DESCRIPTION
This contains the last two STARTER versions and additive SINAMICS Support Packages:
- software, free download Music
- Starter Commissioning software, free download Windows 10
- software, free download For Pc
SINAMICS MICROMASTER STARTER V4.3 SP3 (latest version) | |
| SINAMICS MICROMASTER STARTER V4.3 SP3 (Release for general availability: 2013-08-09) Associated sales information Item ID: 78817896 | Description Vol_1_STARTER_V43_SP3_Program.zip ( 684174 KB ) 1) Vol_2a_STARTER_V43_SP3_SSPs_G110_G120.zip1 ( 393861 KB ) 1) optionally: Vol_2b_STARTER_V43_SP3_SSPs_Rest_of_SINAMICS_Family.zip ( 487983 KB ) 1) optionally: Vol_3_STARTER_V43_SP3_HELPS.zip ( 856992 KB ) 1) |
| Hotfix 1 for SINAMICS MICROMASTER STARTER V4.3 SP3 (Release for general availability: 09.08.2013) Associated sales information Item ID: 78817896. With the Hotfix 1 for STARTER V4.3 SP3, the following restriction is eliminated: Restriction regarding the STARTER trace function with SINAMICS G120 drives and a drive firmware version that is lower than Version V4.6. Also see description. | Description SINAMICS_MICROMASTER_STARTER_V04_03_03_01.zip ( 11528 KB ) |
1) Please take note of download instructions! | |
SINAMICS MICROMASTER STARTER V4.3 SP2 (previous version) | ||
SINAMICS MICROMASTER STARTER V4.3 SP2 Associated sales information Item ID: 64374921 |
| |
1) Please take note of download instructions! | ||
ABB offers several software tools to ease and enhance the use of ABB drives. Especially when straightforward routines cannot be applied, these tools provide a user-friendly and easy-to-use approach for the selection, commissioning and use of ABB drives.
| SSPs for updating existing STARTER V4.3.2.x resp. SCOUT V4.3.1.x installations (please read detailed description) | |||
| STARTER V4.3.1.x | SCOUT V4.3.1.x (X>=12) | STARTER V4.3.2.x | |
| SSP, SINAMICS V4.6 SSP_SINAMICS_V4_6.zip ( 26863 KB ) 1) | X | X | X |
| SSP, SINAMICS G120 CU250S VECTOR V4.6 SSP_SINAMICS_CU250S_VEC_V46.zip ( 25776 KB ) 1) | - | - | X |
| SSP, SINAMICS DCM V1.4 SSP_SINAMICS_DCM_V1_4.zip ( 65385 KB ) 1) | - | - | X |
| SSP, SINAMICS G120 V4.6 SSP_SINAMICS_G120_V4_6.zip ( 132835 KB ) 1) | X | X | X |
| SSP, SINAMICS MV V4.6 SSP_SINAMICS_MV_V4_6.zip ( 22284 KB ) 1) | X | X | X |
| Online Helps STARTER for Version V4.6 optional: Vol_3_STARTER_V43_SP3_HELPS.zip ( 856992 KB ) 1) | X | X | X |
| 1) Please take note of download instructions! | |||
Hotfix 1 for SINAMICS MICROMASTER STARTER V4.3 SP3
Here you can find the Hotfix 1 for the Version V4.3 SP3 for the STARTER commissioning tool for the drive systems SINAMICS und MICROMASTER 4.
The Hotfix 1 setup is provided as a ZIP file (approx. 11.26 MB) and does not comprise a full STARTER version, but only the files which are used to correct the stated functional restriction.
Therefore, the Hotfix 1 can only be installed additionally to an already installed STARTER V4.3 SP3. The affected files are replaced during the setup.
Procedure:
Download the ZIP file and unpack it into an arbitrary directory. Then start the installation with /CD_1/Setup.exe.
The Readme file under /01_Readme contains important notes on how to use the HotFix setup.
- You are responsible for the commissioning of SINAMICS S120 drive systems using the commissioning software STARTER. Modern converter systems offer a variety of functions and setting possibilities. By a purposeful procedure you can save time and avoid faults. In this course you will learn the procedure at commissioning step by step.
- Download User guides and software for Unidrive M. This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.
- Maintenance/servicing SINAMICS S120 Commissioning Manual SINAMICS S List Manual SINAMICS S150 Operating Manual Target group This Manual is intended for machine manufacturers, commissioning engineers, and service personnel who use the SINAMICS S drive system. Benefits Note ”SINAMICS S120 Getting Started with the STARTER Commissioning Tool”.
- The IzoT Commissioning Tool (CT) 4.1 (version 4.12.16) is the standard design, commissioning, and network maintenance software for LON networks. Install and commission a community of devices by simply drawing your network with the integrated Microsoft Visio tool.
In the Hotfix 1 for the STARTER V4.3 SP3, the following restrictions has been corrected:
- Restriction regarding the STARTER trace function with SINAMICS G120 drives and a drive firmware version that is lower than Version V4.6
If the trace function is started on a SINAMICS G120 Control Unit with Starter V4.3 SP3, an error message is output. The trace function cannot be started with the STARTER. This STARTER behavior occurs on G120 Control Units with a firmware version lower than Version V4.6.x (e.g. V4.5.x, V4.4.x).
More detailed information regarding general and new functions of the STARTER Version V4.3 SP3 is provided in the article ID: 78817896.
SINAMICS MICROMASTER STARTER V4.3 SP3
This contains version V4.3 SP3 of the STARTER commissioning tool for the SINAMICS, SIMATIC ET200 FC and MICROMASTER 4 drive systems. The download also contains the additive SINAMICS Support Packages in the file 'Vol_2a_STARTER_V43_SP3_ SSPs_G110_G120.zip' and 'Vol_2b_STARTER_V43_SP3_ SSPs_Family_Integrated':
- Support of the
- G120 CU250S-2 Vector with Firmware V4.6
- G120P with Firmware V4.6 (SSP G120)
- G120P BT with Firmware V4.6
- DCM with Firmware V1.4
- Support of the new firmware versions for
- MICROMASTER 4th Generation
- SIMATIC ET200pro FC and
- SINAMICS G110/G110D
as stated more below in the text for each installation of the STARTER program package (no SSPs).
These SSPs are automatically installed by the STARTER setup when the checkboxes are activated in the selection screen form.
SINAMICS MICROMASTER STARTER can be used free of charge without entering a license key. However, for legal licensing reasons, you should be in possession of a STARTER license certificate (any version). If this is not the case, you can also order the current STARTER version including license certificate on a DVD. Order number: 6SL3072-0AA00-0AG0.
STARTER V4.3 SP2 supports German, English, French, Spanish and Italian.
The following drive systems are supported
(recently included versions compared to the previous STARTER V4.3.3 are marked in bold):
- MICROMASTER 4th Generation (MM420 V1.30, MM440 V2.20, MM430 V2.20)
- SINAMICS DCM with Firmware V1.1, V1.2, V1.3 and (with SSP) V1.4
- SIMATIC ET200S FC with Firmware V1.0.x, V3.0.x
- SIMATIC ET200pro FC with Firmware V3.0.x, V3.1.x
- SINAMICS G110 with Firmware V1.0.x, V1.1.x, 1.2.x
- SINAMICS G110D with Firmware V3.3.x, V3.4.x, V3.6.x
- SINAMICS G120 with Firmware V2.0.x, V2.1.x, V3.0.x, V3.1.x, V3.2.x
- SINAMICS G120 with Firmware V4.2, V4.3.0, V4.3.2, V4.4, V4.5 and (with SSP) V4.6
- SINAMICS G120C with Firmware V4.4, V4.5 and (with SSP) V4.6
- SINAMICS G120D with Firmware V3.0.x, V3.1.x, V3.2.x, V4.5 and (with SSP) V4.6
- SINAMICS G120P with Firmware V4.2, V4.3.0, V4.3.2, V4.4, V4.5 and (with SSP) V4.6
- SINAMICS G120P BT with Firmware V4.4.1 and (with SSP) V4.6
- SINAMICS G130 with Firmware V2.1.x, V2.2.x, V2.3.x, V2.4.x, V2.5.1, V2.6.1 and V2.6.2
- SINAMICS G130 with Firmware V4.3.1, V4.3.2, V4.4, V4.5 and (with SSP) V4.6
- SINAMICS G150 with Firmware V2.1.x, V2.2.x, V2.3.x, V2.4.x, V2.5.1, V2.6.1 and V2.6.2
- SINAMICS G150 with Firmware V4.3.1, V4.3.2, V4.4, V4.5 and (with SSP) V4.6
- SINAMICS GM150 with Firmware V2.5.1, V2.6.1 and V2.6.2
- SINAMICS GL150 with Firmware V2.5.1, V2.6.1 and V2.6.2
- SINAMICS GL150 with Firmware V4.3.1, V4.4.2, V4.5 (--> SINAMICS MV)
- SINAMICS S110 with Firmware V4.1, V4.3.1, V4.3.2, V4.4
- SINAMICS S120 with Firmware V2.1.x, V2.2.x, V2.3.x, V2.4.x, V2.5.1, V2.6.1 and V2.6.2
- SINAMICS S120 with Firmware V4.3.1, V4.3.2, V4.4, V4.5 and (with SSP) V4.6
- SINAMICS S150 with Firmware V2.1.x, V2.2.x, V2.3.x, V2.4.x, V2.5.1, V2.6.1 and V2.6.2
- SINAMICS S150 with Firmware V4.3.1, V4.3.2, V4.4, V4.5 and (with SSP) V4.6
- SINAMICS SL150 with Firmware V4.3.1, V4.4.2, V4.5 (--> SINAMICS MV)
- SINAMICS SM120 with Firmware V4.4.2 (--> SINAMICS MV)
- SINAMICS MV (GM150/GL150/SL150/SM120) with Firmware V4.6
Further details on the supported drive systems can be found in the following Excel overview.
- German
Installierte_Geraete_STARTER_DVD_43030000.pdf ( 22 KB ) - English
Installed_Devices_STARTER_DVD_43030000.pdf ( 22 KB )
Optional, NEW
In order to save download time and data volume, this STARTER version V4.3 SP3 can also be downloaded and installed WITHOUT online help and WITHOUT SINAMICS S/SINAMICS integrated drives. If you do not want to use the online help, then select the 'Minimized' download version.
Installation/download version | Complete, | SINAMICS partial range, | SINAMICS partial range and minimized, |
Vol_1_STARTER_V43_SP3_Program.zip | YES | YES | YES |
Vol_2a_STARTER_V43_SP3_SSPs_G110_G120.zip | YES | YES | YES |
Vol_2b_STARTER_V43_SP3_SSPs_Family_Integrated.zip | YES | NO | NO |
Vol_3_STARTER_V43_SP3_Helps.zip | YES | YES | NO |
Procedure to install STARTER V4.3 SP3:
- Download the 2 or 3 or 4 attached ZIP files (depending on the selected download version)
- Unpack the ZIP files into a shared target directory on your hard disk. Please ensure that there are no spaces in the entire path name of this target directory.
- After unpacking, the shared directory must appear as follows (shown for the 'complete' version):
..SharedDirectory01_Readme
..SharedDirectoryCD_1
..SharedDirectoryCD_2
..SharedDirectoryCD_3
..SharedDirectorySSP_FAMILY
..SharedDirectorySSP_G110_G120
..SharedDirectorySSP_HELP
..SharedDirectorySSP_SIMOTION_INTEGRATED
..SharedDirectorySSP_SINUMERIK_INTEGRATED
..SharedDirectoryUnsupported Tools - Start the STARTER setup program by calling it from /CD_1/SETUP.EXE.
The readme file contains important notes on how to use the tool.
SINAMICS MICROMASTER STARTER V4.3 SP2 (previous version)
This contains version V4.3 SP2 of the STARTER commissioning tool for the SINAMICS, SIMATIC ET200 FC and MICROMASTER 4 drive systems. The download also contains the additive SINAMICS Support Packages in the 'Vol_2a_STARTER_V43_SP2_ SSPs_G110_G120.zip' and 'Vol_2b_STARTER_V43_SP2_ SSPs_Family_Integrated' files:
- SSP SINAMICS V4.6
- SSP SINAMICS G120 V4.6
- SSP SINAMICS MV V4.6
These SSPs are automatically installed by the STARTER setup when the checkboxes are activated in the selection screen form.
SINAMICS MICROMASTER STARTER can be used free of charge without entering a license key. However, for legal licensing reasons, you should be in possession of a STARTER license certificate (any version). If this is not the case, you can also order the current STARTER version including license certificate on a DVD. Order number: 6SL3072-0AA00-0AG0.
STARTER V4.3 SP2 supports German, English, French, Spanish and Italian.
The following drive systems are supported
(recently included versions compared to the previous STARTER V4.3.2 are marked in bold):
- MICROMASTER 4th Generation
- SINAMICS DCM with Firmware V1.1, V1.2, V1.3
- SIMATIC ET200S FC with Firmware V1.0.x, V3.0.x
- SIMATIC ET200pro FC with Firmware V3.0.x
- SINAMICS G110 with Firmware V1.0.x, V1.1.x
- SINAMICS G110D with Firmware V3.3.x, V3.4.x
- SINAMICS G120 with Firmware V2.0.x, V2.1.x, V3.0.x, V3.1.x, V3.2.x, V4.2, V4.3.0, V4.3.2, V4.4, V4.5 and (with SSP) V4.6
- SINAMICS G120C with Firmware V4.4, V4.5 and (with SSP) V4.6
- SINAMICS G120D with Firmware V3.0.x, V3.1.x, V3.2.x, V4.5 and (with SSP) V4.6
- SINAMICS G120P with Firmware V4.2, V4.3.0, V4.3.2, V4.4, V4.5
- SINAMICS G120P BT with Firmware V4.4.1
- SINAMICS G130 with Firmware V2.1.x, V2.2.x, V2.3.x, V2.4.x, V2.5.1, V2.6.1 and V2.6.2
- SINAMICS G130 with Firmware V4.3.1, V4.3.2, V4.4, V4.5 and (with SSP) V4.6
- SINAMICS G150 with Firmware V2.1.x, V2.2.x, V2.3.x, V2.4.x, V2.5.1, V2.6.1 and V2.6.2
- SINAMICS G150 with Firmware V4.3.1, V4.3.2, V4.4, V4.5 and (with SSP) V4.6
- SINAMICS GM150 with Firmware V2.5.1, V2.6.1 and V2.6.2
- SINAMICS GM150 with Firmware V4.3.1, V4.4.2, V4.5 (--> SINAMICS MV)
- SINAMICS GL150 with Firmware V2.5.1, V2.6.1 and V2.6.2
- SINAMICS GL150 with Firmware V4.3.1, V4.4.2, V4.5 (--> SINAMICS MV)
- SINAMICS S110 with Firmware V4.1, V4.3.1, V4.3.2 and (with SSP) V4.4
- SINAMICS S120 with Firmware V2.1.x, V2.2.x, V2.3.x, V2.4.x, V2.5.1, V2.6.1 and V2.6.2
- SINAMICS S120 with Firmware V4.3.1, V4.3.2, V4.4, V4.5 and (with SSP) V4.6
- SINAMICS S150 with Firmware V2.1.x, V2.2.x, V2.3.x, V2.4.x, V2.5.1, V2.6.1 and V2.6.2
- SINAMICS S150 with Firmware V4.3.1, V4.3.2, V4.4, V4.5 and (with SSP) V4.6
- SINAMICS SL150 with Firmware V4.3.1, V4.4.2, V4.5 (--> SINAMICS MV)
- SINAMICS SM120 with Firmware V4.4.2
- SINAMICS SM150i with Firmware V2.4.x, V2.5.1, V2.6.2, V4.5
- SINAMICS MV with Firmware (with SSP) V4.5 and (with SSP) V4.6
Further details on the supported drive systems can be found in the following Excel overview.
Installed_Devices_STARTER_DVD_43020000.xls ( 105 KB )
Optional NEW
In order to save download time and data volume, STARTER version V4.3 SP3 can also be downloaded and installed WITHOUT online help. If you want to do without the online helps, select the 'Minimized' download variant.
Installation/download variant | Complete, | Minimized, |
Vol_1_STARTER_V43_SP2_Program.zip | YES | YES |
Vol_2a_STARTER_V43_SP2_SSPs_G110_G120.zip | YES | YES |
Vol_2b_STARTER_V43_SP2_SSPs_Family_Integrated.zip | YES | NO |
| Vol_3_STARTER_V43_SP2_Helps.zip | YES | NO |
Installation procedure:
- Download the two or three attached ZIP files (depending on the selected download variant)
- Unpack the ZIP files into a shared target directory on the hard disk. Please ensure that no spaces are contained in the entire path name of this target directory.
- After unpacking, the shared directory must appear as follows:
..SharedDirectory01_Readme
..SharedDirectoryCD_1
..SharedDirectoryCD_2
..SharedDirectoryCD_3
..SharedDirectorySSP_INT_CD1
..SharedDirectorySSP_CD1
..SharedDirectoryUnsupported Tools - Start the STARTER setup program by calling it from /CD_1/SETUP.EXE
The Readme file contains important notes on how to use the tool.
Quickbooks 2013 free download. SSP, SINAMICS V4.6
Here, as individual download, you will find the SINAMICS Support Package (SSP) SINAMICS V4.6 that matches STARTER >= V4.3.1.x or SCOUT V4.3.1 HF12.
With this SINAMICS Support Package, SINAMICS drives belonging to the SINAMICS S120, G130, S150, G150 series with firmware release V4.6 can be configured and commissioned using STARTER V4.3.1.x or SCOUT V4.3.1 HF12.
Procedure for installing SSP:
- Download the attached ZIP file
- Unzip the ZIP file to a shared target directory on your hard disk
Please ensure that there are absolutely no spaces in the complete path names of this target directory. - After unpacking, the shared directory must appear as follows:
..01_Readme
..CD_1 - Start the SSP setup program by calling it from /CD_1/SETUP.EXE.
The readme file contains important notes on how to use the tool.
After installing SSP from STARTER V4.3.1.x or SCOUT V4.3.1 HF12, the following drive systems are also supported
- SINAMICS V4.6
Note on online help for function release V4.6:
To access the online help for function release V4.6, download package Vol_3_STARTER_V43_SP3_HELPS.zip and run the corresponding setup.
- After unpacking, the shared directory must appear as follows:
..CD_1
..CD_2
..SSP_HELP.. - Start the SSP setup program by calling it from /SSP_HELP/OPT/SSP_SINAMICS_HELP_V4_6/CD_1/setup.exe.
More detailed information about STARTER V4.3.1.x is available under the article ID: 61585426
SSP, SINAMICS G120 CU250S VECTOR V4.6
Here, as individual download, you will find the SINAMICS Support Package (SSP) G120 CU250S-2 VECTOR V4.6 that matches the STARTER >= V4.3.2.x.
With this SINAMICS Support Package, you can configure and commission SINAMICS G120 CU250S-2 Vector with Firmware Version V4.6 with the STARTER >= V4.3.2.x.
Procedure for installing SSP:
- Download the attached ZIP file
- Unzip the ZIP file to a shared target directory on your hard disk
Please ensure that there are absolutely no spaces in the complete path names of this target directory. - After unpacking, the shared directory must appear as follows:
..01_Readme
..CD_1 - Start the SSP setup program by calling it from /CD_1/SETUP.EXE.
The readme file contains important notes on how to use the tool.
After installing SSP from STARTER V4.3.2.x, the following drive systems are also supported
- SINAMICS G120 CU250S-2 VECTOR V4.6
More detailed information regarding the STARTER V4.3.2.x is provided in 64374921.
SSP, SINAMICS DCM V1.4
Here, as individual download, you will find the SINAMICS Support Package (SSP) SINAMICS DCM V1.4 which is suitable for the STARTER >= V4.3.2.x.
With this SINAMICS Support Package, you can configure and commission SINAMICS DCM with Firmware Version V1.4 with the STARTER >= V4.3.2.x.
Procedure for installing SSP:
- Download the attached ZIP file
- Unzip the ZIP file to a shared target directory on your hard disk
Please ensure that there are absolutely no spaces in the complete path names of this target directory. - After unpacking, the shared directory must appear as follows:
..01_Readme
..CD_1 - Start the SSP setup program by calling it from /CD_1/SETUP.EXE.
The readme file contains important notes on how to use the tool.
After installing SSP from STARTER >= V4.3.2.x, the following drive systems are also supported
- SINAMICS DCM V1.4
More detailed information regarding the STARTER V4.3.2.x is provided in 64374921.
SSP, SINAMICS G120 V4.6
Here, as individual download, you will find the SINAMICS Support Package (SSP) SINAMICS G120 V4.6 which is suitable for the STARTER >= V4.3.1.x resp. SCOUT V4.3.1 HF12.
With this SINAMICS Support Package, you can configure and commission SINAMICS G120 drives with Firmware Version V4.6 with the STARTER V4.3.1.x or SCOUT V4.3.1 HF12.
Procedure for installing SSP:
- Download the attached ZIP file
- Unzip the ZIP file to a shared target directory on your hard disk
Please ensure that there are absolutely no spaces in the complete path names of this target directory. - After unpacking, the shared directory must appear as follows:
..01_Readme
..CD_1 - Start the SSP setup program by calling it from /CD_1/SETUP.EXE.
The readme file contains important notes on how to use the tool.
After installing SSP from STARTER V4.3.1.x or SCOUT V4.3.1 HF12, the following drive systems are also supported
- SINAMICS G120 V4.6
Note on the online hep for function release V4.6:
The online help is contained in SSP and automatically installed.
More detailed information regarding the STARTER V4.3.1.x is provided in 61585426.
SSP, SINAMICS MV V4.6
The SINAMICS Support Package (SSP) SINAMICS MV V4.6 suitable for STARTER >= V4.3.1.x or for SCOUT V4.3.1 HF12 can be downloaded here.
The existing SINAMICS Support Package allows you to configure and commission SINAMICS drives of the SINAMICS MV with firmware version V4.6 with STARTER V4.3.1.x or SCOUT V4.3.1 HF12.
How to install the SSPs:
- Download the attached ZIP file
- Unzip the ZIP file to a shared target directory on your hard disk
Please ensure that there are absolutely no spaces in the complete path names of this target directory. - After unpacking, the shared directory must appear as follows:
..01_Readme
..CD_1 - Start the SSP setup program by calling it from /CD_1/SETUP.EXE.
The readme file contains important notes on how to use the tool.
After installing SSP from STARTER V4.3.1.x or SCOUT V4.3.1 HF12, the following drive systems are also supported
- SINAMICS MV V4.6
Note on the online help for function release V4.6:
To access the online help for function release V4.6, download package Vol_3_STARTER_V43_SP3_HELPS.zip and run the corresponding setup.
- After unpacking, the shared directory must appear as follows:
..CD_1
..CD_2
..SSP_HELP.. - Start the SSP setup program by calling it from /SSP_HELP/OPT/SSP_SINAMICS_HELP_V4_6/CD_1/setup.exe.
More detailed information about STARTER V4.3.1.x itself is available under the article ID: 61585426
Download note
Due to security settings, a download - as marked in the screenshot - may be classified as a security risk.
To avoid problems after the installation, zip files must be classified as harmless after downloading by clicking with right mouse button > Properties > 'Unblock' button
Reduce costly construction delays with database-driven commissioning software, customized to your unique needs
When a new power plant, process plant, or building is built or an old plant is updated, a team of professional technicians (electrical, mechanical, and instrumentation specialists) comes behind the construction crews and ?commissions? the portions of the plant deemed completed. In plain English, the commissioning team?also known as the startup team?is responsible for ensuring that the equipment was installed correctly and functioning properly.
For example, a startup team might check digital valves to make sure that when a signal is transmitted to them to open, they, in fact, open. The team may also check to make sure all bolts are torqued to the proper torque, conduct motor meggers on motors, make sure transformers are operating correctly, and make sure that motor control centers are sending out proper signals to the connected equipment. The startup teams check to make sure everything is working properly before someone signs off on the construction and flips the switch to turn it on.
An Example Power Plant Commissioning Software System
AEP is one of the largest electric utilities in the U.S., serving nearly 5.4 million customers in 11 states and employing over 18,000 people. AEP owns:
- A more than 40,000-mile electricity transmission network ? the largest in the nation
- More 765-kilovolt extra-high voltage transmission lines than all other U.S. transmission systems combined
- Approximately 31,000 megawatts of generating capacity
AEP?s Original System: Excel + Email
Prior to the Project Startup Metrics database system built by Terraine, AEP captured completion metrics using Excel, and disseminated these details to stakeholders via email. Device lists (cables, motors, valves, instruments, and IO loops) were saved to individual worksheets within a spreadsheet. Systems information and scheduled completion dates were also saved to some worksheets. As devices were completed, the ?completed? column would be marked for the completed devices, and this information would then roll up into calculated fields which would calculate the percent complete for each system. Charts and graphs would then also have to be updated to display the actual completions as compared to the scheduled completions.
Understanding these elaborate spreadsheets?let alone maintaining them up to date?was a somewhat tedious task assigned to a dedicated professional within AEP. The process was complex enough such that only one individual at AEP was allowed to modify the spreadsheets, for fear of editing something incorrectly and thus messing up the entire system.
Developing a Better Commissioning System for AEP
At the request of AEP, Terraine analyzed their commissioning procedures workflow in an effort to improve their system through use of database software technology. After a thorough understanding of their system was made, visual mockups were created and presented to the management team at AEP. After some tweaks and several iterations, work began on the backend database schema and front-end UI. Four months later, a production-level database system was deployed for their use.
The Completed System
The system designed, built, deployed, and hosted by Terraine follows a very simple logic flow:
- Project, system, and device data is imported into the system via the admin panel.
- As devices are completed, these are marked as completed from the data screen. If a device needs to be retested, the ?retest required? checkbox is checked.
- Punchlists and variances are added when an issue arises, and cleared when the issue is resolved.
- Reporting is as simple as clicking on the reports button and viewing charts, graphs, and lists of tables.
When the logic flow is simple, it is understandable by all stakeholders, including the field techs responsible for collecting the data. It is this simplicity that leads to a successfully adopted system. We are proud of our effort in simplifying a previously labor-intensive and tedious commissioning procedures system for one of the largest electric utilities in the United States.
Feature Enhancements
Recent feature enhancements include the following:
- Ability to print pre-populated commissioning checklist forms
- Upload/attach any document type to a specific device (eg, pictures, completed checklist forms, P&IDs, etc)
A More Complex Process Plant Commissioning Example: Duke Energy
Duke Energy, a Fortune 250 firm, is the largest electric utility company in the United States, serving over 7.3 million customers over a 95,000 square mile area in the southeast and Midwest United States. Duke produces over 57,500 megawatts of electricity, has over $120 billion in assets, and employs over 28,000 people.
software, free download Music
In 2008, Duke broke ground on a $3.5 billion Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) power plant in Edwardsport, Indiana. At that time, Duke?s commissioning procedures system was a paper-based system, comprised of multiple paper forms completed by hand.
Duke?s Original Commissioning Workflow
Prior to the system we built for Duke, when a Duke power plant was built, all of the commissioning information was collected on paper forms by the field techs commissioning the devices at the plant. Then, punch lists of issues were generated for the construction crews, repairs were made, and several layers of signatures were completed before a device was considered ?complete?. Whenever percent complete metrics were needed, the Duke Startup Manager would estimate percent complete at the system unit or engineering area level based on the paper forms that were submitted and from conversations with his crew. The information was considered qualitative as opposed to quantitative. In other words, these were best guesses.
Developing a Better Commissioning Workflow for Duke
The startup manager for the Edwardsport startup and commissioning project spearheaded an initiative at Duke to improve and essentially digitize the commissioning procedures process at the plant. Terraine was chosen to build Duke?s commissioning procedures software application. Terraine successfully built and implemented this application at the Edwardsport location and was subsequently chosen to develop a similar application for a major plant upgrade project at Cayuga Station, Indiana.
Terraine began by analyzing all the paper forms related to Duke?s commissioning procedures process. After achieving a thorough understanding of Duke?s commissioning procedures, Terraine staff initiated initial backend database work. Terraine worked closely with Duke staff to develop a database system that perfectly matched the needs of their organization. Once a working prototype was completed and populated with equipment lists, users list, startup codes, and other static lists, Terraine deployed the system on a few ruggedized devices for testing on site in a production environment. This led to additional changes, and eventually, the system was deployed onto 60 ruggedized tablet devices, in order to commission all of the 60,000 devices at the $3.5 billion construction project, which at its peak employed over 2,500 construction workers.
Fully Digital Commissioning Checklist Forms
The system designed, built, deployed, and hosted by Terraine handled every single aspect of commissioning at the plant. This consisted of complete digitization of every single type of device used at the plant. Whenever a particular device was needed by a startup technician, the proper form was automatically displayed for the device for data entry. Each device type contained percent complete calculations that were based on the insertion of values into certain database fields, meaning that each time something was filled out on a form, backend calculations were completed to determine the percent complete for that device, for the engineering area, for the startup code, for the system type (electrical or mechanical) and for the entire system. This information was pushed to a password-protected dynamic website, so that stakeholders could, with the click of a mouse, determine percent complete at the plant level, the startup code / engineering area level, and at the device level. This information, along with discrepancy (punchlist) reports, was also disseminated automatically each morning via email delivery to respective stakeholders. In addition, a graph within the web application was used for plotting projected completions against actual completions, giving managers an easy way to interpret how behind or on schedule their team was in nearly real-time.
Automated PDF Generation and Quick Turnover Package Handoff
Upon 100% completion of each startup code, handoff was performed automatically by the system at the click of a few buttons from the document control area of the system. The completed forms were produced by the system in PDF format, which even included signatures captured on the tablets, and the ability for document control personnel was made available for downloading complete PDF turnover packages for further integration into other Duke IT systems.
Award Partial % Complete Credit Automatically
At the direction of Duke, an algorithm was created that would assign a certain percent complete for specific milestones completed for each device. For example, motor meggering checks typically take longer than other simple checks. So for devices containing motors, once the motor megger tests were completed, a value of 40% complete was assigned for that device. Similarly, once a field technician signature was added to the digital record, the device would be assigned a 90% complete value. And once the supervisor signature was added, the device would be assigned a 100% complete value. Validation checks were inserted in between each milestone such that certain milestones and required data could not be bypassed or skipped.
All of these calculations were rolled up from an individual device, up to a startup code/engineering area, and up to the project level. By assigning partial % complete values to devices (and not just either 0% of 100%), a more accurate representation of % complete was achieved for the Edwardsport IN IGCC plant commissioning project.
I was able to determine % complete at various levels at our Edwardsport IGCC plant, and we saved over 500,000 sheets of paper while never losing a single record.
– Chris Green, Former Startup Manager, Duke Energy
A stack of commissioning forms taller than a skyscraper?
The application we built for Duke was responsible for saving 500,000 individual pieces of paper. Stacked together, this amount of paper would be higher than a 16 story building.
Not only is a paper based system costly and harmful on the environment, it is also inefficient, prone to an abundance of transcription errors, and usually contains incomplete data.
Don?t guess percent complete.
As a project or plant manager your most important metric will probably be percent complete. Traditional commissioning systems do not provide managers with the accurate information necessary to calculate this metric. Paper based systems take days if not weeks for information to be transferred from the physical site to upper management. The system that Terraine built for Duke automatically calculated percent complete every four hours, with up-to-the-minute real time data.
Get the whole picture.
The system we built for Duke contained an easy to use interface to pull detailed analytics on every part of the commissioning procedures process. The Terraine platform automatically calculated the percent complete for each department, site, and project, which allowed the project manager to identify areas of inefficiency and act accordingly.
Don?t make important decisions based on inaccurate data.
Traditional commissioning systems almost always contain incomplete and inaccurate data. During the process of transferring 500,000 sheets of paper to excel there will be an abundance of transcription errors. leaving data that is both inaccurate and incomplete. The system we built for Duke eliminated the need for transcribing documents and information. In addition, our system contained built in features that required employees to fill in every part of a form and automatically double checked for outliers in the data. According to Duke?s startup manager at that plant during this project, not a single record was lost by our system.
Check out our brand new XForms platform. ?With built-in % complete calculations
Built from scratch for commissioning completions/startup use cases.
XForms was designed from the ground up with Cx use cases in mind
Starter Commissioning software, free download Windows 10
Automatically calculates partial % complete
software, free download For Pc
- Assigns 0% to forms not started, 50% to forms partially completed and saved as draft, and 100% to submitted forms
- Automatically calculates % complete at the device level regardless of # of forms assigned to a device
- Automatically rolls up % complete to various groupings and hierarchies
Mobile app features designed to speed up field data entry
- Collapsible headers to mark entire sections of a form as “N/A” (bypass validation controls in a collapsed section)
- Excel-like table grids that work even on tiny smartphones
- Linked fields: mark one field with a value, and all linked fields take that same value initially
- Draw on top of pictures
- iPhone
- iPad
- Android tablet
- Android phone
- Modern web browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and MS Edge)