Settings provide control over a large number of parameters used in Pumpsim™ for simulation, graphical display and file handling.  Settings are normally saved specifically within the Pumpsim™ model file, however they can be shared with other files using the INHERIT or MASTER LINK functions.

Costing


Fig. 5.2.1: The costing menu within the Pumpsim™ settings window.

Power

Defaults

Set default settings and waterway sizes when first building a model, as well as file saving and loading behaviour in Pumpsim™.


Fig. 5.2.2: The default settings menu within the Pumpsim™ settings window.

Channel Defaults

Pipe Defaults

Hint:  Pipe defaults are normally only applied if pipes are constructed without connection to other pipes. Where new pipes are connected to existing pipes, they will INHERIT the settings of the waterways the new pipes are connected to. This behaviour can be modified from the EDIT > NEW PIPES menu item.

Pump Defaults

General


Fig. 5.2.3: The general settings menu within the Pumpsim™ settings window.

File Settings

Warning:  If the model has become corrupted for some reason, there is a possibility that the auto-saved model may also be corrupted.  For this reason, it is recommended that a model be regularly saved to ensure that good working copies are available as backups if required.

License Settings

Alters license activation settings which may be required to allow Pumpsim™ to access the internet to validate licenses.  Pumpsim™ normally uses Microsoft Internet Explorer settings to access the internet, however on occasion third party programs like Pumpsim™ may be denied direct access, requiring the proxy name and proxy port address to be entered manually.

These values can also be adjusted in the License Manager form.

Graphics

Control the various aspects of the screen graphics and presentation.


Fig. 5.2.4: The background and colours menu within the Pumpsim™ settings window.

Background

Colours

Controls


Fig. 5.2.5: The Coordinates menu within the Pumpsim™ settings window.

Coordinates

Icons


Fig. 5.2.6: The Rendering menu within the Pumpsim™ settings window.

Rendering


Fig. 5.2.7: On the left is an image of a modelled pipe before anti-aliasing is applied. On the right is the same pipe with anti-aliasing on. The right pipe is significantly smoother.

Hint:  To allow the model to rotate freely without stopping, choose a damping level of zero (0), or HOLD THE CTRL key down when rotating a model with the mouse.

Size


Fig. 5.2.8: The text menu within the Pumpsim™ settings window.

Text

Simulation


Fig. 5.2.9: The Simulation menu within the Pumpsim™ settings window.

Cavitation

Parameters for cavitation simulation

Channel

Parameter for channel simulation

Dynamics

Environment

Flow

Simulation waterflow settings directly influence how the waterflow simulation operates.


Fig. 5.2.10: The Flow menu within the Pumpsim™ settings window.

The equivalent length method requires the user to estimate an equivalent extra pipe length required to approximate pressure loss due to shock.  The shock factor (K) method uses a calculated factor derived from both empirical and calculated changes in waterway areas and velocities.  Both methods are described and utilised in an array of relevant texts.

Once the method is set, the Edit Box will require an appropriate shock loss value for each pipe.  The Edit Box can accept a manually entered number, but also has a number of preset values, as well as an AUTO function which will force Pumpsim™ to attempt to calculate a shock loss factor or an equivalent length.

System Settings        

Pumpsim™ program settings control over-arching settings which influence all parts of the program.


Fig. 5.2.11: The System Settings menu in Pumpsim™ settings window, that controls overarching features of the program.

Warning:  The conversion table has set limits of decimal accuracy to convert from metric to imperial and back again.  If the decimal accuracy is too low, some accuracy may be lost in the conversion process, and the value input as an Imperial number, may be returned slightly differently.