SINT srl
About SINT srl
SINT has been active for over thirty years in the planning and construction management activities of technical plants. These include power generation, distribution and use plants, security and surveillance systems for communications, data networks, HAVC, sanitary and firefighting installations.
Another main area covered by SINT is the design of renewable energy systems including photovoltaic, wind and cogeneration plants.
SINT is also a leader in the construction of road and rail infrastructure plants. In addition, SINT specializes in lighting, acoustics and energy management. The scope of activities has gradually expanded over time and today includes areas such as power systems analysis, for which SINT is a leading company in Italy.
XGSLab
XGSLab software is a powerful software in the field of grounding systems simulation, lightning protection of power networks and cathodic protection that follows both EN and IEEE standards. The modules of this software include: • GSA (GROUNDING SYSTEM ANALYSIS) for all basic applications with underground systems • GSA_FD (GROUNDING SYSTEM ANALYSIS in the FREQUENCY DOMAIN) for general applications with underground systems • XGSA_FD (OVER AND UNDERGROUND SYSTEM ANALYSIS in the FREQUENCY DOMAIN) for general applications with overhead and underground systems • XGSA_TD (OVER AND UNDERGROUND SYSTEM ANALYSIS in the TIME DOMAIN) for general applications with overhead and underground systems All modules are calculated in a single software package based on combined calculations (PEEC method) by considering a combination of transmission lines, circuits and electromagnetic theory in a single model. Hybrid models have more advantages than other models and are suitable for engineering purposes because they allow the user to analyze a combination of different scenarios including external parameters (voltages, currents, and impedances). For this purpose, the XGSLab software is a real laboratory. All algorithms used in XGSLab have effective performance in computing speed and have been tested and verified by numerous customers around the world.
Strengths
- SCIENTIFIC: Based on the theory of electromagnetic fields and in particular on Maxwell’s equations and Sommerfeld integrals
EASY: A program with an intuitive interface. Very easy even for beginners. Users who are experts in competitive tools can immediately use XGS
WORLDWIDE: The only software on the market that takes into account international (IEC), US (IEEE) and European (EN) standards.
VALIDATED: Accuracy verified since 1990 by comparison with analytical cases, published research, field actions and similar programs.
COMPLETE: A complete virtual laboratory for simulating power, ground and lightning systems
ADVANCED: Based on the full-wave PEEC model and suitable for general applications, in a wide frequency range, with arbitrary conductor arrangements and many soil models including multilayers. Available in frequency and time domains
POWERFUL: A powerful code that uses parallel computing, advanced mathematical libraries and OpenGL vector graphics.
OPEN: Frequency-dependent self- and mutual impedances can be exported to EMTP® for dynamic behavior studies. Layout data can be imported/exported from/to AutoCAD. Numerical output can be read by MATLAB®, EXCEL®, and GOOGLE EARTH®.
XGSLab Modules
GSA is a widely used and well-known module for ground network calculations and design including soil resistivity analysis. GSA is based on a static PEEC numerical model and electrode equipotential conditions and can analyze the low-frequency performance of ground systems formed by many distinct electrodes of any shape but of finite size in a uniform or multilayer soil model.
GSA_FD is a module for the calculation and design of ground networks in the frequency domain, including soil resistivity analysis, and represents the state of the art of ground software.
GSA_FD is based on a full-wave PEEC numerical model and can be applied in general conditions with systems consisting of many distinct electrodes of any shape, size and type of conductor (solid, hollow or stranded and coated or bare) in a uniform, multilayer or bare form. The multi-zone soil model covers a large frequency range from DC to about 100 MHz. Furthermore, it is important to consider that GSA_FD is able to take into account the frequency dependence of soil parameters with respect to many model models and in particular in the model with general consensus indicated in CIGRE TB 781 2019.
امکان تجزیه و تحلیل الکترودهای بزرگی را که اندازه آنها بزرگتر از طول موج میدان الکترومغناطیسی است را می دهد که در ادامه بهتر مشخص شده است. سپس GSA_FD بر تمام محدودیت‌های مربوط به شرایط هم‌پتانسیل الکترودهایی که GSA بر آنها استوار است، غلبه می‌کند. با فرضیه شرایط هم پتانسیل، حداکثر ولتاژ لمسی به طور گسترده دست کم گرفته می شود و این ممکن است منجر به بزرگ شدن سیستم زمین با کاهش هزینه اضافی حتی 50٪ شود.
مدل اجرا شده هر دو امپدانس خود و متقابل را در نظر می گیرد. تجربه نشان می دهد که اغلب امپدانس های متقابل را نمی توان حتی در فرکانس توان نادیده گرفت. تعداد کمی از رقبا امپدانس خود را در نظر می گیرند و تعداد بسیار کمی از رقبا اثرات امپدانس متقابل را در نظر می گیرند و این می تواند منجر به خطاهای قابل توجهی در محاسبات شود. نادیده گرفتن اثرات امپدانس خود اغلب غیرقابل قبول است، اما نادیده گرفتن امپدانس های متقابل می تواند منجر به خطاهای بیش از 20٪ در محاسبات در فرکانس توان شود. توجه به این نکته مهم است که دقت محاسبه اغلب به معنای صرفه جویی در هزینه و در واقع است، بنابراین GSA_FD می تواند باعث صرفه جویی قابل توجهی در هزینه در ساخت و ساز سیستم زمین و مصالح شود.
همچنین می تواند میدان های مغناطیسی ناشی از سیستم های اتصال زمین یا کابل و تداخل های الکترومغناطیسی (جریان القایی و پتانسیل ناشی از جفت مقاومتی، خازنی و القایی) را بین سیستم های زمین یا کابل و خط لوله یا به طور کلی الکترودهای مدفون محاسبه کند.
در شرایط DC، GSA_FD ابزار خوبی برای حفاظت کاتدی و آنالیز بستر آند با سیستم‌های جریان تحت تاثیر است.
XGSA_FD extends the application field of GSA_FD to overhead systems.
XGSA_FD is also based on a full-wave PEEC numerical model and can be applied in general conditions in the same frequency range as GSA_FD.
XGSA_FD can also handle stranded conductors and bundled conductors and can consider sources where potential or leakage current and longitudinal current are forced and independent by other conditions. For these reasons, XGSA_FD is probably one of the most powerful and versatile tools available on the market for this type of calculations.
In addition to GSA_FD, XGSA_FD can calculate electromagnetic fields and interference between overhead and underground systems (e.g. between overhead or underground power lines and installations as pipelines, railways or communication lines).
XGSA_FD integrates a powerful tool for assessing corona effects (power losses and radio frequency interference).
XGSA_TD is a powerful module that extends the scope of the XGSA_FD program to the time domain.
In this regard, XGSA_FD uses the so-called “frequency domain approach”. This approach is accurate and allows for the consideration of the frequency dependence of soil parameters.
As is known, a transient can be considered as a superposition of many single-frequency waveforms calculated with the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT).
Using the frequency domain PEEC model implemented in XGSA_FD, a response can be calculated for each of these single-frequency waveforms.
The resulting time domain response can be obtained by applying the inverse fast Fourier transform to all these calculated frequency domain responses.
The computational sequence implemented in XGSA_TD is also called FFT – PEEC – IFFT.
XGSA_TD has been tested for transient simulation with a maximum frequency range of up to 100 MHz and can then be used for switching transients, lightning and also in fault transients in GIS.
XGSA_TD includes an option to export frequency-dependent impedances and mutual impedances to EMTP® or ATP® to simulate the dynamic behavior of large ground systems during electromagnetic transients with an accurate model.
NETS is a very flexible tool capable of solving complete multi-conductor and multi-phase networks, taking into account all neutral conductor paths as well as the ground path.
NETS is based on the phase component method (and then on Kirchhoff’s laws) and graph theory for multi-conductor and multi-phase systems.
The phase component method is general and overcomes the limitations of the classical sequence component method.
The sequence component method has been well established since 1918, but it can only be used with symmetrical systems or for quasi-symmetrical systems such as common power transmission lines (overhead lines and cables) or transformers. Asymmetrical conditions may occur, for example in the case of power lines where the phase geometry is not equilateral and commutation is not used.
Furthermore, the sequence component method cannot be used in the case of multiple earthed systems or in the case of problems involving currents to earth.
The phase component method can be used to represent power systems as multi-conductor networks, which allows the consideration of asymmetrical systems also in the presence of multiple ground loops.
The network components (generators, lines, cables, transformers, loads, switches, faults, etc.) are represented using multi-port cells and the communication between cells is achieved using multi-port busses.
NETS also considers a special hybrid cell in which cables, lines and conductors (pipes, rails, cotter pins, etc.) can be combined in a single multi-port cell. This special cell can be useful for the assessment of electromagnetic interference in the case of power lines or railway corridors and for the calculation of current distribution in railways.
The ground systems (substation networks, tower bases, etc.) can be specified in an arbitrary way.
NETS calculates lines, cables and transformer parameters starting from data usually available in commercial data sheets.
NETS includes a converter from sequence domain to phase domain. This tool can convert the sequence impedance matrix into a phase impedance matrix.
Like other XGS modules, NETS is intended to be as general as possible.
NETS can be used to solve transmission and distribution networks in steady state or fault conditions and to calculate potentials and currents or any type of short circuit current with or without fault impedance.
In particular, NETS can be used to calculate fault current distribution in power networks and between power circuits and ground. Accurate knowledge of the fault current distribution in ground is crucial for reducing interference in communication circuits and pipelines, calibrating and coordinating power system protection, sizing neutral ground resistance, and many other applications.
NETS is also useful for calculating input data for other XGS modules (e.g., division factor and ground current) without unrealistic assumptions such as known fault current magnitude and without the influence of ground impedance, overhead ground wire impedance or tower base impedance, uniform resistances along the line, or again, infinite length of lines…
In addition, NETS represents the link between XGS and the most widely used commercial software for power system analysis.
SHIELD is a powerful 3D graphical program for assessing the protection of structures against direct lightning strikes using the Rolling Sphere and Erikson methods.
SHIELD considers international (IEC 62305-3:2012), European (EN 62305-3:2012) and American (IEEE Std 998-2012) standards, but as is known, the Rolling Sphere method is considered by many other standards (NFPA, such as …).
When the Rolling Sphere method is set up, SHIELD first creates a 3D surface corresponding to all possible points that can be touched by the surface of a sphere with a given radius, as it rolls over the air terminal system.
The air terminal system can consist of any combination of masts and wires (including catenary wires). This surface defines the protected volume.
The protected volume is then mounted to the structure to be protected. Parts of the structure to be protected that protrude beyond this surface are not protected.
If this method is applied to the structure to be protected, it can identify possible lightning strike points and provide indications for the position of the air terminal.
When the Ericsson method is set up, SHIELD creates the collection area of the air terminal system and the structure to be protected.
The lightning protection system is effective when the collection area of the air terminal system includes the collection area of the structure to be protected.
The user can modify the lightning protection system and re-create the protected volume or collection areas.
To learn more about XGSLab, you can visit the company’s main website.