ETAP PS vs. Simulink

ETAP is highly recommended for evaluating static conditions in electrical power systems, whether in high or medium complexity networks. For example, study of load flow, analysis of frequency harmonics.

On the other hand, I would not recommend ETAP for the simulation of highly complex control systems that require a dynamic analysis of the variables.

Thanks to the Simulink program, an electrical and electronics engineer can easily design and have information about the system before applying it. After performing the calculations mathematically, it can be tested with this correct program. One of the biggest advantages of the simulation program is that it gives results close to real results. It is also possible to find many training videos.

Incentivized

• Excellent facility for the design of electrical systems, since it has multiple options and configuration.
• Truly intuitive, it is easy to adapt to the user interface, so the learning curve is very fast.
• It offers a wide variety of electrical studies that can be carried out, therefore it is very versatile for multiple applications.

• Control system design for continuous and discrete systems. The control systems toolbox includes many pre-built blocks for common functions, signals and plant models that help you analyse input vs. output responses.
• Greatly responsive and easy to use graphic based environment ideal for the easy representation of processes using signals that go from one block into another. Most engineering and scientific models including systems of equations can be translated to a Simulink model.
• Many pre-built toolboxes allow you to save time and facilitate access to create models applicable to many areas of science/engineering like fluid mechanics, robotics, decision making and embedded or electrical systems.
• Simulink comes bundled within the standard MATLAB package and most of its coding features/packages are compatible and can be used within the Simulink development environment.

Incentivized

• Perhaps the interface is somewhat confusing the first time you use the program.
• It offers a wide configuration, which can be overwhelming.
• Sometimes the program can freeze depending on the size of the electrical grid that is being simulated. This also depends on the software requirements.

• Simpler codification data
• Better layout of document usage
• Option of codification manual

Incentivized

ETAP PS is really easy to use. When recreating the power system to be simulated, it is easy to obtain a result close to reality due to the multiple components offered in the interface. As for the electrical studies available, they are simple to execute and require really little configuration to make them work, always offering a wide variety of options to adjust the program to the simulation of the desired condition.

Sometimes when the program crashes for a random reason, it is difficult to find a direct solution to the problem. I think better documentation is needed for this type of case. Still, more and more people are sharing their work on the web, making it easier to orient yourself when these issues occur.

Simulink allows to analyze and simulate different variables with respect to time in an electric power system, but it is more focused on visual programming On the other hand, ETAP is better designed for static simulation of power systems, offering options and studies in a very more direct and easier to execute.

Control blocks and more detailed algorithms can be run in Matlab Simulink. Simulation and PCB drawing of electronic circuit boards are performed in Proteus.

Incentivized

• Improves the reliability of the electrical system.
• Study of the system operations, allowing a better adjustment of the facilities that are in production.
• Provides results that allow you to select solutions for energy saving.

• Reduced investment to achieve desired outcomes in research projects.
• Opened the doors for our students to experiment with previously unknown engineering methods.
• Fostered the adoption of model-based design by a great portion of our faculty, especially in more technical areas.

Incentivized