PowerFactory 2023

Technical Reference

DC-DC Converter
ElmDcdc, ElmDcdcbi
F2023

POWER SYSTEM SOLUTIONS

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January 9, 2023
PowerFactory 2023
Revision 1
Contents

Contents

1 General Description 1

1.1 Basic Model Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

1.2 Basic Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

2 2-Terminals DC-DC Converter 4

2.1 Load Flow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

2.1.1 Voltage Ratio Control Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

2.1.2 Active Power Control Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

2.1.3 Calculation Quantities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

2.2 RMS Simulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

2.3 EMT Simulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

2.3.1 Step-down (Buck) Converter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

2.3.2 Step-up (Boost) Converter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

2.3.3 Bidirectional Converter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

3 2-Terminals DC-DC Converter with Neutral Connection 9

3.1 Load Flow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

3.2 RMS Simulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

3.3 EMT Simulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

4 4-Terminals DC-DC Converter 11

4.1 Load Flow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

4.2 RMS Simulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

4.3 EMT Simulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

5 4-Terminals DC-DC Converter with Neutral Connection 13

5.1 Load Flow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

5.2 RMS Simulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

5.3 EMT Simulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

6 Input/Output Definition of Dynamic Models 15

6.1 EMT-Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

DIgSILENT PowerFactory 2023, Technical Reference i

DC-DC Converter (ElmDcdc, ElmDcdcbi)
Contents

7 Input Parameter Definitions 16

∗
7.1 .ElmDcdc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

List of Figures 17

List of Tables 18

DIgSILENT PowerFactory 2023, Technical Reference ii

DC-DC Converter (ElmDcdc, ElmDcdcbi)
1 General Description

1 General Description

DC-DC converters are often used in switch-mode dc power supplies and in DC motor drive
applications. There usually an unregulated DC voltage Ud is applied to the converter coming
from an uncontrolled diode rectifier. The DC-DC converter then converts this non-ideal DC
voltage into a controlled DC output Uo at a desired voltage level.

These converters are often used in combination with an isolation transformer, especially when
set up to drive a DC machine. The converter element is only representing the ideal DC-DC
converter, i.e. this isolation transformer is not included in the model.

The element ElmDcdc can represent two different types of DC-DC converter:

• Step-up converter or boost converter

• Step-down converter or buck converter

The circuit diagrams of both converters, in its most basic form, are shown in Figure 1.1 and in
Figure 1.2.

Figure 1.1: Step-Down (Buck) Converter

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DC-DC Converter (ElmDcdc, ElmDcdcbi)
1 General Description

Figure 1.2: Step-up (Boost) Converter

Other types of DC-DC converters like the Ćuk converter or a step-down/step-up (buck-boost)
can be modelled as combinations of this basic type of converters.

1.1 Basic Model Description

The basic model of the DC-DC converter for load-flow or RMS calculations is an ideal step-up or
step-down converter. There are no losses represented in the model, i.e. the DC power flowing
into the element is equal to the value flowing out of the secondary side.

The converters are controlled using the pulse-width modulation (PWM). In this method a saw-
tooth voltage with a specified frequency, the ’clock’ signal, is compared to a specified constant
voltage, the ’alpha’ signal. Using this difference the control signal for the switch is generated.

The average output voltage of the converter is controlled by the on and off durations of the switch
and hence dependent on the value of alpha. If alpha becomes higher, the time the switch is in
the on-state becomes larger and the average output voltage Uo increases. Figure 1.3 shows the
control signals for the switch ’clock’ and ’alpha’, the constant primary voltage U1 and the pulsed
secondary voltage U2 , as well as the DC current and DC power flowing through the converter.

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DC-DC Converter (ElmDcdc, ElmDcdcbi)
1 General Description

Figure 1.3: Control Signals and DC Values of a Step-Down Converter with alpha = 0.6 and a
clock frequency of 1 kHz

The voltage ratio between primary and secondary side of the converter is exactly as specified
in the basic data page of the element.

1.2 Basic Data

In the basic data page of the element of the DC-DC converter element, the main parameters
for the converter layout are to be entered. The main parameter characterizing the element is
the rated current Ir of the converter. As you can see in Figure 1.3, the currents coming in and
going out of the element are identical.

The Converter Type option allows the user to use the model of a step-down/step-up, only step
down, or only step-up converter. The option step-down/step-up is useful when the control mode
in the load flow page is active power (see section 2.1.2).

The Direction parameter has two options:

• Unidirectional: the current is allowed to have a positive flow from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2,
but is blocked when it tries to go in the opposite direction. This allows only positive active
power flow from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2.

• Bidirectional: The current, and therefore the active power flow, are never blocked, so that
they can flow in any direction at Terminal 1.

The option DC Neutral connection allows the element to have a neutral connection, which can

DIgSILENT PowerFactory 2023, Technical Reference 3

DC-DC Converter (ElmDcdc, ElmDcdcbi)
2 2-Terminals DC-DC Converter

be graphically connected to a neutral busbar. For the specific model details, see sections 3 and
5.

2 2-Terminals DC-DC Converter

2.1 Load Flow

See figures 1.2 and 1.1 representing the 2-terminals DC/DC Converter.

The load flow page has two different control modes:

• Voltage Ratio
• Active Power

2.1.1 Voltage Ratio Control Mode

The ratio of the voltages on the primary side U1 and on the secondary side U2 is defined by the
parameter alpha (α), which is defined by

U2
α= with 0<α<1 , 1<α<2 (1)
U1

α can be specified in the range between 0 and 2, with exception of selecting the value 1, which
would represent neither a step-up nor a step-down converter.

• if < α < 1, the DC-DC converter operates as a step-down converter, where the secondary
voltage is smaller than the primary voltage
• if < α < 2, the DC-DC converter operates as a step-up converter, where the secondary
voltage is larger than the primary voltage

2.1.2 Active Power Control Mode

In this control mode, an active power setpoint is specified (psetp), so that the corresponding α
is calculated to achieve this active power flow at Terminal 1.

The success of finding the corresponding value of α depends on the Converter Type selected.
When the option is Step-down/Step-up, the α value will be searched in the ranges 0 < α < 1
and 1 < α < 2. However, when the converter type is either step-down or step-up, the value for
α will be limited to the corresponding converter range, thus limiting the possibilities of achieving
the specified active power.

2.1.3 Calculation Quantities

Loading

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DC-DC Converter (ElmDcdc, ElmDcdcbi)
2 2-Terminals DC-DC Converter

The loading of the DC-DC converter is calculated as follows:

max(Ibus1 , Ibus2 )
loading = · 100 in %
Inom

• loading : Loading in %
• Inom : Nominal current = Ir of the DC-DC converter in kA
• Ibus1 : Magnitude of the current at terminal i
• Ibus2 : Magnitude of the current at terminal j

Losses

The losses are calculated as follows:

Table 2.1: Losses Quantities, AC-model

Quantity Unit Description Value

P loss MW Losses (total) =0
Qloss Mvar Reactive-Losses (total) =0
P lossld MW Losses (load) =0
Qlossld Mvar Reactive-Losses (load) =0
P lossnld MW Losses (no load) =0
Qlossnld Mvar Reactive-Losses (no load) =0

2.2 RMS Simulation

The RMS simulation (balanced and unbalanced) use the same equations as load flow:

U2
α= with 0<α<1 , 1<α<2
U1

2.3 EMT Simulation

U ton
2
 = , 0<α<1
 U1 Ts


α= (2)
 U2 = Ts


, 1<α<2

U1 Ts − ton
Ts = ton + tof f (3)

For the electro-magnetic transient simulation the DC-DC converter element is modelled as an
ideal step-up or step-down converter. This means that the valve and the diode are represented
as ideal switches neglecting the on- and off-resistances of the switches (Ron , Gof f ). Thus the
losses are neglected in this model.

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DC-DC Converter (ElmDcdc, ElmDcdcbi)
2 2-Terminals DC-DC Converter

Nevertheless the control signals of the system have to be represented in detail. The pulse-width
modulation including the sawtooth voltage and the control voltage is modelled. In the simulation
these signals can be displayed and the conducting time of the valve Ton can be shown. The
signals are shown in Figure 1.3.

In the EMT-simulation page of the element the frequency of the sawtooth voltage and thus the
constant switching frequency of the converter can be specified.

Additionally, the built-in inductance and capacitance can be specified. If this option is not se-
lected, then the user must model this elements externally.

2.3.1 Step-down (Buck) Converter

The current at Terminal 2 for the converter depicted in Figure 1.1 is shown in Figure 2.1. Here
it can be observed that during the ton , the valve is closed and the diode is blocked, so that
the current starts to increase. When the valve is open, the voltage source is removed from the
circuit, and the current starts decreasing.

Figure 2.1: Step-down (Buck) Converter: Current at Terminal 2 and Clock signal

2.3.2 Step-up (Boost) Converter

The current at Terminal 1 for the converter depicted in Figure 1.2 is shown in Figure 2.2. Here
it can be observed that during the ton , the valve is closed and the diode is blocked, so that
the increasing current flows through the inductor. When the valve is open, the current starts
decreasing as the impedance is higher.

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DC-DC Converter (ElmDcdc, ElmDcdcbi)
2 2-Terminals DC-DC Converter

Figure 2.2: Step-up (Boost) Converter: Current at Terminal 1 and Clock signal

2.3.3 Bidirectional Converter

When the option Bidirectional converter is used, and the conditions in the system allow it, it
is possible to simulate the change of positive to negative active power flow. For both types,
step-down and step-up, the logic is the same.

In order to change the direction of the converter, provided that the conditions in the system allow
for that, it is necessary to apply a Parameter Event with the parameter dTrans set to 1. This
will start the process of transition to the opposite direction. The second time that the parameter
event dTrans is set to 1, the process of transition will finish.

In the Figure 2.3, we can see a birectional step-down (buck) converter. The event parameter
dTrans=1 is applied at 0.001 s. The DC-DC converter waits until the valve is open and the
diode is closed to change the configuration, by exchanging the diode and the valve positions.
Thus, the new diode is blocked and the new valve closed, until the parameter event dTrans=1 is
applied again, at 0.003 s, and the clock switches to the tof f to finalize the transition. After that,
the inverted step-up (boost) converter logic is applied.

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DC-DC Converter (ElmDcdc, ElmDcdcbi)
2 2-Terminals DC-DC Converter

Figure 2.3: Bidirectional Step-up (Buck) Converter: Current at Terminal 2 and Clock signal

DIgSILENT PowerFactory 2023, Technical Reference 8

DC-DC Converter (ElmDcdc, ElmDcdcbi)
3 2-Terminals DC-DC Converter with Neutral Connection

3 2-Terminals DC-DC Converter with Neutral Connection

Figures 3.2 and 3.1 represent the corresponding schemes of the 2-Terminals DC/DC converter
with a neutral connection.

Figure 3.1: Step-Down (Buck) Converter with a neutral connection

Figure 3.2: Step-up (Boost) Converter with a neutral connection

3.1 Load Flow

The options and the functionality described in Section 2.1 are also valid for this model. However,
the voltages are with reference to the neutral, and one additional equation for the current in the
neutral connection is introduced.

U2 − UN
α= with 0<α<1 , 1<α<2 (4)
U1 − UN
IN =0 (5)

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DC-DC Converter (ElmDcdc, ElmDcdcbi)
3 2-Terminals DC-DC Converter with Neutral Connection

3.2 RMS Simulation

The options and functionality described in Section 2.2 are also valid for this model. However,
the equations also consider the neutral:

U2 − UN
α= with 0<α<1 , 1<α<2
U1 − UN
IN =0

3.3 EMT Simulation

The options and functionality described in Section 2.3 are also valid for this model. However,
the equations also consider the neutral:

U − U ton
2 N
 = , 0<α<1
 U1 − UN Ts


α= (6)
 U2 − UN = Ts


, 1<α<2

U1 − UN Ts − ton
Ts = ton + tof f

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DC-DC Converter (ElmDcdc, ElmDcdcbi)
4 4-Terminals DC-DC Converter

4 4-Terminals DC-DC Converter

Figures 4.2 and 4.1 represent the corresponding schemes of the DC/DC converter with four
terminals (positive and negative ports).

Figure 4.1: Step-Down (Buck) Converter with four terminals

Figure 4.2: Step-up (Boost) Converter with four terminals

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DC-DC Converter (ElmDcdc, ElmDcdcbi)
4 4-Terminals DC-DC Converter

4.1 Load Flow

The options and the functionality described in Section 2.1 are also valid for this model. However,
there are now two ports:

U2 U4
α= = with 0<α<1 , 1<α<2 (7)
U1 U3

4.2 RMS Simulation

The options and functionality described in Section 2.2 are also valid for this model. However,
the equations also consider the two ports:

U2 U4
α= = with 0<α<1 , 1<α<2
U1 U3

4.3 EMT Simulation

The options and functionality described in Section 2.3 are also valid for this model. However,
the equations also consider the two ports:

U U4 ton
2
 = = , 0<α<1
 U1 U3 Ts


α= (8)
 U2 = U4 = Ts


, 1<α<2

U1 U3 Ts − ton
Ts = ton + tof f

DIgSILENT PowerFactory 2023, Technical Reference 12

DC-DC Converter (ElmDcdc, ElmDcdcbi)
5 4-Terminals DC-DC Converter with Neutral Connection

5 4-Terminals DC-DC Converter with Neutral Connection

Figures 5.2 and 5.1 represent the corresponding schemes of the DC/DC converter with four
terminals (positive and negative ports) and a neutral connection.

Figure 5.1: Step-Down (Buck) Converter with four terminals and a neutral connection

Figure 5.2: Step-up (Boost) Converter with four terminals and a neutral connection

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DC-DC Converter (ElmDcdc, ElmDcdcbi)
5 4-Terminals DC-DC Converter with Neutral Connection

5.1 Load Flow

The options and the functionality described in Section 2.1 are also valid for this model. However,
the voltages are with reference to the neutral, and one additional equation for the current in the
neutral connection is introduced.

U2 − UN UN − U4
α= = with 0<α<1 , 1<α<2 (9)
U1 − UN UN − U3
IN =0 (10)

5.2 RMS Simulation

The options and functionality described in Section 2.2 are also valid for this model. However,
the equations also consider the neutral:

U2 − UN UN − U4
α= = with 0<α<1 , 1<α<2
U1 − UN UN − U3
IN =0

5.3 EMT Simulation

The options and functionality described in Section 2.3 are also valid for this model. However,
the equations also consider the neutral:

U − U U4 − UN ton
2 N
 = = , 0<α<1
 U1 − UN U3 − UN Ts


α= (11)
 U2 − UN = U4 − UN = Ts


, 1<α<2

U1 − UN U3 − UN Ts − ton
Ts = ton + tof f

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DC-DC Converter (ElmDcdc, ElmDcdcbi)
6 Input/Output Definition of Dynamic Models

6 Input/Output Definition of Dynamic Models

6.1 EMT-Model

Figure 6.1: Input/Output Definition of the DC-DC converter model EMT-simulation

Table 6.1: Output Definition of the EMT-Model

Parameter Description Unit

clock Clock signal p.u.
dTrans Transition

Figure 6.2: Clock Signal Output of the DC-DC Converter

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DC-DC Converter (ElmDcdc, ElmDcdcbi)
7 Input Parameter Definitions

7 Input Parameter Definitions

∗
7.1 .ElmDcdc

Table 7.1: Input Parameter Definitions of the DC-DC Converter Element

Parameter Description Unit

loc name Name
bus1 Terminal AC (StaCubic)
bus1 bar Terminal AC
bus2 Terminal DC (StaCubic)
bus2 bar Terminal DC
outserv Out of Service
Curn Rated Current A
alpha Alpha U2/U1
i ctrl Control mode
psetp P setpoint kW
i ctype Converter Type
i cdir Direction
LCbuiltin Built-in LC
Rrea Resistance Ω
Lrea Inductance mH
Ccap Capacitance µF
Gp Parallel Conductance S
fclock Clock Rate kHz

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DC-DC Converter (ElmDcdc, ElmDcdcbi)
List of Figures

List of Figures

1.1 Step-Down (Buck) Converter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

1.2 Step-up (Boost) Converter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

1.3 Control Signals and DC Values of a Step-Down Converter with alpha = 0.6 and a
clock frequency of 1 kHz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

2.1 Step-down (Buck) Converter: Current at Terminal 2 and Clock signal . . . . . . . 6

2.2 Step-up (Boost) Converter: Current at Terminal 1 and Clock signal . . . . . . . . 7

2.3 Bidirectional Step-up (Buck) Converter: Current at Terminal 2 and Clock signal . 8

3.1 Step-Down (Buck) Converter with a neutral connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

3.2 Step-up (Boost) Converter with a neutral connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

4.1 Step-Down (Buck) Converter with four terminals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

4.2 Step-up (Boost) Converter with four terminals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

5.1 Step-Down (Buck) Converter with four terminals and a neutral connection . . . . 13

5.2 Step-up (Boost) Converter with four terminals and a neutral connection . . . . . 13

6.1 Input/Output Definition of the DC-DC converter model EMT-simulation . . . . . . 15

6.2 Clock Signal Output of the DC-DC Converter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

DIgSILENT PowerFactory 2023, Technical Reference 17

DC-DC Converter (ElmDcdc, ElmDcdcbi)
List of Tables

List of Tables

2.1 Losses Quantities, AC-model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

6.1 Output Definition of the EMT-Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

7.1 Input Parameter Definitions of the DC-DC Converter Element . . . . . . . . . . . 16

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DC-DC Converter (ElmDcdc, ElmDcdcbi)