CAD software for analysis and designing low-voltage distribution networks

MeteorSpec LT

Main features

MeteorSpec LT is a software toolkit for electrical designers. The software fully automates all electrotechnical calculations and computations of specifications in low-voltage distribution networks. Easily accessible calculators for electricians significantly speed up your work.

MeteorSpec LT consists of the following components:

  • MeteorSpec-NETWORK – software for simulation, analysis and calculation of 0.4kV distribution networks;
  • MeteorSpec-ELECTRIC – collection of various calculators for electrical designers and students;
  • MeteorSpec-PLINE – totally customizable multipurpose tool for summarizing lengths and areas of any objects that can be modeled by lightweight polylines.

Component MeteorSpec-NETWORK

  • Automated computation of cable specifications;
  • Calculation of short-circuit currents according to IEC60909 (last edition 2016);
  • Calculation of voltage losses in low-voltage distribution feeders with a balanced load;
  • Calculation of power sum and actual load currents in low-voltage distribution feeders;
  • Adjustable cable database according to regional standards.

MeteorSpec-NETWORK supports the three-phase 400/230V 50Hz voltage systems in distribution networks with radial topology and with symmetrical three-phase loads. The nominal voltage is adjustable within 220/380V - 250/440V according to regional standards.

Low-voltage distribution network models

The distribution network model should be created in a drawing with scale 1 unit = 1 meter. Typically, the network model is built in accordance with actual coordinates of designed network objects. In this case you get automatically all the cable lengths and all the coordinates of objects.

The MeteorSpec-NETWORK enables to create network models of any level of complexity. Restrictions quantity of branches and their level of an enclosure are not present.

MeteorSpec LT

Also you can simulate network „abstract" models which are drawn without reference to the real coordinates of network objects on installation plans. These models are like structural schemes of a distribution network and they are commonly used for analysis of distribution networks.

You can simulate any consumers of low-voltage distribution networks using factors of maximum utilization and factors of simultaneity.

The distribution network model can be located in a separate dwg-file or can be situated directly in the electrical installation project file as the part of your project.

Electrotechnical calculations

The MeteorSpec-NETWORK allows to perform all required electrical calculations for designing low-voltage installations. The minimum and maximum short-circuit currents are calculated according to IEC60909 (last edition 2016) for any point of the distribution networks feeder.

MeteorSpec LT

According to the IEC 60909 for balanced and unbalanced short circuits it is useful to calculate short-circuit currents by application of symmetrical components. The symmetrical components method allows to calculate all types of short-circuit currents at any point in a distribution network feeder with a high degree of accuracy.

The program has a calculation process, which is open to monitoring. On user request every step of all the electrical calculations can be thoroughly checked.

Specifications and explications

The MeteorSpec-NETWORK allows to quickly obtain the cable specifications of network models. Results of the specification are output into the drawing in a form of a table. Just specify the starting point of the table.

MeteorSpec LT

Connection with street lighting networks

Any junction of low-voltage distribution network simulated by the MeteorSpec-NETWORK can be used as a power supply point of a street lighting cabinet designed by the MeteorCalc SL software.

You can find more information about MeteorCalc SL on the website: meteorcalc.com

Component MeteorSpec-ELECTRIC

MeteorSpec-ELECTRIC is a collection of various calculators for electrical designers and students. The current version of the MeteorSpec-ELECTRIC contains the following calculators:

  • Current carrying capacity calculator – calculation of continuous current-carrying capacity of multi-core power cables;
  • Induction motor calculator - calculation of input currents of 3-phase, 1-phase or DC electrical motors and torque of an induction motor.
  • Power -> Current calculator – calculation of currents in three-phase, single-phase and DC electrical circuits;
  • Current -> Power calculator – calculation of active power in three-phase, single-phase and DC electrical circuits;
  • Ohm's Law calculator – calculation of voltage, currents and resistance in DC electrical circuits.

We’ll supplement this collection at the request of the users.

Component MeteorSpec-PLINE

This "time-tested" plugin is what earlier used to be the main part of the MeteorSpec software. MeteorSpec-PLINE allows to calculate summarized lengths or/and areas of any objects that can be modeled by lightweight polylines.

Thousands of users use this plugin to calculate bills of materials for communication cables, computer networks, pipes, pavements, fences, curbs, protective coatings etc.

MeteorSpec-PLINE flexibly adjusts to any units of measurement and it has the totally customizable Data Library. The user can pre-define any data of equipment necessary for work, according to the needs and tasks to be solved by the user.

Supported CAD platforms

  • AutoCAD and most vertical products: Architecture, Civil 3D, MAP, Mechanical, Electrical, Plant 3D, except AutoCAD LT;
  • BricsCAD (Classic, Pro, Platinum). Vertical products: BricsCAD Sheet Metal, BricsCAD BIM;
  • GstarCAD (Professional, Academic, Standard) and vertical products: Architecture, Mechanical, except GstarCAD Light.