ACLC 3.45 User Online Manual
Step-by-step instructions and technical documentation for calculating complex electrical circuits in ACLC 3.45.
AC Linear Circuits (ACLC) Requirements:
- Operating System: Windows 7, 8, 10, 11, and later.
- Microsoft Word versions: 2007-2024 and later.
1) Main Menu
2) Schematic construction field
3) Text Block for Calculation Results
4) Working Panel.
Let's examine the functionality of each of the four blocks listed above in detail.
- "File" Submenu
- Creates a new diagram, exits the program;
- "Edit" Submenu
- Contains a single "Undo" option for undoing
the most recent actions, such as a diagram element;
- "Options" Submenu - Contains settings for graphic symbols and elements, diagram color parameters, and the grid.
- "Activation" Submenu - Enters the activation code (license key),
Required to upgrade from the demo version of the program to the fully functional licensed version;
- "Help" Submenu - Links to help materials on using the program, as well as information about the current version.
2) Circuit Shematic Field
The circuit diagram is constructed on a grid of the selected size (4x4, 6x6, 8x8).
3) Calculation Results Output Text Block
In this block, the ACLC program displays the circuit calculation using the selected method. The calculation is also output in Microsoft Word (.docx) format; the program generates a Word document containing the circuit calculation.
4) Work Panel
This panel contains the diagram construction blocks and calculation tools.
The "Field Size in Cells" block selects the size of the diagram plotting field. The slider has three positions: 1 – minimum field size 4x4 cells, 2 – average field size 6x6 cells, and maximum field size 8x8 cells. For small diagrams, a minimum field size of 4x4 cells is suitable. Each cell can accommodate the diagram outline, see Figures 2-4.
Figure 2 – Schematic diagram of an electrical circuit consisting of four circuits built on a minimum 4×4 cell field
Figure 2 uses ANSI graphic symbols.
Figure 3 – Schematic diagram of an electrical circuit consisting of five circuits
built on a field of average size 6×6 cells
Figure 3 uses IEC, DIN graphic symbols.
Figure 4 – Schematic diagram of an electrical circuit consisting of five circuits
built on a field of average size 8×8 cells
Figure 4 uses ANSI graphic symbols.
The circuit graph consists of closed circuit loops. The horizontal and vertical dimensions of the closed loop in cells are specified in the "Circuit Graph" → "New Closed Loop" block (see figure 5).
Figure 5 – a) Selecting the contour size “+” – plus one cell, “-” – minus one cell
b) A closed contour measuring 3×2 on the construction field
The first stage of constructing a circuit is the creation of a circuit graph in its completed form, shown in Figure 6a; the second stage is the electrical circuit constructed on the basis of the circuit graph, shown in Figure 6b.
Figure 6 – a) A circuit graph consisting of three loops: Loop 0 size 2×2, Loop 1 size 2×2, Loop 2 size 4×2. b) Electrical circuit constructed on the circuit graph
Note:If an error occurs while placing a circuit, select "Edit" → "Back" from the main menu.
Figure 7 shows the ANSI system of elements, Figure 8 shows the IEC system of elements.
Figure 7 – ANSI Elements
Figure 8 – IEC Elements
The ANSI and IEC symbol systems are the two primary global standards for electrical and electronic diagrams. While they represent the same components, they differ in their visual style and geographic dominance.ANSI (American National Standards Institute) Dominant in North America, these symbols are governed by standards like ANSI/IEEE Y32.2.
IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) The international standard (specifically IEC 60617) used in Europe, Asia, and most of the world.
After selecting the calculation method, click the "Calculate" button, and the program will calculate it using the selected method in a text block (see Figure 1) and in Word (.docx) format.
Note:
When calculating a circuit using the loop current method in ACLC, if the circuit contains current sources, these must be converted to voltage sources (see the example in Figure 9). Figure 10 shows an example of converting circuits for calculation using the LCM method in ACLC.
Figure 9 – Transformation of a current source into a voltage source
Figure 10 – Transforming a current source into a voltage source in a ACLC circuit, V4=J1×R3
Let's take a look at the "Options" menu.
The "Options" menu items include:
1) Selecting the program language ("Options" → "Select language")
The ACLC program is fully translated into 11 languages:
English
German
French
Spanish
Portuguese
Turkish
Arabic
Chinese
Hindi
Bengali
Japanese
(see Figure 11).
2) Elements ("Options"→"Elements")
The ACLC workspace is easily configurable to meet both national and international standards. The software supports major electrical symbol libraries,
including ANSI, IEC, and DIN (see Figure 12).
The default symbols for designating voltage sources/EMF and current sources are defined as follows: V for a voltage source/EMF and J for a current source. These symbols may be modified to comply with specific national standard requirements.
Figure 12 – Setting up conventional graphic images of elements in accordance with accepted ANSI, IEC standards
The ACLC program allows you to configure calculation parameters. Branch currents are calculated automatically; additionally, you can include the calculation of:
1) complex voltages across circuit elements,
2) complex power for circuit elements,
3) complex voltages across circuit branches,
4) complex power for circuit branches.
(see Figure 13).
Figure 13 – Setting calculation parameters
Figure 14 – Selecting the primary form for representing complex numbers
Note:
The exponential form is common. Regions: Dominant in Europe (especially Germany, France, and the UK) and Russia/CIS.
The polar form is common. Regions: Highly dominant in North America (USA and Canada) and regions following ANSI/IEEE.
The ACLC program allows you to customize the color scheme of all elements of an electrical circuit (see Figure 15).
Figure 15 – Color settings of electrical circuit elements
An example is shown in Figure 16.Figure 16 – Example of choosing the color scheme for electrical circuit elements
Figure 17 – Grid display settings
The ACLC phasor (vector) diagram editor features a wide range of built-in functions for vector manipulation and an intuitive user interface.
The phasor (vector) editor includes the following main components: 1) Toolbar, 2) Settings panel, and 3) Chart wizard.
Figure 18 shows the vector editor's workspace.
Figure 18 - Phasor (vector) editor workspace
2)Create vector V with parameters (L, α), where L = vector length in centimeters (cm) and α = vector angle in degrees (°), measured from the real axis (+1);
3)Create vector V passing through two points A and B;
4)Move vector;
5)Rotate vector;
6)Delete vector;
7)Add text label to vector.
The vector editor panel also provides options to select the line thickness and color of the vector (see Figure 19).
Figure 19 – Vector editor operations and options
Figure 20 – Accessing the context menu
Figure 21 – Font settings
Рисунок 22 - Chart Wizard workspace
The Chart Wizard allows you to select the type of diagram to be created: resistance, voltage, current, or power. You can also choose the diagram format star or closed polygon. When the "star" type is selected, the diagram will consist of a set of vectors acting as rays originating from the origin of the complex plane. When the "polygon" type is selected, the diagram will be a closed polygon of vectors.
To plot the vector diagram, you must also select the scaling factor in units of the physical quantity per centimeter: Ohm/cm for resistance diagrams, V/cm for voltage, A/cm for current, and VA/cm for power (see Figure 22).
Figure 23 – Voltage vector diagram for the closed loop (R3, V2, C2, R2, L2, J1, see Figure 16 above).
