SWRate Pro Software

Welcome to SWRate Software!

SWRate software can be downloaded here

• AC resistance at any operating temperature (interpolated resistance mode also available)
• A steady-state conductor thermal rating for a given conductor temperature
• A steady-state conductor temperature given a steady-state current
• A transient conductor thermal rating provided a maximum transient temperature, duration, and starting condition
• A transient conductor temperature provided a transient current, duration, and starting condition
• Results in U.S. Standard or Metric units

SWRate Pro software is an advanced version and can be purchased here.

Southwire’s SWRate software was designed to run on the Windows® operating system.

Documentation

For SWRate software, you will find a link to the User’s Manual below.

• User's Manual Version 2.3.0
• User's Manual Version 2.2.1.0
• User's Manual Version 2.2.0
• User's Manual Version 2.1.0
• User's Manual Version 2.0.0
• User's Manual Version 1.1.1
• User's Manual Version 1.1.0
• User’s Manual Version 1.0.0

The Installation Guide provides detailed instructions for installing SWRate software and registering a license.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Where can I see a demo of SWRate Pro software?

   • SWRate Lite is a limited functionality version and is available here. Once SWRate Lite is downloaded and installed, a product key for SWRate Pro may be entered to easily upgrade your program.

2. What new features are in the works?

   • We have many new features planned for future versions of SWRate Pro. New features include but are not limited to: adding a CIGRE calculation method option, adding a CSA strand factor option, additional conductor types, ACSR strength options, and Metric unit display on the main menu.

3. How do you upgrade from a SWRate Pro Single-User license to a Concurrent license?

   • Custom upgrades are available. Call sales support at 1-877-797-2410 – Option 1.

4. Can I purchase SWRate Pro software by check?

   • Yes. Please call sales support at 1-877-797-2410 – Option 1.

5. How do we update our company contact person for SWRate Pro support?

   • Call 1-877-797-2410 – Option 1 or use Contact Us.

6. Is Adobe Flash required to run Southwire’s SWRate software?

   • No.

7. How do I get help using certain routines in the SWRate Pro program?

   • Call 1-877-797-2410 – Option 3.

8. How do I determine the SWRate Pro version number on my computer?

   • Click on Help => About from the Main Menu.

9. What can I do to fix the appearance of the software at high resolution?

   • The software may look different based on your monitor resolution.  If you are having problems reading screens, please set your monitor to a lower resolution.

10. We have a conductor that is not listed in the SWRate database. How can we run calculations for this conductor?

    • Contact your conductor supplier for information on conductors not listed in the conductor database. To learn how to add a custom conductor, please refer to the Create Custom section of the User’s Manual.

11. How does one get help when an error message is displayed?

    • Call technical support at 1-877-797-2410 – Option 3.

12. What type of license do I get if I don’t have an internet connection?
    • If an internet connection is not possible, please contact us at 1-877-797-2410 – Option 1 for additional licensing options.

Versions

SWRate software can be downloaded here.

v2.3.0 – 03/10/2025

• Added contact wire types, including wear factor input
• Added core temperature calculation for single calculations
• Updated C7 and Max Storm conductor weights
• Fixed issue with default values saving after making changes in the Options menu
• Added ZTACSR/VR2 transient calculations

v2.2.1 – 01/16/2024

• Removed COM dependency in Create Spreadsheet to improve calculation time
• Added file save/open option in Multiple Conductor Selection screen
• Added option for Theta (angle incidence of sun’s rays) input to main menu
  • Disable Solar Day, Local Time, N. Latitude, and Line Azimuth when value input
• Added “Sun, Qse” variable description to main menu
  • Disable Atmosphere when value input
• When auto-calculated, add “Auto” beside Sun and Theta in print/save/SS outputs
• Added Bronze Alloy 55, Bronze Alloy 80 to available conductor materials
• Fix: Incorrect printing of Rac values in Save output of Calculate Ampacity calculations
• Fix: Incorrect printing of Low and High Resistances during transient calculations
• Fix: Accidental printing of Xa in ohm/km units when ohm/Mft units are selected
• Fix: Solar Day not set when loading Profile
• Data
  • Added ZTACSR/VR2 conductors
  • Fix: Al. & Core Weight for 2 x 795-24/7 Cuckoo/ACSR/VR2
  • Updated Partridge/ACSS/TW and Partridge/ACSS/TW/HS RBS slightly
  • Updated Merrimack/ACSS/TW, Merrimack/ACSR/TW weights
  • Updated Redwood/TW data per final TW design

v2.2.0 – 07/13/2023

• Create Spreadsheet
  • Added Local Condition counter to Progress Box
  • Prevent errors from appearing during calculations and instead tally those in an error report
  • Display message box following successful spreadsheet creation
• Data
  • Updated Chukar/ACSS diameter to 1.602"
  • Bittern/ACSS/HS285 RBS corrected from 27,200 lb to 27,100 lb
  • Updated some ACSR, AAC/VR2, and ACSR/VR2 diameters slightly
  • Fixed Al. & Core Weight on 2 x 795-24/7 Cuckoo/ACSR/VR2
  • Added 6201-T81 to allowable materials for AAC/VR2 to support AAAC/VR2 calcs
  • Added additional logic for core diameter calcs
  • Added Al. stranding factor for 24/37 round wire constructions
  • Added logic for calculating number of aluminum layers
  • Fix: Issue with Custom Temperatures screen re-entry after entering °F temperatures
  • Fix: °C/°F toggling in Custom Temperatures, Range Temperatures, and Local Conditions screen
  • Fix: Outer temp coeff. of resistance units changed from "°C" to "/°C" in reports
  • Fix: Prevent saving of Custom conductor with same code word as an existing Custom

v2.1.1 – 04/12/2023

• Changed number of allowable columns in Local Conditions screen to 50
• Updated C7 data, including strand factors

v2.1.0 – 02/24/2023

• Fixed issue with transient calculation functionality being disabled for single Create Spreadsheet outputs
• Added transient calculation functionality into Create Spreadsheet when multiple sets of Local Conditions are specified
• Fixed issue with column numbering after deleting in Local Conditions screen

v2.0.1 – 01/23/2023

• Widened acceptable ambient temperature range to -95°C to 70°C (-139°F to 158°F)
• Conductor Data
  • Fixed “Corncrake” and “Corncrake/AW” core diameter slightly
  • Changed “Corncrate/AW” to “Corncrake/AW”
  • Updated RBS for “Squab/ACSS/HS285” slightly

v2.0.0 – 11/16/2022

• Fixed issue with Strand Lay resetting when a conductor is selected but Reset is clicked
• SWRate Pro
  • Fixed issue with unchecking conductors after checking Select All in Multiple Conductor Selection screen
  • Changed the Custom conductor core and outer weight input to lb/1000 ft
  • Allow zero entries for low and high temperatures and resistances for Custom conductors
  • Added Type Number column to Create Spreadsheet output
  • Fixed Copper Multiplex to use SD Copper instead of HD Copper
  • Added disclaimer for Loss-of-Strength calculations
  • Added functionality for user input of up to 40 sets of calculation conditions for Create Spreadsheet calculations in support of FERC Order 881 implementation

v1.1.1 – 02/11/2022

• SWRate Lite
  • Resolved issue with core strand factor for homogeneous conductors
  • Fixed Defaults loading issue
• SWRate Pro – Fixed Defaults loading issue

v1.1.0

• Custom conductor modeling, saving, and deleting
• DC rating calculations
• ACSR/MR (“Oval”) conductors
• Calculation support for unique constructions
• Additional conductor sizes
• Interpolated resistance mode
• Numerous bug fixes