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Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2025-01-08 Origin: Site
In the ever-evolving landscape of electrical engineering, the role of software solutions in managing and designing power systems has become increasingly vital. These software tools are essential for professionals involved in the design, construction, and operation of power systems across diverse sectors, including residential, commercial, and industrial applications. In Australia, electrical engineering software must comply with the country's strict electrical standards, such as the AS/NZS 3000 Wiring Rules. The top software solutions used for power systems design and analysis ensure accurate calculations, regulatory compliance, and enhanced efficiency in projects.
This article will explore the three most prominent power equipment design software solutions used in Australia, offering a comprehensive comparison of their features, pros, and cons. The three software programs covered are ELEK Cable Pro Web, PowerCad, and MyPowerPac Web, all designed to optimize power systems performance, reliability, and safety.
ELEK Cable Pro Web is a cutting-edge software tool developed by ELEK Software, an Australian-owned company known for creating top-tier electrical design solutions. Power equipment designers in Australia have widely adopted ELEK Cable Pro Web for its robust feature set and compliance with the power system requirements stipulated by Australian standards. This software is particularly praised for its intuitive design, making it an excellent choice for electrical engineers who need to perform detailed calculations and design comprehensive power systems.
One of the standout features of ELEK Cable Pro Web is its cable sizing functionality, which is the most accurate and comprehensive on the market. The software automatically calculates the minimum active and earth cable sizes, taking into account voltage drop, short-circuit ratings, conduit sizing, fault loop impedance, and derating factors. It also includes support for flexible aluminium cables, economic cable sizing, and aluminium earth conductors.
ELEK Cable Pro Web features an advanced maximum demand calculator, which automatically balances single-phase loads across phases and adheres to the AS/NZS 3000 standards. This ensures accurate load distribution and helps engineers optimize the capacity of their power system designs.
The software also includes a low-voltage network design calculator, capable of designing complete electrical installations that include multiple switchboards, transformers, generators, and fault level calculations. The automatic cable sizing feature considers voltage drop allocation and fault loop impedance, producing detailed reports, single-line diagrams, and network calculations.
ELEK Cable Pro Web comes with a comprehensive protection coordination calculator, which helps engineers perform coordination studies between various protective devices. Additionally, the arc flash calculator enables engineers to perform safety assessments according to IEEE, ENA, and other standards, ensuring that personnel are protected from potential electrical hazards.
Cloud-based software that supports team collaboration
Detailed reporting, including cable accessories, separable connectors, and arc flash labels
Comprehensive support for Australian and international standards
User-friendly interface and live engineering chat support
Some advanced features, such as user-defined time-current curves and harmonic analysis, are not yet available
Lacks certain specialized libraries, including light fitting and motor libraries
ELEK Cable Pro Web offers three subscription tiers: Basic, Standard, and Professional. Pricing is competitive, offering great value considering the range of features available.
Developed in Australia in 1991, PowerCad is one of the most established software packages for power systems design. Despite being sold to a USA-based company in 2023, PowerCad continues to be used by power equipment engineers, particularly for more complex low-voltage systems.
PowerCad includes tools for calculating cable voltage drop and fault loop impedance, crucial for ensuring the power system performs safely and efficiently. These features align with Australian standards, including AS/NZS, IEEE, and other international codes.
One of PowerCad’s advanced features is its ability to generate time-current coordination curves. This functionality allows engineers to analyze and adjust circuit breakers (CBs) for optimal protection coordination.
PowerCad generates detailed single-line diagrams, which can be exported to AutoCAD for integration with other designs. This compatibility streamlines workflow processes and ensures that engineers can produce the necessary documentation for power system installations.
PowerCad offers harmonic analysis capabilities and harmonic filter sizing, ensuring that power systems are optimized for performance and energy efficiency. The software also supports accurate cable sizing based on system requirements.
Widely used in Australia for complex designs
Features advanced tools like harmonics analysis and cable sizing
Supports a broad range of standards, including AS/NZS 3000
Outdated technology and a challenging user interface
High licensing cost and lack of cloud-based functionality
Limited technical support and documentation
A single user license of PowerCad-5 starts at approximately $3,000 per year, which can be costly for smaller firms or individual consultants.
MyPowerPac Web is a web-based solution developed by Spearhead Software, which has been offering electrical engineering tools since 1987. MyPowerPac provides comprehensive power systems design features, particularly for low-voltage systems, and it adheres to Australian standards for power equipment.
MyPowerPac includes tools for cable sizing, fault current calculations, and voltage rise assessments. It can automatically size cables for different types of electrical installations, ensuring compliance with AS/NZS standards.
Another key feature is the conduit sizing tool, which calculates the necessary conduit size based on the type of cables used in the power system. This ensures that cables are properly protected during installation and operation.
MyPowerPac allows engineers to design low-voltage networks with multiple switchboards and calculates maximum demand for each section. This ensures that the power system is sized correctly and can handle peak loads efficiently.
Cloud-based software that’s easy to use
Well-suited for smaller projects or engineers new to power system design
Affordable pricing with multiple subscription tiers
Limited features compared to more advanced software
Lacks a library of protective devices
No technical support or detailed documentation
MyPowerPac Web offers a range of subscription plans, starting as low as $130 per year for the Essentials package and up to $490 per year for the Pro package.
Each of the software solutions reviewed—ELEK Cable Pro Web, PowerCad, and MyPowerPac Web—offers unique advantages depending on the scale and complexity of your power systems projects.
ELEK Cable Pro Web stands out as the most user-friendly and feature-rich option, making it ideal for professionals who need a robust, cloud-based tool with comprehensive reporting and calculation capabilities.
PowerCad remains a powerful option for complex low-voltage designs but is hampered by outdated technology and a high price tag.
MyPowerPac Web is an affordable and straightforward solution, perfect for smaller projects or those looking for basic power system design tools.
Ultimately, the best choice depends on your specific needs, budget, and the complexity of the projects you handle. Whichever software you choose, it’s essential to ensure that it complies with the rigorous standards of power equipment design, such as AS/NZS 3000, to guarantee safety, efficiency, and reliability in your power systems.