Tutorial SIMARIS design

Software for efficient dimensioning of power distribution systems

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Tutorial SIMARIS design

Software for efficient

dimensioning of
power distribution systems

1 2 3 4 5 6
Introduction Getting started Network design Dimensioning Project output More about SIMARIS
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Tutorial SIMARIS design

Introduction

> SIMARIS planning tools

> SIMARIS design
> Additional functions in
SIMARIS design professional

1 2 3 4 5 6
Introduction Getting started Network design Dimensioning Project output More about SIMARIS
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Introduction
SIMARIS planning tools

The SIMARIS planning tools provide efficient support for dimensioning an electric power distribution system
and determining the equipment and distribution boards for it.

• SIMARIS design for network calculation and dimensioning

• SIMARIS project for determining the space requirements of distribution boards, the budget,
and for generating specifications (bills of quantities) and BIM data
• SIMARIS curves to display tripping characteristics, as well as cut-off current characteristics
and let-through energy curves
• SIMARIS Online Toolbox with practical calculation tools for the daily business

The advantages of SIMARIS planning tools:

• Intuitive and easy handling with user-friendly documentation options for the planning results
• End-to-end planning for all devices and systems from the medium-voltage level to the power
consumer
• Automatic selection of matching components and distribution board systems
• High degree of planning reliability plus flexibility in the planning and implementation process

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Introduction
SIMARIS design

SIMARIS design enables electric networks to be dimensioned which are based on real products ranging
from the medium-voltage down to the load level including automatic selection of suitable equipment.
• The equipment is dimensioned according to the accepted rules of good installation practice and all applicable standards
(VDE, IEC).
• Network operating modes and switching conditions can be defined as desired.
• Automatic selection of suitable equipment in radial networks
• Calculation of short-circuit currents, symmetrical load flows, voltage drops, and energy balances in radial networks
• Consideration of required personal, short-circuit, and overload protection
• Consideration of functional endurance as well as lightning and overvoltage protection possible
• Busbar trunking systems for power transmission and distribution can also be integrated in your planning.
• Isolated networks can be planned and displayed
• Distribution boards can be mapped as equivalent impedances which can be incorporated into the calculation, acting as
substitutes for parts of the network which cannot yet be specified more precisely
• To document results, a wide variety of output options is provided, e.g. for analysis and optimization of the energy
efficiency of the planned network
• One useful output variant is the export file of your project for further processing in SIMARIS project. This facilitates
determining the space requirements for the distribution boards and makes it easy for you to create a basis for budget
finding.

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Introduction
Additional functions in SIMARIS design professional

In addition, SIMARIS design professional provides the following options:

• Thanks to the option to visualize and calculate parallel network operation, different power sources such as
transformers and generators can be operated in the same network.
• In the context of automatic selectivity evaluation, selectivity thresholds are displayed in addition to the
characteristic current-time curve and the corresponding envelope curves.
• Configuration of a switchover facility for emergency power supply is possible in sub-distributions
• Infeed on all distribution levels (e.g. transformer, generator, etc.)
• Automatic selection of suitable equipment in ring and meshed networks
• Calculation of short-circuit currents, asymmetrical load flows, voltage drops, and energy balances in ring
and meshed networks.

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Tutorial SIMARIS design

Getting started

> Project definition

> Introduction to
network design

1 2 3 4 5 6
Introduction Getting started Network design Dimensioning Project output More about SIMARIS
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Getting Started
Project definition

Learn here, how to create a project and familiarize with the workflow from project definition to network design
and project output.

After program start you have the following options:

• Create a new project
• Open an existing project
• Open the demo project

When you select "Create new project" and click

"Next" you can then…

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Getting Started
Project definition

… enter master data for the project …

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Getting Started
Project definition

… and technical data for the

medium-voltage system…

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Getting Started
Project definition

…and select the low-voltage level.

• To facilitate your choice, some data input fields

have been pre-set with default values that can,
however, be changed at any time by selecting
appropriate data from the drop-down boxes.

• By clicking the "Finish" button, you get to the

program step "Network Design" and can start
planning the network.

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Getting Started
Project definition

Clicking the program steps on the navigation bar

allows you to go to another step at any time you
choose, while you are editing a project.

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Getting Started
Project definition

This means that you can later view and modify the entries you made in the start wizard,
when you are in the step "Project definition".

Overview of Project definition

Master data

Technical data
Customer data for medium voltage

Locale

Technical data
for low voltage

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Getting Started
Project definition

In this context, please note that the edited network must be redimensioned after every change in the
technical settings.

In addition, you can "localise" the Regional settings made in the Project definition step, i.e. choose the
country-specific product portfolio relevant for your planning by selecting a country and a language
matching this country, or English as the project language.

All settings defined in this step – this includes both technical data and country and language settings –
will be automatically saved for future projects, but can be changed again if necessary, which greatly
facilitates working and collaborating at international projects.

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Getting Started
Introduction to network design

Network Design – Overview

Library

Tool bar

Favourites
Graphic/Symbols
Hints Graphics window

Properties circuit

Properties of equipment

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Getting Started
Introduction to network design

In the "Network design" step, there are the following sections:

The Library (top left) provides all elements required
for creating a network diagram. You can either rely
on Favourites, or integrate symbols into the network
diagram.

The network diagram is built up in the graphics

window (on the right of the screen display) from
Library elements and/or Favourites.

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Getting Started
Introduction to network design

… The tool bar above the graphics window contains all

… important functions for editing the network diagram.

Hints and tips how to edit the network, and the

Properties of the elements marked on the graphics,
i.e. circuits and equipment, can be found below the
Library on the left.
Thus you can easily and quickly view the most
important information about the network diagram
elements you are editing.

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Getting Started
Introduction to network design

In the "Network design" step, you build up the

network step by step with the aid of elements from
the Library, this means
• System infeeds
• Couplings
• Distribution boards
• and final circuits.

Elements saved as Favourites can also be used to

build up the network diagram.

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Getting Started
Introduction to network design

It is also possible to add graphic elements,

symbols and annotations to structure the network
diagram and add suitable captions and labels.

Various editing options for the network diagram,

Tool bar which can be called up
… • using the tool bar,
• the menu,
…
• and sometimes the context menu
(right mouse click) as well,
support you in creating and editing a
network diagram
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Getting Started
Introduction to network design

Please also refer to the sections "How to create network elements" and
"Working in the network diagram" in "Network Design".

In the "Network Design" step, the components shown on the network diagram are automatically or
manually dimensioned. More about this in "Dimensioning".

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Tutorial SIMARIS design

Network design

> How to create network elements

> Working in the network diagram
> Couplings

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Tutorial SIMARIS design – Network Design

How to create
network elements

How to create network elements

> System infeeds
> Distribution board
> Loads
> Separate networks
> Busbar systems and loads
Working in the network diagram
Couplings

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Network Design
How to create network elements

This is an easy, fast, and safe way to build up your

network:
• To insert an element into the drawing please
enable the desired icon in the Library on the
left by clicking on it. The enabled icon is marked
by a yellow frame.
• The meaning of the individual icons is explained
in the tooltip, which can be displayed by hovering
the mouse over this icon for a moment.

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Network Design
How to create network elements – system infeeds

At first, enable an icon in the Library,

e.g. for a Transformer (yellow frame visible).

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Network Design
How to create network elements – system infeeds

Result shown in the network diagram, when a

transformer (without medium voltage) is created:

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Network Design
How to create network elements – system infeeds

In principle, other types of infeed components are

created in the same way.

Parallel infeed using several power sources can be

mapped by placing more infeed components at an
insert point on the busbar and specifying them in the
dialog displayed afterwards.

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Network Design
How to create network elements – system infeeds

The result for linking infeed components

is shown here.

A detailed description on how to create couplings

can be found in the "Couplings" section.

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Network Design
How to create network elements – distribution boards

Distribution boards are created in the same way:

At first enable an icon in the Library,
e.g. for a sub-distribution board (yellow frame
visible).

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Network Design
How to create network elements – distribution boards

• Possible insert points in the network diagram are

marked by a yellow rectangle, when hovering the
mouse over it.
• You can find insert points on the graphs
representing distribution boards (blue lines)
and the busbar trunking systems (green lines).
• To add elements, left-click such an insert point,
keep the mouse key pressed and drag the mouse
away from the insert point at a right angle to the
blue or green line.
• After you release the mouse button, another dialog
is automatically displayed, where you can specify
parameters of the element that was just placed.

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Network Design
How to create network elements – distribution boards

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Network Design
How to create network elements – distribution boards

In principle, other distribution boards are created in

Result in the network diagram the same way. A detailed description on how to add
busbar trunking systems can be found in the
"Busbar systems and loads" section.

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Network Design
How to create network elements – loads

Also loads are created in the similar way. Hereby you can connect them either directly to an infeed or to a
distribution bord / busbar trunking system.
• Possible insert points in the network diagram are
marked by a yellow rectangle, when hovering the
mouse over it.
• You can find insert points on the graphs
representing distribution boards (blue lines)
and the busbar trunking systems (green lines).
• To add elements, left-click such an insert point,
keep the mouse key pressed and drag the mouse
away from the insert point at a right angle to the
blue or green line.
• After you release the mouse button, another dialog
is automatically displayed, where you can specify
parameters of the element that was just placed.

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Network Design
How to create network elements – loads

To add a stationary load, you must at first enable

the corresponding icon in the Library again.

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Network Design
How to create network elements – loads

When the element is placed at a suitable insert point

on the network diagram, a dialog for specifying
technical data for connecting the load circuit is
displayed.

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Network Design
How to create network elements – loads

To simplify planning work for larger projects and

maintain a straightforward structure of the network
diagram, you can create load groups
• by entering the desired number of identical loads
into the specification immediately
(see previous page)
• or later, by marking the corresponding element in
the network diagram and modifying the quantity
shown in the Properties dialog at the bottom left.

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Network Design
How to create network elements – loads

The selected number of identical loads is of course

marked in the network diagram and automatically
factored in during a subsequent dimensioning cycle.

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Network Design
How to create network elements – loads

If the data for the load circuits to be planned is not

known in detail, you can still create them on the
network diagram as cumulated or dummy loads.

A dummy load is specified by its nominal current and

the active power. Thus it also influences the energy
balance during dimensioning.
But switching devices or cables/lines are not
dimensioned for a dummy load circuit!

Representation in the network diagram:

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Network Design
How to create network elements – loads

The "Motor" icon allows a motor or a motor group

(several identical motors) to be connected to a main
or sub-distribution board.

Besides mapping simple standard motor protection,

you can also select and dimension motor starter
combinations which are protected by circuit-
breakers or fuses.

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Network Design
How to create network elements – loads

If "Motor starter combination" was selected, the next

dialog (Starting mode) allows to choose between
• Direct-on-line starter
• Starter for reversing mode
• Star-delta starter
• Soft starter.

Representation of a star-delta starter on the network

diagram:

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Network Design
How to create network elements – loads

The "Frequency converter" icon allows a frequency

converter to be connected to a main or sub-
distribution board.

The type of frequency converter will be determined

automatically by selection of classification,
application and power.

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Network Design
How to create network elements – loads

Having selected "Frequency converter" you can

choose at "type of construction" between
• Built-in unit
• Cabinet unit.

• The lengths of the shielded cable between

frequency converter and motor can be determined.

• As cable cross-section the maximum connectable

one is selected by default.

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Network Design
How to create network elements – Separated Networks

SIMARIS design professional allows to create

several separate networks on the network diagram.
The same medium-voltage specifications apply to
these separate networks that were already made in
the project definition.

Such isolated networks are either created within a

project
• by building up individual networks separately,
• or by copying an existing network. To do so, place
the mouse pointer on the main distribution board,
call up the context menu (right mouse button),
select "Copy" and then "Paste" in the context menu
to place the network at the desired position on the
network diagram with a left mouse click.

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Network Design
How to create network elements – busbar systems and loads

SIMARIS design also helps you integrate busbar systems for power transmission and distribution into your planning
concept and displays them on the network diagram.
First, enable the "Busbar trunking system" icon in the Library,
• place the system at a suitable connection/insert point,
• specify the data that is still missing
• And select the matching busbar system

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Network Design
How to create network elements – busbar systems and loads

Having selected the busbar trunking system and

defined its length, you can graphically edit it on the
network diagram, e.g. by dragging the gripper with
the mouse, thus elongating the busbar in the
diagram.
Gripper

Attention:
This elongation is just a graphical representation.
The real busbar length, which is to be considered
in network design, can only be changed in the
Properties.

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Network Design
How to create network elements – busbar systems and loads

More busbar properties, such as degree of

protection and mounting type, can be modified at
any time.
To do so, position the mouse pointer on the item of
equipment to be edited, e.g. the busbar, so that

• you can either change the equipment properties

directly which are displayed on screen to the
bottom left of the network diagram,
• or call up detailed properties using the context
menu (right-click) and make the desired changes
in the dialog now displayed according to project
requirements.

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Network Design
How to create network elements – busbar systems and loads

• As required, you can also add more busbar

sections of the same system by first dragging the
gripper vertically to the busbar which was drawn.

• Then, the new busbar section can be aligned in

the same direction as the original one by dragging
the mouse towards the elongated line of the first
busbar while keeping the mouse button pressed.

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Network Design
How to create network elements – busbar systems and loads

As soon as the new busbar section has been created

and properly positioned on the diagram by releasing
the mouse button, the length of the new busbar
section must be specified.

Having clicked "Finish", the following image can be

seen on the network diagram.

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Network Design
How to create network elements – busbar systems and loads

If you wish to change the type of a busbar system

already drawn on the network diagram at a later
stage in the planning process, because requirements
have changed in the meantime, you can do so in the
drop-down menu of the properties displayed at the
bottom left on screen if you have marked the
respective busbar (yellow line) in the graphics
window.

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Network Design
How to create network elements – busbar systems and loads

You can also adjust the graphical layout of busbars

by calling up the corresponding functions for rotating
the marked section, or rotating the entire busbar
layout, from the context menu with a right mouse
click.

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Network Design
How to create network elements – busbar systems and loads

• After you have added and specified busbar

trunking systems, load circuits can be connected
to the busbars in the manner described above.
• If you connect more than one load circuit, the
distance of circuits from the starting point of the
busbar section must be defined for every load
circuit.

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How to create network elements – busbar systems and loads

The real distances are indicated in

the graphics as busbar labels.

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Tutorial SIMARIS design – Network design

Working in the
network diagram

How to create network elements

Working in the network diagram
> Properties
> Moving and aligning network elements
> Cross reference
> Copying and pasting
> Favourites
> Annotations and graphic elements
> Table
Couplings

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Network Design
Working in the network diagram – properties

The properties of each element on the network

diagram can be modified by marking the element
and adjusting its characteristics in the Properties
section (bottom left screen area) by appropriate
selections or value input.

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Network Design
Working in the network diagram – properties

Another possibility is opening the "Properties"

window by marking the element on the network
diagram and selecting "Properties" from the context
menu (right mouse button).
• This option is available both for switching devices
and fuses, that also applies to busbars and
cables/wires, for examples.
• This allows to choose a different specification for
devices and items of equipment that have already
been specified in the automatic dimensioning
process.

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Network Design
Working in the network diagram – properties

Devices can be manually specified again, e.g. after

their "Properties" were called up from the product
catalogue integrated into the software.

In the product catalogue, a specification is made

based on the technical data that can be selected on
the right.

If the order number of the desired device is known,

the Product tree can also be searched directly using
the Search function at the top left of the display.

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Network Design
Working in the network diagram – properties

A specific selection in the product catalogue

dismisses the automatic device selection, and the
manually specified switching device will not be
modified by the next dimensioning of the network.

This is indicated in the network diagram by a padlock

symbol next to the device.

If problems or conflicts should arise during dimensioning by such property definitions, they will be
indicated in form of messages in the bottom screen area.

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Network Design
Working in the network diagram – moving and aligning network elements

The circuits created on the network diagram can be arranged and moved around as desired.

To do so, first enable the "selection mode" by clicking the arrow icon on the tool bar.

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Network Design
Working in the network diagram – moving and aligning network elements

……

Now mark a circuit or a busbar trunking system by Another click into the marking (blue frame) while
left-clicking the circuit keeping the mouse button pressed moves around
(= blue/green line→ turns yellow, mouse pointer the entire circuit in the graphics.
changes into crosshairs inside the marking). The connection lines to the other parts of the
network will be automatically redrawn after the move
operation.

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Network Design
Working in the network diagram – moving and aligning network elements

• When two elements overlap in the drawing, this is

shown by a red dashed line in the graphics in order
to indicate that there is no electrical connection in
this area.
• Use the context menu (right mouse button) to
rotate marked elements on the network diagram.
For busbar trunking systems, this is also explained
in the "Busbar systems and loads" section.

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Network Design
Working in the network diagram – moving and aligning network elements

There are more automatic functions for aligning elements on the network diagram which can also be called
up from the tool bar.

Another tool bar is displayed, as illustrated below. Now you can vertically centre sub-distribution boards, for
instance, i.e. the sub-distribution boards are aligned along an imaginary horizontal line.

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Network Design
Working in the network diagram – moving and aligning network elements

Or you can align elements to the left, by marking the respective elements and performing the align action.

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Network Design
Working in the network diagram – cross reference

Another option is to hide the connections from distributors by marking the connection in the network plan
and selecting Hide the connection in the context menu. A cross reference is being created and by clicking
on the symbol you can jump to the connected part. This is another way to design a well-organized
network plan. The connection can be re-established immediately by right-mouse-click.

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Network Design
Working in the network diagram – copying and pasting

If you wish to place several identical elements at different

positions on the network diagram, you can use the Copy
function.
For example, it can be called up
▪ by clicking the right mouse button,
▪ or by using the Windows-typical icons on the tool bar,
▪ or using keyboard shortcuts.

Please note that you have the option to copy entire circuits (e.g. load circuits or sub-distribution systems) and
insert them at another position into the network by
• first copying the element to be duplicated onto the clipboard using the context menu
(right mouse button),
• and enabling the copied element with another right click and selecting "Paste"...

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Network Design
Working in the network diagram – copying and pasting

…and then dropping the element at the desired position on the network diagram by left-clicking and dragging it to an insert
point with the left mouse button pressed.

But individual elements of a circuit, such as a switching device or busbar section, can be copied and pasted to another
circuit:
• copy the element with the help of the context menu (right mouse button),
• and paste it via the context menu,

…then left-click to place it in the desired circuit as a

substitute for the previously displayed item. Suitable
elements on the network diagram that can be replaced are
marked by a yellow frame upon mouseover.

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Network Design
Working in the network diagram – copying and pasting

…Then left-click to place it in the desired circuit as a substitute for the previously displayed item. Suitable
elements on the network diagram that can be replaced are marked by a yellow frame upon mouseover.

You also have the option to copy entire networks, see "Separate networks".

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Network Design
Working in the network diagram – favourites

To increase your planning efficiency, you can design

frequently used elements and save them as
favourites, e.g.
• complete feed-in systems
• subdistribution systems
• or load groups.

To create a Favourite
• mark the corresponding element, e.g. a complete
feed-in system,
• and call up the function "Add favourite" from the
context menu or the
Tools → Favourites menu.

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Network Design
Working in the network diagram – favourites

An input dialog is displayed where you can save a name and a description.

Clicking "OK" saves the Favourite and automatically

sorts it into the matching category as system infeed,
distribution board or final circuit.

To reuse the Favourite, you must select the

Favourites tab instead of the Library.

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Network Design
Working in the network diagram – favourites

Via the drop-down menu, you can

• select the required element,
1 • than activate the insert function via the button on
the right,
1 • and afterwards, insert the element in the usual way
into the network diagram (by left mouse click on
1 the infeed, keeping the mouse key pressed, move
it and release the mouse button)

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Network Design
Working in the network diagram – annotations and graphic elements

You can integrate text comments and graphic

elements into your network diagram by selecting the
Graphic/ symbols tab.
Then click one of the buttons to enable the desired
element, e.g. an Annotation,
• and place it on the network diagram with a click of
the left mouse button.
• A little window is opened, where you can set the
font size with the arrow keys or the slider from
8 pt. to 48 pt. as desired.

Clicking on the colour field opens another window,

where you can set the desired font colour.

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Network Design
Working in the network diagram – annotations and graphic elements

• When all settings are made, the annotation is

placed on the network diagram at the previously
selected position, as soon as you click "OK".

• If you would like to re-edit the annotation later,

open the above dialog again from the context
menu (right mouse button) and
select → "Edit annotation".

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Network Design
Working in the network diagram – annotations and graphic elements

In a similar way, you can add lines, circles / ellipses and

rectangles.
• When you select the appropriate icon, the cursor turns
into crosshairs as soon as it is moved into the network
diagram.
• Left-clicking places the graphic symbol in the network
diagram. It can be zoomed up by dragging the mouse
with the left mouse button pressed.

Once it is placed, the graphic element can still be

readjusted by
• marking it,
• moving the mouse onto one of the little yellow boxes
• and then dragging it into one of the directions indicated
by the arrow, keeping the left mouse button pressed.

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Network Design
Working in the network diagram – annotations and graphic elements

Colour, style and width of the border lines of the graphic symbols can be changed,
• by placing the mouse on the graph,
• calling up the "Properties" dialog from the context menu (right mouse button)
• and defining the desired layout in terms of style, line width and colour.

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Network Design
Working in the network diagram – table

In order not to lose the overview in an extensive

network map, SIMARIS design offers a
comfortable table view, which you can call up by
clicking the button below the network.

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Network Design
Working in the network diagram – table Cable/Conductor Low voltage

• After a table has been selected, it can be opened

for editing by double-clicking.
• If you mark a circuit with the mouse in the
respective table, it is also marked in the graphic
(blue frame).
• The circuits can be grouped by dragging a column
label into the header. For example, the cables can
be sorted according to the starting points.
• In addition, 1 to n values ​of a column can be
marked and changed at once.
• On the left in the example, the reduction factor for
all cables of the distributor is changed at once.

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Network Design
Working in the network diagram – table Switch

As a SIMARIS design professional user, you also

have the option of searching your network map
according to the criterion of selectivity.

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Tutorial SIMARIS design – Network design

Couplings

How to create network elements

Working in the network diagram
Couplings
> General coupling
> Couplings
with cable/busbar trunking system
> Couplings on sub-distribution level

1 2 3 4 5 6
Introduction Getting started Network design Dimensioning Project output More about SIMARIS
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Network design
Couplings

Mapping couplings in the network diagram is possible, both for

• general couplings, where bidirectional energy flow is possible,
• and for unidirectional couplings, where energy flow has been defined in one direction only.
You are able to map both normal and emergency power supply.

Note:
In order to be able to dimension such a complex feed-in system using couplings, you must define the
operating modes for the feed-in system first.

This must be done after the complete feed-in system has been created. Use the "Operating modes" icon on
the tool bar. For more detailed information, please refer to "Dimensioning".

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Network design
General coupling

A "Busbar coupling" is a coupling with an

undefined direction of energy flow between busbar
sections.

In order to add a general coupling for normal power

supply to the network diagram, please note that the
cursor must placed at the outer end of the busbar
node of the feed-in circuit.

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Network design
General coupling

You are prompted to enter the coupling data.

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Network design
General coupling

Then the new type of infeed to your network must be

selected. It may differ from the first (original) system
infeed type.

If the first system infeed type is a transformer, for

example, the second infeed type may be another
transformer or a generator, or a method of feed-in
defined through impedances, loop impedances or
short-circuit currents.

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Network design
General coupling

Now you must define the data required for the

selected type of second infeed, in this case it is a
transformer without medium voltage.

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Network design
General coupling

The coupling is represented as on the left.

Now you can add distribution boards and load circuits

to the new busbar for the new feed-in system linked
by the coupling in the usual way.

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Network design
Couplings with cable/busbar trunking system

• The library element "Distribution board" can be

used to display couplings with cables / busbar
trunking systems.
• This can be employed to map combinations of
normal and emergency/safety power supply
(e.g. between transformer- and generator-supplied
networks).

Please note that the cursor for adding a coupling

to the network diagram must not be placed at the
outer busbar end, but at one of the inner insert
points of the busbar for the infeed circuit.

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Network design
Couplings with cable/busbar trunking system

• If the distribution board is placed in the network,

the length of the line must be entered
• The desired source can then be placed on the
distribution board
• In this case the generator, this is selected first in
the library

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Network design
Couplings with cable/busbar trunking system

• If a yellow rectangle appears, it can be placed on

the distribution board
• When you release the mouse button, the dialog for
entering the data for the generator circuit appears
• After entering the data, the generator is also
displayed in the network.

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Network design
Couplings with cable/busbar trunking system

• Two sources can also be connected later with a

coupling
• To do this, select the "Distribution board" element
in the library
• Then you pull this from the transformer to the
generator
• If a yellow rectangle appears there, you can
release the mouse button and complete the data
for the distribution circuit

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Network design
Couplings on sub-distribution level

• Couplings can be created in SIMARIS design

between main and sub-distribution board.
• With SIMARIS design professional it is also
possible to simultaneously close the couplings
and thus dimension and calculate a mesh
network.

The diagram shows a network designed with one

unidirectional coupling each at the main and sub-
distribution board level. .

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Tutorial SIMARIS design

Dimensioning

> Defining operating modes

> Starting calculations
> Parallel
network operation (pro)
> Displaying
characteristic curves
> Automatic
selectivity evaluation (pro)

1 2 3 4 5 6
Introduction Getting started Network design Dimensioning Project output More about SIMARIS
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Dimensioning
Defining operating modes

SIMARIS design enables you to dimension individual circuits, a subnetwork or the whole network.
An optimal dimensioning result can be attained by considering only those operating states or switch positions
in the calculation and device selection that are necessary for operating the switchgear installation safely.
This means that the prerequisite for proper network dimensioning is the definition of network operating modes
and the corresponding switch positions.

When the "operating modes" function is called up via the tool bar, a display of the feeder supply
management is opened, where the required operating modes are graphically represented and can be further
defined in terms of their switch positions.

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Dimensioning
Defining operating modes

First a view opens in which all switches of sources and distributors can be switched. The switches of the
sources are all open, the switches of the distributors are all closed. By clicking on the switch it can be opened
or closed.

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Dimensioning
Defining operating modes

More operating modes are defined by duplicating the existing

operating mode. Afterwards the switch positions are defined
according to the new operating mode requirements.
Rename
Operating modes can be activated/deactivated. Dimensioning
Copy
is only done for activated operating modes.
Delete
• This action returns an overview of the required operating
modes as exemplified in this screenshot. These operating
modes will then form the basis for the subsequent
dimensioning process.
• Switching states for which a calculation is not possible, are
marked accordingly. They must be properly adjusted prior to
dimensioning.

Attention:
As soon as you change one of the operating modes, delete or add operating modes, you must also start a
new dimensioning cycle, since you change the calculation basis for the dimensioning process with every
new operating mode change!

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Dimensioning
Starting calculations

Dimensioning the entire network, selected circuits or subnetworks can be directly triggered using the
dimensioning icons on the tool bar.

If you did not define any operating modes beforehand, the dialog for the definition of operating modes will be
displayed automatically (for a description, please refer to "Defining operating modes")

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Dimensioning
Starting calculations

Dimensioning and the resulting device selection are performed according to defined operating constellations.
Thus an optimized dimensioning result is attained.

SIMARIS design calculates the minimum and maximum short-circuit currents from all defined operating
modes, this calculation forms the basis for dimensioning the entire network.

Complex network configurations can be easily implemented with the aid of tie breakers or bus couplers, also
see "Couplings".

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Dimensioning
Starting calculations

If errors should occur during the dimensioning process, e.g. owing to default devices which do not meet the
requirements for the defined operating modes, info and error messages will be displayed below the network
diagram.
If one of the messages is selected with the cursor (now highlighted in grey), the corresponding device is
marked in yellow on the network diagram so that a correlation can always be created between messages and
items of equipment in the network diagram.

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Dimensioning
Parallel network operation (pro)

The possibility to dimension identical power sources

connected in parallel and calculating the impact of
this configuration on the short-circuit currents or load
currents in the network, is extended by another
option in SIMARIS design professional:
• different power sources (e.g. transformers and
generators) can be operated in parallel in the same
network.
Parallel network operation can be configured in
SIMARIS design by adding bidirectional ties
(couplings) in conjunction with not identical infeed
systems.

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Dimensioning
Parallel network operation (pro)

• In the following example, the 4th defined operating mode (red frame) represents such
parallel network operation.

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Dimensioning
Displaying characteristic curves

After you have dimensioned the network you created, you can display the characteristic device curves.
To do so, at least one element on the network diagram must always be selected (highlighted in grey).

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Dimensioning
Displaying characteristic curves

Click the icon for displaying characteristic curves on the tool bar.

• A window opens, where the current-time

characteristic of the selected element as well as
the envelope curves of the upstream and
downstream device are displayed in a diagram.

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Dimensioning
Displaying characteristic curves

• If there is the option for entering parameters of the selected

device, they can now be set with sliders.
• The effects of these new settings on the current-time
characteristic are simultaneously shown in the diagram on the
right, where the device curve is adjusted accordingly.
• A click on the key icon of one or all switches locks your settings.
• They won't be changed any more in any subsequent
redimensioning process.
• Such devices are identified by a key on the network diagram as
well.
• Any conflicts resulting from the defined setting are indicated in
form of messages below the network diagram.

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Dimensioning
Displaying characteristic curves

• For medium-voltage circuit breakers you can select

either DMT (Definite Minimum Time) or IDMT
(Inverse Definite Minimum Time) in the selectivity
window

• For IDMT you can select the following curves:

• IEC-Standard invers
• IEC-Very invers
• IEC-Extremely invers
• IEC-Long-term invers

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Dimensioning
Automatic selectivity evaluation (pro)

• With SIMARIS design professional you can

benefit from automatic selectivity evaluations by
the software.
• In addition to the current-time characteristic of the
selected item of equipment and the envelope
curves of its upstream and downstream device, its
selectivity limits are also displayed automatically.

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Dimensioning
Automatic selectivity evaluation (pro)

In addition, each switching device is colour-marked

in the entire network diagram as follows, when
selectivity evaluation was enabled:

Green: item is fully selective

Yellow: item is partially selective
Grey: item cannot be evaluated

The evaluation is made for the operating mode

defined as the main operating mode

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Tutorial SIMARIS design

Project output

> Overview
> Project documentation
> Operating modes
> Selectivity documentation
> Transfer file

1 2 3 4 5 6
Introduction Getting started Network design Dimensioning Project output More about SIMARIS
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Project Output
Overview

• In the step "Project output", you can

see the network diagram you designed
on the right. It cannot be modified any
more in this program step.

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Project Output
Overview

In the screen area on the left, you can define the

output type of your project by clicking the appropriate
check box. Below you can select the options linked
to that output type.

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Project Output
Project documentation

Some of the output variants available in

SIMARIS design are described below:

"Project documentation" for example comprises

• a cover sheet
• an overview of the default settings made
• a graphical representation of the defined network
operating modes
• device lists
• a list of the standards used for the calculation.

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Project Output
Operating modes

The "Operating modes" output contains a sheet for

each defined operating mode, which shows the
specified switch positions.

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Project Output
Selectivity documentation

"Selectivity documentation" comprises a data

sheet for each configured device
• which allows an unambiguous identification of the
device on the network diagram,
• documents all of the required parameter settings,
• and includes a drawing showing the corresponding
tripping characteristic incl. tolerance bands and the
envelope curves of the upstream and downstream
devices.

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Project Output
Selectivity documentation (professional)

In addition, users of the professional version are

provided with a selectivity evaluation of every device
and the selectivity limits for the device are shown on
the graphics.

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Project Output
Transfer file for SIMARIS project

• In SIMARIS design users are able to create a transfer file (.sx) to hand over project data to
SIMARIS project*.

* SIMARIS project is a software tool for determining the space requirements of electric power distribution systems and
budgeting them. In addition, it can automatically create tender specification texts for the configured switchgear and BIM data.
SIMARIS project is currently available for the following countries: Austria, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, Italy,
Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey.

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Tutorial SIMARIS design

More about SIMARIS

> SIMARIS planning tools

> Totally Integrated Power
> Disclaimer
> Contact

1 2 3 4 5 6
Introduction Getting started Network design Dimensioning Project output More about SIMARIS
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SIMARIS Planning Tools

In the SIMARIS design software, you will find more useful information about how to familiarize with the
program and how to handle it efficiently. Click the menu item "Help" to access
• the Technical Manual for SIMARIS design and SIMARIS project.

More information about SIMARIS design and the other tools of the SIMARIS family…
• SIMARIS project for determining the space requirements of distribution boards and the budget, and for
generating specifications (bills of quantities)
• SIMARIS curves for displaying characteristic device curves and visualising parameter settings
• SIMARIS Online Toolbox with practical calculation tools for the daily business
can be found at: www.siemens.com/simaris

This website offers you a lot more information and interesting news about the
SIMARIS planning tools. SIMARIS SIMARIS SIMARIS
design project curves

The contact page, where you can find all regional contact partners for the
SIMARIS planning tools, is also available at www.siemens.com/simaris/contact.

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Integrated power distribution with Totally Integrated Power

Using SIMARIS planning tools you always rely on

Totally Integrated Power – the intelligent concept
for integrated power distribution in commercial,
institutional and industrial buildings, ranging from
the medium voltage level to the socket outlet.
This technology platform comprises tools and
support for planning and configuring
power distribution systems, a well-matched,
comprehensive product and systems portfolio and
the communications option to link
power distribution to higher-level HMI,
monitoring / control and management systems.
This way, you can attain noticeable saving
potentials throughout the entire project cycle –
from investment and planning to building
installation and operation.

www.siemens.com/tip-cs
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Disclaimer

Subject to changes and errors. The information given in this document only
contains general descriptions and/or performance features which may not
always specifically reflect those described, or which may undergo modification
in the course of further development of the products. The requested
performance features are binding only when they are expressly agreed upon
in the concluded contract.

All product designations, product names, etc. may contain trademarks or other
rights of Siemens AG, its affiliated companies or third parties. Their
unauthorized use may infringe the rights of the respective owner.

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Contact page

Published by Siemens AG For the U.S. published by

Siemens AG
SIMARIS Planning Tools
SI DS S TIP CTT Siemens Industry Inc.
100 Technology Drive
Mozartstraße 31c
Alpharetta, GA 30005
91052 Erlangen
United States
Germany
E-Mail:
[email protected]
Regional SIMARIS contact partners:
siemens.com/simaris/contact

siemens.com/tip-cs

siemens.com/simarisdesign
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