Power Flow Software

[wilsonv]

Hello, I'm planning on buy a software to perform Coordination Studies, Short Circuit, Power Flow, Arc Flash and possible Harmonics. Could you people give me some advice between ETAP and ESA, pros versus cons. Which may be the best way to go getting the more practical uses of the software compared to their cost. Thank's for your help.

 

[DanDel]

I assume you are talking about ETAP and EDSA. Having used both, I wouldn't even think about buying EDSA.

The usability and module integration in the last few versions of ETAP is light-years ahead of EDSA. As a matter of fact, even the older versions of ETAP had better usability and integration than the newest EDSA.

Even EDSA's claim of 100% AutoCAD compatibility is not exactly correct. ETAP imports into AutoCAD more easily and cleanly.

 

[Evgueni]

I have used ETAP for one year . No compliances. Everything what you mentioned could be done by ETAP. Good luck.

 

[davidbeach]

You might also want to consider SKM,

http://www.skm.com.

 

[jghrist]

Is your application industrial/commercial or utility?

 

[wilsonv]

Thank's everybody for the information. jghrist, at this time will be commercial/industrial and in the future will try to get some work from utilities.

 

[nsbelectrical]

I have been using PTW by SKM for some time now and am very pleased with it. Good company - very helpful tech. support...have extensive libraries to simulate equipment. have been around for a long time thus the program has evolved greatly over the years.

Fairly easy to learn, but I would suggest going to a SKM class to jump start you if you decide to take this route.

 

[KJvR]

I have used both EDSA and ETAP. No argument - ETAP is way ahead of EDSA. EDSA have a lot of bugs especially when new modules are released (can not trust the results of these modules). Just normal day to day use of ETAP is much easier (and more trustworthy) than EDSA. Always needs to be carefull while using EDSA e.g. deleted components not on the drawing but still in the data base. The support of the guys at EDSA is extremely good. However, I was never forced into a situation that requires the use of ETAP support and can therefore not comment on ETAP support.

Does anyone know what is the cost difference between these two software packages (standard Load flow, Faul Level, Protection, Cable Ampacity, Earthing etc modules)

 

[Alex68]

I think you may find the best quality/price ratio in Neplan.
See also

http://www.neplan.ch/

 

[dpc]

I would recommend trying to use each product to build an actual one-line. ESA's EasyPower is a good option for the functionality you are looking for. SKM is the market leader and you should look at their product as well.

I have limited experience with the other products, but everyone I know who has used EDSA and some other software always prefers the other software. But that's not based on any hands-on experience on my part, at least for many years.

But the proof of the pudding is in the eating. Try to ignore the long checklists of features and focus on how quickly you can get work done. I'd get evaluation copies and put them to the test on your type of systems.

 

[jghrist]

If you plan to use the program for utility distribution systems, make sure that it handles load flows correctly for unbalanced load situations. It would also be helpful to have a choice of load types such as constant-current, constant-power, or constant-impedance.

Classical load flow analysis is generally for three-phase systems and only uses constant-power load types. General utility distribution loads are closer to a constant-current model (1% voltage increase results in 1% kVA load increase).

 

[articledon]

anyone familiar with WinIGS? I have heard good things about it for system analysis

 

[jghrist]

WinIGS is a grounding design package, not a general system analysis program. It is the commercial version of a program developed for EPRI by Sakis Meliopoulos.

 

[SphincterBoy]

Has anyone downloaded a demo from DIgSilent?

It (DIgSilent) appears very comprehensive.

The website is:

http://www.digsilent.de

 

[controlnovice]

I've used SKM products and feel that the SKM product is an excellent buy. The technical help over the phone is great too.

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This is normally the space where people post something insightful.

 

[521AB]

I agree with Alex68:
try Neplan (previously called Calpos).
I have used it several years ago but I know from today's customers that it is quite easy to use.