There are many different types of drawings that engineers need on a day-to-day basis. Because there are so many different types, an engineer may use several types of drawings based on the project they’re working with. Often times these different type of drawings will be created and utilized in AutoCAD Electrical, otherwise known as 2D electrical drawing software. As a result of this, you’ll need to know how to use all aspects of the software. This article will go over this for you, along with other helpful tips about using the software.
Electrical drawing software is a computer software application for the drafting and design of electrical products such as electrical circuits, instruments, and machines. Electrical drawings can be produced by using specialized computer-aided design (CAD) software or from hand-drawing technical drawings. The most popular electrical drawing software in the United States is AutoCAD by Autodesk. With the popularity of AutoCAD Comes competitors, which have emerged over time to try and fill this gap.
2D electrical drawing software is a must-have for any electrical engineer or technician.
2D electrical drawing software allows you to create high-quality drawings that are easy to read and understand. You can use 2D electrical drawing software to create your own drawings from scratch, or you can use it as an editing tool for existing files.
There are several types of 2D electrical drawing software available, but we recommend that you use [name] because it’s the most powerful and user-friendly on the market.
2D electrical drawing software is a tool used by electrical engineers to design and create electrical circuits. The drawings they produce are called schematics and depict the layout of an electrical circuit, including all of its components.
A schematic diagram is typically created as part of the process of designing an electrical device or circuit. It shows how all the components in your design connect together, including resistors, capacitors and transistors. This can be very helpful when you’re trying to troubleshoot problems with your circuit or when working with other people on projects.
The process for creating 2D electrical drawings starts with gathering reference materials from manufacturers and other sources, then using them to create a rough sketch of what you want your circuit to look like. You’ll need to make sure that everything fits inside the boundaries of your PCB (printed circuit board). You’ll also need to consider how much space each component needs so that everything fits together properly without causing any interference issues between adjacent components in your project.
2d electrical drawing software
An electrical diagram or drawing is a pictorial form of presenting an electronic circuit visually. Hence, an electric diagram consists of different components: symbols, sizes, markings, etc. Electrical diagrams can be used in several situations by professionals such as engineers, builders, technicians, programmers, etc. The electric diagram helps understand the overall electrical plan, how much it will cost, and what material will be required.
There are many ways of making an electrical drawing, but online electrical drawing software is a quick, easy, and convenient option. Today, we will talk about 7 of the best electrical drawing software to use in 2021.
List of the Best Electrical Drawing Software
Here are the top 7 electrical drawing software which you can use quickly and easily.
1. EdrawMax
With the help of EdrawMax, you can create professional electric drawings, whether you are an electrician, engineer, programmer, or builder. Use the best professional electrical drawing software of Edraw and make electrical drawings quickly and easily. It contains all the essential tools and components needed to create a detailed professional electrical diagram. You can also use different templates.
EdrawMax is a user-friendly drawing tool available for all operating systems and accessible on all browsers. What makes EdrawMax one of the best electrical drawing software is that it is super quick, easy, and fun to use.
Wide range of drawing tools that are easy to use
Support all terminals (Windows, Mac, Linux, and Web)
Free and editable electrical diagram templates
Easy installation and registration
Affordable pricing
Complete user guides and video tutorials
Support to save documents in the cloud and export as Visio, PDF, graphics, Word, Excel and PPT files
The watermark in free mode
Pricing:
- Online Tool/Basic Use: Free
- Annual Plan: $99
- Lifetime Plan: $245
Software Tool URL: https://www.edrawsoft.com/edraw-max/
EdrawMax
All-in-One Diagram Software
Create more than 280 types of diagrams effortlessly
Start diagramming with various templates and symbols easily
- Superior file compatibility: Import and export drawings to various file formats, such as Visio
- Cross-platform supported (Windows, Mac, Linux, Web)
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2. ETAP
ETAP or Electrical Power System Analysis Software is an excellent tool for making electrical diagrams of different electric power systems. It contains many tools for automation, optimization, simulation, and analysis. With the help of ETAP, professionals can create detailed and lengthy electric drawings accurately.
As an excellent electrical drawing software, it contains CAD tools for advanced drawings. However, one drawback of ETAP is that it is only accessible on Windows and does not offer a free offline version.
Free trial available
Professional-level tools
Symbol library
Desktop App available
Not available for Mac or Linux
Not free
Pricing: Custom pricing.
Software Tool URL: https://etap.com/
3. AutoCAD Electrical
AutoCAD Electrical is a drawing tool by Autodesk to create a wide range of electrical drawings using specially developed drawing tools to enhance electrical engineers’ productivity. Technicians and engineers use this tool to make a detailed drawing using different features of AutoCAD.
However, AutoCAD Electrical is a sophisticated tool not suitable for all users, especially beginners. It also lacks premade templates or samples. Hence, it is ideal for experienced professionals who are looking for a pro tool.
Professional-level tools
Available for Mac and Window
Complex for beginners
No templates
Expensive
Pricing:
- Monthly: $200
- Annual: $1,610
- Three years: $4,345
Software Tool URL: https://www.autodesk.com/products/autocad/included-toolsets/autocad-electrical
4. SolidWorks Electrical Schematics
SolidWorks Electrical Schematics is a professional drawing software for collaborative diagram and design tools which can be used to make complete electrical systems. With the help of the symbol library, 3D manufacturing parts, and component models, you can create a pro electric drawing using this software.
SolidWorks Electrical Schematics offers no free version, but it does provide a free trial before you purchase this tool. All in all, it is an excellent tool with many positive reviews from its users.
Contains many tools
Available for Mac and Windows
Suitable for both beginners and professionals
Not free
Sign-up required
Pricing: Custom pricing.
Software Tool URL: https://www.solidworks.com/product/solidworks-electrical-schematics
5. Electra E8
Electra E8 is an easy, rapid, and affordable tool for electrical dawning. This electrical drawing software very useful and powerful. It allows you to create professional engineering diagrams as easy as possible, whether it’s electrical, pneumatic, or hydraulic.
Electra E8 is a paid tool that can be used on a desktop without any limitations. However, there is no online version, but you can get a free trial. This software also contains other CAD tools for all professionals.
Super quick processing
Free trial available
Great for engineers
No online version
Not free
Pricing:
- Professional (Perpetual license): $2098 (one-time payment)
- Enterprise (Perpetual License): $2398 (One-time payment)
- Enterprise (Monthly): $79/month
- Enterprise (Annually): $828/year
Software Tool URL: https://radicasoftware.com/index.php
6. ProfiCAD
ProfiCAD or Electrical CAD Software is a drawing tool specially designed for electrical diagrams as it contains many drawing tools for circuit boards. This electrical drawing software is straightforward to use and comes with great features. With the help of ProfiCAD, you can create many technical diagrams, including pneumatics and hydraulics.
It is a great tool for beginners and students as all you have to do is add symbols and attach the connecting wires. Electrical CAD Software can be used at home as well as commercial software. Download the app to start using it.
Video tutorials available
Easy interface
Good for beginners
No online version
Not available for Mac or Linus
Pricing:
- Single User: $277
- School License: $277
- Website License: $877
Software Tool URL: https://www.proficad.com/
7. SmartDraw
SmartDraw is a practical diagramming tool for all purposes, whether you want to create charts, graphs, infographics, or illustrations. You can use this multipurpose drawing tool to make professional-level content for any purpose. Similarly, you can also use SmartDraw to create engineering drawings such as electrical diagrams. Hence, SmartDraw also works as electrical drawing software.
SmartDraw has more than 4500 different templates and CAD-like drawing abilities. This circuit diagram maker is not free and requires account registration.
Wide range of drawing tools
Different templates available
Available online and offline
Expensive
No free trial
Not available for Mac or Linux
Pricing:
- Single User: $277
- School License: $277
- Website License: $877
Software Tool URL: https://www.smartdraw.com/
Compare and Pick Up Your Electrical Drawing Software
As stated earlier, making an electrical drawing or any technical diagram on your own is quite hard. Such drawing is very complex and requires a high level of understanding. To create professional-level drawings, we have many useful digital tools today. Hence, there is also much electrical drawing software available out there, and we have listed the best ones for you.
However, picking the right one for you is not as easy as all the tools mentioned above come with their features and benefits. While some are great for all purposes, others are only suitable for engineering drawing. Similarly, some are good for beginners, while some are a better choice for professionals. With that being said, there is one tool in the list above that takes a slight edge over the others and that is, EdrawMax.
EdrawMax is the ultimate graphics tool for all your drawing needs as you can create any visual content using this tool – graphs, charts, diagrams, technical drawings, illustrations, storyboards, infographics, and more! The electrical drawing software of Edraw is free, comes with advanced drawing tools, a custom symbols library, free templates, and many beneficial features.
To put it in simple words, EdrawMax is the one-stop-shop for all your digital drawing needs!