master:surge1 parametersPSCAD Surge Generator

Every parameter of the PSCAD Surge Generator (master:surge1): 13 names, with the unit, the default and the meaning PSCAD gives each one. Copy a name into parameters().

What master:surge1 is

Surge Generator (Surge Generator (CIGRE, IEC or IEEE Std.)), a component of PSCAD's Master Library, filed under passive branches, loads and filters.

Definition: master:surge1
PSCAD name: Surge Generator
Category: Passive branches, loads and filters
Parameters: 13, in 3 groups; 9 carry a unit
Read from: PSCAD 5.0.0, 2026-11-07

Read and write master:surge1 in Python

import mhi.pscad

pscad = mhi.pscad.connect()              # the PSCAD that is open; launch() starts one
project = pscad.project("my_case")       # a case loaded in the workspace

for comp in project.find_all("master:surge1"):   # the exact definition, namespace first
    params = comp.parameters()           # every parameter, as PSCAD holds it
    print(str(params["ALPHA"]))          # Alpha, in 1/us

comp = project.find_all("master:surge1")[0]
comp.parameters(ALPHA="0.0286 [1/us]")   # a value that carries a unit is written with it

A parameter is named exactly as in the table, letter case included: parameters() gives every one of them in a dictionary, and a name the component does not have is refused.
A value that carries a unit comes back as a number whose unit is only in its text, so read it as text first (str(...)) or the unit is lost. PSCAD keeps a written unit as it is given: "2500 [mohm]" stays in mohm.
A Choice is read and written as its symbol (the capitals in "Written as"), not as the words PSCAD shows in the dialog.
find_all() takes the exact definition only. A wildcard or a bare name without master: comes back empty; the Builder's px_find walks the pages for those.

The Builder's runtime does the same with the unit handled for you: px_get(comp, "ALPHA") and px_set(...), which also records the old value so the case is put back at the end. Getting started shows them.

IEC/IEEE6
Configuration4
CIGRE3

IEC/IEEE

Parameter	Unit	Default	Description
`ALPHA`Real	1/us	0.0143	AlphaAt least 0Used when SW==-1
`BETA`Real	1/us	4.87	BetaAt least 0Used when SW==-1
`SW`Choice	·	12_50_US	Surge WaveformSelect the waveform from supplied list or defined parametersWritten as 12_50_US (1.2/50 [us]), 8_20_US (8/20 [us]), 1_50_US (1/50 [us]), 250_2500_US (250/2500 [us]), 250_1500_US (250/1500 [us]), 10_700_US (10/700 [us]), 5_320_US (5/320 [us]), CUSTOM_WAVEFORM_ALPHA_BETA (Custom Waveform: alpha, beta), CUSTOM_WAVEFORM_WAVEFRONT_TAIL_TIMES (Custom Waveform: wavefront/tail times)
`WFT`Real	us	1.2	Wavefront TimeAt least 0Used when SW==-2
`WFTM`Choice	·	10%_PEAK	Wavefront Time is Based on10% to 90% of peak or 30% to 90% of peakWritten as 10%_PEAK (10% to 90% of peak), 30%_PEAK (30% to 90% of peak)Used when SW==-2
`WTT`Real	us	50	Wavetail TimeAt least 0Used when SW==-2

Configuration

Parameter	Unit	Default	Description
`Ipk`Real	kA	31	Peak Current AmplitudeAt least 0
`Name`Text	·	·	Name for IdentificationEnter a name for identification
`STD`Choice	·	IEC_IEEE	Surge Waveform StandardSelect the basis for waveform from IEC/IEEE or CIGRE standardsWritten as IEC_IEEE (IEC/IEEE), CIGRE
`Tstart`Real	s	0.0	Starting TimeAt least 0

CIGRE

Parameter	Unit	Default	Description
`SM`Real	kA/us	26	Maximum SteepnessAt least 1E-308
`WFT2`Real	us	3.0	Wavefront TimeAt least 1E-308
`WTT2`Real	us	75.0	Wavetail TimeAt least 1E-308

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