The component control engine 3230 can be configured to enable a user to “drag,” “drop,” and/or attach the pieces on a framework (e.g., grid, etc.) that can be rendered by the power system topology modeling engine 3232 on to a display 3214 (connected to the computer 3202 by way of the video adapter 3206). In one embodiment, the power system topology modeling engine 3202 can be configured to enforce one or more rules that govern how the pieces interact with one another. These rules may include, but are not limited to, allowing only a female piece to be attached to a male piece (or vice versa), providing recommendations as to what the next network component piece in the design of the power system network should be, etc. For example, if a power source piece (node type object) is dragged and dropped on to the framework, the power system topology modeling engine 3202 can be configured to first show a set of valid and/or recommended branch puzzle pieces that are relevant to how the power source piece is typically connected to a power system network. Users will be able to save and re-use the definitions, rules and other customizable options so that the same rule does not have to be re-applied to each similar piece.