Frequently Asked Questions About SKM Power*Tools Software

Learn new tips and tricks about SKM Power*Tools and how to use your software more efficiently.

For assistance with Captor Library equipments/devices or to request a device not found in your existing library, please email requests to Library@skm.com. Please include all manufacturer datasheets in .pdf format along with the name of your company and serial number.

Category: Power*Tools for Windows Version 6.5 and New FAQs

• 1. PTW V6.5 Upgrade Instructions
• 2. Installation Instructions for Standalone Green/White USB/Parallel Port Key
• 3. Installation Instructions for Network Red USB/Parallel Port Key
• 4. PTW V6.5 Tutorial
• 5. Selective Coordination FAQ
• 6. Library Mapping FAQ
• 7. PTW V6.5 Enhancement List
• 8. Shifting Devices in CAPTOR FAQ
• 9. Installing a Red Hardware Key as a Local Key
• 10. Updating the Hardware Key if PTW is not installed on the Server
• 11. Using the Color One-Line Toolbar
• 12. Using the Differential Function
• 13. Using the Directional Function
• 14. Using the Summation Function
• 15. Application of the 2-Winding INST Protection
• 16. Off-nominal Transformer Tap Settings & Phase-Shifting Transformers
• 17. How to fix Missing Library References from Converted Projects
• 18. Modeling an Uninterruptible Power Supply
• 19. Modeling a Variable Frequency Drive
• 20. Customizing Arc Flash Labels using the PPE Pictures in the PPE Table
• 21. Why does my protective device not pick up the fault after checking both "Apply to Generators" and "Recalculate Trip Time Using Reduced Current" in the Arc Flash      Options menu?
• 22. Getting the F1 Help file to run in Windows Vista and Windows 7
• 23. Why DAPPER load flow results differ from I*SIM/TMS load flow results
• 24. How to select between a fixed circuit or a movable conductor in Arc Flash
• 25. Using the Nameplate data on a Zig-Zag transformer to enter the necessary input data into the Component Editor
• 26. Definition of a "Bus" in the Power*Tools software
• 27. How to stop a USB key light from flashing
• 28. How do I install the latest Aladdin/SafeNet drivers from the command prompt?
• 29. How do I enter manufacturer provided AC reactor value for VFD components?

Category: Arc Flash

• 1. Where do I define Glove Class in PTW-ArcFault study similar to the PPE table?
• 2. What is the “Arc Flash Special Instantaneous Protection” field for the Bus component on the Equipment & Arc Flash subview?
• 3. How do I change my Working Distance?
• 4. Why can’t I change the breaker opening time in the arc flash spreadsheet?
• 5. How do I make use of custom labels?
• 6. How do I change the working distance in my Arc Flash spreadsheet?
• 7. How do I exclude bus nodes in my Arc Flash hazard analysis report?
• 8. How do I display Arc Flash results for Protective Device Line and Load Side on the datablock?
• 9. How do I make the PPE table in Arc Flash project specific?
• 10. Equipment labeling clarification per NEC 2008

Category: Captor and Library

• 1. How do I modify the CAPTOR library?
• 2. How do I transfer devices between Bus libraries?
• 3. How do I transfer devices between Cable libraries?
• 4. How do I transfer devices between Captor libraries?
• 5. How do I modify TCC curves that intersect other curves in CAPTOR?
• 6. How do I transfer devices between Transformer libraries?
• 7. How do I transfer devices between Transmission Line libraries?
• 8. How do I make a project point to a different library?
• 9. How do I make my existing circular mils data available in a new library?
• 10. How do I recover when Power*Tools crashes from a moved or deleted library?
• 11. Merging Protective Device Libraries
• 12. How do I display the TMS curves on my TCC drawing?
• 13. Showing Fault Current in the TCC
• 14. How do I set the Form Grid color for my TCC drawings?
• 15. How do I quickly find component in any one-line or TCC?
• 16. How do I create/model a retrofitted breaker in Captor?
• 17. How to use Selective Coordination in PTW
• 18. Changing TCC Fonts and Datablock settings

Category: Short Circuit

• 1. I’ve run a short circuit study (balanced) but I have protective devices in my TCC that still have Isc Amps of 200,000A. Why don’t they pickup the calculated bus fault     current?
• 2. Why is the calculated SLG fault higher than the calculated 3phase fault?
• 3. The generator manufacturer says my generator will only put out so much SLG fault current (8.3kA), but PTW calculates a much higher SLG current, why?
• 4. What is the purpose of the Equipment Evaluation Study module?

Category: Hardware/Software Keys

• 1. How do I make my PC see the Glenco Hardware key?
• 2. What do the different color USB keys indicate?
• 3. I’m trying to run PTW and I receive the following error code. My software protection is the USB key.
• 4. How do I make my PC see the Memohasp Hardware key?
• 5. NetHasp Status Codes Table
• 6. When I try to start PTW, the network hardware lock indicates that all licenses are currently being used and I cannot get into the program. When I check, no one else     is currently using PTW.
• 7. How do I resolve the error message: “Network Driver Does Not Appear to be serving this directory”?

Category: Load Flow

• 1. How is the induction motor startup current multiplication factor calculated in a load flow study?
• 2. If I’m running a LF study (motor impact starting) and my sources are all generators (defined as SB), what source impedance is the LF study options dialog referring to?
• 3. How do I resolve a diverging Solution in the load flow study?
• 4. How do I model a reduced voltage starter when performing an Impact Motor Starting study using the Load Flow?
• 5. Initial Voltage for Utility or Swing Bus Generator for Load Flow Study
• 6. Initial Voltage for Utility or Swing Bus Generator in Short Circuit Study

Category: General PTW

• 1. How do I create a backup copy of my PTW32 project files?
• 2. How do I fix a PTW software crash when I attempt to export a Crystal Report file?
• 3. How do I access my custom symbols in PTW?
• 4. How do I add new symbols to PTW?
• 5. How do I convert my old projects to the newest version of Power*Tools?
• 6. How do I create a pdf file?
• 7. How do I disable the display of energized state components and change the color of non-energized components?
• 8. How do I fix a CR Linking Problem?
• 9. How do I fix Crystal Report data errors?
• 10. How do I make a project point to a different library?
• 11. How do I make global changes of input data and attributes?
• 12. How do I recover when Power*Tools crashes from a moved or deleted library?
• 13. How do I resolve an Isolated Branch error message?
• 14. How do I recover a project that’s been corrupted somehow?
• 15. I’m trying to download the latest version of PTW from our website and I get the error "Authorization Required" error message and it doesn’t accept my Password.
• 16. What does the following error code mean?
• 17. What is the best way to convert older version projects to the latest version if the projects are stored on a network drive?
• 18. How can we “undo” something on the one-line?
• 19. Problems converting projects between different versions of the software
• 20. PTW Fonts and Installation
• 21. Updating video card drivers and Power*Tools for Windows software

Category: Import/Export

• 1. How do I fix a PTW software crash when I attempt to export a Crystal Report file?
• 2. How do I import the Captor DOS project into PTW?
• 3. How do I import the Dapper DOS project into PTW?

Category: Modeling

• 1. How do I model a series reactor?
• 2. How do I access my custom symbols in PTW?
• 3. How do I add new symbols to PTW?
• 4. How do I model an Induction Generator on PTW?
• 5. How do I model a reduced voltage starter when performing an Impact Motor Starting study using the Load Flow?
• 6. If I’ve entered a group of motors at various buses in my system but I only want 60% of them running at a time, how do I enter that?

Category: Reports

• 1. How do I generate a report that will list all of my components?
• 2. How do I fix a CR Linking Problem?
• 3. How do I fix Crystal Report data errors?

Category: Calculations

• 1. How is the induction motor startup current multiplication factor calculated?
• 2. How are the Connected Loads calculated for a group of loads?
• 3. Per Unit Impedance Calculation for Utility
• 4. Why is the calculated SLG fault higher than the calculated 3phase fault?
• 5. How do I calculate voltage drop across cable?
• 6. How do I calculate voltage drop across transformer?
• 7. The generator manufacturer says my generator will only put out so much SLG fault current (8.3kA), but PTW calculates a much higher SLG current, why?
• 8. Why is the calculated zero sequence impedance a negative value?

Category: Demand Load

• 1. How are the Connected Loads calculated for a group of loads?