Following discussions on the forum, you will find in this article the comparison I started to create between 4 electrical calculation software, used for the design and calculation of electrical installation, based on my own experience. I would be glad to get complementary information and opinions from other users of such electrical software.
The comparison presents the following electrical calculation software:
- XLpro² Calcul software from Legrand 1.3
- Simaris Design 5.0 from Siemens
- MyEcodial L 3.4 from Schneider Electric
- Caneco BT 5.3 from ALPI (software editor)
I believe my criteria are self-explanatory, but tell me if some are not and I will clarify.
please add your own opinions and complements in comments, such as:
• other criteria of importance for you
• other electrical calculation software you are using, and your evaluation on my criteria
In particular, I heard about DocWin which I do not know.
Based on your feedbacks, I will update my comparison and re-publish it
Laurent
| XLpro² Calcul 1.3.03 | Simaris Design 5.0 | MyEcodial L 3.4 | Caneco BT 5.3 | |
| MV protection | No | Yes | No | No |
| // transfo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| LV genset | Yes (only on MLVS) | Yes at any place in the network | Yes (only on MLVS) | Yes (only on MLVS) |
| Switchboard coupling | No | Yes | No | No |
| UPS | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Operating mode | No | Yes | No | No |
| Power factor correction | Yes | No | Yes | Yes but no choice of the capacitor bank |
| Fuse | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Motor starter | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Protection diagram | Yes | Yes | Yes (with curve setting) | Yes |
| Standard compliance | IEC 60364 | IEC 60364 | IEC 60364 | IEC 60364 |
| NF C15-100 | NF C15-100 | NF C15-100 | ||
| User friendlyness | Clear and single diagram user friendly | Clear and single diagram user friendly | Sometime confusing | Too much information to set, confusing, single line diagram not easy to use |
| Report completion | basic | basic | basic | Very detailed |
| Export | To XLpro² | ?? | To Rapsody | Caneco Implant, Office Elec. |
| Switchgear database | Legrand | Siemens | Schneider Electric | Multi-manufacturer |
| Price | Free | Free | Free | ~ 1000 € |
Join the forum discussion on this post
Dear Laurent your comparison is very interesting, I agree with your classification.
You have forgotten a big one “trace elec” by Apave
Could you tell us how Trace Elec compares to the other software presented ?
Or the main reasons why you chose this software ?
Adrian said:
It sounds great, I never heard about it here (I saw on Internet it’s coming from Australia)
can you tell us more about it:
Is it expensive?
are you a regular user yourself? and what are the main interesting functionalities you like in it?
and how often are the manufacturers data (Legrand, GE …)
edgardo said:
To my knowledge the only way is to ask for it from Legrand sales people
aubry said:
I never used it myself, can you tell us more about it, how you would position it on the same criteria … and I will update my comparison in the future. Thanks
Koneri said:
You can dowload it (check the link I included) and register to use it. It is free and there is no limited period of use.
Most major consulting engineers and electrical contractor licence PowerCad-5 in Australia.
The manufactures data bases are updated as new products are released. The GE EntelliGuard ACB has just been added. The Legrand data based has been updated and waiting verification prior to release. The Terasaki data base has just been updated. PowerCad-5 supports AutoCAD 2011.
does anyone here have any experience with EasyPower from ESA??
it's really good and simple/friendly user programe, but it's more orientated to voltages over 1kV,, e.g. transimission and distribution..
also, there's free demo version, fully working, but saving and printing/exporting options are unavailable..
sorry for my bad english,, i'm no native speaker..
cheers,, alen
..
Hello,
A couple of precision about Caneco BT:
- LV genset source supply is possible at any place in the network.
- Caneco BT is calculating in normal and stand-by installation configuration.
- Also Caneco BT multi-manufacturer database integrates technical settings. This allows Caneco BT to make an automatic selection of most adapt cables and protective devices between 10 manufacturer catalogs.
- Caneco BT also makes Import/Export from/to Excel.
I keep at your disposal for any further information.
Laurent Berthelin
ALPI Sales Manager (Caneco BT software editor)
http://www.caneco.eu
For my ecodial L software, its better if show implementation case by case and give the demos.. edition.for user !
Hello, to get a version of Ecodial you can contact your Schneider Electric delegate in your country.
To know more about the software a Quick Tour is available for the internationnal version by using this link:
http://www.soft.schneider-electric.com/myecodialL.htm
Dear Friends,
I agree on the comparisson indicated above, but i tried DocWin, which almost cover all features mentioned except for switchboard coupling but rest of elements such that but not limited to, transformer sizing, cable sizing, busway sizing, short circuit calc., voltage drop calc, ups effect, motors, capacitor banks (power factor correction), are covered .i belive that this software is so powerfull, moreover, you can request a free copy from the site of abb by sending them a request from your business mail.
Have any of you ever heard of a software called Volts? It's made by a company called Dolphin. They're located out in California. It's very handy. It actuallly sizes the electrical system taking every adjustment factor into account. It also creates a one-line diagram.
Request you to review on schneider software ID Spec Large, it is much advanced then, the my ecodial L 3.4.
I agree on the comparisson indicated above, but i tried DocWin, which almost cover all features mentioned except for switchboard coupling but rest of elements such that but not limited to, transformer sizing, cable sizing, busway sizing, short circuit calc., voltage drop calc, ups effect, motors,
Adrian said:
PowerCad-5 is good but does not include the latest range of Schneider equipment so we often have to use Ecodial when using the NSX style breakers
Alen Matanovic said:
Hello Alen,
the software you mentioned is for High Voltages, as you said.
Are you also involved in Low Voltage, and if yes what software do you use today ?
ALPI-Caneco said:
Hello,
I used Caneco in a previous job, and I was not aware it was possible to place LV Genset anywhere in teh network
==> is it a new functionality?
==> if not, do you have a demo available somewhere which shows this functionality?
Laurent said:
Hello Laurent,
LV Genset source supply can be placed anywhere in the network since Caneco BT 4.4 version (2002).
Since Caneco BT 5.1.6 (2006), this genset can supply several boards in various point of the network.
In order to select connexion point for a board, just use Supplies / Standby connection menu as shown in this screen-shot:
I keep at disposal for any further information.
Laurent Berthelin
ALPI Sales Manager (Caneco BT software editor)
contact@alpi.fr
http://www.caneco.eu
Dear All,
The mentioned software are Good but the best one is SOLUTIONS ELECTRICAL SOFTWARE. Currently im using this software.
IT is capable of doing the following:-
CABLE CALCULATIONS
CIERCUIT DESIGNER
INSTALLATION SIMULATOR
AIR CONDITIONING SIZES
HEATING CALCULATIONS
HEATING ELEMENTS
SHORT CIRCUIT CALCULATIONS
TEST INSPECTION FORMS
ISTALLATION OPTIMIZER
ELECTRICAL ESTIMATOR
PROTECTION AND COORDINATION
BOARD TEMPERATURE
POWER FACTOR CORRECTION
TRANSFORMER REGULATION
MAX DEMAND FOR DOMESTIC
MAX DEMAND FOR INDUSTRIAL.
I advise you to try on this software.
For more informations you can visit the following web: http://www.solutionselectrical…..ftware.com
Kind regards
Thanks for the great comparison of the best electrical calculation software. I think I’m going to try Simaris Design 5.0 after reading the above post. I will update you if this will work for me…
This is the easy way to calculate and safe working..in field
Dear Krishna Murthy/Srinivas muthy /Prakash,
Let me know that voltage drop sofware is available in market, please suggest us with new version.
use this V=IRcosϕ+IXsinϕ
Voltage drop 3phase
dear ALLY ,
how can i download this software
can u share it with me
plz try to contact me
I like this. This is a very big help all people. Thanks.
Great idea..This will made us doing things easy . I’m thankful that I visit this site!
DEAR ALLY ,
CAN U SHARE THIS SOFTWARE WITH ME ?
I HAVE MANY MANY SOFTWARES THAT I CAN SHARE WITH U .
I REALLY TRY TO GET THIS SOFTWARE .
PLZ , TRY TO CONTACT ME ,
( ENG.MELSCHAER@YAHOO.COM )
Currently i’m using the EDSA(Paladin), SKM and ETAP to do the simulation. Any comment about this software, it’s ok.
Oil and Gas Blog
I suggest the software progetto integra by exel, probably one of best avaiable!
Hey has anyone heard about Ray Tools Apps? There are a few variations available and I was wondering what anyone thought. They seem great, and you can contact the company MEA Mobile for a free promo code to try one of them out.
What are the functions? Are they smartphone enabled?
Ally Kanyondo said:
please, tell me,, can i use this soft for finding inductance, capacitance of hv transmission line or can i decide use of double ckt or not