Power Distribution Analysis Software

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mull982

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My plant has recently agreed to purchase me some software for modeling and analysis of our power distribution system here at the plant. Basicly the things that I am looking to do are; load flow analysis, short circuit study, coordination, motor analysis, etc....

I am rather new to the engineering behind electrical distribution, so I was hoping to use the software to not only model my plant, but gain a better understanding of the principles behind electrical distribution by using the software. I am familiar with some of these types of software such as EasyPower, SKM, and ETAP, but I was hoping to get some input from others as to the best type of software to purchase for the above application. Can anyone reccomend what type of software I should purchase for this application.
 

I have also had good support from SKM. I will add that their user interface (specifically the way you create a one-line diagram) is a little tricky to get used to. It is mostly intuitive (e.g., click the ?motor? icon and a motor appears on screen, and you use the mouse to move it to the appropriate bus). The tricky part is that the selection, copy, paste, and move commands are not in the least bit similar to the corresponding AutoCAD commands.

By the way, I see your profile describes you as a project engineer. If by chance you don?t have a BSEE degree from a program that included at least 2 power courses, you may have difficulty understanding how to use any of these software packages. More importantly, you may have difficulty recognizing those times in which it gives you a meaningless set of results. That can sometimes happen, when some input value was entered incorrectly or some minor error was made in the creation of the model. I am not trying to be critical in any way. I just want to advise you that the program is not likely to be the best leaning tool.
 
SKM has the best customer support of any software on my computer. Of course, we pay a hefty annual fee! The more I use it (and get to know it) the more powerful a tool it is.
It does crash on me a lot.
I have not tired any other programs.
Slow response from tech support? I have had to wait on hold once or twice for maybe a minute...
Good Luck
 
I've used both SKM and ETAP (among others) Although each has their idiosyncrasies, I have to lean toward ETAP, especially for an industrial environment. I think they have better engineering support and they seem to be more progressive in updating and improvements.

If you do purchase it, be sure to go to their 1-week seminar. It provides a very good hands on overview on what ETAP can actually do.
 
I also like SKM. But I also agree with Charlie, some of the user interface is confusing. It was also less than half the price of ETAP or Easypower.
 
kingpb said:
Well, since Charlie put his stamp of approval on it then it has been chisled in stone, and is now gospel. For he has spoken!:rolleyes:
Click to expand...
Now I wonder if I should be talking with SKM and getting an agreement on commissions. :grin:
 
A vote for SKM

A vote for SKM

I have allegiance to SKM, having used the software since 1992.
Their product has steadily improved, and their tech support has always been good to me.
I've used EasyPower, but with difficulty. I think their product is probably comparable to SKM - but I'm so comfortable with SKM that it's hard to give EasyPower a chance.
A story I like to share is that in '92 I took a training class at their office in Hermosa Beach, CA, which was being taught by a young History major. I chuckled because I felt electrically more proficient - and he was teaching the class.
But the joke's on me - because he retired 3-4 years ago at about 45 years old, and is now a Real Estate developer in Las Vegas.
He was essentially the general manager when he gave the training class. At the time, out of the original software developers, S, K & M, only one was still involved.
But that young whipper-snapper History major made his millions, and now sips Pina Coladas by the pool!! .. while I continue to work the software!!

JM
 
julesm said:
SKM has the best customer support of any software on my computer. Of course, we pay a hefty annual fee! The more I use it (and get to know it) the more powerful a tool it is.
It does crash on me a lot.

Good Luck
Click to expand...

You may want to check their site for updates.We just loaded in a new version(re:crashing)
 
I also hear SKM is supposed to be coming out with a major revision in about the next month or two. Complete with an updated library of devices. It was supposed to be out last Christmas, but wasn't ready in time.

I don't think I have ever had SKM crash.

Their tech support seems to vary from one extreme to the other, depending on who you get on the phone.
 
mayanees said:
IBut the joke's on me - because he retired 3-4 years ago at about 45 years old, and is now a Real Estate developer in Las Vegas.
He was essentially the general manager when he gave the training class. At the time, out of the original software developers, S, K & M, only one was still involved.
But that young whipper-snapper History major made his millions, and now sips Pina Coladas by the pool!! .. while I continue to work the software!!

JM
Click to expand...
Have you looked at the real estate market in Las Vegas lately? The young whipper-snapper may want his old job back.:cool:
 
charlie b said:
I have also had good support from SKM. I will add that their user interface (specifically the way you create a one-line diagram) is a little tricky to get used to. It is mostly intuitive (e.g., click the ?motor? icon and a motor appears on screen, and you use the mouse to move it to the appropriate bus). The tricky part is that the selection, copy, paste, and move commands are not in the least bit similar to the corresponding AutoCAD commands.

By the way, I see your profile describes you as a project engineer. If by chance you don?t have a BSEE degree from a program that included at least 2 power courses, you may have difficulty understanding how to use any of these software packages. More importantly, you may have difficulty recognizing those times in which it gives you a meaningless set of results. That can sometimes happen, when some input value was entered incorrectly or some minor error was made in the creation of the model. I am not trying to be critical in any way. I just want to advise you that the program is not likely to be the best leaning tool.
Click to expand...

Would you do brain surgery from a book?

If you are NOT an electrcial power engineer you ought not to touch that software.
 
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