Best electrical calculation software review

[Laurent]

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 €

[admin]

Dear Laurent your comparison is very interesting, I agree with your classification.

[Anonymous]

PowerCad-5 electrical design software ticks all the boxes plus includes, Schneider, Terasaki, NHP, GE switchgear

[Anonymous]

Hi – Is the Simaris software (full version) available free from the Siemens website or is it a limited period trial version only?

[Anonymous]

How to get XLPRO2 calcul ? where can i do the download ?
I agree with your classification and comparision.

[Anonymous]

You have forgotten a big one “trace elec” by Apave

[Laurent]

Adrian said:

PowerCad-5 electrical design software ticks all the boxes plus includes, Schneider, Terasaki, NHP, GE switchgear

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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 …)

[Laurent]

edgardo said:

How to get XLPRO2 calcul ? where can i do the download ?

I agree with your classification and comparision.

---

 

To my knowledge the only way is to ask for it from Legrand sales people

[Laurent]

aubry said:

You have forgotten a big one “trace elec” by Apave

---

 

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

[Laurent]

Koneri said:

Hi – Is the Simaris software (full version) available free from the Siemens website or is it a limited period trial version only?

---

 

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.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Alen Matanovic]

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 ;)..

[admin]

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

[Anonymous]

For my ecodial L software, its better if show implementation case by case and give the demos.. edition.for user !

[admin]

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.

[Author]

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