ETAP Software explained in 5 Minutes

Summary

This tutorial showcases how to efficiently utilize ETAP software for electrical system modeling and analysis. It guides users to create a new project, build diagrams from scratch or use templates, and integrate various system components. The script demonstrates adding elements like transformers, relays, and motors, setting up parameters, and running calculations for power flow, short circuit analysis, and protection coordination. It also covers generating TCC curves and conducting arc flash studies, emphasizing the software's user-friendly interface and comprehensive features.

Takeaways

• 🛠️ Start a new project or open an existing one in ETAP to build electrical diagrams.
• 📐 Utilize toolbars to build from scratch or choose from pre-built templates for reference designs.
• 🏗️ Add various system components like MCC lineups, substation configurations, and wind farm collector systems.
• 🗑️ Delete components that are not needed, which are sent to the recycle bin for recovery or purging.
• 🔌 Quickly build a diagram with elements like power grids, buses, relays, CTs, transformers, cables, and motors.
• ⚙️ Specify component details such as transformer impedance based on ANSI or IEC standards.
• 📏 Enter cable length and select from a library, with functions to size and derate as necessary.
• 📊 Run power flow calculations to see results directly on the diagram with toggleable units.
• ⚡️ Conduct short circuit analysis, with ETAP提示ing when information is missing and guiding you to resolve it.
• 📈 Generate a TCC curve easily by specifying CT ratios, relay settings, and selecting components from a verified library.
• 🔍 Test protection settings by simulating faults and observing the sequence of operation on the diagram.
• 🔥 Run arc flash computations, select a bus, and analyze the results including PPE requirements and arcing current.

Q & A

What is the main goal of the video tutorial?

The main goal of the video tutorial is to teach users how to use ETAP (Electrical Transient Analyzer Program) in five minutes by walking them through creating and analyzing a power system diagram.

What options do users have when starting a new project in ETAP?

Users can either start a brand new project and build a diagram from scratch using the toolbars, or they can choose from pre-built reference designs and templates, such as MCC lineups, substation configurations, and wind farm collector systems. Users can also add their own reference designs.

What happens when you delete something from an ETAP project?

When you delete something from an ETAP project, it is sent to the recycle bin, where it can be restored at any time, or it can be purged permanently.

What elements can be added to a power system diagram in ETAP?

Elements such as a power grid, buses, relays, current transformers (CTs), transformers, cables, and motors can be added to a power system diagram in ETAP.

How does ETAP handle missing information during calculations?

If information is missing during calculations, ETAP generates an error message and allows the user to click on it, which takes them directly to the component that needs the missing data.

What can be done after running a power flow calculation in ETAP?

After running a power flow calculation, users can view the results directly on the diagram, including units like kilowatts, volts, and percentages for voltage. The display can be toggled to show kva and amps for the network as well.

What types of analysis can be performed after building a diagram in ETAP?

After building a diagram, users can perform various analyses such as load flow, short circuit, protection coordination (TCC curves), and arc flash analysis.

How does ETAP assist in protection coordination studies?

ETAP assists in protection coordination by allowing users to input CT ratios, add breakers, and select relays from a library of verified vendors. Users can also specify relay settings, such as OCR, OLR, and distance functions, and plot the relay curves on the TCC diagram.

What kind of data can be displayed in a TCC curve in ETAP?

In a TCC curve, users can see relay curves, cable damage curves, transformer damage curves, and motor protection curves, all of which can be adjusted for specific settings such as time dials or pickup points.

How does ETAP handle arc flash studies?

In ETAP, users can perform arc flash studies by selecting a bus, running the arc flash study, and viewing the results for arcing current and arc flash energy. The program also warns users about PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) requirements for safety and provides options to print labels, work permits, and data sheets.

Outlines

00:00

🛠️ Introduction to ETAP

The script begins with an introduction to ETAP, a software for designing and analyzing electrical systems. It explains how to start a new project or open an existing one. The user can build a diagram from scratch using toolbars or select from pre-built reference designs. The script mentions the ability to add entire MCC lineups or substation configurations, and wind farm collector systems. It also highlights the option to delete and recycle components, and the ease of building a model with elements like relays, CTs, transformers, cables, and motors. The software automatically sets up the diagram based on spacing rules and allows users to specify missing information. The script also covers how to run power flow calculations and view results directly on the diagram, switch between different units, and run short circuit and fault analysis. It guides through adding components like breakers and setting up relays with specific functions and curves, and concludes with how to plot the diagram into a TCC curve.

05:05

🔍 Testing and Analyzing with ETAP

The second paragraph continues with the demonstration of ETAP's capabilities, focusing on testing protection settings and analyzing arc flash risks. It starts with a reminder to ensure all cable information is complete before testing. The script shows how to select a conductor, run tests, and observe the relay's operation, including the sequence of operation on the diagram. It then transitions into running an arc flash computation, highlighting the program's safety checks and the ability to analyze arcing current and energy. The script concludes with the option to view more detailed data, print labels, work permits, and data sheets, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of ETAP's analysis and reporting tools.

Keywords

💡Etab

Etab is a software tool used for creating and analyzing electrical diagrams. In the video, it is used to demonstrate how to build a project from scratch or use pre-built templates. It is central to the video's theme of teaching viewers how to use the software efficiently.

💡Diagram

A diagram in this context refers to a visual representation of an electrical system, which can be built using Etab. The script mentions building diagrams from scratch, indicating the software's capability to create custom electrical system layouts.

💡Template

A template in Etab is a pre-built design that users can utilize to start their projects. The video mentions selecting from various templates, showcasing the software's feature to accelerate the design process by using reference designs.

💡Relay

A relay is an electrical switch designed to protect a circuit by interrupting the flow of current. In the script, adding a relay to the diagram is part of building an electrical system model, demonstrating the detail involved in creating a system diagram.

💡Transformer

A transformer is a device that transfers electrical energy from one circuit to another through inductance. The video script mentions adding a transformer to the diagram, which is a common component in electrical system design.

💡Power Flow Calculation

This refers to the process of calculating the distribution of active and reactive power in an electrical grid. The script describes running such a calculation in Etab, which is crucial for analyzing the performance of the designed system.

💡Short Circuit

A short circuit occurs when an unintended low-resistance path in an electrical circuit is created. The video discusses running a short circuit computation, which is essential for ensuring the safety and reliability of the electrical system design.

💡TCC Curve

TCC stands for Time-Current Characteristic Curve, which is used to define the operating characteristics of protective relays. The script mentions plotting a TCC curve, indicating the software's capability to assist in the detailed analysis of relay performance.

💡Arc Flash

Arc flash is a dangerous electrical explosion that occurs when there is a fault in the electrical system. The video script includes running an arc flash computation, which is a safety analysis to prevent such incidents.

💡Recycle Bin

The Recycle Bin is a feature in Etab where deleted components are stored, allowing for recovery or purging. The script mentions that deleting something from Etab sends it to the Recycle Bin, emphasizing the software's flexibility and control over editing actions.

💡Engineering Data

Engineering data refers to the technical information necessary for designing and analyzing electrical systems. The script mentions incorporating engineering data into the design, which is vital for creating accurate and functional system diagrams.

Highlights

Introduction to using ETAP in five minutes

Starting a new project or opening an existing one

Building a diagram from scratch or using pre-built templates

Adding entire MCC lineups or substation configurations

Incorporating wind farm collector systems

Deleting and recycling components in ETAP

Quickly building a power grid diagram with relays, transformers, and motors

Program automatically sets up diagrams based on spacing rules

Specifying missing information for a 5 MVA transformer

Selecting cable from the library and sizing it as needed

Running power flow calculations and viewing results on the diagram

Switching between different unit types for voltage and current

Running short circuit analysis and addressing missing information

Fault analysis to see contribution from feeders and machines

Creating a TCC curve quickly and easily

Adding a breaker to the diagram without breaking connections

Selecting a relay from a verified and validated library

Setting up relay functions and curves based on vendor specifications

Plotting the entire diagram into a TCC curve

Removing details from the TCC curve without affecting the diagram

Testing protection by simulating short circuits

Viewing sequence of operation directly on the diagram

Running arc flash computations and safety checks

Analyzing arc flash energy and sequence of operation

Generating labels, work permits, data sheets, and more

Summary of ETAP capabilities from load flow to arc flash in five minutes

Transcripts

hello everyone and our goal today is to  teach you how to use etab in five minutes  

so we'll go ahead and we'll start off with  a brand new project you also have the choice  

obviously of opening up an existing project. In  our brand new project you can essentially build  

your diagram from scratch using the toolbars or  you can simply go into the template and pick from  

various pre-built reference designs that we have  provided or you can add your own reference design  

you can have entire MCC lineups or you can  have complete substation uh configurations  

as well as the engineering data or the  reference design for the substations as well  

you can also bring in wind farm collector systems  and so on so forth so the sky's limit in terms of  

bringing in a existing system so we  can go ahead and bring in one of these  

systems that we've already built uh as an  option but if you're unhappy with it you can  

simply delete it and start again uh when you  delete something from etap it always goes to  

recycle bin so you can always bring it back at  any point in time or purge it one more time again  

let's go ahead and build a quick model so we have  our power grid our our bus we want to add a relay  

so we can add a ct and a relay maybe a transformer  perhaps a cable a bus and let's say we have two  

motors in the system so with that i've quickly  built my diagram and you can see that the  

the program does its best to set up the diagram  based on the spacing rules and we can go ahead  

and now specify the missing information this is a  5 mba transformer and can simply bring in typical  

impedance from ansi or iec standards and as far  as the cable is concerned we can put in the length  

of the cable and pick the cable from the library  and of course there's also functions available to  

size and derate the cable as needed the motor  data is already there based on our default  

data which you can always change but we are ready  now to run our power flow calculation and you can  

see the results directly on the diagram the units  are turned on so you can essentially quickly  

toggle between them or you can simply switch  between different types of units in this case  

kilowatt volts or percent for the voltage or you  can also turn on and see the kva and the amps for  

the network so our load flow is done let's go  ahead and switch over to short circuit run the  

computation and the program does a terrific job at  letting you know that you're missing information  

so you can double click on the error message  it takes you the component that has the issue  

and you can plug in the the data to complete  your study we're running a fault analysis so i  

would like to go ahead and fault this particular  bus and run the calculation again and we can see  

the fall contribution from the feeder as well  as from the individual machines in the network  

ready to do a tcc curve no problem very quick  and easy you can simply go to the ct type in a  

ct ratio go into the relay make sure we have an  output specified look i forgot to add a breaker  

not a problem so what we can do is quickly come in  here add in a breaker no need to break connections  

the program simply allows you to snap the breaker  in line now we can go back to defining uh the  

output for this relay which needs a digital output  and it's going to be circuit breaker number two so  

that's automatically interlocked for me and then  from the library which is verified and validated  

you can pick from all of these different vendors  and pick your favorite vendor if you'd like from  

here so we'll pick a schneider relay which is  a micom and it sets up the relay based on its  

functions ocr olr as well as distance functions so  you can specify all those details we'll turn off  

the instantaneous for the time being and set our  curve to an iec curve so we can go ahead and now  

select this entire diagram and go ahead and plot  it into our tcc so we can see the the relay curve  

we can see the cable damage curve the transformer  damage curve and the motor curve if you're ready  

to remove details from this you can simply press  delete it doesn't affect the diagram but only  

affects the tcc itself and here we can see our  setting page is set for schneider p44 and if  

you're ready to change the time dial you can just  simply adjust the time dial up or down or change  

the pickup for this particular relay and this  automatically updates the database everywhere  

ready to test this protection no problem just  simply drag and drop the the short circuit arrow  

once again the program is letting me know that i i  picked a cable that is missing some information so  

we'll go ahead and pick a different conductor and  re-run our test again and we can see that this  

relay picks up and trips the breaker in 283  milliseconds so very quickly you can also see  

a sequence of operation directly on the diagram  and with that we can switch over to arc flash  

run our arc flash computation uh we need to select  a bus where we want default so we can right click  

and fault run our arc flash study the program  gives a warning that the ppe requirements have  

not been approved so it's it's essentially doing  a safety check and then based on the current short  

circuit results and the relay setting uh in in  the network we can see what the arcing current is  

as well as the arc flash energy so from here  you're ready to go to the arc slash page  

see more details uh or go inside the sequence of  operation for uh arc flash and you can investigate  

in in more detail what's going on inside this  network who's tripping and at what stage and  

once you're happy with that you can simply go  inside the arc flash analyzer and from here you  

also have the possibility of printing labels  work permits data sheets and a whole lot more  

so within uh five minutes we've shown you how easy  it is to build a diagram and run the calculations  

with an etab going all the way from load flow to  short circuit to protection to arc flash thank you

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