Our February 8th newsletter discussed the 7 reasons for winning: the power of (1) the PowerCalc algorithm, (2) the PowerCalc panel, (3) the PowerCalc process, (4) PowerCalc for NEC compliance, (5) the PowerCalc Wizard, (6) PowerCalc in the cloud, and (7) the PowerCalc experience.
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 on the button to the left.
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. But see for yourself, here’s the list.
Compliance with NEC and Other Code Requirements
*Items in blue are automatic calculations exclusive to PowerCalc.
PowerCalc automatically applies many requirements including:
| IEEE 141 | Recommended Practice for Electric Power Distribution for Industrial Plants |
| NEC Article 110 | Requirements for Electrical Installations |
| NEC 110.4 | Voltages |
| NEC 110.6 | Conductor Sizes* |
| NEC 110.9 | Interrupting Rating |
| NEC Articles 210 | Branch Circuits |
| NEC 210.3 | Rating |
| NEC 210.8 | Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter Protection for Personnel* |
| NEC 210.10 | Ungrounded Conductors Tapped from Grounded Systems |
| NEC 210.12 | Arc Fault Current-Interrupter Protection* |
| NEC 210.19 | Conductors Minimum Ampacity and Size* |
| NEC 210.20 (A) | Overcurrent Protection Continuous and Non continuous Loads* |
| NEC Article 215 | Feeders |
| NEC 215.2 | Minimum Rating and Size* |
| NEC 215.20A (3) | Minimum Rating and Size: Individual Dwelling Unit or Mobile Home Conductors |
| NEC 215.3 | Overcurrent Protection* |
| NEC 215.4 | Feeders with Common Neutral Conductor |
| NEC 215.5 | Diagrams of Feeders |
| NEC 215.9 | Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter Protection for Personnel* |
| NEC 215.10 | Ground Fault Protection of Equipment* |
| NEC Article 220 | Branch Circuit, Feeder, and Service Calculations |
| NEC 220.5 | Calculations |
| NEC 220.12 | Lighting Load for Specified Occupancies |
| NEC 220.14 | Other Loads All Occupancies |
| NEC 220.16 | Loads for Additions to Existing Installations* |
| NEC 220.18 | Maximum Loads |
| NEC 220.40 | Feeder and Service Load Calculations* |
| NEC 220.42 | General Lighting* |
| NEC 220.44 | Receptacle Loads Other Than Dwelling Units |
| NEC 220.50 | Motors |
| NEC 220.51 | Fixed Electric Space Heating |
| NEC 220.52 | Small Appliance and Laundry Loads: Dwelling Unit |
| NEC 220.53 | Appliance Load: Dwelling Unit(s) |
| NEC 220.54 | Electric Clothes Dryers-Dwelling Unit(s) |
| NEC 220.55 | Electric Ranges and Other Cooking Appliances Dwelling Unit(s) |
| NEC 220.56 | Kitchen Equipment Other Than Dwelling Unit(s) |
| NEC 220.60 | Non coincident Loads* |
| NEC 220.61 | Feeder or Service Neutral Load |
| Table 220.84 | Optional Calculations Demand Factors for Three or More Multifamily Dwelling Units |
| NEC Article 225 | Outside Branch Circuits and Feeders |
| NEC 225.36 | Suitable for Service Equipment* |
| NEC Article 230 | Services |
| NEC 230.23 | Overhead Service Conductor Size and Rating |
| NEC 230.31 | Underground Service Conductor Size and Rating |
| NEC 230.42 | Service: Minimum Size and Rating* |
| NEC 230.79 | Rating of Service Disconnecting Means |
| NEC 230.90 | Service Equipment Overcurrent Protection* |
| NEC 230.95 | Ground-Fault Protection of Equipment* |
| NEC Article 240 | Overcurrent Protection |
| NEC 240.4 | Protection of Conductors* |
| NEC 240.6 | Standard Ampere Ratings |
| NEC 240.13 | Ground Fault Protection of Equipment* |
| NEC 240.15 | Ungrounded Conductors |
| NEC 240.21 | Location in Circuit |
| NEC 240.23 | Change in Size of Grounded Conductor* |
| NEC 240.30 | Enclosures |
| NEC Artice 250 | Grounding and Bonding |
| NEC 250.30 | Grounding Separately Derived Alternating-Current Systems* |
| NEC 250.30 (B) (1) | Grounding Electrode Conductor |
| NEC 250.52 | Grounding Electrodes |
| NEC 250.66 | Size of Alternating Current Grounding Electrode Conductor* |
| Table 250.66 | Grounding Electrode Conductor for Alternating Current Systems* |
| NEC 250.122 | Size of Equipment Grounding Conductors* |
| NEC 250.122 (B) | Increased in Size* |
| NEC 250.122 (C) | Multiple Circuits* |
| NEC 250.122 (D) | Motor Circuits* |
| NEC 250.122 (F) | Conductors in Parallel* |
| NEC 250.122 (G) | Feeder Taps |
| Table 250.122 | Min. Size Equipment Grounding Conductors for Grounding Conductors for Grounding Raceway and Equipment* |
| NEC Article 285 | Surge Protective Devices (SPDs), 1kV or Less |
| NEC Article 300 | Wiring Methods |
| NEC 300.1 (C) | Metric Designators and Trade Sizes* |
| NEC Article 310 | Conductors for General Wiring |
| NEC 310.4 | Conductors in Parallel |
| NEC 310.10 | Temperature Limitation of Conductors* |
| NEC 310.15 | Ampacities for Conductors Rated 0-2000 Volts |
| Table 310.15 (B)(2)(a) | Adjustment Factors for More than Three Current Carrying Conductors in a Raceway* |
| Table 310.15 (B)(6) | Conductor Types and Sizes for 120/240-Volt, 3 Wire, Single Phase Dwelling Services and Feeders |
| Table 310.16 | Allowable Ampacities of Insulated Conductors Rated 0 - 2,000 Volts, Correction Factors* |
| NEC 310.60 | Conductors Rated 2001 - 35,000 Volts |
| NEC Article 312 | Cabinets, Cutout Boxes, and Meter Socket Enclosures |
| NEC 312.2 | Damp or Wet Locations |
| NEC Article 344 | Rigid Metal Conduit: Type RMC |
| NEC 344.22 | Number of Conductors |
| NEC Article 408 | Switchboards and Panelboards |
| NEC 408.3 (C) | Used as Service Equipment* |
| NEC 408.3 (E) | Phase Arrangement |
| NEC 408.3 (F) | High Leg Identification |
| NEC 408.4 | Circuit Directory or Circuit Identification |
| NEC 408.30 | Panelboards |
| NEC 408.36 | Overcurrent Protection* |
| NEC 408.40 | Grounding of Panelboards* |
| NEC 408.54 | Maximum Number of Overcurrent Devices* |
| NEC Article 422 | Appliances |
| NEC 422.11 | Overcurrent Protection |
| NEC 422.52 | Electric Drinking Fountains |
| NEC Article 430 | Motors, Motors Circuits, and Controllers |
| NEC 430.21 | Motors Circuit Conductors: General |
| NEC 430.22 | Single Motor* |
| NEC 430.24 | Several Motors or a Motor(s) and Other Load(s)* |
| NEC 430.25 | Multi motor and Combination Load Equipment* |
| NEC 430.31 | Motors and Branch Circuit Overload Protection* |
| NEC 430.42 | Motors on General Purpose Branch Circuits |
| NEC 430.52 | Rating or Setting for Individual Motor Circuit |
| Table 430.52 | Max. Rating/Setting of Motor, Branch Circuit Short Circuit and Ground Fault Protective Devices |
| NEC 430.53 | Several Motors or Loads on One Branch Circuit |
| NEC 430.54 | Multi motor and Combination Load Equipment* |
| NEC 430.62 | Rating or Setting Motor Load |
| NEC 430.92 | Motor Control Centers |
| Table 430.248 | Full Load Currents in Amperes, Single Phase Alternating Current Motors |
| Table 430.249 | Full Load Current, Two Phase Alternating Current Motors (4 Wire) |
| Table 430.250 | Full Load Current, Three Phase Alternating Current Motors |
| NEC Article 440 | Air Conditioning and Refrigerating Equipment |
| NEC 440.6 | Ampacity and Rating |
| NEC 440.11 | Disconnecting Means |
| NEC 440.12 | Rating and Interrupting Capacity |
| NEC 440.22 | Branch Circuit Short Circuit and Ground Fault Protection |
| NEC Article 695 | Fire Pumps* |
| NEC Article 700 | Emergency Systems |
Why is all of this important?
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PowerCalc automates the electrical design process.
It is well established that automation is the driver in our techcentric society and business world.
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 the chart shown that focuses on design time. It shows how PowerCalc streamlines the design process to save days of engineering man hours. Save Time/Save Money
Let me know what you think…and in our next issue we’ll talk about the power of the PowerCalc Wizard. Also, be sure to sign up for our blog.
Best Regards, 
James
James Khalil, P.E.
Inventor of PowerCalc
(561) 271-5643
