ERACS Software Information

Contents

Introduction

General capabilities

Graphical user interface (GUI)

Load flow

Fault (classical)

Fault (IEC909)

Harmonic impedance and injection

Protection co-ordination

Transient stability

Universal dynamic modeller

Small network version - 10Bus

Hardware requirements

Operating environment

Quality

Sales information

Introduction
The economic design of power systems is critically dependent on being able to predict the system behavior
under both normal and abnormal operating conditions.
Hand calculations and estimates are possible for small systems but are expensive in engineers' time. In
addition, for safety reasons, the hand calculation methods are conservative and in some cases lead to a
much more expensive design than would be needed if more accurate methods were used.
The consequences of deficient power system design can include:
injury to personnel

increased capital cost

poor supply quality

poor supply reliability

high repair costs

damage to network
In order to design power systems efficiently and responsibly the engineer needs appropriate tools.
Modern computer methods allow the rapid and accurate prediction of system behavior once the network
topology and data have been entered into the computer. The amount of data required to describe a power
system can be quite large and it is highly desirable that the engineer has a reliable and easy to use
interface to enter data. Similarly, the engineer must have ready access to the results of the calculations in a
way that is clear and unambiguous
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way that is clear and unambiguous.
ERACS software has been at the forefront of development taking account of both the continuing pressure
for ever easier operational software and the increasing technical needs of modern engineering. For many
years now the name ERACS has been synonymous with quality, reliability, accuracy, ease of operation and
adaptability to changing market needs.
Ease of use has always been the criteria for a successful design and is a major benefit to users of ERACS
in time and effort saved when conducting network analyses.
As expected, the programs are PC based and fully integrated. Data is entered once only in a central
database making data management a very simple procedure.
An extensive range of facilities has been incorporated allowing users to simulate electrical power system
networks quickly and easily and to judge their correct, safe and timely operation under user defined and
sometimes arduous situations. Networks for simulation by ERACS may be both simple radial systems or
fully interconnected (meshed) or a mixture of both.

General capabilities
graphical user interface (GUI) manages the ERACS network databases

loadflow calculates the steady state network condition

fault calculator simulates the application of short circuit faults

fault IEC909 simulates the application of fault conditions using IEC 909 techniques

harmonic injection allows harmonic current injections and calculates their proliferation

harmonic impedance plots network impedance against harmonic number and identifies
resonance conditions

transient stability for the dynamic study of the effect of system disturbances applied to the
network

protection co-ordination analyses the application of protection devices and their interaction
under fault conditions

universal dynamic modeller (UDM) is used to create controller models (AVRs and Governors)
constructed from a range of validated building blocks which is easily understood by engineers

standard 150 busbar and extended 1500 busbar version available.

stand alone or multi-user network versions

specialist AVR and Governor modelling

large library of equipment data

Graphical user interface (GUI)

The GUI is powerful yet easy to use. It is the means by which data is entered into the ERACS databases
and libraries whether by manual data entry or data import facilities. The GUI is used to configure networks,
operate calculation modules, prepare results/data reporting, customise printing and connection with the
outside world (for upgrades etc).
The GUI will allow quick and efficient management of the ERACS suite leading to improved project turn
round design and profitability.
ERACS GUI options and facilities:
a network explorer to show and select the networks, data states and studies stored in the
database

creation of a single line diagram of the study network including a wide variety of CAD style
functionality (move and scale diagram, cut, copy and paste elements etc)

elements include: series inductors and capacitors, induction and synchronous machines, lines,
cables, busbars bus-sections, transformers (up to 4 windings), auto tap changers, 20 types of

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 shunt loads, neutral earthing etc

up to eight windows may be open simultaneously each re-sizeable, images re-scalable, with or
without results

a re-sizeable overview of the complete network is available

zoom in /zoom out functionality

single data entry and block copy saves time and improves data integrity

fully relational database for efficient co-ordination with other applications

user preferences include element colours/voltages, results/data selection, indication of isolated

elements, overloaded elements, cable style, etc

text annotation on diagram; hide/display of element data/results; memo fields for networks; data
states and libraries; reporting etc

mouse co-ordinates/results given on all graphical displays

context sensitive help and on-line user and technical manuals

multi-user databases

nameplate or per unit data entry

library import and export facilities

export of results to other applications

comprehensive zip archive and transmission facility, including unzip facilities

selectable snap on grid

network export & import facility

copy networks between database option

database health check and data optimization facility

group switching of circuit breakers

network elements navigation and find facility

highlight isolated equipment by user selected colour

user selectable and positioned results and data

additional useful calculators and data converters

optional password and access level controls including supervisor and operator modes

viewer mode option

comprehensive library management system

upgrades (typically 3 a year) via www ftp downloads

plus many more options and facilities

Loadflow
The loadflow module serves a number of purposes in the ERACS suite the first of which is to convert the
network database into a format that is both easier and faster to access. This converted data is then used,
along with the initial condition, by the other programs in the suite.

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The second purpose of loadflow is to calculate the steady state conditions of the power system network.
Under given constraints the program will determine the network voltage profile, current and the real and
reactive power flows. Convergence is achieved by modifying the voltage magnitude and angle of the
synchronous machines, tap position of on load tap changers, and slip for induction machines.
The loadflow program will allow quick and efficient solutions in the following areas leading to an overall
improvement in the design, efficiency and operation of the network:
Typical applications for the use of the ERACS loadflow program are:
selection of transformer tap changer settings

system voltage profiling

system loss optimisation

MW an MVAr power flow analysis

equipment loading factors

power factor correction location and optimisation

system planning

generator operating procedures

equipment specification

impact load studies

circuit reconfiguration studies

power generation planning

training
ERACS loadflow options and facilities:
user specified busbar voltage alarms

user specified global MW & MVAr load multipliers

user specified overload alarms

user specified seasonal overhead line rating selection

user specified automatic tap changer operation (off, locked or on)

user selected on screen element results

user selected on screen element data

on screen Power flow direction arrows

radial, meshed or combined networks

embedded generators

loadflow control and diagnostic support window

more than 100 calculated result types available for display per loadflow calculation

Fault (classical)
The fault calculation program enables the user to establish currents and voltages around a network
immediately following a fault condition. The program provides facilities to simulate the following types of
fault: phase to earth, two phase to earth, phase to phase and three phase to earth, single phase open
circuit and two phase circuit and apply them to most element types.
The ERACS fault program will allow quick and efficient solutions in the following areas leading to an overall

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improvement in safe operation and system design.
Typical applications for the use of the ERACS fault program are:
calculation of data for circuit breaker and switchgear ratings (maximum and minimum 3 phase fault
currents)

calculation of data for relay and fuse selection and setting

calculation of motor fault contribution

determination of fault current distribution and busbar-voltage levels during a fault

ERACS fault options and facilities:
all classical shunt connected fault types accommodated

fault survey option (multiple fault calculations per study)

faults applied to the terminals of most system elements

faults applied anywhere along the length of cables and lines

on screen arrows indicating positive sequence power flow

user selected on screen results

fault summary box

user specified additional fault impedance for both phase and earth paths

three user specified reactance options

induction motor fault contribution option

more than 90 calculated result types available for display per fault calculation

Fault (IEC909)
The IEC 909 program calculates balanced and unbalanced short circuit currents in three phase ac systems
to standards specified in IEC 909, edition 1988. The fault types considered are: three phase short circuit,
phase to phase short circuit without earth connection, phase to phase short circuit with earth connection
and phase to earth short circuit.
The aim of the IEC 909 standard is to establish a general approach for the calculation of short circuit
currents, which would provide conservative results with sufficient accuracy. To this end it ignores the state
of the network prior to the fault.
The ERACS Fault (IEC909) program will allow quick and efficient solutions in the following areas leading to
an overall improvement in safe operation and system design.
Typical applications for the use of a ERACS fault program are:
calculation of data for circuit breaker and switchgear ratings (maximum and minimum 3 phase fault
currents)

calculation of data for relay and fuse selection and setting

calculation of motor fault contribution

ERACS Fault (IEC909) options and facilities:
single fault – fault applied to a single user specified element

fault survey - fault applied to ever busbar in the network

all classical fault types (single phase to earth, phase to phase, two phase to earth and three
phase)

user specified break times

user specified additional phase and ground path impedances

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 fourteen calculated result types available for display per Fault calculation

Harmonic impedance and injection

A polluting load, such as a rectifier or variable speed drive, has the characteristic of drawing a non-
sinusoidal current from a sinusoidal voltage supply. Using fourier analysis, the current drawn from the
supply may be split into its fundamental and harmonic components. This load may be represented as a
harmonic current source ‘injecting’ into the power system. The harmonic current will propagate into the
system and react with the network impedance to cause harmonic voltage to appear.
When studying the behaviour of harmonics in power systems it is useful to look at the behaviour in two
ways.
The first, known as the ‘penetration’ view, considers what harmonic currents will flow in the various parts of
the network due to the effects of one or more polluting sources. The second, known as the ‘impedance’
view, is to try to identify where resonance’s may occur if there were a polluting source in the network.
These two views have to be consistent in mathematical terms but lead to a presentation of results, which
give very different insights into the network behaviour.
Typical applications for the use of the ERACS harmonic injection and impedance programs
filter design

system resonance identification

equipment rating/de-rating studies (pfcc, cable neutrals, transformers etc.)

G5/4 compliance checking

The harmonic injection calculation provides the ‘penetration’ viewpoint and enables the level of harmonic
distortion in electrical power networks to be predicted by assessing the frequency response of the system to
injected harmonic currents (polluting sources).
ERACS harmonic injection options and facilities
multiple harmonics injected

harmonic characteristics stored in the ERACS library

multiple injection points (at the same or at different voltage levels)

resistance of lines and cables adjusted for skin effects

transformer resistance is modified to adjust for skin effects and core eddy current effects

triple harmonic blocking/bypass option for transformers

more than 34 calculated result types available for display per fault calculation
The harmonic impedance calculation provides the ‘impedance’ viewpoint and provides the facility to
determine the impedance at selected busbars over a range of definable harmonic frequencies. This is
achieved by injecting a one per unit current into a selected injection busbar. The resultant harmonic voltage
is calculated for the injected busbar and any other specified busbars, known as a transfer busbars. The
voltage to current ratio gives the harmonic impedances.
ERACS harmonic impedance options and facilities
graphically selected injection and transfer busbars

up to six transfer busbars may be selected from any location on the network at any voltage level

results displayed as a graphical output with dynamic cursor indication of values

resistance of lines and cables are adjusted for skin

transformer resistance is modified to adjust for skin effects and core eddy current effects

triple harmonic blocking/bypass option for transformer and induction machines

harmonic offset option

user selected impedance units ( pu or ohms)

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Protection co-ordination
Any practical power system has a number of protective devices (relays, fuses, circuit breakers etc.)
between the power sources and its loads. A well co-ordinated protection system will disconnect as little of
the network as possible whilst isolating faults as quickly as practical to improve safety and minimise
possible equipment damage.
The ERACS protection co-ordination program is designed to analyse the behaviour of the protection
devices in a power system so that the engineer can check that acceptable discrimination is achieved within
the desired protection philosophy.
The protection co-ordination program allows the user to place protective devices around the network and to
graphically select the appropriate settings. It then analyses the behaviour of the network, and these
devices, under specified fault conditions. A special zoning algorithm determines, for the given set of
protection devices, whether or not adequate discrimination is achieved and reports the results to the user.
Before a protection co-ordination study is allowed to proceed, a stability check is undertaken to determine
whether any of the devices in the network will operate with the steady state loadflow current. Devices failing
the check are highlighted and will require data modification or switching out to enable the study to proceed.
The ERACS protection co-ordination program will allow quick and efficient solutions in the following areas
leading to an overall improvement in the safely, reliability, operation and design of the network.
Typical applications for the use of the ERACS protection co-ordination program:
selection of protection devices

protection grading studies

protection stability studies (under steady state conditions)

protection planning philosophy and performance checking

protection system safety documentation

ERACS protection co-ordination options and facilities:
discrimination setting and documentation

stability checking under steady state conditions

dynamic performance analysis

protection on mesh , radial and parallel systems

combined LV, MV and HV protection systems

large ERACS device library, user updateable

protection devices defined by time, current data or user specified or international formulas

graphical selection of setting data

show/hide protection links between relays and circuit breakers.

customisable co-ordination plots

standard protection tables and reports

replay facility for dynamic analysis

all classical fault types catered for

faults applied to the terminals off most systems elements

faults applied any where along the length of cables and lines

on screen arrows indicating positive sequence power flow

user selected on screen results

induction motor fault contribution option

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 more than 90 calculated result types available for display per calculation

Transient stability
The stability of a system of interconnected dynamic components is its ability to return to normal or stable
operation after having been subjected to some form of disturbance. Transient stability is concerned with
sudden and large changes in the network condition such as those brought about by faults etc.
The ERACS transient stability program will allow quick and efficient solutions in the following areas leading
to an overall improvement in reliability, quality of supply and system design.
Typical applications for the use of the ERACS transient stability program:
motor starting studies including starting techniques

voltage dip profiling

generator load application and rejection tests

loss of generation

system synchronising

system stability studies

AVR and governor testing

wind farm analysis (torque variation studies)

mixed frequency system analysis

ERACS transient stability options and facilities:
generator synchronising

AVR and governor switching

fault application and rejection

mix frequency systems

unlimited number of system events

graphical display of results

user selectable study times

graphically selected system events

user specified torque variation characteristics (library key)

six motor starting techniques

induction wind generator models

AVR and governor models

more than 100 result types available for display per transient stability calculation

Universal dynamic modeller

ERACS enables both automatic voltage regulators (AVRs) and governors to be represented and attached
to synchronous machines. These devices are created using the universal dynamic modelling (UDM)
module, which allows complex controllers to be constructed using the block diagram approach, often used
by control engineers.
Typical applications for the use of a UDM program:
AVR validation

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 governor validation.
ERACS universal dynamic modeller options and facilities
32 control functions

graphical building and linking of functions

user selectable display of data or variable names

user defined text annotation

models stored in the ERACS library for use by the transient stability program.

Small network version - 10Bus

ERA is pleased to announce the release of their small network version of ERACS - 10Bus. The 10Bus
version is aimed at engineers wishing to carry out studies on smaller systems but who still require the
assurance, convenience, power and support of a world leading high performance power systems analysis
tool at a more affordable price.
Fully functioning ERACS Graphical User Interface

Full ERACS Program Capability

Full ERACS Support Service

Full purchase credit available when trading up to larger versions

No limit to the number of networks that can be modeled

programs
version Price

GLF-10 Graphical User Interface (GUI), Loadflow and Fault (10 busbar £1999 + VAT per
version) copy

GLF9HP- Graphical User Interface (GUI), Loadflow, Fault, IEC909, £2999 + VAT per
10 Harmonic Injection and Protection Co-ordination (10 busbar copy
version)

Hardware requirements
ERACS requires the following:
a personal computer with a Pentium 266 Mhz or higher processor.

64 MB of memory

120 MB of available hard disk space

CD-ROM drive

super VGA video adapter that supports a resolution of 800 x 600 and 256 colours or higher

Microsoft® compatible mouse

optional compatible printer.

Operating environment
ERACS has been developed for the Microsoft® Windows® 95, 98, NT Workstation 4.0 and 2000 operating
systems running on a personal computer, either standalone or across a network. To achieve this two

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versions of ERACS are available: single user and multi user.

Quality
ERACS is designed under ERA's ISO9001 and TickIT certified quality system.

Sales information
ERACS prices - The ERACS software can be fully configured according to the specific user requirements.
Multi-user and site licence discounts are available. full customising service also available upon request.
For educational and training establishments, we supply the full software and support package at preferential
rates on the understanding that the software will not be used for commercial purposes..
To satisfy a short-term requirement ERACS may also be leased on a monthly basis. Please contact ERA
Technology Ltd for details.
Programs
graphical user interface (GUI) (diagram building, display, reproduction, library management, data
storage and retrieval).

loadflow

fault (classical)

fault (IEC 909)

harmonic impedance

harmonic injection

transient stability

protection co-ordination

universal dynamic modeller

Options
network version

10, 150 and 1500 busbar versions

additional manuals

ERA current rating standards for cables, 69.30

specialist AVR and governor models

diagram building/data entry

training
All purchases are subject to ERA Standard Terms and Conditions of sale and the ERACS Software Licence
Agreement.

Demo request
The demonstration program is interactive, allowing users to operate the majority of functions of the full
suite. Users can display results from previously calculated networks, which have been installed in the
software. If you require any further information, would like an engineer to telephone to discuss your
requirements or perhaps to demonstrate ERACS please do not hesitate to contact ERA Technology Ltd.

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