Engineering Analysis Software (DESS)

DESS 7 Overview Why Use DESS
Features Modules Integration
Plugins Articles Support

What is new in DESS 7?

DESS has been redesigned to be more user friendly and intuitive than ever before. With DESS 7 you can model your electrical system all the way down to the meters. DESS models the primary distribution system to behave in the same way as your real electrical system so you can understand, plan and operate it more effectively. DESS combines economic factors with proven engineering principles so you can make both technically and economically sound decisions.

Navigation

DESS 7 navigation has been enhanced to allow users to perform the necessary tasks with fewer clicks. Common tasks such as tracing up or downstream, changing switch status and inserting a node can now be performed with a simple right-click. Improved menus make the tools you need immediately available.

1

Secondary Modeling

DESS allows the option of modeling the secondary system, including meter points. With this extra detail, problem points in the system can be found by searching by customer meter number or name. The addition of the secondary system also helps in outage reporting, since you can trace downstream from the outage location and view a report of all affected meters.

2

Arc Flash Calculator

The Arc Flash Calculator in DESS is a module which can help make arc flash calculations easier. If you have the DESS Short Circuit module and you have populated the protection devices in your model, the plugin can automatically calculate the fault levels and clearing times needed to perform the arc flash calculations.

Multiple Tabs & Windows

DESS 7 makes use of multiple monitors by allowing you to display different views of the same system model in separate tabs or windows. By utilizing these views, users can view the effects of changes on the entire system, without zooming out from a detailed system view.

3

Node Types

Map views are much cleaner in DESS 7 thanks to the introduction of Node Type views. Node Types allow users to specify zoom visibility based on element types. By hiding switches, transformers and meters when viewing the entire system, the map is left uncluttered and it is easier to see the effects of the model changes you impose.

 

With Node Types: Without Node Types:
4 5

Single-Line Diagram6

DESS 7 allows the option of viewing your distribution system as a single-line diagram. Users select which nodes they want displayed on the diagram, and DESS generates it based on a model trace.

7Universal Search

The new universal search tool allows you to search any node, line or element in DESS based on just the information you know about it. Search results are narrowed as you type, and results can be sorted while searching.