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)

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/

New Feature Alert ⚡Introducing Interactive Single-Line Diagram, a faster, smarter way to visualise, build and analyse yo...
27/05/2026

New Feature Alert ⚡

Introducing Interactive Single-Line Diagram, a faster, smarter way to visualise, build and analyse your electrical network designs in Cable Pro Web.

✅ Interactive network building
✅ Live calculation updates
✅ Auto-layout and zoom controls
✅ Copy, edit, and reset tools
✅ Export diagrams instantly for reports and deliverables

Read the article: https://elek.com/tutorials/cable-pro-web/new-feature-interactive-single-line-diagram/

27/05/2026

Earthing design is not always limited to copper. Real-world projects demand flexibility due to cost, corrosion, environmental conditions, and client requirements.

ELEK SafeGrid Earthing includes a Custom Conductor Material feature, giving engineers full control over conductor properties.

What is the Custom Material Feature?
• Select “Custom” from Conductor Material in Grid Conductor Properties
• Define electrical and thermal parameters manually
• Model conductive materials beyond the standard libraries

Why it matters
✔️ Engineering flexibility – design with non-standard materials
✔️ Accurate calculations – reliable fault and thermal performance
✔️ Real-world application – manage cost, corrosion, and supply constraints

ELEK SafeGrid Earthing does not lock engineers into predefined materials. It allows projects to be modelled with the exact conductor properties required for accurate, compliant, and optimised earthing design.

Start a 14-day free trial of ELEK SafeGrid Earthing here:
https://elek.com/electrical-software/safegrid-earthing/

26/05/2026

Determining the current-carrying capacity of bunched circuits installed in wiring enclosures requires careful application of AS/NZS 3008.1.1:2017. If installation conditions are not properly considered, cable ratings can be overestimated, increasing the risk of overheating and reducing long-term reliability.

Accurate cable sizing in these situations requires consideration of:
• The type of wiring enclosure
• How circuits are grouped or bunched
• Ambient air temperature
• Applicable derating factors from the standard

ELEK Cable Pro Web simplifies this with its integrated Derating Wizard, helping engineers:
✔️ Assess bunched circuits in wiring enclosures using Table 22 of AS/NZS 3008.1.1:2017
✔️ Automatically apply ambient temperature correction factors from Table 27(1)

The result is faster, more accurate cable sizing with fewer manual errors, supporting safer and compliant installations.

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/

25/05/2026

Clear and consistent circuit labelling is essential for visualising key parameters in buried cable systems.

ELEK Cable High Voltage provides configurable circuit labelling, allowing users to control which parameters are displayed in the interface and exported diagrams, enabling precise visualisation of circuit performance metrics.

Key benefits
✔️ Displays current rating, temperature, and loss data at the circuit level
✔️ Enhances interpretability of complex cable arrangements
✔️ Standardises technical output across reports and diagrams

Accurate labelling improves validation, reduces misinterpretation, and supports engineering compliance during design review.

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

Address

S603, 234-242 George Street
Barangaroo, NSW
2000

Telephone

1300 093 795

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Electrotechnik posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category