Table of Contents
Best CYMCAP Alternative (2026): ELEK Cable HV vs CYMCAP Comparison
Looking for a CYMCAP alternative? This detailed comparison explains the differences between ELEK Cable HV and CYMCAP for high-voltage cable ratings, IEC 60287 calculations, and thermal analysis. Engineers use this guide to evaluate accuracy, features, and usability.
About CYMCAP
CYMCAP Software was developed in the 1990s by CYME International T&D and is a widely recognised software tool for analysing ampacity and thermal performance in high-voltage power cable systems. It offers comprehensive capabilities for assessing the current carrying capacity of cables under various operating conditions, accounting for factors such as cable configuration, installation conditions, and environmental variables.
About ELEK Cable HV
ELEK Cable HV is a modern alternative to CYMCAP, offering a wide range of features, an intuitive user interface, flexible licensing, and competitive pricing. Developed since 2010, it is a mature and proven solution.
It performs steady-state and transient cable rating calculations in accordance with the Neher-McGrath method and IEC 60287 and IEC 60853 standards, with accuracy validated against published CIGRE technical brochures.
ELEK Cable HV is widely used by engineers as an alternative to CYMCAP.
About the comparison
ELEK Cable HV Version 9.0.1. Date of release: March 2026
CYMCAP Version 9.1 Date of release: November 2025
This comparison is based on internal evaluations and publicly available information for the listed software versions. Capabilities may vary depending on configuration, modules, and updates. Readers should verify specific features with the software vendors.
Compare
Why choose ELEK Cable HV over CYMCAP?
ELEK Cable HV includes many capabilities as standard that are offered as optional modules in CYMCAP, and also provides additional functionality beyond CYMCAP.
ELEK CABLE HV
CYMCAP
General Features
| Feature | ELEK Cable HV | CYMCAP |
|---|---|---|
| IEC 60287:2023 calculations |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Validated with CIGRE TB 880
ELEK Cable HV is validated against the TB 880 case studies and yields results that match to 11 decimal places. The software ships with the case study files. CYMCAP did not produce exact matchies in several cases. Refer to their documentation.
|
Yes Case 9 shows a difference in the first-layer diameter surrounding the three cores because it is a calculated parameter rather than a user input. |
Yes - Partial validation In Case 0, differences are attributed to the treatment of eddy-current losses. The trefoil formation in Cases 1 and 5 has minor differences. Cases 2, 8 and 9 have a difference attributed to the difference in the calculation of the diameter of the first layer surrounding the three cores. |
|
CIGRE TB 908 (2023) accurate 3-core armour loss calculations
ELEK Cable HV performs accurate armour loss calculations.
|
Yes |
Yes |
|
Live (instant) calculations
In the evaluated version, CYMCAP requires manual recalculation after input changes, whereas ELEK Cable HV updates results automatically.
|
Yes |
No |
|
Number of users
ELEK Cable HV software can be installed onto any number of computers and used by up to 2 users at a time per licence.
|
2 users at the same time | 1 user at a time |
|
Network licence
ELEK uses flexible software-based protection, not hardware-based dongles.
|
Yes |
Yes |
|
Easy-to-use user interface
|
Modern and intuitive user interface with drag-and-drop functionality, with near-instant updates to results. Multiple projects can be combined into a single file using tabs. |
Drag-and-drop functionality was not identified in the evaluated version of CYMCAP. |
Installation Methods
| Feature | ELEK Cable HV | CYMCAP |
|---|---|---|
|
In Air
ELEK Cable HV performs air-cable ratings for single circuits or groups per IEC 60287.
Unenclosed or enclosed. Solar radiation calculator based on the ASHRAE model. |
Yes Google Maps integration for precise solar radiation calculations. |
Yes |
|
Buried Direct, In Backfill, In Ducts
In the evaluated configuration, CYMCAP applies IEC 60287 soil dry-out calculations to single circuits, whereas ELEK Cable HV extends this to multiple circuits.
|
Yes Soil dryout for multiple buried circuits - IEC 60287 has been extended. Soil dryout within backfills, as well as soil dryout prevention analysis. Supports an unlimited number of circuits of different cable types. |
Yes CYMCAP applies IEC 60287 soil-dry-out calculations to single circuits. Soil dryout for cables installed in backfill is not supported. The MDB add-on module is required for soil dryout prevention analysis. The evaluated CYMCAP configuration supports up to 50 buried circuits. |
|
Soil Temperature
|
Yes Advantages: Actual and rise above ambient (for submarine), and a special Excel export. |
Yes |
|
Unfilled Troughs
|
Yes Advantages: Multiple groups of circuits of different cable types. |
Yes - Optional add-on |
|
Ventilated Tunnels
ELEK Cable HV supports multiple circuits of a single cable type (single core or multicore). Unventilated and ventilated. Vary the tunnel length.
|
Yes |
Yes - Optional add-on Advantages: Supports multiple circuits of different cable types. |
|
Risers and J-tubes
ELEK Cable HV provides multiple configurations for riser poles and J-tube installations for single-core or three-core cables. Wind speed, duct size and material types, and solar radiation exposure can be considered.
|
Yes |
Yes - Optional add-on |
|
Submarine
|
Yes Model cables fully or partially immersed in water, buried directly, or buried in ducts in the seabed. |
Yes - Optional add-on Model cables fully or partially immersed in water or buried in the seabed. |
|
Finite Element Method (FEM)
ELEK Cable HV provides a flexible, powerful, and fully interactive FEM calculation that can model a wide range of cable arrangements extending beyond standard IEC 60287 analytical methods.
The FEM of ELEK Cable HV is validated with CIGRE TB 908. |
Yes Advantages: Accounts for ground-surface convection for accurate shallow-buried cable ratings. No predefined limit on the number of circuits, objects, or elements within practical computational constraints. |
Yes - Optional add-on According to available documentation, the CYMCAP MDB module supports up to 60,000 elements. |
Try ELEK Cable HV Software for free and see the difference for yourself.
Modules
| Feature | ELEK Cable HV | CYMCAP |
|---|---|---|
|
Bonding Arrangements
ELEK Cable HV supports solidly, single-point, or cross-bonded systems.
Sheath circulating currents and standing voltages are displayed. |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Transient - Cyclic and Emergency Ratings
ELEK Cable HV performs transient calculations in accordance with IEC 60853-2.
Cyclic ratings to IEC and Neher-McGrath with custom load factor (profile). Emergency ratings to IEC. Calculate ratings based on a maximum emergency temperature and cyclic ratings using custom load profiles. |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Multiple Cable Crossings
ELEK Cable HV provides multiple (more than 2 circuits) cable crossings calculations beyond the limitations of IEC 60287-3-3-2007 and includes crossing heat sources.
|
Yes Advantages: ELEK Cable HV can model multiple crossing circuits without a predefined limit. |
Yes - Optional add-on CYMCAP supports modelling of up to two crossing circuits. |
|
Magnetic Fields
ELEK Cable HV automatically imports the cables and currents from a study.
|
Yes Advantages: Can model single-core and multicore cables. Exact theory equations for multicore cables. |
Yes - Optional add-on |
|
Sequence Impedances
|
Yes |
Yes - Optional add-on |
|
Short Circuit Calculations to IEC 949
ELEK Cable HV performs adiabatic and non-adiabatic calculations.
The permissible short-circuit temperature limit of materials can be customised. |
Yes |
Yes - Optional add-on |
|
Multiple Casings
ELEK Cable HV can model a variety of casings with different cable types in ducts or pipes of any material. Filled or unfilled (air-filled).
|
Yes Advantages: Uses numerical methods of calculation based on FEM. |
Yes - Optional add-on Can model cables installed in ducts inside concrete pipes. Uses analytical methods for calculation. |
|
Soil Dryout Prevention
|
Yes Advantages: Can be used in conjunction with either FEM or IEC calculations. |
Yes - Optional add-on Must be used with the Multiple Duct Bank (MDB) module. |
|
HVDC Calculations
|
Yes Calculate the maximum temperature drop allowed by the insulation kV/mm. Database of pre-modelled HVDC 320 kV and 525 kV rated cables. |
Yes |
|
Dynamic Ratings & Transient Temperature Response
|
Yes |
Yes |
|
Earth Continuity Conductor (ECC)
|
Yes Optimal ECC positions. Circulating currents calculation. |
No |
|
Duct Bank Optimiser
|
No - Under development |
Yes |
|
Parametric Study Module
|
No - Under development |
Yes |
|
3D Modelling
|
No - Under development |
Yes |
|
Real Time Thermal Rating Module
|
No |
Yes |
Cable Modelling
| Feature | ELEK Cable HV | CYMCAP |
|---|---|---|
|
AI cable modelling from PDF datasheets
ELEK uses advanced AI to ingest cable manufacturer PDF datasheets and automatically generate highly accurate cable models, reducing manual data entry and associated risk of human error.
|
Yes - ELEK AI account is required |
No |
| Graphical cable editing |
Yes |
Yes |
| Database of pre-modelled cables |
Yes Huge database (1500+) of pre-modelled |
Yes |
|
Metric (IEC 60228), kcmil (IEC 62602), or custom conductors
ELEK Cable HV includes new larger metric conductor sizes from IEC 60228:2023.
|
Yes |
Yes |
| Custom ks and kp values |
Yes |
Yes |
| Calculate DC resistance |
Yes |
Yes |
| Sector-shaped conductors |
Yes |
Yes |
| Custom layers |
Yes |
Yes |
| Sheath and screen around each core |
Yes |
Yes |
| Jacket around each core |
Yes |
Yes |
| HVDC cables |
Yes |
Yes |
| Pipe-type cables |
Yes |
Yes |
| Submarine cables |
Yes |
Yes |
| Double armoured cables |
Yes |
Yes |
Try ELEK Cable HV Software for free and see the difference for yourself.
Reporting
| Feature | ELEK Cable HV | CYMCAP |
|---|---|---|
| Comprehensive PDF reports |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Microsoft Excel reports
In CYMCAP the Excel reporting function is an add-on that costs extra.
|
Yes |
Yes |
|
Equations in reports
ELEK Cable HV does not currently include any equations in the reports. However, all the intermediate calculation results are provided.
|
No |
Yes - Provides simple equations |
Conclusion
While CYMCAP remains a widely used tool for cable rating calculations, ELEK Cable HV offers a more modern, efficient approach to high-voltage cable system modelling.
With instant calculation updates, flexible FEM-based modelling, and a streamlined user interface, ELEK Cable HV enables engineers to model complex installations more efficiently while maintaining alignment with established industry methods such as IEC 60287 and IEC 60853.
For organisations looking to improve productivity and modelling flexibility, ELEK Cable HV provides a compelling alternative to CYMCAP.
