CAD software provides safe electrical connections
A
SolidWorks Corporation product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team
Nov 13, 2007
Storm-Safe, designed entirely in SolidWorks 3D CAD software, is a simple "breakaway link" fixed to a utility pole that automatically disconnects cables from poles under abnormal stresses.
The Homac Companies used SolidWorks 3D CAD software to design an entirely new, safer way for homes to connect to power lines.
Storm-Safe, designed entirely in SolidWorks 3D CAD software, is a simple "breakaway link" fixed to a utility pole that automatically disconnects cables from poles under abnormal stresses.
Because the cables disconnect on the pole side, not at the home, the fallen wire carries no current.
When the storm subsides, a new link is quickly installed, allowing utility workers to plug in the cables, energise the home and be on their way.
"Storm-Safe minimises damage to both the home and utility, containing damage to a single breakaway link, ensuring fallen wires aren't energised and compressing the power recovery process to mere minutes", said Jim Zahnen, Senior Product Development Engineer for Homac.
"SolidWorks software helped us visualise the design, refine it with internal and customer feedback and quickly develop the necessary engineering drawings for each configuration, a process that couldn't happen with our old 2D software".
"SolidWorks is helping us work more productively, especially in developing configurations of new products and the transition from 2D has been surprisingly intuitive".
Storm-Safe comes in configurations to serve one, two, or three homes and is rated for 200A service".
"As Homac is demonstrating with Storm-Safe, the right CAD tool can make a significant difference in the nature of product a company can produce", said Rainer Gawlick, SolidWorks Vice President of Worldwide Marketing.
Homac relies on authorised SolidWorks reseller ModernTech Mechanical for ongoing software training, implementation and support.
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