Electrical engineering is a rapidly growing profession which deals with design of multifaceted systems on paper and computer. The right software in hand is important irrespective of whether you’re a learner in your quest for an electrical engineering degree or anybody involved in electrical engineering.
The following are the 15 essential electrical engineering software packages that are revolutionizing this sector and helping the engineers to solve numerous problem areas.
1). MATLAB
2). Multisim
3). Simulink
4). Power World Simulator
5). Pspice
6). ETAP
7). LabVIEW
8). PSS/E
9). Keil uVision
10). PSCAD
11). Altium Designer
12). PADS
13). Cadence Allegro
14). Solidworks
15). OrCAD
1). MATLAB
MATLAB Software for Numerical Computing is one of the cornerstones in electrical engineering. First of all, it is a high level programming language and a wide spread tool for numerical computations, modeling of dynamic systems, solution of algebraic equations and symbolic manipulations. There is Add-on packages for functions like differential equations, optimization, linear system implementation like Control System Toolbox, etc. in MATLAB.
2). Multisim
Multisim (Circuit Simulation & PCB Design Software) is the combination of the SPICE simulation in an active schematic mode that makes it fit for circuit simulation and subsequent analysis. It is a useful application for educators and researchers and a helpful tool to cover the electronic circuit behavior. It also aids in future PCB layout and minimizes the number of prototypes needed before settling on the best design.
3). Simulink
Simulink (GUI-based software for Dynamic System Simulation) comes with MATLAB and is basically a graphical implementation of MATLAB that helps do system modeling via graphical programming. It is especially useful for dynamic systems modeling and can be used coupled with MATLAB without any issues. For electrical engineers, Simulink is quite easy to use for designing, simulating, and analyzing complicated systems, and as such is highly beneficial for use.
4). Power World Simulator
Power World Simulator (Visual Electrical Engineering Software) provides the power system simulation on the basis of the power system model and visualization. It is intended to reproduce high voltage power system operations and incorporates a heavy analysis function. Power flow is one of its popular applications, followed by load flow analysis, transient stability analysis, voltage stability analysis, and optimal load flow computing.
5). Pspice
Pspice (Electrical Schematic Software) is a simulation tool which is a part of OrCAD package and uses SPICE circuits to simulate analog as well as the mixed signal circuit. It is famous for emulating as well as confirming circuits quickly. PSpice offers all sorts of sophisticated analyses including sensitivity, Monte Carlo, and optimization to ensure the circuits’ credibility.
6). ETAP
ETAP (Electrical Transient Analyzer Program) is the most used software for the analysis, simulation, monitoring, controlling, optimization and automation of the electrical power systems. It encompasses power flow review initiative, co-ordination of relays, control system configuration among other features which make the document relevant to power engineers.
7). LabVIEW
LabVIEW (Designing Interfacing and HMIs is system engineering application software that is use mostly in test measurement and control. Software tool of LabVIEW is GUI based which makes the integration of hardware, data and development of interface easier. Most importantly, it’s used in real time control and automation.
8). PSS/E
PSS/E (Power System Simulations) is a power system simulation software which is used for analysis and enhancement of the electrical power systems. It is used by engineers owing to its capabilities that include power flow, dynamics, short circuit, and voltage stability.
9). Keil uVision
Anybody who is involved in the design of embedded systems must have Keil uVision (Embedded Systems Development) as his or her companion. Thus, it focuses on programming microcontrollers and supports developing efficient embedded applications within the same platform.
10). PSCAD
PSCAD (Electromagnetic Transient Analysis Software) software is specialized used in power systems for electromagnetic transient analysis known as PSCAD. Created by Manitoba Hydro Int. Ltd. It is very useful in modeling various electrical processes and to enhance the dependability of various electrical systems.
11). Altium Designer
Altium Designer is an electronic product development system, a type of software. With the perfect integration of schematic design, circuit simulation, PCB drawing & editing, topology logic auto-routing, signal integrity analysis & design output, this software offers the designers with new design solutions that were not possible earlier. This software is conveniently easy to use, and the designer has mastery in it, hence enhancing the quality and speed of circuit designing.
12). PADS
POWER PCB is the previous tool of PADS and is generally quite simple to handle, and it is one of the most used tools in the market with high overall and specific market share for electronics products used by customers. For instance, starting from the VCD, DVD, MP3, MP4, U disk, LCD TV that has come in advance, to the present tablet computer, driving recorder, car electronics, navigator, digital set-top box, and this software has won a vast majority of market share.
13). Cadence Allegro
Cadence Allegro is an innovative product for the design and routing of PCBs launched by Cadence. Allegro has excellent interactive comfort and sheer and comprehensive functions, with its front-end product, Capture, to serve as the best solution for today’s high-speed, high-density, multi-layer and complicated PCB design and wiring.
This is usually applied by large companies and especially those in the production of computer motherboards. Due to the fact that this software is effective, it has benefits when it comes to drawing big boards. Its application is for now mostly on computer motherboards, large industrial control boards, server motherboards and other large board.
14). Solidworks
With Solidworks software, the analysis engineer works with the customer’s documents, which can typically include PCB data; based on this, a corresponding JIG structure is developed for the structural engineer. This JIG is the PCB-tester, which is specifically used to test PCBs, the circuit boards developed for electronics. This belongs to the downstream industry of PCB manufacturing, but this software is a necessary tool to guarantee the quality of the PCB factory.
15). OrCAD
OrCAD is a professional PCB design, layout, and routing application that can help you create manufactural circuit board designs quicker. Cadence OrCAD products are highly regarded by electronic engineers due to their user-friendly interface and powerful features. It is the most popular EDA program in the world.
These software products are important for the evaluation, simulation, and designing of electrical systems in and for electrical engineering students and professionals to achieve further growth in the field.
It is important to be up to date with such tools that are useful in this fluid field of electrical engineering.
You can also follow us on AutomationForum.co, Facebook and Linkedin to receive daily Instrumentation updates.
You can also follow us on ForumElectrical.com, Facebook and Linkedin to receive daily Electrical updates.