Overview
The Elite Software Panel DOS based program automatically sizes all the components (cables, bus ducts, transformers, etc.) in an electric power distribution system in accordance with the National Electric Code. In addition, panel schedules for general purpose panels, motor control centers, and switchboards can be printed. Panel allows the designer to define an electrical power system (up to 1,000 buses) with loads and associated power factors. The "X" and "R" data is automatically looked up for each component type, and all components are sized according to the NEC Handbook. The designer can review these sizes and approve them or override them. Once component sizes are set, the project data can then be optionally analyzed by the Elite Software Short (short circuit analysis) and V-Drop (voltage drop calculations) programs. After any adjustments to the design are made, panel schedules can then be created according to the user's own custom format. The schedules can be viewed on screen or printed in 80 or 132 column format. An AutoCAD DXF file of panel schedules can be created as well.
Program Input
The Panel program uses full screen editing features that provide a simple "fill in the blank" input procedure. All input data is checked at the time of entry so that no improper data can be entered. If you have a question about what the program is requesting, you can press the "?" key which allows the program to offer additional explanations about the input data being requested. Upon completion of the input process, all data is saved to disk and can be reviewed and edited whenever desired. Three types of data are requested: general project data, network data, and panel data. The general project data includes the project name and location, the client name, designer's name, and other such data. The network data includes the component types (cable, bus duct, transformer, etc.), the beginning and ending node numbers for each component, component size (either calculated by Panel or entered by the user), length if applicable, and all other necessary component data. The network data even has provisions for motors, generators, and capacitors. The panel data includes the panel type (general purpose, motor control center, or switch board), circuit descriptions, volt-ampere loads with power factor, and the poles referenced. A circuit window on the screen makes it easy to keep up with what poles have been used as loads are entered. As loads are specified to poles, Panel checks the validity of the load phase and the number of poles referenced. In addition, Panel displays a cumulative total of the loads entered under each phase. Input sheets are provided for the easy organization of the input data. Panel uses the same project data as the Elite Software Short and V-Drop programs.
Program Output
The Panel Program provides the following four basic output reports: electric component sizing data and panel schedules for motor control centers, switchboards, and general purpose panels. All reports can be printed to the screen, printer, or to an ASCII disk file. The panel schedules can be created in AutoCAD DXF file format as well. The format of the panel schedules is user customizable.
Calculation Method
The Panel Program follows the NEC Handbook for sizing electrical components. Component sizes are suggested by Panel, but they can be overridden by the user.
System Requirements
Elite's DOS software application Panel is compatible with all Windows operating systems (Windows 95, 98, ME, NT 4.0, 2000, and XP). The minimum hardware requirements to run our application are the same as the minimum hardware requirements to run the operating system which the application is installed on. Additionally, 1 MB of hard disk space is required to install and run Panel.