master:sync_machine parametersPSCAD Synchronous Machine

Every parameter of the PSCAD Synchronous Machine (master:sync_machine): 129 names, with the unit, the default and the meaning PSCAD gives each one. Copy a name into parameters().

What master:sync_machine is

The synchronous machine, with its d and q axis data, inertia and the initialisation that starts it as a source and moves it to a machine.

Definition: master:sync_machine
PSCAD name: Synchronous Machine
Category: Machines, exciters and governors
Parameters: 129, in 12 groups; 62 carry a unit
Read from: PSCAD 5.0.0, 2026-11-07

Most used master:sync_machine parameters

Parameter	Unit	Description
`H`	s	Inertia Constantinertia constant
`D`	pu	Mechanical Friction and Windagefriction and windage
`Ibase`	kA	Rated RMS Line Currentrated line current
`Cnfg`	·	Data Entry Format:data entered as generator or equivalent circuit

Read and write master:sync_machine 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:sync_machine"):   # the exact definition, namespace first
    params = comp.parameters()           # every parameter, as PSCAD holds it
    print(str(params["H"]))              # Inertia Constant, in s

comp = project.find_all("master:sync_machine")[0]
comp.parameters(H="4 [s]")               # 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, "H") and px_set(...), which also records the old value so the case is put back at the end. Getting started shows them.

Generator Data Format16
Configuration10
Monitoring Internal Variables - Advanced12
Output Variable Names9
Basic Data11
Variable Initialization Data11
Configuration - Advanced6
Initial Conditions12
Interface To Machine Controllers5
Output Variables For Controler Initialization2
Saturation Curve21
Equivalent Circuit Data Format14

Generator Data Format

Parameter	Unit	Default	Description
`AGFC`Real	·	1.0	Air Gap FactorAt least 0
`Gfld`Real	pu	1.0E+2	D: Real Transfer Admittance (Armat-Field)Range 0 to 100Used when (itrfa==1)
`Ra`Real	pu	0.002	Armature Resistance [Ra]Range 0 to 1E+20Used when (CfRa==1)
`Ta`Real	s	0.332	Armature Time Constant [Ta]Range 1E-20 to 1E+20Used when (CfRa==0)
`Tdo_`Real	s	4.3	D: Unsaturated Transient Time ( Open ) [Tdo_]At least 0
`Tdo__`Real	s	0.032	D: Unsaturated Sub-Transient Time ( Open ) [Tdo__]At least 0
`Tqo_`Real	s	0.85	Q: Unsaturated Transient Time ( Open ) [Tqo_]Range 0.001 to 2Used when (Nqaxw==2)
`Tqo__`Real	s	0.05	Q: Unsaturated Sub-Transient Time ( Open ) [Tqo__]At least 0
`Xd`Real	pu	1.79	D: Unsaturated Reactance [Xd]At least 0
`Xd_`Real	pu	0.169	D: Unsaturated Transient Reactance [Xd_]At least 0
`Xd__`Real	pu	0.135	D: Unsaturated Sub-Transient Reactance [Xd__]At least 0
`Xkf`Real	pu	1.0E+2	D: Imag Transfer Admittance (Armat-Field)Range 0 to 100Used when (itrfa==1)
`Xp`Real	pu	0.130	Potier Reactance [Xp]At least 0
`Xq`Real	pu	1.71	Q: Unsaturated Reactance [Xq]At least 0
`Xq_`Real	pu	0.228	Q: Unsaturated Transient Reactance [Xq_]Range 0.001 to 1Used when (Nqaxw==2)
`Xq__`Real	pu	0.2	Q: Unsaturated Sub-Transient Reactance [Xq__]At least 0

Configuration

Parameter	Unit	Default	Description
`CfRa`Choice	·	RESISTANCE	Armature Resistance as:Select the form of the armature resistance: resistance or time constant.Written as TIMECONS (Time-Cons), RESISTANCE (Resistance)Used when Cnfg==0
`Cnfg`Choice	·	GENERATOR	Data Entry Format:Select Generator or Equivalent circuit formatsWritten as GENERATOR (Generator), EQUIV_CCT (Equiv cct)
`Iscl`Choice	·	YES	Machine Scaling Factor?Select Yes or No to scale the machine. Helpful if multiple identical machines are connected at the same bus.Written as NO (No), YES (Yes)
`MM`Choice	·	ENABLE	Multimass Interface:[Enables Speed Ctrl]Enable or Disable the multimass interface. Enabling multimass allows the use of speed control mode.Written as DISABLE, ENABLE
`MSat`Choice	·	DISABLED	SaturationEnable or Disable the D-axis saturationWritten as DISABLED (Disabled), ENABLED_ON_D (Enabled on D), ENABLED_ON_BOTH_D_Q (Enabled on both D & Q)
`Name`Text	·	SyncMachine	Machine nameRange 0 to 0
`Neut`Choice	·	DISABLE	External Neutral ConnectionSelect enable or disable depending on whether access to neutral connection is required. Make sure externally connected devices to neutral are scaled properly if machine scaling is used.Written as DISABLE (Disable), ENABLE (Enable)
`Nqaxw`Choice	·	ONE	No. of Q-axis Damper WindingsSelect number of Q-axis damper windingsWritten as ONE (One), TWO (Two)
`View`Choice	·	SINGLE_LINE	Graphics DisplaySelect graphics view: single line view or three phase viewWritten as 3_PHASE (3 phase view), SINGLE_LINE (Single line view)
`icTyp`Choice	·	POWERS	Type of Settings for Initial ConditionSelect the tyoe settings for initial condition: none, powers or currentsWritten as NONE (None), POWERS (Powers), CURRENTS (Currents)

Monitoring Internal Variables - Advanced

Parameter	Unit	Default	Description
`Chn1`Text	·	·	Name for 1st monitored outputRange 0 to 0
`Chn2`Text	·	·	Name for 2nd monitored outputRange 0 to 0
`Chn3`Text	·	·	Name for 3rd monitored outputRange 0 to 0
`Chn4`Text	·	·	Name for 4th monitored outputRange 0 to 0
`Chn5`Text	·	·	Name for 5th monitored outputRange 0 to 0
`Chn6`Text	·	·	Name for 6th monitored outputRange 0 to 0
`Mon1`Integer	·	1	Monitor internal storage NEXC +Range 1 to 375
`Mon2`Integer	·	1	Monitor internal storage NEXC +Range 1 to 375
`Mon3`Integer	·	1	Monitor internal storage NEXC +Range 1 to 375
`Mon4`Integer	·	1	Monitor internal storage NEXC +Range 1 to 375
`Mon5`Integer	·	1	Monitor internal storage NEXC +Range 1 to 375
`Mon6`Integer	·	1	Monitor internal storage NEXC +Range 1 to 375

Output Variable Names

Parameter	Unit	Default	Description
`Cneut`Text	·	·	Name: Neutral Current to Ground [kA]Range 0 to 0Used when Neut==0
`Lang`Text	·	·	Name: Load Angle; Gen. + [rad]Range 0 to 0
`POut`Text	·	·	Name: Real Power; Out + [pu]Range 0 to 0
`PQscl`Choice	·	TOTAL_NUMBER_OF_MACHINES	Real/Reactive power pu output is based on base MVA ofWritten as SINGLE_MACHINE (single machine), TOTAL_NUMBER_OF_MACHINES (total number of machines)Used when Iscl==1
`QOut`Text	·	·	Name: Reactive Power; Out + [pu]Range 0 to 0
`Tesmt`Text	·	·	Name: Steady Electrical Torque [pu]Range 0 to 0
`Theta`Text	·	·	Name: Rotor Mechanical Angle [rad]Range 0 to 0
`Vneut`Text	·	·	Name: Neutral Voltage [kV]Range 0 to 0Used when Neut==0
`Wang`Text	·	·	Name: Internal Phase A Angle with respect to sin(wt) [rad]Range 0 to 0

Basic Data

Parameter	Unit	Default	Description
`D`Real	pu	0.0	Mechanical Friction and WindageAt least 0Used when MM==1
`H`Real	s	2.0	Inertia ConstantAt least 1E-38Used when MM==1
`Ibase`Real	kA	10.0	Rated RMS Line CurrentAt least 0.001Used when (IorMVA==0)
`IorMVA`Choice	·	CURRENT	Rating Specified asSelect Current or MVA to specify the ratingWritten as CURRENT (Current), MVA
`MVA`Real	MVA	300.0	Rated MVAAt least 0.001Used when (IorMVA==1)
`NOM`Real	·	1.0	Number of Coherent MachinesRange 0 to 1000Used when (Iscl==1)
`OMO`Real	rad/s	376.99111843	Base Angular FrequencyAt least 0
`RNeut`Real	pu	1.0E4	Neutral Series ResistanceAt least 0Used when Neut==0
`Ri`Real	pu	300.0	Iron Loss ResistanceRange 0 to 300
`Vbase`Real	kV	10.0	Rated RMS Line-to-Neutral VoltageAt least 0.01
`XNeut`Real	pu	0.0	Neutral Series ReactanceAt least 0Used when Neut==0

Variable Initialization Data

Parameter	Unit	Default	Description
`Enab`Integer	·	1	Lock-rotor[0] - Normal mode[1] transitionWhen the value of this input is 0 it will run in speed control mode, when it is 1 it will run in torque control mode.Range -2147483648 to 2147483647
`fldmlt`Real	·	1.0	Field Voltage MultiplierField voltage multiplier used when accelrated flux build up at start is set.At least 1E-38
`hmult`Real	·	1.0	Inertia Scaling FactorInertia scaling factor used when controlling mechanical dynamics is set.At least 1E-38
`machsw`Integer	·	1	Source[0] to Machine[1] transitionWhen the value of this input is 0, it will run as a source. when the value is 1, it will run as a machine.Range 0 to 1
`nfldsw`Integer	·	0	Disable/Enable Ef MultiplicationWhen the value of this signal is set to 1,it will allow field voltage multiplicationRange 0 to 1
`nftrsw`Integer	·	0	Enable/Disable Inertia ControlWhen the value of this input is set to 1, it will allow using the inertia scaling factor.Range 0 to 1
`npadjm`Integer	·	0	Enable/Disable P Control of Locked Rotor MachineWhen the value of this input is set to 1, it will allow controlling the power of the machine when running at speed control mode.Range 0 to 1
`npadjs`Integer	·	0	Enable/Disable P Control of SourceWhen the value of this input is 1, it will allow controlling the power when running as a sourceRange 0 to 1
`pset`Real	MW	0.0	Initializing Real PowerEnter the desired value of output power when controlling of source/machine output is set.
`sdmftr`Real	·	1.0	Damper Friction FactorDamper friction scaling factor used when controlling mechanical dynamics is setAt least 1E-38
`sdmspd`Real	·	1.0	Factor for Damping SpeedFactor for damping speed used when controlling mechanical dynamics is set.At least 1E-38

Configuration - Advanced

Parameter	Unit	Default	Description
`Icmp`Choice	·	NO	Control Machine P Out?Select Yes or No to control the power when running as a machineWritten as NO (No), YES (Yes)
`Icsp`Choice	·	NO	Control Source P Out ?Select Yes or No to control the power when running as a sourceWritten as NO (No), YES (Yes)
`Ifmlt`Choice	·	NO	Accelarated Flux Build-up at Start?Select Yes or No to allow modifying field voltageWritten as NO (No), YES (Yes)
`Immd`Choice	·	NO	Modify Mechanical Dynamics?Select Yes or No to allow modifying mechanical dynamics such as inertia and dampingWritten as NO (No), YES (Yes)
`itrfa`Choice	·	NO	D-axis Transfer Admittance Data Available?Select Yes or NoWritten as NO (No), YES (Yes)
`izro`Choice	·	NO	Force Currents = 0 at t = 0?Select Yes or No to force the currents to be zero at time zeroWritten as NO (No), YES (Yes)

Initial Conditions

Parameter	Unit	Default	Description
`Idi`Real	pu	0.0	D-axis Armature Current; In +Used when icTyp==2
`Ifi`Real	pu	0.0	Initial Field CurrentUsed when icTyp==2
`Iqi`Real	pu	0.0	Q-axis Armature Current; In +Used when icTyp==2
`P0`Real	MW	0.0	Terminal Real Power at Time = 0- ; Out +Used when icTyp==1
`Pheta`Real	rad	0.0	Terminal Voltage Phase at Time = 0-
`Ptcon`Real	s	0.2	Time Constant for Power CorrectionRange 0.05 to 10Used when (Icsp==1) \|\| (Icmp==1)
`Q0`Real	MVAR	0.0	Terminal Reactive Power at Time = 0- ; Out +Used when icTyp==1
`Spdi`Real	pu	1.0	Initial Machine SpeedUsed when icTyp==2
`Sysfl`Real	pu	100.0	System Fault Level (excluding machine)Range 0.1 to 1000Used when (Icsp==1) \|\| (Icmp==1)
`Theti`Real	rad	3.141592	Initial Rotor Angle ref: StatorUsed when icTyp==2
`Trmpv`Real	s	0.1	Time to Ramp Source Limit to RatedRange 0 to 5
`VT`Real	pu	1.0	Terminal Voltage Magnitude at Time = 0-

Interface To Machine Controllers

Parameter	Unit	Default	Description
`Iexc`Choice	·	NO	Output Exciter Initialization Data?Select Yes or No to output exciter initialization dataWritten as NO (No), YES (Yes)
`Igov`Choice	·	NO	Output Governor Initialization Data?Select Yes or No to output governor initialization dataWritten as NO (No), YES (Yes)
`Ospd`Choice	·	RAD_S	Output SpeedSelect the unit of output speed: rad/s or puWritten as RAD_S (rad/s), PU (pu)
`Term`Choice	·	NONE	Supply Terminal Conditions to ExciterSelect what terminal conditions to be supplied to the exciter: none, voltage, current, voltage and currentWritten as NONE (None), VT (Vt), IT (It), VT_IT (Vt&It)
`Ts`Real	s	0.02	Smoothing Time ConstantTime constant used for smoothing out terminal measurements before supplying to exciterAt least 0Used when (Term>0)

Output Variables For Controler Initialization

Parameter	Unit	Default	Description
`InExc`Text	·	InitEx	Source[0] to Machine[1] TransitionRange 0 to 0
`InGov`Text	·	InitGv	Locked Rotor[0] - Normal[1] TransitionRange 0 to 0

Saturation Curve

Parameter	Unit	Default	Description
`Npnts`Choice	·	10	Number of Data Points AvailableWritten as 3 = 3, 4 = 4, 5 = 5, 6 = 6, 7 = 7, 8 = 8, 9 = 9, 10 = 10
`X1`Real	·	0.0	Point 1 - CurrentAt least 0
`X10`Real	·	4.2	Point 10 - Current
`X2`Real	·	0.5	Point 2 - CurrentAt least 0
`X3`Real	·	0.8	Point 3 - Current
`X4`Real	·	1.0	Point 4 - Current
`X5`Real	·	1.2	Point 5 - Current
`X6`Real	·	1.5	Point 6 - Current
`X7`Real	·	1.8	Point 7 - Current
`X8`Real	·	2.2	Point 8 - Current
`X9`Real	·	3.2	Point 9 - Current
`Y1`Real	pu	0.0	Point 1 - PU VoltageAt least 0
`Y10`Real	pu	4.2	Point 10 - PU Voltage
`Y2`Real	pu	0.5	Point 2 - PU VoltageRange 0 to 1.01
`Y3`Real	pu	0.8	Point 3 - PU Voltage
`Y4`Real	pu	1.0	Point 4 - PU Voltage
`Y5`Real	pu	1.2	Point 5 - PU Voltage
`Y6`Real	pu	1.5	Point 6 - PU Voltage
`Y7`Real	pu	1.8	Point 7 - PU Voltage
`Y8`Real	pu	2.2	Point 8 - PU Voltage
`Y9`Real	pu	3.2	Point 9 - PU Voltage

Equivalent Circuit Data Format

Parameter	Unit	Default	Description
`R2D`Real	pu	1.4068E-03	Field ResistanceAt least 0
`R2Q`Real	pu	1.4145E-02	Q-Axis Damper No. 1 ResistanceAt least 0
`R3D`Real	pu	4.0699E-03	D-Axis Damper ResistanceAt least 0
`R3Q`Real	pu	8.1942E-03	Q-Axis Damper No. 2 ResistanceRange 0.001 to 2Used when (Nqaxw==2)
`Rs1`Real	pu	0.002	Armature ResistanceRange 0 to 1E+20
`X230`Real	pu	0.0	D: Field-Damp Mutual Leakage ReactanceAt least 0
`X231`Real	pu	0.0	Q: Damp-Damp Mutual Leakage ReactanceRange 0 to 2Used when (Nqaxw==2)
`X2D`Real	pu	6.1789E-02	Field Leakage ReactanceAt least 0
`X2Q`Real	pu	0.32928	Q-Axis Damper No. 1 Leakage ReactanceAt least 0
`X3D`Real	pu	5.4581E-03	D-Axis Damper Leakage ReactanceAt least 0
`X3Q`Real	pu	9.4199E-02	Q-Axis Damper No. 2 Leakage ReactanceRange 0.001 to 2Used when (Nqaxw==2)
`XMD0`Real	pu	1.66	D-Axis Unsaturated Magnetizing ReactanceAt least 0
`XMQ`Real	pu	1.58	Q-Axis Magnetizing ReactanceAt least 0
`XS1`Real	pu	0.14	Stator Leakage ReactanceAt least 0

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