Paladin DesignBase Toolbar Functions

Paladin® DesignBase™

Toolbar Functions

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Paladin DesignBase Toolbar Functions

This section gives a brief overview of Paladin DesignBase toolbar functions. Understanding these functions can help to use the program properly. The Paladin DesignBase toolbar is shown in figure below.

New Open Save Print Print Preview Capture Cut Delete Copy Undo Redo Select Text box Rotate Flip

Zoom Group

Ungroup

Complex Show/hide Component symbols Make straight

Rollback Paste _{Lock On/off Excel}

Project Text Refresh _{Short Advanced PDC Arc Ground}

Manager Editor Back & Color _{Circuit Power Flow Harmonics Flash Grid}

Master File Editor

Find Annotation

Data analyzer Transients Wire _Sizing Cable Ampacity

Error checking Reliability

• “Create a New Drawing”, “Open an Existing Drawing” and “Save the

Current Drawing” functions are identical to the corresponding functions in any Windows-based program. Additionally, “New/Open/Save Drawing” and

“New/Open/Save Project” functions coexist in Paladin DesignBase file menu. For projects with a single drawing, these functions are essentially the same. For multiple-drawing projects the “Drawing” functions allow the user to select a particular drawing within the project.

• “Print” and “Print Preview” functions work the same as in any Windows

applications.

• “Capture” and “Rollback” commands allow the user to save/retrieve a copy

of his project. These functions are particularly useful for saving the project on the server while working on a local machine. While working on the project users can “Capture” it by clicking on the first icon. Users will be asked where and under what name to save the project. Users can continue working on the current project while having a copy saved in the desired location. Users can also use the

“rollback” command by clicking on the second icon. Rollback command will

change the current project to any previous version already created with “Capture”.

• “Cut”, “Delete”, “Copy” and “Paste” functions work the same as in

other Windows applications.

• “Undo” and “Redo” work only on changes performed on drawing. Changes

• “Select” function changes the shape of cursor to the familiar arrow that enables editing of the components.

• “Text box” function should be used to add text on the drawing as in any

Windows based program.

• “Rotate” and “Flip” functions work the same as in other Windows

applications.

• “Zoom In/out”, “Zoom Window”, “Zoom All” and “Zoom Previous”

functions work the same as in other Windows applications. In addition, user can zoom in and out using the mouse scroll button.

• “Group” and “Ungroup” functions should never be used with electrical

symbols. If users attempt to group these symbols, the program will give the

following warning:

Users can use these functions with other drawing components; typical example is the default drawing’s title box. The box can be ungrouped, redesigned and

grouped again.

• “Lock/Unlock” function can help to preserve drawings. The icon changes

appearance depending of the status of the project: for unlocked and for

locked drawings. Once the drawing is built the user can lock it. Users cannot change the geometry of the locked drawing, cannot add or delete components, scenarios, etc. Users can edit components of the locked drawing and run all the analyses.

• “Make Straight” function should be used to straighten branches in the

drawing. Users can apply this function either on an individual branch or on all branches connected to a bus bar. In the latter case, users need to select the bus bar first and then click on “Make Straight” icon.

•

“On/off” function should be used to open (close) several components at the

same time. Users should select the components first and then click on the icon. Selection of components can be done in two ways:

o

Click on components, one by one while holding the shift key

•

“Complex Component Catalog” function opens a special catalog with

complex components (transfer switch, UPS etc.). In addition, this catalog can be used to add user-created special components.

•

“Export/Import to Excel” function should be used to Export/Import the

network data into/from Excel.

•

“Show/Hide Symbol Catalog” function should be used to Show or Hide the

symbol catalog.

•

“Project Manager” function gives an overview of the entire project: database

and drawing files; type and number of components, etc. Click on a component from the list to zoom to the component in the drawing. See screen capture.

•

“Master File Editor” is one of Paladin DesignBase’s most important functions.

All the general properties of a file are defined here (file locations, equipment defaults, scenarios, settings etc.). Users must become familiar with all the master file options before creating new project. To learn more about master file editor please review the “Creating Your Job File” document available on your pdf- manual CD.

•

“Text Editor” function enables the user to edit equipment without using the drawing. Users can edit buses or branches, all or specific types, etc. Users can navigate through equipment, edit and change it without using the actual drawing.

•

“Find” function enables the user to locate the particular branch/bus in the

system. Users should pick up the bus/branch name from the pull down menu and click OK. Program will zoom in to the selected branch/bus.

•

“Refresh” function refreshes annotations in the system.

•

“Back Annotation” function enables the user to display various data. User can

display general bus/branch properties and/or equipment specific data. User can change the size and color of the text, etc.

•

“Color Annotation” function should be used for different color-coding of the

network. Default option is connectivity color-coding (energized equipment is black, disconnected equipment is gray). User can change this option and color the network according to voltage level, network type, etc.

•

“Data Structure Analyzer” is an important tool that should be used while building the model. In rare occasions where computer/program crashes the database file might contain entries that are not in the drawing and vice versa. “Data Structure Analyzer” compares the drawing vs. database and repairs the database if necessary.

•

“Error Checking” is another important tool. It reports illogical items in the model. Error checking produces two types of messages: errors and warnings.

While errors need immediate attention, warnings may or may not need to be addressed. Typical warnings are existence of islands and loops, different system and nameplate voltages, typos (48V instead of 480V), etc.

•

“AC Short Circuit” and “DC Short Circuit” functions give shortcuts to corresponding programs. When these are selected, short circuit toolbar will be opened. User can always select a different type of short circuit calculation using the pull down menu within the short circuit toolbar (see below):

•

The advanced power flow part of the toolbar has shortcuts

to the following analysis: Advanced Power Flow, AC Optimization, Advanced Motor Starting, AC Load Analysis, Advanced Capacitor Sizing, Voltage Stability and DC Power Flow. When any of these is selected, the corresponding toolbar will be opened. User can always change the analysis using the pull down menu within the toolbar (see below):

• Paladin DesignBase offers two PDC programs: “Standalone and Network

PDC” and “Protective Device Coordination”. Both programs use the same

engine; however, their interfaces are different. Standalone and Network PDC allow the user to quickly build and analyze protective circuits without building a model of the entire system. Protective Device Coordination program is based on graphical user interface. User first builds the model and then invokes PDC program to analyze device coordination.

• “Harmonic Analysis”, “Transient Stability”, “Advanced Reliability”

and “Wire Sizing” functions provide the links to related programs. All four programs are completely integrated in Paladin DesignBase CAD environment. Once any of these is selected the corresponding toolbar will open.

• “AC Arc Flash” and “DC Arc Flash” functions can be used in two ways. If

the model of a system is opened, arc flash analysis will be performed on the jobfile. Alternatively, these programs can be used as standalone; to enable this user needs to select these functions without having opened any model.

• “3-D Substation Ground Grid” program will be invoked using this function. The program is standalone and will open a window independent from Paladin DesignBase environment.

•

“Cable Ampacity IEC /Neher McGrath” program will be invoked using this

function. The program is standalone, independent from Paladin DesignBase environment.

Review of Paladin DesignBase Menu

In this section we will explain some of the functions from the program’s main menu. The emphasis will be on important but infrequently used commands. For a more

comprehensive overview off all Paladin DesignBase functions please review our manuals available on your pdf CD.

File Menu:

• “Convert EDSA 2.95 File” is used to import old

files in the current version of software. This option should only be used for files created in EDSA 2.95 or older version of software. Once the option is selected, users will be guided through a series of screens that will help to import the old database and create the system drawing.

•

“Import to EDSA” is a specific function developed

for importing Intergraph’s “Smart Plant Electrical Files”. After selecting this option the user goes through several screens that help to locate the file, select the file type, etc.

• Each project consists of several files. “Pack

and Ship Project” function helps user to pack

the file together in one “.cab” archive. Once the option is selected, user will be asked for the name and the destination of the archive. Archive can be unpacked using WinZip or any similar software.

Edit Menu:

• “Paste Duplicate Symbol” is a commonly overlooked

function. The function can be applied to either nodes or bus-bars. It allows user to electrically connect two drawings. User can copy a node or a bus bar from one drawing and paste it as a duplicate symbol on another drawing. Using this procedure user creates two graphic presentations of a single element, a single entry in the database.

View Menu:

• “Content Explorer” function shows/hides the

equipment catalog. “F8” function key can be used for the same purpose. Once the model is built the catalog is obsolete; user can hide the catalog to maximize the screen area.

• “Property Window” function, or “F9” key, shows/hides

the property window. This window could be used to define various properties of selected symbols: color, pattern, font size, angle, etc.

Insert Menu:

• “AutoCAD Drawing” function is used to insert

AutoCAD files in Paladin DesignBase environment. Once the option is selected, user will be guided through a series of screens that will allow the import of files. Notice that files must be saved in AutoCAD 2000 format before importing to Paladin DesignBase.

Database Menu:

• “Project Libraries” function is used to open the

general project library. User can choose between US and metric library (“Projlib.mas” and

“Projlibm.mas”). Use can create other libraries. The libraries contain feeders, transformers, reactors, capacitors, motors and generators.

• “Battery Library” function opens the DC

battery library. The format of DC library is considerably different in this version; for more information refer to “Battery Sizing” manual on the pdf-manual CD.

• The rest of the functions in this menu open the corresponding databases. To learn more about these functions refer to our “Build Devices” manual available on pdf-manual CD.

Tools Menu:

• “Auto Snap” function defines snapping of lines to

various points in the model. Proper selection of points and snapping distance will allow user to easily connect components in the drawing.

• “Symbol Replacement Wizard”, “Replace Bus-bar”

and “Create Nodes” are auxiliary functions that

should be used in conjunction with “Convert EDSA 2.95 File” tool from the File Menu. Their main purpose is to improve automatically generated drawings.

• “Input Data Report” is an important tool that

generates reports of all the input data. Upon

selecting this option, user can choose the report type (spreadsheet, text or professional report) and design the report content (branch data, bus data, echo of input data, etc.).

• “Global Edits” is a collection of functions that enables

user to set some parameters globally to all the components in the project (rather than doing it

o

“Set Node Suppress Status” function suppresses/unsuppresses selected nodes. By default nodes are suppressed: there are ignored in annotation and reports. User can include the nodes in annotation/reports by unsuppressing them.

o

“Change % Running” function enables user to control diversity of loads. User

can select a set of the loads and change their % running; from 100% to 75% for instance.

o

Once the project is built user may need to change properties of a particular type of branch, for instance resistance of all 500 kcmil cables. Instead of editing the entire cables user can perform a single change in the library.

“Refresh Branch Impedance Values from Library” function allows the user to

transfer the new values to all the feeders in the project.

Analysis and Selection Menus:

Using these two menus users can start all Paladin DesignBase engines. Some of the options have submenus: “Power Flow” and “Additional Calculations” submenus are shown in the screen capture below:

Draw and Modify Menus:

• Both menus contain common graphical tools.

Using Draw menu users can draw different shapes. Draw functions work the same as in other Autodesk, Microsoft or similar

Windows-based applications. Modify menu contains tools for manipulation with graphical symbols. Modify functions are not different than in other Windows applications.

Window Menu:

• Windows menu is used for managing several drawings.

User can open a new drawing using “New Window”

function. User can display all opened drawings using

“Arrange All” or “Cascade” functions. User can select a

particular drawing from the list at the bottom of the window menu.

Help Menu:

• “EDSA Technical 2005 Help” function opens a new window

containing the most important Paladin DesignBase help files. New users should refer to “Getting Started” and “Quick Start

Guide” help folders first. All the help files are also available on

pdf CD.

• “ECAD Drawing Help” function will open a new window

containing help files for our GUI – Actrix.

• “About EDSA Technical 2005” option enables the user to

display his license information, version and date of his program.

Package Limits:

Package size and the size of the current project are shown in the continuation of the main program menu. In the above example there are 2074 buses in the 30,000-bus package. Only the active buses (sources, loads and bas bars) are counted. Nodes and loads within the schedules are not considered. When the size of the project exceeds the package limit the associated icon (see above) will change from green to red.