Electrotechnik

Electrotechnik AI-powered Electrical Power Systems Design Software

ELEK Power Software products include:
Cable Pro
Cable HV
SafeGrid Earthing
Cable Pulling
LineRate

Visit our website to Download Trial Software, watch videos, read technical information and publications

(ELEK, CableCALC, SafeGrid and LineRate are trademarks of Electrotechnik Pty Ltd)

10/06/2026

Earth faults in a network are rarely symmetrical events. A short-circuited section of the network often produces an asymmetrical response, including a decaying DC offset superimposed on the AC waveform.

The DC offset affects the current injected into the earthing grid, leading to higher fault magnitudes during the first few cycles before decaying.

Assuming there is no DC offset may produce inaccurate results compared to actual conditions. Completely excluding it may cause engineers to overlook:
• High initial current magnitudes before the DC offset decays
• Increased thermal and mechanical stress on the earthing system

The challenge lies in incorporating the transient effect caused by the decaying DC offset into the injected current calculation.

A common method is to apply a decrement factor that adjusts the symmetrical RMS current to account for the decaying DC offset over the fault duration.

With ELEK SafeGrid Earthing, this can be handled in the Design Settings module under Grid Energisation by:
• Inputting a user-defined decrement factor, or
• Calculating it from the system X/R ratio and fault-clearing time

This approach allows earthing calculations to more accurately represent real-world fault conditions without oversimplification.

Get the 14-day free trial of ELEK SafeGrid Earthing by visiting this link:
https://elek.com/electrical-software/safegrid-earthing/

09/06/2026

Multicore cable systems contain filler layers that play a critical role in the cable's overall thermal model.

These fillers often occupy a significant portion of the cable cross-section between the conductor cores and the outer sheath. Their thermal resistivity influences heat dissipation, conductor temperature, and ultimately, the current rating.

However, modelling filler layers in HV cables can be challenging due to:
• Irregular and non-uniform geometry
• Variations in material properties depending on composition and compaction

The ELEK Cable High Voltage software simplifies this modelling step by allowing engineers to explicitly model the filler layer and define its material properties. This enables:
• More realistic thermal resistance modelling
• Accurate modelling of heat transfer between the cores and the sheath
• Improved confidence in calculation results

By moving beyond simplistic assumptions, engineers can achieve more accurate and realistic cable ratings, particularly for complex multicore cable systems.

Get ELEK Cable High Voltage with a 14-day free trial by visiting this link:
https://elek.com/electrical-software/elek-cable-high-voltage/

08/06/2026

Determining the actual fault current injected into an earthing grid is essential for optimised design, as using the full prospective fault current often leads to overdesign.

The same applies to cross-bonded cable systems with transposed screens, which minimise induced voltages and circulating currents during normal operation.

While this bonding arrangement improves efficiency under normal conditions, it also introduces complexities during fault conditions, as the screens can serve as an alternative path for fault current.

During a fault, current may flow through the following:
• Local earthing grid
• Bonded metallic screen or sheath
• Earth continuity conductor (ECC), where applicable

The ELEK SafeGrid Earthing software addresses this challenge by allowing engineers to directly model a cross-bonded cable system in the Fault Current module:
• Accurately represent cross-bonded cable systems, with or without ECC
• Calculate the actual fault current injected into the earthing grid
• Account for the screen and ECC as alternative return paths without relying on assumptions

With this feature, engineers can reliably calculate accurate touch and step voltages, make informed decisions, and optimise earth system design.

Get the 14-day free trial of ELEK SafeGrid Earthing by visiting this link:
https://elek.com/electrical-software/safegrid-earthing/

05/06/2026

Reinforced concrete slabs and foundations not only provide structural support but can also play a major role in the earth-grid performance of a facility.

By bonding the steel reinforcement to the main earth grid, engineers can create a more equipotential surface and potentially reduce touch voltages around buildings.

The ELEK SafeGrid Earthing software enables engineers to model bonded reinforcement meshes directly within the earth-grid design, providing a straightforward and efficient approach with greater confidence in the results.

Get the 14-day free trial of ELEK SafeGrid Earthing by visiting this link:
https://elek.com/electrical-software/safegrid-earthing/

04/06/2026

Solid bonding is a common sheath bonding method in high-voltage cable systems, but it comes with trade-offs that directly impact cable performance and ampacity.

When cable sheaths are solidly bonded at both ends, induced voltages drive circulating currents through the metallic screens. These currents generate additional losses and heat, reducing the overall efficiency of the system.

Higher sheath losses also increase cable temperature and thermal stress. If not properly considered, this can result in overheating, reduced insulation life, and inaccurate cable sizing.

The ELEK Cable High Voltage software accounts for these effects.
✅ Calculates sheath circulating currents accurately
✅ Includes screen losses in ampacity calculations
✅ Helps compare bonding methods for optimal design
✅ Improves accuracy, safety, and compliance

Why it matters:
Circulating currents = extra losses → reduced ampacity
Higher screen losses → increased cable temperature
Ignoring bonding effects → undersized or inefficient designs

With accurate modelling of bonding methods, engineers can design HV cable systems that are safe, efficient, and fit for purpose.

Start a 14-day free trial of ELEK Cable High Voltage here:
https://elek.com/electrical-software/elek-cable-high-voltage/

03/06/2026

In real-world electrical design, not all loads fit neatly into predefined categories such as lighting, socket outlets, or fixed appliances. Engineers often encounter:
• Specialised equipment in industrial or commercial installations
• Unusual domestic setups with non-standard load profiles
• Site-specific requirements such as temporary supplies or hybrid systems

Relying solely on standard load groups (as defined in AS/NZS 3000:2018 Appendix C) in these scenarios can reduce accuracy, potentially leading to over-designed systems or underestimated demand.

While Appendix C provides predefined load categories and diversity factors for typical installations, it does not account for all real-world scenarios.

Cable Pro Web's Maximum Demand Calculator addresses this challenge through an ELEK-specific feature that allows users to create Custom Load Groups with full control over diversity factors.

Using Custom Load Groups, users can:
✅ Define and name any load type
✅ Select single-phase or three-phase supply
✅ Enter the exact current rating
✅ Specify quantity and phase allocation
✅ Apply a custom Diversity Factor (%) to reflect realistic usage

This flexibility enables electrical engineers to model installations more accurately, align calculations with real-world operating conditions, and achieve more reliable maximum demand assessments and cable sizing decisions.

Start a 14-day free trial of ELEK Cable Pro Web here:
AU – https://elek.com/electrical-software/elek-cable-pro-web/
UK – https://elek.com/electrical-software/elek-cable-pro-web-bs7671/

02/06/2026

Corrugated metallic sheaths are widely used in high-voltage cable systems to provide radial water blocking, mechanical flexibility, and a fault-current return path.

From an engineering perspective, this type of sheath introduces non-uniform electrical behaviour. The ribbed construction alters the sheath's effective resistance, influencing how current distributes and flows along its length.

Accurate modelling of the sheath corrugation is essential for reliable calculation of:
• Sheath resistance
• Induced sheath voltages and circulating currents
• Losses and thermal performance

ELEK Cable High Voltage models corrugated sheaths directly, allowing engineers to define key physical parameters:
• Wave Height – radial depth of the corrugation
• Thickness of Metal – wall thickness of the metallic sheath
• Pitch Length – axial distance between adjacent corrugations
• Material – metallic composition of the sheath
• Corrugation Factor – dimensionless multiplier used to adjust sheath resistance

These parameters define both the mechanical flexibility and effective electrical performance of a corrugated sheath, enabling accurate design of high-voltage cable systems.

Get ELEK Cable High Voltage with a 14-day free trial by visiting this link:
https://elek.com/electrical-software/elek-cable-high-voltage/

01/06/2026

A practical challenge in low-voltage network calculations is properly handling maximum-demand calculations for each switchboard.

Non-integrated workflows often require maximum-demand calculations to be performed outside the network model. This can lead to input mismatches, reduced calculation visibility and transparency, and time-consuming rework when design changes are required.

ELEK Cable Pro Web integrates these calculations directly into the network calculations module. This means:
• Engineers can model individual maximum-demand calculations for each switchboard.
• Switchboard demand is correctly propagated upstream through the network equipment.
• Results are automatically updated whenever the switchboard loads or configurations change.

This approach provides more realistic loading calculations, better representation of the actual network topology, and reduced reliance on external calculations.

Integrating maximum-demand calculations into the network model helps ensure results accurately reflect real switchboard loading conditions.

Get the 14-day free trial of ELEK Cable Pro Web here:
AU - https://elek.com/electrical-software/elek-cable-pro-web/
UK - https://elek.com/electrical-software/elek-cable-pro-web-bs7671/

29/05/2026

Double-armoured high-voltage cables introduce additional complexity due to their multiple armour layers and equivalent thermal modelling requirements.

Manually modelling these systems under IEC 60287 can be time-consuming and prone to error.

ELEK Cable High Voltage simplifies the process by automatically calculating armour losses and thermal resistances to deliver fast, accurate cable ratings — even for the most demanding installations.

Get ELEK Cable High Voltage with a 14-day free trial by visiting this link:
https://elek.com/electrical-software/elek-cable-high-voltage/

28/05/2026

Engineering reports are often shared with clients and stakeholders. Maintaining professional presentation and consistent branding helps improve credibility and report quality.

ELEK Cable High Voltage allows users to add their company logo directly to calculation reports.

This feature enables users to:
• Display their logo in the report header
• Maintain consistent branding across reports

The setting only changes the report's visual presentation. All technical results remain unchanged.

Start a 14-day free trial of ELEK Cable High Voltage here:
https://elek.com/electrical-software/elek-cable-high-voltage/

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