All Panels Generated Simultaneously For a Single Integrated Result.
PowerCalc is a new way to design the power distribution system in a building. It’s a powerful tool with database driven results for fewer design hours, errors and process hiccups.
Instead of design by hand held calculators, spreadsheets, top-down software and “rule of thumb”, PowerCalc aggregates the load from the circuit to the service entrance of the building (bottom up) for exacting results. No more one-off calculations, PowerCalc is 7 million + electrical equations bundled for a single integrated result.
PowerCalc’s panel takes center stage doing all the calculations, look ups in code tables and displaying the results directly, instantly and accurately. All calculations, and re-calculations for changes, are automatic and instant across all panels for all electrical values. more on autocalcs.
Main Distribution and Distribution Panel Boards:
main feeder conductor and conduit size, ampacity, over current protection device (OCPD), main feeder size, voltage drop and ground conductor and electrode.
Main Distribution Panel and Distribution Panel are summaries of the project’s electrical power distribution system.
The User sets up the Design Framework specifying the panel’s voltage, phase and capacity (# of spaces) in either the Control Zone of the PNL dashboard or Panel Wizard. The Main Distribution Panel Board and the Distribution Panel Board each consist of an unlimited number of electrical NODEs which automatically display results and relevant information when a particular electrical NODE is activated by the User. Each electrical NODE represents a branch circuit or distribution panel, building equipment schedule or specific electrical load.
The User can override the automatic calculations for specific project and design requirements. The manual override is especially helpful for renovation/remodeling projects. more on MDP and DP.
conductor and conduit size, ampacity, over current protection device (OCPD), voltage drop and round conductor.
The Branch Circuit Panel organizes the electrical load requirements for a specific project and displays the relevant standard industry information. The User inputs just three (3) electrical values per branch circuit: (1) the electrical load in kVA, (2) selects the number of Poles and (3) selects the electrical load type. Then, the User activates the electrical NODE to connect the panel to the power distribution system.
The result: PowerCalc automatically calculates and displays all branch circuit and panel values. And instantly, PowerCalc’s dynamic database automatically re-calculates and updates all values upstream / downstream across the design for each change. All panel values are always calculated based on the demand load.
Throughout the design process, the Branch Circuit Panel Board also tracks load kVA sorted by load type, total connected load and demand load. more on BCPB
Building Equipment Schedule:
electrical characteristics of each branch circuit, size of the over current protection device (OCPD) (fuse or circuit breaker), conductor size and the electrical enclosure frame size and characteristics.
Building Equipment Schedule(s) organize the electrical load requirements for equipment such as HVAC equipment, elevators, fire and other pumps and more in the project. A separate schedule is required for each piece of equipment used in the project, then an electrical NODE is activated connecting the schedule to the power distribution system.
Matching existing conditions, PowerCalc automatically calculates, and re-calculates for changes, the electrical requirements for the building equipment listed on each schedule. The User can override the automatic calculations for specific project and design requirements.
These schedules display relevant and standard industry information in a format for ready identification. more on BE
eNODE™:
tracks general information about the project and maps the entire power distribution system aggregating information from the panels, modules and schedules and determining connectivity and power flow.
eNode is where general information about the project (Project Name, Project No. and Optional Feature(s)) is entered for global use across the design.
eNODE maps the power distribution system and aggregates the information from all panels, schedules and modules to indicate the electrical load by type, demand loads, transformer size and connectivity. It lists the electrical NODE(s) of the electrical power distribution system. Each electrical NODE represents an electrical point of connection on the electrical power distribution grid.
eNODE also tracks the energy usage and potential energy savings associated with each panel in the power distribution system. This feature allows the User to adjust their design to increase energy savings. more on eNODE.
Energy Savings Module:
Tracks conductor sizes circuit-by-circuit to minimize energy losses and maximize energy savings. Export all panels, modules and schedules to AutoCAD or use Revit (coming soon!) to incorporate into the construction documents.
Energy Savings Module (ERASE™) reduces energy lost due to heat dissipation through the conductor (resistivity). PowerCalc automatically calculates, and re-calculates for changes, conductor sizes circuit-by-circuit to minimize energy loss and maximize energy savings.
The concept is simple: the smaller the conductor size, the higher the resistivity and the more energy lost in the transmission of electricity. Inversely, the larger the conductor size, the lower the resistivity and less energy lost.
PowerCalc’s patented software allows for the automation of the thousands of computations necessary to calculate these energy losses/energy savings while displaying reduction in kWh used. These savings are material especially in buildings with continuous loads such as industrial facilities, restaurants and data centers. more on Energy Savings.
POWERCALC IS GOLD
PowerCalc won GOLD in Consulting-Specifying Engineers' annual contest for Product of the Year 2016. So, we're going to count the reasons why.
1. The Power of the PowerCalc Algorithm.
PowerCalc is based on a new approach. PowerCalc aggregates values from the bottom-up (from the circuit to the power grid) ensuring that all electrical load calculations are accurate. Then, the calculations are integrated as a single, bundled, integrated calculation tied to a proprietary database instead of approaching the calculations one-at-a-time or in segments. See Patent
2. The Power of the PowerCalc Panel.
As you know, each engineering company has its own panel schedule. Generally these schedules are completed manually or with simple calculations. In contrast, PowerCalc's panel is used as an "engine" for the calculations and not just a "placeholder".
3. The Power of the PowerCalc Process.
The user calculates the Branch Circuit (with the 3 easy inputs: load kVA, # of poles and load type per circuit) and multiple circuits form a Branch Circuit Panel. The Branch Circuit Panel is then connected to a Distribution Panel and finally these multiple panels are connected to the Main Distribution Panel. Equipment, such as HVAC, pumps, etc., can be connected to any of the panels.
The PowerCalc approach of moving from downstream to upstream, results in an accurate and well-designed Power Distribution System. PowerCalc's 7 million+ equations do all the initial calculations.
Then, because all equations are integrated, any change at any time and for any value is instantaneous. That's instantaneous propagation across the entire power distribution system, including the addition or deletion of loads, voltage, phase and any engineering value.
4. The Power of PowerCalc for NEC compliance.
PowerCalc tabulates loads by type and automatically applies NEC demand factors. The user can manually override demand factors to meet their specific project needs. See all the outputs.
5. The Power of the PowerCalc Wizard.
Become proficient with PowerCalc in minutes with its Wizard. The Wizard is your guide to entering your project's requirements into PowerCalc. You are minutes away from completing your next project with the PowerCalc Wizard.
6. The Power of PowerCalc in the cloud.
PowerCalc is in the cloud and can be used anytime, anywhere, on both pcs and tablets. Team members can share work in real time and team managers can control access and privileges for each project .
7. The Power of the PowerCalc Experience.
The best way to understand the power of PowerCalc is to see it in action. View our video "How to PowerCalc"
More on the reason why PowerCalc is Gold.
PowerCalc won GOLD in Consulting-Specifying Engineers' annual contest for Product of the Year 2016.
Let’s discuss Reason #1 in more detail: the PowerCalc algorithm.
Bottom-Up Process to Automate Design
It sounds small, but the impact is big: design from the bottom – up.
PowerCalc implements this disruptive and patented approach adding electrical loads of each branch circuit to sum up the Total Electrical Load for a facility. PowerCalc designs from the branch circuit to the power grid.
Top-Down Fails Inside Facility
Most electrical engineering software is for the transmission of electricity in the power grid (outside of the facility) and designs from the top-down (power grid to the facility). And, most electrical engineering software for design inside the facility has simply adopted this top-down approach used in the power grid.
This simple adoption fails to recognize that there are two different and separate power distribution systems: (1) the transmission system in the power grid (outside the facility) and (2) the power distribution system inside the facility.
Simply, the power grid’s top-down approach to design the distribution of electricity in the power distribution system inside the facility never worked, never works and never will work.
Confusion: Expensive Mistake
The recurring comment from our customers is how their expensive “power grid” software is sitting on the shelf and never used for their work: the design of power distribution system inside facilities. These purchases are expensive mistakes.
Apparently, these software companies promote confusion by using the terms “distribution” and “transmission” interchangeably when discussing electrical issues in the power grid.
Let’s clear up this confusion: the distribution of electricity in the power distribution system inside the building must meet code and regulatory requirements which are very different from those applicable to the transmission of electricity in the power grid. For this reason alone (and there are lots of other reasons) the design of power distribution systems inside the facility and outside the facility (power grid) are very different.
Power grid software (outside the facility) just does not work inside the facility. In contrast to the concerns for electrical engineering design inside of facilities, these power grid software applications for outside the facility insure that connected systems are compatible and in harmony: (1) within the power grid itself or (2) between the power grid and the power distribution system. Typically, these calculations are “studies” to check that connected systems act together as one electrical system. Examples are fault current studies, harmonic current studies, power flow studies and similar calculations including the actual connection of the building’s power distribution system to the power grid/electrical service.
What is Bottom-Up design inside the facility?
It is a unique approach: PowerCalc starts at the beginning by calculating and aggregating data from each branch circuit to the power grid/electrical service (bottom-up). For each branch circuit, there are 3 inputs: electrical load in KVA, number of poles (1, 2, or 3 poles) and electrical load type (LTG, Heading, AC, etc.). These 3 inputs provide over 300 NEC and other code compliant outputs. Check out More on NEC and Inputs/Outputs.
Why Bottom-Up design is necessary inside the facility?
.jpg?t=1532870566061&width=207&name=savetimesavemoney%20no%20logo%20(002).jpg)
PowerCalc’s over 7 million integrated equations tied to proprietary databases provides accurate and compliant results. And the integration allows for instant changes across the power distribution design…upstream and downstream. So, it is never a problem to add or change equipment, a room, a wing or any change/update.
Automation drives productivity. This new accuracy and efficiency is game changing: save over 40% in design time and money. Save Time/Save Money. Also, far fewer building department comments, lawsuits, corrections for construction errors and weekend hours.
There should never be an error in the Total Electrical load for any project. Yet, the miscalculation of the Total Electrical Load is one of the most common problems in electrical engineering design.
The proper and only fail-proof way to design the power distribution system in a building is to add all the electrical loads from the branch circuit out to the service entrance with adjustments for changes (bottom-up). Values are aggregated in a 3 step process (1) add all electrical loads by type, (2) apply code demand factors to each load type and then (3) add all electrical loads.
In contrast, guestimating the size of the electrical load in conjunction with pre-sets of panelboard sizes, equipment disconnects, feeders and overcurrent protection devices at the start of the project leads to an inaccurate baseline on which to build the power distribution system design.
This is construction, so change is the standard in our business. So, how can anyone know the size of the electrical service at the start of a project? No one can guestimate the Total Electrical Load in conjunction with the factors identified above at project start. Only by adding all the electrical loads from the branch circuit out to the service entrance can the engineer correctly size and adjust for changes in the electrical load for the project.
The Total Electrical Load drives the success of your electrical engineering design. An addition or subtraction error in the Total Electrical Load results in either electrical equipment being oversized at potentially great cost to the developer or undersized at potentially great risk to the safety of the facility’s occupants.
More on reason #1 PowerCalc Algorithm.
REASON #2: THE POWERCALC PANEL
PowerCalc™ won Gold in Consulting-Specifying Engineer’s annual contest for Product of the Year 2016.
Let’s discuss Reason #2 in more detail: the PowerCalc panel.
PowerCalc’s Panel is the Design Engine
It sounds like a common issue: all electrical use panels for their work every day on every project. Each engineering firm has its own panel style. Other software programs use the panel too, but their uses are generally passive as placeholders for data, simple mathematical calculations or power system analysis.
In contrast, PowerCalc makes the panel center stage: the engine to design the entire power distribution system in a facility. Each cell on each of PowerCalc’s panels is packed with algorithms communicating with its proprietary database. Panel
Simple “place holding” or even tabulation is replaced with a software system that integrates 7 million + calculations across the design. To see all the inputs/outputs: Inputs/Outputs
5 Forms, including 3 Panels
PowerCalc has 5 standard forms: (1) Branch Circuit Panel; (2) Distribution Panel and (3) Main Distribution Panel; as well as (4) Equipment Schedule and (5) eNODE™. All calculations are integrated across these forms to document and design the power distribution system. Panel
Main Distribution and Distribution Panel Boards: main feeder conductor and conduit size, ampacity, over current protection device (OCPD), main feeder size, voltage drop and equipment grounding conductor and grounding electrode Conductor.
Branch Circuit Panel Board: conductor and conduit size, ampacity, over current protection device (OCPD), voltage drop and round conductor.
Building Equipment Schedule: electrical characteristics of each branch circuit, size of the over current protection device (OCPD) (fuse or circuit breaker), conductor size and the electrical enclosure frame size and characteristics.
eNODE™: tracks general information about the project and maps the entire power distribution system aggregating information from the panels, modules and schedules and determining connectivity and power flow.
This integration means that you can input values on different panels, schedules or even the eNode, and electrical values are automatically populated across the design/on all the forms.
Branch Circuit Panelboard
Take a look at PowerCalc’s Branch Circuit Panelboard. It is very familiar and intentionally mirrors the panelboard/panel box installed by the electrical contractor in the building. This utilitarian feature promotes the easy and accurate installation of electrical equipment.
“Family Connections”: the Hierarchy
A key part of the power distribution design is connecting the panels and preserve the voltage Hierarchy.
A. Parent Child
Whether the Parent Panel and the Child Panel are at the same or different voltage levels, PowerCalc allows the connection. If the two panels are at the same voltage level, then the eNODE acts as a traffic cop making the connection and passing the load from the Child Panel to the Parent Panel upstream directly.
But if the Child Panel is at a lower or higher voltage than the Parent Panel, the eNODE allows the connection and passes the load through a step down transformer or a step up transformer respectively.
PowerCalc automatically sizes the transformer kVA along with the associated primary and secondary feeders.
B. Twin Panels
This is the connection known as “Fed Thru” or “Double Lugs” connections in the industry.
Whether Fed Thru or Double Lugs, PowerCalc considers these “twins” as one eNODE and performs all calculations including the demand load calculations as a single Panel.
C. Brother-Sister
This is the connection known as “Sub Fed” or “Sub Panel”.
For details on all and each of the panels, including their organization and functionality, see our just released User Manual: Chapter Two: PowerCalc Architecture.
Why is the panel as a calculation engine important?
PowerCalc automates the electrical design process.
It is well established that automation is the driver in our tech-centric society and business world. Save Time/Save Money
Automation drives productivity across all businesses, large or small. Changes, even small ones, over time snowball into massive gains in productivity.
It includes: automation of processes with databases, standards, and updated procedures resulting in fewer errors, fewer building department comments and fewer issues with finished designs, And, just less time spent on design and repetitive calculations.
To illustrate this point, we've put together a illustration above, a chart focused just on design time. It shows how PowerCalc streamlines the design process to save days of engineering man hours.
More on reason #2 PowerCalc Panel.
REASON #3: THE POWERCALC PROCESS
PowerCalc™ won Gold in Consulting-Specifying Engineer’s annual contest for Product of the Year 2016.
Let’s discuss Reason #3 in more detail: the PowerCalc process.
Simply, great teams are built on great communications.
PowerCalc’s cloud-connected platform establishes a design procedure to maximize your team’s productivity, communications and project quality. No downloads, no software to install, immediately accessible without any hassle.
Store, sync, and share your files in the cloud so they are always up-to-date in real time. Plus, you can share project files, changes, documents and more anywhere, any time with anyone. You control access and authorizations. Those who “need to know” have real time information.
Everything is tracked so the who, what, where and when is always known. Completed projects are archived for easy and forever access.
PowerCalc in the cloud will be discussed in more detail in our upcoming article on Reason 6: PowerCalc in the cloud.
Set up Your Documents
Professional, uniform, up-to-date, standard documentation for all Project Information on all Project Documents. Put the information in once, even your firm’s logo, and it is automatically reproduced on all project documentation.
Do Your Design
Simple is our commitment. Need another Panel, just click to add one. Same for Distribution Panels, Building Equipment Schedules, Fire Pump Panels…easy to use throughout the design process.
Then, just click on any Panel or other form to go back and work on it at any time. Your entire Project is always organized, easy to access and at your fingertips.
.png?t=1532870566061&width=300&name=Capture%2012%20Archived%20Projects%20(002).png)
When Finished, Just Archive
All current Projects are on your up-to-the-minute Project File. But, when your Project is finished, easily archive it for your access forever.
On to Easy, Accurate and Fast Design
Now your Project is easily accessible to your team, perfectly organized across the documents, and about to be easily, accurately and quickly designed.
PowerCalc is a new way to design to design the Power Distribution System in a building. It’s a powerful tool with database driven results for fewer design hours, errors, process hiccups and costly mistakes.
The design of the Power Distribution System is now simple and comprehensive. Instead of design by handheld calculators, dummy spreadsheets, AutoCAD Blocks, top-down calculations and “rule of thumb”, PowerCalc aggregates the load from the circuit to the service entrance of the building (bottom-up) for exacting results. No more one-off calculations, PowerCalc is 7 Million+ electrical equations bundled for a single integrated results. To see all the inputs/outputs: More on NEC; Inputs/Outputs
Instead of using the Panel as a placeholder inputting cell-by-cell the results of manually performed calculations, PowerCalc’s Panel takes center stage doing all the calculations, look ups in code tables and displaying the results directly on the Panel form, instantly and accurately. All calculations and re-calculations for changes, are automatic and instant across all Panels for all electrical values in real time.
More on reason #3 PowerCalc Process.
REASON #4: POWERCALC FOR NEC COMPLIANCE
PowerCalc™ won Gold in Consulting-Specifying Engineer’s annual contest for Product of the Year 2016.
Let’s discuss Reason #4 in more detail: PowerCalc for NEC compliance.
Database, Database, Database - No Blanks
PowerCalc is smart with a proprietary database. The NEC’s 14 lookup tables in Chapter 9 and endless tables throughout its 1500+ pages are fully integrated into PowerCalc’s 7 million+ equations. Just 3 inputs per circuit (load kVA, type of load and #of poles) results in over 300 NEC compliant outputs. These outputs are also compliant with IEEE Standards 141, 399 as well as other applicable codes, engineering standards and NEMA Requirements.
Other software programs provide a blank database form for the User to complete the values, but not PowerCalc. Our database is fully populated and fully vetted …used to design hundreds of actually constructed projects.
See our complete Inputs, Outputs and Special Features by click the following link. Inputs/Outputs
PowerCalc’s outputs are based on the minimum values required by the NEC and other standards. These values can be manually adjusted by the User, with the added protection of warnings flashing on the screen for errors.
Connected and Integrated
PowerCalc’s database and design allows for instantaneous changes. So, you know that piece of equipment added at the end of the project…no problem. Need to delete that wing of the hospital…also no problem. PowerCalc updates for changes instantly, seamlessly without any late nights and long weekends to get the project out the door.
What Code Requirements?
PowerCalc meets over 118 NEC requirements plus the other code requirements noted. 43 of these NEC requirements are exclusive to PowerCalc.
More on reason #4 PowerCalc for NEC Compliance.
PowerCalc™ won Gold in Consulting-Specifying Engineer’s annual contest for Product of the Year 2016.
Let’s discuss Reason #5 in more detail: PowerCalc’s Wizard.
Our commitment to easy then goes even farther with design input simplified with Wizards. The user can elect to design using the full panel schedule or use the Wizard to pop up a circuit-by-circuit screen for input.
The design process is fault proof with Wizards. This means no training, no mistakes and instant results with an even easier and faster user interface.
There are 4 Wizards: (1) Panel Wizard, (2) Branch Circuit Wizard, (3) eNODE™ Wizard and (4) eRASE™ Wizard.
And it is all so easy, no training is necessary!
Starting Point In any building, the type of power distribution depends on the building type (commercial, residential, institutional or industrial), dimension (area, height etc.), the length of supply cables, and the loads.
The power distribution system can be divided into:
These wizards help design both the vertical and horizontal supply systems to complete the design of the power distribution system.
Panel WizardSet up the Panel’s Header showing its characteristics and features for population across the design. These inputs then populate the documents with this one easy step.
The Panel Wizard depicts all the Fields with associated Panel values. PowerCalc uses these settings in the calculation of the Panel Frame, Main, and Feeder values, Branch Circuit Values, Connected and Demand Load. Note that most of these values are set on Auto. On this setting, PowerCalc calculates and displays the appropriate value every time a Load (Branch Circuit) is added or removed from the Panel. Each one of these Auto settings can also be manually set by the User to override the Auto setting.
Branch Circuit Wizard
You can input the 3 easy inputs (load kVA, load type and # of poles) on the panel or alternatively, on the Branch Circuit Wizard. This wizard makes it even easier to track your input of these Independent Values.
And while you are inputting these numbers (and anyone can do this typing exercise), PowerCalc is busy in the background calculating all Dependent Values at the same time.
eNODE™ Wizard
The eNODE is PowerCalc’s traffic cop making sure that the panel voltage hierarchy, the vertical and horizontal relationship is observed. This Wizard allows the User to interface with the software database.
eRASE™ Wizard
Last, if you want an energy saving design, the eRASE™ Wizard allows you to implement PowerCalc’s energy savings module with ease.
More on reason #5 PowerCalc Wizard.
PowerCalc™ won Gold in Consulting-Specifying Engineer’s annual contest for Product of the Year 2016.
Let’s discuss Reason #6 in more detail: PowerCalc in the Could.
PowerCalc is the first SaaS (software-as-a-service) electrical engineering design software in the cloud. It wasn’t easy: over 7 million equations were re-programmed in over a year of tireless work effort.
The reason for all of this effort? Being in the cloud changes everything.
PowerCalc’s cloud-connected platform establishes a design procedure to maximize your team’s productivity, communications and project quality.
You may think that your work is organized now, but the cloud makes it fault proof.
When the company’s account is set up, a Group Administrator is authorized.
The Group Administrator or the User then names a new Project or accesses an existing project and invites Users. Users are also able to create their own projects if authorized by the Group Administrator:
The Group Administrator can add Users by simply sending an email invitation.
When inviting a User, the Group Administrator assigns privileges:
Create - User can start a project
View – User can view a project (editing not allowed)
Print – User can print a project
Copy – User can copy a project
Archive – User can archive / un-archive a project
Once privileges are set up, then theGroup Administrator assigns access by clicking the “Assign Permissions”. Users can be granted or denied access throughout the design of any project. And a User can be blocked or disabled from any work group, and even re-invited to join again.
Accountability is ensured: never any question as to who is doing what, when, where and why.
Teams succeed with great communications and great organization. Simplifying how your team works together promotes the collaboration necessary to excel.
PowerCalc’s cloud platform provides the method to establish work groups and responsibilities with everyone having access to what is happening. Those who “need to know” have the real time information needed to get the job done and done the right way.
We have just published our User Manual, so take a look for yourself to see how easy and seamlessly this process works.
The cloud makes all the difference because it is the way we all get together to manage work flow in today’s work place. PowerCalc fits right into your process but makes your work easier, faster, more accurate and more profitable. Download User Guide
More on reason #6 PowerCalc in the Cloud.
