Successful system design and planning using distribution analysis software programs

In the wake of deregulation of the utility industry, electric utilities have to equip themselves with the appropriate tools and personnel to perform various studies of the distribution and transmission lines, which aid in foreseeing an outage or a failure before it occurs. Such preventive measures amount to an efficient way to market power, retain the demand and flourish in this business. Voltage drop, load flow, fault current, coordination and sectionalizing studies are a few of the studies a utility needs to be prepared to perform on a regular basis as well as on an as needed basis. When proposed load changes may have significant impact on the performance of the transmission or distribution system. The ease and speed with which such studies can be conducted is one way by which the efficiency of a system may be measured. There are several software programs available in the market today that can help us do studies in an efficient manner. Although there are several software programs available in the market today, particular emphasis will be on one program that has been in the market for quiet some time called "Milsoft". This paper takes one through the process of understanding the software and inputting the right data for an efficient system analysis.