# PSCAD Reviews **Vendor:** Hvdc **Category:** [Simulation & CAE Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/simulation-cae) **Average Rating:** 4.5/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 26 ## About PSCAD As power systems evolve, the need for accurate, intuitive simulation tools becomes more and more important. With PSCAD EMTDC you can build, simulate, and model your systems with ease, providing limitless possibilities in power system simulation. Included is a comprehensive library of system models ranging from simple passive elements and control functions, to electric machines and other complex devices. ## PSCAD Reviews ### 1. Highest accuracy and Maximum efficiency **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Janesh R. | Janesh RUpasinghe, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** December 09, 2019 **What do you like best about PSCAD?** This is the best electromagnetic transient (EMT) type simulation software currently available. It consists of almost all the power system component models and all the control functions required to carry out a perfect simulation. It is really easy to develop a given network in PSCAD user interface. Also it allows to develop user defined custom models, which is very easy to develop if you know little bit of FORTRAN programming. Now it comes with features like parallel simulation, muti-rate simulation etc. **What do you dislike about PSCAD?** Inability to undock the master library is annoying. When I'm working with multiple monitors, it would be really easy to develop a case if I can get the master library to one display and the PSCAD work-space to another display. **Recommendations to others considering PSCAD:** These are lots to PSCAD/EMTDC than it appears. You can use it for develop and validate new models, black-box new control functions etc. Also anyone can automate the simulation with the PSCAD automation library. **What problems is PSCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** Co-simulation Modular multilevel converter simulation multi-rate simulations ### 2. best simulator for electrical power system analysis **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Kavish M. | Assistant Engineer, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 20, 2020 **What do you like best about PSCAD?** simulations and practical electrical components which we can directly use for your worksheet and we can model them for our own customizations **What do you dislike about PSCAD?** pscad required the correction facility so we can check whether the built simulation are correct or wrong **Recommendations to others considering PSCAD:** this tool is not only useful for our analysis but also our self-improvement of critical electrical knowledge **What problems is PSCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** load flow calculations transient analysis reactive and active flow thorough electrical network ### 3. Modelling of electric motors and drives **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Indula A. | Graduate Research Assistant, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 19, 2020 **What do you like best about PSCAD?** PSCAD/EMTDC software has a very good library containing majority of the components needed to simulate the behaviour of modern day power systems. I developed a PSCAD model for special type of synchronous motor and an associated motor controller only using standard library components. The Integration of the new model was very simple and intuitive so that any new components can be tested without any overwhelming efforts. **What do you dislike about PSCAD?** The programming language of PSCAD component builder (GFORTRAN) can be a bit hard to follow, if the component that you are intend to build needs complex logic's to be performed. On a side note, graphics can be updated to match with modern day software programs. **Recommendations to others considering PSCAD:** If someone needs reliable simulation software to access any power system, PSCAD could be one of the best choices out there. The software itself is based on years of research and development and widely recognized in the industry. **What problems is PSCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** I was mainly involved in developing electric motor models to be used as loads in the power system simulations. The standard library has few essential electric motor models such as induction motors, synchronous motors. However the specific types of synchronous motors such as PMSM, SynRMs, etc are not yet available in the library. Primary motive was to expand the standard library block for electric motors. ### 4. The best software to carry out the transient and dynamic studies in a power system. **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Renewables & Environment | Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 28, 2020 **What do you like best about PSCAD?** It's easy to carry out transient and dynamic modelling of the power system. Inverter based generation or transmission systems can be modelled and then the same can be modelled with vendor specific library. **What do you dislike about PSCAD?** Still miss the ability to model a lot of buses or an area. **Recommendations to others considering PSCAD:** It is a must use software to validate your offer as a supplier or developer or contractor to the TSO. There is no escape from using this software. **What problems is PSCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** Transient and dynamic studies of offshore wind park. The same when these offshore park are connected to HVDC. ### 5. Great software tool to give a reliable and complex design. **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Niall M. | Graduate Electrical Engineer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 07, 2020 **What do you like best about PSCAD?** It is easy to navigate the software and always complex equations to be solved. **What do you dislike about PSCAD?** Starting out the software takes some getting use to. However with the help tool I quickly overcame any confusions. **What problems is PSCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** Good for auto calculating any complex power equations. Quick and easy to key in data. ### 6. Its a good software to draw and design and understand CAD Electrical Layouts **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** ⚡Hamza R. | ⚡Assistant Electrical Engineer, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 14, 2020 **What do you like best about PSCAD?** The best thing i like about it is its simulation capability **What do you dislike about PSCAD?** I didn't find any thing this software was an excellent effort **What problems is PSCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** I designed three phase controlled bridge rectifier on it and by using this software i successfully implemented "Pure Sin wave Inverter" and analyzed my design results and in result got good grades in practical examination. ### 7. Trainee Engineer **Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Syauqi Y. | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 22, 2020 **What do you like best about PSCAD?** Among the best tool to develop and simulate electrical design system. User friendly interface make it easier for newbie. **What do you dislike about PSCAD?** Perhaps should put more details and components on library elements. **What problems is PSCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** Used to utilized PSCAD during developing electrical design project in my study years. Surprisingly, help me to get more understanding about the developed project. ### 8. Good product **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Ahmed A. | Electrical Engineer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 21, 2020 **What do you like best about PSCAD?** Transient analysis and transformer inrush modelling. **What do you dislike about PSCAD?** User Interface needs upgrading and report format should be revamped to be more flexible. **Recommendations to others considering PSCAD:** Consider what's your main purpose, is it transient analysis or motor starting? if so then PSCAD is the best. **What problems is PSCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** Helped me design synchronous condenser for transient response. ### 9. With the help of PS-CAD, we performed all the Network Theorems. This is very helpful. **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Raksha S. | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 15, 2020 **What do you like best about PSCAD?** Useful in analysis of steady-state system response. **What do you dislike about PSCAD?** For large power system, simulation is difficult to handle. **Recommendations to others considering PSCAD:** Atleast once you should use PSCAD. This is amazing platform. **What problems is PSCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** With the help of simulation, we can identify status of our project. We can add or remove component as per convinence. ### 10. PSCAD experience **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Steve Y. | Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 20, 2020 **What do you like best about PSCAD?** The easy-to-use interface and functions provided in PSCAD. **What do you dislike about PSCAD?** If PSCAD can be used in HPCs for large system simulations, it will be even better. **What problems is PSCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** Power grid simulations with renewable controls. It helps to develop new controls for IBRs. ### 11. Helpful for complex calculations and simulation **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Hafiz A. | Electrical Design Engineer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 21, 2020 **What do you like best about PSCAD?** EMT simulations and field and corona effects ,comparator tool and simplicity **What do you dislike about PSCAD?** Lack of training and simple tutorial videos **What problems is PSCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** Transformer insulation testing and stress management of insulation materials corona effects on ACSR conductors ### 12. Easily understandable and accurate simulations **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Higher Education | Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** November 24, 2019 **What do you like best about PSCAD?** A vast number of EMT models are available for simulation. Simulation have been validated against many tests to provide accurate results. Easily understandable program structure. Good graphical representation of data, to understand the transients in the power system as well as power electronic converters. The multi-processor simulation capability allows for simulating large systems in full EMT resolution. **What do you dislike about PSCAD?** The hidden code for many components is not very attractive. It gets hard to identify coding structures and functions when developing user-defined components. It would be great if a more powerful and user-friendly user-defined component developer can be implemented. Also, a plotting tool linked with Matlab could help in easy graphics processing for publications **Recommendations to others considering PSCAD:** Easy but very powerful software for EMT studies. This software makes a lego set out of the power system components to test and research on the power system. **What problems is PSCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** I am working on power electronic converters and simulations based on PSCAD has been immensely helpful. I have developed models based on Thevenin equivalent voltage source models for efficient simulation of MMCs with embedded storage. Now using the developed models for research on control techniques for the said converter. ### 13. Transient Analysis **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Design | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 31, 2020 **What do you like best about PSCAD?** Drawing Power Network is easier and analysing response of system is easy. **What do you dislike about PSCAD?** To analyse Staedy State response of a system it's accuracy is less than other software. **Recommendations to others considering PSCAD:** Use it for Transient Behaviour analysis of the system. **What problems is PSCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** Problem related to transient behaviour of the network or system are solved and the results shown are too close to theoritical values. ### 14. A Fast and Reliable Software for Power system related simulations **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Shirosh Ayeshmantha P. | MITACS Intern, Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** November 24, 2019 **What do you like best about PSCAD?** The capability to accurately simulate power system transients, Availability of Accurate built in models for Power applications. **What do you dislike about PSCAD?** The user friendliness of the application is not comparable with software like Simulink. The coding interface doesn't have a built in debugger. Simulated Meters and measuring devices are built for specific applications such as HVDC, hence the measurements are not in SI parameters (kV, kA) **Recommendations to others considering PSCAD:** Its a good software primarily focused on Power systems.Others might face complications when using it for different applications. **What problems is PSCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** Simulations related to Power electronic converters that are involved in grid forming ### 15. Good EMTP tool **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Atiqul I. | Electrical & Modeling Engineer, Renewables & Environment, Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** November 24, 2019 **What do you like best about PSCAD?** The software is very easy to use. Once you are familiar with the interface, quite helpful to perform your desired tests and simulations **What do you dislike about PSCAD?** The dependency on fortran compilers and Visual studio can be a problem. Several versions of these software can create a compatibility issue and make the installation tricky **Recommendations to others considering PSCAD:** go for it if you need a good EMT software **What problems is PSCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** Analyzing wind turbines transient performance in EMT domain. We can use actual wind turbines control software package in PSCAD and observe the real behavior ### 16. A powerful tool for power system modeling **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Mechanical or Industrial Engineering | Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 14, 2020 **What do you like best about PSCAD?** Fast and powerful, very detailed modeling **What do you dislike about PSCAD?** Not really user friendly, it takes a while to get used to the environment **Recommendations to others considering PSCAD:** Very useful for power system modeling **What problems is PSCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** I have used PSCAD to model power systems with high penetration of inverter-based generation ### 17. Advance tool for power systems **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Vaithehi S. | Assistant Director of Engineering, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** September 15, 2019 **What do you like best about PSCAD?** Very power tool to solve advance power related problems. Frequency and Voltage stability related problems can be analysable in very effective manner. Every detailed information on transmission line , generators can be found. **What do you dislike about PSCAD?** Learning the software is bit difficult. Resources to learn software is comparably low. Maximum output can be gained only if original software was installed. Trial version have some laggings **Recommendations to others considering PSCAD:** Powerful tool if we know the functions correctly. **What problems is PSCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** I have tried to solve generator , three phase induction motor and more power related systems using PSCAD. I tried to solve using trail version in my laptop, but it took more time to simulate and got struked. Original version is expensive. But it will give maximum output for students. In my own experience I able to simulate system to identify the stability in original version very effectively. ### 18. very good software for analysis **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 14, 2020 **What do you like best about PSCAD?** freedom for modelling the equipment, own control logic bulding and realistic reasults **What do you dislike about PSCAD?** Finding error in the modelling of equipmemts **What problems is PSCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** protection, insulation coordination and special studies ### 19. User in Graduate Studies **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Higher Education | Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** November 25, 2019 **What do you like best about PSCAD?** PSCAD is a EMT type simulation software and has proven very beneficial to me when conducting steady state and transient simulations. It has a good master library with several detailed and up to date models. **What do you dislike about PSCAD?** The user interface can be improved. The on-line-help system does not contain any information for some of the custom library models. **What problems is PSCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** I have used PSCAD for both my graduate courses and research related activities. It offers a user-friendly interface and the modelling part gets easier as most of the required models and control functions are already available in the master library. ### 20. User in Graduate Studies **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Higher Education | Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** November 25, 2019 **What do you like best about PSCAD?** PSCAD is a EMT type simulation software and has proven very beneficial to me when conducting steady state and transient simulations. It has a good master library with several detailed and up to date models. **What do you dislike about PSCAD?** The user interface can be improved. The on-line-help system does not contain any information for some of the custom library models. **What problems is PSCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** I have used PSCAD for both my graduate courses and research related activities. It offers a user-friendly interface and the modelling part gets easier as most of the required models and control functions are already available in the master library. ### 21. Great Software Easy to Use **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Research | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** November 25, 2019 **What do you like best about PSCAD?** This software is very easy to use. A lots of different models exists and can be modified for each custom usage. **What do you dislike about PSCAD?** Sometimes there are connection issues, so would be really nice is the stability of the software could be improved. **Recommendations to others considering PSCAD:** Great software. Can do a lot with the models. **What problems is PSCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** Power system simulations and system stability. ### 22. A trusted EMT simulation software **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Education Management | Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** November 28, 2019 **What do you like best about PSCAD?** PSCAD automation with python scripting is a great step forward. The Automation Library developed in Python which interfaces with PSCAD allows users to perform tasks in PSCAD easily and efficiently. **What do you dislike about PSCAD?** PSCAD Automation Library Documentation is really helpful in developing custom scripts. Better if it is more clear and descriptive. Also it's better if there's a way to extract measurements from control panels and some meters i.e. FFT component through custom python script. **Recommendations to others considering PSCAD:** Great software tool. **What problems is PSCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** PSCAD Automation with python scripting for bus bar symmetrical and asymmetrical fault analysis ### 23. PSCAD is the best tool for transient simulations **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Thilini M. | Research Assistant, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** November 24, 2019 **What do you like best about PSCAD?** Easy to implement, highly accurate. Can even do the simulation staring from snapshots. **What do you dislike about PSCAD?** Help manuals are some times not very clear. **What problems is PSCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** Power system volatage stability issues due to converter based generation. Easy to implement HVDC converters and their controls. ### 24. interesting software with many features **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing | Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** November 25, 2019 **What do you like best about PSCAD?** the ability to change different features **What do you dislike about PSCAD?** it would be great to have pscad for ios users **What problems is PSCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** using pscad for simulating hvdc problems ### 25. Useful in electrical **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Jerom J. | Instructor, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** October 14, 2019 **What do you like best about PSCAD?** Easy to do the electrical drawings using this software. Useful in electrical engineering. **What do you dislike about PSCAD?** Need the basic knowledge to do the drawing. No student version to use. **What problems is PSCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** It was very useful in my project. ### 26. A Great Tool for Power System Studies **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing | Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** November 24, 2019 **What do you like best about PSCAD?** User friendly environment and great support and develop team behind the software **What do you dislike about PSCAD?** Drawing is a bit old style and need to be improved **What problems is PSCAD solving and how is that benefiting you?** I am using PSCAD for scanning TL and late modeling FDNEs ## PSCAD Discussions - [What is the best way to compare two waveforms?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-the-best-way-to-compare-two-waveforms) - 1 comment, 1 upvote - [View PSCAD pricing details and edition comparison](https://www.g2.com/products/pscad/reviews?section=pricing&secure%5Bexpires_at%5D=2026-05-15+02%3A58%3A49+-0500&secure%5Bsession_id%5D=36bd8969-9ce1-400d-bbce-6e9dbe822769&secure%5Btoken%5D=f2e022b2c8c20a9f039aec8ca03fc580cad5e81e321eaa57a6d7bd287bc59e17&format=llm_user) ## PSCAD Features **Design** - 3D/solid modeling Tools - Drawing Tools - Editing Tools - Rendering tools **Tools** - Fluid analysis - Finite element analysis - Multibody dynamics **Work** - Discrete event modeling - Continuous event modeling - Mechanical event simulation - Manufacturing process simulation - Integrate **Environment** - Hardware support - Task - Manage Multiple Profiles - Command Clarity ## Top PSCAD Alternatives - [MATLAB](https://www.g2.com/products/matlab/reviews) - 4.5/5.0 (748 reviews) - [PSIM](https://www.g2.com/products/psim/reviews) - 4.7/5.0 (26 reviews) - [SOLIDWORKS](https://www.g2.com/products/solidworks/reviews) - 4.5/5.0 (628 reviews)