Etap Jun 2026

Using the results from short-circuit studies, ETAP's Star module automates the complex task of protective device coordination. Engineers plot time-current characteristic (TCC) curves for relays, breakers, and fuses on a single log-log graph. The goal is to achieve "selectivity"—ensuring that the device nearest a fault opens first, isolating the smallest possible portion of the system. ETAP can automatically suggest relay settings, check for mis-coordination, and simulate thousands of fault scenarios to validate the protection scheme.

In industry, ETAP has proven indispensable. A petrochemical plant expanding its capacity might use ETAP to ensure that a new 5,000 HP compressor motor can start without causing a plant-wide voltage dip that could extinguish flare pilots or trip critical process controllers. A utility integrating a 100 MW solar farm will use ETAP to study the impact on transmission line loading, voltage regulation, and frequency response following a loss of conventional generation. A data center seeking Tier-IV reliability will use ETAP to simulate the failure of an entire utility feed and verify seamless transfer to backup generators and UPS systems. Using the results from short-circuit studies, ETAP's Star