Newsletter #25

June 2019

Dr. Pedro Puig
CEO Trace Software International

Editorial

The future of the building industry

Our society experiences growing concerns about energy efficiency and sustainability, important factors shaping the future of the building and energy industries. The need to manage building projects in an environmentally responsible and resource efficient way has led many AEC professionals to look for innovative products and new software solutions. Furthermore, you may already know solar power is driving the shift to a global energy transformation.

As significant opportunities are arising, it is important to count on solutions which help you prepare for the future. Our constant investment in innovation allows elec calc™, elec calc™ BIM y archelios™ suite to be constantly enhanced with the latest technological advancements, and assure their integration within the Open BIM process. During this first semester, we attended two key industry events: BIM World in Paris and Intersolar in Munich. Our next stop will be at Exposolar Colombia.

To your success!

Software Insights

The intellisense feature of elec calc™ is a smart design function which is guiding the user in the design of the electrical installation. In fact, this function helps the user by suggesting which are the most likely components to be connected to the selected one. This powerful feature brings any professionals valuable benefits: speeding up the design time, reducing risks, optimizing the whole process, making more reliable choices.

elec calc™ is the software solution for the sizing of electrical installations, the only one in the world that allows integrating the management of high and low voltage in the same project and in compliance with international standards.

Check all the features of elec calc™ or ask for a free trial

elec calc™ BIM allows the user drawing paths in the viewer to complete the routing network, without being blocked in case of missing paths in the digital model. Users can also communicate requirements for a new path by using the BCF collaborative tool. Furthermore, they can calculate complete installations even if some info such as raceways paths is pending to be modeled. This feature enhances communication,it helps in the optimization of the process and allows making safe choices.

elec calc ™ BIM is the first software in the world that perfectly integrates the electrical calculation into the Open BIM process.

Check all the features of elec calc™ BIM or ask for a free trial

CIRCUIT- BREAKERS

Circuit- breakers are regulatory devices for overcurrent protection: overloads and short circuits. Their function is to act when a fault is detected, that is to say, to cut off the electricity supply of the installation and allow its restoration when the anomaly has been solved.

According to the standards, the automatic circuit breaker is defined as the “mechanical connection device capable of establishing, supporting and interrupting currents in the normal conditions of the circuit, as well as of establishing, supporting for a certain time and interrupting currents in specified abnormal conditions of the circuit such as short-circuit”.

What are the basic parameters for the selection of the circuit breakers? How is it possible to classify them? Read the full article.

LOD MANAGEMENT

The quality of a BIM model is determined by the LOD of the project. LOD can designate two different concepts, which can coincide in some situations: the level of development and the level of detail. The level of development of a BIM model refers to the amount of information which is relevant to the concrete development of the project and necessary to make tangible decisions.

The level of detail designates the entire amount of information that the BIM element contains. If all this information is relevant to the setting-up of the construction project, the two concepts coincide. Many organizations have opted for LODs, in particular, to try to define the boundaries between the different levels and have created guides.

Which are the different LOD levels? How can you leverage the benefits of elec calc™ BIM? Read the article.

THE EFFECTS OF SOLAR SHADINGS ON THE PERFORMANCE OF PV PANELS

Solar PV panels are very sensitive to solar shadings. Total or partial shading conditions have a significant impact rate on the capability of delivering energy and may result in lower output and power losses. Cells in a solar panel are usually connected in series to get a higher voltage and therefore an appropriate production of electricity. But when shading occurs, this structure presents some limitations.

In fact, when a single solar cell is shaded, the current of all the units in the string is determined by the unit that produces the least current. When a cell is shaded, the whole series is virtually shaded too. To prevent the loss of energy, the installation usually includes bypass diodes. Bypass diodes are wired in parallel to the solar cells. When a solar cell is shaded, the bypass diode provides a current path which allows the string of connected solar cells generating energy at a reduced voltage.

How can you calculate solar shading? Which are the different types of solar shadings? Read the article.

Video

elec calc™ BIM – Architecture design and smart building collaboration

With elec calc™ BIM, the user can design, calculate and size the electrical installation in the digital model in IFC 4 format, generated by any 3D architecture software (Revit, ArchiCAD, SketchUp …).

Events

JOIN US AT EXPOSOLAR COLOMBIA

Exposolar Colombia opens its doors to all the professionals driving the shift to a more sustainable energy system. The event provides a strategic platform for business and innovation from the 11th to the 13th of July, at the Centro Internacional de Convenciones y Exposiciones Plaza Mayor Medellín, in Colombia.

The company will showcase the newest version of archelios™ suite, the software solution to manage the entirety of a wide range of PV projects such as rooftop photovoltaic installations, large solar power plants, grid-connected PV power or self-consumption systems.

Furthermore, Exposolar has broaden its horizon in the educational field. In fact, there have been organized an array of courses to provide the next generation of professionals with the technical skills required by the solar energy market. The students will use Trace Software’s archelios™ Suite software solution to learn how to manage the entirety of a photovoltaic installation: feasibility study and 3D design, electrical sizing and compliance, operations and PV monitoring.

Read the full article.

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