ETAP

PowerStation 4.0

User Guide
Copyright 2001
Operation Technology, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
This manual has copyrights by Operation Technology, Inc. All rights reserved. Under the
copyright laws, this manual may not be copied, in whole or in part, without the written consent of
Operation Technology, Inc. The Licensee may copy portions of this documentation only for the
exclusive use of Licensee. Any reproduction shall include the copyright notice. This exception
does not allow copies to be made for other persons or entities, whether or not sold. Under this
law, copying includes translating into another language.
Certain names and/or logos used in this document may constitute trademarks, service marks, or
trade names of Operation Technology, Inc. or other entities.

Access, Excel, ODBC, SQL Server, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows Me, Windows
98, Windows XP, and Microsoft Word are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
AutoCad is a registered trademark of Autodesk.
Oracle is a registered trademark of Oracle Corporation.
PowerPlot is a registered trademark of Jackson & Associates.
Crystal Reports is a registered trademark of Seagate Software.
MATLAB and Simulink are registered trademarks of MathWorks
Screen shot(s) reprinted by permission from Microsoft Corporation.

Operation Technology, Inc. believes that the information contained herein is accurate as of its
publication date, and such information is subject to change without notice. This information is
provided as is without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including but not
limited to the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or noninfringement. Operation Technology, Inc. assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions in
this publication or any other documents referenced in this publication.

Operation Technology, Inc.

Southern California
(949) 462-0100 Sales
(949) 462-0400 Fax
(949) 462-0400 User Support

Chapter 4
User Access Management
PowerStation relies on two tiers of user access control to provide program security. The first level is
provided by the operating system under which PowerStation is running (Windows 98, NT, 2000, Me, or
XP). In the case of Windows NT, 2000, or XP, the user must be an authorized user as determined by the
operating system administrator. When using Windows 98 or Me, the user must have logged on the PC
with a valid user ID if one is required by the operating system.

Operation Technology, Inc.

4-1

ETAP PowerStation 4.0

PowerStation provides the second level of access control by assigning one or more of the nine access
level permissions available in PowerStation to an authorized user for each individual project. These
access levels are:

Administrator
Project Editor
Base Editor
Revision Editor
Checker
Browser
Librarian
Controller
Operator

Off-Line
User Access Management
(PowerStation)
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
-

On-Line
User Access Management
(PSMS)
X
X
X
X

Users may be assigned one, all, or any combination of access level permissions, but each user must have
at least one access level permission to open a project. The level of access and responsibility are different
for each permission. A user may access a project under only one permission level at a time.
If a password is not required for a project, PowerStation will automatically default to the highest assigned
permission level for that user and open the project. While passwords are recommended for optimal
security, they are not required.
The Administrator is responsible for assigning and maintaining the status of the other users and their
permissions and passwords only. As an administrator, you do not have access to the project one-line
diagram, underground system, or editors. The first level of authority on a given project is Project Editor,
which has access to all functions except disabling accounts and changing passwords.
It should be noted that Project Editors and Base Editors CANNOT be Checkers for the same engineering
(equipment) data that they have added or modified. You can have access to the same project as a Checker
(if Checker access level permission has been assigned to you), but you cannot check the same data that
you have modified.
The PowerStation libraries, which are stored in Microsoft compound files, are opened in Read Only mode
for all access levels except Project Editor and Librarian. Project Editor and Librarian can open the
libraries in Read/Write mode. Consequently, only one user can access a library at any given time.
Changes made to the PowerStation libraries are not permanent until the user saves the entire library,
either explicitly or when prompted while quitting the program.
PowerStation project data are stored via ODBC (in non-exclusive mode) and CANNOT have multiple
readers or writers at the same time. PowerStation data is structured in such a way that transactioning
support by the database is not required.
This chapter consists of the following sections:

Access Levels
User Management
Creating A New Project File
Opening An Existing Project File

Operation Technology, Inc.

4-2

ETAP PowerStation 4.0

User Access Management

Access Levels

4.1 Access Levels

When a PowerStation project file is created or opened, there are several functions that can be done with
each device or the entire project. The use of these functions varies for different access levels. These
functions can be categorized in two groups:
Group 1 Changes
Move Elements
Change Element Sizes
Change Element Symbols
Change Element Annotation Orientation
Edit Engineering Properties
Change Operating Status
Hide or Show Protection Devices
Autoroute Connections
Change Bus to Node Symbols or the reverse
Purge Data Revisions
Merge Data Revisions to other Revisions

Group 2 Changes
Add (Drop) Elements
Cut (Delete) Elements to Dumpster
Copy Elements to Dumpster
Paste Elements from Dumpster
Move Elements from Dumpster
Connect Elements
Purge Elements from Dumpster
Re-sizing Elements (UGS)
Merge Data Revisions to Base Data

4.1.1 Administrator
The Administrator access level is only for user management and cannot access projects for editing. This
means that an Administrator can access any project file for administration purposes, but not for editing
the project. The Administrator is responsible for establishing and maintaining all user access control on a
specific project basis. The Administrator can:

Add, modify, or delete user accounts and passwords

Add, modify, or delete user access levels

The Administrator cannot delete himself/herself or a user while he/she has a project open and running.
Once assigned, only the Default Administrator, Admin, may delete a user from the Administrator
permission. Also note that if two or more administrators have been assigned to a project, one can delete
the other.
Every project must have at least one user with Administrator access. There is a permanent administrator
with the user ID Admin that cannot be deleted from the project. When you create a new project, the
password for Admin is defaulted to password. Note that if a project requires a password and Admin is
the only administrator, if you change the password for Admin and forget the password, you cannot add,
delete, or modify user access levels for this project, i.e., you cannot open this project; there is no back
door around this. We recommend that either you do not require a password, do not change the Admin
password, or that you have multiple Administrators and record your password.

4.1.2 Project Editor

Project Editor is the highest access level to project files. When a new project file is created, PowerStation
will automatically log you in as a Project Editor.

Operation Technology, Inc.

4-3

ETAP PowerStation 4.0

User Access Management

Access Levels

In the on-line mode (PowerStation Management System, PSMS) the Project Editor constructs the project
database, creates and audits field equipment software interfaces, and can upload the database to the PSMS
Server. The Project Editor can perform any function involved with the engineering, installation, or
operation of PSMS, including taking the system off-line and performing control operations (if equipped.)
Project Editor is the highest access level to project files.
Can Change
User Access Management
Project Data / Defaults
Base Data
Revision Data
Group 1 Changes
Group 2 Changes
Configuration Status
Library Data
Library Path

CANNOT Change
X

X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X

4.1.3 Base Editor

Base Editor access is more restrictive than Project Editor access. The Base Editor cannot change the
library data nor access the User Access Management functions.
Can Change
User Access Management
Project Data / Defaults
Base Data
Revision Data
Group 1 Changes
Group 2 Changes
Configuration Status
Library Data
Library Path

CANNOT Change
X

X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X

4.1.4 Revision Editor

Revision Editor access is more restrictive than the Base Editor. The Revision Editor can change Revision
Data only, i.e., the Revision Editor cannot change Base Data.
Can Change
User Access Management
Project Data / Defaults
Base Data
Revision Data
Group 1 Changes
Group 2 Changes
Configuration Status
Library Data & Path

Operation Technology, Inc.

CANNOT Change
X
X
X

X
X
X
X
X

4-4

ETAP PowerStation 4.0

User Access Management

Access Levels

Note that you need to access a project as a Project Editor or Base Editor in order to add or rearrange the
one-line diagram or the underground raceway systems. Revision Data reflects the difference (delta)
between the engineering properties in the Base and Revision Data. Therefore, if a new substation needs
to be added and studied for future installation, you need to add it to the system as a Base Editor. The
elements in this substation can be flagged Out of Service for the Base Data so they would not change the
results of the existing system.

4.1.5 Checker
Checker access level is provided for verification of the engineering properties for both Base and Revision
Data.
Can Check
User Access Management
Project Data / Defaults
Base Data
Revision Data
Group 1 Changes
Group 2 Changes
Configuration Status
Library Data
Library Path

Yes
Yes

CANNOT Change
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X

When you logon as a Checker, you are provided with a Checker dialog box (as shown below) to verify
changes to the engineering properties.

Checker dialog box for Cable 11 before and after it is checked by a user

Operation Technology, Inc.

4-5

ETAP PowerStation 4.0

User Access Management

Access Levels

Edited By
Displayed here are the user name (ID) and the date that the properties of the selected element(s) were last
changed. In this case, the last user who has modified Cable11 is OTI on 4-17-2000. Note that OTI might
have changed one or a number of properties of Cable11.

Checked By
After you click on the Check button, your user name (ID) and the date are stamped as the checker for this
element and displayed here. In this case the user name is MyName, who has checked this element on 420-2000.

Filter By
Use this command to select the elements you wish to check from the pop-up list provided by
PowerStation.

Element Type
Select from the list box which elements you want to view for checking. This list includes:

Entire System
All Generators & Loads
All Branches
All Protective Devices
All Meters
All DC Elements
Dumpster
Individual AC Elements
Individual AC-DC Elements
Individual DC Elements
Individual UGS Elements
Composite Motors
Composite Networks

Skip Checked Elements

Use this command if you do not want to view elements that have already been checked.

Date
Use this command to display a range of dates when changes have taken place. You can change the dates
by clicking on Select Dates and entering new dates, as shown below:

Operation Technology, Inc.

4-6

ETAP PowerStation 4.0

User Access Management

Access Levels

Display Editors
Use this command to display the editors for the elements that you are checking. From the editor, you see
any change or modification of individual fields displayed in red.

Check/Uncheck Data

When you click on the Check button, the color changes to blue and a red check mark appears in the
corner. If you click again, it will uncheck the selected element.

Check All
Press this button to check all unchecked elements. PowerStation requests confirmation for this command.

Controlled Dumpster
The controlled dumpster is a mechanism for locking information into the dumpster and is used only when
the PowerStation project is passwords-enabled.
When PowerStation cuts any elements from a UGS or OLV, the dumpster cell to which the elements are
assigned is designated as a controlled dumpster cell. When the dumpster cell is designated as a controlled
dumpster, the designation has NO meaning unless the project is passwords enabled.
When passwords are enabled, the controlled dumpster is treated as a special entity with the following
attributes:
1. The controlled dumpster is displayed as a controlled dumpster by displaying the designation (C) or
(CC) on its title (in the Dumpster list window).
The designation C (Controlled Dumpster Cell) is used to indicate that this is a controlled
dumpster cell which is not checked. These cells cannot be purged until they are checked.
The designation CC (Checked Controlled Dumpster Cell) is used to indicate that this is a
controlled dumpster cell and it has been checked by a checker. A user with Project or Base Editor
permissions can purge these cells.
2. The background of a (C) controlled dumpster is painted the color of INI values, ControlUGSColor or
ControlOLVColor. The background is painted in the specified color only when the project setting has
Project/Options/Display changed data in RED selected or the project user is a Checker.

Operation Technology, Inc.

4-7

ETAP PowerStation 4.0

User Access Management

Access Levels

3. When moving a cell from a controlled dumpster to the one-line diagram or UGS, two
behaviors are exhibited:
If the controlled dumpster cell is a (C) dumpster, the elements are simply moved as normal, i.e., no
special action is taken to flag elements checked or unchecked. The dumpster cell is then destroyed
as normal.
If the controlled dumpster cell is a (CC) dumpster, the elements are moved as normal but, in
addition, all property values are forced dirty and are flagged as unchecked (will show red in the
editors). This is, for all purposes, identical to dropping a new element on the one-line diagram or
UGS. The dumpster cell is then destroyed as normal.

4. When in checker mode, the controlled dumpster cells appear in the checkers list and can be
checked as any other element can be checked. The act of checking a controlled dumpster
changes its designation from (C) to (CC). This also sets the dumpster background color to
normal.
5. A Project Editor (or Base Editor) cannot purge a controlled dumpster with designation (C).
The Project Editor can purge a controlled dumpster with designation (CC). The checker
must check a controlled dumpster cell before it can be purged.

4.1.6 Browser
Browser access level does not allow any modification of the project or library data. With this access level
you can view the one-line diagram and underground raceway systems, browse the editors and libraries,
and print.
Can Change
CANNOT Change
User Access Management
X
Project Data / Defaults
X
Base Data
X
Revision Data
X
Group 1 Changes
X
Group 2 Changes
X
Configuration Status
X
Library Data
X
Library Path
X

4.1.7 Librarian
The Librarian can browse the project file and modify the library data.
Can Change
User Access Management
Project Data / Defaults
Base Data
Revision Data
Group 1 Changes
Group 2 Changes
Configuration Status
Library Data
Library Path
Operation Technology, Inc.

CANNOT Change
X
X
X
X
X
X
X

X
X
4-8

ETAP PowerStation 4.0

User Access Management

Access Levels

4.1.8 Operator
Operator access level is used for on-line mode. Operator access level allows the user to acknowledge
alarms, playback system actions, and run simulation studies (predicting system response to operator
actions) based on the latest system or stored data.

4.1.9 Controller
Controller access level is used for on-line mode. Controller access level gives the user the authority to
control, take elements out of service, set operating limits, set alarm levels, and set PSMS to supervisory
control, in addition to the permissions that an operator has.
The Controller can perform operations for monitoring and control of the electric system. The Controller
is restricted from reloading the PSMS Server database. The Controller can take the PSMS system offline, save the console database, perform electric system control operations, and pin protective devices and
meters.

Operation Technology, Inc.

4-9

ETAP PowerStation 4.0

User Access Management

User Management

4.2 User Management

The User Manager dialog box will come up when you logon as an Administrator.

As an Administrator you can add, modify, and delete user accounts, but cannot access the project itself.
To access the project, you must close the User Manager dialog box and re-open the project with another
access level. There is a permanent administrator with the user ID Admin that cannot be deleted from the
project. When you create a new project, the password for Admin is defaulted to password.

4.2.1 Change Password

Click on this button to change the password of a user. Passwords can be up to 12 characters long.

Operation Technology, Inc.

4-10

ETAP PowerStation 4.0

User Access Management

User Management

4.2.2 Disable Password

Click on this button to enable, disable, or change the password requirements for this project.
Project files can be set up with or without user password requirements. Passwords are recommended for
optimal security. If a password is required, every user must enter their user name and password before
accessing the project. If a user forgets their name or password, the project administrator must reset the
passwords. If a password is not required for a project, PowerStation will automatically add the user name
to the user list for the project and default to the highest assigned permission level (Project Editor) and
open the project.
Every project must have at least one user with Administrator access. There is a permanent administrator
with a user ID Admin that cannot be deleted from the project. When you create a new project, the default
password for Admin is password. Logon as Admin to open the User Manager dialog box to disable or
enable the password requirement at any time.

4.2.3 User Information

The User Information dialog box allows you to add new users or modify existing users (full name and
password), and assign various combinations of access level permissions. This dialog box is similar to the
one that you get when you create a new project, except here the Administrator can delete users and
disable user accounts.

User Name
The logon user name is displayed here. The user name cannot be changed from here.

Operation Technology, Inc.

4-11

ETAP PowerStation 4.0

User Access Management

User Management

Full Name
Enter or modify the full name of the user here. This information will not be printed in any report and is
only available to the project administrator for identification of users.

Description
This field is used to describe the type of user for further identification by the project administrator and
will not be printed in any report. For projects that do not require a password, the default for this field is
Instant User.

Access Level Permission

Select one or all access levels permitted for this user.

OK
Saves the information on the page to the access list.

Delete
This button is active when you bring up the User Information dialog box from the User Manager dialog
box. The Delete button is used to delete a selected user from the user list.

4.2.4 Add User

The Add User dialog box is similar to the User Information dialog box except you can enter the user
name and password.

4.2.5 ODBC Parameters

Operation Technology, Inc.

4-12

ETAP PowerStation 4.0

User Access Management

User Management

Driver Options
Buffer Size
The Buffer Size is the internal buffer, in kilobytes, that is used to transfer data to and from PowerStation
to the associated project database. The PowerStation project default for the Buffer Size is 4096.

Page Timeout
The Page Timeout specifies the period of time, in tenths of a second that an unused page of data remains
in the buffer before being removed. The PowerStation project default for the Page Timeout is 600.

Database
The User ID and Password are associated with the database itself. When you open the database using a
third party database manager (such as Microsoft Access), the database will require the User ID and
Password to open it. This User ID and Password are not to be confused with the PowerStation logon and
password, which enable you to open and edit the PowerStation project.

User ID
This is where you input the third party database managers User ID.

Password
Enter the third party database managers password to authorize the proper access level to the project.

Oracle Database
The Connect String (DBQ) must be entered here in order to associate this PowerStation project database
with your Oracle file server system. The default DBQ is setup for a personal Oracle database. If the
Oracle database is different, then the correct DBQ and User ID must be specified here. Contact your
database administrator for these parameters.

Operation Technology, Inc.

4-13

ETAP PowerStation 4.0

User Access Management

Creating A New Project File

4.3 Creating A New Project File

To create a new project, click on New Project in the File menu or the first button on the Project Toolbar.

Project File
Name
Enter a new name for the Project File Name, up to 30 characters. PowerStation prevents you from
entering illegal characters for the project name.

Directory
PowerStation automatically sets up a subdirectory in the PowerStation directory for your new project. If
you want to place your project in a different subdirectory, click on Browse to select a directory.

Unit System
Select English or Metric as the default unit system for your project. Note that after a project is created
you can change the defaults at any time. However, after a project is created, you must change the defaults
for each element individually.

Password
Project files can be set up with or without passwords, but passwords are recommended for optimal
security. If a password is required, every user must enter his/her user name and password before
accessing the project. If a password is not required for a project, PowerStation will automatically add the
user name to the user list for that project and default to the highest assigned permission level (Project
Editor) and open the project. If you store project files locally on your computer and you can control
access to your computer and project files, you do not need to use the password requirement.

ODBC
Driver
Select MS Access, Oracle, or SQL Server from the list box. Note that the ODBC driver must be
installed in your computer with the Data Source set to otiaccess.

Advanced Parameters
See Section 4.2.4, Advanced ODBC Parameters.

Operation Technology, Inc.

4-14

ETAP PowerStation 4.0

User Access Management

Opening An Existing Project File

4.4 Opening An Existing Project File

To open an existing project file, click on Open in the File menu or click on the second button on the
Project Toolbar, and then select a file with an .OTI extension from the Open dialog box.

4.4.1 Logon
The Logon dialog box is then provided to enter your user name and password, if a password is required.
The user name which you used to logon to Windows (NT, 2000, 95, or 98) is placed here as the default.
If you have changed your user name for this project, you will need to use that name to log on to this
project.

Operation Technology, Inc.

4-15

ETAP PowerStation 4.0

User Access Management

Opening An Existing Project File

If this project does not require a password and this is the first time you are accessing this project, you will
be logged in automatically as a Project Editor and will be added to the project user list as an Instant User.
If your user name is listed in the project user list (because you have opened this project before or the
administrator has added your name to the user list), then you will be logged in with the highest access
level available to you, i.e., Project Editor, Base Editor, Revision Editor, Checker, etc.

Project File
Name
This is the file name for the file you are currently working on.

Compact Database
The Compact Database feature will optimize the database, removing discarded information and all
elements deleted from the Dumpster, as well as other data that is no longer being used by PowerStation.
When deleting or updating a Microsoft Access database, the database will become fragmented and may
not grow in proportion with your project size. This feature is used to de-fragment and compact the
database. In most cases the size of the database is reduced. It will not remove columns of information
added to the PowerStation database through a third party database manager such as Microsoft Access.
You may also compact a Microsoft Access database by selecting Control Panel/ODBC, which runs the
ODBC Data Source Administrator dialog. For more details, see Chapter 2, Section 3, Configuring
ODBC. When you select the Compact Database command, the ODBC Data Source Administrator
automatically compacts your Microsoft Access database when the project is closed.
If this project requires a password, PowerStation prompts you to open the project file with one of the
access levels available to you. Only those access levels assigned to you are available for selection; all
others are grayed out. Select a desired access level (except Administrator) in the Select Access Level
dialog box. Click on OK. The project file will then be opened. Note that if you have only one access
level permission, PowerStation does not prompt you for access level selection and automatically logs you
in with that access level.

Operation Technology, Inc.

4-16

ETAP PowerStation 4.0