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Cable Sizing - First Cost of construction versus Energy Loss es 1

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benJamn

Electrical
Apr 30, 2011
3
Recently I have read some papers indicating that it can be cost effective to upsize cables to minimise the cost of ongoing energy loss in the cable, rather than just the construction cost. However determining the optimum point from considering cable, labour, raceway and energy costs is typically not done, since the cost of engineering to prove it is worthwhile can be significant and not an easy sell to a client when the outcome is uncertain.

However if an otherwise useful design tool already had this functionality built into it, then providing some concrete scenarios options to the client would not be too onerous. Is there any software that can do this?

cheers, Ben
 
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I should add that if there isn't anything suitable out there, I will likely be writing some software to do it. I just don't want to completely reinvent the wheel. Here are a few applications that I have already reviewed and found lacking: PowerTools, E-Tap, PowerPac, TemCurve6, PowerCAD, InterPSS, ESA Easy Power, elecworks.

Alternatively, if you have an application you commonly use, which lacks this feature, that would also be good to know.
 
I've installed it and it is exactly the sort of thing I am looking for, except its for only a single cable at a time. Ultimately I am looking to cover the whole of large projects directly off single line diagrams, and to further consider the constraints of raceway fill over various cable routes.

I appreciate your help.
Cheers, Ben
 
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