This paper presents an alternative approach to thyristor controlled series capacitor (TCSC) performance analysis. The approach is to build a small-scale physical model of the TCSC and to interface it with the classic power system physical simulator. The platform is capable to support the investigation of the operation, protection and control strategy of TCSCs. Furthermore, it can be used to investigate complex phenomena such as the breakdown of metal oxide varistor (MOV). Such phenomena are very difficult, if not impossible, to investigate using digital simulation methods