Power simulation software ETAP- It is not enough to have power; you have to make it easier for users to control and utilize it. ETAP got that right

Power simulation software ETAP- It is not enough to have power; you have to make it easier for users to control and utilize it. ETAP got that right

ETAP (Electrical Transient Analyzer Program) is an electrical power simulation software, among others!

I always wonder why it is called an electrical transient analyzer; maybe originally, it was supposed to do transient studies primarily.

Figure 1: ETAP Software modeling sample

The top toolbar (Mode toolbar) in Figure 1 shows all ETAP modules. You may not have an identical version; therefore, your software screen may look different.

1-?Power flow study: The goal of a power flow study is to determine electrical data (V, I, MVA, MW, Power Factor, MVAR) at various system points during a steady state.

You use the results to analyze diverse operating conditions, review contingency scenarios (loss of loads, etc.), and perform planning and design studies.

I do not use the term "load flow" because the load does not flow.
I called it Power Flow. ETAP software uses the term Load Flow Study.        

2-?Short Circuit study: A short circuit occurs when 2 nodes at different voltages connect. You can simulate a short circuit and determine if your protection equipment is adequate.

3-?Arc Flash Study: simulate an arc flash incident and determine what calorie rating gear a person needs to wear for the appropriate switching task.

4-?Star- Protection and coordination study: I never knew why ETAP called it Star. This module allows you to simulate an electrical fault and determine if the breaker will operate within a reasonable time. Moreover, it helps you determine if the correct breaker will operate first.

5- There are 23 other modules shown in that mode toolbar.

ETAP has several key features that stand out among its competitors. This article addresses one of the most powerful features of ETAP.

Three Dimension (3D) Database: Revision, Presentation, and Configuration.

Three wizards: Scenario, Study, and Project Wizard.

When you link that 3D with 3 wizards, it makes ETAP incredibly?POWERful.

This is why!

A- Configuration- Create several configurations with different equipment statuses.

1. Breaker, fuse, switch, motor status. Which one is open? Closed?
2. Voltage source data. Which one is voltage control? Swing?

In this example on the right, I named 3 configurations: Normal, T3 Down, and T4 Down.

The first row shows CB1. It is open in normal configuration and closed in T3 Down and T4 Down configuration. See the other breakers' status for different configurations.

B- Revision- Create several revisions with different engineering data

1. Different equipment nameplate ratings
2. Different breakers and relay settings

In this example, on the right, I named 2 revisions: Base and Revision 3. The first 2 rows show some differences: 7% impedance for -5% and +5% Tap. In revision 3, I changed the numbers to 8.5%

C- Presentation- Several presentations with different views

1. CT Annotations, colors.
2. CT, ID, Bus voltage visibility

I have not created a different presentation for this article. Now let's link the 3D database with the wizards.

Scenario Wizard in Figure below shows the following:

• Scenario ID: Bus4_Normal
• Presentation name: OLV1
• Revision name: Revision 3
• Configuration name: T3 Down

Figure 2: Scenario wizard example window

The study mode is a short circuit. You can also click on the suitcase orange symbol (called study case) and adjust some settings specific to short circuit studies.

I can create several hundred scenario cases with different IDs, presentations, revisions, and configurations.

Below is the list of all the scenarios I created. I grouped all the scenarios in one macro called macro1.

I run all the scenarios by running macro 1. The result goes to a different screen called Analyzer. From there, you see a billion of data from each piece of equipment. You select what data you want to see for your analysis.

For example, for break CB4, I can choose to see a device duty for all scenario cases. The software will then tell me if, for one scenario case, the breaker may be undersized for short circuit events.

What are the benefits of that feature?

You can build your entire refinery, chemical plant, utility substation, wind farm, and every facility and have the answers for all contingencies that could ever exist in the power system in less than 5 clicks.

From a power flow, short circuit, protection, coordination, and arc flash perspective- what electrical risks will occur if your site closes the tiebreaker? Loses a capacitor? Changes a transformer with a different impedance? Increases a motor HP? Increases the voltage tap ratio on a transformer? If, if, if,

You now have the answer in fewer than 5 clicks with properly built scenario cases and macros. Moreover, you can also run several macros by using project wizard.

I want to emphasize that ETAP is not the only software with those functionalities; however, the ease of working with the 3D toolbar, the 3 wizards, and the interactive ETAP interface results are magnificent.

It is not enough to have power; you have to make it easier for users to control and utilize it. ETAP got that right.

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