A NEW INTEGRATED TOOL FOR EXERCISES ON THE DESIGN OF ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS USING A MICROCOMPUTER

An innovative approach using computer-aided design tools to support th e teaching of electrical installations through hands-on design exercis es is described. It is implemented by an integrated package with all t he built-in facilities which guide engineers/students step by step to complete the design of two sizeable electrical installations. The dedi cated file structure enables students to pet direct access to the buil ding information, details of each type of load and the technical param eters of all the electrical parts required for the design exercise. Th e combination of full design, partial design and automatic design elim inates routine and repetitive design studies and also accelerates the design and learning process. Errors made by the user are prompted on t he spot and the user's performance is evaluated automatically through error logs and a demerit point system. Simulation tests enable the use rs to visualize the performance of the installations designed by them under a series of loading conditions, and to experience any consequenc es due to the design errors.