ETAP

Avantages

It has a large number of electrical equipment libraries that facilitate simulations. It is extremely practical when using the Star module, since when running the shortcuts it shows in a real way how they cut the protection curves, in the same way it shows in a very dynamic way the performance of the protection equipment (relays, fuses, contactors) in order and time in order to efficiently diagnose a coordination, existing or proposed.

Inconvénients

Given the existence of several libraries, many users could be carried away by the data that has predefined the software and would not be motivated to look for the real field information, I have made simulations with both information to compare and give very similar, but can arrive tend to trust the user in case there may be data that does not match reality.
I have had several complications when updating the versions, since once I have updated the document to a latest available version, it does not allow me to open it in a previous version.

Avantages

User friendly, flexibility to open. Abundant library files for each electrical components like relays, circuit breakers, etc., Running the program and easy understanding of the analysis at the finger tip of the user

Inconvénients

Hardlock dongle makes it difficult to enter the power plant in Middle east, instead it should have be software controlled dongle. In Middle east Power plants controlled by Military team it is not allowed to enter USB or pendrive or any external harddrive devices. Hence request to look into the solution of Software opening with softlock key.

Even though some of Library files are available with ETAP team, it is not send as a whole package with the latest Software version, need to request the same through the ticket.

When Arc Flash is running it takes couple of mins to come back to normal screen. Instead an progress bar display will help user to understand the estimated time to complete calculation.

Alternatives envisagées 

Pourquoi passer à ETAP

Avantages

Flexibility, but it comes with some sever downsides

Inconvénients

The user interface, both in getting data in to the software, and getting useable results back out.

Avantages

I can make a model very quickly and run cases as fast as can design them. Allows for quick answers to customer/management questions.

Inconvénients

Having dongle identification trouble. I have to reset License Manager EVERY time. The regular start cannot see it. Run LM and then I run ETAP. Printing setup could be easier to use.
Having trouble with printing output not changing. I have a ticket open now on it.
Would to turn off data from certain buses and lines. I do not need to see all when it turn it on in the display options. Just certain buses. It muddies the screen.
TCC could be easier to use.

Avantages

- Etap has a wide variety of equipment that can be connected
- The help function is very well put together, for every single user interface window
- Highly customizable for reporting

Inconvénients

- Sometimes difficult to print a Single Line Diagram as intended
- VFDs typical show overloaded, even if the rating of the drive matches the motor, and that issue has not been resolved, as far as I know, even if it was pointed out several years ago
- Training from etap is a must to use the software properly, especially the case scenario options

Avantages

The product is easy to use. The diagram can be easily created with multiple networks as well.
Once the network is created, we can carry out a short circuit analysis with a single click.
The report feature allows the export of results in multiple formats (pdfs/excel/word etc).
Can create a copy of the base case, with proposed or amended case results can be easily compared.
Faults can be easily simulated, and thus coordination curves can be easily generated.

Inconvénients

Limitation of the number of buses. If bus sizes go around 300 buses, the network takes a bit longer to run the analysis.
The installation process is not simple with matching the key and license. Required help from IT department to get it on my computer.
Faults can be inserted however, not of a specific value (overvoltage conditions not possible), only high currents (Short circuit 3PH, 1PH) can be simulated.

Avantages

Easy to use, you just have to drag and drop the bus bars/ circuit breakers from the column to the drawing page. Major settings are done automatically (by default), and you also have the option of selecting different models of various companies.

Inconvénients

Some of the features are missing. For example STATCOM was missing in all the prior versions.

Avantages

It can be used in power system stability analysis.

Inconvénients

defining standard between ANSI/IEC and measurement SI/English metric

Avantages

The software has a very good user-friendly ability. Also, the simulation is well done and the report well compiled.

Inconvénients

The language barrier is sometimes an issue. For instance, in DRC we speak french and thus if the software can be in french also will help other users as well

Avantages

Ease of use, user friendly, lot of tools for various studies

Inconvénients

ETAP needs to invest in better libraries and ensure that they are getting updated faster than they are doing currently.

Avantages

The 3-D Database is a base feature compared to CYME and SKM Powertools to manage scenarios.

Inconvénients

Harmonic parameters for the utility have some limitations. I didn't find a way to set "lieux d'impédance" given by the utilty or his harmonic contribution for each harmonice frequence.

Avantages

What i like about the software is that it is easy to use and update. We started using the ETAPApp so that field data collection is much faster and more efficient. Great addition to the software.

Inconvénients

Large projects typically take a long time to run. We currently have a 4,200 bus model that takes more than 5 hours to analyze for Arc Flash

Avantages

Very technical; very inclusive with options

Inconvénients

Written help features need greatly improved. Need more technical explanation of features available. Need more technical webinars to define modules

Avantages

It is a great software. The final output product is very good.

Inconvénients

1. It is hard to use. It is hard to create a customized report and a customized border for the single lines. It's very hard to get our logo on the drawing let alone creating a general borer that could always be pulled up and the SLD would be inserted.
2. When we transfer files to customers, again it is not as easy as your competitor (Easy Power). Their software just save file and transfer. Your software you need to attach the library and ancillary files then transfer. Why is so hard.

Avantages

breaker coorination, arc flash, short circuit and load flow analysis

Inconvénients

If ETAP can add in more features like DC features to the standard features that will be great.

Avantages

Software is very ease too use. You could modeled simple electrical system ( distribution system, transmission system and Generating system with supply to system.
The study provide stability during normal operation as well transient.
I have used ETAP in my electric calculation and after geting result I could write proper specification and be fully confident that I provide the best offer to costumer.

Inconvénients

ETAP Software is very easy to use and provide true results.

Avantages

The software with its various modules is sufficiently versatile to cope with all of our applications. ETAP is regularly updated with new features and to the latest standards. Files can be exported in the format of some other softwares where our client requires such different software inputs. One day we would like to do a project using ETAP live.

Inconvénients

Adding circuit breakers and protection relays to the library takes time.

Avantages

The software is quite simple to use and ETAP keeps improving the interface. ETAP really listens to its costumers and makes lots of changes for the next upgrade.

Inconvénients

There are lots of modules that you can buy instead of making a bundle with all of the capabilities.

Avantages

Power System Protection and Grading Package Advantages:
-Greatly cuts out many hours of modelling and simulation
-Speedily generates Time Current Characteristic (TCC) curves from the automated path of protection
-The system is standardized on industry rules and guidelines for system protection & coordination
-Great product for real projects as well as a great learning tool for young professionals

Inconvénients

Having encountered ETAP Software as a user and a technical support personnel, I fail to come up with legitimate complains on the software. The sky is the limit.

Avantages

It is easy to pick up most of the features, has good displays of information in real time and in report form. Flags issues visually with red so can quickly identify where the system is facing an overload

Inconvénients

Sometimes it is unclear what error is stopping the simulation running, The same diagram sometimes will work and sometimes throws and error and not always clear what it is that is changing between iterations

Avantages

Architecture of the software, mainly in assembly one line diagrams and alter create scenarios to simulate the system.
Reports and labels in portuguese is perfect to deliver to our costumers.

Inconvénients

Lack of more brasilian manufactory equipment like library of cables, relays and circuit-breakers

Avantages

report with crystal report, editable
Help guide
large protection library

Inconvénients

multisource arc flash
High voltage arc flash (how to select the right method...)

Avantages

Easy to use and nice features. Easy to navigate.

Inconvénients

I think its a good idea the add some video tutorial to slef train the first time users.

Avantages

ETAP is a very user friendly software. It is very useful & helpful tool for every electrical engineer. High level Calculations can be done very precisely & with high level of accuracy.

Inconvénients

Customisation of the ETAP library is least liked by me. ETAP Library should be more versatile.

Avantages

Model and analyze system coordination and protection.

Inconvénients

Certain aspects of presenting results. For instance, other software options offer some easy to use presentation options that easily capture sections of the one line diagram next to the results. Another example is outputting revision differences in a complete report rather than one by one listing differences.