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Electrical Short Circuit Sotware?
2

Electrical Short Circuit Sotware?

Electrical Short Circuit Sotware?

(OP)
Does anyone know of a GOOD software package for short circuit calculations? Our company bought EDSA some time ago (hey, the sales-guy made it look so friendly)and we have since found that it has a pathetic "users manual" thus requiring several thousands of extra dollars for training.

RE: Electrical Short Circuit Sotware?

I am happy with SKM. They have excellent tech support. Alaways live and fast. Plus you buy only modules you need.
Visit www.skm.com and call them with any questions.

RE: Electrical Short Circuit Sotware?

What rbulsara said...

RE: Electrical Short Circuit Sotware?

I also use ETAP which I find to be much more user friendly and comprehensive than SKM, but also much more expensive www.etap.com .

RE: Electrical Short Circuit Sotware?

Suggestion: Internationally, NEPLAN is applied. Visit
http://www.neplan.ch
for more info

RE: Electrical Short Circuit Sotware?


 I use many softwares but none like Digsilent Power Factory

 Visit:  http://www.digsilent.de/
 

RE: Electrical Short Circuit Sotware?

I am happy with EDSA. I have to admit that the manual is not the greatest though. It seems to me that your company is about to spend more money on a different software package. EDSA training would cost you less.

RE: Electrical Short Circuit Sotware?

All the short cicuit software packages take training and experience. But they are not all alike in there results.  I like etap but skm is also easy to use. I did not like edsa because it takes a bit to get use to.

RE: Electrical Short Circuit Sotware?

We have used ETAP for a number of studies. The best thing about it is a comprehensive library on equipment data. We also get a very good after sale support from them .

RE: Electrical Short Circuit Sotware?

What type of systems are you working on? Transmission or distribution? What other features needed (Harmonic analysis, protective device coordination, load flow, transient stability analysis, etc.)?

RE: Electrical Short Circuit Sotware?

(OP)
Thanks everyone for your input.

Saltan: The short circuit studies are mainly for small (10 - 20 MW) hydroelecric projects. We generally do a short circuit study and use the results (in pspice) to do a TRV study.

Borti: We have a potential buyer for EDSA and the EDSA training costs are > $2000!

RE: Electrical Short Circuit Sotware?

Suggestion: Ultimately, the electrical short circuit software may be developed. I used to work for an A/E Firm that developed its own software.

RE: Electrical Short Circuit Sotware?

You may also consider SynerGEE Electric developed by Advantica Stoner.

RE: Electrical Short Circuit Sotware?

I agree with Sett...
DIgSILENT Power Factory is a powerful software!!

www.digsilent.de

RE: Electrical Short Circuit Sotware?

Another vote for ETAP. I have been using it for 11 years, since the DOS version. Easy to use, easy to model the system, and able to perform just about every type of system analysis, just buy the modules you need.

RE: Electrical Short Circuit Sotware?

I use SKM's Power Tools (Dapper) regularly and find it quite usable.  Plus it has the ability to do unbalanced/single phase calculations.

RE: Electrical Short Circuit Sotware?

What DanDel said. ETAP is also Nuclear certified. It is a quick stop shop for all modules needs for industrial and distribution systems. Pricing is actually competitive.

RE: Electrical Short Circuit Sotware?

I have tried all of the software mentioned from Gene Knight's (RIP) SKM to ETAP in 30 years+ of professional practice.  These are all fine software packages; but I find EDSA Technical 2000 to be the best software package available, bar none. My agency (FAA) uses it for power system anaylses at all our regional offices across the US and territories. Expensive...? Yes, but it will solve all of your electrical design problems (if used properly).

Regards,

Gene Hidalgo, PE
Senior Electrical Engineer
Federal Aviation Administration.

RE: Electrical Short Circuit Sotware?

Suggestion: With specialization in business, often not all modules are being used. Some Clients prefer a certain type of software since they are used to printout forms, i.e. reports, charts, etc.

RE: Electrical Short Circuit Sotware?

ETAP -- INSIDER INFO
(of which I used and tested earlier revisions for pre-release)
ETAP was created by downloading and copying/modifying the power analysis routines off of a main-frame computer used at Fluor corp., by a then employee and former college instructor, Farook Shakooh.  It was kept in the original operating code format but for the PC user interface "pages" which were written in a more user-friendly code.
The company that its creator started, OTI, has slowly grown to be virtually a worldwide reference for distribution system design and testing.

RE: Electrical Short Circuit Sotware?

I have used about 6 different types over the years, and they all have one problem in common.  Without training, you can waste a lot of time doing things the long way or the wrong way or (usually) both.  But changing from one to another is not something to be approached without considering the hidden costs.  These are mainly the data conversion costs (I'm talking utility usage here, rather than consultants or those doing one-off studies).  You've just got your models going, or have just started getting the models, data gathering, databases etc sorted out, then you have to do it all again for the next great new program.  Aaargh!

But what is definitely worthwhile is getting input from all users before you buy the new one.  I have been lumbered with using a package that is great for the distribution planning boys, but is a complete dog for my transmission protection studies.  (Gues  who specified and bought it).  The interfaces to the corporate databases are all set in concrete, so I just have to make do with fixes and work-arounds because the funds aren't there to support two sets.

DO NOT listen to those who reckon the program they are using is the bee's knees, unless you are sure their needs are the same as yours.  And even then, be sure you know what compromises they are accepting, because they all require them.

Some things I would look for in a program would be:
1] can it do everything all users need
2] can it do most of what all users want
3] will it run on my platform (Windows, Linux, Unix, MacOS or whatever)
4] does it have restrictive licencing requirements, dongles, etc
5] can I get my system data into the database and maintain it?
6] can I convert my old data to the new format easily?
7] can I get data in and out (copy and paste, etc) using standard cross-application functions (eg OLE, ActiveX controls etc in Windows)
8] is it compatible with the network my machines are on?

Good luck!

Bung
Life is non-linear...

RE: Electrical Short Circuit Sotware?

Mr. Stepe, I was wondering if you know of the Fluor view on that, or if that is known? I can see that they have certainly empowered the world of engineering. Such a good firm, that even gives their competitors such powerful capabilities, not only thinking of themselves, and until now, never taking credit for that, is very high in my view.

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