The 2026 NEC restructures load calculations into Article 120, expands arc flash labeling to all non-dwelling equipment, and introduces new GFCI classes — here's what to change in your designs.
The 2029 National Electrical Code reorganizes from 9 chapters to 22+, renumbering nearly every article — here's what moves where and what it means for engineers.
A comparison of power system analysis software in 2026 — ETAP, EasyPower, SKM, DIgSILENT, ASPEN, PSS/E, ekx, and open-source tools — organized by the type of work each one handles best.
ETAP is the industry standard for power system analysis, but alternatives like EasyPower, SKM PowerTools, DIgSILENT PowerFactory, and ekx offer similar capabilities at different price points.
A short circuit study calculates the maximum fault current at every point in your electrical system, ensuring all protective devices and equipment are properly rated.
Size electrical cables per NEC by starting with the load current, selecting a base ampacity from Table 310.16, applying derating factors for temperature and bundling, and verifying voltage drop.
Voltage drop is calculated using Vd = 2 x L x I x Z / 1000 for single-phase and Vd = 1.732 x L x I x Z / 1000 for three-phase circuits, using conductor impedance from NEC Chapter 9 Table 9.
Fault current is the abnormally high current that flows through an electrical system during a short circuit, and it determines how you rate every protective device in your system.
A single line diagram (SLD) is a simplified representation of an electrical power system that shows equipment, connections, and ratings on one drawing.