Automation Ribbon displays the Automation and Interlock control options. The available options are: Single Step allows any Automation actions that may be triggered to be advanced one step at a time (by clicking the Continue button). The Automation Disabled tick box allows all Automation to be disabled. This allows switchgear states to be adjusted without any resulting Automation actions from being triggered. This tick box is for use in exceptional circumstances only. The Interlocks Disabled tick box allows all Interlocks to be disabled. This allows switchgear states to be adjusted without being restricted by any Interlocks. This tick box is for use in exceptional circumstances only.

The Automation button on the Ribbon header line causes the Automation Ribbon to drop down:



The Metering Ribbon displays the Metering (network load calculation) options (see Advanced operations). The available options are: Show Metering enables the display of load and calculated meter data Show Test Meter enables a separate meter window which shows the calculated meter data at the location of the mouse pointer View in Amps allows the load and meter units to be changed to Amps View in kW allows the load and meter units to be changed to kW the Additional Load tick box adds in possible future loads the Show Overload tick box highlights overloaded connections Export Load Data exports the loading values to a spreadsheet Import Load Data imports the loading values from a spreadsheet

The Metering button on the Ribbon header line causes the Metering Ribbon to drop down:



Simple diagram navigation:

Pan: Rotation of the mouse wheel pans the diagram up/down. Hold the Shift key down on the keyboard and rotating the

mouse wheel pans the diagram left and right. The diagram scroll bars may also be used for panning

Zoom: Hold the Ctrl key down on the keyboard and rotating the

mouse wheel zooms the diagram in and out. The diagram zoom level buttons on the command line

may be used to adjust the zoom level


PCMD also offers ‘intelligent’ diagram navigation facilities: these are based around the use of the right mouse button:

Item right-clicked:

Equipment

Location

Line linking equipment items within same location

Line linking equipment at different locations

Dashed line linking trapped key interlocks

<none>, at whole page view

Right-click, drag mouse pointer, and release

<shift> + Right-click

Resulting display action:

Zoom in on the equipment.

Zoom to fit the location to the screen

Zoom to fit the equipment items that are connected by the line

Zoom to fit the locations that are connected by that line

Zoom to fit all of the interlinked trapped key interlocks to the screen

Zoom in on the selected position

Zoom to fit selected area to the screen

Whole page



Basic operations - 15When you place the mouse pointer over an equipment symbol for two seconds, its tooltip message is displayed.

For switchgear, line 1 of the tooltip message specifies the manufacturer and model designation of the switch, followed by its location and unique ID.

Users may add their own annotations, which are shown as additional lines of text in the tooltip message (see Advanced operations).

If you hold the Ctrl key down, and position the mouse pointer over an equipment symbol, the tooltip is immediately displayed.

Tooltip messages are removed after 6 seconds, or when the mouse is moved.



When you click on a switchgear symbol, the following form is displayed, and the attached feeder is highlighted...



…The form lists all of the possible dressing actions that can be carried out on the switchgear while it is in its current state

For the example CB chosen, it can be dressed to the following states: Switch to Off Enable earthing through CB, Lock closed with S/L, Isolate tripping mechanism Tripped on fault

If this operation is selected, the user is required to override the warning using the Proceed button on the following form:

Note that the Switch to Off is shown in yellow as this operation may cause customer supply loss.



Operations that are potentially dangerous are shown in red. It is not possible to override warnings of this type.



In many electrical systems, the safe operation of switchgear is managed using trapped key interlocks. PCMD is able to accurately model the way that these systems operate.

On this diagram, a trapped key engraved ‘A’ is locked into the upper CB,

and the key receptacle for the same key on the lower CB is empty.

If the upper CB is opened, the key is released, and may be moved to the lower CB, which can then be closed. In the above example, each CB can only be closed if the key is present.



The stages of the operation are as follows:

1 - Open the upper CB to release the key

2 – select the key to identify the places to which it can be moved.

3 – Click & drag the key to the new receptacle

4 – Close the lower CB



Attempts to close the lower CB when the trapped key is not present are rejected:


Advanced operations - 1

The Advanced operations section covers the following:

Additional equipment selection options Checkpointing (archiving) and working with the System Activity log Making copies of the Mimic diagram PCMD’s modelling of network behaviour Selection of User Mode Diagram reports How to use PCMD for training and assessment of staff



When a item of equipment is selected, additional options are available via the tabs at the top of the form. The Switching Operations tab is selected by default (unless there are no commands currently available).

The Information button displays PCMD’s equipment definition information form.

These details are used in Tooltips, and System Activity Log entries.



The Details and Supply Sources buttons, which are located on the information form, display PCMD diagnostic information.

The Clones button is also located in the information section. The Clones form indicates the other display pages where the currently selected equipment item is also displayed (button greyed out if not).


Advanced operations - 4...and:

The Asset Information button displays the asset data that has been defined for the selected equipment

Asset data may be entered in the white fields (this is mode dependent). When complete, hit Carriage Return, then click Save to preserve the data.

An equipment’s asset data may be shown on the diagram using a ‘callout’ symbol. This is described later.

The location table button displays a table allowing all of the equipment items of the same type in that location to have their asset details updated.

The global table button displays a table allowing all of the equipment items of the same type to have their asset details updated.


Advanced operations - 5...and:

The Reference Files button displays the contents (if any) of the PC’s directory that is associated with the selected equipment

The directory structure is created using the Reference Data button on the File form. Windows explorer (drag and drop) is used to populate the directories (outside PCMD), or you can drag and drop new files directly into the above Reference Files form.



...and the Notes button allows: Operator warnings, Notes, and additional tooltip information to be entered for the selected device.

Operator warnings have to be acknowledged before the equipment is operated. Notes are used to record administrative information. Additional Tooltip data is added to the standard equipment Tooltip.

The data may be easily amended by editing the appropriate fields, and then selecting Save.

If you make a mistake when amending the data, selecting the Cancel button restores the previous data.



The Other Commands tab displays equipment type-specific options:

For a CB, three options are displayed on the Non Switching Operations tab: Disable Protection: if a CB’s protection is disabled, then it will not automatically trip in response to a fault (set as above)

For a feeder, the Set Fault button is displayed. If a live feeder is set faulty, the nearest upstream fault clearing equipment will automatically trip

Apply Danger Sign will add a Danger Sign to the switchgear symbolTrip Test will cause the CB to Trip, thus revealing the items made dead as a consequence.



Clicking the Annotations icon on the Home Banner displays the Annotations selection window.You then choose the type of Annotation required from the dropdown: Point of Earth Point of Isolation Point of Test Point of Work (shown being applied) TIP Text (annotate with user specified text)

The annotation is placed by dragging the icon to the equipment, with the arrow tip at the place required. The position of the label can be changed by click and dragging the . Use the when done.

Annotations are removed by ‘long-clicking’ and on an Annotation.

Area (draw a box with a curly lined border on the diagram.



Each PCMD diagram set may contain three types of diagram:

Mimic diagram This is used as a means of recording the current electrical state of the network that is being modelled. All dressing operations must only be carried out as a means of recording physical plant changes. The Mimic diagram is shown with a green background.

Copy diagram PCMD allows a user to make a copy of any diagram (including Checkpoints and Copies). Each copy must be uniquely named, and is self-contained: all dressing or editing activities are localised within that copy. The Mimic diagram and its System Activity log are unaffected in any way. A Copy diagram is shown with a sand-yellow background.

Checkpoint diagram This type of diagram is used to archive previous versions of the Mimic diagram. A Checkpoint diagram is shown with a cyan background, and cannot be dressed. A Checkpoint is automatically created when the diagram has been edited, as the activities that are recorded in the preceding System Activity log must be kept with the previous diagram layout, and a new set of System Activity log entries begun for the revised diagram. If the log was previously empty, then a Checkpoint will not be taken.



Following diagram editing, it must be validated before it can be used. When the validation confirms that there are no errors, the user may then run the diagram (thus replacing the previous version of the diagram) using the Edit Finished button. This button remains greyed out if validation errors are present (note: warnings are ok) .

If the diagram had dressing entries in its System Activity log before it was edited, then a Checkpoint is automatically taken when the edited diagram is run up.When the Checkpoint is created, the diagram’s System Activity log is moved to the checkpoint file, along with a frozen image of the current state of the Mimic diagram prior to the edit.

Immediately following the checkpoint operation, the Mimic diagram’s System Activity log is empty, and is shown thus.



Log entries that have been archived in Checkpoint diagrams may be accessed from the Mimic diagram by selecting the Add Earlier button on the System Activity log: but the user must be careful as these entries may not be applicable to the diagram in its current layout. Earlier entries are highlighted in cyan, as in this example:



If you select an entry in the System Activity Log…

…and then select the Details button, the log entry’s full details are displayed:



A checkpoint diagram may be directlyaccessed from the diagram selection form (you may need to take it out from the library first)

To do this, exit the diagram, and select the Checkpointed Diagrams button…

…then choose the required checkpoint diagram by clicking the adjacent Open icon.



A checkpointed diagram is shown with a cyan background. Itcannot be dressed,

but its System Activity log may be examined.



However, a Copy diagram may also be created using the Diagram Actions menu on the Home banner, from the following: The Mimic diagram, A Copy diagram A Checkpoint diagram.

Copy diagram names must be unique.

Copy diagrams may be dressed and editedCopy diagrams may be created by displaying the source diagram and using the Copy Diagram or Copy & Run Diagram buttons on the Diagram Actions menu.

Note: The Copy & Run option is not available for Checkpoint diagrams.

Alternatively, a Copy may be created and run using the Copy Mimic Diagram button on the PCMD management form

Copy diagrams are usually created via the Diagram library form.



If you decide to create a Copy diagram, you should enter its description.

The recorded name of a Copy diagram is the Name + Description

If you selected Copy, the ‘copying in progress’ form is displayed, and when complete the source diagram remains on display.

If you selected Copy & Run, the ‘copying in progress’ form is displayed, and when complete the source diagram is replaced by the new Copy diagram (with a yellow background).

The System Activity log on a Copy diagram is initially empty: no record of activities from the source diagram is retained.

When you exit a Copy diagram, you will be asked if you want to keep the diagram and any associated switching lists.

You can delete a Copy by clicking on the Delete button.



PCMD is able to model network behaviour. Many of the items on a PCMD diagram mimic the behaviour of their real counterparts:

A live cable that is set to the faulty state will cause the next upstream fault-clearing equipment to trip. On a closed ring, the next upstream fault-clearing equipment in both directions will trip

Tripped equipment alarms are raised and displayed as shown in the example.



UPS components (battery chargers and inverters) will only produce a live output when they have a live infeed.

If you connect a live feeder to earth (only possible in Assessment mode) then the next upstream fault-clearing equipment on the live side will trip.



PCMD diagrams can be configured with simple automation functions. These are available in two ways: Devices (such as ‘ASCO’ units) that have integral automation Independent automation control units that control several items

For example: The two types of ASCO units (mechanical and static) each have three-terminal symbols that are placed on the diagram.

When a loss of supply is detected on its currently connected infeed, the switch is able to automatically change to the other infeed.

The automatic switching function of the mechanical ASCO switch can be dressed to various states that are indicated by arrows

Auto change to standby

Auto restore on standby fail

Auto restore on main recover



Independent automation control units are shown on the diagram by selecting Automation visibility to On

For example: The Auto supply changeover automation is presented as shown.

The points that it senses and the equipment that it controls are shown by the interconnecting lines.

When loss of the primary supply is detected, the main infeed CB is opened and the secondary infeed CB is closed. When the primary supply is restored, the secondary CB is opened and the primary CB is closed.

The automation unit may be dressed to the disabled state.

Control units are also available for generator start and control of infeed/bus section CBs.



Asset data can be displayed using the asset data callout symbol.

This symbol can be configured (in edit mode) to pick up a selection of the available asset data for an equipment by ticking selection boxes:

Fields can also be combined (eg 11kV/415V) by choosing the appropriate prefix…

The order of presentation can be adjusted…

…and the font

Show link puts a connecting line from the text to the equipment, and Show Names puts the field name in front of each field



PCMD diagrams can be configured with Electrical interlocks. A number of interlock options are available. These include: Only one of a pair of switchgear items may be closed A switch cannot be operated while a CB is closed Only two out of a set of three switchgear items may be closed:

In addition, an interlock truth table can be built that allows the interlocks between a large set of switches to be modelled



PCMD diagrams can be configured with Network load computation (‘Metering’).

Two types of symbols may be placed: Meter symbols are attached to equipment terminals. For each Meter symbol, total load downstream is computed when a loading value is adjusted, or a switchgear open/close change occurs. The Meter symbols may also be configured with a full load rating and warning %age values. Overload and warning load alarm conditions are indicated on the Meter symbol - click to display details. Thus, a user may quickly appraise the loading state of the network. Load symbols are attached to equipment terminals. The user may then enter network loading values for those points. Separate values may be entered for each phase.



Assessment – Used when testing a user’s system operating or network knowledge

Asset maintenance – Used by non-authorised personnel to update asset data only

Engineer – Primarily intended for the person assigned to updating PCMD’s diagram or database

Operator – The main operational users of PCMD SysAdmin – Used by the system manager to create new user

accounts and Modes, and for other system management work Trainee – Used by a trainee to learn about the network, prior to

being assessed. Trainer – Used to set up training scenarios for trainees

PCMD’s behaviour is tailored using operating modes. A number of standard Modes are provided: these may be amended, or new Modes may be created. The standard Modes are:



PCMD’s current mode may be initially set from the PDMD Management form…

…or may be changed from the Home Ribbon.

Select the Current Mode drop-down arrow, and choose the new mode from those offered.



The accuracy of PCMD’s diagram and associated data is important for the safe operation of the electrical network. To assist with the checking of the diagram, PCMD is able to produce a printed report that is formatted according to the way that equipment is arranged on the busbars at each location.

The list of the available reports is accessed by selecting the Reports button on the Home Ribbon



…The required report is then chosen by selecting the appropriate button.

Reports are created in a Word document that is opened on the screen. The user may then print or save the report as necessary.

The Busbar report is especially important as it lists each switchgear item that is connected to a Busbar, reading from left to right on the diagram. Thus, the user can stand in front of the actual switchgear panel and check that the report details match those of the real switchgear.



One of PCMD’s unique capabilities is its use in Authorised Person training and assessment.

Trainers: It is straightforward for trainers to set up a number of network configuration scenarios using the Copy function. These can then be used to support the explanation of network switching, isolation, locks and labels, earthing etc.

Trainees: Similarly, trainees can be set exercises where they experiment with pre-configured scenarios to gain an understanding of how a particular electrical network operates.

Assessment: When Assessment mode is selected, PCMD’s inhibits and warnings are disabled, and invalid switching options are offered; thus students are required to use their own judgement. In addition, faulty line sections are shown as dead (instead of faulty). Students can then be asked to use switching to locate faults. Following an exercise, the Switching Activity log thus contains an objective assessment of a student’s capability.



To set up PCMD to carry out an assessment, the following steps are suggested: Make a copy of the diagram that is to be used for the assessment. Dress the copy diagram to the start state required for the assessment (usually includes the setting of a line to the faulty state, thus tripping a CB). Make a copy of this amended diagram copy, one for each student (the students names can be used to name each of the copies) Arrange for each student to logon, select assessment mode, and open ‘their’ copy diagram. Each student completes some predefined task on the network. When the students have finished, the assessor should open each student’s diagram copy and print out the System Activity log and the diagram.


Switching lists - 1

Authorised Persons plan HV electrical switching operations using Switching Schedules. PCMD is able to help with the production of these schedules using its Switching List facility. Switching Lists record dressing actions that are carried out on a diagram copy.

A Switching Schedule may be produced as follows: Exit the current diagram (if any). Select the Diagram Library button From the Diagram Library form select the required diagram set Create a copy of the Mimic diagram by selecting Copy


Switching lists - 2 Enter a description for your diagram copy on the popup form…

…and select Create. Wait for the copy to be created.


Switching lists - 3

Dress the diagram copy to the expected state of the network when the planned switching operations are to commence. Select Switching List on the Home Banner… …the Switching List form is displayed:


Switching lists - 4

Enter your Switching List’s name on the Switching List form Select the Create button on the form Select Dismiss to hide the Switching List form


Switching lists - 5 Dress and annotate the diagram how you plan to carry out the switching operations – correct mistakes using ‘Undo’. When you reach the stage where the safety documentation (eg PTW) is to be issued, you should take a snapshot of the relevant part of the screen for inclusion with the safety documents. Click on the Home banner Switching List, and on the form select Capture

The diagram is displayed without background colour, and with a cross-hair cursor. Position the cursor to one corner of the area to be captured and click-and-drag the cursor to the diagonally opposite corner and release. The enclosed region is captured (eg) and its thumbnail is shown on the switching list form.


Switching lists - 6

Multiple screen captures can be taken at various stages if required. If the work involves changes to the electrical configuration of the network, then a diagram edit will be required. The current schedule should be exported by selecting Export on the Switching List form:

The user is offered a choice of switching list templates (if more than one is available).


Switching lists - 7

A suggested location for the file to be saved is offered:

Your Switching List is then copied into the selected template MS Word document, where (depending on layout) you can add extra information, such as reason for each step, thus producing a finished Switching schedule. You should also copy the screen snapshot into the Switching schedule. Reposition the data entry cursor in the Switching schedule to where the screen snapshot is to be placed. Then click and drag the thumbnail from the switching list form to the Switching schedule. Once you have completed and checked the Schedule, print the schedule document. Sign and date the printed document, and then issue it for checking and countersigning by a second AP/SAP/AE.


Switching lists - 8

Having saved the work preparation Switching schedule, a copy of the current copy diagram should be made. This new copy can then be edited to reflect the new configuration of the network.

A new switching list is then opened on this new copy diagram. This list details the switching operations required to restore the network to its normal state.

If the work does not involve changes to the electrical configuration of the network, then you can continue to add steps to the current switching list with the operations that will restore the network to its normal state (Cancel PTW, for example, would probably be the next step).


Switching lists - 9

PCMD is distributed with three ‘standard’ switching list templates:

For the MOD: ‘SwitchingList_DEO R102 1197.dot’

For the NHS: ‘DoH HTM 06-02_03 SP1’

For other users: ‘SwitchingList_Standard.dot’

These may be amended or used as a base for new switching list formats as necessary.

Note that the template files are stored in the following location:

Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Schneider Electric\PCMD V3\Templates

Please read the ‘ReadMe.txt’ in the above directory for a description of how these files are named.


Diagram/database modifications - 1

To make changes to a PCMD diagram or its equipment database, diagram editing is required.

First, the Mimic diagram or a Copy diagram is displayed, then the Edit Diagram button is selected on the Home Ribbon’s Diagram Actions menu:



The diagram is then set up ready for editing in Visio:

PCMD has its own set of symbols, which must be used to construct the diagram.

The symbol shapes are dragged and dropped onto the diagram.



When switchgear (CBs, switches, fused switches, fuses etc) are dropped on the diagram, a database popup form is displayed:

This form allows you to enter information about the switchgear: crucially the equipment’s unique name. If this information is not available then the ‘#name’ that PCMD initially creates will be used. This will generate warnings when the diagram is validated.


Diagram/database modifications – 4

PCMD should not be used operationally on equipment that is only defined with a #name (because this makes PCMD’s logging worthless). Thus PCMD encourages you to replace these names with the proper names (by raising Validation warnings).

Tick the Display Name/Label box to display the equipment’s name next to its symbol on the diagram.

Alternatively, a different label can be displayed on the diagram by filling in the Label field.

The contents of the Description field are added to the Name in the System Activity


Diagram/database modifications – 5To see how your chosen contents of the Name, Label and Description fields will appear, click the ‘?’ button

The Naming Items Example form shows how the name components are assembled for use on PCMD forms and lists.



PCMD can be a valuable tool while new plant is being installed and commissioned. Planned new plant (including cables) can be placed on the diagram and marked with the Future tick box selected. These items play no part in the electrical behaviour of the diagram.

Items marked as Future are revealed/hidden using the Future radio buttons on the Visibility Ribbon.

Future items are displayed with a special background as shown

As plant items are commissioned their Future marks can be removed (in edit mode) thus allowing a continuously up-to-date view of the electrical network to be available.



To ensure that PCMD only offers the correct options when an equipment is being dressed, the manufacturer, Model and function of each item of switchgear must be entered.

The Browse Switchgear Types button is selected...

…and then a form listing all of the Switchgear of that type is displayed.



PCMD is pre-configured with 400+ types of switchgear. If the correct type cannot be found then PCMD’s support at Schneider Services and Projects should be contacted.

When you have chosen the correct Manufacturer + Model + Function, press the Select button.

On the Switchgear form the Manufacturer must be selected…

The Function is critical as it affects the dressing options offered for the switchgear . For example: earthing commands for Bus-section CBs are different from those for Feeder CBs.

…and if the switchgear is part of an RMU tick this box,

and then choose the appropriate Model and Function combination.



For switchgear, there is other information that can be entered on the Equipment Details form.

Selecting the Normally Open Point tick box causes the ‘lollypop’ indicator (or the user’s custom designed symbol) to be displayed next to the switchgear. The Normal state should be set to Off for normally open switchgear. This may also be needed when configuring trapped key interlocks.



When switchgear items are dressed, PCMD carries out a number of checks, and will raise warnings or will prevent some dressing actions if these are deemed to be hazardous. The check boxes on this form should not normally require adjustment.

From the Inhibit Checks tab, the number and behaviour of checks that are carried out on a particular switchgear item can be modified: This check prevents a switch from connecting a live circuit to earth. This check warns that opening a switch may cut off supply This check prevents the opening of a switch that is carrying an earth. This check prevents incompatible live sources from being interconnected. This check prevents a switchgear item from being operated while live.



Cable names and construction details can be entered by double-clicking on a cable, and selecting Details:

Enter a Cable Id and tick Display Name to show a label Tick Additional name to allow display of a second label (labels can be positioned as required) Select Assets to allow general cable info to be entered:

Select Conductor Sections to allow cable construction info to be entered:


Diagram/database modifications - 12For transformers, generators, inverters, battery chargers, and infeeds , the T1 and T2 voltages must be correctly selected.

In addition, for infeeds and generators, the feeder No. must be selected. A feeder No. of 0 is used for equipment that can be paralleled with any other source of supply.

If you select a non-zero feeder No. for a source of supply, then that source may only be paralleled with other sources of supply with the same non-zero feeder No., or a zero feeder No. A network fault will be simulated by PCMD if switching causes sources of supply that are incompatible to become electrically connected. Switchgear checks normally prevent this.



When you drop a busbar onto the diagram, you will see that ‘caterpillar legs’ are added, to allow connection of switchgear: (unused legs are automatically removed later)

Adjust the length of the busbar by dragging on the yellow handle

You can then drag switchgear to connect to the legs.

When a device is properly connected, a small red square appears at the connection point



When you drop equipment items (most importantly switchgear) onto the diagram, you will see that their terminals are marked ‘1’ and ‘2’.

You must ensure that the terminals are connected to other items (busbars especially) the right way round. For feeder switchgear that is connected to a busbar, terminal 1 is always connected to the busbar, and hence terminal 2 is always connected to the feeder. For bus-section switchgear, terminal 1 is always connected to the left hand busbar (when viewing the panel from the front) For infeeds, transformers, busbars, battery chargers, and inverters, all interconnected terminals must be at the same voltage.



Infeeds to busbars, which are usually shown above the busbars, should be rotated through 180 degrees using the rotation handle, or they can be reversed using the ‘Reverse Connections’ option (next page).

Switchgear should be set out along the busbar in the same order as it is in real life.

HV switchgear should be spaced at a minimum of 20mm intervals (note that the grid is fixed at 5 mm). This is to allow space for the locks, labels and earth symbols that appear next to the switchgear.

LV switchgear can be spaced closer together: 10 mm spacing is possible.

The footprint of the locks and labels are indicated using grey shadowed areas.



Flipping devices around on the diagram should be used sparingly (if at all) as it can lead to the device layout looking muddled.

Flipping of device allows the footprint of its locks and labels to appear on the opposite side of a device.

When you right-click a device, special menu options are offered: Details calls up the device details form Select all in Location is used to drag or copy an entire location Reverse Connections swaps terminals 1 & 2 Set Future Clear Future Flip Horizontal (see below) Flip Vertical (see below)



PCMD models integrated RMU switchgear differently from other switchgear, as a single serial number applies to more than one switchgear item. Example diagram arrangements include:

An RMU enclosure must be used, and it must only enclose the switchgear for a single RMU.

This arrangement allows the number to be shared between all three items of switchgear. The serial number is applied to the RMU enclosure.



Equipment items can also be linked using Distribution Busbars. These are used to represent LV busbars that are used within a building for high current LV distribution such as mains risers.

Short pieces of busbar are used between the terminals of each equipment item

Section of Distribution Busbar

Switch Fuse at riser take-off point

When a Circuit ID is specified for one section of Distribution Busbar, it is copied to all of the other sections of that riser.



Locking of Location boxes.

When you are editing a complex diagram, you will sometimes find that you keep selecting a location instead of the required equipment item.

To assist with this, a Lock Locations button is provided on the Home Banner:

When you click this button, all locations on the diagram are made non-selectable. Click this button again to make the locations selectable.



To run up the modified diagram as the new Mimic (or Copy), it must be validated. This is carried out by selecting the Validate Diagram button on the Home Banner



Progress of the validation is displayed on the Diagram Validation form:

If errors are found during the validation, these are listed on the form and highlighted (in magenta) on the diagram. Errors must be eliminated before the modified Mimic (or Copy) diagram can be run up.

Alternatively, you can abandon your edited changes by selecting Discard Edit on the Home Ribbon.



Warnings info can be viewed using the Warnings tab. The level of detail is controlled by the Validation ‘extras’ button on the Home Banner

Warnings do not prevent the diagram from being made operational, but warnings should be eliminated as part of PCMD’s commissioning process, as they indicate that some configuration data is not set up correctly.



When all of the validation errors have been eliminated, the Edit Finished button is ungreyed, thus allowing the diagram to be run.

If you prefer to continue editing you must choose ‘Continue Edit’.



Following selection of the Edit Finished button, the Equipment current state form may be displayed (it is only displayed if PCMD cannot determine the states of the equipments from their states on the diagram before it was edited).

A new Current state may be selected if required.

To proceed you must choose between setting all equipment listed to their initial state or their current state.

Use Current States will be used in most circumstances.



Next, the Diagram approval form is displayed:

If you are authorised to approve diagrams (in the Users & Modes setup) then, if you are satisfied with the changes that have been made to the diagram, you can Approve the diagram. To do this: Click one of the ‘+’ buttons to increment the revision number Click the Approve Diagram button (this button is ungreyed when the diagram’s revision is incremented) Optionally enter a description of the edit (this will be logged) Click on Run



If you are not authorised to approve diagrams then: Optionally, click one of the ‘+’ buttons to increment the revision number Optionally enter a description of the edit (this will be logged) Click on Run

The diagram will be run up, and a warning form will be displayed reminding the user that the diagram has not been approved:

This warning will always be displayed whenever the diagram is run up, and whenever an item is selected on the diagram (unless you select the ‘Don’t show this again’ tick box).


System Management - 1

System management activities include the following:

Creation and editing of operating modes (Modes)

Creating and editing of user accounts (Users)

Additional diagram configuration features

Copying a diagram to another PC



Users and Modes management is carried out using the separate PCMD Server Manager program.



When SysAdmin mode is selected, a number of additional diagram configuration facilities become available on the PCMD management form: Create new diagram (or copy from existing) Archive/Restore diagrams to/from exchangeable media

In addition, additional facilities are available while editing a diagram:Adjust diagram page size Create an additional page on a diagram Clone equipment items from one page to another on a multi-page diagram Adjust diagram default zoom level and the zoom level that details are automatically revealed



If you select SysAdmin mode, the Diagram Admin button becomes active:

When you select this button, the PCMD Diagram Admin form is displayed:

The PCMD Diagram admin form allows you to create a new diagram, or to Export or Import diagrams (to/from a zip file).

When you select the Create New Diagram option, you are asked to specify the name of the diagram.

The diagram is then created, and automatically opened for editing.



The diagram page size may be adjusted while the diagram is being edited (in SysAdmin mode only). Select the Page Setup button on the Home Banner, select the Page Size tab on the Page Setup form, and then configure the diagram page size as required.



An additional page on a diagram can be created by right clicking on the Insert page button at the bottom of the editing window

The name of the new page is then entered on the Page Name form. The tab for the new page appears at the bottom of the diagram page.


System Management - 7On a multi-page diagram, a few equipment items may usefully appear on more than one page. This allows the remaining equipment items (that only exist on one of the pages), to be electrically interconnected. Linking of pages in this way is unlikely to be routinely carried out, so it is restricted to being a system management function.

Equipment items that are to appear on more than one page must be copied from one page to the other using a ‘cloning’ mechanism. Cloning is carried out as follows: Select the item(s) to be cloned Select the Clone button



On the Clone Equipments form, specify the page (or a new page) where the selected items are to be placed.

Note: Any change made to the details of a duplicated item will also be made to its other instance(s). For an item to be completely deleted, you must delete every instance of it from the pages where it appears.

When you select OK, the destination page is displayed, with the cloned items placed upon it.

Move the cloned items to the required place.



The Home Banner Options button (SysAdmin mode only) allows Diagram and Voltage colours to be adjusted:

The Voltage Levels form allows the colour that is used to indicate that a line is live at a particular voltage to be changed. For example: 11kV is red.



The Diagram option form allows the following features to be adjusted: The Auto Zoom % value specifies the zoom level at which hidden detail becomes visible The Max Zoom % value specifies the maximum zoom level that is used when a location is right-clicked. This prevents small locations from being over magnified. The settings of the Visibility radio buttons are used to specify the state of the visibility Off/On/Auto buttons at diagram startup.



...and: Metering units and phase names can be defined. Ena/disable of feeder connections directly to busbars Ena/disable of the display of the line isolation status Ena/disable of the on-screen display of switchgear earthing capability The default setting of automation single-step can be set. The way that FPIs are reset can be set up


System Management - 12...and:

Choose the feeder highlighting colour The numbering format of diagram revision numbers can be defined. The tooltip fields allow the timing of the display of tooltips to be adjusted. The name of a diagram’s associated custom operational command mapping file can be defined. The currently active lock and label abbreviations are shown. The currently active NOP symbol definition is shown

Select the Save button to save your changes


Creating a new diagram - 1

Creating a new diagram can be a major undertaking. To create a new diagram, SysAdmin mode must be selected on the PCMD admin form…

…then the Diagram Admin button is pressed.

The PCMD Diagram Admin form is displayed.

Then select Create New Diagram…

...or Create a new diagram from existing if you want to begin from an existing diagram



…and the following form is displayed, which allows the entry of the new diagram’s name:

If you have custom database or mapping files then you can use them for the new diagram by specifying them on this form.

Having entered the new diagram name (and the optional other info), press OK.

PCMD will then set up the new diagram (this may take 15 or 20 seconds).

The new diagram is automatically opened for editing, ready for you to begin your entry of diagram data.



To lay out a new diagram, Schneider uses the following general rules: Place all main sources of supply (infeeds and generators) at the top of the page (bottom for an upside-down diagram) From there, work downwards with the least important LV equipment near the bottom of the page Switchgear that are infeeds to busbars or supply interconnections to adjacent substations should be placed above busbars. Outfeeds are placed below the busbars. HV Switchgear sequence L to R on busbars the same as in real life All busbars to be set horizontally Where possible, cables that are not interconnectors to be vertical and with no bends – stretch busbars if necessary to achieve this. Do not flip symbols horizontally or vertically Ensure that all equipment and cables are aligned with the background grid



Note that items may be easily copied on the diagram by:

- hold down the Ctrl key,

- click-and-dragging the item,

- release the Ctrl key.

Laying out the busbars gives a good indication of the required final page size. You should use the Page Setup button to adjust the page size…

There are no hard and fast rules for constructing a diagram but the following sequence usually works well: Sizing of the page. The basic page size of a diagram is usually dictated by the length of the major busbars. Thus, to determine the page size, you should set out the switchgear (usually spaced at 25 or 30mm) for all of the major busbars on the diagram.



…on the Visio Page Setup form. Note that you must select the ‘Page Size’ tab to allow adjustment of the diagram’s page size.

You can choose a pre-defined size – a metric size is good as the diagram will then fit metric paper, when printed.

Alternatively, if you plan to use a wide-screen monitor, you could use a Custom size whose aspect ratio makes best use of the available display space (870mm x 500mm is a good size)

You can also use a Custom size to specify oversize metric aspect ratio display sizes such as B0 (1440mm x 1000mm).



Detailed busbar layout. For major busbars it may be helpful if the layout on the diagram matches the front view of the physical switchboard. For example:

Note the switch positioning, empty switchgear frames and busbar spurs



Validate often. You should try to build up the diagram a bit at a time. If you make a large number of changes, you are likely (initially) to make a significant number of mistakes. It can sometimes be difficult to identify what is causing a particular error.

Note that when validation is complete, errors can be located by selecting an error line and then press the GoTo button.



Get the graphical layout sorted out first. The device manufacturer and type, and the device IDs can be entered later. Use the Copy function wherever possible. If you have a number of substations or switchpanels that are very similar, then create the largest example, and then use this as a copy master for the rest. Try to place all equipment items within location boxes. This simplifies the IDs for each item of equipment, and reduces the amount of text that needs to appear next to each item.

An LV switchpanel may be displayed as shown.

In this example this switch’s name is: SB-1.C.2 because it is placed within panel C, which is within switchboard SB-1.



Set up templates of commonly used groups of equipment. To set up a template on the Templates page, you should select a group of items on the main diagram page, Ctrl-drag (which copies) the group to the Templates tab at the bottom of the page: the displayed page will then automatically switch to the templates page, and you can then continue to move and drop the group onto the page:

A form will appear for you to confirm that you want these items grouped as a template.

Subsequently, just click and drag the group to the Diagrams (main page) tab. PCMD will automatically make a copy of the group and transfer it onto the main page. (A demonstration of this feature is recommended).