Power Transmission/Distribution Simulation Software

[joserafael]

Hi,

What software packages are there for simulating electrical power systems? Is there anything that uses commercially available devices to construct a model? Something that takes those commercial models as inputs and renders a correct wiring diagram for the devices. Maybe something you could cut/paste from Autocad and automatically check for code/regulation violations, short circuit currents, load flow, correct wiring size and protection? Any suggestions?

 

[davidbeach]

I think you need to have a much better definition of what you are looking for. Transmission and distribution don't have much to do with wiring devices. What you might use within Autocad to generate panel schedules isn't going to be useful for T&D work. A good T&D package won't be of much use on the customer side of the meter either.

 

[joserafael]

Tks for your reply davidbeach. I guess I was refering more to the "customer side". All the wiring and protection equipment after the substation, for either a residential or a commercial load. Is there any software for checking the protection and compliance with codes? Also, if I define this low level of an electrical system, couldn't I possibly use it as a module on a T&D package? Maybe it's because of my ignorance, but the way I see it T&D and the customer side are essentialy the same thing but with different scopes. Equipment is bigger and more complex, voltages are different in T&D as compared with the customer side, but in the end they're both systems of cables and protective devices connecting a source with a load. I think the two things could complement each other nicely on a single software package. But for now i'm looking for something more on the customer side. What software options are there for this?

 

[racobb]

First off a distribution system is much more dynamic than most any facility will ever be. Secondly, T&D devices are never standard in any respect except for ratings. Control wiring is done based on a specification for desired device performance and connection requirements and varies greatly.

Don't know how any software vendor could ever keep up with that.

Alan

 

[joserafael]

Ok. I guess I was wrong in putting the T&D part on my question. What about electrical and cabling design for commercial, institutional, and residential buildings? Is there software that checks for compliance against codes and regulations on such design drawings?

 

[racobb]

Now for that, I have no clue.....there are folks better at that here than me.

Good Luck in your search!

Alan

 

[alehman]

AutoCAD MEP is probably the most common package for commercial projects.

Alan
----
"It’s always fun to do the impossible." - Walt Disney

 

[joserafael]

But isn't AutoCad used only for drafting/drawing? Is the MEP package smart enough to detect for example wrong wiring sizes, not enough clearances, grounding & connection issues, etc..? Can it run such "simulations"?

 

[joserafael]

I went through the AutoCad site and found the Autodesk Inventor Simulation Suite. But it seems to me it only works for simulating mechanical loads. I can't find anything about "simulating" those electrical drawings on construction projects...

 

[alehman]

I think MEP does basic circuit sizing, load calcs, demand factors, panel schedules and so forth.

Alan
“The engineer's first problem in any design situation is to discover what the problem really is.” Unk.

 

[joserafael]

You're right alehman. Thanks. Found it at this link:

http://aec-top-reasons.com/revit-mep/

 

[jghrist]

SKM, EasyPower, and ETAP are popular programs for modeling commercial and industrial distribution systems. They have libraries of different protection devices (fuses, breakers, relays, etc) that can be used.

 

[joserafael]

Tks jghrist!

 

[bilalk]

I am not sure if that helps so far, but I think EDSA (

http://www.edsa.com)

has a powerful package relating to electrical distribution calculations for short circuits, power factor calculations etc....

 

[ScottyUK]

From the IEC world there is Amtech Power which is intended for LV and small MV systems. It does stuff like conductor sizing, crude motor start analysis, protection settings, etc. The component libraries are quite extensive. I personally don't like it all that much but it is reasonably popular in the UK.


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If we learn from our mistakes I'm getting a great education!

 

[EEJaime]

It sounds as if someone is trying to replace me with a software package! If there was something that could automatically model, size, check for code oompliance, (assuming every code in the world was available to it) and "render correct wiring diagrams", it would be one powerful program! And might render us consultants obsolete.