AMTECH Power Software Ltd

ProDesign (IEC)
Software for the Electrical Industry
© Copyright AMTECH Power Software Ltd 1992-2007

AMTECH Power Software Ltd

Bank House
171 Midsummer Boulevard
Central Milton Keynes
Buckinghamshire
England
MK9 1EB
Tel: 01908 608833
Fax : 01908 234355
Web Site: www.amtech-power.co.uk

Windows™ is a registered trademark of the Microsoft ® Corporation

Information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent an
assurance of liability on the part of AMTECH Power Software Ltd. AMTECH reserves the right to
enhance or add new features which may not always be reflected in the manual supplied.
The software described in this document is furnished under a licence agreement and may be used
or copied only in accordance with the terms of the agreement.
It is against the law to copy the software except as specifically allowed in the licence agreement. No
part of this manual may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or
mechanical, including photocopying and recording, for any purpose, without the express permission
of AMTECH Power Software Ltd.
© 1992 -2007 AMTECH Power Software Ltd.
Contents

AMTECH System Requirements 1

Installation 3

Activating your AMTECH software 5

Automatic Updates 9

Tutorial 15
Drawing a Single-line Diagram ...................................................................................15
Placing Drawing Components.....................................................................................26
Input of Distribution System Details ............................................................................33

Menus and Toolbars 41

The Project Drawing 69

Annotation ...................................................................................................................93
Automatic annotation .....................................................................................93
Symbol Library ............................................................................................................97
Default Symbols ..........................................................................................................98
Editing The Drawing....................................................................................................99
Selecting Drawing Objects.............................................................................99
Cut................................................................................................................100
Copy Function ..............................................................................................100
Paste ............................................................................................................100
Delete...........................................................................................................101
Undo.............................................................................................................101

AMTECH ProDesign IEC Contents • i

 Redo ............................................................................................................ 101
Move ............................................................................................................ 101
Logo.......................................................................................................................... 103
Editing the Logo on the Drawing ................................................................. 103
Logo Editor .................................................................................................. 104
Replacing the Logo Image File.................................................................... 105
Colour Configuration................................................................................................. 105
Changing a Colour Setting .......................................................................... 105
Changing Phase Markings .......................................................................... 106
Saving a Colour Configuration Template .................................................... 107
Find Function ............................................................................................................ 108
Viewing Object Properties ........................................................................................ 109
Printing the Drawing ................................................................................................. 109

Project Settings 111

Project Templates..................................................................................................... 112
Lock Project .............................................................................................................. 112
Fix Design................................................................................................................. 114
Reload Last Project at Start-up ................................................................................ 115
Component Templates ............................................................................................. 116
Overload Settings ..................................................................................................... 119
Discrimination Settings ............................................................................................. 121
Discrimination Settings Dialog..................................................................... 121
Diversity Settings ...................................................................................................... 123
Minimum Cable sizes ............................................................................................... 127
Project Revision........................................................................................................ 129
Earth Fault Protection Propagation .......................................................................... 130
Distribution System Settings..................................................................................... 133
Sources of Supply ....................................................................................... 133
Boards ...................................................................................................................... 149
Switchboard Settings................................................................................... 149
Distribution Boards Settings ........................................................................ 153

ii • 0BAMTECH System Requirements AMTECH ProDesign IEC

 Consumer Unit Settings ...............................................................................158
Conductors................................................................................................................166
Loads ........................................................................................................................194
Attachments ..............................................................................................................204

Calculations 207
Check Network Logic ................................................................................................207
Calculating The Project.............................................................................................208
Errors and Warnings ....................................................................................209
Cable Sizing ..............................................................................................................222
Busbar Sizing ............................................................................................................228
Volt Drop Calculations ..............................................................................................229
Phase Fault Calculations ..........................................................................................234
Earth Fault Calculations............................................................................................239
Harmonics .................................................................................................................245
Multi-core Cables and Busbars....................................................................245
Single-core cables .......................................................................................247
Accumulation of Harmonic Loads ................................................................247
Diversity ....................................................................................................................250
Transformer Load Check ..........................................................................................251
Generator Load Check..............................................................................................252
Discrimination............................................................................................................252
Displaying device characteristics ..............................................................................257
Source Condition Calculations..................................................................................258

Reports 265
Errors and Warning Report .......................................................................................265
Quick Results ............................................................................................................266
Display Results .........................................................................................................268
Setting Display Results ................................................................................269
Reports Wizard .........................................................................................................272
Producing Reports .......................................................................................272

AMTECH ProDesign IEC Contents • iii

 Viewing and Printing Reports ...................................................................... 274
Creating a Report Template ........................................................................ 274
Changing the field order .............................................................................. 276
Full Reports .............................................................................................................. 277

Frequently Asked Questions 279

Index 293

iv • 0BAMTECH System Requirements AMTECH ProDesign IEC

AMTECH System Requirements
These specifications refer to the minimum specifications across the range of AMTECH software
applications.

Computer (desktop or laptop)

Minimum PC and system requirements are:

• Pentium IV processor
• 256 Mb RAM (512Mb RAM for Microsoft Vista)
• 200 Mb free hard disk space after installation
• CD-ROM drive
• Mouse
• Monitor: 1024x768 resolution – min 256 colours (recommended 1280x1024)

Operating Systems
The following operating systems are supported:

• Microsoft Windows 2000

• Microsoft Windows XP - Home or Pro (32 bit)
• Microsoft Windows Vista (32 bit)

Printers
It is essential that you are using a printer which is on the Microsoft 'Hardware Compatibility List' and
that you obtain the most recent Printer Driver available for your printer from your printer reseller.

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 0BAMTECH System Requirements • 1

Pocket PC – AMTECH Mobile software
AMTECH Mobile Software requires a PDA (Personal Data Assistant) with at least 64Mb of RAM
running Microsoft Pocket PC 2003, 2003SE or Windows Mobile 5 or later.

• Microsoft ActiveSync v3.7 or v3.8 is required to transfer data from a Pocket PC 2003 PDA
(for Windows 2000 and XP)
• Active Sync version 4.0 or 4.1 is required to transfer data from a Microsoft Windows Mobile
v5 PDA (for Windows 2000 and XP)

AMTECH Mobile software is installed using a desktop or laptop PC.

Please Note:
AMTECH Mobile software cannot be installed onto a PDA using a Palm operating system.

2 • 0BAMTECH System Requirements AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC)

Installation
First, ensure that Microsoft ® Windows™ is already installed on your system.
You need your latest AMTECH CD and licence number. Your licence number is given on the
Delivery Note included with the software.
To install:

• Close all open applications, including virus checkers and the Office Toolbar, if running,
before starting the installation.
• Insert the AMTECH Electrical Design Suite CD in your CD drive.
• Setup should start automatically. If not do the following:
• From the Start button on the Task Bar select Run.
• In the Open data entry box type D:\setup (Where D: is your CD drive letter. If your CD drive
has a different drive letter type that in instead.) Press ENTER or click on OK to start the
installation.

Setup will run from the CD. Follow on-screen instructions.

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 1BInstallation • 3

Activating your AMTECH software
AMTECH software is sold as a single user, single installation licence unless otherwise specified in
your licence agreement. The software may be installed and Activated on a single computer. Multi-
user licence agreements will allow the software to be installed and Activated on the specified
number of computers.
The software is protected and requires Activation before unrestricted use. Before Activation there
will be full functionality but the message “DEMONSTRATION ONLY” will be printed on all
documents.
You will receive reminders to Activate the software, however, after 30 days the software must be
activated.
Please Note:
AMTECH Mobile programs, i.e. SingleCable Mobile, FastTest Mobile and GasCert Mobile do not
require activating.

How do I Activate my AMTECH software?

Activating your new software is a two step process

Step 1 - Send your ‘Request Code’ to AMTECH

The preferred method of Activation is to send your ‘Request Code’ to AMTECH via email. An email
auto-responder will check to ensure that your company is the registered purchaser of the software
and that there is a user licence available. The auto-responder operates 24 hours a day seven days
per week, giving prompt response any time of day.
The Activate dialog box may appear at start-up and various other times indicating how many days
you have left.
If the dialog box doesn’t appear automatically then it can be accessed by going to the ‘Support’
menu and selecting ‘Activate software’

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 2BActivating your AMTECH software • 5
Click on the ‘Send Request Code via Email’ button. This should start your email system and create
an email for you containing all the information required. Do not change any of this information just
send the email as it is.
The Email response from AMTECH will be sent to the adress from where the request was initiated.
If you do not have access to Email on your PC you may contact AMTECH Activation Hotline by
phone 10.00 to 17.00 hrs Monday to Friday. The number is displayed on the activation dialog box.
An AMTECH representative will undertake the security checks manually then, if appropriate,
authorise and issue an unlock code.
Please note that this manual Activation process may take several minutes. We strongly suggest that
you use the email method if possible as the process of dictating and recording a long code by phone
is open to transcription errors.

6 • 2BActivating your AMTECH software AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC)
Step 2 - Receive your ‘Activation Code’ and Activate your software.
Check your email inbox. When you receive your ‘Activation code’ from AMTECH you must enter this
into the lower box. Use copy and paste functions if possible to eliminate transcription errors.
If you have received your Activation code by phone enter it into the lower box. Be sure to type it
accurately. The majority of the support problems relating to Activation are due to incorrectly
recorded or mis-typed Activation codes.

Then click on the ‘Activate Now’ button to complete the process.

How to Copy and Paste

Click and hold the left mouse button. Drag the cursor over the text to be copied to highlight it.
Release left button. Place the cusor on the highlighted text and right click. Select copy from the drop
down menu.
Place the cursor in the location you wish to copy to. Right click and select paste. The copied text will
be inserted.

Do I have to activate all my AMTECH programs separately?

No. You only have to activate 1 program in a suite of software. For example, if you have installed
AMTECH Office you will only need to perform activation in one of the programs (it doesn't matter
which) in order to activate the full suite.
If, however, you have more than one suite of software you will need to activate each suite, e.g.
AMTECH Office and ProDesign 200.

Federation Against Software Theft (FAST)

AMTECH is a member of the Federation Against Software Theft (FAST). Further information is
available on their website: http://www.fast.org.uk/

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 2BActivating your AMTECH software • 7
Automatic Updates
This feature can automatically check whether a web update is available for your AMTECH software
(excluding AMTECH Mobile software). It will then offer to automatically download and install it.
The AMTECH Automatic Update feature is available in all AMTECH desktop products.

Program Updates dialog

The Check for Updates dialog allows you to control when the Automatic Update feature operates.

Your AMTECH software will automatically check for updates every time it is launched unless you
choose one of the other options.

• If you select the ‘Manually’ option updates will not be automatically checked.
• You can click the ‘Check Now’ button at any time to force the update procedure to start.
• The ‘Only show critical updates’ tick box controls whether text-only messages will be
displayed. If ticked, messages such as ‘New Service Pack CD is available’ will not be
displayed. Downloadable web patches will be reported irrespective of the state of this
option.

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 3BAutomatic Updates • 9

Availability of Web Updates
In order to be able to receive an AMTECH Web update you must have:

• A current PremierCare agreement for the specific AMTECH application

• Registered your AMTECH software
• Internet Access

PremierCare Status
Web updates are available to registered PremierCare members only. You can inspect your
PremierCare status in the applications ‘About’ dialog found in the ‘Help’ menu.

Please contact our PremierCare renewal team on 01908 608833 if your PremierCare has expired.

N.B.
If your AMTECH program is unable to connect to the AMTECH website the PremierCare status area
will be blank.

10 • 3BAutomatic Updates AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC)

Registration
Your software must be registered with us before updates will be made available to you.

• If you purchased your software directly from AMTECH then it will be already registered.
• However, if you purchased from a third-party registration may be required. Please phone
AMTECH Registration and Activation on 0871 220 8880 (10p/min) for further details.
N.B.
Your software will be registered with us if it is already activated.

Internet Access
You must, of course, have internet access to obtain a web update. We recommend a broadband
internet connection is used.

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 3BAutomatic Updates • 11

Applying a Web Update
When a web update is available for your AMTECH software the following type of dialog will appear:

Please note:
Some Web Updates may affect more than one application. For example, ProDesign and Protect
might be updated by a single patch.

Download Now
Clicking ‘Download Now’ will download the update onto your computer if you have:

• A current PremierCare agreement for the specific AMTECH application

• Registered your AMTECH software
• Internet Access

12 • 3BAutomatic Updates AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC)

Install Now
Clicking ‘Install Now’ will start the update installation process. You AMTECH program will close and
the installation screens will appear. Please follow the on-screen prompts.

After the installation has finished your AMTECH program will re-start automatically.

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 3BAutomatic Updates • 13

Remind me later
Clicking ‘Remind me later’ will close the ‘Update available’ dialog. It will reappear next time the
program checks for updates (or when you click the ‘Check Now’ button on the ‘Check for Updates’
dialog).

Dismiss
Clicking ‘Dismiss’ will cause the message to disappear. The message will not re-appear
automatically in the future. However, critical updates (such as program updates) can still be
accessed by clicking the ‘Check Now’ button on the ‘Check for Updates’ dialog.

Checking your version of software

You can check which version of AMTECH software you are running in the ‘Help’ ‘About’ dialog.

The program’s version number is accompanied by the Service Pack and patch number. This
information may be required by AMTECH Support during a technical enquiry.

14 • 3BAutomatic Updates AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC)

Tutorial
This tutorial is designed to guide a user with no previous experience of ProDesign through the basic
steps involved in designing a simple distribution system.
Later chapters will describe the full range of program features, look in detail at areas not fully
explored by this tutorial, describe many more features and show how extensive and complex
designs can be achieved.
The tutorial takes the user through four key design steps:

• draw the single line diagram;

• define the circuit components (cables types, protective devices etc.)
• calculate the system to give correct cable sizes etc.;
• produce reports describing the conditions and components for the designed system.

Drawing a Single-line Diagram

On starting ProDesign, you will be presented with the following options screen:

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 4BTutorial • 15

This dialog gives you the option of opening an existing project or starting with a blank default project
or using a template. There is also a ‘Use Set-up Wizard’ option.

The Set-up Wizard helps you to configure the basic layout and settings for your new ProDesign
project.
For the purpose of this Tutorial you should select ‘Use Set-up Wizard’.

Set-up Wizard Step 1 – Drawing Orientation

ProDesign can be used to create electrical schematics where the source of supply is represented at
either the top or bottom of the drawing area. However, you must declare which drawing orientation
you will be using BEFORE you start placing any drawing components.

Please ensure that the ‘Source Feeds from Top of Drawing’ option is selected.

16 • 4BTutorial AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC)

N.B. The drawing orientation can be changed later if required in the ProDesign ‘Preferences’,
‘Drawing’ menu.

Set-up Wizard – Step 2 – Drawing

The second set-up wizard step controls the drawing ‘paper’ size and the other project drawing
parameters.

Various standard paper sizes can be selected from the drop down list labelled ‘Size’. It is also
possible to User Define a paper size.
For the purpose of this Tutorial please select ‘A3’ paper size.
N.B.
The paper size selected here does not necessarily determine the paper size used for the schematic
printout. This is determined by the paper size selection made on your printer driver at the time of
printing.

Snap to Grid
The ‘Snap to Grid’ option determines whether annotation text and other secondary drawing items
such as dashed lines and annotation arrows will be forced to lie on grid points.
For the purpose of this Tutorial the ‘Snap to Grid’ option should be ticked.

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 4BTutorial • 17

N.B.
The primary electrical drawing symbols (such as Source, Cable, Board and Load) will always snap
to the grid, irrespective of the setting made here.

Orthogonal Cable/Busbar
When the ‘Orthogonal Cable/Busbar’ option is ticked all cable and busbar bends will be forced to 90
degrees.
For the purpose of this Tutorial please ensure that this option is ticked.

Persistent Connection
When the ‘Persistent Connection’ option is ticked cables and busbars will remain connected even if
the items they are connected to are moved.
For example, if a Board is moved ProDesign will preserve the connection of the incoming and
outgoing ways.
For the purpose of the Tutorial this option should be ticked.

Set-up Wizard – Step 3 – Annotation

When an electrical component is placed on the drawing it will automatically be allocated a reference.
This reference will be displayed alongside the component.
This third set-up wizard step allows you to determine which font settings will be used for this
annotation text.

For the purpose of this Tutorial please use the default ‘Arial’, ‘Regular’, ’14pt’ settings.

18 • 4BTutorial AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC)

Set-up Wizard – Step 4 – Symbols
ProDesign offers a variety of Load and Motor symbol options. This fourth set-up step enables you to
select the one you wish to use.
For the purpose of this Tutorial please use the default symbols (left-most options for both Load and
Motor).

Set-up Wizard – Step 5 – Colour

ProDesign enables you to define the colour scheme used on your schematic. This set-up tab allows
you to select configure your own colour scheme or choose a pre-created one.

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 4BTutorial • 19

For the purpose of this Tutorial you should use the default ‘L1, L2, L3’ colour template (harmonised
phase colours).

Set-up Wizard – Step 6 – Diversity

ProDesign offers various methods of applying Diversity to you electrical designs. One of these
methods is ‘Table H2’. This Table H2 method refers to the diversity tables in the IEE’s ‘Guidance
Note 1: Selection and Erection of Equipment’ document (also found in the IEE’s ‘On-site Guide’
Appendix Table 1B).

If the system being designed falls within one of the Premises Types listed then you can, if you wish,
enable the Table H2 diversity feature.
For the purpose of this Tutorial please leave the ‘Enable Table H2’ option un-selected.

N.B.
You can determine on a board by board basis which form of Diversity is to be used. If you wish to
use ‘Table H2’ then you will need to make this selection on each Board and Consumer Unit within
the project.

20 • 4BTutorial AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC)

Set-up Wizard – Step 7 – Minimum Cable Sizes
This final set-up wizard step allows you to specify the minimum sizes that you wish ProDesign to
consider when automatically calculating cable sizes.

For example, you may not wish any 1mm2 single core cables to be specified in your project. If this is
the case then select the minimum size that you consider to be acceptable, e.g. 1.5mm2.
For the purpose of this Tutorial please leave this setting at the default settings (shown on the above
image).
N.B.
Choosing a minimum cable size does not stop you from manually specifying a smaller cable size.
This ‘Minimum Cable Size’ feature only affect ‘Auto’ sized cables.

Starting your project

Having configured the basic project settings you should click ‘Done’.
This will open a blank drawing area which uses the defined settings.

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 4BTutorial • 21

The Drawing Area shows the top left hand corner of a sheet of paper upon which the single-line
diagram representing the network to be designed will be drawn. The remaining area of the sheet can
be viewed using the surrounding scroll bars.
The Drawing Area is divided into a grid indicated by dots showing the intersections of the grid lines.
In the default condition, Snap to Grid, symbols placed on the Drawing Area will be constrained to
the grid. Above the Drawing Area are the Menu Bar and Tool Bars.

Menu Bar
The Menu Bar provides access to program commands, most of which are also available through
keyboard shortcuts and Toolbars.

Toolbars
There are seven Toolbars: Standard, Construct, Annotate, View, Calculate, Settings, Web.
The Toolbars contains buttons, operated by mouse click, that provide short cuts for carrying out
various tasks.
The Toolbars are displayed at the top of the drawing area below the Menu Bar when ProDesign is
first opened. They can be dragged into the drawing area and used as floating toolbars. Also, they
can be dragged to the sides or the bottom of the drawing area. To drag a Toolbar from its starting
location at the top of the drawing, click and drag on the bar at the left of the Toolbar.

22 • 4BTutorial AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC)

The five most useful toolbars for the purposes of the tutorial are described below:

Standard Toolbar

The Standard Toolbar contains, from left to right, the following buttons:
New, Open, Save, Save All, Print Preview, Print, Cut, Copy, Paste, Delete, Undo, Re-do, About,
Manual, What’s This.

Construct Toolbar

The Construct Toolbar contains, from left to right, the following buttons:
Source, Transformer, Generator, Main Switchboard, Distribution Board, Cable, Busbar, Busbar End
Feed, Busbar Centre Feed, Busbar Tap-off, Street Lighting Column, Load, Motor Load.
The Construct toolbar contains the buttons for all the components used to draw the distribution
system single-line diagram.
In addition to providing a visual representation of the electrical network, the components drawn with
these buttons are 'intelligent', i.e., the software recognises them as part of the distribution network
when calculating. Double-clicking on any of these components gives access to a dialog where the
user can input information relating to that element.

Annotate Toolbar

The Annotate Toolbar contains, from left to right, the following buttons:
Text, Font, Draw Broken Line, Draw Solid Line, Draw Circle, Draw Arrow, Draw Rectangle (Broken
Line), Draw Rectangle (Solid Line), Symbol Library.

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 4BTutorial • 23

View Toolbar

The View toolbar contains, from left to right, the following buttons:
Zoom In, Zoom Out, Zoom Tool (In/Out), Edit, Grid Visible/Not Visible, Draw Orthogonal Cables,
Company Logo on Drawing Visible/Not Visible.

Calculate Toolbar

The Calculate toolbar contains, from left to right, the following buttons:
Calculate, Calculate Discrimination, Protect Discrimination Study, User Global Settings, Current
User Default Settings, Reports.

Symbol Library
The Symbol Library can be accessed by clicking on the Symbol Library button on the Annotate
Toolbar. For example:

24 • 4BTutorial AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC)

Note: these symbols are used to enhance the single-line diagram but should not be used to form
part of the network. It is best to use these symbols after the basic single-line diagram has been
completed. The Annotate Toolbar (see above) also contains some useful drawing objects.

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 4BTutorial • 25

Placing Drawing Components
The first part of the tutorial covers the construction of the project single-line diagram. The finished
diagram is shown below; this can be referred to from time to time while working through the tutorial.
All the buttons referred to in this tutorial are found on the Construct toolbar:

Source.

There are three source types available; Source, Transformer and Generator .
If the network is not supplied from a transformer or generator then the 'Source' symbol should be
used.

26 • 4BTutorial AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC)

To begin the single-line drawing, using the mouse, click the Source button in the Design
Toolbar, then move the mouse pointer into the drawing area.
Within the drawing area the mouse pointer will now appear as a cross-hair with a source symbol
bound to it, representing the source of supply for the system.

Move the cross-hair to a central point near the top of the drawing area (a grey line will appear on the
drawing denoting the lower limit of the area in which the Source can be placed). Click the left-hand
mouse button. Move the mouse pointer away and click the right-hand button.
The first element of the single-line diagram, the source of supply has now been drawn.

Having placed the Source symbol, if you need to move it:

• ensure the Mouse pointer appears as an arrow (press the right hand mouse button or click
the Standard Cursor on the View Toolbar);
• click and drag the symbol to a new position;
• move the mouse away and click the left hand mouse button to confirm the new symbol
position.

Any of the drawing objects described below can be moved in the same way.
Similarly, to delete any object, click the object to select it and then simply press the Delete button on
the keyboard.
For more details see: Drawing The Network

Main Switchboard
The next step is to draw a Switchboard which will subsequently be connected to the supply source
by a main cable.
The Switchboard is drawn in a similar manner to that described for the Source above.

Click the Main Switchboard button in the Toolbar .

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 4BTutorial • 27

Now when the mouse pointer is moved into the drawing area it appears as a cross-hair with a
horizontal bar bound to it .
Position the bar at least four grid spaces vertically below the Source symbol and once again click the
left-hand button to place the Main Switchboard symbol; move the mouse pointer away and then click
the right-hand mouse button to de-select the object.
The mouse pointer changes back to an arrow to indicate that no drawing element is currently
selected.
For more details see: Drawing The Network

Busbar

To draw the busbar, first click the End Feed button . Place the End Feed symbol at least four

grid spaces below the Main Switchboard and click to locate it. Click on the Tap-off button ,
place the symbol about a dozen grid spaces to the right of the End Feed and click to locate it. Select

the busbar by clicking on the Busbar button . To draw the busbar, click the mouse pointer on
the right side of the End Feed, move the pointer to the left side of the Tap-off and click again. The
busbar should now be complete.
For more details see: Drawing The Network

Distribution Boards.
The next step is to place a Distribution Board which will later be connected to Tap-off 1 via a sub-
main cable.

Click on the Board button .

Move the mouse pointer into the Drawing Area. Locate the board rectangle at least four clear grid
spaces below the previously placed busbar Tap-off, then click the left-hand mouse button to place
the Distribution Board; move the mouse pointer away and then click the right-hand mouse button to
de-select the Distribution Board object.
Note: Instead of performing a right mouse click, the current drawing symbol can be de-selected by
selecting a new symbol from any Toolbar. For example, in this case, after placing the Distribution
Board, instead of clicking the right hand mouse button to de-select Distribution Boards, just click the

Motor button ready for the placement of Motor loads.

For more details see: Drawing The Network

28 • 4BTutorial AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC)

Loads
The final objects to be drawn in this simple system are one motor load and two general loads to be
connected to the Distribution Board DB1.

To do this, click on the Motor button in the Design Toolbar.

Locate the symbol at least four clear spaces directly below the left hand side of the Distribution
Board and then click the left-hand mouse button to place the motor load.

Click on the Load button in the Design Toolbar. Locate the symbol to the right of, and in line
with, the previously placed motor symbol and then click the left-hand mouse button to place the first
load.
Move the mouse pointer to place the Load symbol to the right of the previously placed load and then
click the left-hand mouse button to place the second load.
Move the pointer away and press the right-hand mouse button to de-select the Load tool.
For more details see: Drawing The Network

Cables
Having placed the main components of this simplified distribution system in the Drawing Area, the
only drawing task remaining is to draw the interconnecting cables.

Click on the Cable symbol in the Design Toolbar.

Move the mouse pointer into the Drawing Area, it will appear as a cross.
To draw a cable between the Source and the Switchboard, place the intersection of the mouse
pointer cross on the base of the Source symbol and click the left hand mouse button, move vertically
down to place the cross intersection onto the top edge of the feint perimeter which appears around
the Main Board symbol and click the left hand mouse button again.
Do not try to connect cables onto the centre of the Switchboard, i.e. the solid black line. Instead, all
connections should be made with the feint symbol perimeter.
The cable will now be drawn and the cross symbol will re-appear ready to draw the next cable.
Repeat this procedure to connect from the Switchboard to the End Feed, from the Tap-off to the
Distribution Board and from the Distribution Board to the three loads.
The cables drawn above are all straight lines. To draw a cable with bends, proceed as described
below. (You can try this now in an empty area of the drawing. Remember that you can easily delete
any attempts by selecting the item no longer required and pressing the Delete key on the keyboard.)
Select Cable from the Design Toolbar and then:

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 4BTutorial • 29

 • Position the intersection of the mouse pointer cross at the cable start point and click on the
left hand mouse button;
• Move vertically down and click the left hand mouse button to define the position of the first
bend;
• Move horizontally and click the left hand mouse button again, this time to define the position
of the second bend;
• Finally to finish the cable, move vertically down to the finish point, click the left hand mouse
button and then click the right hand mouse button to finish (Note: the final right hand mouse
click is not necessary when drawing the end of the cable to meet another network element,
such as a load.). Move the mouse pointer away and click the right hand mouse button to de-
select the Cable tool.

TIP
You may find it easier to draw cables with right-angle bends when Orthogonal Cables is selected.
To select Orthogonal Cables, click on the fifth button from the left on the Design Toolbar or select
Options/Orthogonal Cable from the menu.
Note: when drawing cables, take care to observe the following:

• Work away from the source; Source to Main Board, Main Board to Tap-off etc.;
• Ensure that both ends of an interconnecting cable actually touch the relevant symbols at the
start and end of the cable (If View | Show Unconnected Ends is selected, unconnected
cable ends will be marked by red and blue crosses);
• The vertical sides of Boards and Loads should not be used to make connections.

For more details see: Drawing The Network

On completion of this section of the tutorial, your single-line diagram should look like the one shown
at the beginning of the tutorial.
If the diagram is correct, the project should be saved, always good practice, to avoid losing all the
work done so far.

Save

To save a project, use the Save button on the Standard Toolbar.

30 • 4BTutorial AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC)

Editing cable references.
Each cable on the drawing has two parts, the text describing the cable reference and the cable itself.
These can be selected separately and edited accordingly.
In this section the cable references will be edited. At present all cable references are default values
applied by ProDesign, i.e., Cbl 1, Cbl 2, etc., in the order in which they were drawn.
To change the name of Cbl 1:
EITHER:

• Double-click on the text ‘Cbl 1’ (not the cable itself);

• The Text dialog will be displayed and the new name can be typed in the Enter Text box:

OR:

• Double-click on the cable;

• The Cable dialog will be displayed and the new name can be typed in the Reference box:

The names of the rest of the cables and all the other components of the system should now be
edited in the same manner so that the labels agree with those in the drawing below.

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 4BTutorial • 31

Where necessary, the positions of the items of text can be adjusted to agree with the diagram shown
above. The following two features will be of assistance in making these adjustments:

• Vertical text – check the Vertical box in the Text dialog.

• Snap to Grid – click on Preferences | Snap to Grid to uncheck Snap to Grid. Text can now
be dragged to locations between the grid positions.

Now is a good time to save your work once again.

32 • 4BTutorial AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC)

Input of Distribution System Details

Introduction
So far a basic single-line diagram has been produced. Obviously, most projects would be much
more extensive than this but the present diagram contains sufficient components to demonstrate the
key features of ProDesign, so the next stage, entering the data required to define the system, can
now be done.
This section will demonstrate how the components placed on the drawing so far are ‘intelligent’
objects which have associated dialogs that can be used to describe the parameters for each
component.

Input of Distribution System Data

Once a system diagram has been drawn and labelled, the design would normally be completed by
inserting the correct system data such as supply voltage details, load details and cable types.
Each of the data dialogs should now be visited so that the data can be viewed. It would be useful at
this stage to investigate and become familiar with the various settings that can be made, although,
for this simple tutorial exercise it will not be necessary to make any specific settings. When leaving a
dialog, changes made are saved by clicking on OK; clicking Cancel means any changes that have
been made will be ignored.

Source Dialog
The dialog for each circuit component is accessed by double-clicking on that component.
Double-clicking on the Source symbol causes the Source of Supply dialog to be displayed:

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 4BTutorial • 33

As can be seen, this dialog contains default data about the source that can be edited by the user.
These data are described in detail in later chapters. You may wish to experiment by changing
various values but at present the default conditions are adequate and should be accepted by clicking
on the ‘Cancel’ button when leaving the dialog.
For more information see: Source of Supply Settings

34 • 4BTutorial AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC)

Busbars Dialog
Double-clicking on a busbar (away from the area around its text label) causes the Busbar dialog to
be displayed:

Where the busbar has a number of sections, clicking on any section displays the same Busbar
dialog with details common to the entire busbar with one exception: the Section Length refers to the
individual length of the section that has been double-clicked on.
You may wish to browse the busbar setting parameters but default conditions will be adequate for
the purposes of the tutorial and should be accepted by clicking on the Cancel button to leave the
Busbar dialog and return to the drawing window.
For more Information see: Busbars Settings

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 4BTutorial • 35

Cables Dialog
Double-clicking on a cable (away from the area around its text label) causes the Cable dialog to be
displayed:

The dialog is divided into five tabs, each dealing with data for different subjects: the cable itself, its
CPC, the circuit protection, voltage drop and comments.
You may wish to browse the wide range of parameters available but, as before, default conditions
are generally adequate for the purposes of the tutorial and should be accepted by clicking on the
Cancel button when leaving the dialog.
For more information see: Cables Settings

36 • 4BTutorial AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC)

Loads Dialog
Double-clicking on a load causes the Load Details dialog to be displayed:

Within this dialog the type of load, its load current and power factor, harmonic content, earth fault
disconnection time, and diversity setting can be defined. Also, the text reference used to name the
load can be edited. Again, the default settings will suffice for this tutorial.
For more information see: Loads (page 29)

Boards Dialog
So far three loads have been defined in the system by including them in the drawing and then
editing the cable and load details as required. Another method, also available, is particularly useful
where a large number of loads have to be connected to final distribution boards.
Using board ‘DB 1’ as an example:

• double-click on the board away from the text reference, the dialog Distribution Board will be
displayed;
• click on the Circuit Diagram button , the Circuit Diagram will be displayed:

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 4BTutorial • 37

 • The Circuit Diagram shows the load circuits already defined on the drawing as connected to
Ways 1, 2 and 3. The upper half of the box contains general distribution board data. The
lower portion includes a Way diagram which can be used to define single phase and three
phase loads as required; the default capacity is 10-way.

To define a further load from ‘DB 1’:

• Right-click the Red phase connection on Way 4 to display a floating menu [1];
• From the menu select Add / Edit, the Final Circuit dialog will be displayed. The dialog
contains all the data required to define a final circuit including a tab containing the load
details;
• To define a final circuit enter the correct data and click OK. The dialog is closed and the
view returns to the Circuit Diagram.
• If a single-phase load was selected, the circuit would be shown connected to the Red phase
[2] that was initially clicked on. If a three phase load was selected, the circuit would be
shown occupying all three phase of Way 4 [3].
• Using the commands on the floating menu [4], circuits can be edited, cut, copied pasted and
deleted.

38 • 4BTutorial AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC)

Having defined this load and investigated the Distribution Board dialog, click on ‘OK’ to close the
dialog.

NOTE: loads defined in the Circuit Diagram are not shown on the drawing but are included in the
network and all the network calculations. If you need to show a load on the drawing you must draw
the load and its connecting cable on the drawing.
The project system has now been drawn and defined. Save your work once again.
For more information see: Boards

Calculation.
A calculation can be performed on a design at any stage but if the circuit logic is incorrect or is non-
compliant with BS 7671 in some way, an error message or messages will be generated. Calculation
proceeds in two stages.
First, a logic check is carried out to ensure that all cables are correctly connected. If an error is found
the calculation terminates and the problem cable or busbar flashes. Second, on successful
completion of the logic check, calculations are carried out to ensure that all circuits comply with the
BS 7671. A non-compliant circuit will result in an error message.

You should now calculate your network by clicking on the ‘Calculate’ button on the Design
Toolbar.
If the calculation process has found any problems the Errors/Warnings dialog will be displayed,
listing the details. If messages relating to discrimination are listed, these can be ignored for the
moment by unchecking Discrimination in the Calculate menu and pressing the Calculate button
again.
You can now browse the reports by selecting any of the items from the Reports menu.
For more information see: Calculations

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 4BTutorial • 39

Menus and Toolbars
The position and appearance of each toolbar can be tailored to your requirements using the
‘Customize Toolbar’ feature. This is accessed by right-clicking on the toolbar that you wish to
change.

Each toolbar can be displayed using either small or large fonts. Button labels can also be displayed,
either below or to the right of the button.
The position of each toolbar can be altered by clicking on the left-hand edge of the toolbar and then
dragging it to the required position.

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 5BMenus and Toolbars • 41

File Menu

The File Menu includes commands to: open, save and e-mail project files, print project drawings, e-
mail projects, export project details and close ProDesign. (Keyboard shortcuts, where available, are
shown in square brackets after the relevant command description).

New
Displays the Select Template Project dialog [Ctrl+N]. A previously saved project can be selected and
opened as a template or, clicking cancel opens a new blank project. See also: Managing Projects |
Templates.

Open
Displays the File/Open dialog [Ctrl+O]. Allows an existing project to be opened.

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Close
Closes the project in the active window. See Window menu for details on how to manage multiple
projects in multiple windows.

Save
Saves the project in the active window to disk [Ctrl+S].

Save As
Displays the File/Save As dialog. Saves the project in the active window with a new name and/or to
a different location.

Save All
Saves all currently open projects to disk

Print
Displays the Print dialog to allow the project drawing to be printed. See also: The Project Drawing |
Printing the Drawing.

Print Preview
Displays a view of the project drawing as it will be printed with the current settings.

Send To
Launches the default Email application and creates a new Email message with the file for the project
in the active window attached.
Mail Recipient: The ‘To’ field is blank.
Mail AMTECH Support: The ‘To’ field contains the AMTECH Support Email address. This allows a
query to be Emailed to AMTECH Support together with the project file. The registration file
AMTECH.INI is also Emailed. This facility should only be used after contacting AMTECH Support
first. Note: the project data file can often be large. See also: Introduction | Contacting AMTECH |
Emails.

Export:
DXF - Saves the current project drawing in .DXF file format.
FastTest - Exports ProDesign project data to FastTest.

Attachments
Documentation files (e.g. images, pdf files) can be attached to components such as loads, boards
and cables. The ’Pack’ option copies selected attachments into a single zip file which can then be
simply copied along with the project file. This makes it easier to transfer projects and their
attachments between computers.

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 5BMenus and Toolbars • 43

The ‘Unpack’ option will allow a packed set of attachment files to be unpacked ready for use.

Recently Used Files

A list of the last four project filenames used. Clicking on a filename opens the project in the active
window.

Save Schematic
Saves the current ProDesign project schematic as a bitmap image.

Exit
Closes all open projects and then closes ProDesign. Prompts will be displayed to save any unsaved
projects before closing.

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Draw Menu

The Draw menu contains items used to draw the project network and to annotate the drawing. The
buttons on the toolbars are a more convenient way to access these items.
See also: Drawing a Project.

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 5BMenus and Toolbars • 45

Source, Supply Transformer … Motor
Click on any of these items to select a tool to draw the network under design.

Symbol
Displays the Symbol Library menu containing tools to annotate the completed network drawing.

Text, Line … Arrow

Click on any of these items to select an object to annotate the drawing.

Notes
Click on this item to place a yellow text note on the schematic.

46 • 5BMenus and Toolbars AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC)

Edit Menu

The Edit Menu includes editing commands for the project drawing. These editing commands are
more conveniently executed using the buttons on the toolbars or the keyboard shortcuts. (Keyboard
shortcuts, where available, are shown in square brackets after the relevant command description).
See also: Drawing a Project.

Cancel
Cancels the current action on the drawing, e.g., selecting or moving, returns to Edit mode [Esc].

Undo
Undo the last action [Ctrl+Z].

Redo
Redo the last undo.

Cut
Removes the currently selected drawing item(s) and saves them to the ProDesign clipboard
[Ctrl+X]. NOTE: Items on the ProDesign clipboard are not accessible from the Windows clipboard
and vice-versa.

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 5BMenus and Toolbars • 47

Copy
Saves the selected drawing item(s) to the ProDesig clipboard [Ctrl+C].

Paste
Pastes the item(s) saved on the ProDesign clipboard into the drawing [Ctrl+V].

Delete
Deletes the selected drawing item(s) [Del].

Find
Displays the Find Item dialog. The Find function centres a selected network object on the drawing.

Set Cable Length

Displays a list of the selected cables and their length. The user can then modify individual cable
length entries without entering the cable dialogs.

Set Cable Size

Displays a list of the selected cables and their size setting. The user can then modify individual cable
size settings without entering the cable dialogs.

Bulk Cable Change

Opens a cable dialog in which the user can specify any of the cable details and apply them to all the
selected cables at once.

Properties
Displays the associated dialog for a network object selected on the drawing.

Project Revision
Displays the Project Details dialog containing text that can be used to identify and trace printed
reports relating to the project.

48 • 5BMenus and Toolbars AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC)

View Menu

The commands in the View menu control the appearance of the drawing area on the screen.
(Keyboard shortcuts, where available, are shown in square brackets after the relevant command
description).
See also: Drawing a Project.

Zoom
Zoom level for the drawing view can be set at 1:1, 1:2, 1:4 or 1:8.

Toolbars
Used to display or hide toolbars and the tool tips that appear when the mouse is hovered over any of
the buttons on the toolbars.

Status bar
Used to display or hide the Status Bar (the bar across the base of the project window).

Show Grid
Display or hide the drawing grid. When the grid is selected, the dots that mark the intersections of
the grid are displayed. See also Preferences | Snap To Grid.

Show Logo
Display or hide logo on drawing. See also Drawing a Project | Logo Editor.

Show Unconnected Ends

Display or hide red crosses that appear to indicate that a network drawing object is unconnected.

Refresh
Activates the screen Redraw [F5].

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 5BMenus and Toolbars • 49

Preferences Menu

The preferences menu contains the following sub-menus. These sub-menus contain the settings
that control the layout, appearance, configuration and calculation of the project and the associated
drawing.
See also: Drawing a Project.

50 • 5BMenus and Toolbars AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC)

Drawing Sub Menu

Drawing Size
Allows the size of the on-screen drawing to be selected from a list of standard paper sizes or a user-
defined height (mm) and width (mm). The scale of the printed drawing will be dependent on this
setting and the size of paper the drawing is printed on; e.g., drawing size = A3, printer paper = A4,
scale of printed drawing = 1:2. See also: Printing | Project Drawing.

Default Symbol representation

Displays the Default Symbol dialog allowing the desired appearance of Loads and Motors on the
drawing to be selected.

Use Colour
Select whether cables and busbars are to be shown on the drawing in black or in phase colours.

Colour Configuration
Displays the Colour Configuration dialog allowing the colours for drawing objects to be set, also to
set phase markings. See also Drawing a Project | Phase Markings

Font
Displays the Font dialog, allowing selection of the default font style for text on the drawing.

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 5BMenus and Toolbars • 51

Source at Top of Drawing
Sets the Source location at the top of the drawing. Sources must be placed within the top third of the
drawing area.

Source at Bottom of Drawing

Sets the Source location at the bottom of the drawing. Sources must be placed within the lower third
of the drawing area.

Snap to Grid
Allows Snap To Grid to be switched on or off. With Snap To Grid on, all drawing items can only be
located to align with the grid. When switched off, items can be located at any position.
Note: Snap To Grid is always applied to network components such as Sources, Cables, Busbars,
etc., regardless of the setting.

Grid Spacing
Displays the Grid Spacing dialog. Allows the grid spacing to be set at 5 or 10 mm, or a user-defined
spacing – preferably at the beginning of a project. The scrolling sensitivity can also be set.

Orthogonal Cable/Busbar
When selected cables and busbars can be drawn in horizontal and vertical directions only.

Annotation
Displays the Annotation Display Settings dialog. Allows the user to select whether the id number or
name is displayed on the schematic and the orientation that the text will be displayed in. I.e., Source,
Cable etc., Id number to be switched off, i.e., not displayed on drawing.

Component Numbering
Displays the component numbering dialog box. Here it is possible to set up the format of the Id
number that the system automatically gives the components when they are first drawn.

52 • 5BMenus and Toolbars AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC)

Calculations Sub-menu

Discrimination Check
Displays the discrimination check configuration screen.

Minimum Cable Sizes

Displays the Minimum Cable Sizes dialog. Allows the minimum cable sizes to be set for use in the
current project. See also: Setting Defaults | Minimum Cable Sizes.

Diversity Settings
Displays the Diversity Settings dialog. Allows settings to be made for diversity at final circuits,
consumer units and distribution boards. See Setting Defaults | Diversity.

Switching Scenarios
The user can save the state of all the switches in the project, or apply a project state that has been
saved earlier.

Show Calculation Notes

This settings controls whether any Calculation ‘Notes’ will be reported at the end of the calculation
(e.g. notification of cables upsized due to voltage drop).

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 5BMenus and Toolbars • 53

Show Network Statistics
When this option is ticked ProDesign will display a count of the components activly used in your
project at the start of the calcultion process.

Prompt to Calculate
Each time you change something on your design it is vital that ProDesign re-calculates the project
before any reports can be produced. This ‘Prompt to Calculate’ option determines whether
ProDesign will confirm the need for a re-calculation.

Component Template
Displays the Component Template dialog. Allows settings templates to be defined by the user for
any network components.

Reports Sub-menu

Print Full Pathname on Report

Select to include the full pathname of the project file in the footer of reports (e.g., C:\Building
Designs\Superstores\Project 1.pds. When not selected, the file name only will appear (e.g., Project
1.pds)

54 • 5BMenus and Toolbars AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC)

System Sub-Menu

Auto save every 30 minutes

Brings up the Automatic save settings dialog. It is used to set the location and interval that the
automatic save file is created to.

Protective Device manufacturer

This opens the Select Protective Device dialog where the protective device manufacturers list can
be edited too only include those manufacturers required.

Lock Project
Displays the Lock Project dialog to allow the project to be locked against inadvertent or unauthorised
changes. See also: Managing Projects | Locking Projects.

Use Start-up Screen

This option determines whether the ProDesign start-up options screen will appear when ProDesign
is launched.

Reload last project at startup

When ProDesign is started, the last project to be worked on is automatically opened. See also:
Managing Projects | Reload at Start-up.

Glands
Displays the Gland Preferences dialog allowing the gland manufacturer and default gland types to
be set.

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 5BMenus and Toolbars • 55

Calculate Menu

The Calculate menu contains features that assist with the completion of a network design. See also:
Calculation.

Check Network Logic

Runs a check that examines network interconnections and identifies incorrect or incomplete
structures. See also: Calculation | Logic Check.

Calculate
Performs the Network Logic check and then performs all calculations on the entire network. See
also: Calculation | Project Calculation.

Fix Design / Unfix Design

Fix Design calculates the project and sets all ‘Auto’ sized conductors and protective devices to their
calculated values.
Unfix Design restores the ‘Auto’ setting for all components previously set to ‘Auto’. See also:
Managing Projects | Fix Design.

Discrimination
Discrimination Check starts the ProDesign discrimination check feature. The discrimination check
configuration can be set in the ‘Preferences’, ‘Calculations’ menu.

56 • 5BMenus and Toolbars AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC)

Earth Fault Protection Propagation
When selected the presence of upstream earth fault protection will affect the calculation of
downstream circuits.

Protection Study
Starts AMTECH Protect to enable a time/current discrimination study to be made. A cable, busbar,
motor or load must be selected before clicking the button. Protect will display the protective device
characteristic curves for all circuits along the route back to the Source from the highlighted
component. See also: Calculation | Discrimination.

View Graph
View Graph displays the tripping characteristic of the currently selected circuit. In addition to the
currently selected device, the characteristics for the following will also be displayed: the next device
upstream (towards the supply source) and the next device downstream with the highest effective
rating (nominal rating multiplied by any overload settings).
Also, when a load is selected, the tripping characteristics for all the circuits on a route back to the
active source are displayed when Adjust Settings is selected.

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 5BMenus and Toolbars • 57

Reports Menu

The Reports Menu lists all the printed reports that can be viewed or printed. Clicking an item
displays a dialog where a selection can be made of the relevant items for which reports are to be
produced.
See also: Reports.

58 • 5BMenus and Toolbars AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC)

Support Menu

The Support menu contains commands for program activation and updates, and access to support
facilities.

Activate Program
Launches the Program Activation box.
See also: Getting Started | Program Installation | Activation.

Check for Updates

Launches the AMTECH Auto Update feature.

AMTECH Website
Provides a shortcut to the AMTECH website homepage.

AMTECH Technical Support

Provides a shortcut to the AMTECH Premier Care support page.

Contact AMTECH
Displays a box listing AMTECH contact details.
See also: Getting Started | Contacting AMTECH.

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 5BMenus and Toolbars • 59

Window Menu

The Window menu contains commands used to control the size, position and number of windows to
be displayed on the screen.

Cascade
Overlaps the currently open windows with their title bars visible.

Tile Horizontally
Displays all currently open windows one above the other, without overlaps.

Tile Vertically
Displays all currently open windows one beside the other, without overlaps.

Close
Closes the current window.

Close All
Closes all open windows.

60 • 5BMenus and Toolbars AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC)

Help Menu

The Help menu provides access to features designed to assist the user in providing information
about ProDesign. See also: Introduction | Contacting AMTECH | Getting Help.

Help Topics
Displays the Help window showing the topics covered listed in the Contents tab.

Frequently Asked Questions

Provides a link to the FAQs page on the AMTECH website. See also: See also: Introduction |
Contacting AMTECH | FAQs.

Animated Help
ProDesign is shipped with a number of ‘movies’ which are designed to help you use aspects of the
software.

View Manual
Displays The ProDesign manual. Requires Adobe Acrobat to be installed (can be installed from
same AMTECH CD used to install ProDesign.

What’s This?
Provides a pointer for Context Help. Use the pointer to click on a Menu or Toolbar item to display a
Help text box.
About ProDesign (IEC)…
Displays the System Information dialog. Shows details of the program version number, licence
number, system information etc.

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 5BMenus and Toolbars • 61

Standard Toolbar

The Standard toolbar contains, from left to right, the following buttons:

New
Opens a new blank project in a new window.

Open
Displays the File/Open dialog [Ctrl+O]. Allows an existing project to be opened.

Save
Saves the project in the active window to disk [Ctrl+S].

Print Preview
Displays a view of the project drawing as it will be printed with the current settings.

Print
Displays the Print dialog to allow the project drawing to be printed. See also: Printing | Project
Drawing.

Cut
Removes the currently selected drawing item(s) and saves them to the ProDesign clipboard
[Ctrl+X].
NOTE: Items on the ProDesign clipboard are not accessible from the Windows clipboard and vice-
versa.

Copy
Saves the selected drawing item(s) to the ProDesign clipboard [Ctrl+C].

Paste
Pastes the item(s) saved on the ProDesign clipboard into the drawing [Ctrl+V].

Delete

62 • 5BMenus and Toolbars AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC)

Deletes the selected drawing item(s) [Del].

Undo
Undo the last action [Ctrl+Z].

Redo
Redo the last undo.

About
Displays the system information About box containing information on ProDesign, such as version
number, licence number etc.;

Manual
Displays the ProDesign manual in Acrobat PDF format. (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader to be
installed).

Whats This?
Provides a pointer for Context Help. Use the pointer to click on a Menu or Toolbar item to display a
Help text box.

Construct Toolbar

The Construct toolbar contains buttons for selecting drawing tools used to draw the components of
the distribution system single-line diagram.
In addition to providing a visual representation of the electrical network, the components drawn with
these buttons are 'intelligent', i.e., the software recognises them as part of the distribution network
when calculating. Double-clicking on any of these components gives access to a dialog where the
user can input information relating to that element.
From left to right, the buttons are for the following drawing tools:

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 5BMenus and Toolbars • 63

Source, Transformer, Generator, Main Switchboard, Distribution Board, Consumer Unit, Cable,
Busbar, Busbar End Feed, Busbar Centre Feed, Busbar Tap-off, Street Lighting Column, Load,
Motor Load, Junction Box and Power Factor Correction.

View Toolbar

The View toolbar contains buttons for functions that control the appearance of the drawing area on
the screen. They are, from left to right:

Zoom In
Increases the scale of the drawing view. Each click changes the scale through the range: 1:8, 1:4,
1:2, 1:1.

Zoom Out
Decreases the scale of the drawing view. Each click changes the scale through the range: 1:1, 1:2,
1:4, 1:8.

Zoom Tool
Provides tool for zooming in and out. Left-click to increase the scale of the drawing view, centred on
the point on the drawing where the click took place. Right-click to zoom out. Click on the Edit tool to
return to Edit mode.

Edit
Click this button to put the drawing pointer in Edit Mode. In edit mode, the pointer has the standard
arrow appearance and can be used to select items (single-click) or access dialogs (double-click).
Also a group of drawing objects can be selected by clicking and dragging an area of the drawing.

Show Grid
Display or hide the drawing grid. When the grid is selected, the dots that mark the intersections of
the grid are displayed. See also Preferences | Snap To Grid.

Orthogonal Cable/Busbar
When selected, cables and busbars can be drawn in horizontal and vertical orientations with right-
angle bends only.

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Show Logo
Display or hide logo on drawing. See also Drawing a Project | Logo Editor.

Annotate Toolbar

The Annotate toolbar contains buttons for annotation tools that can be used to enhance a completed
network drawing. (See also Drawing a Project | Annotation). They are, from left to right:

Text
Provides tool to place text on drawing. Click tool on location for text and type and edit text in Text
dialog.

Font
Displays the Font dialog, allowing modification of the current drawing font.

Dashed Line
Selects the Dashed Line drawing tool.

Solid Line
Selects the Solid Line drawing tool.

Circle
Selects the Circle drawing tool.

Arrow
Selects the Arrow drawing tool.

Dashed Rectangle
Selects the Dashed Rectangle drawing tool.

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 5BMenus and Toolbars • 65

Solid Rectangle
Selects the Solid Rectangle drawing tool.

Symbol
Displays the Symbol Library menu containing tools to annotate the completed network drawing.

Note
Adds a yellow text note to your schematic. A Note icon is placed on your drawing – double clicking
on the Note icon displays its contents.

TextBox
Creates a multi-line text box on your schematic. Use this to add detailed annotation comments and
other other-line text entries. Double click on a TextBox border to select the textbox. You can insert a
predefined project details field (such as Created By or Job Number). Simply right-click on a selected
TextBox and choose Insert Field.

Calculate Toolbar

The Calculate toolbar contains buttons for functions that allow checks, calculations and settings for
the project to be made. (See also Calculation, and Setting Defaults). They are, from left to right:

Calculate Button
Performs the Network Logic check and then performs all calculations on the entire network. See
also: Calculation | Project Calculation.

Check Discrimination
Performs a discrimination check on the current project. The discrimination check can be configured
in the ‘Preferences’, ‘Calculations’ menu.

Protection Study
Starts AMTECH Protect to enable a time/current discrimination study to be made. A cable, busbar,
motor or load must be selected before clicking the button. Protect will display the protective device
characteristic curves for all circuits along the route back to the Source from the highlighted
component. See also: Calculation | Discrimination.

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Adjust Settings
Adjust Settings displays the tripping characteristic of the currently selected circuit. In addition to the
currently selected device, the characteristics for the following will also be displayed: the next device
upstream (towards the supply source) and the next device downstream with the highest effective
rating (nominal rating multiplied by any overload settings).
Also, when a load is selected, the tripping characteristics for all the circuits on a route back to the
active source are displayed when Adjust Settings is clicked.

Global User Settings

Displays the User Global Settings dialog. Allows settings templates to be defined by the user for any
network components.
See also Setting Defaults | Global Defaults.

Show Global Defaults

Displays a list of the names of the current defaults set by the user for Boards Cables etc.
See also Setting Defaults | Global Defaults.

Reports
Displays the Reports wizard. The wizard provides facilities for viewing and printing table type
reports; it can also be used to create customised report templates.
See also: Reports | Reports Wizard.

Settings Toolbar

The Settings toolbar provides access to the most commonly used project settings (see also Setting
Defaults). They are, from left to right:

Drawing Size
Displays the Drawing Size dialog to allow the size of drawing displayed in the project window to be
set for the current project and for future projects.
See also The Project Drawing | Drawing Size.

Colour Configuration

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Displays the Colour Configuration dialog to allow colours to be set for the items that appear on the
drawing.
See also The Project Drawing | Colour Configuration.

Source at BOTTOM of Drawing

Sets the drawing orientation for placing the project source at the bottom of the drawing.
See also The Project Drawing | Drawing The Network.

Source at TOP of Drawing

Sets the drawing orientation for placing the project source at the top of the drawing.
See also The Project Drawing | Drawing The Network.

Properties
Opens the dialog for the currently selected object.

User Type

User selects the default component data file that the next component will have.

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The Project Drawing
Set-up Wizard
On starting ProDesign, you will be presented with the following options screen:

This dialog gives you the option of opening an existing project or starting with a blank default project
or using a template. There is also a ‘Use Set-up Wizard’ option.

The Set-up Wizard helps you to configure the basic layout and settings for your new ProDesign
project.

Set-up Wizard Step 1 – Drawing Orientation

ProDesign can be used to create electrical schematics where the source of supply is represented at
either the top or bottom of the drawing area. However, you must declare which drawing orientation
you will be using BEFORE you start placing any drawing components.

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N.B. The drawing orientation can be changed later if required in the ProDesign ‘Preferences’,
‘Drawing’ menu.

Set-up Wizard – Step 2 – Drawing

The second set-up wizard step controls the drawing ‘paper’ size and the other project drawing
parameters.

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Various standard paper sizes can be selected from the drop down list labelled ‘Size’. It is also
possible to User Define a paper size.
N.B.
The paper size selected here does not necessarily determine the paper size used for the schematic
printout. This is determined by the paper size selection made on your printer driver at the time of
printing.

Snap to Grid
The ‘Snap to Grid’ option determines whether annotation text and other secondary drawing items
such as dashed lines and annotation arrows will be forced to lie on grid points.
N.B.
The primary electrical drawing symbols (such as Source, Cable, Board and Load) will always snap
to the grid, irrespective of the setting made here.

Orthogonal Cable/Busbar
When the ‘Orthogonal Cable/Busbar’ option is ticked all cable and busbar bends will be forced to 90
degrees.

Persistent Connection
When the ‘Persistent Connection’ option is ticked cables and busbars will remain connected even if
the items they are connected to are moved.
For example, if a Board is moved ProDesign will preserve the connection of the incoming and
outgoing ways.

Set-up Wizard – Step 3 – Annotation

When an electrical component is placed on the drawing it will automatically be allocated a reference.
This reference will be displayed alongside the component.
This third set-up wizard step allows you to determine which font settings will be used for this
annotation text.

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 6BThe Project Drawing • 71

Set-up Wizard – Step 4 – Symbols
ProDesign offers a variety of Load and Motor symbol options. This fourth set-up step enables you to
select the one you wish to use.

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Set-up Wizard – Step 5 – Colour
ProDesign enables you to define the colour scheme used on your schematic. This set-up tab allows
you to select configure your own colour scheme or choose a pre-created one.

Set-up Wizard – Step 6 – Diversity

ProDesign offers various methods of applying Diversity to you electrical designs. One of these
methods is ‘Table H2’. This Table H2 method refers to the diversity tables in the IEE’s ‘Guidance
Note 1: Selection and Erection of Equipment’ document (also found in the IEE’s ‘On-site Guide’
Appendix Table 1B).

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If the system being designed falls within one of the Premises Types listed then you can, if you wish,
enable the Table H2 diversity feature.

N.B.
You can determine on a board by board basis which form of Diversity is to be used. If you wish to
use ‘Table H2’ then you will need to make this selection on each Board and Consumer Unit within
the project.

Set-up Wizard – Step 7 – Minimum Cable Sizes

This final set-up wizard step allows you to specify the minimum sizes that you wish ProDesign to
consider when automatically calculating cable sizes.

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For example, you may not wish any 1mm2 single core cables to be specified in your project. If this is
the case then select the minimum size that you consider to be acceptable, e.g. 1.5mm2.
N.B.
Choosing a minimum cable size does not stop you from manually specifying a smaller cable size.
This ‘Minimum Cable Size’ feature only affect ‘Auto’ sized cables.

Starting your project

Having configured the basic project settings you should click ‘Done’.
This will open a blank drawing area which uses the defined settings.

Start-Up Dialog
The start-up dialog can be disabled by de-selcting the ‘Show this Dialog at Start-up’ option. There is
also a option in the ‘Preferences’ menu which allows you to determine whether you wish to ‘Use the
Start-up Screen’.
A simplified version of the Start-up dialog is also displayed when the choose the ‘New’ option in the
ProDesign ‘File’ menu.

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 6BThe Project Drawing • 75

Templates
ProDesign is shipped with a number of drawing templates. These are blank project files which use a
pre-defined drawing frame and paper size.
Templates can be easily accessed using the Start-up Dialog’s ‘Use Template’ option.

Creating your own templates

Firstly, you should set-up your ProDesign drawing environment as required. We then recommend
that you ‘Lock’ this template project using the ‘Lock Project’ option in the ProDesign ‘Preferences’
menu. This prevents your template from being overwritten. Then save the template project into the
ProDesign Templates folder (typically C:\Program Files\Amtech2007\ProDesign\Templates).

The Drawing Window

Multiple Projects
ProDesign has a multiple document interface allowing a number of projects to be opened at the
same time.
When more than one project is open, each will be contained in a separate window within the
ProDesign window. One project will be active at any one time; clicking in a project window makes
that window active. The Window menu can be used to control the way project windows are
displayed and can also be used to switch the active project.

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For example, shown below are two open projects, tiled horizontally:

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 6BThe Project Drawing • 77

The Drawing Window Features
Using the example of a single new project in the ProDesign window, the principle areas and
features of the window are described below:
The project window shows the top left hand corner of a sheet of paper upon which the single-line
diagram representing the network to be designed will be drawn. The remaining area of the sheet can
be viewed using the surrounding scroll bars.
The Drawing Area is divided into a grid indicated by dots showing the intersections of the grid lines.
Placed around the drawing area are the title bar, menu bar, toolbars, scrollbars and status bar.

Title Bar
The title bar contains the title of the active project.

Window Controls
The title bar contains the window controls for the ProDesign window . These allow the
ProDesign window to be hidden, maximised or minimised and closed.
The set of window controls below the ones for the ProDesign window are those for the project,
which allow the project window to be hidden, maximised or minimised within the ProDesign window,
and closed.

Menu Bar
Below the title bar is the menu bar. For details of the menu commands, see Menus and Toolbars.
Shortcuts for many menu commands used for drawing the single-line diagram are provided by the
buttons in the toolbars.

Toolbars
The Toolbars are displayed at the top of the drawing area below the Menu Bar when ProDesign is
first opened. They can be dragged into the drawing area and used as floating toolbars. Also, they
can be dragged to the sides or the bottom of the drawing area where they can be docked. To drag a
Toolbar from its starting location at the top of the drawing, click and drag on the bar symbol at the
left of the Toolbar .
See also: Menus and Toolbars.
There are seven toolbars, four of which are particularly useful when drawing a project; these are:

Construct
Contains the tools required to draw the actual network components such as Source, Cable etc.
In addition to providing a visual representation of the electrical network, the components drawn with
these buttons are 'intelligent', i.e., the software recognises them as part of the distribution network
when calculating. Double-clicking on any of these components gives access to a dialog box where
the user can input information relating to that element.

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View
Useful for changing the view and appearance of the drawing:

Standard
Use the cut, copy, paste and delete functions to make modifications to the drawing layout and
connections.

Annotate
Contains tools for objects such as text, lines etc., that can be used to enhance a completed project
drawing:

Status Bar
Placing the mouse pointer over any of the buttons on the toolbars (without clicking) causes a small
box (Tool Tip), containing a brief description of the button function, to be displayed. At the same time
a fuller description is displayed on the Status Bar.

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The Status Bar also displays useful messages during the Calculate routine.

Zoom
The scale used to display the drawing is controlled by the Zoom function. Use the menu item View |
Zoom to select the required zoom level. (select from 1:1, 1:2, 1:4, 1:8).
Alternatively, use the Zoom buttons in the Tool Box:

• Zoom In: increases the scale of the drawing view;

• Zoom Out: decreases the scale of the drawing view;
• Zoom In/Out: changes the zoom level. Left click to Zoom in, Right click to Zoom out.

Drawing Size
The size of the drawing area available on the screen is set in Drawing Size dialog (Menu:
Preferences | Drawing Size). The default size is A3. Standard drawing sizes from A4 to A0 can be
selected. Additionally, custom sizes can be selecting User Defined in the Size box and entering the
desired width and height dimensions in mm (or inches).

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Project Drawing Defaults
Before starting work on a new project, it is a good idea to set the following items as required.

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 6BThe Project Drawing • 81

Drawing The Network
The single-line drawing should be constructed radially starting from the Source (Source,
Transformer or Generator) or Sources, through the Main Switchboard (optional) then through
Distribution Boards and Consumer Units as required and finally to loads as required [A].
If you have selected Source At Top Of Drawing, you connections to all the components must follow
the following rules. Supply connections must be made to the top of the component. The load
connection must be made to the bottom of the component. Conversely, if you have selected Source
At Bottom Of Drawing, supply connections must be made to the bottom of the components while the
load connection must be made to the top.
Sources, Main Switchboard, Distribution Boards, Consumer Units, Loads etc. must be
interconnected with cables or busbars. The exception to this is that a single source can be
connected directly to the Main Switchboard without any intervening cable or busbar [B].

A B

9 9

Any component not connected to an active source of supply will be displayed as the “Not Active”
colour the default for which is grey. Also to assist in the drawing of a connected network when View |
Show Unconnected Ends is selected, components not successfully connected will be displayed with
a cross at the point of the connection failure; a red cross indicating an unconnected end at the
source end of the object, a blue cross at the load end.
NOTE: before a system can be calculated it must have a validly connected Source. A partial system,
e.g. a Distribution Board or Load in isolation will be highlighted as problem when a calculation is
attempted.

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Connections

Cables
When drawing cables, take care to observe the following:

• Work away from the source; Source to Main Board, Main Board to Distribution Board etc.
[A].
• Do not draw cables into the centre of Distribution Boards, Loads etc [B, C].
• The vertical sides of Boards and Loads should not be used to make connections [D].
• Ensure that both ends of an interconnecting cable actually touch the relevant symbols at the
start and end of the cable [E].

A B C
9 9 X

D E
X
X

Busbars
When connecting busbars, cable connections to Tap Offs can be made to any unused side [A].
Similarly, busbar connections to End Feed, Centre Feed and Tap Offs can be made to any unused
side [B]. Busbars can also be used to connect sources to Switchboards [C] or directly from the
switchboard to the distribution board [D]. A distribution board can also be directly connected to a
Tap Off [E]. A busbar cannot be used to feed from a distribution board to a distribution board [F].

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 6BThe Project Drawing • 83

 A B C

9 9 9 D 9

X F
E X

Interconnections are simplified by the fact that all single-line drawing components snap to the grid,
regardless of whether or not Snap To Grid is selected.

Drawing Sources of Supply

To place a source on the drawing, click on the Source, Transformer or Generator button on the

Design toolbar .
then click at the point on the drawing where you wish the source to be located. When you have
finished placing sources either select another object from the toolbars or simply right click the mouse
to return to the edit mode.
The source or sources of supply for a project can be defined as follows:
A single source using a Transformer, Generator or Source symbol as appropriate; the Source
symbol being used to represent a set of source conditions at existing terminals:

Multiple sources (up to a total of five), connected to the Switchboards. Only one source can be
active at any one time. The text reference for the active source is shown in bold on the drawing:

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AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 6BThe Project Drawing • 85
Drawing Switchboards
To place a Switchboard on the drawing, click on the Switchboard button [A] on the Construct
toolbar, then click at the point on the drawing where you wish the Switchboard to be located. On
completion, either select another object from the toolbars or simply right click the mouse to return to
the edit mode.
The Switchboard is initially defined with a single section. The Switchboard can be supplied by one
source, either with [B] or without [C] an interconnecting cable. The Switchboard can also be
supplied by multiple sources [D], up to a maximum of five Sources. It can also be configured to have
up to four sections connected by interconnecting switches [E] (Double-click on the Switchboard
symbol, click on the Sections tab and select the number of sections required). The interconnector
can be defined as open or closed (Double-click on the switch symbol on the drawing to change its
state from Closed to Open and vice-versa). The interconnector can be re-positioned on the
Switchboard by dragging it.

Each connection to or from a switchboard is shown as a switch. The switch represents the
protective device in the board. By opening and closing the various switches sections of the network
can be include or excluded from the calculations.

86 • 6BThe Project Drawing AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC)

Drawing Cables
To draw a cable between two network components:

• Click on the Cable button on the Construct Toolbar.

• Place the intersection of the mouse pointer cross on the load end of the first component
symbol and click the left mouse button.
• Move the mouse pointer to the Source end of the second component and click the left
mouse button again.

Drawing bends. To draw a bend, click to start the cable, move the mouse pointer to the location of
the bend and left click the mouse. Move to the position of the next bend or the end of the cable and
left click again.
To draw a cable from a network component to a blank area on the drawing, follow the procedure
above and then use a right mouse click to finish.
Cables can be drawn repeatedly without the need to re-select Cables from the Construct Toolbar.
When you have finished drawing cables either select another object from the Toolbars or simply
right click the mouse to return to the edit mode.
Cables can be drawn in two styles:

• Orthogonal [B] (vertical or horizontal runs only) – click on the Orthogonal Cable button [A] in
the Tool Box to select Orthogonal.
• Non-orthogonal [C] (runs can be drawn at any angle) – click on the Orthogonal Cable button
[A] in the View Toolbar to de-select Orthogonal.

Drawing Busbars
To draw a horizontal end-fed busbar system fed from the bottom:

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 6BThe Project Drawing • 87

 • Click the End Feed button on the Construct toolbar , click on the drawing to place the
End Feed.

• Click the Tap-off button on the Construct toolbar ; click on the drawing to place a Tap
Off and repeat for the number of Tap Offs required.

• To draw the busbar, click the Busbar button on the Construct toolbar ;
• click the intersection of the mouse pointer on the right side of the End Feed, move the
pointer to the left side of the first Tap-off and click again; repeat between the Tap Offs. The
busbar should now be complete.

A busbar system in ProDesign normally comprises:

• A single End Feed or Centre Feed to which a supply cable is connected.

• A Tap Off at each point where a load is connected to the busbar system. A cable is used to
connect the load to the Tap Off.
• Separate lengths of busbar interconnecting the End Feed/Centre Feed and Tap Offs.
• In addition to the standard busbar configuration described above, the following busbar
interconnections are also permitted:
• A Source of Supply can be connected to a Switchboard using a Busbar without the use of
Cable, End Feed or Tap-off:
• When using this configuration, no low voltage protective device is included for the Busbar. A
message in the Busbar report highlights this fact. It is essential that a separate check is
carried out to ensure that the protection at the transformer primary adequately protects the
Busbar.
• A Distribution Board can also be connected to a Switchboard using a Busbar without the use
of Cable, End Feed or Tap-off:

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Drawing Distribution Boards
To place a Distribution Board on the drawing, click the Distribution Board button on the Construct

toolbar ,
then click at the point on the drawing where you wish the Distribution Board to be located. When you
have finished placing Distribution Boards either select another object from the toolbars or simply
right click the mouse to return to the edit mode.
The width of a Distribution Board can be adjusted as follows:
Click on the board, it will be highlighted to indicate that it is selected, and a handle will be visible on

each side:

Drag on either handle to re-size the board:

Release the mouse button and then click in an empty area of the drawing to finish:

Drawing Consumer Units

To place a Consumer Unit on the drawing, click the Consumer Unit button on the Construct toolbar

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 6BThe Project Drawing • 89

then click at the point on the drawing where you wish the Consumer Unit to be located. When you
have finished placing Consumer Units, either select another object from the toolbars or simply right-
click to return to the edit mode.
The width of Consumer Unit can be adjusted as follows:

• Click on the Consumer Unit, it will be highlighted (to indicate that is selected) and a handle

will be visible on each side:

• Drag on either handle to re-size the Consumer Unit:

• Release the mouse button and then click in an empty area of the drawing to finish:

.
When the Consumer Unit is set to be a split load type, it will be shown thus:

• The width of each section can be adjusted separately, the right-hand handle controlling the

width of the right-hand section and the left-hand handle for the left-hand

section .

Drawing Loads and Motor Loads

To place a Load or Motor Load on the drawing:

• click on the Load button

• or Motor Load button

on the Construct toolbar, then click at the point on the drawing where you wish the Load or Motor
Load to be located. When you have finished placing Loads or Motor Loads either select another
object from the toolbars or simply right click the mouse to return to the edit mode.

Drawing Street Lighting

To place Lighting Columns on the drawing click on the Lighting Column button on the
Construct toolbar, then click at the point on the drawing where you wish the column to be located.

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Lighting columns are constituent parts of a street lighting circuit. A lighting column represents the
cabling in the column and the luminaire at the top.
A street lighting circuit must be connected to a distribution board and is made up of lighting columns
connected in series by interconnecting cables [A]. Street lighting circuits cannot be connected in a
ring; radial circuits only are allowed. Spurs can be connected to the main street lighting circuit [B].
Cables drawn between lighting columns must be connected into the top or bottom faces of the
symbol; do not connect cables into the side faces of the symbol.

Drawing Power Factor Correction Units

To place Power Factor Corrections Units on the drawing click on the Power Factor Correction button

on the Construct toolbar, then click at the point on the drawing where you wish the column to
be located.
Only one Power Factor Correction unit can be placed on a switchboard or distribution board. They
must also be connected via either a cable [A] or a busbar [B].

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 6BThe Project Drawing • 91

 A B
9 9

Drawing Junction Boxes

To place Junction Boxes on the drawing click on the Junction Box button on the Construct
toolbar, then click at the point on the drawing where you wish the column to be located.
A junction box is used to connect two cables of either different size or type without the need for an
intervening protection device. To do this, with the drawing set to source at the top, the supplying
cable for the junction box must be connected to the top while the load side must be connected to the
bottom of the junction box.

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Annotation

Automatic annotation
By default all the network objects described above are automatically annotated with a text
description as they are added to the diagram.
The following items can be annotated automatically (the default Id. No. text reference for each object
is shown in brackets):

• Sources (Source 1, Source 2, etc.; Transformer 1, etc.; Generator 1, etc.);

• Switchboard (Sb-1);
• Distribution Boards (DB1, DB2, etc.);
• Consumer Units (CU1, CU2, etc.);
• Cable numbers are allocated according to the cable type
• Submain Cables (Cbl-SM 1, Cbl-SM 2, etc.);
• Final Circuit Cables (Cbl-FC 1, Cbl-FC 2 etc);
• Lighting Column Circuits ( LS1, LS2 etc);
• Busbars and Busbars Components (Bb1, Bb2, etc.; EF1, EF2, etc.; CF1, CF2, etc.; TO1,
TO2, etc.);
• Loads (Load 1, Load2, etc.);
AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 6BThe Project Drawing • 93
 • Motor Loads (Motor 1, Motor 2, etc.);
• Lighting Columns (LC-1, LC-2 etc);
• Power Factor Correction (PFC 1, PFC 2 etc);
• Junction Boxes (JB 1, JB 2 etc);

Editing text references

Automatic annotation ensures that the text label on the drawing and the reference in the calculation
reports for each object, are always the same. For example, a cable labelled ‘Cable 16’ on the
drawing, will also be referred to as ‘Cable 16’ in the reports.
Each individual text reference can be edited in one of two locations:

• Double-click on the text and the Text dialog will be displayed:

• The text will already be highlighted, so typing in a new reference will replace the original
one. Click OK to finish. The new text is now displayed on the drawing and any references in
reports are updated to match.
• Double-click on the network object and its dialog will be displayed (e.g., Cable) and the
reference can be edited. Also, unchecking the Display box hides the reference on the
drawing:

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Changing the default Text References
The default text references can be changed using the Component Template feature. For example, if
a new Template for Cables is created and ‘Set as default’, the reference defined in that user setting
will be used each time a new Cable is drawn with a sequence number tagged onto the end. For
more details, see Setting Defaults | Component Templates.

Hiding Text Annotation

The text for an individual network object can be hidden by double-clicking on that object to display its
dialog and unchecking the Display box (see Editing Text References above).
The text annotation for all network objects of a particular kind can be hidden using the settings in the
Annotation Display Settings dialog (Menu: Preferences | Annotation). It is also possible to show are
hide the Name text reference by selecting the required setting in the dialog. The orientation of the
text can also be modified by the appropriate selection.

Moving and Aligning Text

The text annotation is attached to the object it is associated with so that as the object is moved,
copied or pasted, the text remains in the same position relative to that object.
The relative position of the text to its associated object can changed by dragging the text to a new
position (To move to positions in between grid positions, uncheck Preferences | Snap to Grid).
The text can be aligned vertically or horizontally by checking or unchecking the Vertical box in the
Text dialog .

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As an example, using these manipulations the annotation for a cable can be moved and re-oriented
as shown below:

Free-form text annotation

Text can be placed at any location on the drawing. Click on the Annotate button or the

TextBox button in the Annotate toolbar, move the text insertion cursor to the required position
on the drawing and click. The Text dialog will be displayed, type in the required text, click on OK and
the text will be placed on the drawing. Free-form text can be moved, aligned and edited in the same
way as the auto-annotation text described above.

Font Selection
The default text size and font for annotation is set in the Font dialog:

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displayed by clicking on the Font button on the Annotate Toolbar .
Changes to the font style are effective for text added to the drawing only after the changes have
been made. Annotation created before any change in the font style is unaffected by that change.

Symbol Library
The Symbol Library contains electrical symbols that can be used to annotate the network drawing.

The library is accessed by clicking on the Symbol Library button on the Annotation toolbar
and browsing through the menu system as shown below:

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NOTE: unlike ‘intelligent’ symbols, such as Cables, Boards etc., these symbols should not be used
to create any part of the distribution network. They should be placed on top of, or alongside, an
existing completed network.

Default Symbols
Select Preferences | Default Symbol representation from the menu to display the Default Symbols
dialog.

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The selected symbols will be used for objects drawn after the default selection has been made;
symbols for objects drawn before the change of settings will be unaffected. Therefore, if you wish to
use the same symbol throughout the project, it is advisable to select the desired symbol before
starting the drawing.

Editing The Drawing

Selecting Drawing Objects

Any object on the drawing can be selected by just clicking on it. Selected objects are highlighted in
green. Multiple selections can be made in two ways; with keyboard commands or with the group
selection tool.

• Using the keyboard: hold down the Shift key or the Ctrl key while clicking on the objects to
be selected. To de-select a single object in a group of selected objects; with the Ctrl key or
the Shift key pressed, click on the object.
• Using the group selection tool: Click and drag from an empty part of the drawing to stretch a
rectangle (highlighted in green) that covers all the objects that need to be selected; all items
within the rectangle will be selected.

TIP:
When using the group selection tool, if an item is inadvertently selected it can be de-selected by
holding down the Shift key while clicking on the item.

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Also, items can be added to the group by holding down the Shift key while clicking on the additional
items.

Cut
To cut one or a number of drawing objects, select them as described above, then click the Cut

button on the Standard toolbar; the object will be removed from the drawing and saved to the
ProDesign clipboard.
The Cut command can also be performed by using Ctrl+X on the keyboard, selecting Cut from the
Edit menu or right clicking and selecting Cut from the floating menu:

Copy Function
To copy one or a number of drawing objects, select them as described above, then click the Copy

button on the Standard toolbar; the object will be saved to the ProDesign clipboard.
If the object copied is a network component such as a cable, the drawing object and its associated
data (cable type, installation method, etc.,) will be copied.
The Copy command can also be performed by using Ctrl+C on the keyboard, selecting Copy from
the Edit menu or right clicking and selecting Copy from the floating menu.

Paste
The paste command places on the drawing a copy of the object or objects last copied to the
ProDesign clipboard by a Cut or Paste command.

To paste, click on the Paste button on the Standard toolbar.

The Paste command can also be performed by using Ctrl+V on the keyboard, selecting Paste from
the Edit menu or right clicking and selecting Paste from the floating menu.

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The pasted object or objects are placed on the drawing, offset from the position of the original
object, by one grid space across and one down.

Delete
The Delete command removes the selected object or objects from the drawing.

To delete, click on the Delete button on the Standard toolbar.

The Delete command can also be performed by using the Delete key or by selecting Delete from the
Edit menu.

Undo
Undo cancels previous actions, either on the drawing or within dialogs.

To Undo, click on the Undo button on the Standard toolbar. The Undo command can be
performed by using Ctrl-Z on the keyboard or by selecting Undo from the Edit menu.

Redo
Redo cancels the last Undo command.

To Redo, click on the Redo button on the Standard toolbar. The Redo command can be
performed by using Ctrl-Y on the keyboard or by selecting Redo from the Edit menu.

Move
There are two mechanisms available to the user for the relocation of items in the drawing. These are
selected in the Drawing Sub menu of the Preferences list and is entitled “Persistence of Connection”
Persistence Unticked.

Here items become disassociated from there position in the network.

This Move feature lets the user select a part of the drawing and reposition it at a new location on the
drawing. Either a single item such as a piece of text, or a complete group of items like a Distribution
Board and all its Final Circuits and Loads can be moved around the drawing.
To move a single object, click (the object is highlighted and the pointer changes to an arrowed
cross-hair) and drag (the object is displayed as an outline) to move it to a new position. Move the
pointer to an empty space on the drawing and left click to confirm the move:

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 6BThe Project Drawing • 101
A right mouse click will cancel the move.
To move more than one object, use one of the techniques described in Selecting Drawing Objects
above to select the objects. Click and drag one of the grouped objects to move all the objects
together to a new position on the drawing. Move the pointer to an empty space on the drawing and
left click to confirm the move. A right mouse click will cancel the move.

Persistence Ticked.

Here items retain there association with the items they connect to in the network when they are
moved to a position in it.
This Move feature lets the user select a part of the drawing and reposition it at a new location in it,
but it retains it’s connection to the items upstream and downstream. This saves the need to delete
and redraw cables wherever a network layout needs to be modified.
The move mechanism works in the same manner as detailed above. However here any cables
connected to the item are stretched as needed to maintain the connection. If a dog leg is required to
maintain the cable connection then this will be placed at the mid point of the cable. The system
takes account of the orthogonal setting when extending the cable.

102 • 6BThe Project Drawing AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC)
 Once the item is in the new position it is possible to adjust the cable dog leg position. To do this click
on the cable. A number of handles appear. Move the mouse over to one to be moved left click and
hold the mouse button down now drag the handle to its new position. Release the mouse button,
move the cursor away

A right mouse click will cancel the move.

To move more than one object, use one of the techniques described in Selecting Drawing Objects
above to select the objects. Click and drag one of the grouped objects to move all the objects
together to a new position on the drawing. Move the pointer to an empty space on the drawing and
left click to confirm the move. A right mouse click will cancel the move.

Logo
The logo image is contained in the file logo.bmp, stored in the ProDesign 2005 folder. The same
image is displayed on the drawing and in the header area of reports.
The displayed image can be changed in one of two ways, in the Logo Editor or by replacing the
supplied image file with another.

Editing the Logo on the Drawing

The section below describes how to change the logo image displayed on the drawing, this section
describes how to move, hide and re-size the logo.

Moving the Logo

When opening a new project the logo is displayed at the left of the drawing, at the top or bottom
according to whether Preferences | Source at TOP of Drawing or Preferences | Source at BOTTOM
of Drawing is selected.

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To move the logo to a new location, click within the perimeter of the logo and drag the outline to the
required location, click on an empty part of the drawing to complete the move:

Re-sizing the Logo

To re-size the logo, click on it to select it, drag the handles to re-size, click on an empty part of the
drawing to complete the move:

Hiding the Logo

Click View | Show Logo from the menu to hide or display the logo on the drawing.

Logo Editor
Logo Editor is available from the Reports menu. It can be used to edit the image used to display the
Company Logo that appears on the drawing and on reports.
Logo Editor uses the standard Paint program supplied with Windows. Select Reports | Logo Editor to
launch Paint with the default logo image displayed.

The drawing/editing features in Paint can be used to create a suitable image. When the file logo.bmp
is saved (do not change the filename or location), the new image will appear on the drawing and
reports.

104 • 6BThe Project Drawing AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC)
Replacing the Logo Image File
If a suitable company logo already exists as an image file, it can be used to replace the default
image, providing the following conditions are observed:

• The file used must be named logo.bmp and must be located in the ProDesign 2004 folder.
If the current logo exists in a different format, e.g., JPEG, it must be converted to BMP
format using an image editor.
• The image dimensions should be: 500 x 128 pixels. If the image dimensions are greater
than these, the displayed image will be distorted.

Colour Configuration
The colours used for the different parts of the drawing, including phase markings, are set in the

Colour Configuration dialog displayed by clicking Preferences | Colour Configuration . The

Colour Settings box shows the current colours and markings.

Changing a Colour Setting

To change the set colour for a particular item, proceed as described below using the Background
colour as an example:
A. Click the item in the Colour Settings list;

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 6BThe Project Drawing • 105
B. Click in the Colour sample box at the lower right-hand corner of the dialog;
C. The Colour dialog will be displayed. Select a basic colour or create a custom colour and click OK;
D. The new colour will now be shown in the Colour sample box;
E. The new colour will be shown in the Colour Settings list alongside the selected item.

Changing Phase Markings

Phases are identified by text markings, e.g., R, Y, B or L1, L2, L3. These phase markings are used
in Cable, Busbar Consumer Unit and Distribution Board dialogs and reports to identify phases.
To change a phase marking setting, select a phase (or three phase) in the Colour Settings list; the
Marking box will be displayed showing the current descriptive text.

Type in a new description and click the Apply button.

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Saving a Colour Configuration Template
Complete sets of colour and marking settings can be saved as templates for re-use. To define a
template:
A. Type a template name into the Save into box below the Colour Settings list;
B. Click the Save into button, the settings are saved and the name of the template is added to the
User Preferences list;
C. To apply the template settings as the default settings, click the Set As Default button and the
template name will be shown in the Default Configuration File box. A template can be deleted by
clicking on the name of the template in the User Preferences list and clicking the Delete button.

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 6BThe Project Drawing • 107
Find Function
The Find function can be used to find any network object (e.g., cables, boards etc.) on the project
drawing. On completion of a search the selected item is set flashing and the drawing is scrolled to
place the item in the centre of the view.

To find an object, click Edit | Find… to display the Find Item dialog:

Scroll through the items listed, click on the name of the item being searched for, click the Find
button.
When the Find operation has been completed, click the Cancel button to close the Find Item dialog.
The items listed can be defined by choosing one of the entries in the Item Type list box. For
example, when Busbars is selected, busbars only are listed:

Text Match
Items can be found from the list by typing text into the Text Match box: check Text Match and type a
search string into the Text Match box, then click Find. The items that appear in the list will be those
whose Id No. or Name text reference matches the search string depending on the which tick boxes
are selected. If Search Id No. is ticked then the search is performed in the Id No column, if the
Search Name is ticked then the search is performed in the Name column. With both ticked the
search is performed in both the columns. For example, typing in the search string ‘10’ will give a list
of only those references containing ‘10’, including, for example: ‘Sub-main 10’, ‘Cbl-1053’, etc.

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Zoom View
The scale selected in the Zoom View button sets the scale for the drawing view when the Find
button is clicked.

Viewing Object Properties

When the mouse is hovered over any component of the network drawing (cable, load etc.) for more
than one second a box is displayed showing the principle properties for that component. Moving the
mouse pointer away hides the box.

Printing the Drawing

The scale of the printed drawing is automatically adjusted to ensure that the selected Drawing Size
(Menu: Preferences | Drawing Size) fits on the size of paper handled by the target printer.
For example, if the size of the drawing in the project window is A2 and the printer paper is sized A4,
the drawing will be scaled 1:2 to fit onto the A4 paper.

To print the drawing, click the Print button on the Standard Toolbar or select Print from the
File menu , the Print dialog will be displayed:

It is advisable to make a test with the drawing size and the printer you intend to use to ensure the
result will be legible before creating an extensive project drawing.

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 6BThe Project Drawing • 109
Project Settings
ProDesign provides a range of features for applying various types of settings across an entire
project and also to use them again and again for new projects.
These features are described in this section and include:

Project Templates
Allows existing projects to be re-used for new designs;

Lock Project
Protects projects against inadvertent or unauthorized changes;

Fix Design
For finalised designs: converts all Auto project settings to calculated values;

Reload at Startup
Each time ProDesign is started the last project worked on is automatically loaded;

Global Defaults
Allows the creation of setting templates for cables, loads, etc., that can be used in the current project
and in future projects;

Overload Settings
Sets the default overload setting method to Auto or Maximum;

Diversity Settings
Sets the diversity rules for the current project;

Minimum Cable Sizes

Sets the smallest cable sections to be used for the current project.

Project Revision
Allows you to record any changes made to each ProDesign project.

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 7BProject Settings • 111

Earth Fault Device Propagation
Models the affect of upstream earth fault protective devices when calculating downstream circuits.

Project Templates
Previously created projects can be re-used as templates for new projects. Click on New in the File
menu.
The Select Template Project dialog will be displayed:

Navigate to the folder where the project required to be used as a template is stored, click on the
project filename, click Open. The project will be opened with a blank filename. The project can now
be edited and saved as a new project without changing the original project in any way.

Lock Project
This feature allows the user to protect a project against unauthorized or accidental changes. The
project lock can be applied with or without a password.
Click on Lock Project in the Preferences menu.
The Lock Project dialog will be displayed:

112 • 7BProject Settings AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC)

Check the Lock Project box. If the project is to be locked without a password, click OK and the
project status will now be changed to ‘Read-Only’, see the window title bar:

If password protection is required, in the Lock Project dialog, check the Lock Project box, type a
password in the Password and Confirm Password boxes:

and click OK to protect the project.

To unlock a locked project, click Unlock Project in the Preferences menu.
If the project is password protected, type the password in the Unlock Project dialog, click OK.

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 7BProject Settings • 113

Fix Design
The Fix Design function is intended, for a finalised design, to convert all Auto settings to the actual
calculated values. The ProDesign project will then represent the ‘As fitted’ installation. The
advantage of fixing the project is that any subsequent changes to the design in ProDesign would
not cause the re-calculation of the unchanged parts which could occur if settings are left in Auto.

Fixing a project design

To fix a design:

• click Calculate | Fix Design.

• A message will be displayed:

• Click Yes and the project will be calculated and all items set to Auto will be set at their
calculated sizes or ratings.

For example, where a project contains a cable set to Auto and then calculated to be 50 mm2, when
the project design is fixed, the setting in the dialog for that cable will be changed from Auto to
50 mm2.
Subsequently, if the project is modified so that the loading on that 50 mm2 cable is increased beyond
its capacity, when the project is calculated an error message will be posted for that cable, rather
than its size being increased automatically.

Unfixing a project design

Fixed projects can be unfixed. Unfixing a project restores all the Auto settings that were in effect
before the project was fixed.
To unfix a project:

• Click on Calculate | Unfix Design .

• A message will be displayed:

114 • 7BProject Settings AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC)

 • Click Yes and all the original Auto settings that existed before the project was fixed will be
restored.

Reload Last Project at Start-up

When Reload Last Project at Start-up is selected, each time ProDesign is started, the last project to
be worked on will automatically be loaded as the active project. Where a design is in progress and
needs to be worked on over a number sessions, this avoids having to open the project each time.
This feature can be activated by clicking on Preferences | Reload Last Project at Start-up.
The menu item is ticked when the feature is in operation.

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 7BProject Settings • 115

Component Templates
It is useful to be able to define templates for commonly entered data for network objects such as
cables, loads, etc. These templates can then be applied repeatedly, avoiding the need to go through
many dialogs making all the required settings over and over.
The Component Templates feature allows these to be created for any number of sets of data for any
network object. These templates can then be applied, either as defaults, or on a one-off basis for
individual objects.
To describe the process of defining Component Templates, and how the settings are applied, the
following example explains the procedure to create a Cable template. The same method applies
equally to all the other network objects. Component Templates can be applied to:

• Sources of Supply: Source, Transformer, Generator;

• Distribution Boards: Distribution Board, Sub-Circuit (final circuit supplied from a Distribution
Board);
• Consumer Units: Consumer Unit and final circuits supplied from a Consumer Unit.
• Main Switchboard;
• Lighting Columns;
• Busbar Components: Tap-off;
• Circuits: Busbar, Cable;
• Loads: Load, Motor.

Defining the Component Template for a Cable

To define a cable template that can be used repeatedly when, for example, adding sub-main cables
to a project:

• Select Component Template from the Calculate toolbar

• or from the Preferences menu, Calculation sub list.
• The Component Template dialog will be displayed.

116 • 7BProject Settings AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC)

 • Click on the Cable button in the Circuits area, the User Setting – Cable dialog will be
displayed, type Sub-mains in the Template Name box and click Add/Edit:

• The Cable dialog will be displayed. Settings can now be made to make the cable type and
configuration suitable for use as a sub-main cable. For example, if all sub-mains for a
project are to be cabled in armoured XLPE multi-core cable select the cable type as ‘Multi
Core XLPE.SWA.PVC Table 4E4’.
• When all the required settings have been made, click OK. The Cable dialog will be closed
and the name of the settings ‘Sub-mains’ will be added to the User Files list in the User
Setting – Cable dialog.

Applying Component Templates

Once a Component Template has been defined, they can be applied, as follows (using the cable
example from above):

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 7BProject Settings • 117

 • Double-click on the cable in the network to which the settings need to be applied.
• In the Cable dialog, click the User Type button to display the Component Template
– Cable dialog;

• Click on the name of the settings required in the User Files list .

• Click on the Load User File button .

• The previously saved settings will now be applied to the cable.

Setting Component Templates as a Default

Once a Component Template has been defined, it can be used as the default setting, as follows
(using the cable example from above):

• Display the Component Template – Cable dialog:

• Either, click the Component Template button on the Calculate toolbar and then click the
Cable button.
• Or, click the User Type button in the Cable dialog.
• Click on the name of the settings to be used as a default in the Templates

list.

• Click on the Set as Default button . The settings will now be used as the default
settings and will be automatically applied to new cables as they are added to the current
project and future projects.

To Change the default template 'on the fly'.

To change the default template during the drawing of the schematic. Select the component to be
draw i.e. a cable. The Templates list will become available

Select the template required then proceed to draw the cable. This new cable will have the details
defined by the selected template. Once selected this default will be the template used for all cables
until another template is selected from the list.

118 • 7BProject Settings AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC)

Overload Settings
For an adjustable protective device, it is possible to use one of three methods to set the overload:

• Set at Maximum: the selected overload setting is the maximum setting available.
• Set to Auto: when the project is calculated, the overload is adjusted to the lowest setting
equal to or greater than the design current.
• Fixed: a setting is selected by the user.
When a project is first created, the overload setting method will be Maximum, i.e., each new
adjustable protective device added to the project will have its overload initially set to maximum.
Individual devices can have their setting method changed to Auto or Fixed as required.
If the overload setting method is changed to Auto when the project is first created, the overloads of
all protective devices subsequently created will initially be set to Auto.
If the overload setting method is changed during or after the construction of a project, the new
setting will be applied to all existing devices and any devices added subsequently.
To change the overload setting method, from the Preferences menu, select Protective Devices /
Overload Adjustment…

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 7BProject Settings • 119

To set the overload setting method to Set to Auto, select Set to Auto and click Apply in the Overload
Adjustment dialog; a message box will be displayed advising that all adjustable device overloads will
be set to Auto. Click OK in the message box to return to the Overload Adjustment dialog. Click
Close.
A similar procedure can be used at any time to change the setting method to Set to Maximum.

120 • 7BProject Settings AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC)

Discrimination Settings
For many distribution systems checking discrimination will be an essential part of the design
process. The scope of discrimination checks, and when and how they are carried out can be set in
the Discrimination Settings dialog. The settings made apply to the current project. Each time a new
project is created new settings need to be made to suit that project. Further information on
discrimination checks may be found under Discrimination in the Calculations section.

Discrimination Settings Dialog

To display the Discrimination Settings dialog, select the menu item Preferences | Calculations |
Discrimination Check:

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 7BProject Settings • 121

The dialog has three sections, the first where the checks to be carried out are selected, the second
to set whether the discrimination check is to start automatically after the network calculation, the
third where the parts of the characteristics to be compared during the checks are defined.
Additionally, at the foot of the dialog there are Help, Cancel and Apply buttons. Clicking Apply closes
the dialog and applies the current settings.

Discrimination Check Selection

The Discrimination Check Selection section contains the following settings:

• Two check boxes ‘Energy-based check’ and ‘Time-current check’ allow the selection of
either or both of the discrimination checks.
• When ‘Time-current check’ is selected, either or both of the phase fault and earth fault
discrimination checks can be set.

Discrimination Check Startup

The Discrimination Check Startup section contains the setting that determines when discrimination
checks are to be carried out.

Either of the two following conditions can be set:

• ‘Start on request from menu or toolbar button’: the discrimination check will be performed
when the Discrimination Check is selected from the Calculate toolbar or Calculate menu.
• ‘Start automatically at end of network calculation’: each time a network calculation is
completed the discrimination check will start automatically.

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Time-current Discrimination Settings
The Time-current Discrimination Settings section contains the setting that determines how time-
current discrimination checks are to be carried out.

A table contains radio button settings for the Minimum, Nominal or Maximum portions of the
characteristics for both the Upstream and Downstream protective devices. The image alongside the
table depicts the characteristics with the selected portion of each characteristic drawn with a solid
line.
Below the table the Minimum Time Margin in milliseconds can be set. This defines the acceptable
time clearance between characteristics when discrimination checks are made. A zero setting means
that characteristics with no overlap would be acceptable. A setting of, say, 100 would mean that at
no point should the compared characteristics be any closer than 100 ms; if the characteristics are
less than 100 ms apart, an error message is generated.

Diversity Settings
It is generally not desirable to size each conductor in a distribution system to support the total
connected load at that point in the network. Diversity is applied on the basis of the anticipated
loadings that are likely to result from all loads not being connected at the same time.
Diversity can be set and calculated in ProDesign for load currents in a number of ways:

• Set manually at a distribution board or consumer unit, the setting being applied to all final
circuits connected to that board;
• User Defined at a distribution board or consumer unit; diversities automatically calculated
and applied to each individual load connected to the board according to settings made by
the user in Preferences | Diversity Settings;
• Table H2 at a distribution board or consumer unit; diversities automatically calculated and
applied to each individual load connected to the board according to settings defined in IEE

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 7BProject Settings • 123

 Guidance Note 1, Appendix H. These settings can be viewed in Preferences | Diversity
Settings;
• Set manually at individual load dialogs.
• Also, at any individual distribution board or consumer unit a fixed amount of load can be
defined which is not subject to any diversity calculation.

The ways these various settings can be used are described below.

Project preferences
Diversity settings for the project are made in the Diversity Settings dialog accessed from
Preferences | Diversity Settings. The settings are divided into two areas: Premises Type and
Diversity Settings.

Premises Type
The first three premises types are those defined in IEE Guidance Note 1, Appendix H. The Guidance
Note contains a table, Table H2, that lists categories of load types with diversity settings for each of
the load types which vary depending on the type of premises in which they are being applied.
When one of these three premises is selected, the settings in Table H2 can be selected to be
applied automatically at any of the distribution boards (DBs) or consumer units (CUs) in the project;
alternatively User Defined settings can be applied.
(Manual diversity settings can also be made. These are described in the Distribution Board Settings
below.)

124 • 7BProject Settings AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC)

When the fourth type, ‘General premises’ is selected, Table H2 settings will not be available at DBs.
The name of ‘General premises’ is editable; when selected a box appears in which a new name can
be typed, which is the name used in reports:

Diversity Settings
The diversity settings shown are for the premises type currently selected.
The box labelled ‘Purpose:’ contains a list of load types that have the purposes described. When
one of these items is selected its diversity settings are shown below. The settings shown correspond
to the radio button setting made, Table H2 or User Defined.
For each load type, there are three settings. These are applied automatically when the relevant
diversity type is selected in a DB. Where a number of loads of the same type are connected to a
single DB, the first setting ‘Largest’ is applied to the load of that type with the highest load current;
the ‘2nd Largest’ setting is applied to the load of that type with the second highest load current and
the ‘Remaining’ setting is applied to all other loads of that type connected to the DB.
The diversity settings for User Defined can be edited; the Table H2 settings are displayed for
information only.
The complete list of settings for the premises type currently selected, and Table H2 or User Defined
as selected, can be viewed by clicking the View button. A copy can be printed if required.

Manual Diversity at a Distribution Board or Consumer Unit

The Manual setting is selected in the Diversity tab of the distribution board (DB) or consumer unit
(CU) and the diversity setting is made in the box below – the setting can be made within a range of 0
to 2 (therefore the setting can be used to allow for spare capacity, for example).

The setting is applied to the total design current of all the final circuits connected to the DB. For
example, if the total connected final circuit load is 88 A and the diversity setting is 0.85, the
diversified load current will be: 88 x 0.85 = 74.8 A.
NOTE: diversity is applied to final circuits only, not to sub-main circuits supplying other DBs.

User Defined Diversity at a Distribution Board or Consumer Unit

The User Defined setting is selected in the Diversity tab of the distribution board (DB) or consumer
unit (CU); the calculated diversity appears automatically in the box. See Calculations | Diversity for
details on how the DB diversities are calculated.

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 7BProject Settings • 125

The settings applied depend on the settings made in the Diversity Settings dialog accessed from
Preferences | Diversity Settings.

Table H2 Diversity at a Distribution Board or Consumer Unit

The Table H2 setting is selected in the Diversity tab of the distribution board (DB) or consumer unit
(CU); the diversity calculated from settings defined in IEE Guidance Note 1, Appendix H, Table H2
appear automatically in the box.

See Calculations | Diversity for details on how the DB diversities are calculated.

Define Load at a Distribution Board or Consumer Unit

Select Define Load in the Diversity tab of the distribution board (DB) or consumer unit (CU). This
setting overrides the load calculation for any final circuits connected to the DB. The data typed into
the dialog will be used to calculate the total final circuit load to that DB – no diversity will be applied.

NOTE: the setting should normally be used only where no load data is available for a DB. For
example, to allow a 100 A DB without defining any final circuits, select Define Load and type in
100 A for Load (A).

Diversity at a Final Circuit

Diversity can be set for individual final circuits in the Load Details dialog for circuits created on the
network drawing and in the Load/Motor tab of the Circuit dialog for circuits created in the DB circuit
diagram. A setting of 1 is normally applied. To change the setting, Select ‘Duty’ and type in a value
within the range 0 to 2.

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The setting made at the final circuit is multiplied by any setting applied at the DB to which the circuit
is connected. The total diversity is shown in the dialog.
NOTE: When the diversity method for the feeding DB is Table H2, the diversity setting at the final
circuit dialog will be fixed at 1.
When Standby is selected, diversity is set to 0.

The diversity setting for a circuit has no effect on the cable sizing for that circuit. For example, for a
circuit protected by a BS 88 fuse and where the load and diversity are set at 80 A and 0.8, the fuse
rating will be set at 80 A and the cable size will be selected for a rating of 80 A or greater. At the
feeding DB the diversified load current for the circuit will be calculated as 80 x 0.8 = 64 A. This
amount of current will be added to the total load calculated for that DB.

Minimum Cable sizes

Minimum cable sizes is used to set the minimum sizes of conductors that will be calculated in a
project, for cables set to Auto. The Minimum Cable Sizes dialog can be displayed by selecting
Preferences | Minimum Cable Sizes.

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 7BProject Settings • 127

The minimum sizes can be selected for the following categories:

• Sub-mains:
• Phase conductors;
• Separate CPC conductors.
• Final Circuits:
• Phase conductors;
• Separate CPC conductors.

For all of the above categories, settings can be made separately for copper and aluminium
conductors.
The minimum sizes can be set within the following limits:

• Copper conductors: 1 to 50 mm2;

• Aluminium conductors: 16 to 50 mm2.

Any setting made will determine the smallest size of conductor in the list of conductor sizes available
to cable calculations when a conductor is set to Auto.
When setting the minimum phase conductor size, the same setting is automatically applied to the
corresponding separate CPC conductor setting.
The settings do not affect the sizes of conductors available when manually setting the size of a
conductor. For example, for a particular circuit, if the designer wishes to use a size smaller than the
set minimum, that can be achieved by unchecking Auto and selecting the size required.

128 • 7BProject Settings AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC)

Project Revision
This feature allows you to record the changes made to each ProDesign project. The Project
Revision dialog is launched from the ProDesign Edit menu.

The top part of the Project Revision dialog contains general information about your ProDesign
project. The project path field will automatically be completed once the ProDesign project has been
saved.

Revision History
This central area displays a list of the revision history which has been recorded for the current
project.

Revision Details
This area is used to record project revisions. The Revision field should be used to record a revision
number. The large space to the right should be used to record details of the changes.

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 7BProject Settings • 129

To add a revision history entry
Complete the fields listed under ‘Revision Detail’ noting the following:

• The revision reference need to be a unique entry.

• The date of the revision can be entered using the calendar pop-up window. ProDesign will
check that the revision references and dates entered are in an appropriate order. A
message is displayed if a newly entered low revision reference is associated with a newer
than previously entered date.
• The Revised By drop down list will contain the names of previously defined ProDesign
users. A new name can be entered if necessary.
• The large empty area is used to describe the details of the revision.
Once you have completed the Revision Detail fields click ‘Add’ to add this information to the
database.

To update an existing revision entry

• Click on the row number of the entry that you wish to edit.
• The details of the selected revision will appear in the Revision Detail area towards to bottom
of the dialog. Amend these details as required.
• Click ‘Update’

To Delete a revision entry

• Click on the row number of the entry that you wish to delete.
• Click ‘Delete’

Earth Fault Protection Propagation

In some types of installation (e.g. an installation with a TT source) it is common to install an RCD at
the source of supply. If an earth fault occurs on one of the sub-mains in the system the upstream
RCD may be the device which causes automatic disconnection rather than the device which is
associated with the sub-main. The ProDesign ‘Earth Fault Device Propagation’ feature allows this
scenario to be modelled.
The Earth Fault Protection Propagation is enabled from the ProDesign ‘Calculate’ menu.

130 • 7BProject Settings AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC)

When this option is selected the following occurs during project calculation:

• The software searches upstream for any earth fault protective devices.
• If such a device is found upsteam then the earth fault disconnection time is calculated (using
the downstream circuits’ earth fault level). The maximum Zs of the earth fault device is also
obtained.
• The disconnection times obtained from the upstream earth fault protection and the local
device are compared. The quickest disconnection time and highest maximum Zs are used.
•
When the ‘Earth Fault Protection Propagation’ option is not selected each circuit will be considered
individually with respect to earth fault disconnection, i.e. the preseence of upstream earth fault
devices will not be taken into account when calculating downstream earth fault disconnection.

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 7BProject Settings • 131

Distribution System Settings

Sources of Supply
There are three types of Source of Supply available in ProDesign: Source of Supply, Transformer,

Generator. These are accessed by clicking one of three buttons on the Construct
toolbar.
It is important that accurate data is used to fill in the details required in the Source dialog. Incorrect
data at the source will affect the accuracy of the result obtained at all parts of the network.

Source of Supply

Represents an incoming supply, an existing board used as the supply to the network being
designed, or other condition where the supply is not derived directly from a transformer or generator.
Can be defined as a TN or TT source.

Transformer

Used to represent the supply where the network design commences from the LV terminals of a
transformer.

Generator

Used to represent the supply where the network design commences from the supply terminals of a
generator.

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 7BProject Settings • 133

Source of Supply Settings

The dialog contains the data inputs necessary to define the source conditions for the network
supply. Most of the data is contained in tabs that group related items together. The inputs are:

Main Dialog Area

Reference
The text reference for the Source used in reports. It is also displayed on the drawing if the Display
Reference box is checked.

Active Supply
The Active Supply box should be checked to indicate the Source to be used as the supply to the
project. Only one source can be active in a project at any one time. The text reference for the Active
Supply is displayed bold on the drawing. When the project is calculated, data from the dialog for the
Active Supply is used to define the source conditions.

Connection
To: gives the reference for the cable or busbar connected to the source.

134 • 7BProject Settings AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC)

User Type
Click the User Type button to select User Global Settings – see User Global Settings.

Voltage Tab

Phase Connection
The source phase connection can be set to three phase or three phase and neutral, or single phase
and neutral.
For a single phase supply, the phase of the supply can be selected.

Voltage
Defines the voltage present at the supply terminals. It is preferable to enter the actual levels present
at the terminals under normal load conditions, voltage sensitive calculations such as voltage drop
calculations can then be performed using accurate values. Enter a nominal value if no other
information is to hand, e.g., 400/230 V (the default value).
Entering one value and pressing the Tab key causes the other to be re-calculated [Vp = VL/√3].
ProDesign is designed to calculate standard grid connected systems. To allow calculations to be
made for networks with supply voltages greater than those normally applied to grid-connected
systems, the limits for the Voltage input in the Source of Supply dialog have been raised as follows:
Three phase Voltage maximum: 1150 V
Single phase Voltage maximum: 664 V

When calculating for systems with voltages higher than grid-connected values the following notes
should be considered:

Earth fault disconnection:

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 7BProject Settings • 135

The earth fault disconnection calculations are valid for all system voltages that can be entered in the
Source dialog except: For circuits feeding portable equipment, the default disconnection time of 0.4s
is not valid for phase voltages above 277V. The user can intervene and manually select a
disconnection time of 0.2s for phase voltages above 277V and less than 400 V. For phase voltages
above 400V the appropriate disconnection time is 0.1s and there is currently no provision for this in
ProDesign.

Earth fault protection (adiabatic) calculation

BS 7671 requires that a check should be made that the thermal capacity of the cpc is not exceeded
under earth fault conditions, ie. I²t < k²s², where k²s² is the thermal capacity of the cable and I²t is
the amount of energy it has to sustain.

• For disconnection under earth fault conditions where the disconnection time is less than
0.1s, I²t is the energy let through by the protective device in A²s. This is a value declared by
the manufacturer and is voltage dependent. The I²t energy let through values stored in the
ProDesign database are for 240/415V systems.
• Therefore, for phase voltages above 240V, ProDesign gives no assurance that overheating
of the cpc will not occur during earth faults (adiabatic test). Where disconnection is not
particularly rapid (eg. 2s), I²t is measured as the fault current squared times the
disconnection time; this is not voltage dependent and does not represent a problem.

Phase fault protection calculation

For phase voltages above 240 the same notes apply as for the Earth fault protection (adiabatic)
calculation above.

Overall Voltage Drop in Sub-mains

The voltage drop setting in the Source of Supply dialog is applied to sub-main cables in the network.
ProDesign checks that for each final circuit, the total voltage drop in sub-main circuits back to the
source, ignoring the voltage drop in the final circuit cable, does not exceed the setting.
When calculating the network, ProDesign will initially size sub-main cables for load conditions and
then check that voltage drops are not excessive. Where the voltage drop exceeds the setting,
ProDesign will re-size a sub-main cable or cables to resolve the problem.
The default setting for the voltage drop in sub-main cables is 1.5%. The default setting for final
circuit cables (see also Distribution Boards) is 2.5%. Therefore, the default settings will provide
designs complying with BS 7671, 525-01-02. The user can change the default settings to whatever
values meet the requirements for the project under consideration.

136 • 7BProject Settings AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC)

Fault Conditions Tab

Supply System Type

Sets the type of supply network, TT or TN. The selection determines the type of Source calculator
available and controls the rules applied to network calculations, i.e., when TT is selected the TT
Supply Earth Fault Level Calculator is available and the rules regarding earth fault calculations
relevant to TT systems are applied.
More:
TT Supply Settings (page 143)
More:
REC Supply Settings (page 147)

Advanced
When the box is checked, it allows the source fault conditions to be defined as resistive and reactive
components or to define the source fault power factor.
When the box is unchecked, the source fault conditions can be defined as Phase fault current, and
Earth fault current or external Earth impedance. This is normally adequate information to define the
source condition.

Phase Fault Current (Ip)

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 7BProject Settings • 137

The level of prospective phase fault current at the network supply source. It is necessary to enter an
accurate value if the design is to be suitable for the actual site conditions. The default value (16 kA)
is that generally declared to be the maximum for a REC single-phase supply into a building. The
actual value may be quite different.
For a three phase supply, the value to be entered is the three-phase rms symmetrical fault current.
For single-phase networks, enter the phase to neutral fault current.

Phase Ze
The total external phase fault impedance (the impedance of the path through which a short-circuit
fault would flow) at the network supply source.

PF
The power factor of the external phase fault impedance (the impedance of the path through which a
short-circuit fault would flow). The power factor is the ratio of the fault resistance to the fault
reactance (R/Z); this power factor is unrelated to the load power factor.
An exact value of fault power factor may often be very hard to determine. Generally, the nearer the
supply connection is to the LV transformer, the lower will be the power factor.

Re
The resistive component of the external phase fault impedance (the impedance of the path through
which a short-circuit fault would flow) at the network supply source.

Xe
The reactive component of the external phase fault impedance (the impedance of the path through
which a short-circuit fault would flow) at the network supply source.

Earth Fault Current (Ief)

The level of prospective earth fault current at the network supply source. It is necessary to enter an
accurate value if the design is to be suitable for the actual site conditions. The default value (16 kA)
is that generally declared to be the maximum for a REC single-phase supply into a building. The
actual value may be quite different.
The value to be entered is the phase to earth fault current (Vph/Ze).
The earth fault current is initially set to the same value as the phase fault current. If the phase fault
current is changed, the earth fault current will automatically change to the same value. Therefore,
where the earth fault current is different to the value entered for the phase fault current, the phase
fault current should be entered first and the earth fault current second.
The Earth Ze can be entered instead of the earth fault current, in which case the earth fault current
will automatically be re-calculated.

138 • 7BProject Settings AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC)

Earth Ze
The total external earth fault impedance (the impedance of the path through which an earth fault
would flow) at the network supply source.

PF
The power factor of the external earth fault impedance (the impedance of the path through which an
earth fault would flow). The power factor is the ratio of the fault resistance to the fault reactance
(R/Z); this power factor is unrelated to the load power factor.
An exact value of earth power factor may often be very hard to determine. Generally, the nearer the
supply connection is to the LV transformer, the lower will be the power factor.

Re
The resistive component of the external earth fault impedance (the impedance of the path through
which an earth fault would flow) at the network supply source.

Xe
The reactive component of the external earth fault impedance (the impedance of the path through
which an earth fault would flow) at the network supply source.

Protection Tab
The protection tab contains controls that allow the protection for the main cable connected to the
supply to be defined. The same settings can be made in the main cable dialog. For more details See
Cables.

Comments Tab
Contains a comments text box the contents of which can be printed with the related report.

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 7BProject Settings • 139

Transformer Settings

The contents of the Transformer dialog are similar to those described for the Source of Supply (see
above). Additionally, it contains the following features:

Voltage Tab

Primary Voltage

Defines the voltage at the terminals of the primary winding. This information is only used where the
main incoming LV circuit protection is located at the primary rather than the secondary side of the
transformer.

140 • 7BProject Settings AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC)

Fault Conditions Tab - Fault Level Calculator

Primary Fault Level

Sets the fault level declared for the network to which the transformer primary is connected. The
default value (250 MVA) is a typical value assumed for 11 kV supplies. The actual value could be
higher (up to 500 MVA), particularly in cities, and lower in rural locations remote from the HV grid
system. The primary fault level is used in the calculation that determines the fault level at the
transformer secondary terminals.

Rating
Defines the declared power rating of the transformer. It is used in the calculation to determine the
fault level at the transformer secondary terminals; also to determine the transformer LV load current
rating.

Impedance
Defines the transformer impedance as a percentage. It is used in the calculation to determine the
fault level at the transformer secondary terminals.
The percentage impedance of a transformer can be calculated using:
Z% = Rating (kVA) x Z x 105 / VL2

Apply
Clicking the Apply button updates the data in the Prospective Fault Conditions pane, using the
changed values that have been typed in.
When the Status notice below shows ‘Applied’, this means that the values shown in the Prospective
Fault Conditions pane have been calculated from those shown in the Fault Level Calculator. ‘Not
Applied’ means the Prospective Fault Conditions do not yet reflect the changes to the Calculator
data.

Protection Tab.

LV / HV
(Designer range only)

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 7BProject Settings • 141

The main cable connected between the transformer secondary terminals and the Main Switchboard
can be protected by an LV circuit protective device, as for other circuits in the LV network (select
LV), or by an HV device located at the transformer primary terminals (select HV).
The selection changes the selections listed in Manufacturer, Family, Type, Protection and Rating to
provide LV or HV devices as appropriate.

Transformer Load Rating

From the data typed into the Voltage and Fault Conditions Tabs, the transformer load rating for the
primary and secondary windings are calculated and displayed.
The primary value is used in the selection of a suitable HV protective device.
The secondary value is used to check that the total network design current does not exceed the
transformer load capacity.

Transformer Rated Primary Current / Protection Rated At

Checks are carried out to ensure that the protective device protection is set to adequately protect the
equipment with which it is associated. An HV protective device can be rated at the actual level of
transformer primary load rating (100 %) or a value 30 % higher (130 %).

Generator Settings
The contents of the Generator dialog are similar to those described for the Source of Supply
settings. Additionally, it contains in the Fault Conditions tab, the calculator described below.

Fault Conditions Tab

Contains the same controls as in the Source of Supply dialog but the following should be noted with
respect to the generator impedance input.

142 • 7BProject Settings AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC)

Rating
Input the generator rating in kVA.

Impedance
Input the generator percentage impedance.
Generator impedance under fault conditions varies with time – the sub-transient impedance applying
in the instant after the occurrence of a fault, the transient impedance in the longer period during
which the fault current is decaying.
The value used should be selected to be appropriate to the time taken for protective devices in the
system to operate. It is used in the calculation to determine the fault level at the generator terminals.
A high impedance may result in a very low fault current, leading to difficulties in disconnecting
circuits under earth fault conditions.

Apply
Clicking the Apply button updates the data in the Prospective Fault Conditions panel using a
calculation based on the generator rating and impedance data:

TT Supply Settings
The contents of the dialog are the same as those described for Source of Supply Settings, except for
the Fault Level Calculator described below.

Fault Level Calculator

When the Supply System is selected as TT, the ‘TT Supply Earth Impedance Calculator’ panel is
displayed:

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 7BProject Settings • 143

Resistance/Reactance
The Bonding Conductor and Electrode resistance and reactance data boxes are used in the
calculation to determine the source earth impedance. Values of resistance and reactance can be
typed directly into the data boxes. Alternatively, click the Calculate buttons to use the bonding
conductor and electrode calculators.

Apply
When the Apply button is clicked, the resistance and reactance inputs are used to fill in the
impedance for the Earth Ze in the Prospective Fault Conditions panel.
Further details can be found under TT Supply Fault Level Calculator

Bonding Conductor Calculator

Clicking the Calculate button next to the Bonding Conductor data boxes displays the Earthing
Conductor Impedance Calculator. The conductor impedance is calculated according to the selected
cable size and length.

Cable Type
Select the type of cable used to connect the electrode: thermoplastic (PVC) or thermosetting (XLPE)
insulation. The insulation type is used in the adiabatic calculations.

144 • 7BProject Settings AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC)

Cable Size
Select the section of the cable used to connect the electrode (1 to 1,000 mm2).

Length
Input the length of the cable used to connect the electrode.

Impedance (Ohms): Resistance, Reactance

Shows the conductor impedance calculated using the above data inputs.

Electrode Resistance Calculator

Clicking the Calculate button next to the Electrode data boxes displays the Electrode Resistance
Calculator. Electrode resistances are calculated according to a method described in BS 7430.

Electrode Type: Plate

Select the electrode type as Plate.

Soil Resistivity (Ohm.m)

Input the soil resistivity (1 to 5,000 ohms).

Plate Dimensions
Input the dimensions of the plate, either as Height and Width (2 m max.), or Area (4 mm2 max.).

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 7BProject Settings • 145

No. of parallel plates
Input the number of parallel plates (10 max.) used to form the earth electrode.

Spacing
Where there is more than one plate, select the spacing between the plates as greater than 2 and
less than 10, or greater than 10:

Electrode Resistance
Shows the electrode resistance calculated using the above data entries.
NOTE: an electrode resistance greater than 200 ohms is not recommended.

Electrode Type: Rod

Select the electrode type as Rod.

Soil Resistivity (Ohm.m)

Input the soil resistivity (1 to 5,000 ohms).

Rod Dimensions
Input the rod length in metres, and the diameter in millimetres

146 • 7BProject Settings AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC)

Single Rod/Multiple Rods
Select electrode as a single rod or multiple rods.

In Line/Hollow Square
If multiple rods are selected, select whether rods are arranged in a line or in a hollow square.

No. of Rods/Spacing
If multiple rods are selected, select number of rods along each side (10 max. for rods in line, 20
max. for rods in hollow square) and spacing (30 m max.).
Example: rods in hollow square; No. of rods along each side = 5. Total number of rods = 16.

Input the spacing between rods (30 m max.).

Electrode Resistance
Shows the electrode resistance calculated using the above data inputs.
NOTE: an electrode resistance greater than 200 ohms is not recommended.
More:
TT Supply Fault Level Calculator

REC Supply Settings

The contents of the dialog are the same as those described for Source of Supply Settings, except for
the Fault Level Calculator described below.

Fault Level Calculator

When the Supply System is selected as TN and the Phase Connection in the Voltage tab is set to ‘3
Ph / 3 Ph+N’, the ‘REC Supply Fault Level Calculator’ panel is displayed as shown:

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 7BProject Settings • 147

Supply Cable
Select the origin of the supply as a service cable supplied from an LV Distribution Main or from an
LV Sub-station.

Service Cable
Sets the size and length of the service cable connecting the REC cut-out to the LV Distribution Main
or Sub-station.
NOTE: the selected length of service cable should be its length from the boundary of the consumer’s
premises to the REC cut-out.

When the Supply System is selected as TN and the Phase Connection in the Voltage tab is set to ‘1
Ph + N’, the ‘REC Supply Fault Level Calculator’ panel is displayed as shown:

Service Cable
Sets the type and length of the service cable connecting the REC cut-out to the LV Distribution Main
or Sub-station.
NOTE: the selected length of service cable should be its length from the boundary of the consumer’s
premises to the REC cut-out.

Apply
When the Apply button is clicked, the data entered in the calculator is used to calculate the source
fault conditions which are then used to fill in the data boxes in the Prospective Fault Conditions
panel.
Further details are available under REC Supply Fault Level Calculator

148 • 7BProject Settings AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC)

Boards
Multiple Switchboards can be placed in each network – see also The Project Drawing | Drawing the
Network | Switchboard.
The total number of Switchboards, Distribution Boards and Consumer Units that can be placed in a
single network depends on the level of the software suite with which ProDesign is supplied.

Switchboard Settings

Most of the data in the dialog is contained in tabs that group related items together. The inputs are:

Main Dialog Area

Id No.
The text reference for the Switchboard used in reports. It is also displayed on the drawing if the
Display Id No. box is checked.

Name.
The secondary text reference for the Switchboard used in reports. It is also displayed on the drawing
if the Display Name box is checked.

Function
A text field used to describe the function of the Switchboard. This is shown in reports.

Connection

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 7BProject Settings • 149

From: gives the reference for the cable or busbar supplying the Switchboard.

User Type
Click the User Type button to select Component Template – see Component Template.

Circuits Tab

No. of Circuits
The number of outgoing circuits connected to the Main Switchboard.

Wired
Selects the wiring system for the board. Three phase “TP” or Three phase and Neutral “TPN”.
These will be automatically set by the downstream load types.

Print Circuit Detail

Click to print the circuit details as shown in the box below.

Circuit Details
Lists details for the outgoing circuits including: Reference, Circuit Protective Device (CPD)
description, State and Phase connections.
Where the board is split into multiple sections (see Sections below), the associated circuits are listed
separately for each section; the listing for each section is preceded by an entry in bold text which
gives the reference of the section and the CPD being used to protect that section.
The secondary bold text details are for the incoming supply to that section of the board. This is also
indicated by “Incomer-“ being prefixed to the cable name.
For each item in the list: Double-click on the CPD details to display the Protective Device dialog (for
details on data inputs for the circuit protective device, see Conductors | Cables | Protection Tab.
The State pull down list allows the user to set the switch to state to open or closed. The state of this
switch is reflected in the calculations. Click on the down arrow and select the required state.
Click on the down arrow in the Phase details box to select a different phase connection.

150 • 7BProject Settings AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC)

Sections Tab

Sections
A Switchboard can have a single section or up to 4 each connected through an interconnecting
switch. When the two sections radio button is selected the switchboard will be drawn with two
sections.

Section Ref:
Where a switchboard is split into multiple sections, these boxes contain the references for the
sections.
Section references are appended to the Main Switchboard reference, e.g., where a switchboard with
a reference ‘Main Switchboard’ has a section with a reference ‘Section A’, the complete reference
for that section will be: ‘Main Switchboard Section A’. Check or uncheck the Display box to display or
hide the reference on the drawing.

Interconnector
The Interconnector can be modelled as open or closed.

Diversity Tab

The Diversity tab provides controls to define the method used to calculate diversity at the board for
final circuits connected to the board, i.e.: Manual, Table H2, User Defined.

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 7BProject Settings • 151

Alternatively, the setting Define load can be selected, in which case the load at the board is defined
by entering actual values for each phase. This setting overrides the level of load calculated to be
connected to the board.
For details on diversity settings, see Calculations | Diversity below.

Voltage Drop Tab

The controls in the voltage drop tab set the limit for voltage drop in final circuits connected to the
Main Switchboard. The limit can be set as either a percentage of the supply voltage or as a value of
single-phase or three phase voltage.
Where the cable size is set to Auto in any of the final circuits, when the project is calculated, the
cable size will first be set to deal with the load current and then, if necessary, increased in size to
meet the voltage drop limit.

Optional Data Tab

The data contained in the Optional Data tab is included in reports, if values are entered. The data is
for information only and is not used in any part of the calculations.

Comments Tab
Contains a comments text box the contents of which can be printed with the related report.

152 • 7BProject Settings AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC)

Distribution Boards Settings

Most of the data in the dialog is contained in tabs that group related items together. The inputs are:

Main Dialog Area

Id No.
The text reference for the Distribution Board used in reports. It is also displayed on the drawing if the
Display Reference box is checked.

Name.
The secondary text reference for the Distribution Board used in reports. It is also displayed on the
drawing if the Display Reference box is checked.

Function
A text field used to describe the function of the Distribution Board. This is shown in reports.

Connection
From: gives the reference for the cable or busbar supplying the Distribution Board.

User Type
Click the User Type button to select Component Template – see Component Template.

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 7BProject Settings • 153

Details Tab

Phase
Shows the distribution board phase connections.

Circuits
Max. No. of Ways sets the number of available ways in the board. Click on the Circuit Diagram
button to access the dialog containing the board circuit diagram (see Circuit Diagram below).

Incomer
Main Device shows the type of device used as the board incomer; Fuse or Circuit-breaker are
shown automatically depending on type of device selected in the Protective device dialog (to access,
double-click on the Main Device symbol in the Circuit Diagram). When the protection is selected as
‘No Protection’, either ‘Isolating Switch’ or ‘Terminals’ can be selected from the Main Device box.
Main Device Rating shows Auto when the device is selected as fuse or circuit-breaker with the rating
set to Auto. Where the fuse or circuit-breaker rating is selected, the box shows the rating. When the
protection is selected as ‘No Protection’, the box shows Auto.

Diversity Tab

The Diversity tab provides controls to define the method used to calculate diversity at the board for
final circuits connected to the board, i.e.: Manual, Table H2, User Defined.
Alternatively, the setting Define load can be selected, in which case the load at the board is defined
by entering actual values for each phase. This setting overrides the level of load calculated to be
connected to the board.
For details on diversity settings, see Calculations | Diversity below.

154 • 7BProject Settings AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC)

Voltage Drop Tab

The controls in the voltage drop tab set the limit for voltage drop in final circuits connected to the
Distribution Board. The limit can be set as either a percentage of the supply voltage or as a value of
single-phase or three phase voltage.
Where the cable size is set to Auto in any of the final circuits, when the project is calculated, the
cable size will first be set to deal with the load current and then, if necessary, increased in size to
meet the voltage drop limit.

Optional Data Tab

The data contained in the Optional Data tab is included in reports, if values are entered. The data is
for information only is not used in any part of the calculations.

Comments Tab
Contains a comments text box the contents of which can be printed with the related report.

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 7BProject Settings • 155

Circuit Diagram

The circuit diagram is accessed by clicking the Circuit Diagram button in the Details tab:

The circuit diagram provides a graphic representation of the board phasing and available ways, and
the incomer and outgoing circuit details, as follows:

Phases
Shows phase arrangement; three-phase or a single phase.

Main Device
Board incomer shown as circuit-breaker, fuse, isolator or terminals dependent on the protective
device selection made. Shows protective device description and whether protection rating is
selected as Auto. Shows actual rating, or calculated rating in brackets.

Ways
Shown as occupied or Spare (unused). Shows phases occupied. Shows way numbers.

Circuits
Circuits shown graphically as fuse or circuit-breaker protected, or unprotected. Shows protective
device description and whether protection rating is selected as Auto. Shows actual rating, or
calculated rating. Shows cable and load references.

Use Colour

156 • 7BProject Settings AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC)

The phases can be shown in colour or monochrome: check or uncheck Use Colour.

Print
Click print to print a copy of the drawing.

In addition to showing the board layout, the circuit diagram provides facilities for adding new circuits
and editing existing ones.

Adding Circuits

To add a circuit to an unused way, double-click within the way on the connections between the
busbars and the text reference ‘Spare’. (To add a single-phase circuit, double-click on the
connection for the required phase. To define a three-phase circuit, double-click on any phase and
select a three-phase load type). The Circuit dialog will be displayed containing the data entries
necessary to define a final circuit connected to the board, these include cable and load details. For
further details on data entry, see the sections below on Cables and Loads.
NOTE: circuits added in this way will not appear on the network drawing.

Editing Circuits
Existing circuits can be edited by double-clicking in the same way as when the circuit was created.
This will display the Circuit dialog where details can be edited as required.
NOTE: circuits created by drawing them on the network drawing connected to a distribution board
cannot be edited this way. To edit those circuits, return to the network drawing and double-click on
the Cable dialog or Load dialog, as required.

Cut, Copy, Paste, Delete

Right-clicking on an occupied or unoccupied way on the connections between the busbars and the
text reference ‘Spare’ displays a floating menu. Clicking on the relevant items allows circuits to be
cut, copied, pasted or deleted, as required. For example, to copy an existing circuit in spare way:

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right-click on the existing circuit, click on Copy in the floating menu, right-click on the target way,
click on Paste on the floating menu. A new circuit with the same configuration as the original circuit
will be created in the target way.

Adding / Editing Circuit Protective Devices (CPDs)

Similar methods to those described above for adding and editing circuits can be applied to the CPDs
for each way in the board. For CPDs the double-clicks and right-clicks should be executed in the
busbar area of the selected way. The incoming protective device can be edited in the same way.

Consumer Unit Settings

The controls in the main dialog area apply to the consumer unit in general. Also, there are settings
in tabs that group related items together.

Consumer Unit Main Dialog Area

Id No. – Consumer Unit

The text reference for the Consumer Unit used in the reports. It is also displayed on the drawing if
the Display Reference box is checked.

Name – Consumer Unit

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The secondary text reference for the Consumer Unit used in reports. It is also displayed on the
drawing if the Display Reference box is checked.

Function – Consumer Unit

A text field used to describe the function of the Consumer Unit. This is shown in reports.

Connection – Consumer Unit

From: gives the reference for the cable supplying the Consumer Unit.

User Type – Consumer Unit

Click to display the Template dialog where the currently defined Consumer Unit templates are listed.
These can be edited, deleted or ‘Set As Default’; also, new templates can be added.

Attachments – Consumer Unit

Click to display the Attachment Manager, which can be used to attach files to the Consumer Unit.

Details Tab – Consumer Unit

Incomer Type – Consumer Unit

The Consumer Unit incoming device can be selected from the listed types: Terminals, Isolating
Switch, Residual Current Device.

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Incomer Rating – Consumer Unit
The current rating of the incoming device can be selected from 63 A, 80 A or 100A, depending on
the incoming device type.

Residual Current Device Incomer Settings – Consumer Unit

When the incoming device is set as a Residual Current Device (RCD), controls are available to set
its Trip Rating, Time Delay, and the Touch Voltage applicable in circuits connected to the Consumer
Unit and protected by the incoming device.
The Trip rating can be set to 30 mA, 100 mA or 300 mA. Devices set to 100 mA or 300 mA can be
set as Time Delayed. The Touch Voltage can be set at 25 V or 50 V.

Split Load
The consumer unit can be defined as a Split Load type, with RCD protection for a specified number
of outgoing ways. The trip rating (sensitivity) of the RCD can be selected from 30 mA, 100 mA or
300 mA. The number of protected ways can be set in the Circuits panel – see below.

Circuits – Consumer Unit

Settings in the Circuits panel are used to define the number of outgoing ways in consumer unit, and
also the numbering for split load ways.

When Split Load is set to ‘No’, the Circuits panel contains a single control allowing the total number
of ways to be defined, up to a maximum of 24.

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When Split Load is set to ‘Yes’, the Circuits panel contains controls to define the number of ways not
protected by the Split Load RCD and those protected by the RCD, up to a total maximum number of
24 ways.
The numbering of the RCD protected ways, which is normally consecutive with the non-protected
ways, can be set to start at any number greater than the last unprotected way. For example:
numbering would normally be 1 … 5, then 6 …10; this could be changed to 1 … 5, then 8 …12.

Phase – Consumer Unit

The phase the consumer unit is connected to is shown. The phase can be selected as long as the
consumer unit is not connected to any part of the network.

Circuit Diagram – Consumer Unit

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To view the circuit diagram, click the Circuit Diagram button.
The circuit diagram provides a graphic representation of the available ways, the connected circuits,
and the incomer and split load RCD devices.

Incomer – Consumer Unit

The type of incomer device (terminals, switch or RCD) is graphically represented, and its current
rating is shown. The phase marking for the phase to which the consumer unit is connected is shown
at the top of the incomer device. Changes to the incomer are made in the Details tab of the
Consumer Unit dialog.

Split Load RCD

Where the consumer unit is selected as a split load type, the protecting RCD, and its trip rating, is
shown to the left of the ways protected by it. Changes to the Split Load RCD are made in the Details
tab of the Consumer Unit dialog.

Ways – Consumer Unit

The available ways are initially shown as Spare (unused). Where circuits are added to ways, the
circuit details as described in the Circuits section below.

Sub-Circuits – Consumer Unit

Circuits are shown graphically as fuse or circuit-breaker protected. For each circuit, the following
details are shown: Circuit Id. No., Circuit Name, Protective Device rating, Design Current Ib, Load Id.
No., Load Name.

Adding Circuits – Consumer Unit

To add a circuit to an unused way, double-click within the way in the area around the text reference
‘Spare’. The Circuit dialog will be displayed containing the data entries necessary to define a final
circuit connected to the consumer unit, including cable and load details. For further details on data
entry, see the sections below on Cables and Loads.

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NOTE: circuits added in this way will not appear on the network drawing.

Editing Circuits – Consumer Unit

Existing circuits can be edited by double-clicking in the same way as when the circuit was created.
This will display the Circuit dialog where details can be edited as required.
NOTE: circuits created by drawing them on the network drawing connected to a consumer unit
cannot be edited this way. To edit those circuits, return to the network drawing and double-click on
the Cable symbol or Load symbol, as required.

Cut, Copy, Paste, Delete – Consumer Unit

Right-clicking on an occupied or unoccupied way displays a floating menu. Clicking on the relevant
items in the menu allows circuits to be cut, copied, pasted or deleted, as required. For example, to
copy an existing circuit into a spare way: right-click on the existing circuit, click on Copy in the
floating menu, right-click on the target way, click on Paste on the floating menu. A new circuit with
the same configuration as the original circuit will be created in the target way.

Adding / Editing Circuit Protective Devices (CPDs) – Consumer Unit

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Similar methods to those described above for adding and editing circuits can be applied to the CPDs
for each way in the consumer unit. For CPDs the double-clicks and right-clicks should be executed
in the lower area of the selected way, on or immediately above the busbars.
NOTE: a CPD can be defined in a way without a circuit being defined for that way, i.e., a way can be
defined as equipped with a CPD but without a circuit connected.

Check Boxes – Consumer Unit

There is a row of check boxes at the foot of the Circuit Diagram dialog that can be used to modify
the appearance of the drawing, as follows: ‘Use Colour’ – the drawing can be shown in colour or
monochrome; ‘Draw Boundary Lines’ – the boundary lines are the broken lines that show the
borders of each way; ‘Show Load Image’ – the load image is the symbolic representation of the load
shown at the top of the way; ‘Prefix Load Rating with ’Ib’’ – the load rating can be shown as, for
example, ‘Ib = 10A’ or ’10A’; ‘Show ‘Auto’ PD Rating’ – when selected, shows ‘Auto’ for devices that
have the rating selected as Auto; ‘Prefix PD Rating with ‘In’’ – the protective device rating can be
shown as, for example, ‘In = 40A’ or ’40A’;

Print – Consumer Unit

Click print to print a copy of the drawing.

Diversity Tab – Consumer Unit

The diversity tab provides a control to define the method used to calculate diversity for final circuits
connected to the consumer unit, i.e.: Manual, Table H2 or User Defined.
Alternatively, the setting Define Load can be selected, in which case the load at the consumer unit is
defined by entering actual values for load current, power factor and percentage of 3rd Harmonic
current. This setting overrides the level of load calculated to be connected to the consumer unit.
For details on diversity settings, see Calculations | Diversity below.

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Voltage Drop Tab – Consumer Unit

The controls in the voltage drop tab set the limit for voltage drop in final circuits connected to the
consumer unit. The limit can be set as either a percentage of the supply voltage or as an absolute
value of voltage.
Where the cable is set to Auto in any of the final circuits, when the project is calculated, the cable
size will first be set to be matched to the load current and then, if necessary, increased in size to
meet the voltage drop limit.

Optional Data Tab – Consumer Unit

The data contained in the Optional Data tab is included in reports, if values are entered. The data is
for information only and is not used in any part of the calculations.

Comments Tab – Consumer Unit

Contains a comments text box the contents of which can be printed with the related report.

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Conductors
Conductors in circuits in ProDesign can be cables or busbars. This section describes details of the
data input dialogs for these conductors. For details on how to draw cables and busbars, see
Drawing The Network | Cables and Drawing The Network | Busbars.

Cables Settings

Most of the data in the dialog is contained in tabs that group related items together. The inputs are:

Main Dialog Area

Id no.
The text reference for the circuit used in reports. It is also displayed on the drawing if the Display
Reference box is checked.

Name.
The secondary text reference for the circuit used in reports. It is also displayed on the drawing if the
Display Reference box is checked.

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Connection
From: gives the reference of the network item supplying the cable.
To: gives the reference of the network item the cable is supplying.

User Type
Click the User Type button to select User Global Settings – see User Global Settings.

Cable Tab

Type
Data (tabulated current ratings, resistances, reactances, derating factors) for the type selected are
used in the calculations for the circuit. The standard cable types included in BS 7671 are identified
by the table number given at the end of the description.

Installation
The majority of installation methods listed are intended to closely match the Installation Methods
described in BS 7671, Table 4A1. Additionally, the list also includes installation methods that are in
common usage but are not described in the standard.
The installation methods that appear in the list are restricted to those that are valid for the cable type
selected. For example, ‘Buried direct in ground’ will not be listed for an unarmoured cable type.
Generally, for a given Installation method, a Reference method is applicable and this is used to
determine the column in the cable rating tables in which the tabulated rating (It) for the selected
cable is to be found. Also, for grouped cables, the Reference method determines the row of data in
the grouping factor (Cg) table where the factor to be applied is found.

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In certain cases, to fully describe the required installation method, selections need to be made in
boxes other than the Installation box. The other boxes are: Configuration, Conduit/Trunking,
Distance and, for grouped circuits, Grouping. These are visible only when required. Their functions
are fully described below.
A picture appears in the tab giving a detailed description of the currently selected installation
method; the information given includes the applicable Reference method.
Where none of the listed installation methods accurately reflect the actual method to be used, User
Defined can be selected which allows the derating factor which is to be applied to the tabulated
cable rating to be set by the user - see User Defined Derating Factor.

Configuration

For certain installation methods, to determine the column in the table from which the tabulated rating
(It) for the selected cable is to be taken, it is necessary to define both the installation method and a
particular configuration for that method, e.g., ‘Horizontal flat spaced’. In such cases the
Configuration box will be visible and an appropriate selection should be made from the box.

Conduit/Trunking

Where the installation method includes conduit or trunking, a box will appear labelled Conduit or
Trunking, as appropriate. Metal or Plastic should be selected from the box to define the material
from which the conduit or trunking is constructed. This information will be used to set the options
available in the CPC tab.

Distance

For the method ‘Run through thermal insulation’, it is necessary to define the distance along which
the cable is run through the insulating material. When this installation method is selected, the
Distance box will be visible, allowing the distance (mm) to be defined. The value entered is used to
set the insulation derating factor Ci, according to BS 7671, Table 52A.

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Grouping

The Grouping box will be visible in some cases when the ‘Total Circuits in Group’ box is checked. It
should be used to define configuration details that relate to the disposition of the grouped cables.
For example, for multicore cables ‘Spaced’ means that each cable should be spaced between 1 and
2 cable diameters distance apart. For single-core cables, it means the same distance should be
maintained between each of group of cables that constitutes a circuit.
The selection in the Grouping box is used to determine the data row in the grouping factor (Cg) table
where the factor to be applied is found. Where this can be found simply from the Reference method,
the Grouping box will not be visible.

Length
The total installed length of cable.
NOTE: for ring socket circuits, this should be measured from the board, around the ring, and back to
the board.

Size
The sizes listed include all the sizes generally available for the type of cable selected. An exception
to this is where the minimum cable size has been set (Preferences | Minimum Cable Sizes) above
the smallest size; all sizes up to the minimum set will be excluded.
When Auto is checked, the calculations for the circuit will automatically select the smallest suitable
size from the sizes listed.
To set a particular cable size, uncheck Auto and select the desired size from the list. The calculation
will then check the suitability of the set cable size.

Phase
The options for phase configurations depend on where in the network the circuit is located:

Connected from the Main Switchboard:

The available selection of phase configurations will depend on the phasing of the circuit on the
supply side of this one. If the previous circuit is three phase, this circuit can be defined as three-
phase or one of the three single-phases.

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NOTE: changing a sub-main circuit from three-phase to single-phase and vice-versa may result in
changes to the network on the load side of the circuit that are hard to correct. If this happens
inadvertently, use Edit | Undo or Ctrl+Z.

Connected from Main Switchboard and Source connected directly to MSB:

The phase can be set as three-phase or one of the three single-phases
NOTE: changing a sub-main circuit from three-phase to single-phase and vice-versa may result in
changes to the network on the load side of this circuit that are hard to correct. If this happens
inadvertently, use Edit | Undo or Ctrl+Z.

Connected to MSB:
For a main cable (between the source and the Main Switchboard) the phase configuration is fixed as
three-phase. To create a single-phase network, start the design with a source directly connected to
the Main Switchboard (no interconnecting cable), then draw a cable connected to the Main
Switchboard; this cable can then be set as single-phase.

Connected to DB or Consumer Unit:

The list of available connection configurations offers any available ways on the Distribution Board or
consumer unit and the unused phases on those ways (e.g., ‘3 L2’ means L2 phase on Way 3). The
Circuit Diagram accessible in the Distribution Board or consumer unit dialog shows in graphical form
the phasing and the number and usage of ways.
NOTE: changing a sub-main circuit from three-phase to single-phase and vice-versa may result in
changes to the network on the load side of this circuit that are hard to correct. If this happens
inadvertently, use Edit | Undo or Ctrl+Z.

Temperature
The details for the temperature input vary according to whether the cable is installed in air or in the
ground:

Ambient Temp – ‘Air’ installation methods

The temperature of the air surrounding the cable installation. For a cable in a trunking, for example,
this is the temperature surrounding the trunking, not within it.
For cables listed in BS 7671, the tabulated current ratings are given for an ambient temperature of
30 °C. For the installation method selected, the tabulated current rating should cause the cable
temperature not to rise above its conductor operating temperature (e.g., 70 °C).
A derating factor (Ca) of less than 1.0 is applicable for ambient temperatures above 30 °C. This has
the effect of increasing the tabulated current rating required when the cable is selected.

Ground Temp – ‘Ground’ installation methods

The temperature of the ground surrounding the cable installation.

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The tabulated current ratings are given for an ground temperature of 15 °C. For the installation
method selected, the tabulated current rating should cause the cable temperature not to rise above
its conductor operating temperature (e.g., 90 °C).
A derating factor (Ctg) of less than 1.0 is applicable for ground temperatures above 15 °C. This has
the effect of increasing the tabulated current rating required when the cable is selected.

Total Cables in Parallel

Check this box if more than one cable (one multi-core cable or one single-core cable per phase) is to
be installed. Type in the parallel number required.
NOTE: when a number of parallel cables is specified, an equal number is automatically entered into
the Total Circuit in Group box. This is based on the assumption that the parallel cables will be
bunched together and applies the appropriate grouping factor (Cg). If the cables are to be spaced
(>2 diameters), uncheck Total Circuit in Group to calculate the paralleled cables at their full non-
derated rating.

Total Circuits in Group

Where parallel cables or cables for a number of circuits or are to be grouped together but not
spaced apart (not >2 diameters distance), the total number of grouped cables should be typed in;
the appropriate grouping factor (Cg) will then be applied.
If the cables are to be spaced just 1 diameter distance, this should be indicated by selecting an
installation method for ‘Spaced’ rather than ‘Touching’ (e.g., Single layer on cable tray Touching
‘11’). It is still necessary to specify Total Circuits in Group for ‘Spaced’ installation methods. The
derating factor applied to ‘Touching’ cables will be more severe than for ‘Spaced’.
For Ground installation methods: where parallel cables or cables for a number of circuits or are to be
grouped together, the total number of grouped cables should be typed in. The spacing of the cables
should also be defined. An appropriate grouping factor (Cgg) will then be applied.

Subject to Simultaneous Overload

Where circuits are grouped, there are two methods of calculating the derating (Cg) factor to be
applied:
‘Subject to simultaneous overload’: assumes that a number of the grouped circuits may be
overloaded at any one time – applies grouping using In/Cg.
‘Not subject to simultaneous overload’: assumes that only one of the grouped circuits will normally
be overloaded at any one time (a reasonable assumption for general distribution loads) – uses two
calculations to determine Cg and uses the worst of the two. Usually gives a reduced level of derating
compared to ‘Subject to simultaneous overload’.
NOTE: for Ground installation methods, the calculation rule for grouped cables is ‘Subject to
simultaneous overload’.

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Depth of Lay (Ground installation methods)
Indicates the depth at which the cable is installed. A derating factor (Cdg) of less than 1.0 is
applicable for installation depths greater than 0.5 m. This has the effect of increasing the tabulated
current rating required when the cable is selected. The derating factors are more severe for larger
cable sizes.

Soil Thermal Resistivity (Ground installation methods)

Indicates the ability of the soil, in which the cable is installed, to conduct heat energy away from the
cable. A derating factor (Crg) of less than 1.0 is applicable for resistivities greater than 1.2 K.m/W.
This has the effect of increasing the tabulated current rating required when the cable is selected.
The derating factors are more severe for larger cable sizes.

Spacing (Ground installation methods)

Where cables are grouped together, a grouping factor (Cgg) is applied. This has the effect of
increasing the tabulated current rating required when the cable is selected. The derating factors are
more severe for larger cable sizes.
The actual value of the grouping factor to be applied is dependent on the distance the cables are
spaced, when installed; the greater the spacing, the higher the value of the factor (the lower the
derating).
For single-core cables installed ‘Buried Direct’, where the spacing is zero, the actual grouping factor
used is dependent on whether the cables are installed ‘Flat’ or ‘Trefoil’.

User Defined Derating Factor

The user can set a value, from 0.1 to 2, which is used to derate the ‘free air’ rating of the cable. The
cable rating is calculated from the tabulated free air rating of the cable multiplied by the user defined
derating factor.
This overrides any other derating factors that would normally apply, e.g., ambient derating factor
(Ca). An exception to this is the derating used to allow for the heating effect of 3rd harmonic current,
which is still applied.

CPC Tab

The controls in the CPC Tab allow the configuration of the CPC to be selected.

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CPC Configuration – Armour + Separate/Integral
The Armour will be used as the CPC. If the Armour alone is inadequate (Zs too high to ensure earth
fault disconnection within the required time), an additional CPC conductor will be added in parallel to
reduce the value of Zs.
Any additional CPC conductor that may be required can be separate, or integral, within a multi-core
cable (Select ‘Integral Conductor’).
A separate CPC is automatically sized unless a size is specified in the Size list box.
NOTE: although commonly used this method can be unreliable; because of the magnetic field
associated with the armour, it is difficult to predict the division of fault current between the two
parallel conductors – see IEE Guidance Note 6’ Page 69.

CPC Configuration – Conduit + Separate/Integral

The Metallic Conduit will be used as the CPC. If the Metallic Conduit alone is inadequate (Zs too
high to ensure earth fault disconnection within the required time), an additional CPC conductor will
be added in parallel to reduce the value of Zs.
Any additional CPC conductor that may be required can be separate, or integral within a multi-core
cable (Check ‘Integral conductor’).
According to the installation method selected in the Cable tab, ‘Metallic Conduit’ will be replaced with
‘Sheath’, ‘Earth Conductor’ or ‘Metallic Trunking’

CPC Configuration – Armour ONLY

The Armour ONLY will be used as the CPC. No additional conductors will be considered. If the value
of Zs is too high to ensure earth fault disconnection within the required time, an error message will
be generated when the network is calculated.
According to the installation method selected in the Cable tab, ‘Armour’ will be replaced with
‘Sheath’, ‘Earth Conductor’, ‘Metallic Conduit’ or ‘Metallic Trunking’

CPC Configuration – Armour OR Separate/Integral

Initially, the Armour ONLY will be used as the CPC. No additional conductors will be considered. If
the value of Zs is too high to ensure earth fault disconnection within the required time, the Armour
will be disregarded and an additional conductor will be sized, if possible, to meet disconnection
requirements (i.e., reduce the value of Zs to ensure earth fault disconnection within the required
time).
Any additional CPC conductor that may be required can be separate or integral within a multi-core
cable (Check ‘Integral conductor’).
For a separate CPC the size is automatically sized unless a size is specified in the ‘Size’ list box.
Note: this method meets the requirements of the NICEIC Technical Manual.

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CPC Configuration – Separate/Integral conductor ONLY
Any Armour will be disregarded. An additional conductor will be sized, if possible, to meet
disconnection requirements (i.e., reduce the value of Zs to ensure earth fault disconnection within
the required time).
Any additional CPC conductor that may be required can be separate or integral within a multi-core
cable (Check ‘Integral conductor’).
For a separate CPC the size is automatically sized unless a size is specified in the ‘Size’ list box.
According to the installation method selected in the Cable tab, the word ‘Armour’ will be replaced
with ‘Sheath’, ‘Earth Conductor’, ‘Metallic Conduit’ or ‘Metallic Trunking’

CPC Configuration – Separate Conductor/Integral conductor

Where a CPC conductor other than, or in addition to, the Armour, Sheath, Earth Conductor, Metallic
Conduit or Metallic Trunking is to be used, the item selected here specifies whether that conductor
will be a conductor integral to a multi-core cable or a separate conductor.
The integral option is only available for multi-core cables where an unused conductor is available,
e.g., for a three-phase and neutral circuit, the cable type must be available in 5-core form.

Size
The sizes listed include all the sizes generally available for the type of cable selected. An exception
to this is where the minimum cable size has been set (Preferences | Minimum Cable Sizes) above
the smallest size; all sizes up to the minimum set will be excluded.
When Auto is checked, the CPC calculations will automatically select the smallest suitable size from
the sizes listed.
To set a particular CPC size, uncheck Auto and select the desired size from the list. The calculation
will then check the suitability of the set CPC size.

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Protection Tab

The protection tab contains settings for the selection of an overcurrent device or an overcurrent
device and earth fault protection, as required.

Circuit Protective Device (CPD) Selection

Initially the selected device will be shown as the default type:

To select another device type, click the Change button to display the Protective Device Selector
dialog, where the device type can be selected according to Manufacturer, Family, Type and
Protection.
The rating can be selected as Auto, or as one of the values listed in the Rating list box. Click the
Apply button to complete the selection.

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Manufacturer
The list contains the names of all the manufacturers for which CPD data is held in the ProDesign
database. Every effort is made to include as many product ranges as possible.
‘Generic’ provides a selection of ‘standard’ fuse and circuit-breaker types.
Selecting a Manufacturer from the list filters the items listed in the Family, Type Protection and
Rating boxes to devices from that manufacturer’s product ranges.

Manufacturer Buttons
There are buttons for some manufacturers. Clicking a manufacturer’s button selects that
manufacturer in the Manufacturer list.

Family
The list contains the names of available product ranges for the selected manufacturer. Selecting an
item filters the contents of the Type, Protection and Rating boxes to those available in the selected
range.

Type
The list contains the names of CPD types that exist for the product range selected in the Family list.
Selecting a type filters the contents of the Protection and Rating boxes to those available in the
selected type.

Protection
The list contains the types of protection available for the CPD type selected. Selecting a protection
type filters the contents of the Rating box to those ratings available for the selected protection type.

Rating
The Rating box contains a list of all the ratings that exist for the type of protection selected.
When Auto is selected, the lowest rating that complies with the calculations will be automatically
selected. When a particular rating is selected, that rating will be used and checked by the
calculations for compliance.

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The CPD selected will used in the circuit when the Apply button in the Protective Device Selector is
clicked. The details in the Protection tab will be updated to show the details for the new selected
device:

Adding Residual Current Protection

Where a device has phase fault and earth fault protection functions (e.g.: an electronic circuit-
breaker), the earth fault function characteristic will be used to determine disconnection for earth
faults.
Where a separate residual current device (RCD) is to be used in combination with an overcurrent
protective device, this can be defined in ProDesign by selecting ‘Add-on RCD’ (a typical example is
the use of a 30 mA RCD in addition to an MCB.):

The RCD characteristic will be used to determine disconnection under earth fault conditions.
Where an Add-on RCD has been selected or the selected circuit protective device includes an earth
fault protection function, a panel is displayed where the Touch Voltage limit can be set. The setting
is normally 50 V but, for final circuits, it can be set to 25 v, if required.

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The RCD type is selected in the Protective Device Selector in a similar way to that used when
selecting the overcurrent protective device, except the devices listed will be limited to RCDs only.
The devices listed are generic types offering a range of sensitivities with instantaneous and time-
delayed tripping.

Device Selection Filters

In the Protective Device Selector dialog, finding a suitable device from the lists can be made easier

by using the filters. To display the filters panel, click the Show Filters button:
The filter functions are:

• Hide Obsolete CPDs: checking this box hides all circuit protective devices no longer
commercially available;
• Device with earth fault protection: restricts the devices listed to those having built-in earth
fault protection;
• Filter for Breaking Capacity: restricts the devices listed to those with a breaking capacity
(Icu) equal to or greater than the value in the box;
• Devices with graphical data only: restricts the devices listed to those for which the new
graphical curve data and full adjustments is available.

The filter panel can be hidden by clicking the Hide Filters button:

Overload Setting Methods

For adjustable protective devices, there are three overload setting methods. The initial setting
method when the device is first selected is determined by the setting in the Overload Adjustment
dialog (select from Protective Devices in the Preferences menu). The overload setting methods and
how they are indicated in the dialog are as follows:

• Set at Maximum: the selected overload setting is the maximum setting available:

(project not calculated)

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 (project calculated)

• Set to Auto: when the project is calculated, the overload is adjusted to the lowest setting
equal to or greater than the design current:

(project not calculated)

(project calculated)

• Fixed: a setting is selected by the user:

Overload Setting Adjustment

The overload setting of an adjustable device can be adjusted in two places:

• In the Overload Adjustment dialog;

• In the Graph View.

The Overload Adjustment Dialog

The Overload Adjustment dialog is displayed when the Adjust Overload button in the Protection tab
is clicked. If the Rating (In) of the protective device has been set to Auto and the project has been
calculated, or the Rating is set at a fixed value, the dialog will appear as follows:

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The dialog contains an Overload Setting Method panel:

‘Set manually’ will initially be selected since the primary purpose of the dialog is to allow a fixed
overload setting to be manually applied. Alternatively, the overload can be ‘Set at maximum’ or ‘Set
to Auto’. When the dialog is closed using the Apply button, the current setting will be applied.
The dialog contains boxes showing the values of the device rating and design current if the project
has been calculated:

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The dialog contains a panel showing details of the overload settings and below it a summary of the
currently selected setting:

The panel shows, in a table format, all the available overload settings, and their absolute current
values, for the selected protective device. Where there are two settings used to set the overload (a
coarse and a fine setting), they are shown as above with the absolute value shown at the
intersection of the two settings.
Where the project (and, therefore, the design current) has been calculated, the recommended
setting value will be highlighted dark green. Where there are two setting combinations that achieve
the same optimum setting value, the second recommendation will be highlighted in light green. (The
primary recommendation will be the one that uses the lowest coarse setting.)
The setting value that was in effect when the dialog was initially open will be highlighted in grey. This
is the setting value that will apply if the Cancel button is used to close the dialog.
If the overload setting method is ‘Set manually’, the overload setting can be chosen by clicking on
the required setting value in the table; the adjustment details for the selected overload setting are
shown below the table. For example, in the image shown above, the selected overload value is 100
A and the required adjustments are: Io = 1; Ir = 1, which are the actual settings that need to be made
on the dials on the front of the protective device. When the dialog is closed by clicking on the Apply
button, the selected settings are applied.

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At the foot of the dialog there is a View Graph button that has the same function as the one in the
Protection tab. This is described in The Graph View below.
If the protective device Rating (In) is set to Auto and the project has not been calculated, the
Overload Adjustment dialog will appear as shown below. The overload setting method can be ‘Set at
maximum’ or ‘Set to Auto’ but it will not be possible to set the overload until the nominal rating of the
device has been set either by the user or by the program calculation.

The Graph View

Overload settings, and any other protective device settings, can be adjusted in the graph view. Also,
the graph view can be used to view the device characteristic. To view the graph, click the View
Graph button in the Protection tab or on the Calculate toolbar.

The View Graph button is not available for a device set to Auto until the project has been calculated.
The graph view will show the characteristic for the selected device. Also, the characteristics for the
next circuit upstream and the next circuit downstream (where there are number of circuits directly
downstream, the characteristic for the device with the highest nominal rating will be displayed). If
either the upstream or downstream device is set to Auto, its characteristic will not be shown until the
project has been calculated.

Saving settings
Any change to settings made in the graph view can be saved or discarded by clicking either the
‘Save to ProDesign’ or the ‘Cancel’ button:

On clicking Save to ProDesign, the following will occur:

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 • Any changes to settings made in the graph view will be saved.
• Updated overload settings will be shown in the Protection tab.
• The next time the project is calculated, disconnection data used in phase fault and earth
fault calculations is obtained from the device characteristic curve, reflecting all the
adjustments that have been made to the protection settings. Disconnection currents are
taken from the maximum tolerance line of the device characteristic. Where a circuit-breaker
has a built-in earth fault protection feature, earth fault disconnection data is taken from the
earth fault characteristic. Disconnection data for non-adjustable devices such as miniature
circuit-breakers (MCBs) and fuses is also taken directly from the device characteristic.
Clicking Cancel causes any changes to be discarded; settings revert to those made previously.

Using the Graph View

Adjustments can be made to all the settings for any characteristic displayed.
The settings are grouped in categories:
L: overload settings;
S: short-circuit settings;
I: instantaneous settings;
G: earth fault settings.
Each setting is labelled using the identifier used by the manufacturer, e.g. Ir, tr, etc.:

Each of the settings can be adjusted by clicking on the buttons alongside that setting. The results of
any changes can be seen on the graph, as they are made.
Initially, the setting controls for earth fault functions (for those devices that have them) will be
greyed-out (unavailable) because the graph view is set to show overcurrent characteristics. Earth
fault characteristics and functions can be accessed by setting the control on the tool bar to Earth
Fault.

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Characteristics can be set to be displayed as:
• A single line representing nominal tripping times;
• A shaded area bounded by minimum and maximum tripping times, describing the full range of
the protective device tripping tolerances.

Devices With Non-graphical Data

For the majority of protective devices, full graphical data is available. For these devices the full range
of setting adjustments is represented and disconnection data for calculations is taken from the
tripping characteristic resulting from the settings made. These devices also have available a fully
toleranced characteristic curve showing the full range of tripping times from maximum to minimum
tolerance limits.
For a small number of devices tripping data is held in tables, and only limited data is available for
those devices with adjustable short-circuit protection settings. Devices may be selected for short-
circuit protection set ‘@ min’ or ‘@ max’ but disconnection data for intermediate settings will not be
available.
There are two features in the Protective Device Selector dialog that can be used to identify which
type of data is available:

• In the Protection box, an asterisk (*) is used to indicate devices for which full graphical data
is held.
• When the filter ‘Devices with graphical data only’ is checked, only those devices for which
full graphical data is held will be listed.
For devices with non-graphical data, the following procedures are different to those described in
the section ‘Protection Tab’ above:

• Device Adjustment;
• Graph View.

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Device Adjustment for Non-graphical Data
Overload settings are selected from the list box below the protective device description. The full
range of overload settings available on the device will be listed:

For those devices with adjustable short-circuit or instantaneous trips, a device set ‘@ max’ or ‘@
min’ should be selected from the Protection list in the Protective Device Selector:

NOTE: for a device with non-graphical data, only the two adjustments described above have any
effect on the outcome of the calculations in ProDesign. Although its characteristic curve and any
associated settings can be viewed and adjusted (see: ‘The Graph View’), any adjustments made in
this way will have no effect on the ProDesign calculations.

Graph View for Non-graphical Data

For devices with non-graphical data, only the nominal characteristic curve will be available.

Breaking Capacity
The breaking capacity of the selected CPD can be assessed in two ways:

• Fully Rated: a check is made to ensure that the ultimate breaking capacity (Icu) is equal to
or greater than the calculated short-circuit fault current;
• Cascade Rated: a check is made to ensure that the cascaded breaking capacity is equal to
or greater than the calculated short-circuit fault current. The cascaded rating depends on the
performance of the associated CPD on the supply side of the one under consideration.
Cascaded ratings are only available for combinations of supply side and load side CPDs
tested and rated by the manufacturer. The selection is only available when such a
combination is present.

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No Protection
This should be checked only if the circuit has no circuit protective device (CPD).

Where No Protection is checked, the cable sizing, short-circuit and earth fault calculations for the
circuit are performed using the characteristics of the nearest CPD in the network on the supply side
of the circuit.

Voltage Drop Tab (Sub-main circuits only)

A limit for the total voltage drop across sub-main circuits is set in the dialog for the active source
feeding the network. During the calculation, each individual sub-main circuit is allocated a share of
the total voltage drop setting, and cables with their size set to Auto, will be automatically sized to
meet their voltage drop allocation.
The voltage drop tab in each sub-main circuit contains a setting to place a limit on the voltage drop
in the individual circuit. This setting overrides the automatic voltage drop allocation, so where the
voltage drop setting in the voltage drop tab is lower than the allocation, the allocation will be ignored
and the voltage drop setting will be applied.
Where the size of a cable is fixed, the voltage drop setting in the voltage drop tab will be set to the
actual voltage drop for the cable size selected.
The setting can be made as a percentage or an absolute voltage value.
The voltage drop limit for final circuits is determined by a setting located in the distribution board,
consumer unit or tap-off to which the cable is connected.

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Comments Tab
Contains a comments text box the contents of which can be printed with the related report.

Busbars Settings
There are four busbar components in ProDesign which can be used to construct busbar systems:

• End Feed Unit: used as the connection point for the cable supplying a busbar system; a
correctly connected end feed will have one cable connection and one busbar

connection:
• Centre Feed Unit: used as the connection point for the cable supplying a centre fed busbar
system; a correctly connected centre feed will have one cable connection and two busbar

connections:
• Tap Off Unit: used to connect outgoing cable circuits to a busbar system; a correctly
connected Tap Off will have one or two busbar connections and one cable connection:

• Busbar: used to represent the busbar connection between an end feed and a tap off, a

centre feed and a tap off, or a tap-off and a tap off:

The settings in the dialogs for the busbar components are described below.

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Busbar

Main Dialog Area:

Id No.
The text reference for the busbar used in reports. It is also displayed on the drawing if the Display
Reference box is checked.

Name.
The secondary text reference for the busbar used in reports. It is also displayed on the drawing if the
Display Reference box is checked.

Connection
From: gives the reference of the network item connected to the supply end of the busbar.
To: gives the reference of the network item connected to the load end of the busbar.

User Type
Click the User Type button to select User Global Settings – see User Global Settings.

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Information
Where information has been made available by the busbar manufacturer for the selected busbar
type, this can be viewed by clicking on the Information… button. The information will be displayed
using Adobe Acrobat Reader which must be installed (a copy is included on the AMTECH program
CD).

Where information is not available, the button will be greyed out: .

Length Tab

Section Length
Used to set the length for an individual section of busbar (e.g., from tap off to tap off) in a busbar
system.

Total Length
Displays the total length of the busbar system, comprising the sum of the lengths of each individual
section.

Manufacturer / Range / Type

The currently selected busbar Manufacturer / Range / Type are displayed. These settings can be
made in the Details tab.
Details Tab:

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The Details Tab contains the settings that are used to determine the busbar configuration:

Manufacturer
Select the busbar manufacturer from the list. The ranges and types shown in the boxes below will
restricted those available for that manufacturer.

Range / Type
Select the range and type from the lists to complete the busbar selection.

Rating
For busbars where the rating is set to Auto, when the project is calculated the minimum suitable
rating will automatically be selected from the range of ratings available for the selected busbar type.
Alternatively, uncheck the Auto box and select a rating from the list. When the project is calculated,
the selected size will be checked for suitability.

Temp (°C)
Set the temperature to match the average ambient temperature at which the busbar is to operate.

Phase
Displays the configuration of the phase connections. To change the busbar phasing, change the
phasing of the supplying cable.

Poles
Set the number of live poles with which the busbar is equipped.

Installation
Set the installation orientation, e.g., a busbar riser should be set to ‘Vertical’. Some busbar types are
derated when installed vertically.

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CPC Tab:

Set the busbar component(s) being used as the circuit protective conductor. The choices offered
match the earthing arrangements for the selected busbar.
Optional Data Tab:

A short text description can be typed in for busbar Function and Location. These will appear in the
relevant reports.
Comments Tab:
Contains a comments text box the contents of which can be printed with the related report.

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 7BProject Settings • 191

End Feed Unit

Id No.
The text reference for the End Feed used in reports. It is also displayed on the drawing if the Display
Reference box is checked.

Name.
The secondary text reference for the End Feed used in reports. It is also displayed on the drawing if
the Display Reference box is checked.

Connection
From: gives the reference of the cable supplying the End Feed.
To: gives the reference of the busbar connected to the End Feed.

Centre Feed Unit

Id No.
The text reference for the Centre Feed used in reports. It is also displayed on the drawing if the
Display Reference box is checked.

Name.
The secondary text reference for the Centre Feed used in reports. It is also displayed on the drawing
if the Display Reference box is checked.

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Connection
From: gives the reference of the cable supplying the Centre Feed.
To: gives the reference of the busbar connected to the Centre Feed.

Tap Off Unit

Main Dialog Area:

Id No.
The text reference for the Tap Off used in reports. It is also displayed on the drawing if the Display
Reference box is checked.

Name.
The secondary text reference for the Tap Off used in reports. It is also displayed on the drawing if
the Display Reference box is checked.

Function
A short text description can be typed in for the Tap Off Function. This will appear in the relevant
reports.

Connection
From: gives the reference of the busbar supplying the Tap Off.
To: gives the reference of the cable connected to the load side of Tap Off.

User Type
Click the User Type button to select User Global Settings – see User Global Settings.
Voltage Drop Tab:

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Sets the voltage drop limit for the circuit connected to the Tap Off. Where the size of the cable in the
circuit is set to Auto, when the project is calculated, the minimum size is selected first to meet load
requirements and secondly to meet the voltage drop limit setting. If the cable size is fixed, the
voltage drop calculation will check whether the voltage dropped across this cable is within the set
limit.
Protection Tab:
The Protection Tab contains the settings for the circuit protective device for the circuit connected to
the Tap Off. For details, see Conductors | Cables | Protection Tab.
Comments Tab:
Contains a comments text box the contents of which can be printed with the related report.

Loads
There are four categories of load type in ProDesign:

• Non-motor loads;
• Motor loads;
• Street Lighting.
• Power Factor Correction

This section describes data input contained within the dialogs for these loads.
Final circuits, comprising the cable supplying a load and the load itself, can be defined in ProDesign
in one of two ways:

• On the network drawing: draw a cable connected to a switchboard, distribution board,

consumer unit or busbar tap off; place a Load or Motor symbol at the end of the cable.
• Within the Circuit Diagram within a Distribution Board or consumer unit dialog, display the
Circuit dialog to define the cable and load details.
• For details see: Network Settings | Boards | Distribution Boards | Circuit Diagram.

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Main Dialog Area Settings - Motor and Non-motor loads

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 7BProject Settings • 195

The controls in the main dialog area are common to both non-motor loads and motor loads.

Id No.
The text reference for the Load or Motor used in reports. It is also displayed on the drawing if the
Display Reference box is checked.

Name.
The secondary text reference for the Load or Motor used in reports. It is also displayed on the
drawing if the Display Reference box is checked.

Connection
From: gives the reference of the cable supplying the load.

User Type
Click the User Type button to select User Global Settings – see User Global Settings.

Non-motor Load Settings

Load Tab

Type
A list of load types. Selection of the correct load type is important because calculation rules vary
according to load types; specifically the rules for earth fault disconnection times, classification of
load types for load analysis and diversity settings.

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Load
The connected load current used as the design current (Ib) in the calculation for the selection of the
CPD rating [In≥Ib].

Power Factor
The power factor of the load current.

3rd Harmonic
The level of third harmonic distortion in the load current expressed as a percentage of the
fundamental current.

Disconnection Time
The maximum disconnection time for earth fault conditions. For circuits with fixed loads the
maximum time is 5 s (alternatively a setting of 0.4 or 0.2 s can be made) and for circuits feeding
sockets the maximum time is 0.4 s (alternatively a setting of 0.2 s can be made).

Diversity
Diversity for final circuits can be set in two ways: at the dialog for the DB feeding the final circuit and
this setting. This setting can be made within the range 0.1 to 2. The effective setting for this load
circuit will be the two settings multiplied together. This is shown in the Total Diversity box. The
diversity setting in the Load dialog is fixed at 1 when the diversity setting at the feeding DB is Table
H2.
The Standby setting effectively sets the diversity for the circuit to zero.
The CPD sizing for a final circuit is unaffected by the diversity setting. Example: Load = 20 A,
Diversity = 0.5; the CPD rating would be selected as 20 A, the load added to the feeding DB for this
circuit would be 20 x 0.5 = 10 A.

Supply Voltage
The system voltage corresponds to the value entered in the dialog for the network active source. It is
shown in the form Three-phase/Single-phase.

Comments Tab
Contains a comments text box the contents of which can be printed with the related report.

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Motor Settings

Motor Tab

Type
A list of motor load types. Selection of the correct load type is important because calculation rules
vary according to motor load types; specifically the rules for diversity settings selection of the CPD
for different starting methods and earth fault disconnection times.

Rating
The rating in kW is used, in conjunction with the No. of Poles, to find typical values of power factor
and efficiency which are inserted into their respective edit boxes in the dialog. The supply voltage,
rating, power factor and efficiency are then used to calculate the load current. Alternatively, the load
current and power factor can be typed directly into the Load and Power Factor boxes. The CPD and
cable sizing calculations are based on the load and power factor; the rating (kW), No. of Poles and
Efficiency are not used for this purpose.

No. of Poles
The No. of Poles is used, in conjunction with the rating in kW, to find typical values of power factor
and efficiency which are inserted into their respective edit boxes in the dialog. The supply voltage,
rating, power factor and efficiency are then used to calculate the load current.

Load
ProDesign can provide the calculated load current for a motor two ways:

198 • 7BProject Settings AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC)

from the values entered by the user for Rating and No. of Poles. Typical power factors and
efficiencies are used to calculate the load current; from values entered for power factor and
efficiency by the user.
The load current is used as the design current (Ib) in the calculation for cable sizing [Iz≥Ib]. NOTE:
this is not the same as the rule used for non-motor loads.

Power Factor
The power factor of the motor under steady load conditions. When the user inputs the motor Rating
and No. of Poles, a typical power factor is inserted in the box.

Efficiency
The efficiency of the motor under normal load conditions. When the user inputs the motor Rating
and No. of Poles, a typical efficiency is inserted in the box.

Assess Volt Drop on starting

The calculation that assesses voltage drop on motor starting adds the voltage drop caused by the
starting currents of all selected motors to the network voltage drop levels caused by load currents.
Checking the box includes the motor in the group of motors included in the assessment.

3rd Harmonic
The level of third harmonic distortion in the load current expressed as a percentage of the
fundamental current. Example: Load current = 40 A, 3rd Harmonic = 25 %; 3rd harmonic current = 10
A. For motors, harmonic distortion would only be present where electronic control equipment is
used.

Disconnection time
The maximum disconnection time for earth fault conditions. For motors the maximum time is
normally 5 s (alternatively a setting of 0.4 or 0.2 s can be made).

Diversity
Diversity for final circuits can be set in two ways: at the dialog for the DB feeding the final circuit and
this setting. This setting can be made within the range 0.1 to 2. The effective setting for this circuit
will be the two settings multiplied together. This is shown in the Total Diversity box. The diversity
setting in the Load dialog is fixed at 1 when the diversity setting at the feeding DB is Table H2.
It would normally be appropriate to set diversity for a motor to 1.0 in the Motor dialog – at the final
circuit level.
The Standby setting effectively sets the diversity for the circuit to zero. Example: two motors
connected to one DB, one Duty and one Standby. Set the Duty one as ‘Duty’ (Diversity = 1) and the
other as ‘Standby’ (Diversity = 0). The result will be the cable for each motor will be sized for the

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load current; the contribution to the total design current at the DB will be the load current for just one
motor.

Starter Position
For a start delta started motor, determines the type of cabling between the motor and the starter:
3-core for ‘At Motor’, i.e., 3-phase supply to starter,
6-core for ‘In Panel’, i.e., both ends of the three motor windings connected to starter.

Supply Voltage
The system voltage corresponds to the value entered in the dialog for the network active source. It is
shown in the form Three-phase/Single-phase.

Start Current
Value of starting current used in motor starting voltage drop assessment. The typical value inserted
in the box can be overwritten if preferred.

Start PF
Value of power factor used in motor starting voltage drop assessment. The typical value inserted in
the box can be overwritten if preferred.

Street Lighting Settings

Street Lighting circuits in ProDesign are made up of a series of Lighting Columns interconnected by
cables. For details on constructing street lighting circuits, see:
The Project Drawing | Drawing The Network | Street Lighting.
Data inputs are similar to those described for the Cable and Load dialogs, whose contents are
described in: Network Settings | Conductors | Cables and Network Settings | Loads.
Data input details that vary from those in the standard cable and load dialogs are described below:

Lighting Column Dialog

The Lighting Column dialog differs from the Load dialog as follows:

Cable Tab

The Column Height describes the length of the cable run in the lighting column, and replaces the
Length input.

200 • 7BProject Settings AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC)

Load Tab

Type
The type of lamp being used should be selected from the list.

No. of Lamps
The number of lamps fitted to the column should be entered. The running current is calculated from
the lamp rating and the number of lamps.

Lamp Rating
The rating can be selected from the list; otherwise select ‘User Defined’.

Running Current
If a lamp rating is selected from the list in the Lamp Rating box, the running current will be found
from a table of typical operating currents for the lamp type selected multiplied by the number of
lamps. If the lamp rating is selected as ‘User Defined’ the running current should be entered by the
user.

Third Harmonic / Power Factor

These inputs works in a similar way to the Running Current above. Typical values will be inserted
when the lamp rating is selected as ‘User Defined’.

Protection Tab

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The default setting is ‘No Protection’ which assumes that the column cabling is unprotected. This
can be changed to select a protection device as required.

Cable Dialog
For the interconnecting cables between the lighting columns, the following are changed compared to
the normal cable dialog:

Cable to 1st Column

The Length to 1st Column describes the length of the cable from the distribution board and the first
lighting column, and replaces the Length input.

Cable Column to Column

The Length Col/Col describes the length of the cable from one lighting column to the next, and
replaces the Length input.

Junction Box

Id No.

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The text reference for the Junction Box used in reports. It is also displayed on the drawing if the
Display Reference box is checked.

Name.
The secondary text reference for the Junction Box used in reports. It is also displayed on the
drawing if the Display Reference box is checked.

Connection
From: gives the reference of the cable supplying the End Feed.
To: gives the reference of the busbar connected to the End Feed.

Power Factor Correction

Main Dialog Area:

Id No.
The text reference for the Power Factor Correction used in reports. It is also displayed on the
drawing if the Display Reference box is checked.

Name.

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The secondary text reference for the Power Factor Correction used in reports. It is also displayed on
the drawing if the Display Reference box is checked.

Connection
From: gives the reference of the cable supplying the Power Factor Correction.

Power Factor Correction Tab

Power Factor to be Correct to:
The power factor that the system is to be corrected to by the equipment.

Existing.
These fields give the power factor, kW, kVA and kVAr of the system at the point of connection. They
are calculated by the system and are not editable by the user.

Target.
These fields give the power factor, kW, kVA and kVAr of the system at the point of connection when
the corrected power factor is applied. They are calculated by the system and are not editable by the
user.

Required Capacitance.
This field gives the calculated kVAr rating of the correction unit to obtain the required power factor at
the distribution board. It is calculated by the system and is not editable by the user.

Attachments
The Attachments button at the foot of the component dialog launches the ‘Attachment Manager’
dialog. This feature allows you to associate documentation files (e.g. images and PDF files) to each
component.

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For example, technical literature relating to an air conditioning load could be attached to the relevant
ProDesign Load item. This would allow easy access to this information in the future.

Type
The Attachment Manager can be used to add or modify attached files associated with any
component in your ProDesign project.
The Type field enables you to easily search for the component you require. Alternatively click ‘All’ to
view all attachments.

Item
Use the ‘Item’ options to specify which component on your ProDesign project that you wish to add
attachments to. Alternatively, use the ‘All’ tick box if you wish to see all the attachments for the
selected component Type.

Attachment Details
This area displays the attachments associated with the selected ProDesign component(s).
To add an attachment click the ‘Add’ button and browse to the required file.
Double click on a row number to open an attached file, or select the row and click ‘Open’
To disassociate an attachment select the row and click ‘Remove’

Pack
ProDesign can enclose any attached files in a zip file using the ‘Pack’ option. This allows feature
allows easy transportation of file attachments along with ProDesign project files.
If you wish a file to be included in the ‘packing’ process then ensure that the ‘Pack’ option is ticked. If
you wish to transfer the attachment files then simply select ‘Attachments’ from the ProDesign ‘File’

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 7BProject Settings • 205

menu and choose ‘Pack’. This will create a zip file containing the actual attached files in the same
folder and with the same name as the ProDesign project.

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Calculations
Check Network Logic
To perform a network logic check, click Calculate | Check Network Logic:

Check Network Logic provides a rapid check on the validity of the network diagram interconnections
without performing any calculations. This can be useful for a very large project (although, even for
the very largest projects, the calculation time will not be very long).
As the check progresses, circuits are highlighted in green as they are checked and then returned to
their normal colour.
When an incorrect connection is encountered, the check halts with the bad connection flashing in
alternate colours, red, yellow, blue, and an error message is displayed:

At the end of the logic check, if no connection errors have been detected, a message is displayed to
confirm that the network has been connected correctly. The message summarises the number of
cables, busbar systems, loads and motors included in the network:

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Click the OK button to return to the network drawing.
NOTE: the logic check checks the network connected to the active source. Components placed on
the drawing area with no connection to the main network will not be checked. At the end of the logic
check, unchecked circuits are highlighted in green.
Another way these unconnected elements can be identified is by using the Show Unconnected Ends
feature when drawing the network.
For more details on Show Unconnected Ends see: The Project Drawing | Drawing The Network.

Calculating The Project

To calculate the project, click Calculate | Calculate or click on the Calculate button in the Calculate
toolbar:

The calculation procedure involves three stages:

• The logic check is performed as described above. Click OK to proceed to the next stage;
• The network calculations are performed. Details of the calculations are described below in
this section. When the calculations are complete, if no problems have been detected a
message will be displayed to confirm this.
• Errors and warnings are displayed.

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Errors and Warnings
Errors are displayed to warn of conditions which are likely to involve a failure to comply with the
requirements of BS 7671. Warnings are intended to alert the designer to conditions that are not
necessarily non-compliant but may need attention. A third category, ‘Notes’ is designed to inform the
user of other, non-critical, calculation results. For example, a cable may have been increased in
size, above the size necessary to carry the load current, to meet a voltage drop requirement. This
will result in a compliant design but the designer should be aware that this has taken place.
When the project is calculated, any problems found during the calculations are listed in the
Errors / Warnings dialog which is displayed at the end of the calculation procedure:

The Errors / Warnings dialog appears automatically at the end of the calculation procedure; it can
also be displayed at any time by clicking on Reports | Errors / Warnings.
To locate the network component referred to in an error or warning message, double-click the
message. The drawing will scroll to a position where that network component is centred in the
window; additionally, the network component will be flashing.

Error and Warning messages

Errors and Warnings, grouped together by categories denoted by headings, e.g. ‘Sub-mains Voltage
Drop’. Error and warning messages contain the following fields:

Reference
The reference of the network component;

Calculated values
Calculated values relevant to the problem reported;

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Description
A message describing the problem;

Status
Error for critical messages or Warning for advisory messages. The messages are colour coded, red
for errors and blue for warnings.

Error Categories
A list box containing a list of the categories for which error or warning messages are present.
Selecting an item from the List Box scrolls the list to the beginning of the block of messages for the
category selected.

Show Errors, Warnings and Notes

Contains three check boxes, ‘Errors’, ‘Warnings’ and ‘Notes’ which can be checked to determine
what is displayed. One of the three boxes must always be checked.
It is possible to prevent any ‘Notes’ apearing by deselecting the ‘Show Calculation Notes’ option in
the ProDesign ‘Preferences’, ‘Caclulations’ menu.

Errors and Warnings Count

Shows the number of errors present. The count is unaffected by the status of the ‘Show’ check
boxes.

Help button
Select an error/warning message and click the Help button to display Help text related to the
selected message. The text will extend the information provided by the error/warning message and
give a suggestion or suggestions as to how the problem may be put right.

Print button
Produces a printed version of the list of messages. The contents of the printout will correspond to
the displayed list as filtered by the ‘Show’ Errors and Warnings check boxes.

Exit button
Closes the dialog.

210 • 8BCalculations AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC)

Errors and Warning messages – Explained

Errors and Warnings – Submain Voltage Drop

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Errors and Warnings – Final Circuit Voltage Drop

Errors and Warnings – Cable Sizing

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Errors and Warnings – Busbar Sizing

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 8BCalculations • 213

 Errors and Warnings – Phase Fault Adiabatic

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Errors and Warnings – Earth Fault Adiabatic

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Errors and Warnings – Earth Fault Loop Impedance

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Errors and Warnings – Discrimination

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Errors and Warnings – Protective Device Rating and Breaking capacity

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Errors and Warnings – Protective Device Motor Rating

Errors and Warnings – Protective Device Cascading

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 8BCalculations • 219

Errors and Warnings – Busbar Withstand

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Errors and Warnings – 3rd Harmonic Currents

Errors and Warnings – Transformer/Generator Load Check

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 8BCalculations • 221

Cable Sizing

General
The cable sizing calculations verify for each circuit in the network that the selected cable is
adequately rated for the design current (Ib) of the circuit in which it is installed. In other words, the
cable is adequately rated to withstand the thermal effects of both continuous normal loads and
overload conditions. The effects of short-circuit faults are assessed in the Phase Fault Calculations.
The correct cable size can be selected automatically or the designer can set a size, in which case its
suitability is assessed during the calculation process. Assessment of current rating takes into
account:

• the Design Current (Ib);

• the nominal current (In), (Ir) of the circuit protective device (CPD);
• the cable type;
• the Installation Methods (page 223) employed;
• the number of cables in parallel;
• the number of cables grouped together;
• the ambient temperature.
The calculations result in cables sized to adequately carry load currents in all parts of the network.
Where this is not possible, error messages will be displayed.
NOTE: the Voltage Drop Calculations that follow the cable sizing calculations may result in further
increases in the sizes of some cables in a network where voltage drop problems are encountered.
The cable sizing calculations follow the procedures described in BS 7671: Appendix 4. This includes
the ‘Preface to the Tables’, Sections 1 to 6; Tables 4A1, 4B1, 4B3, 4C1; and the tables of cable
current carrying capacities, Tables 4D1A onwards.
The parts dealing with voltage drop (Section 7 and Tables 4D1B to 4L4B) are considered in the
section describing voltage drop calculations.
ProDesign includes a number of cable types not listed in Appendix 4, (fire resistant types, etc.). It
also provides ratings for ground installation methods not considered by BS 7671.

Installed in Air

Cable Rating Data

BS 7671 lists the ratings of cables in Tables 4D1A to 4L4A. For any cable type and size, the rating
given is the maximum continuous load current the cable can withstand without exceeding the
conductor operating temperature given at the head of the table (e.g., PVC insulated = 70 °C). The
rating applies for the installation method indicated and an ambient temperature of 30 °C. The ratings
are valid for both 50 Hz and 60 Hz operation.

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NOTE: when use is made of the comparatively higher current ratings provided by XLPE insulated
cables, consideration must also be given to the higher associated operating temperature (90 °C).
The terminals of equipment connected by cables of this type must be able to sustain the increased
temperature. There is no way to check this in ProDesign.

Installation Methods
The majority of the installation methods defined in the Cable dialog correspond to the Installation
methods defined in BS 7671, Table 4A1. The full definition of the installation method is defined by
the user in the data boxes: Installation, Configuration, Distance and Grouping, as applicable
See: Cable Tab
For the defined installation method, the calculations determine the appropriate Reference method,
which is then used to find the tabulated cable rating (It) from the cable rating tables, i.e., Table 4D1,
etc.
Example:
For the installation method selection shown below, the appropriate Reference Method would be 1
and the tabulated rating (It) would be found in column 7 of Table 4D1A; the voltage drop data from
Table 4D1B, column 7.
The grouping factor (Cg) would come from row 2 of Table 4B1 ‘Single layer clipped to a non-metallic
surface (Method 1) – Touching’.

Correction Factors
As described above current ratings in BS 7671 tables relate to specific installation methods at an
ambient temperature of 30 °C. Any variations in installation conditions (change in ambient
temperature and/or grouping of cables) that affect the dissipation of heat energy from the cable must
be reflected in a correction of the current rating for that cable. The corrected current ratings for these
conditions are determined by the use of correction factors: Ca and Cg.

Ambient Temperature Correction Factor (Ca)

Ambient temperature is the temperature of the free air in the immediate vicinity of the cable
installation. For enclosed cables (e.g., conduit) it is the temperature of the air surrounding the
enclosure.
Tabulated ratings in BS 7671 are based on an ambient temperature of 30 °C. Where the ambient
temperature at the installation is above this level the cable rating will need to be corrected downward
to avoid the operating temperature of the cable exceeding its maximum value. Conversely, when a
cable is operated at ambient temperatures below 30 °C, the cable rating can be increased. For all

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 8BCalculations • 223

ambient temperatures, the corrected current rating is the maximum the cable can carry continuously
without its temperature exceeding its conductor operating temperature.
These corrections are made in ProDesign using the values for the ambient temperature correction
factor (Ca) given in BS 7671, Table 4C1.

Grouping Factor (Cg)

Where cable are bunched or grouped together, it is more difficult for the heat generated by load
currents in the cables to be dissipated to the surrounding air. Consequently, current ratings for
grouped cables need to be corrected downwards. These corrections are made in ProDesign using
the values given in BS 7671, Tables 4B1, 4B3 for the Grouping Factor (Cg).

Touching/spaced
For non-enclosed installation methods there are two sets of factors depending on whether the
cables are touching (Fig.1a) or spaced (Fig.1b). ‘Spaced’ here means spaced at least one cable
diameter apart but not more than two.

In ProDesign ‘Touching’ or ‘Spaced’ is defined when selecting the Installation.

Enclosed Trench installation methods

The grouping factors for Enclosed Trench installation methods (Reference Methods 18, 19, 20) are
given in a separate table, Table 4B3. It should be noted that the factors in Table 4B3 apply to Free
Air (reference Methods 12, 13) cable ratings. For installation methods other than enclosed trenches,
Table 4B1 gives factors to be applied to the cable ratings for specific installation methods.
NOTE: these installation methods usually give considerably reduced cable ratings. Consideration
should be given to the detailed descriptions of these methods in Table 4A1 and whether these
accurately reflect the actual installed conditions.

Total circuits in group

Care should be taken to make appropriate inputs to ‘Total Circuit in Group’ to avoid excessive
derating of cables at one extreme and over-optimistic assumptions at the other.
Correction factors are for multiples of either circuits of single-core cables or multi-core cables. This
means that where, for example, a three phase and neutral circuit is wired in single-core cables, all
four of the cables employed counts as one item for grouping purposes (Fig.2); ‘Total Circuits in
Group’ – unchecked.

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Where a cable is spaced more than two cable diameters from the rest of the cables in the group it
should be disregarded for the purposes of grouping (Footnote, Table 4B1), i.e., for the condition
shown in Fig. 3, the number of grouped circuits is two.

If a grouped cable is expected to carry not more than 30% of its grouped rating, it can be
disregarded for the purposes of grouping. Because there is no facility in ProDesign to identify the
individual cables in a group, it is not able to apply this rule. Therefore, the user should assess
whether there are cables that can be ignored on this basis.

Total cables in parallel

The cabling of a ring socket circuit constitutes one circuit only and should not be defined as having
two parallel cables.
Cables in a circuit are considered to be paralleled where:

• more than one single-core cable is used in each phase;

• more than one multi-core cable is used.

In ProDesign when parallel cables are set, grouping is automatically applied. This is done by
automatically setting ‘Total Circuits in Group’ = No. of parallel cables. Although, the paralleled cables
are part of the same circuit, if they are grouped together, they should be derated in the same way as
similar cables in separate circuits.

If the user wishes to define the parallel cables as being installed with spacing >2 dia., ‘Total Circuits
in Group’ can be unchecked to remove the grouping previously applied.

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NOTE: where circuits with parallel cables are grouped together, care needs to be taken to ensure
that grouping is correctly applied.
For example: Two grouped circuits, each with two parallel cables:

Determination of required cable size

The derating parameters discussed above are used to determine the minimum suitable size of cable
for the design current (Ib) for a circuit, taking into account any installation conditions affecting the
cable rating.
The continuous current-carrying capacity of a cable (Iz) is the actual capacity taking into account all
relevant derating factors, i.e.:
Iz = [In / (Ca x Cg x Ci x Cf x Ch)]
(Ca, ambient derating factor; Cg, grouping derating factor; Ci, derating factor for installation in
insulation material; Cf, derating factor for BS 3036 fuse; Ch, derating factor for harmonic current)
The general rule for cable sizing is:
It ≥ [In / (Ca x Cg x Ci x Cf x Ch)]
Therefore, the following rule ensures that the selected cable is suitably rated:
It ≥ Iz
For adjustable circuit protective devices:
Iz ≥ [Ir / (Ca x Cg x Ci x Cf x Ch)] (Ir is the adjusted rating of the CPD)
for motor circuits:
Iz ≥ [Ib / (Ca x Cg x Ci x Cf x Ch)]

Simultaneous Overload
ProDesign allows derating for grouping assuming the grouped cables are either ‘Subject to
simultaneous overload’ or ‘Not Subject to simultaneous overload’ (BS 7671, Appendix 4. 6.1.2):

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Subject to simultaneous overload
It ≥ [In / Cg] --------- (Appendix 4. 6.1.2 Formula (2))
Not Subject to simultaneous overload
It ≥ [Ib / Cg] --------- (Appendix 4. 6.1.2 Formula (3))
It ≥ √{In2 + 0.48 Ib2 [(1 – Cg2)/ Cg2]} ---------(Appendix 4. 6.1.2 Formula (4))

Installed in Ground
Cable sizing for ground installation methods (Buried direct, or, In underground single-way conduit or
ducting), although similar in principle to the sizing for air installation methods described above, uses
different parameters. Also, the calculation for ‘Not Subject to simultaneous’ overload does not apply.
The installation methods and ratings used are as described in the publication:
BICC Cables ‘Fixed Power, Control and Wiring Cables’ Publication No. EC F 3-91
The correction factors used are listed below. The values in square brackets describe the conditions
for which no derating is required:
Ctg = correction factor for Ground Temperature (°C); [Ctg = 1 @ 15 °C]
Cdg = correction factor for Depth of Lay (m); [Cdg = 1 @ 0.5 m]
Crg = correction factor for Soil Thermal Resistivity (K.m/W); [Crg = 1.2 K.m/W]
Cgg = correction factor for grouped cables.

The minimum cable capacity (Iz) for a given cable type and installation condition is obtained by
dividing the product of the various applicable factors into the nominal rating of the circuit protective
device, thus:
Iz = In/(Ctg x Cdg x Crg x Cgg x Ch) [Ch, derating factor for harmonic current]
Cable selection for 'Buried direct' or 'In underground single-way conduit or ducting', is made using:
It ≥ Iz

User Defined Rating

The installation method ‘User Defined’ is available for all cable types. When selected, it replaces all
derating factors (except Ch, the derating factor for harmonic current) with a value typed in by the
user:

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 8BCalculations • 227

The minimum cable capacity (Iz) is then calculated thus:
Iz = In/(Cu x Ch) [Cu, user defined derating factor]

Busbar Sizing
The general principles for sizing busbars are similar to those for cables described above but the
details are significantly different. Generally, there are no installation methods for busbars as the
busbar casing provides a standardised environment for the conductors. Also, there is no
requirement for assessing ratings for parallel and grouped conductors.

Busbar Data
There is no busbar data in BS 7671 and ProDesign uses data from the relevant manufacturer for
each of the busbar types listed in the Busbar Details dialog.

Busbar Ratings
A busbar size is given as an actual rating in amperes rather than as a section in mm2. The section of
the busbar conductors, although not stated, is stored in the ProDesign database and used for such
purposes as voltage drop and fault calculations.

Derating Factors
Unlike cables, not all busbars are fully rated at an ambient temperature of 30 °C. A number of
busbar types are fully rated at 35 °C or 40 °C. Consequently, it is not unusual to see an ambient
derating factor of, for example, 1.02 for a busbar operating in an ambient temperature of 30 °C.
Because a busbar includes its own enclosure, the current rating given by the manufacturer does not
need to be modified for different installation conditions – the busbar is mounted on a surface and will
operate satisfactorily for the load current specified. An exception to this is that some busbars have a
different rating according to the whether they are installed in a horizontal or vertical run.
In this context a busbar used as a riser between floors in a building is considered to be installed
vertically. The user should indicate in the Busbar Details dialog which installation method is used by
selecting: Installation – Horizontal or Vertical.

Sizing Calculations
The circuit protective device (CPD) rating In (or Ir for an adjustable device) must be equal to or
greater than the design current Ib, i.e., In ≥ Ib or Ir ≥ Ib.
For a busbar, the CPD used for sizing will be the nearest one on the supply side of the busbar under
consideration, usually the CPD for the cable feeding the busbar.

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The required busbar current rating Iz must be greater than or equal to the circuit protective device
rating divided by the temperature, harmonic current and installation correction factors:
Iz ≥ (In / Ca x Ch x installation correction factor)
The tabulated busbar current rating It must be equal to or greater than Iz: It ≥ Iz.

Volt Drop Calculations

The voltage drop routine is designed to assist the user to comply with the requirements of BS 7671.
The relevant section is: 525-01 ‘Voltage drop in consumers’ installations’.Although many designs are
based on the guideline of 4% (525-01-02), where the designer knows the voltage range over which
the equipment will operate safely and satisfactorily (which may well be the case for industrial sites)
considerable savings may be made when selecting conductors to give voltage drops that are
satisfactory (525-01-01), although above the 4% limit mentioned in 525-01-02.
It is important to appreciate that ProDesign sizes conductors in a network to meet the voltage drop
settings made by the user. If the designer wishes to work to 4% that can be achieved (in fact it is the
default condition) but the if the user makes voltage drop settings that take the overall voltage drop
limit above 4%, ProDesign will comply. If the voltage drop settings are raised by the user to give an
overall limit of, for example 6%; then the resulting design may incur voltage drops from the source
down to and including final circuits, totalling up to 6%. The resulting design would comply with BS
7671 (525-01-01), providing the voltage at the terminals of ‘fixed current-using equipment’ is
‘such as not to impair the safe functioning of that equipment’.
In respect of 525-01-02, the user should be aware that if the source of the network in ProDesign is
not the ‘origin of the installation’ then 4% is not necessarily the correct voltage drop limit. In other
words, if there is actually a supply cable from the ‘origin of the installation’ and this is not included in
the network modelled in ProDesign, the voltage drop in that cable should be subtracted from the set
voltage drop limit in ProDesign. Also, it should be noted that ‘origin of the installation’ is not defined
in BS 7671 and misunderstandings can and do arise between contractors and clients on this subject.

Volt drop limits

There are two different voltage drop limit settings; one in source dialogs for sub-main circuits, and
one in each Distribution Board or Consumer Unit for final circuits connected to that board. The
settings should be chosen to limit the overall voltage drop to the required level. The default settings
are 1.5% for sub-main circuits and 2.5% for final circuits, giving an overall limit of 4%.
The designer can change the settings to change the overall limit and also to change the proportion
allowed in sub-main circuits compared to final circuits.
The routines, described below, that size conductors to ensure that voltage drop limits are met, are
carried out after the conductors have been sized for load currents. Therefore, where cable sizes or
busbar ratings are set to Auto, the voltage drop routine may result in an increase in the size or rating
of some conductors. If low limits are set or if the network involves long circuit lengths, considerable
up-sizing may take place.

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 8BCalculations • 229

Sub-main circuit limits
The voltage drop setting in the Voltage tab of the dialog for the active source sets the overall voltage
drop limit for sub-main circuits across the whole network.

ProDesign ensures that the voltage drop from the supply to the end of the most remote sub-main
does not exceed the setting. Where it is not possible to keep the voltage drop within the set limits, an
error message will be displayed.
The procedure for the assessment of voltage drops in sub-main circuits against the set limit is as
follows:

Identifying sub-main branches

The voltage drop limit has to be satisfied for each branch of the network in turn. Each branch
comprises all the sub-main circuits between a final circuit and the source.

The sub-main branches in the network in Fig. 6 are:

Cable 1/Cable 2/Cable 3; Cable 1/Cable 2; Cable 1/Cable 5/Cable 6; Cable 1/Cable 5/Cable 8.

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Initial voltage drop allocation
For each of the branches in the network an initial voltage drop limit is allocated to each sub-main
circuit. The allocation for each circuit is a percentage of the sub-main voltage drop limit setting
based on a calculation involving the section of the conductor, its length and the load current flowing
through it.

Voltage drop assessment

Taking each of the sub-main branches in turn, the voltage drop in each sub-main circuit is
calculated, using the sizes determined by the cable and busbar sizing routines see Cable Sizing and
Busbar Sizing above. Starting with the cable connected to the source (main cable) and working
down, the following procedure is carried out for each cable in turn. The actual voltage drop is
calculated and then compared to the allocation for that cable. If the actual voltage drop is equal to or
less than the allocation, the cable size remains as previously calculated.
When the last cable in the branch is reached (the one nearest a final circuit), the total actual voltage
drops for the other cables in that branch are subtracted from the sub-main voltage drop limit giving a
level of voltage drop ‘available’ for the last cable. If the actual voltage drop for this last cable is equal
to or less than the available voltage drop then the cable size remains unchanged.
Where a conductor size is fixed by the user, the allocation for that circuit equals the actual voltage
drop in that conductor.

Cable re-sizing
In the voltage drop assessment process described above, where the actual voltage drop in a
conductor is greater than its allocation (or, for the last circuit in a branch, greater than the remaining
available voltage drop), the cable will be increased one size and the check repeated. This process
continues until all allocations are satisfied or, in cases where the largest available conductor size
does not meet the allocation, an error message will be displayed.
This process is repeated for each branch in the network until all allocations are satisfied ensuring
that the voltage drop limit set by the user is met, unless error messages are displayed.

User intervention
The procedure described above should produce an acceptable solution but the user may wish to
optimise the design by adjusting the finalised cable sizes while keeping within the setting limits.
For example, in Fig. 6, the re-sizing routine may have resulted in Cable 1 being increased in size to
meet a voltage drop problem in branch: Cable 1/Cable 5/Cable 8. The user may prefer to increase
the size of Cable 5 and leave Cable 1 alone. This can be done by fixing Cable 5 at the desired
increased size and re-calculating. The sizes of Cables 1 and 8 should then return to the sizes set by
the cable sizing routine. Alternatively, Cable 1 can be fixed at the desired size leading to the resizing
of Cables 5 and 8 to fit within smaller allocations.
If the sizes of all the conductors in a branch are fixed then ProDesign can no longer re-size them
and the user has manual control of voltage drop.
The user can also set a limit for an individual sub-main cable (Cable dialog, Voltage Drop tab). The
user set limit overrides the allocation for that cable where it is set at a level below the allocation.

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Final Circuit limits
There is a setting located in the Voltage Drop tab in the dialog for each distribution board and
consumer unit which controls the voltage drop limit for final circuits connected to that board.

The operation of final circuit limits is much simpler than for sub-main circuits.
Starting from the previously calculated cable sizes, the voltage drop in each circuit is checked and
compared to the voltage drop limit set in the distribution board or consumer unit it is connected to.
Where the voltage drop in a circuit exceeds the set limit, and the cable size is set to Auto, the cable
will be increased one size and the check repeated. This process continues until all set limits are
satisfied or, in cases where the largest available cable size for any circuit does not meet its
allocation, an error message will be displayed.
For cables where the user has set the size, the voltage drop is calculated and if it exceeds the set
limit an error message will be displayed.

Voltage Drop Calculations

The voltage drop calculations give the phase to neutral voltage drop for three-phase, three-phase
and neutral, and single-phase circuits.
In the case of three-phase and neutral circuits, the neutral current is determined by adding the
complex phase currents, which for a balanced load condition (the same load current in each phase)
will be zero. The voltage drop in each phase is then found by adding the complex sum of the phase
and the neutral voltage drops.
The impedance data used for the voltage drop calculations is taken from Tables 4D1B to 4L4B for
the cable types listed in BS 7671. For other types and for busbars, manufacturer’s data is used. The
data used is the complex impedance (resistance and reactance) for the relevant type of circuit: 2-
core data divided by 2 for each conductor for single-phase circuits and 3/4-core data divided by √3
for each conductor for three-phase and three-phase and neutral circuits.
The calculations are corrected for load power factor and operating temperature as described in
BS 7671, Appendix 4, Section 7.3.
The generalised formulae for the calculations are:
Single-phase circuits:
Vd1ph = {L x A x [Ct x cos ∅ (r1ph) + sin ∅ (x1ph)]} / 1000
Three-phase circuits:
Vd1ph = {L x A x [Ct x cos ∅ (r3ph/√3) + sin ∅ (x3ph/√3)]} / 1000

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where:
Vd1ph = phase to neutral voltage drop.
L = the total circuit length.
A = the design current Ib.
cos ∅ = the load power factor.
sin ∅ = sin (cos-1 ∅).
r1ph, x1ph = the tabulated conductor resistance/reactance for single-phase circuits
(mV/A/m).
r3ph, x3ph = the tabulated conductor resistance/reactance for three-phase circuits
(mV/A/m).
Ct = temperature correction factor, where:
Ct = {230 + tp – [Ca2Cg2 – (Ib2/It2)](tp – 30)}/(230 + tp)
and: tp = maximum normal operating temperature; Ca = ambient derating factor; Cg = grouping
factor; Ib = design current; It = conductor tabulated rating.

Radial Lighting Circuits

Where the load description for the circuit is ‘Lighting Radial Circuit’ the voltage drop calculation takes
account of the fact that the loads are distributed along the length of the circuit instead of being
concentrated at the extreme end. This gives a lower and more realistic level of voltage drop for
lighting loads.
Fig. 3 shows the layout for a circuit with a conventional load. The voltage drop is the simple product
of the circuit impedance and the design current.

Fig. 4 shows a radial lighting circuit. The voltage drop will be the sum of the voltage drops Vd1, Vd2,
Vd3, Vd4, Vd5.

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 8BCalculations • 233

A completely accurate assessment would require the load currents for each individual luminaire and
the distances between them. In ProDesign a good approximation is obtained by the following
method:

• The length to the first fitting. The standard calculation is applied to this length.
• Vd1ph = { Ct x L x A x [cos ∅ (r1ph) + sin ∅ (x1ph)]} / 1000
• The remaining circuit length. The standard calculation is used and the result divided by 2.
• Vd1ph = { Ct x L x A x [cos ∅ (r1ph) + sin ∅ (x1ph)]} / (1000 x 2)
• The reported voltage drop is the sum of the results from the two above calculations.

NOTE: This calculation is not used for Street Lighting circuits – the full details of all conductor
lengths and luminaire loadings are provided by the user and full voltage drop detail is reported.

Motor Starting Voltage Drop

‘When ‘Assess Voltage Drop on Starting’ is checked in the dialog for a motor circuit, the voltage drop
associated with the increased level of motor current during starting is calculated.
Typical values for the starting current and power factor are inserted into the data boxes in the dialog.
These can be overwritten with other values, if required.
‘Assess Voltage Drop on Starting’ can be selected for any number of motors, so that the impact of a
group starting simultaneously can be seen across the distribution network.
In the Motor Starting Voltage Drop report (Menu: Reports | Motor Starting Voltage Drop), the voltage
drop during motor starting is shown for the selected motor circuits and any sub-mains between those
circuits and the supply source.’

Phase Fault Calculations

The phase fault calculations cover three areas:

• Calculation of phase fault currents;

• Check Circuit Protective Device (CPD) breaking capacity;
• Check protection of conductors under phase fault conditions (adiabatic).

Calculation Method
To find the value of prospective fault current at any point in the network, a sum is made of the
impedances in the network between the Source of Supply (including the source impedance) and the
point at which the fault is assumed to occur, i.e., the path through which the fault current will flow.
The summed impedance (Z) is then divided into the nominal applied voltage (U0) to find the fault
current (If):
Fault Current If = U0/Z

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The impedance Z is the complex impedance, i.e., Z = r + jx.
The value of applied voltage (U0) will depend on the voltage at the Source of Supply and the type of
fault current being calculated. For example, if the voltage at the Source of Supply is defined as 400
V/230 V and the fault being calculated is phase to neutral, the applied voltage will be 230 V.
Two fault currents, maximum and minimum, are calculated at all points in the network.

Maximum Fault Current

The calculation is for the fault configuration that gives the highest possible prospective fault current.
For example, for a three-phase and neutral circuit, a symmetrical fault (all three phases shorted)
would give the highest current. The calculation also uses circuit resistances measured at 20 °C
(lowest resistance, highest fault current).
The formulae used to calculate the maximum fault current are:
Three-phase and three-phase and neutral circuit:
Max. fault current = 3ph symmetrical fault current (Isym)
Isym = Uph / (Ze + Z1)

Single phase circuit:

Max. fault current = Phase to neutral fault current (Iph-n)
Iph-n = Uph / (Ze + Z1 + Zn)
where: Ze = external phase impedance; Z1 = phase conductor impedance;
Uph = phase voltage; Zn = neutral impedance.

Minimum Fault Current

The calculation is for the fault configuration that gives the lowest possible prospective fault current.
For example, for a three-phase and neutral circuit, a phase-neutral fault would give the lowest
current. The calculation also uses circuit resistances measured at the average fault temperature.
The formulae used to calculate the minimum fault current are:
Three phase and neutral circuit:
Iph-n = Uph / (Ze + Z1> + Zn>)
Three phase circuit:
Iph-ph = UL / 2(Ze + Z1>)
Single phase circuit:
Iph-n = Uph / (Ze + Z1> + Zn>)
where: UL = line voltage (phase to phase) voltage;
Uph = phase voltage; Ze = external phase impedance;
Z1> = phase conductor impedance at the average fault temperature;
AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 8BCalculations • 235
 Zn> = neutral conductor impedance at the average fault temperature.

Breaking Capacity Check

The breaking capacity of every CPD in the network is checked against the prospective fault
conditions. If the breaking capacity of any CPD is inadequate an error message will be displayed.

Fully Rated CPDs

It is generally a requirement to ensure that the breaking capacity of each Circuit Protective Device
(CPD) is equal to or greater than the maximum prospective fault current at the point of installation
(434-03-01). ProDesign carries out a check on the breaking capacity of each CPD.
The Breaking Capacity (also known as interrupting capacity) of a CPD, is the maximum level of fault
current that the device can safely interrupt. If the device is expected to interrupt a fault current
greater than its declared breaking capacity, it will not be suitable for that duty.
Circuit-breakers have two breaking capacities: Icu and Ics. In contrast to circuit-breakers, fuses
generally have a single breaking capacity.

Breaking Capacity Definitions

Icu / Icn
Icu is defined as the ‘Ultimate Breaking Capacity’ of a circuit-breaker (Icn is the ‘Normal Breaking
Capacity of an mcb, with the same meaning as Icu). This is the maximum level of fault current that
the circuit-breaker can safely interrupt. Therefore, Icu (or Icn - as applicable) has to be equal to or
greater than the maximum prospective fault current at the point of installation.

Ics
Ics is defined as the ‘Service Breaking Capacity’ of a circuit-breaker and is the maximum level of fault
current that the circuit-breaker can interrupt, subject to more stringent requirements than those
applicable to Icu. The requirement for Icu is simply to safely interrupt the fault current and it is
acceptable that, having done this, the circuit-breaker may well be no longer serviceable. For Ics, the
circuit-breaker must be able to perform a further close/open operation under fault conditions.
For some circuit-breakers, the Ics rating may be lower than the Icu rating (as low as 50%). For larger
circuit-breakers the two ratings are often the same.
The standard, BS EN60947-2, recommends that any circuit-breaker should be selected and installed
such that its Ics rating is equal to or greater than the maximum prospective fault current at the load
end of the circuit in which it is installed. This is a recommendation not a requirement. Ics and its
application, is not mentioned in BS 7671. Where this recommended condition is not met, a
warning message will be displayed.

Breaking Capacity for Fully Rated CPDs

For each circuit where the CPD has been set to ‘Fully Rated’ (Cable dialog, Protection tab), its
Ultimate Breaking Capacity (Icu) is checked against the calculated maximum fault current at the
source end of the circuit.

236 • 8BCalculations AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC)

Cascade Rated CPDs
Generally it is a requirement that the breaking capacity of each Circuit Protective Device (CPD)
should be equal to or greater than the maximum prospective fault current at the point of installation
(434-03-01). Alternatively, it is permissible to select a protective device on the basis of a Cascade
Rating (otherwise known as Series Rating or Back-up Rating).
Cascade Ratings are listed in manufacturer’s tables showing combinations of two devices, one
upstream (nearest to the supply) and one downstream (furthest from the supply). For each
combination, a maximum fault capacity is given which is the maximum prospective fault permissible
at the point of installation of the downstream device. This will be higher, sometimes much higher,
than the breaking capacity (Icu) of that device. This is made possible by the energy limiting
performance of the upstream device which ensures that the downstream device will never be
expected to interrupt a level of fault current beyond its breaking capacity.
The Cascaded Rating applies to the downstream device, the upstream CPD has to be selected
according to the rules for Fully Rated devices.
Cascade Rating is only valid for published combinations of protective devices and should only be
used up to the maximum ratings by given manufacturers.

Breaking Capacity for Cascade Rated CPDs

The user can only select ‘Cascade Rated’ (Cable dialog, Protection tab) where a valid cascade
breaking capacity is available for a combination of the CPD type under consideration and the CPD
used in the upstream circuit.
For each circuit where the user has indicated that the CPD should be ‘Cascade Rated’, the following
checks are made:

• The Ultimate Breaking Capacity (Icu) is checked against the calculated maximum fault
current at the source end of the circuit. If the Icu is less than the fault current, the CPD
Cascade Rating is then checked.
• The Cascaded Breaking Capacity is checked against the calculated maximum fault current
at the source end of the circuit.

Phase Fault Adiabatic Check

Purpose of Calculation
The calculation is used to check that the energy let-through of the CPD does not cause the
temperature of the phase conductors in a circuit to exceed their maximum admissible limiting
temperature under phase fault conditions (e.g., for XLPE insulated cables this would be 250 °C).

Description of Calculation
The calculation determines the time it would take for the conductor temperature to rise from the
highest permissible temperature in normal load conditions to the maximum admissible limiting
temperature. Providing the CPD disconnects within this time, the circuit is considered to be
adequately protected (434-03-03). The formula used is:

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 8BCalculations • 237

 t = (k2 S2) / I2
where:
t = the maximum permissible disconnection time;
k = a factor for the type of conductor being used. The value of k reflects the behaviour of the
conductor under thermal conditions;
S = the section of the conductor in mm2;
I = the fault current in amperes.
Where the disconnection time is less than 0.1 s, the energy let-through (I2t) of the CPD has to be
less than the value of the cable withstand (k2 S2), i.e.:
I2t < k2 S2
The units for energy let-through (I2t) for a protective device are ampere squared seconds (A2s).
NOTE: Where parallel conductors are used it is a requirement to consider the possibility that one of
the conductors may be expected to withstand the fault current (434-04-01). Therefore, where a
circuit employs parallel conductors, the section S for only one conductor is used in the calculation.

Busbar Fault Rating

The fault rating of busbars are checked in two ways:

• Short time withstand. The busbar has to thermally withstand a level of rms through fault
current for a stated period, e.g. 25 kA rms/1 sec.
• Peak withstand. The busbar has to be able to withstand the mechanical stresses associated
with the peak value of fault current.

Short time withstand

This is a check to ensure that the busbar conductors do not become excessively heated by the fault
current, i.e., that a maximum value of heat energy A2s is not exceeded.
The load end minimum phase fault current (IFLMin) is found for the first section of busbar (the one
nearest the supply) in the relevant busbar system (for a centre fed busbar, using the highest of the
fault currents for the two sections nearest the supply). Using this fault current, the disconnection time
is found from the CPD database, and this is then used to find the I2t on the supply side of the busbar
system, as follows:

• Disconnection time less than 0.1 s: I2t is the energy let-through in A2s from the CPD
database for the fault current (IFLMin);
• Disconnection time greater than 0.1 s: I2t is (IFLMin)2 x disconnection time.
The following check is then made:
Irms2 x trms ≥ I2t
where: Irms, trms are the busbar short time withstand current and time.
Where a busbar fails the check an error message will be displayed.

238 • 8BCalculations AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC)

Peak withstand
The busbar has to withstand the stresses associated with the maximum peak value of the maximum
prospective fault current. This peak value (Ipk) occurs in the first half-cycle of fault current and is
calculated as follows:
Ifaultpk = [1.02 + 0.98exp(-3R/X)] x √2 x Ifault(max)
where:
Ifault(max) is the maximum rms fault current at the load end of the first section of busbar (the one
nearest the supply) in the relevant busbar system.
The following check is then made:
Ipk ≥ Ifaultpk
where: Ipk is the busbar peak fault current withstand.
Where a busbar fails the check an error message will be displayed.

Earth Fault Calculations

The earth fault calculations cover three areas:

• Calculation of earth fault impedances;

• Check earth fault disconnection;
• Check protection of circuit protective conductors (CPCs) under earth fault conditions
(adiabatic).

Purpose of Earth Fault Calculations

BS 7671 contains a chapter (Chapter 41) entirely devoted to requirements for ‘Protection Against
Electric Shock’. The chapter describes measures for protection against shock by both Direct and
Indirect contact. The measures against shock by direct contact are outside the scope of ProDesign,
being mechanical in nature – obstacles, insulation etc. The only exception to this being the use of
RCDs as Supplementary protection against shock by direct contact. RCDs used for this purpose
must have a sensitivity (IΔn) of 30 mA and operate within 40 ms at 150 mA (412-06-02). A user can
specify a 30 mA RCD in a circuit but no checks are carried out in ProDesign related to the use of
RCDs for the purpose of protection against shock by direct contact. However, ProDesign does
make the necessary checks where an RCD is used for protection against shock by Indirect contact.
For any circuit of this type that does not have a 30 mA Instantaneous RCD selected as protecting it,
an error message will be created.
The purpose of the earth fault calculations in ProDesign is to allow tests to be carried out in every
circuit in a network to ensure protection against shock by Indirect contact. This is achieved by
compliance with the relevant sections of the requirements described in ‘Protection by earthed
equipotential bonding and automatic disconnection of supply (EEBADS)’ (413-02). Within the
descriptions of earth fault calculations and tests, BS 7671 references are given, where applicable.

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 8BCalculations • 239

ProDesign is not suitable for the design of IT systems (systems having a source with no earth
connection or a high impedance earth connection) and therefore does not comply with (413-02-21 to
413-02-26).

Earth Fault Current

To find the value of earth fault current at any point in a network, a sum is made of the earth fault
impedances in the network between the Source of Supply (including the source impedance) and the
point at which the earth fault is assumed to occur, i.e., the path through which the earth fault current
will flow. The summed earth fault impedance (Zs) is then divided into the open circuit voltage (Uoc) to
find the fault current (Ief):

Earth Fault Current Ief = Uoc/Zs

When performing earth fault calculations all resistances are calculated at the average fault
temperature.
The value of open circuit voltage (Uoc) will depend on the voltage at the Source of Supply.

Open Circuit Voltage Uoc

In (413-02-08) the voltage to be used is given as the nominal voltage U0. However, the tabulated
maximum earth fault loop impedance values (e.g., Tables 41B1 and 41B2) are given for circuits with
a nominal voltage U0 of 230 V but are calculated using 240 V. Also, under ‘Maximum Earth Fault
Loop Impedance’ (Appendix 3) it is clearly stated that the voltage used should be Uoc and that for a
nominal voltage of 230 V, the open circuit voltage is presumed to be 240 V.
ProDesign scales the nominal voltage by 240/230 to find the open-circuit voltage, e.g.:
U0 = 240 V, Uoc = 240 x (240 / 230) = 250 V.

Earth Fault Loop Impedance

For each circuit in any network, the total earth fault impedance, known as the earth fault loop
impedance (Zs), is calculated using:
Zs = Ze + Z1 + Z2
where:
Ze = external earth impedance;
Z1 = phase conductor impedance;
Z2 = circuit protective conductor (CPC) impedance.

240 • 8BCalculations AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC)

Fig. 1 shows the path of an earth fault in a TN-C-S system and the impedances through which the
fault current flows. The source impedance Ze comprises both the phase impedance (Z0) and the
impedance of the PEN conductor (ZPEN). Z0 will include the transformer phase winding and the
external phase conductor cable.
For a network connected directly to a transformer, Ze would be the transformer phase winding only.
For a circuit directly connected to the source of supply, Ze is taken from the data entered into the
source dialog by the user.
For other circuits, Ze is the earth fault loop impedance Zs for the previous circuit, i.e., the circuit on
the supply side of the circuit under consideration.
The resistance of both the phase conductor (R1) and the CPC (R2) are taken at the average fault
temperature (413-02-05).

Earth Fault Disconnection

For each circuit it is necessary to verify, using the calculated value of Earth Fault Loop Impedance
Zs, that the CPD will disconnect within a specified time under earth fault conditions (413-02-08).
This is checked using:
Zs ≤ (Uoc / Ia)
where:
Zs = earth fault loop impedance;
Uoc = open circuit voltage phase to earth;
Ia = earth fault current causing operation of the circuit protective device (CPD) within a specified
time.
Generally, Ia is the current causing operation of the CPD but where a Residual Current Device
(RCD) is used this is replaced by the RCD sensitivity IΔn.
The specified times for disconnection are:

• 5 seconds for circuits supplying fixed equipment;

• 0.4 seconds for circuits supplying socket-outlets.

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 8BCalculations • 241

ProDesign automatically selects the appropriate disconnection time according to the load type for
the circuit under consideration. For sub-main circuits and final circuits supplying fixed equipment this
will be 5 seconds; for final circuits feeding sockets, this will be 0.4 seconds. Additionally, the user
can select from 0.4 seconds or 0.2 seconds for final circuits.

Maximum Earth Fault Loop Impedance

ProDesign stores in a database (and includes in full reports) the maximum earth fault loop
impedance Max. Zs for each circuit protective device for either 0.4 s or 5 s disconnection. This is a
level of earth loop impedance that results in disconnection in exactly the specified time. In other
words, for a circuit supplying fixed equipment, if the earth fault loop impedance is equal to Max Zs,
then the circuit protective device will disconnect in exactly 5 seconds when an earth fault occurs.
Max. Zs is determined by inspecting the tripping characteristic for the CPD to find the level of current
Ia that causes disconnection in exactly 5 seconds (or 0.4 seconds). Ia is found from the maximum
tolerance of the characteristic and gives the slowest operation – see Fig.1.

Therefore:
Max. Zs = Uoc / Ia
where: Max. Zs = maximum earth fault loop impedance;
Uoc = open circuit voltage phase to earth;
Ia = fault current that causes disconnection in exactly 5, 0.4 or 0.2 seconds as appropriate.

Checking Earth Fault Loop Impedance

For each circuit ProDesign carries out a check to ensure that the value of the earth fault loop
impedance Zs does not exceed that of Max. Zs, thus ensuring that disconnection will occur within the
specified time.

242 • 8BCalculations AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC)

If Zs exceeds the permitted value, there are three possible outcomes:
• If Ze is greater than Max. Zs then the disconnection time will be excessive. It will not be
possible to correct this by increasing the section of either the phase or CPC conductors in
the circuit. Therefore, an error message is displayed to alert the user of this condition.
• If the CPC Size is set to ‘Auto’ in the Cable dialog and Ze is less than Max. Zs then
ProDesign will attempt to rectify the problem by, if possible, increasing the section of the
CPC. The possible outcomes depend on the CPC configuration selected by the user (see
Network Settings | Conductors | Cables | CPC Tab).
• If the user has selected a specific CPC Size in the Cable dialog then an error message is
displayed to alert the user of this condition.

Disconnection using an RCD

In the cable dialog the user has the option of indicating the use of a residual current device (RCD) in
a circuit. An RCD is a device which detects earth faults and operates to disconnect the circuit when
the level of earth fault current exceeds a set value. Depending on type and purpose, RCDs are
available with earth fault current settings from as little as 10 mA to hundreds of amperes. Some
RCDs also have settings for time delay in addition to instantaneous operation.
An RCD can be usefully employed in circuits where, for example, the level of earth fault current is
low and consequently disconnection by means of a fuse or circuit-breaker cannot be achieved. It can
have a much greater sensitivity to earth fault currents and will not operate for phase fault currents.
BS 7671 permits the use of RCDs for earth fault disconnection but the following condition (413-02-
16) has to be fulfilled:
Zs x IΔn ≤ 50 V
where: Zs = earth fault loop impedance (Ω).
IΔn = the rated residual operating current (A) of the RCD.
50 V = the maximum touch voltage.
Where an RCD has been selected, ProDesign ignores the tripping characteristics of the circuit
protective device under earth fault conditions and assesses disconnection using the residual
operating current and time delay settings of the RCD.

Radial socket-outlet for portable equipment used outdoors

When a project is calculated, any loads defined as load type: ’32 A Radial socket-outlet for portable
equipment used outdoors’ will be checked to see whether a 30 mA Instantaneous RCD has been
included as part of the circuit protection. This is to ensure compliance with 471-16-01 that states that
an RCD as described in 412-06-02 (ii) must be used to protect such a circuit.

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 8BCalculations • 243

Earth Fault Adiabatic Calculation

Purpose of calculation
This calculation is a check to ensure that the cross-section of the CPC is sufficient to allow it to
withstand the energy let-through of the Circuit Protective Device (CPD), i.e., fuse or circuit-breaker
under earth fault conditions.
Where an RCD is selected, its characteristics are used in place of those of the CPD.

Description of Calculation
The calculation determines the minimum section required to ensure that the heating effect of the
CPD energy let-through under earth fault conditions does not cause the temperature of the CPC
conductor to exceed its limiting temperature.
The formula used (543-01-03) is:
S = √(I2t) / k
where: S = the minimum section of the conductor in mm2;
I = the earth fault current in amperes*.
t =the CPD disconnection time at the earth fault I*;
k = a factor (k) which ‘takes account of the resistivity, temperature coefficient and heat
capacity of the conductor material, and the appropriate initial and final temperatures’. K
factors are given in (Tables 54B – 54F).
*where the CPD disconnection time is less than 0.1 s, I2t is the CPD energy let-through in ampere
squared seconds (A2s). Where the disconnection time is greater than 0.1 s, I2t is the earth fault
current squared times the disconnection time.
If the CPC fails the adiabatic test an error message will be displayed. The CPC that has been
selected for earth fault disconnection purposes will be tested and no attempt will be made by the
calculation routine to change its size or configuration.

CPC Cable Equivalent Section

Where the CPC configuration comprises two parallel conductors of dissimilar materials (for example,
a steel cable armour plus a separate or integral copper conductor) a complication arises because
the k factors for the two conductors are different. This means it is not possible to calculate S=√(I2t)/k
directly. This is overcome in ProDesign by converting the armour section to a ‘Cable Equivalent’
section compared to the phase conductor and then using the phase conductor k factor for the
armour in the calculation. This Cable Equivalent section has the same thermal withstand capability
as the original steel section for the purposes of the adiabatic.
This is done using:
Cable Equivalent section mm2
= Actual Section mm2 x (armour k factor / phase conductor k factor)

244 • 8BCalculations AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC)

Table 54G
As an alternative to the calculation method described above (Table 54G) offers a simple rule-of-
thumb method of CPC sizing that avoids any calculation. ProDesign does not make use of Table
54G; there are two principal objections to its use:
1. It is generally uneconomical to use Table 54G. It calls for the following minimum CPC sections:
• the same section as the phase conductor (phase conductor < 16 mm2);
• 16 mm2 (phase conductor 16 to 35 mm2);
• half the section of the phase conductor (phase conductor > 35 mm2).
The calculated size is invariably less than that given in Table 54G.
2. Sizing CPCs to Table 54G only deals with the adiabatic requirement and does not necessarily
ensure satisfactory earth fault disconnection.

RCDs and Earth Fault Adiabatic

Where earth fault disconnection is achieved using an RCD, the adiabatic calculation is carried out as
for a circuit protective device but using the operating time for the RCD as set by the user. Where the
time setting is instantaneous (Sub-mains: Setting = 0.0; Final Circuits: instantaneous setting is
assumed) the disconnection time used in the calculation is 0.03 s.

Harmonics
An increasing number of items of electrical and electronic equipment generate harmonic currents.
Desktop computers and electronic fluorescent lighting are common load types that create triple
harmonics. In distribution systems supplying loads that create significant levels of triple harmonics,
conductors selected using standard sizing rules can become dangerously overheated.
Triple harmonics are those with a frequency 3, 9, etc., times that of the fundamental system
frequency (50 Hz); these are the 3rd, 9th, etc., harmonics.
An unfortunate effect of triple harmonics, from the point of view of cable sizing, is that the peaks and
troughs of the harmonic waveforms in each phase of a three phase circuit are aligned. Therefore,
the sum of the phase harmonic currents will be three times the level of harmonic current in each
phase.
This results in a much higher level of current flowing in the neutral conductor than would be the case
for a circuit with no harmonic content. It is for this reason designers need to take harmonics into
account when sizing conductors to avoid the possibility of dangerous overheating when the
designed network is put into service.
The problem is associated with three-phase and neutral circuits. Single-phase circuits, where the
neutral current will always be equal to the phase current, require no special consideration.

Multi-core Cables and Busbars

Derating multi-core cables and busbars for harmonic currents corresponds with the method
described in:

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 8BCalculations • 245

IEC 60364-5-523, Annex C. ‘Effects of harmonic currents on balanced three-phase systems’.
The method used considers the total thermal effect of the current flowing in all the conductors
(phases and neutral) of a multi-core cable or busbar. Depending on the level of harmonic current,
the busbar or cable sizing will be based on the phase or neutral conductor.
This method cannot be used to size conductors where the phase unbalance of load currents
exceeds 50%. Therefore, an error message will be displayed for such conditions.
Also, this derating method is based on levels of 3rd harmonic currents, higher order harmonics are
ignored.

Derating is based the table in IEC 60364-5-523, Annex C:

The derating factors are applied as follows:

Calculate the neutral harmonic current Ihn = (3h x Ibph)/100
where: h = percentage 3rd harmonic; Ibph = phase design current.
Calculate the minimum cable rating (Iz) using the harmonic correction factor Ch from the table:
3rd harmonic < 33%: Iz = [In / (Cg x Ca x Ci x Ct x Ch)]
3rd harmonic ≥ 33%: Iz = [Ihn / (Cg x Ca x Ci x Ct x Ch)]

246 • 8BCalculations AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC)

Single-core cables
For single-core cables the neutral conductor is sized independently from the phase conductors. The
phase conductors are sized as normal – ignoring the proportion of harmonic content present. The
neutral conductor is then sized on the basis of the sum of two current components:

• Non-harmonic neutral load current due to phase current unbalance (Iun); the complex sum of
non-harmonic currents for each of the phases, L1, L2, L3.
• Harmonic neutral current (Ihn).
This current is calculated in the same way as that described above for multi-core cables.
The complex currents are added to give the total neutral current (Intot): Intot = Iun + Ihn
The minimum neutral cable size is then found from the relevant cable data table using the
installation method for the phase cable, i.e.: It ≥ Intot

Accumulation of Harmonic Loads

Cable sizing correction applies only to three phase and three phase and neutral circuits. For final
circuits, the harmonic content for cable sizing is taken from the value entered in the Load dialogs.
For each sub-main circuit, the percentage of harmonic load for each phase (resulting from the
harmonic content of loads connected downstream) is calculated. The example below summarises
the method used.
The loads and the corresponding percentage harmonic contents are shown for each final circuit (e.g,
10 A, 20 %). Loads connected to DB 3 are all single-phase (e.g., L1), all remaining loads are three-
phase (L1,2,3).
The procedure finds, for each circuit starting from final circuits and working back to the source, the
total load and percentage harmonic for each phase.

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 8BCalculations • 247

Cable 4
There is only one load per phase so:
L1: Total load = 10 A; % Harmonic = 20 %
L2: Total load = 15 A; % Harmonic = 30 %
L3: Total load = 5 A; % Harmonic = 25 %

248 • 8BCalculations AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC)

Cable 3
Only three-phase loads present so, values the same for each phase.
L1,2,3:
Total Load = 20 + 10 = 30 A
% Harmonic
= [(Load 3 x % Harmonic 3) / Total Load] + [(Load 4 x % Harmonic 4) / Total Load]
= [(20 x 30) / 30] + [(10 x 36) / 30] = 20 + 12 = 32 %

Cable 2
L1:
Total Load = Cable 4 + Load 1 + Load 2 = 10 + 30 + 16 = 56 A
% Harmonic
= [(Load Cable 4 x % Harmonic Cable 4) / Total Load]
+ [(Load 1 x % Harmonic 1) / Total Load] + [(Load 2 x % Harmonic 2) / Total Load]
= [(10 x 20) / 56] + [(30 x 20) / 56] + [(16 x 40) / 56] = 3.57 + 10.71 + 11.43 = 25.71 %
L2:
Total Load = 15 + 30 + 16 = 61 A
% Harmonic = [(15 x 30) / 61] + [(30 x 20) / 61] + [(16 x 40) / 61]
= 7.38 + 9.84 + 10.49 = 27.71 %
L3:
Total Load = 5 + 30 + 16 = 51 A
% Harmonic
= [(5 x 25) / 51] + [(30 x 20) / 51] + [(16 x 40) / 51] = 2.45 + 11.77 + 12.55 = 26.76 %

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 8BCalculations • 249

Diversity
Details of how to make diversity settings are contained in the section
Project Settings | Diversity Settings. This section describes how the settings are applied.
The diversity settings modify the sum of final circuit load currents calculated at a distribution board or
consumer unit. In a well designed network, the settings should reduce the design current for the
feeding sub-main circuit, and any other circuits on the supply side, in proportion to the anticipated
normal load compared to the total connected load.
The design of each final circuit is unaffected by its diversity setting, the protective device and cable
rating being calculated on the basis of the load current defined by the user, ignoring the diversity
setting.
The example below describes how settings are applied and calculated.

Diversity Example

The user has selected ‘User Defined’ as the Diversity method at DB1.
In the table, the diversities shown are the ones the user has set for the premises selected in
Preferences | Diversity Settings.
The diversities for the motors are different for the largest, 2nd largest and remaining loads of that
type. When assessing diversity ‘Standby’ loads are disregarded. So, in this case, the diversities
applied to the motor loads will be:
Motor 1 – 1.00 (largest load);
Motor 2 – 0.00 (Standby);
Motor 3 – 0.85 (3rd largest load but 2nd largest, when Motor 2 is disregarded, therefore 0.85 not
0.65).
For Load 1, Load 2 and Load 3 the user has applied a diversity setting at the Load dialog.
The design load on DB 2 supplied through Cable 2 will be diversified by the settings in DB 2 but is
not subject to the diversity setting in DB1. Its load current is added to the load on DB 1 without
further modification.
Results:

250 • 8BCalculations AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC)

Cables 3 to 8 will be sized for the individual circuit design currents (Ib) ignoring any diversity settings.
The total diversified load at DB1 is calculated as follows:
DB 2 = 40 A
Load 1 = 16 x 0.95 x 0.90 = 13.68 A
Load 2 = 25 x 1.00 x 0.80 = 20.00 A
Load 3 = 20 x 0.80 x 0.90 = 14.40 A
Motor 1 = 32 x 1.00 x 1.00 = 32.00 A
Motor 2 = 20 x 0.80 x 0.00 = 00.00 A
Motor 3 = 16 x 0.85 x 1.00 = 13.60 A
Total = 40.00 + 13.68 + 20.00 + 14.40 + 32.00 + 00.00 + 13.60 = 133.68 A
The total connected load at DB 1 will be:
40 + 16 + 25 + 20 + 32 + 20 + 16 = 151 A
The overall diversity for DB 1 will be:
133.68 / 151 = 0.89
The design current (Ib) for Cable 1 will be 133.68 A

Transformer Load Check

Where a transformer has been defined as the active source supplying the network being designed, a
check is carried out to ensure that the diversified load current to be supplied by the transformer does
not exceed its load capacity.
The check is based on the transformer secondary winding load rating calculated from the system
voltage and transformer rating defined in the Transformer dialog as follows.
Secondary load rating (Itxsy):
Itxsy = (Rating x 1000) / (√3 Vsy)
where: Rating is the rating of the transformer in kVA (as entered in the Fault Conditions tab);
Vsy is the transformer secondary voltage in V (as entered in the Voltage tab).
The calculated value is displayed in the Protection tab of the Transformer dialog:

If the total network diversified load current exceeds the calculated rating, an error message will be
displayed.

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Generator Load Check
Where a generator has been defined as the active source supplying the network being designed, a
check is carried out to ensure that the diversified load current to be supplied by the generator does
not exceed its load capacity.
The check is based on the generator load rating calculated from the system voltage and generator
rating defined in the Generator dialog as follows.
Generator load rating (Ig):
Ig = (Rating x 1000) / (√3 Vp)
where: Rating is the rating of the generator in kVA (as entered in the Fault Conditions tab);
Vp is the three phase voltage in V (as entered in the Voltage tab).
The calculated value is displayed in the Protection tab of the Generator dialog:

If the total network diversified load current exceeds the calculated rating, an error message will be
displayed.

Discrimination
Two methods of discrimination check, energy-based and time-current, are available. These methods
are complementary and both should be used to ensure a comprehensive evaluation of
discrimination.
The number of discrimination checks performed, how they are made, and when they are to be
made, is determined by the settings in the Discrimination Settings dialog. Select Calculations |
Discrimination Check in the Preferences menu. For more details on settings, see: Discrimination
Settings in the section on Project Settings.
When the selected checks are made depends on the setting in the Discrimination Settings dialog.
The checks can be set to occur following the general network check. Alternatively, the checks can
be set to be performed only when requested either from the menu item Calculate | Discrimination
Check or by clicking on the Discrimination button on the Calculate toolbar:

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Energy-based Discrimination Check
The energy-based check is essential to ensure discrimination between devices, such as fuses and
MCBs, which respond instantaneously, with no intentional time delay, to short-circuit currents.
Assessment of short-circuit tripping behaviour and resulting discrimination levels for such devices
depends on the levels of energy (A2s) flowing through the devices and cannot be determined by
inspection of time-current characteristics.

How is the check made?

When ‘Energy-based check’ is selected in the Discrimination Settings dialog, each time the
discrimination checks are performed, an energy-based check is made for discrimination under short-
circuit conditions. This check determines the level of discrimination available between current-
limiting protective devices with instantaneous short-circuit trip settings.
Because the protection settings on these devices have no intentional time-delay, verification of
discrimination is not possible by inspection of the tripping characteristics on a graph to determine
whether, for a given level of fault current, the downstream device will trip to disconnect the fault
without the upstream device operating.
Manufacturers produce tables listing levels of discrimination between current-limiting devices, based
on test results for devices at various levels of fault energy under short-circuit conditions. ProDesign
uses these manufacturers’ tables (where available) when performing the energy-based
discrimination check.
Discrimination tables for the following manufacturers are currently used by ProDesign:

• ABB
• Dorman Smith
• GE Power Controls
• Merlin Gerin
• Moeller
• Siemens

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 • Terasaki

Example:
The example below shows a table entry for a Type ABC250, rating 250A circuit-breaker upstream
and a Type XYZ100, rating 50A circuit-breaker downstream. The level of discrimination is given as
23 kA. Providing the fault level at the downstream circuit-breaker does not exceed 23 kA,
discrimination can be assured. For fault levels greater than 23 kA, an error message will be
produced and the Cable report will show: Discrimination – not OK.

Where there is no manufacturer’s data available for energy-based discrimination between two
protective devices, a warning message is displayed to this effect. This is likely to occur for two
devices of different manufacture.
Where circuits are protected by devices with time delayed short-circuit protection settings it is not
necessary to make an energy-based check; discrimination will occur providing the device tripping
characteristics do not overlap – this can be verified by inspection on a graph (see: ‘Time-Current
Discrimination Check’ below).

Time-Current Discrimination Check

Time-current discrimination is normally determined by a visual inspection of the time-current tripping
characteristics for two successive devices to ensure that the characteristics do not overlap, i.e.,
there are no levels of current for which operation of the upstream device will be initiated before the
downstream device clears the fault.

Evaluating time-current discrimination

Time-current discrimination between two protective devices can be checked by visual inspection of
their time-current tripping characteristics. Providing the characteristics do not overlap, i.e., there are
no levels of fault current for which the upstream device may operate more rapidly than the
downstream device, time/current discrimination is assured [A].
Where an overlap does occur, discrimination will fail over the range of current covered by the
overlap. However, where an overlap occurs at levels of fault current greater than the maximum
prospective fault current (Pscc) at the downstream protective device, there is no likelihood of a
discrimination failure in practice [B].

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How is the check made?
When ‘Time-current check’ is selected in the Discrimination Settings dialog, each time the
discrimination checks are performed, a time-current check is made. The check carries out the visual
inspection of characteristics electronically, eliminating the necessity of making visual checks. For
every protective device in the network, its tripping characteristic is compared to the characteristic of
the upstream device. For each instance where overlapping characteristics are detected, an error
message is generated describing the extent of the overlap in terms of the level of current at which
the overlap starts to the level of current at which it ends.
The scope of the check extends up to the two following limits:

• The level of maximum prospective short-circuit current (Pscc) at the downstream device.
Overlaps beyond this level will not lead to failure of discrimination because they are beyond
the theoretical limit of fault current that can flow through the two devices.
• Times below 0.07 seconds. Tripping times represented on the characteristic below this level
may give useful data about the total operating time of a device for a given level of current,
but cannot be used to reliably check discrimination. Discrimination in this area can only be
properly checked using energy-based data.
How overlaps of characteristics are evaluated and reported on will depend on the settings Time-
current settings in the Discrimination Settings dialog at the time of the check.

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Example A: where the settings are: Upstream = minimum; Downstream = maximum; Minimum Time
Margin = 0 ms: the full characteristics will be compared, including the full range of minimum and
maximum tolerances. Any area of overlap of two characteristics will be reported as a discrimination
failure.
If the Minimum Time Margin is set to, say, 10 ms: any two characteristics that are separated by a
time margin less than 10 ms will give be reported as a discrimination failure.
Example B: where the settings are: Upstream = nominal; Downstream = nominal; Minimum Time
Margin = 0 ms: the tolerances are ignored, and a discrimination failure will be reported for any area
where the nominal tripping time of the downstream device exceeds the nominal tripping time of the
upstream device.

Protective Device Setting Check

During the discrimination check a useful check is also made regarding the level of short-circuit
setting compared to the Pscc in the relevant circuit. If the short-circuit protection has been set to a
level exceeding the Pscc, it will never operate resulting in the circuit having no short-circuit
protection. Where this condition is detected, a Note will be displayed in the Errors and Warnings
dialog.

Discrimination Check Dialog

During the discrimination check, the Discrimination Check dialog summarising the progress of
checks will be displayed.

At the end of the check procedure, if any failures have been detected, the Errors and Warnings
dialog will be displayed listing the details of those failures. Also, the Discrimination Check dialog will
remain displayed until the Cancel button is clicked.
The Discrimination Check dialog contains the following:

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 • A progress bar showing the percentage of the checks that have been completed.
• The locations of the two devices currently being checked.
• A check list of the checks completed divided into energy-based and time-current items. This
shows the number of circuits checked and the failures detected.
• A check box to allow the dialog to be closed automatically at the end of any future checks.
• During the check process a Cancel button is available to enable the check process to be
terminated.

Displaying device characteristics

Once any discrimination checks have been made it may well be necessary to view a number of
characteristics curves and to make adjustments to their settings. There are a number of ways this
can be done:

1.
In the Protection tab for the relevant circuit, click on the View Graph button to display the graph view
showing the characteristics of the protective device, the one upstream and the downstream device
(the one with the highest setting of those devices immediately downstream). The settings for any
one of these devices can be adjusted and saved to the ProDesign project by clicking on the ‘Save to
ProDesign’ button.
NOTE: if either the upstream or downstream device has its rating set to Auto and the project has not
been calculated, its characteristic will not be displayed.
2.
Select a circuit on the single-line diagram and click the View Graph button on the Calculate toolbar.
This has the same effect as described in 1. above.
3.
Select a network component other than a circuit (e.g., Load) on the single-line diagram and click the
View Graph button on the Calculate toolbar. This will display the graph view showing the
characteristics of the protective devices along a route-back-to-source (i.e., for each of the devices
between the point indicated and the network supply source. The settings for any one of these

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devices can be adjusted and saved to the ProDesign project by clicking on the ‘Save to ProDesign’
button.
4.
Select a network component and click the Protect button. This will create a route-back-to-source
discrimination study which can be viewed, saved and printed in Protect.
NOTE: this study is independent from the ProDesign project from which it was created. Therefore,
any changes in the study, such as changes to settings, will have no affect on the settings in the
ProDesign project from which it originated. Conversely, any subsequent changes in the ProDesign
project will have no effect on the Protect study.

Source Condition Calculations

REC Supply Fault Level Calculator

Sets the fault level conditions for the distribution system supply source when the Apply button is
clicked.
The fault level calculator estimates the fault level at the point of supply (the Source in a ProDesign
network; the board’s cut-out) of a distribution system connected to the LV supply network of a
regional electricity company (REC).
Estimated fault levels are based on a declared fault level at the LV Distribution Main (or sub-station,
where applicable) being attenuated by the impedance of the service line between the distribution
main and the point of supply.
There are three possible supply arrangements. For each of these there is a different declared fault
level (Pscc) at the point where the service line is connected to the REC distribution network:
Supply type Connection Pscc (kA
to: / PF)
230 V, 1- LV 16 /
phase + N Distribution 0.55
Main
400 V, 3-ph / LV 18 /
3-ph+N Distribution 0.50
Main
400 V, 3-ph / LV Sub- 25 /
3-ph+N station 0.23

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For each of the three supply arrangements, attenuated fault levels are taken from a table according
to the service cable cross-section and length.
NOTE: the Service Cable length entered into the calculator should be the length of service cable
within the boundary of the consumer’s premises. The remaining length is subject to change by the
REC and its inclusion in the calculated length may result in an underestimation of the future level of
Pscc.

TT Calculation Requirements
The following requirements for distribution systems with TT system supplies are covered by the
calculations when the supply source is selected as ‘TT’.

Touch Voltage check for all circuits (413-02-20)

A touch voltage check is made for every circuit in a TT system. This is similar to the touch voltage
check that is carried out when an RCD is used for earth fault disconnection in a TN system, with the
following differences:
The check is made in all circuits, even those which are not protected by an RCD.
For circuits protected by an overcurrent protective device only, Ia is the disconnection current read
from the maximum tolerance of the device characteristic curve for a disconnection of 5 seconds.
For all circuits RA is the sum of the resistances (no reactive components required) of: the earth
electrode, the electrode earthing conductor, the CPCs for all circuits on a route back to source,
including the circuit being evaluated:

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RCD protection for all socket-circuits (471-08-06)
All socket-circuits must be protected by an RCD, but not necessarily a 30 mA device. Therefore, for
every final circuit with a socket-circuit load type, ‘Add-on RCD’ is checked as a default. The default
type is ‘Generic 30 mA Instantaneous’. An error message is produced for all socket-circuits not
protected by RCD.

Electrode resistance should be less than or equal to 200 Ohms

The Commentary on the 15th Edition Wiring Regulations (Section 4.5.5) advises that an electrode
with a resistance greater than 200 Ohms is likely to be unstable. When the project is calculated, an
error message is produced for an electrode with a resistance greater than 200 Ohms. Also, in the
Electrode Calculator dialog, a text alert will appear for such a condition.

Bonding conductor adiabatic check

The bonding conductor connecting the earthing electrode to the supply terminals is checked to
ensure that it meets the adiabatic test.

TT Supply Fault Level Calculator

The electrode resistance is calculated as described in the section Electrode Resistance Calculator
and then, when the Apply button is clicked, used to calculate the source earth fault conditions, as
described in the section Calculating Earth Fault Impedance.
Electrode Resistance Calculator

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Calculations for plate type

Calculations for rod type

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Calculating earth fault impedance
The TT Supply Fault Level Calculator produces the impedance of the earth connection (bonding
conductor and electrode) ZEC. To calculate the total external earth fault impedance and the earth
fault current, the value produced by the calculator is added to the supply transformer impedance (ZT)
and the impedance of the supply phase conductor (ZPE).

The Phase Fault Current (Ip) and/or the Phase Ze etc. is taken from the Prospective Fault
Conditions panel. When the Apply button in the calculator is clicked, the Earth Ze and earth fault
current data inserted into the Prospective Fault Conditions panel, is calculated from the earth
connection impedance ZEC from the calculator, added to a proportion of the phase impedance, as
described below.
The proportion of phase impedance added to the earth connection impedance ZEC depends on
whether the supply is single-phase or three-phase (set in the Voltage tab).

Three-phase supply
The phase fault current for a three-phase or three-phase and neutral supply is the symmetrical fault
current, calculated using:
Isym = Uph / Phase Ze.
The impedance Phase Ze is made up of the sum of the transformer and the supply phase conductor
impedance (ZT + ZPE).
The earth impedance Earth Ze is determined by adding to Phase Ze the earth connection impedance
ZEC, i.e.:
Earth Ze 3-phase = ZT + ZPE + ZEC

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 Single-phase supply
The phase fault current for a single-phase supply is the phase to neutral fault current, calculated
using:
Iph+n = Uph / (ZPE + ZNE).
The impedance Phase Ze is made up of the sum of the transformer and the supply phase and
neutral conductor impedances, ie.: Phase Ze = (ZT + ZPE + ZNE).
The earth impedance Earth Ze is determined by adding the earth connection impedance ZEC, to the
Phase Ze minus the neutral conductor impedance ZNE, i.e.:
Earth Ze = ZT + ZPE + ZEC
The values of the separate impedances that comprise Phase Ze are not known. It will be assumed that
the phase and neutral conductor impedances are equal (ZPE = ZNE) and that, compared to the cable
impedances, the transformer impedance is negligible (ZT = 0). Any inaccuracies will be very small
compared to the electrode resistance.
Therefore:
Earth Ze 1-phase = 0.5 Phase Ze + ZEC

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Reports
ProDesign provides a wide variety of reports. These are intended to assist during the design
process and to provide comprehensive documentation for a completed design. The types of reports
are:

• Errors and Warnings: these are automatically displayed at the end of the calculation process
to alert the designer of any problems found;
• Quick Results: allows the quick display of the values of key parameters for all or part of the
network, as required;
• Display Results: allows selected parameters to be displayed next to selected circuits;
• Reports Wizard: allows simple custom reports to be designed and produced;
• Full Reports: a wide range of reports used to document a completed design.

Errors and Warning Report

At the end of the calculation process, if any problems are found, the Errors / Warnings message box
will be automatically displayed:

The box can be left on the screen, if required, while fault finding is carried out.
The box can also be displayed by clicking Reports | Errors / Warnings.
The box contains a list of messages: errors, warnings and notes. Error messages relate to issues
that are considered to be essential to compliance with BS 7671. Warning messages are advisory,

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 9BReports • 265

informing the designer of conditions that are not necessarily non-compliant but should be noted.
Notes are low priority messages which can be disabled by the user.
The ‘Notes’ category can be disabled in the ProDesign ‘Preferences’, ‘Calculations’ menu.

The box contains the following:

• A list of error and warning messages grouped together by categories denoted by headings,
e.g. ‘Sub-mains Voltage Drop’.
• Error, warning and notes messages containing the following fields:
• Reference: the reference of the network component;
• Calculated values: calculated values relevant to the highlighted problem;
• Description: a message describing the problem;
• Status: Error, Warning or Note. The messages will are also colour coded: red for errors, blue
for warnings and green for Notes.
• List box located above the error and warning messages containing a list of the categories for
which error or warning messages are present. Selecting an item from the list scrolls the
Errors and Warnings to the beginning of the block of messages for the category selected.
• Show: contains two check boxes, ‘Errors’ and ‘Warnings’ which can be checked or not to
determine what is displayed. One of the two boxes must always be checked. The default
condition is both boxes checked.
• The number of Errors and Warnings present. The count is unaffected by the status of the
‘Show’ check boxes.
• Help button: Clicking the Help button when one of the error/warning messages is selected
displays a context sensitive Help text related to the selected message.
• Print button: click to create a printed version of the list of messages. The contents of the
printout will correspond to the displayed list as filtered by the ‘Show’ Errors and Warnings
check boxes.
• Exit button: closes the dialog.

Find Function
Double-clicking an error or warning message will cause the drawing to scroll to a position where the
network component the message relates to is centred in the window. Additionally, the network
component will be flashing.

Quick Results
Quick Results displays key parameters for selected circuits and is useful for diagnostic purposes
during the design process.
To display Quick Results:

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 • calculate the project;
• select the circuits for which results are required;
• right-click to display the floating menu:

• click on Quick Results;

• Quick Results are displayed:

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 9BReports • 267

The circuits contained in Quick Results can be selected as follows:

• One or more circuits selected: the details for those circuits are listed;
• A Distribution Board selected: the details for all circuits attached to that DB are listed;
• A Consumer Unit selected: the details for all circuits attached to that CU are listed;
• No circuits selected: the details for all circuits in the project are listed.
When Quick Results is selected and the project needs to be calculated (if changes have been made
to the project since the last calculation), a message will ask if the project should be calculated. On
clicking Yes in the message box a calculation is performed and then Quick Results is displayed.

Display Results
Using Display Results, calculation results can be displayed on the drawing for any network
component, e.g., Cable Consumer Unit, etc. The values of any results that have been selected for
display will be updated each time the project is calculated.
Results can be displayed in either of two formats:
• Text alongside: the text appears alongside the component, and can be formatted to appear
vertically or horizontally
• Text in box: the text appears in a box connected to the component by a line.

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Setting Display Results
To set the results to be displayed:
Select the components for which results are to be displayed, using one of the following methods:

• Click on a single component to select it;

• Using Shift/Click, select a number of components;
• To select all the components in the network, ensure that no components are selected.

Right-click to display the floating menu.

Click on Display Results; the Display Results dialog is displayed.

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The dialog contains two main areas:

• Display Results Properties;

• Settings tabbed sheets.

Setting Display Results Properties

The Display Results properties can be set in the panel at the top of the Display Results dialog.

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The results can be set to appear as one of the following:

• Text Vertical: the results appear as text vertically arranged alongside the selected network
components. The text initially appears at a default position. The position can then be
adjusted as required.
• Text Horizontal: the results appear as text horizontally arranged alongside the selected
network components. The text initially appears at a default position. The position can then
be adjusted as required.
• Text in box: the results appear enclosed in a box attached to the related component by a
line. The box initially appears at a default position. The position can then be adjusted as
required. NOTE: the setting ‘Text in box’ is only available when a single component is
selected. The box background can be set to be transparent or opaque.
• Hide: the selected results are hidden.
The Sample box contains an image that changes as the text setting changes, providing a guide to
the resulting appearance.
When the results are set to appear as ‘Text Vertical’ or Text Horizontal’, the separator between each
reported item can be set as Comma, Semi-colon, Colon, Back Slash, Forward Slash, Space or
Vertical Bar.
If the selected component is a single cable, the Apply Back to Source setting is available. When set
the selected results are displayed for each cable along a route from the selected cable back to the
active source.

Setting Results to be Displayed

The Display Results dialog will contain a tabbed sheet of settings for each of the component types
selected. To select a data item for display, click the box alongside. Items with ticked boxes will be
displayed. The example below shows the how the following data items are selected and displayed:

• Design Current for each phase, (alternatively, by selecting ‘Max.’, the load current in the
highest loaded phase could have been displayed);
• Diversity setting;
• References of the phases to which the component (Load) is connected.

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Moving the Results Box
To move a box containing results, click and drag on any point within the box and move it to its new
position. Click on clear part of the drawing background to confirm the move.

Reports Wizard
The Reports Wizard allows custom reports to be created. The format of the reports is similar to
those produced by Quick Results.
The Custom Reports feature enables you to create customisable sets of data for exporting in
Microsoft Excel, CSV or HTML formats.
To produce a report, first a template is selected or created describing the data items to be included
in the report, then the actual report is produced and made available for viewing and printing. Data to
be included can be selected from all the parameters for which values are calculated in ProDesign.
Once a template has been created, it can be re-used to produce a report of the same format for any
other ProDesign project. A selection of templates defining different report formats can be created
and re-used as required.

Producing Reports

Clicking the Reports Wizard button on the Calculate toolbar launches the Report Wizard:

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To produce a report, proceed as follows:

Step 1. Select a Template:

From the Available Templates list, select a template. If no templates have been previously produced,
there will be only the Master template listed. Selecting the Master template will allow any of the
entire range of parameters to be included in the report. Click the Next button.

Step 2. Select Report Values:

If the Master template was selected in the first step, all the data groups will be listed in the Included
box. This means that some or all of the data from each group (Distribution Board, Busbar CPC etc.)
will be available for inclusion in the report. Click on the Next button.

Step 3. Select Components:

At the end of Step 3, the parameters required in the report need to appear in the Included list. There
are two ways to include the required items:

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 9BReports • 273

 • To include all the items listed as Available, click the Include All button. The Remove All
button can be clicked to reverse the action of the Include All button.

• To include a single item, click on the item in the Available list and drag and drop it into the
Included box.

When all the desired items are listed under Included, click the Next button and the report will be
created and displayed.

Viewing and Printing Reports

Tabs for each of the data groups are located at the top of the Reports dialog. Clicking on a tab
displays the parameters for that group. The scroll bars can be used to move around to view all areas
of the report. Alternatively maximise the view by clicking on the maximise button:

When printing the report, Landscape or Portrait format can be selected by clicking the appropriate
radio button. The entire report can be printed, clicking either All or Current will determine whether all
the tabs or just the current one will be printed
The contents of the report can be modified by clicking the Back button and changing the selection of
items listed under Included.

Creating a Report Template

To create a report template, proceed as follows:

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Launch the Reports Wizard:

Click the Reports Wizard button on the Calculate toolbar to launch the Report Wizard. Step 1
of the dialog is displayed. Do not select a template. Click the Next button.

Select the items to be included in the template:

Step 2 of the dialog is displayed. All data groups are shown in the Available list. Click and drag the
groups to be included across to the Included list.

Each of the groups contains individual data items. To exclude any of these items, click on the ‘+’
next to the name of the group to expand the listing to show the individual items. Click and drag an
item back to the Available list to exclude it from the template. Continue to modify the groups and the
items within them listed under Included until the template contents are as required.

Save the template:

Click the Save As Template button. Type in a name for your template. Click OK to save it. Click OK
to continue.

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 9BReports • 275

View the report created by the template:
Click the Next button, Step 3 of the dialog will be displayed. Include all the data listed under
Available (click Include All) or selected items by dragging them into the Included list and click Next to
view the report.
A template, once created, can be used at any time to produce a report by selecting it from the
Available Templates list – see Producing Reports above.

Changing the field order

The order of the data fields can be changed by simply dragging a field to its new location. If you wish
to hide a column simply drag it to the ‘Hidden Columns’ area of the screen.

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Full Reports
Full reports are selected from the Reports menu. The menu lists the items for which reports are
available. For each of the items a sub-menu lists the report types available:

The Document Number system allows the user to define a document number that will appear on
printed reports. Document numbers are applied only to the project in which they are defined. New
document numbers must be defined for each new project.

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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find my AMTECH Licence number?
Your AMTECH Licence number can be found within the software in the following locations:

• In the 'About…' option found in the software 'Help' menu.

• In the 'Contact AMTECH' option found in the 'Support' Menu.
The number is also found on the Software Licence Card supplied with your initial package.

How does ProDesign use Adiabatic/Max Zs Criteria when sizing

CPC?
When sizing a circuit protective conductor for earth fault conditions there are TWO distinctly different
criteria that must be met and you must always be aware that normally only one will be the deciding
factor in the eventual choice of conductor CSA.

• Earth fault disconnection times - Max Zs

• Safety of the installation under fault conditions - Adiabatic (Table 54G)
Item 1 is often the most onerous and requires that the circuit be disconnected in a specified time
depending on the type of circuit and the voltages involved.
Most engineers will be aware of the need to disconnect a circuit supplying portable equipment, for
instance, in less than 0.4s or an item of fixed equipment in less than 5.0s. The normal way to ensure
this happens is to work out from the fault current (If), needed to ensure this disconnection time, the
maximum earth loop impedance (Zs) which can be accepted (Zs = Uo/If). If it is then found that a
particular circuit does not meet this criteria it will be necessary to reduce the Zs value.
This is done in ProDesign by adding an additional CPC in parallel with the existing CPC; the report
for the cable concerned will show the size of the additional CPC required. Where this is done, the
actual value of Zs shown in the report will usually be very close to the maximum value of Zs given.
Item 2 is less likely to be a problem and more often than not the Adiabatic calculation will be
satisfied once other CPC criteria have been met. However, it is possible that the CPC, although
correct for disconnection times etc., will not be able to withstand the fault current without permanent
damage to the cable. Again an additional CPC or an increase in the cross-sectional area of the
CPC will be necessary. The cable report will show the Adiabatic requirement against the actual size
of the total CPC.
A common mistake is to assume that the Adiabatic (or table 54G) has the overriding say in the
matter and that if the criteria is met here then no other checks need be made. This is not true as we
have already mentioned in item 1.

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 10BFrequently Asked Questions • 279
Does ProDesign calculate voltage drops differently from
SingleCable?
It is necessary for ProDesign to calculate circuits with unbalanced load currents in each phase.
Under such load conditions volt drops will be different in each phase. For this reason ProDesign
gives the results of volt drop calculations per phase.
When verifying ProDesign results, it should be remembered that the standard hand calculation
normally used will return a three phase volt drop value. Therefore you will need to divide the values
obtained by hand by before making any comparisons. Also, hand calculations usually make an
assumption that the load power factor is unity. The same values given by ProDesign where the load
currents are unbalanced and/or the load power factor is not equal to unity.
SingleCable on the other hand deals only in balanced three phase loads and single phase loads and
therefore will produce the same answers as you would expect if doing hand calculations (But don't
forget the power factor if used).

Why do I get an Icu/Ics Failure?

ProDesign checks protective devices against the new harmonised document BS-EN60947-2. Part of
this standard requires that device manufacturers test their protective devices under fault conditions
to comply with two breaking capacities, Icu and Ics.

Icu
The Ultimate Breaking capacity of the device, comparable to but not exactly equivalent to the P1
rating referred to in previous British Standards.

Ics
The Service Breaking capacity, a value of fault current up to which the device will be suitable for
reclosure after interrupting a short circuit fault.
ProDesign makes simple checks against both limits and generates an error where fault conditions
are excessive:

Icu
If the declared or calculated fault level exceeds the value given by the manufacturer an error will
appear during calculation; e.g.: a declared short circuit prospective of 16kA at the source of the
installation and an installed device such as an M9 mcb having an Icu rating of only 9 - 10kA.

Ics
The Service Breaking capacity (Ics) is usually at least 50% of the Ultimate Breaking capacity (Icu).
According to the circuit breaker standard (BS EN60947-2), the short circuit prospective current at the
load end of a cable should not be greater than the Ics rating for the circuit breaker protecting the
circuit.

280 • 10BFrequently Asked Questions AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC)
More detailed information on exact values of fault and Icu values may be obtained from the error
report.

Why do I get a Discrimination Failure?

Obtaining full discrimination between two or more devices is no easy task. The ability to display
time/current curves in Protect allows discrimination between successive devices to be checked
visually. However discrimination between current limiting devices (fuses, MCB's), under short circuit
conditions, needs additionally to be checked in terms of fault current limitation.
ProDesign provides such a Discrimination check when the Discrimination item in the Options menu
is selected.

Discrimination ON
If the information has been provided by the manufacturer(s) concerned, ProDesign will use the
calculated fault conditions to determine the relative values of fault limitation for the upstream and
downstream devices. This works well for Fuses backing up other fuses or MCCB, MCB devices.
Some makes of MCB, MCCB devices will also be checked using I²t values against an upstream
tripping threshold. In the absence of such information from a particular manufacturer the program
will revert to a simple check of instantaneous tripping values. In such cases you will have to rely on
manufacturers own tables for full details of discrimination between the upstream and downstream
device.

Discrimination OFF
No discrimination is checked in ProDesign and some devices may exist within the system that do not
discriminate correctly. In both cases if you wish to check discrimination by inspection of time/current
curves, Protect provides this facility. You may launch Protect from ProDesign by selecting any cable
in the system drawing and then clicking on the Launch Protect button on the Toolbar or by selecting
Protect from the Calculate menu.

How do I enter Ring Main Lengths?

The following points should be noted:
ProDesign is aware of the Ring Main socket circuit as a load type and does not require the user to
specify parallel cables. Enter the full length of the loop when specifying the length of the circuit.
Resulting volt drops and fault levels will automatically take into account both the parallel nature of
the circuit as well as the distribution of the load around the ring which is assumed to be equal.

What are the Min & Max fault levels in the report?
When stating fault levels in reports ProDesign will give two values (Maximum and Minimum) at each
end of a cable, Source and Load end.

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 10BFrequently Asked Questions • 281
Maximum fault levels are calculated at 20°C and assume that the fault occurs under 'cold'
conditions. Under such conditions, conductor resistance's will be at a minimum resulting in the
highest possible level of fault current.
Minimum fault levels assume an average temperature under fault conditions equal to the difference
between the assumed initial temperature of a particular cable and the maximum permitted final
temperature. For example a PVC insulated cable would be (70 + 160)°C / 2 = 115°C.
This results in a multiplication factor being used for each particular type of cable when calculating
impedances under fault conditions and in the above example this would be:
1 + (115 - 20) x 0.004 = 1.38
(assuming the resistance - temperature coefficient of copper to be 0.004 per °C at 20°C). Therefore
impedance values shown in reports will always be for temperatures greater than 20°C. This should
be remembered when checking against 'cold' values.
The two values are used in different ways.
If checking equipment then the maximum is normally used. If checking cable withstand etc. then the
minimum is normally used.

What special procedures are required to Install on a network?

ProDesign can be installed and run on a network but is not strictly speaking a network application. .
For this reason certain rules must be followed when installing to a network server or drive. You must
have administrator rights. Do not place any access restrictions on any of the ProDesign folders or
files. AMTECH cannot provide any support for network related queries.

How is Zs Calculated?
An example calculation showing derivation of impedance's and resultant vector summation.
Assume 10m of armoured 10mm² PVC cable run with a parallel 25mm² separate CPC from a 2kA
source at 0.2 pf e.g. Ze = 0.12 ohm.
Z1 - From table B1 of the IEE guidance notes number 5; the impedance of copper at 20°C is 1.83
ohm/km, corrected to 115°C this becomes 2.5254 (x1.38). Therefore for 10m of cable 2.5254 / 1000
x 10 = 0.025254 ohm.
Z2 - The calculation for the CPC impedance is a little more complicated but will consist of the phase
conductors' armouring in parallel with the 25mm² separate CPC. This is giving a total of ohm/km.
Therefore for 10m of combined CPC, 0.84 / 1000 x 10 = 0.008445 ohm
Zs - Again this is more complicated than it looks at first sight. ProDesign uses full complex arithmetic
when carrying out calculations involving power factors, larger cables etc. For this reason it is
necessary to be aware of the very low power factor which can be assumed at source (as low as 0.2).
This assumption is based on the fault level being at the transformer terminals and if this is not the
case should normally be nearer to unity. Almost all of the external impedance is in the imaginary or
reactive quadrant and as the final result is shown as the modulus of Z1 + Z2 + Ze the final value of
Zs is smaller than if R1, R2 and Ze are summated directly.

282 • 10BFrequently Asked Questions AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC)
Compare with direct addition:
0.025254 + .008445 + 0.12 = 0.153699 ohm.
Therefore for all but the smallest of cables and unity power factors, the impedances may appear 'not
to add up', however you can be certain that the final value of Zs given is correct.

How is the Cable Equivalent Size of the CPC Size Calculated?

Wherever calculations are carried out to check the suitability of a circuit protective conductor (cpc),
the conductor (or conductors) are converted to cable equivalent sizes; these are the sizes are given
in cable reports. This ensures consistency where the CPC can be of a different material to the phase
conductor(s) and/or the CPC itself can be made of two different materials, e.g. steel armour plus a
parallel copper conductor.
For example, where a circuit has:
Phase conductor of 400mm² copper (k = 103 [from Table 43A])
CPC of 400mm² copper (k = 133 [from Table 54B])
The CPC has a cable equivalent size = 400 x 133/103 = 516.5mm²
Similarly, the armour of a four core 400mm² XLPE cable would have a cable equivalent size:
(Section of steel armour) x (k factor for armour)/(k factor for conductor) mm²
452 x 46/143 = 145.4mm²

How do I enter a separate earth fault impedance?

The Source dialog can be used to phase fault (PSCC) and earth fault conditions (If) separately.
However, as can be seen from the notes below, it is important to enter the PSCC data before If data
where the two are at different levels. Normally when entering the PSCC value you will notice that
ProDesign automatically recalculates the earth fault to the same value. This assumes a TN-C-S or
PME type system and is providing an external earth loop impedance (Ze) based on this assumption.
If you need to enter different values for Phase Ze and Earth Ze, enter the phase data first and the
earth fault data second. This will then give you different level of fault currents for PSCC and earth
fault. For both phase and earth fault conditions, either the current or the impedance value can be
entered. The missing current or impedance value is then calculated automatically.

Why do I get a negative Volt Drop?

Single phase volt drops and volt drops in balanced three phase loads produce figures which are
easily checked and are readily understood. The vectoral relationship is fixed and the power factor
has a limited effect on the overall result. In the case of unbalanced three phase loads, negative volt
drops can occur in some phases. This is not as unexpected as it might seem. If the load is
unbalanced there will be the neutral current flowing and therefore a neutral volt drop. As the
calculation used produces vectorial volt drop figures the result for a very lightly loaded phase may

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 10BFrequently Asked Questions • 283
well be a negative volt drop where the neutral volt drop is larger than the phase volt drop and the
vector sum results in a negative value.

Why can't I add any more Boards?

Each level of ProDesign has a limit to the number of boards that can be entered. This limit is
indicated by the number in the product name. For example, ProDesign 13 has a 13-board limit.

How does AMTECH calculate cable sizes for ring final socket
circuits?
BS7671:2001 amendment No 1 (February 2002) introduced a change to the procedure for
calculating cable sizes for ring final circuits. Previously, the cable was deemed sufficient if its current
carrying capacity (Iz) was at least 0.67 times the device rating (In). The revised regulation 433-02-04
states that the Iz of the cable must now not be less than 20A.
The regulation specifies acceptable device and cable sizes for Ring final circuits. Only 30A or 32A
protective devices can be specified. An error message will be produced if a protective device other
than 30A or 32A is chosen on a Ring final circuit. The minimum cable size available for Ring final
circuits is 2.5mm2 (except for when MICC is used then the minimum is 1.5mm2).
The cabling for a Ring socket circuit load type is assumed to be subject to simultaneous overload.
The equations used to calculate the required minimum cable rating are those defined in
BS7671:2001, appendix 4 section 6 (equations 1, 2, 5 or 6). However, the 'In' value (device rating) is
replaced for ring final circuits with 20A. Consequently, the minimum required cable rating (Iz) will be
higher than 20A if derating factors are applicable e.g. grouping or elevated ambient temperature.

284 • 10BFrequently Asked Questions AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC)
AMTECH PremierCare
AMTECH’s unique Technical Support Service, PremierCare, brings a new dimension to customer
service. PremierCare is a Quality Assured service to customers of our software, as all AMTECH
software is covered by ISO 9001 TickIT for software development.

Benefits to members include

technical support
software service packs
exclusive access to online technical support
discounts

Technical Support
Get help when you need it from the largest team of Electrical Software Support Engineers in the
industry. AMTECH’s Technical Support staff have a wealth of experience, understand your business
and can be contacted by phone during office hours, and by fax, email and via AMTECH’s website.

Software service packs

Products, legislation and design trends are constantly changing... AMTECH software developers
make sure AMTECH software keeps up to date. As a PremierCare member, you will automatically
receive our service packs as soon as they are released, free of charge. These keep your AMTECH
product databases right up to date – including product deletions as well as additions – so you can be
sure that you always have the most current range of approved devices in your design toolbox. You
will also receive substantial discounts on major upgrades.

Exclusive access to online technical support

Access to the members-only area on AMTECH’s website for

• free downloads including maintenance releases and database updates

• access to FAQs and valuable technical tips
• SuperCharged, the newsletter for PremierCare members, with all the latest technical tips,
update information and general news, keeping you informed of what's going on at AMTECH
before anyone else
• logging a support request.

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 10BFrequently Asked Questions • 285
Discounts
PremierCare members can purchase additional AMTECH products and upgrades at discounted
rates. These discounts also apply to our training courses. Other special promotional offers are
also available to PremierCare members from time to time.

Further information
If you wish to check your PremierCare status or to renew your membership please call
0800 028 28 28

PremierCare login
If you have current PremierCare membership and wish to access the PremierCare members’ area
on AMTECH’s website use the following web address.
http://www.amtech-power.co.uk/members.htm

286 • 10BFrequently Asked Questions AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC)
AMTECH Training

Get the most from your software with one of AMTECH’s range of training courses
Receive expert tuition from our team of engineers in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. AMTECH
training is suitable for all levels of ability, from first time users to those who have had the software for
a while and not yet explored all the available features.
Learn the capabilities of the software - discover the many features included in AMTECH software
and how to apply them to your own projects.
Learn dozens of tips, short cuts and features – these will help you make use of the software
effectively and efficiently.
Learn how to produce quick, economical designs - avoid over-engineering by sizing cables,
busbars and protective devices accurately to meet the minimum criteria defined in the wiring
regulations.
Learn how to produce professional documentation - you will soon be able to present your clients
with high quality documentation for design or verification calculations, single line diagrams and
certification (depending on your software package).
Receive your own course workbook – to help you remember what you have learned.

Courses
For more information about current AMTECH Training Courses use the following web address:
http://www.amtech-power.co.uk/coursesmenu.htm
or call our Training Department on 01908 608833

AMTECH's UK Training Centre

Regular scheduled courses are held in our fully equipped, air-conditioned training centre in Milton
Keynes. Each delegate has the use of a PC loaded with the latest software. Refreshments and a
buffet lunch are provided.

On site training

Training courses are also available at your premises by arrangement. Bringing these courses
directly to your organisation offers many advantages, especially for companies that have several
engineers requiring training. To find out more, phone AMTECH on 0800 028 28 28 or send us an
email using the following address:
[email protected]

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 10BFrequently Asked Questions • 287
CPD points
All AMTECH courses attract Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours which are credited
towards an individual's CPD. The aim of CPD is to enhance business performance and improve an
individual's career prospects.

AMTECH is an Institute of Electrical Engineers (IEE) Endorsed Provider and is registered with the
Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) as a course provider.

288 • 10BFrequently Asked Questions AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC)
Glossary of Terms

PDA
Personal Data Assistant. A hand held computer which can be
connected to a desktop or laptop computer.

N.B. AMTECH Mobile Software will only operate on PDAs which use
Microsoft’s Pocket PC operating system, versions 2002 or 2003.

Diversity
It is often not desirable to size each conductor in a distribution system
to support the total connected load at that point in the network.
Diversity is applied on the basis of the anticipated loadings that are
likely to result from all loads not being connected at the same time.

Adiabatic
Adiabatic checks are required to determine whether conductors might
be damaged by the calculated fault conditions.

BS7671, section 543 describes the adiabatic checks required for

protective conductors.

BS7671, section 433 describes the adiabatic checks required for

phase conductors.

Design Current
Design current or ‘Ib’ in Amps. This is the current intended to be
carried by the circuit in normal service at the defined power factor.

Device Rating
Overcurrent Protective device rating, or ‘In’ in Amps.

If the device overload setting can be adjusted then the ‘adjusted

rating’ is known as ‘Ir’.

Ir
The adjusted overload rating of an Overcurrent protective device, in
Amps.

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 10BFrequently Asked Questions • 289
 Ca
Ambient temperature correction factor used for calculating minimum
required cable size. For cables this factor is commonly extracted from
BS7671, Table 4C1.

Elevating the ambient temperature will result in a lower Ca factor. This

may result in an increased cable size.

Cg
Grouping correction factor used for calculating minimum required
cable size. For cables this factor is commonly extracted from BS7671,
Table 4B1.

Grouping a circuit with others will result in a lower Cg factor. This may
result in an increased cable size.

Cp
Correction factor applied for BS3036 re-wireable fuses.

BS7671, Appendix 4, section 6 requires that a Cp factor of 0.725 is

applied when calculating the minimum cable rating required for
circuits protected by a BS3036 fuse.

Ci
Correction factor for cables run in thermal insulation.

BS7671, 523-04 requires that a correction factor, Ci, is applied when

calculating the minimum cable rating required when cabling passes
through thermal insulation.

Ch
Correction factor applied to cable size calculations due to the
presence of harmonic current.

The ‘Ch’ correction factors used in AMTECH ProDesign are taken

from IEC 60364-5-523, Annex C. ‘Effects of harmonic currents on
balanced three-phase systems’.

290 • 10BFrequently Asked Questions AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC)
 Iz
The current carrying capacity of a cable under the defined installation
conditions. This is the effective rating of the cable after relevant
correction factors have been applied.

Active Supply
A number of alternative sources of supply can be defined as the origin
of supply for a network. Only one of these can be modeled as the
‘Active Supply’ indicated by checking the box. Where only one source
exists, the box for that source is permanently checked.

Subject to Simultaneous Overload

Where circuits are grouped, there are two methods of calculating the
derating (Cg) factor to be applied:

‘Subject to simultaneous overload’: assumes that a number of the

grouped circuits may be overloaded at any one time – applies
grouping using In/Cg.

[BS7671, Appendix 4, Section 6: Formula (2)]

‘Not subject to simultaneous overload’: assumes that only one of the

grouped circuits will normally be overloaded at any one time (a
reasonable assumption for general distribution loads) – uses two
calculations to determine Cg and uses the most pessimistic rating
from the two results. Usually gives a reduced level of derating
compared to ‘Subject to simultaneous overload’.

[BS7671, Appendix 4, Section 6: Formula (3, 4)]

Depth of Lay
Indicates the depth at which the cable is installed. A derating factor
(Cdg) of less than 1.0 is applicable for installation depths greater than
0.5 m. This has the effect of increasing the tabulated current rating
required when the cable is selected. The derating factors are more
severe for larger cable sizes.

Soil Thermal Resistivity

Relates to the ability of the soil, in which the cable is installed, to
conduct heat energy away from the cable. A derating factor (Crg) of
less than 1.0 is applicable for resistivities greater than 1.2 K.m/W.
This has the effect of increasing the tabulated current rating required
when the cable is selected. The derating factors are more severe for
larger cable sizes.

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 10BFrequently Asked Questions • 291
 C
Cable Sizing 231

Index Cables 31
Cables Dialog 38
Cables Settings 174
Calculate Menu 62
Calculate Toolbar 72
Calculating The Project 216
A Calculation Method 244

Accumulation of Harmonic Loads 257 Calculation. 41

Activating your AMTECH software 5 Calculations 215

AMTECH PremierCare 297 Calculations Sub-menu 58

AMTECH System Requirements 1 Changing a Colour Setting 113

AMTECH Training 299 Changing Phase Markings 114

Annotate Toolbar 71 Changing the field order 286

Annotation 100 Check Network Logic 215

Applying a Web Update 12 Checking Earth Fault Loop

Impedance 252
Applying Component Templates 125
Checking your version of software 14
Automatic annotation 100
Circuit Protective Device (CPD)
Automatic Updates 9 Selection 183
Availability of Web Updates 10 Colour Configuration 112
Component Templates 124
B Computer (desktop or laptop) 1
Boards 157 Conductors 173
Boards Dialog 39 Connections 90
Breaking Capacity 193 Construct Toolbar 69
Breaking Capacity Check 246 Consumer Unit Settings 166
Busbar 30 Copy Function 108
Busbar Data 238 Creating a Report Template 284
Busbar Fault Rating 248 Cut 107
Busbar Sizing 238
Busbars Dialog 37 D
Busbars Settings 195 Default Symbols 106

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 11BIndex • 293

 Define Load at a Distribution Board Drawing Street Lighting 97
or Consumer Unit 135
Drawing Sub Menu 56
Defining the Component Template for
a Cable 124 Drawing Switchboards 93

Delete 108 Drawing The Network 89

Devices With Non-graphical Data 192

Disconnection using an RCD 253
E

discrimination 262 Earth Fault Adiabatic Calculation 254

Discrimination Check Dialog 265 Earth Fault Calculations 249

Discrimination Settings 128 Earth Fault Current 250

Discrimination Settings Dialog 129 Earth Fault Disconnection 251

Dismiss 14 Earth Fault Loop Impedance 250

Display Results 278 Earth Fault Protection Propagation

139
Displaying device characteristics 266
Edit Menu 51
Distribution Boards Settings 161
Editing cable references. 32
Distribution Boards. 30
Editing The Drawing 107
Distribution System Settings 141
Editing the Logo on the Drawing 111
Diversity 259
Energy-based Discrimination Check
Diversity at a Final Circuit 135 262
Diversity Settings 132 Error and Warning messages 217
Do I have to activate all my AMTECH Errors and Warning messages -
programs separately? 7 explained 219
Does ProDesign calculate voltage Errors and Warning Report 275
drops differently from
SingleCable? 291 Errors and Warnings 217

Download Now 12
Draw Menu 48
F

Drawing a Single-line Diagram 15 Federation Against Software Theft

(FAST) 7
Drawing Busbars 94
File Menu 45
Drawing Cables 94
Final Circuit limits 242
Drawing Consumer Units 96
Find Function 116
Drawing Distribution Boards 96
Fix Design 122
Drawing Junction Boxes 99
Frequently Asked Questions 289
Drawing Loads and Motor Loads 97
Full Reports 286
Drawing Power Factor Correction
Units 98
Drawing Sources of Supply 91

294 • 11BIndex AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC)

G Logo 111
General 231 Logo Editor 112
Generator Load Check 261
Generator Settings 150 M
Main Dialog Area Settings - Motor
and Non-motor loads 203
H
Main Switchboard 29
Harmonics 255
Manual Diversity at a Distribution
Help Menu 67 Board or Consumer Unit 134
How do I enter a separate earth fault Maximum Earth Fault Loop
impedance? 295 Impedance 252
How do I enter Ring Main Lengths? Menu Bar 24
293
Menus and Toolbars 43
How do I find my AMTECH Licence
number? 289 Minimum Cable sizes 136
How does AMTECH calculate cable Motor Settings 206
sizes for ring final socket
Move 109
circuits? 296
Multi-core Cables and Busbars 255
How does ProDesign use
Adiabatic/Max Zs Criteria when Multiple Projects 83
sizing CPC? 291
How is the Cable Equivalent Size of
the CPC Size Calculated? 294 N

How is Zs Calculated? 294 No Protection 194

Non-motor Load Settings 205

I
Ics 292 O

Icu 292 Operating Systems 1

Input of Distribution System Details Overload Setting Adjustment 187

35 Overload Setting Methods 186
Installation 3 Overload Settings 127
Installed in Air 232
Installed in Ground 237 P
Internet Access 11 Paste 108
Phase Fault Adiabatic Check 247
L Phase Fault Calculations 244
Loads 30, 202 Placing Drawing Components 27
Loads Dialog 38 Pocket PC - AMTECH Mobile
Lock Project 120 software 1

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 11BIndex • 295

 Preferences Menu 55 Saving a Colour Configuration
Template 114
PremierCare Status 10
Selecting Drawing Objects 107
Printers 1
Setting Component Templates as a
Printing the Drawing 117 Default 126
Producing Reports 282 Setting Display Results 278
Program Updates dialog 9 Settings Toolbar 73
Project Drawing Defaults 88 Set-up Wizard 75
Project preferences 133 Single-core cables 257
Project Revision 137 Sizing Calculations 238
Project Settings 119 Source 28
Project Templates 120 Source Condition Calculations 268
Protection Tab 183 Source Dialog 35
Purpose of Earth Fault Calculations Source of Supply Settings 142
249
Source. 28
Sources of Supply 141
Q
Standard Toolbar 68
Quick Results 276
Start-Up Dialog 82
Step 1 - Send your `Request Code' to
R AMTECH 5
REC Supply Fault Level Calculator Step 2 - Receive your `Activation
268 Code' and Activate your
REC Supply Settings 155 software. 7

Redo 108 Street Lighting Settings 209

Registration 10 Sub-main circuit limits 239

Reload Last Project at Start-up 123 Support Menu 65

Remind me later 14 Switchboard Settings 157

Replacing the Logo Image File 112 Symbol Library 104

Reports 275 System Sub-Menu 61

Reports Menu 64
Reports Sub-menu 60 T
Reports Wizard 282 Table H2 Diversity at a Distribution
Board or Consumer Unit 135
Templates 83
S
The Drawing Window 83
Save 32
The Drawing Window Features 85
The Graph View 190

296 • 11BIndex AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC)

 The Project Drawing 75 W
Time-Current Discrimination Check What are the Min & Max fault levels
264 in the report? 293
To add a revision history entry 138 What special procedures are required
to Install on a network? 294
To Change the default template 'on
the fly'. 126 Why can't I add any more Boards?
295
To Delete a revision entry 139
Why do I get a Discrimination
To update an existing revision entry
Failure? 292
139
Why do I get a negative Volt Drop?
Toolbar 28
295
Toolbars 24
Why do I get an Icu/Ics Failure? 292
Transformer Load Check 261
Window Menu 66
Transformer Settings 148
TT Calculation Requirements 269
TT Supply Fault Level Calculator 270
TT Supply Settings 151
Tutorial 15

U
Undo 108
User Defined Diversity at a
Distribution Board or Consumer
Unit 134
User Defined Rating 237
User Type 74

V
View Menu 53
View Toolbar 70
Viewing and Printing Reports 284
Viewing Object Properties 117
Volt Drop Calculations 239
Volt drop limits 239
Voltage Drop Calculations 242

AMTECH Power Software Ltd ProDesign (IEC) 11BIndex • 297