Electrical wiring diagrams in IronCAD

[rsaucier]

Is anyone doing any electrical wiring diagrams in IronCAD? If so, can I get some tips for a new customer?

[Malcolm Crowe]

Hi RJ,

I've been watching with interest to see what replies you received. We don't currently produce Electrical Drawings (have in the past); however, we are occasionally involved in the modifying/updating of Electrical Drawings (and P&IDs) on large projects.

From a Project Management perspective, I wouldn't want any Electrical Drawings that weren't DWG. One of the key reasons being that they need to be easily understood and edited by all, as changes are made during installation and commissioning phases, without specialist assistance needed from software specific CAD technicians. The CAD technicians can be later involved in "tidying up" of the "as built" documentation.

Another key reason is the use of "Blocks" and "Block Attributes". For other users who aren't familiar with these DWG terms, "Blocks" are a collection of line elements and text that form a "2D Part". They can be considered as the 2D equivalent of a "Part" or "Assembly" in IRONCAD's 3D Scene. "Bock Attributes" is information (either visible or invisible) that is attached to "Blocks" (inserted inside). They can be considered as the 2D equivalent of "Custom Properties" in IRONCAD's 3D Scene.

Electrical Drawings (and P&IDs) need information associated with the various symbols. When "Blocks" are used for the various symbols, "Attributes" (information) can be added also. Along with generic symbol related information, this will also need to include item specific wire and equipment "Tags" throughout the circuit. "Attributes" are well suited for this purpose. This information can also be extracted from the "Block Attributes" into BOMs, in a similar way that we can extract information from "Custom Properties" in 3D Parts.

So with the above in mind, from my perspective the only option in IRONCAD that can do the job is CAXA.

Malcolm