Electrical Design Bootcamp - LV Power Calculations

*** UPDATES *** - September 23, 2019 - Captions in English (EDITED, not auto-generated).

Welcome to this comprehensive tutorial on low voltage power calculations using Simaris Design and Simaris Curves from Siemens. This course is designed for electrical engineers and anyone involved in automation project planning.

The initial phase of any automation project – and crucial for success – involves meticulous power system planning and electrical wiring. This tutorial guides you through the process of planning and dimensioning a low voltage power system from the ground up.

After evaluating various software solutions from leading manufacturers, Simaris Design has emerged as a top choice for its speed and efficiency. You'll learn how to quickly set up projects, create detailed single line diagrams, and generate all necessary documentation for accurate power calculations. This includes:

• Project Documentation: Comprehensive reports for project management.
• Excel Lists: Detailed lists for busbar, cable, and device settings.
• Selectivity Documentation: Ensures proper protection coordination.
• Single Line Diagrams: High-quality diagrams in PDF and DWG/DXF formats.

Simaris Design offers excellent language support, allowing you to customize your workspace and single line diagrams to your preferred language, as well as the output documentation.

The software categorizes devices used in single line diagrams into three key areas:

• System Infeed: Covers transformer configurations (primary/secondary, secondary only) and connections for emergency power supplies like diesel generators.
• Distribution Boards: Includes options for busbars (with and without) and sub-distribution boards.
• Final Circuits: Encompasses a wide range of electrical consumers, from general devices and motors (including DOL starters, soft starters, reverse-duty motors, and frequency converters) to power outlets, charging units for electric cars, and specialized dummy loads.

Simaris Design is highly recommended for professionals in the electrical engineering field. Even if you don't take this course, investing time in learning this powerful program is a valuable asset.

I've personally utilized Simaris for years across diverse industries, consistently finding it reliable and efficient. A recent project in the refrigeration industry involved significant cable dimensioning and protection device sizing. The cabinet contained approximately 715A of current, housing three power enclosures and one PLC enclosure. A key challenge was designing a power distribution system for two softstarters powering high-power screw compressors (160kW and 132kW). Furthermore, the installation environment reached 38°C in the summer, requiring careful cable selection and thermal management. The system was successfully commissioned in July, demonstrating the robustness of the design.

Throughout this project, Simaris Design proved invaluable for electrical design and power system dimensioning.

I hope this course provides you with a thorough understanding of Simaris Design and empowers you to excel in your electrical engineering endeavors. Enjoy the learning process!

– Ivan, Your Instructor for Electrical Design