TESTIMONIES
The “Walloon Water Company” secures its electrical installations with elec calc
Network Operator
Providing quality water to the whole of Wallonia is a public mission that leaves no room for improvisation. For Société Wallonne des Eaux (SWDE, Walloon Water Company), this also means ensuring the reliability and compliance of its electrical infrastructures. To secure its installations and gain better control over its studies, SWDE’s electrical department chose the elec calc software. A tool that quickly established itself as a valuable ally, both for the accuracy of calculations and for the management of Arc flash–related risks.
SWDE: a key player serving everyone
Société Wallonne des Eaux is the main public company for the production and distribution of drinking water in Wallonia. It manages nearly 65% of the distributed volumes, supplying hundreds of thousands of households every day.
Beyond its public service mission, SWDE embodies a clear commitment: guaranteeing high-quality water, securing supply throughout the entire territory, and offering accessible customer service, both technically and financially. Its motto perfectly sums up this ambition:
“Water for all, today and tomorrow.”
To fulfill this mission, the electrical maintenance department plays an important role. Its teams manage high and low voltage installations, enabling the production of drinking water powered through substations or low voltage connections. In this context, every calculation and every dimensioning has a direct impact on the continuity and safety of supply.
A need for control and reliability in electrical studies
Before adopting elec calc, SWDE relied partly on calculation notes provided by external engineering firms. These documents had to be checked and sometimes corrected in order to match the reality in the field and the company’s specific needs.
It quickly became clear that there was a need for a reliable internal tool capable of:
- Checking and validating calculation notes produced by subcontractors, particularly regarding installation methods or harmonic management,
- Modifying and refining studies when necessary,
- Dimensioning new installations in order to draw up precise specifications for future projects,
- Meeting the regulatory requirements of the RGIE (General Regulations on Electrical Installations),
- Conducting Arc flash studies to improve worker safety.
A complete and integrated software to simplify projects
The choice of elec calc came naturally. Unlike other solutions, the software stands out for its ability to integrate several voltage domains into a single interface. For SWDE, whose installations range from high to low voltage, this approach is a decisive advantage.
Teams can now visualize the entire electrical network and instantly measure the impact of a modification, whether it is the choice of an installation method, the addition of a load, or the management of the total harmonic distortion (THD).
This interactivity has changed the way the electrical department approaches its projects. Where several successive validations might once have been necessary, a live simulation is now enough to confirm the relevance of a technical choice.
“With elec calc, we finally have a global view of our installations. Each modification is immediately reflected in results, which allows us to make quick, informed decisions.” explains Nicolas Croissiaux.
Safety and compliance: an absolute priority
Beyond operational efficiency, safety remains a major priority for SWDE. As the operator of strategic infrastructures, the company must ensure the compliance of its installations with the RGIE.
This regulation, which structures all electrical practices in Belgium, is divided into three parts:
- Book 1: Low- and very-low-voltage installations,
- Book 2: High-voltage installations,
- Book 3: Energy transport and distribution.
Thanks to elec calc, engineers produce complete calculation notes, directly usable by inspection bodies. This compliance strengthens the department’s credibility and responsiveness.
Another key issue concerns the management of Arc flash risks. Historically, SWDE had implemented standard personal protective equipment (PPE) for its teams. But engineers were aware that they had to go further to ensure optimal safety.
This is where elec calc makes the difference. Thanks to the integration of U.S. standards NFPA 70E and IEEE, its Arc flash module enables precise studies and the adaptation of PPE to real-life situations.
Training support with high added value
Adopting a software as comprehensive as elec calc requires a fast skills ramp-up. To this end, SWDE benefited from tailored support, with an initial training program designed to make teams operational from the very first uses.
The experience was particularly striking for Nicolas Croissiaux:
“This training only reinforced our decision. I have rarely attended a session led by someone so technically knowledgeable.”
Today, the electrical department masters the essential functionalities of the software. But the story does not end there. To make full use of elec calc’s potential, annual refresher sessions will complement this initial training.
The goal: to deepen advanced functionalities and continue to get the most out of the software.
Conclusion: moving toward greater reliability and performance
By choosing elec calc, Société Wallonne des Eaux has taken a decisive step in securing and optimizing its electrical installations. The tool not only provides a concrete response to regulatory requirements, but also strengthens internal control of studies and operational efficiency.
Through this partnership, SWDE perfectly illustrates its determination to combine its public service mission with technical innovation. Because behind every calculation and every simulation lies the continuity of a vital service: providing all Walloons with high-quality water, today and tomorrow.
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