Well, folks, I had to knock up a design the other week and needed to do it formally with line diagrams, volt drops, circuit data etc. and a discrimination study, I thought that it would take me ages.
I had some spreadsheets set up for single cable calcs etc. but nothing for the whole shooting match.
I looked at Amtech, and fell to the floor.
As it is a modification some of the equipment is existing some will be new it's not quite so cut and dried.
So, I thought that I would try ElectricalOM, from our forum sponsor Modecsoft,
@modecsoft
I duly registered on their site for the demo copy, and downloaded the installer, for Windows.
All very easy and it just worked.
I installed the software around lunchtime, without issue.
So, I then set about trying to do a design.
Now bear in mind, whilst I know how to design circuits, and volt drops etc. I have never done this in a formal design package before.
I sat there in front of the software and thought to myself, where do I start!
I had a quick look around the menus, and I found "insert" > "supply", and thought, that's as good a place as any to start, so I did.
The dialogue boxes were intuitive and I found the whole experience of using the software intuitive and easy.
I am familiar with AutoCAD, MathCAD, PLC & CNC programming software and other packages so I had experience of similar kinds of software.
Now I have heard even experienced & trained Amtech users struggling, and as far as getting support goes, it seems to take an age with Amtech, & they ring you when it suits them, not when it suits you.
I will say at this point, that I have never used Amtech, so have nothing to compare ElectricalOM with.
However, I did find it easy to use as I have already said.
I did a design, full cable calcs, discrimination study and everything that would be required, except, a physical dimensioned layout in an afternoon having never used the software before.
You could say that is easy for a single circuit, and it would be, but this was for an incoming supply, main db, 8 sub mains, and 32 final circuits!
Incomer 400A 3ph.
Sub mains 3ph, up to 100A, final circuits a mix if 1ph & 3ph, up to 32A.
To say i was impressed is an understatement.
Have a look, the free version is pretty much fully functional apart from the documentation & reporting side.
If Modecsoft would like to respond to my post, please do.
I'll post an update in a few days as to how the design is going on, and how I am getting on with ElectricalOM, because the job is quite a project and will take 6-24 months to complete.
I think that ElectricalOm will be very valuable in helping me with this.
I had some spreadsheets set up for single cable calcs etc. but nothing for the whole shooting match.
I looked at Amtech, and fell to the floor.
As it is a modification some of the equipment is existing some will be new it's not quite so cut and dried.
So, I thought that I would try ElectricalOM, from our forum sponsor Modecsoft,
@modecsoft
I duly registered on their site for the demo copy, and downloaded the installer, for Windows.
All very easy and it just worked.
I installed the software around lunchtime, without issue.
So, I then set about trying to do a design.
Now bear in mind, whilst I know how to design circuits, and volt drops etc. I have never done this in a formal design package before.
I sat there in front of the software and thought to myself, where do I start!
I had a quick look around the menus, and I found "insert" > "supply", and thought, that's as good a place as any to start, so I did.
The dialogue boxes were intuitive and I found the whole experience of using the software intuitive and easy.
I am familiar with AutoCAD, MathCAD, PLC & CNC programming software and other packages so I had experience of similar kinds of software.
Now I have heard even experienced & trained Amtech users struggling, and as far as getting support goes, it seems to take an age with Amtech, & they ring you when it suits them, not when it suits you.
I will say at this point, that I have never used Amtech, so have nothing to compare ElectricalOM with.
However, I did find it easy to use as I have already said.
I did a design, full cable calcs, discrimination study and everything that would be required, except, a physical dimensioned layout in an afternoon having never used the software before.
You could say that is easy for a single circuit, and it would be, but this was for an incoming supply, main db, 8 sub mains, and 32 final circuits!
Incomer 400A 3ph.
Sub mains 3ph, up to 100A, final circuits a mix if 1ph & 3ph, up to 32A.
To say i was impressed is an understatement.
Have a look, the free version is pretty much fully functional apart from the documentation & reporting side.
If Modecsoft would like to respond to my post, please do.
I'll post an update in a few days as to how the design is going on, and how I am getting on with ElectricalOM, because the job is quite a project and will take 6-24 months to complete.
I think that ElectricalOm will be very valuable in helping me with this.