Reliability Analysis Software Recommendations?

[Manifold]

Hi there,

I?m an electrical engineering intern tasked with researching reliability analysis software. I?ve done a bit of research into the topic already and found some software that seems promising, but I was wondering if any engineers here have any specific recommendations they?d like to make. I?m currently looking into ETAP, CYME, SKM and possibly Power Analytics (the company I?m working for really doesn?t dabble in utilities so I?m not so much considering programs like DistriView, Synergi or WindMil).

Most of the consulting work my employer does is with factories, fabs and other industrial facilities. As for what I?m looking for with the software, I?d like for it to be able to produce a report showing MTBF, MTTR, availability and the chance of a failure happening within the next five years.

Are there any engineers who want to vouch for a reliability assessment program they use? Is there other software out there I?ve overlooked? I appreciate any input you have to offer (and I hope this question isn?t outside the acceptable bounds of this forum; I double-checked the forum rules just in case, but I apologize if I?m violating a policy I overlooked).

 

[kingpb]

My vote would go to ETAP. Why? simply because I have used it since it was a DOS program and know that it works. The company has continually evolved to make it better and better, and they have a very knowledgeable help desk in case you get stuck. They also offer engineering support to their licensed users, for a fee of course, but overall a very top notch program and group of professionals.

 

[Manifold]

Thanks for the reply. I checked out ETAP's demo and liked it a lot; the program strikes me as intuitive and easy to use. Do you have any specific experience with the reliability module?

 

[Bugman1400]

I regular use them all including EasyPower. This is because, as a consultant, each client uses a different software for whatever reason and I have to do the analysis in the format/software they require. ETAP is the most user-friendly. If you do not plan to do this type of analysis regularly, then ETAP is easy to put down for a while and then pick it back up in a short amount of time.