Modelling S/W

[SteveREII]

Hi all,
I couldn't find any recent threads or comments on the relative functionality and ease of use of the popular commercial modelling packages that are appropriate for industrial LF, SC, PDC, THD etc. The ones I'm looking at so far are:

http://www.easypower.com

http://etap.com/

http://www.skm.com/

and

http://www.cyme.com

I think they all have similar capabilities, but it's very time consuming to request quotes and compare apples-to-apples costs of the various modules. I really need to get on with my work, so any and all comments on this topic are much appreciated... including any other S/W, and especially if you know which ones might include an accurate arc machine load/harmonic-source model.

Thanks,
Steve.

 

[davidbeach]

That's almost like going back a decade or so and asking which is better, Mac or PC. Get thoroughly used to one and none of the others will seem to work as well, but many people get lots of productive work out of each of them. I think you can get trial versions of them; do so and model the same 4 or 5 bus system in each. Buy the one that was easiest to use.

 

[jghrist]

I'm only familiar with Cyme and SKM. I think Cyme is more geared toward utility MV distribution systems and SKM is more geared toward industrial/commercial distribution systems. You can use either with both types of systems, but it is easier to build a utility distribution model with Cyme and its easier to build an industrial model with SKM IMHO.

 

[wbd]

I have been using EasyPower for 10 yrs or so now and find it very easy to use and their technical support is excellent. That is one area that is sometimes overlooked in deciding on a software package. If your work will be primarily industrial/commercial I would lean towards EasyPower or SKM as those seem to be the most widely used.

 

[nharsh70]

I normally use ETAP being the most popular S/W in the Oil 7 Gas industry. However, I am also familiar with others. EDSA is another decent S/W, especially since you ask about machine load-harmonic source model. It si better to model the same problem on two different softwares like ETAP and EDSA or CYME, in order to get confident about the results

Harsh