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substation wiring schematics

11 REPLIES 11
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Message 1 of 12
josephkalish
2913 Views, 11 Replies

substation wiring schematics

hello everyone 🙂

I I am required to advise on the this subject for a supportive software.for a long term aspect
which means either working manually with autocad and using manual labor or buying a more expansive software which will same man hour

in my checks I have crossed with several packages among other were Autocad's electrical, Aucotec elcad 7.3 and a FTZ schem elect .

can anyone help me by showing significant differences ?

much obliged

Joseph
11 REPLIES 11
Message 2 of 12

Hi Joseph,

Before the purchase of ecad our elementary schematics, relay protection diagrams, wire diagrams, ect… were manually created using Microstation or Autocad. We were putting a lot of design and drafting time into our schematics and diagrams. I too was tasked to reduce engineering costs for our Substation Design Team. I began to research electrical cad design software. I had looked at Eplan, Promis-e, and AutoCad Electrical. They were all good at what they do but we needed a versatile software package which we could run with AutoCad and Microstation. Eplan seamed to be very powerful, but they had their own cad drafting interface which was difficult to use. AutoCad Electrical did the job ok to, although it didn’t integrate directly with our Microstation drawings. Autocad electrical seemed to have more manually update buttons than Promis-e and Eplan. Like cross-references would need to be updated by selecting a button, where Eplan and Promis-e just automatically kept all that info up to date all the time no matter of the scenario. We ended up choosing Promis-e. When we did our pilot testing, Promis-e integrated very well with our other business systems. The Promis-e core database is in SQL, the same format as our business systems. Our test pilot consumed of over 100 pages and the SQL database performed better than the AutoCad Electrical system and Access Database. Another cool feature is the wiring diagram function, AutoCad Electrical’s seamed to function fine, but it involved more setup time with wire routing. Promis-e has a shortest distance function which automatically figures out the preferred routing path for your common signals. In addition, Promis-e wire diagrams are dynamic and you don’t have to select an update button.


Since the implementation of Promis-e I figure we cut down engineering labor by 35%. We are now implementing the integration with our Komax Machines. Promis-e generates a wire schedule with length and termination information and that get imported into our Komax wire cutting machine. I figure once we fully implement this feature, that would save about 25-35% on the manufacturing side. We hope to have this implemented in then next few weeks.

I would recommend contacting the Promis-e guys. They were very helpful thru the sales processes and still very helpful on support topics. Their support plan allows me to contact Promis-e’s support department directly by phone. This has helped out a lot, just being able to speak with Promis-e directly. They were able to offer suggestions and implementation and configuration for my needs.

Good Luck! on your research.

Jimmy
Message 3 of 12
josephkalish
in reply to: josephkalish

hey Jimmy

thank you for relating to my problem,your answer has given me much required data.specially referring to the data base issue

I still need to figure out what do aucotec offers ? which e-plan does not and vice versa but that is a different issue

have a great day

Joseph

Joseph
Message 4 of 12

Hi Joseph,

Sorry I can't off much technical detail on the aucotec products. I briefly looked at them. I saw that they work with VISIO, which didn't fit in with our engineering groups. We needed something to work with Microstation and AutoCad.

Good Luck!

Jimmy
Message 5 of 12

I know its been a while since this thread has been active, but Im going through the same difficulty in finding a good CAD Schematic software to implement alongside a Komax machine. I have been looking at Zuken, Promis-e and Eplan. Any help?
Message 6 of 12
RePao
in reply to: bchach

As usual its formarly a question of what you will have as result!

Can you attache a sample perhoups as an excel to see what you will get as your wishes?

 

PS: http://www.komaxgroup.com/en/Wire/Products-and-Solutions/Products/Software-Networking/TopWin/ is not good enough? 


stay tuned &
Greetings from Switzerland
Message 7 of 12
ccad2509
in reply to: josephkalish

SubStationDesignGuy  looks like he’s got the right approach but heres my approach to looking at cad systems hopes it helps you out

 

if you are going to purchase an electrical cad system follow these simple rules

1) If they have a trial version on there website download and play with it

2) Make a list of what you want the software to do

3) Get the representatives from the various cad vendors to come and give you their supper demo probably a webinar now days (remember the demo is to showcase what's good and hide what's not)

4) Have a serious think about what you have seen
does it do what you want? Is it easy to us? Do you need training? What the technical support like? What are the ongoing costs?

5) Get back the various vendors and force them to demonstrate what you want to see the product do
You do not give them advanced information if they cannot do what you want or end up doing something extremely complicated this tells you something about the product

if vendors software demonstrators have problems then you will definitely will have problems

6)But this may all be redundant as you may be forced to use the same cad products as you main clients are in an industry where only one particular cad product is used

7) remember its your or your companies money if they want some of it then they will have to earn it

and here is a list of electrical cad vendors to review its not all about a few vendors

 

 

Product

Company

Format

WWW

01

Aveva electrical

Aveva

SQL Based

http://www.aveva.com/en/Products_and_Services/Product_Finder.aspx#open:12953794-EAE9-4F0B-96B9-37A12...

02

Cadprofi

CADprofi

 

http://www.cadprofi.com/main/en/products/cadprofi-electrical

15

Cosmos

Siemens

SQL Based

http://w3.siemens.com/mcms/plant-engineering-software/en/comos-platform/Pages/Default.aspx

03

Ecscad

Man And Machine

 

Sold by Autodesk

04

Elecdes

Scada Systems

DWG + Database orientated

http://elecdes.com/electrical-cad-software/elecdes-electrical-cad-software

05

Eleckworks

Trace Software

DWG + Database orientated

http://www.elecworks.com/index.aspx

06

Electra E6

Xetec Limited

Visio based electrical

http://www.xetec.eu/

07

Elprocad

Procad Systems Ab

DWG + Database orientated

http://www.elprocad.com/Comparison-Feutures.html

08

Engineering base

Aucotec

 

https://www.aucotec.com/landing/aucotec.php

09

Eplan

Rittal

Sql Based

http://www.eplan.co.uk/uk/start

10

Ige-Xao

Ige-Xao Group

SQL Database and cad Engine

http://www.ige-xao.com/software-editor/electrical-cad-software.html

11

PCschematic

Pc|Schematic A/S

Propriety cad format

http://www.pcschematic.com/en/index.htm

12

Promis e

Bentley Systems

DWG + Database orientated

http://www.bentley.com/en-GB/Products/promise/

13

QC Cad

Ska Systems

DWG + Database orientated

http://www.qcecad.com/qc/en

14

Schemelect

Ftz Informatique Industrielle

 

http://www.ftz.fr/v4/en/cad-software-design/electrical-drawing-schematic-diagram

20

Smartplant Electrical

Integraph

DWG + Database orientated

http://www.intergraph.com/products/ppm/smartplant/electrical/default.aspx

16

Solidworks Electrical

Dassault Systems

SQL Based

http://www.solidworks.co.uk/sw/products/electrical-design/solidworks-electrical.htm

17

Winrelay

Ingerea

 

http://www.ingerea.com/WinRelay.html

18

Wscad

Buhl Data Group

SQL Based

http://www.wscad.de/en/electrocad/

19

Zuken e3

Zuken

DWG + Database orientated

http://www.zuken.com/en

 

 

Message 8 of 12
RePao
in reply to: ccad2509

03 ecscad by mum.de http://www.mum.de/DE_Elektrotechnik_CAE_Software_AutoCAD_ecscad.CAD

additional Info's tinline.ch/ecs

 

also a good decision guidance: https://www.cadspy.com/software-uebersicht/elektro-cad/elektro-cad-loesungen.html

 

sorry, i didnt find links in english Smiley Mad

 


stay tuned &
Greetings from Switzerland
Tags (1)
Message 9 of 12
ccad2509
in reply to: RePao

Yes i know about escad we are being told that an english version of the software will be released late this year or early next year i had the promis e aero version which was written by escad and ran on bricscad it dd the job pretty good but now its nearly 10 years later and technology has advanced  it will be intresting to see what they produce and how it works

 

 

Message 10 of 12
RePao
in reply to: ccad2509

english Version of SW of corse it's avaible, but no english webpage, sorry for that!


stay tuned &
Greetings from Switzerland
Tags (1)
Message 11 of 12
bchach
in reply to: RePao

RePao:  I left out that I am using a Komax version on a komax machine that converts a Wirelist format into  machine code.  The requirements for the Wire processing are basic, wire gauge, wire color, pin terminal, strip lengths, pulloff length(insulation), and labeling on terminal ends and middle.  I found that this format is not really a holdup as much as the schematic software that is usable and friendly to accept this information.  For Length information we use Solid Edge as our mechanical group already uses them for 3D drawings.  They offer 3D wire harness software that enables bundling and dimensioning, saving us time doing it in a digital world opposed to cut measure and produce. Early work flow is Schematic to Solid Edge for wirelengths etc.  And Schematic and lengths to Komax formatter(macro).

 

We have looked at 3D panel layout tools but everyone stumbles on the files that are used in SolidEdge.  They are not able to convert them properly and would require placing each and every piece of 100s in a panel that is all ready designed.  (hence why it is important to stay with SolidEdge for the time being).

 

Incase you are curious here is WPCS format that is standard in wire cutting machines for one wire:

 

;******************************
;
; WPCS CODE FILE FOR ZETA 633
;
;******************************

;******************************
;******************************

 

 

 

 

[DeleteArticle]
ArticleKey = 403511 Test A1
Name = "403511 Test A1"

;******************************
;******************************

[NewArticle]
ArticleKey = 403511 Test A1
NumberOfLeadSets = 8
Name = "403511 Test A1"
BundlingInfo = 1

;******************************
[NewLeadSet1]
Name = "Wire-1"
WireKey = CWC F22021 YEL
WireLength = 438.3024
FontKey = 22 AWG STD
StrippingLength = 4.572,8.3058
PullOffLength = 1.27,1.27
WeldingLength = 0,0
TerminalKey = 2-87523-3,2-36154-2
CutBundling = 0

[NewMarkingTextWire1-2]
MarkingTextBegin = 25.4,"P101:1:8"
MarkingTextEndless = 40,"403511 Test A1 Wire-1"
MarkingTextEnd = 25.4,"P202:8"

 

 


;******************************

 

 

 

ccad2509: Awesome List this will save me some time,  I have tried a few from here, Eplan, Promis-e and zuken. Is there a certain order to the numbering?

 

Eplan, I was told was out of the price range but want to look at compact versions.

Promise seemed very glitchy and was previously used by company. Extremely liked that database on Promise,   able to select a generic symbol of a circuit breaker and apply any part number and atributes. (So requrie a different symbol for each instance).

Zuken, E3:  It was alright seems built for building car harnesses.  Feels like it is more than what we need. 

Message 12 of 12
ccad2509
in reply to: bchach

the order to the list is alphabetical

 

As to zuken its good enough to be used by Boeing / Airbus and i used it when i worked for Lockheed Martin

 

The important thing that i would advise is get a plan together and get management and associated departments to buy into the requirements before shopping for the cad software

 

As for price for Eplan its the same old story here you need to work out the running costs and man hours saved

 

Some products may be cheaper but if it takes you twice as long to complete a project then you are wasting money in labour costs 

 

Quite often the person that controls the budget doesn't see this issue as labour costs are somone elses responsability that's why you need to present your recommendation as a whole the cheapest option may cost you a fortune in labour costs the same also goes for training expensive training may make you extremley productive

 

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