7th MODULE

ELECTRICAL DRAWING
Objectives:

Students could be able to use standard tools at SolidWorks Electrical

Students be able to use appropriate tool at Scheme Drawing
Students could be use appropriate symbol and components at SolidWorks
Electrical

LABWORK REQUIREMENTS:

1. Practicum Card

TOOLS AND MATERIALS:

1. PC
2. SolidWorks Electrical Software

LIST OF MATERIALS THAT STUDENTS MUST UNDERSTAND BEFORE

PRACTICUM:

1. Students understand how to start creating a project

2. Students understand the mouse gestures in SolidWorks Electrical
3. Students understand the name of the commonly used symbols of electrical components

MODULE FRAMEWORK:

1. In this module, students will know how to make a new project in SolidWorks Electrical. Then,
students could be able to define or edit the drawing sheets in the project.
2. Students could be use Schematic tools to make Schematic Diagram.

SOLIDWORKS ELECTRICAL 2015

A. Launching
Launching SolidWorks Electrical can be launched from the desktop shortcut or from the Windows
Start, Programs, SolidWorks Electrical, SolidWorks Electrical. AlternativLaunching SolidWorks
Electrical can be launched from the desktop shortcut or from the Windows Start, Programs,
SolidWorks Electrical, SolidWorks Electrical. Alternatively use the desktop shortcut.

Figure 7.1. 1 ( SolidWorks Electrical Icon )

 B. Project Manager
On starting SolidWorks Electrical the Projects Manager will be automatically displayed.
Through this interface it is possible to open existing projects, create new projects, delete projects,
archive, (zip), unarchive, (unzip), create copies of projects or to change the properties of specific
projects.

Figure 7.1. 2 (Projects Manager )

There are two tabs listing projects:

a. Recent projects: Projects recently opened in SolidWorks Electrical.

b. All projects: All projects created/held within SolidWorks Electrical.

C. Changing The Project Language

The SolidWorks Electrical interface language can be changed via the Tools Interface
configuration Application language. Select the preferred language from the pull down and
restart the program to have the changes implemented.

Figure 7.1. 3 ( Interface Configuration )

D. Application Tabs
The number of tabs available is automatically updated by SolidWorks Electrical in order
toprovide tools that are relevant to the work being carried out, so that on opening a Wiring
Diagram a Line Diagram tab will be activated, for example.
Before opening a project there are a number of tabs that are available.
1. File tab

Figure 7.1. 4 ("File" tab )

Provides access to the Projects Manager, Quit the program, archive or unarchive
environments, create new drawing.

2. Library tab

Figure 7.1. 5 (Library tab )

Provides tools to manage all the symbol types within SolidWorks Electrical in
addition to manufacturers part data, and ERP connection.

3. Tools tab

Figure 7.1. 6 ("Tools" tab )

This tab includes commands to modify the application settings, chat to others
connected to the same server, and set up graphic preferences.

4. Help tab

Figure 7.1. 7 ("Help" tab )

The help tab accesses a tutorial, supporting documentation, collects information

about your system.
II. PROJECTS
Projects are made up of the documents required to create an electrical project. There are a
range of different drawing types available that have different intelligence within the project itself.
A. Sample Projects
A number of sample projects are included in the installation, and can be used in order to
help familiarize new users with the content type available within SolidWorks Electrical.
These projects can be accessed from the Projects manager, simply double click on a project
to have it opened, or select it on the list and press the Open icon.

Figure 7.2 1 (Projects Manager )

B. Creating a New Project

There are a number of ways to create a new project.
a. Create an empty project:
Create a project from scratch
b. Create from a template:
Creates a project from a template this can include an entire drawing set
previously defined by the user. This is a very useful tool when providing projects
to different customers that each require different settings, such as numbering,
drawing borders etc.
c. Duplicate an existing project:
Creates a copy of an existing project, which can then be modified in order to create
a new project.

C. Task Pane
Note that the task panes can be shown or hidden from the View tab.

Figure 7.2 2 ( Task Pane )

 The task pane is displayed by default on the left hand side of the screen, here can be found
listed all of the documents held within an open project, in addition to all the components
within the project drawing set.

Figure 7.2 3 ( Task Pane on the left hand side )

D. Documents Task Pane

The document set contained within a project can be broken down as follows.

Project level, this contains all documentation

Book, groups documents in a set that will be printed as a

Documents these are schemes, line diagram, etc

Figure 7.2 4 (Documents Task Pane )

There are a range of documents available in SolidWorks Electrical, some are created by the
user while others are automatically generated and maintained by the program.
a. User Documents

Table 7.2. 1 (User Documents )

Cover sheet A cover page for the project documentation.

 A single line diagram representing the overall
Wiring diagram
installation/machine etc.

Scheme drawing Electrical schematic

b. SolidWorks Electrical Documents

Table 1

Table 7.2. 2 ( SolidWorks Electrical Documents )

These drawings are automatically generated based on

Terminal strips the terminals held with the project schemes

Reports created based on data applied to the project,

Reports BOMs Part list, Connection report etc.

3D assemblies managed within SolidWorks

3D cabinets

c. Data files
Data files are external files that have been copied into the project, and can be in
any file type format.

Table 7.2. 3 (Data files )

DWG/DXF files are managed as SolidWorks

Electrical documents, a preview of them is
displayed and the can be modified and printed.

Any other file type can be added to a project, but it

is not possible to preview or edit them within
SolidWorks Electrical. In order to edit these file
types it is a requirement that a program which can
open them is available on the PC.

d. Components task pane

Here can be found a list of all of the physical components held within the
project, each represents an electrical component and is identified by a mark value,
each component can be made up of multiple symbols. It is possible to apply
multiple manufacturers parts to a component.
An example of a component is a coil or relay; this is represented by a
coil/relay symbol and the various contacts within the scheme drawings,
 additionally it can be shown in a wiring diagram and in a 3D cabinet or installation.
Regardless of how many different symbols are used, or the drawing types they are
in they are all regarded as a single component.

Figure 7.2 5 ( Component Task Pane )

Depending on drawing type the symbol is placed in a different icon will be used.

Table 7.2. 4 ( The Different Icons )

Inserted in a wiring diagram

Inserted in a scheme drawing

Inserted in a 3D SolidWorks drawing

Inserted in a 2D cabinet

Associated connection label

By right mouse clicking on any listed item it is possible to preview it, or go

directly to it.
A component can have several manufactures parts assigned to it, the main
reference, (Base), and auxiliaries added/assigned to the base.
Terminals have a different icon and are grouped together on the terminal strip
which they are assigned to.

E. Project Tab
 On opening a project the Project tab will appear and become active, there are a number of
commands related to the management of the project.

Figure 7.2 6 (Project Tab )

e. Manage project properties and configuration.

f. Print project documents.
g. Manage locations and functions.
h. Manage electrical data as cables, wire type, wire links, cabling order.
i. Manage PLC and Inputs / Outputs.
j. Report management and creation (drawings, reports, bill of material, cabling list,
k. Etc

F. Process Tab
Processes can be run across all drawings in a project.

Figure 7.2 7 ( Process Tab )

a. Update/replace data project wide

b. Wire numbering.
c. 3D SolidWorks cabinet layout.
d. 2D cabinet layout
e. Project translation.

III. DRAWINGS
 Depending on the drawing type that is open a variety of tabs will become available with
commands that are directly relevant to the drawing being worked on. The information applied to
symbols, and wires in wiring diagrams and schemes provide the data used for the automatic
generation of reports etc.

Table 7.3. 1 (Types of Drawing )

Wiring Diagram

Scheme Diagram

A. Drawings Tab
The Drawings tab has commands includes all the tools necessary for drawing shapes,
inserting text, images, dimensions, etc. These commands supply only supplementary
graphical information to a scheme or wiring diagram rather than any intelligence. The
commands are very useful when creating symbols.

Figure 7.3. 1 (Drawings Tab )

B. Line Diagram Tab

Opening a Wiring diagram will activate the Line diagram tab, the commands here
allow for the creation and maintenance of wiring diagrams.

Figure 7.3. 2 ( Line Diagram Tab )

a. Insert symbols and draw cables.

b. Insert origin/destination arrows between diagrams.
c. Draw function and location outlines.
d. Edit cabling between components.
 Figure 7.3. 3 ( Example of Line Diagram )

C. Schematic Tab
Opening a scheme drawing will activate the Schematic tab, the commands here allow for
the creation and maintenance of scheme drawings.

a. Draw electrical wires for power or command schemes.

b. Insert symbols, terminal.
c. Define origin/destination arrows between schemes.
d. Draw function and location outlines.

Figure 7.3. 4 (Example of Schematic )

D. Schematic Wires
There is no limit to the number of wires available in any project, each wire style can
be defined in the Line Style Manager and can a unique color, numbering system, gauge,
line type. Additionally there are commands to define and draw power and/or command
wires to ease design.
1. Drawing scheme wires
There are two distinct commands for drawing scheme wires.

Figure 7.3. 5 (Drawing scheme wires )

On selecting either command the Command panel will become active.

Figure 7.3. 6 (Electrical Wires Command Panel )

From here the Line Style Manager can be accessed to select, create or modify a
line style.
 Figure 7.3. 7 ( Line Style Manager )

All line styles in the project are listed here, and are grouped by Numbering group,
the numbering group indicates that all the wires in the same group will have the
same counter applied to them when they are numbered.

E. Insert Symbols
SolidWorks Electrical comes with a range of electrical symbols standards; these can
be further developed to suit individual company needs.
There are a number of ways to insert symbols into a scheme drawing:
a. Copy/Paste
b. Insert Symbol command
c. Symbol palette
d. Macro palette
1. Copy/Paste
SolidWorks Electrical uses the Microsoft Windows standards for Copy/Paste, Drag
and Drop, Undo/Redo, etc.
Any symbol can be copied from one scheme to another, from one project to another,
or in the same scheme.
A symbol can be copied by pressing [Ctrl] key left clicking on it and dragging the
copy to the new location.
When a symbol is copied, a new component is created and the symbol receives a new
mark.
2. Insert Symbol
On selecting the command the Command panel will become active.

Figure 7.3. 8 (Insert Symbol Command Panel )

The Other symbol button opens the Symbols selector dialog where another symbol can
be selected.

3. Symbol Palette
On opening a scheme drawing two side panel options become active Symbols
and Macros.
The Symbols palette is a shortcut to access the symbols library. The listed
groups can be customized to provide quick access to the most commonly used
symbols, rather than listing every symbol available. Using the Search option is run
across all library symbols, not only those shown.

Figure 7.3. 9 (Symbol Palette )

4. Macros Palette
Macros are a time saving feature, they can be single or multiple entities of any
type, so that if there is a certain circuit type that is often used, a DOL for example, it
can be saved as a macro and then just be dragged into dropped in drawings. To create
new macros simply select information in a scheme drawing and drag it into the Macro
palette.
 It should be noted that macros are drawing type specific, so that a scheme macro
cannot be inserted into a line diagram etc.

Figure 7.3. 10 ( Macros Palette )

IV. SOLIDWORKS ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS

A Component is by definition an electrical device. It includes devices such as circuit breakers,
contactors and also terminal strips and PLCs.
Each component has a mark that identifies it. Typically a component is represented by one
or more symbols sharing the same mark, but also SolidWorks Electrical manages Components
without a graphical representation in the scheme.

A. Symbols and Components

When a symbol is inserted in a schematic or line diagram sheet, the symbol editor
window opens where a new mark can be defined; on applying the mark a new electrical
component is created. You can also associate a Location and a Function to a component.

Figure 7.4. 1 (Location and Function )

Symbols that have the same Mark value applied to them are automatically associated
to one another and so to the same component, unless a Manual mark is applied.
On inserting a symbol the Symbol Properties dialog is displayed, and the components
 currently in the project are listed on the right hand side, by selecting a listed component an
association is formed and the symbol becomes part of the component.
By selecting the Manual mark option it is possible to duplicate mark values but have
separate components.

B. Applying manufactures parts data

It is possible to create components in SolidWorks Electrical without having to have
any inserted symbol, these components are stored in the SQL database only, and can have a
manufacturers part assigned to them. This allows for feasibility studies to be carried out
prior to undertaking any actual design work, as certain reports can be generated, (BOM,
Parts), based on the components that have been created.
Alternatively parts can be applied to the symbols inserted in drawings that make up
the component.
Generally manufacturer's parts are allocated when inserting symbols. The Symbol
properties dialog has a tab to access and search for and define references.
Use the "Search" button. You can browse the catalog using the filters to find the reference
you need.

Figure 7.4. 2 (Applying manufactures parts data )

The pin, (terminal), numbering for symbols is obtained from the manufacturers part.
Color coding is used to easily identify if the parts data being applied to a symbol matches
correctly.

Table 7.4. 1 (Color coding )

Correct. The values match both the symbol and manufacturers part.
 Incorrect. The value required by the symbol is not found in the manufacturers
part.
Spare. The value in the manufacturers part is not found in the symbol.

V. ELECTRICAL SYMBOLS & ELECTRONIC SYMBOLS

Electrical symbols and electronic circuit symbols are used for drawing schematic diagram.
The symbols represent electrical and electronic components.
These are the table of symbols which commonly used in 7th Module Practicum:

Table 7.5. 1 ( Commonly used Symbols )

Symbol Component name Meaning

Pushbutton Switch (N.O) Momentary switch - normally open

Used for zero potential reference and electrical shock

Earth Ground
protection.

Chassis Ground Connected to the chassis of the circuit

Resistor (IEC) Resistor reduces the current flow.

Variable Resistor /
Adjustable resistor - has 2 terminals.
Rheostat (IEC)

Potentiometer (IEC) Adjustable resistor - has 3 terminals.

Capacitor is used to store electric charge. It acts as short

Capacitor
circuit with AC and open circuit with DC.

Polarized Capacitor Electrolytic capacitor

Inductor Coil / solenoid that generates magnetic field

Battery Cell Generates constant voltage

Diode Diode allows current flow in one direction only - left

(anode) to right (cathode).

NPN Bipolar Transistor Allows current flow when high potential at base (middle)
 PNP Bipolar Transistor Allows current flow when low potential at base (middle)

Light Emitting Diode (LED) LED emits light when current flows through

And these are the nearly complete table of electrical symbols:

Table 7.5. 2 ( Electrical Symbols )

Symbol Component name Meaning

Wire Symbols

Electrical Wire Conductor of electrical current

Connected Wires Connected crossing

Not Connected Wires Wires are not connected

Switch Symbols and Relay Symbols

SPST Toggle Switch Disconnects current when open

SPDT Toggle Switch Selects between two connections

Pushbutton Switch (N.O) Momentary switch - normally open

Pushbutton Switch (N.C) Momentary switch - normally closed

DIP Switch DIP switch is used for onboard configuration

SPST Relay
Relay open / close connection by an electromagnet
SPDT Relay

Jumper Close connection by jumper insertion on pins.

Solder Bridge Solder to close connection

Ground Symbols

Used for zero potential reference and electrical shock

Earth Ground
protection.
Chassis Ground Connected to the chassis of the circuit

Digital / Common Ground

Resistor Symbols

Resistor (IEEE)
Resistor reduces the current flow.
Resistor (IEC)

Potentiometer (IEEE)
Adjustable resistor - has 3 terminals.
Potentiometer (IEC)

Variable Resistor /
Rheostat (IEEE)
Adjustable resistor - has 2 terminals.
Variable Resistor /
Rheostat (IEC)

Trimmer Resistor Preset resistor

Thermal resistor - change resistance when temperature

Thermistor
changes

Photoresistor / Light dependent Photo-resistor - change resistance with light intensity

resistor (LDR) change

Capacitor Symbols

Capacitor
Capacitor is used to store electric charge. It acts as short
circuit with AC and open circuit with DC.
Capacitor

Polarized Capacitor Electrolytic capacitor

Polarized Capacitor Electrolytic capacitor

Variable Capacitor Adjustable capacitance

Inductor / Coil Symbols

Inductor Coil / solenoid that generates magnetic field

Iron Core Inductor Includes iron

Variable Inductor

Power Supply Symbols

Voltage Source Generates constant voltage

Current Source Generates constant current.

AC Voltage Source AC voltage source

Electrical voltage is generated by mechanical rotation of

Generator
the generator

Battery Cell Generates constant voltage

Battery Generates constant voltage

Generates voltage as a function of voltage or current of

Controlled Voltage Source
other circuit element.

Generates current as a function of voltage or current of

Controlled Current Source
other circuit element.

Meter Symbols

Measures voltage. Has very high resistance. Connected

Voltmeter
in parallel.

Measures electric current. Has near zero resistance.

Ammeter
Connected serially.

Ohmmeter Measures resistance

Wattmeter Measures electric power

Lamp / Light Bulb Symbols

Lamp / light bulb

Lamp / light bulb Generates light when current flows through

Lamp / light bulb

 Diode / LED Symbols

Diode allows current flow in one direction only - left

Diode
(anode) to right (cathode).

Allows current flow in one direction, but also can flow

Zener Diode
in the reverse direction when above breakdown voltage

Schottky Diode Schottky diode is a diode with low voltage drop

Varactor / Varicap Diode Variable capacitance diode

Tunnel Diode

Light Emitting Diode (LED) LED emits light when current flows through

Photodiode Photodiode allows current flow when exposed to light

Transistor Symbols

Allows current flow when high potential at base

NPN Bipolar Transistor
(middle)

PNP Bipolar Transistor Allows current flow when low potential at base (middle)

Made from 2 bipolar transistors. Has total gain of the

Darlington Transistor
product of each gain.

JFET-N Transistor N-channel field effect transistor

JFET-P Transistor P-channel field effect transistor

NMOS Transistor N-channel MOSFET transistor

PMOS Transistor P-channel MOSFET transistor

Misc. Symbols

Motor Electric motor

Transformer Change AC voltage from high to low or low to high.

Electric bell Rings when activated

Buzzer Produce buzzing sound

Fuse
The fuse disconnects when current above threshold.
Used to protect circuit from high currents.
Fuse

Bus

Bus Contains several wires. Usually for data / address.

Bus

Optocoupler / Opto-isolator Optocoupler isolates connection to other board

Loudspeaker Converts electrical signal to sound waves

Microphone Converts sound waves to electrical signal

Operational Amplifier Amplify input signal

Schmitt Trigger Operates with hysteresis to reduce noise.

Analog-to-digital converter
Converts analog signal to digital numbers
(ADC)

Digital-to-Analog converter
Converts digital numbers to analog signal
(DAC)

Crystal Oscillator Used to generate precise frequency clock signal

Antenna Symbols
Antenna / aerial Transmits & receives radio waves

Antenna / aerial

Dipole Antenna Two wires simple antenna

 Logic Gates Symbols
NOT Gate (Inverter) Outputs 1 when input is 0

AND Gate Outputs 1 when both inputs are 1.

NAND Gate Outputs 0 when both inputs are 1. (NOT + AND)

OR Gate Outputs 1 when any input is 1.

NOR Gate Outputs 0 when any input is 1. (NOT + OR)

XOR Gate Outputs 1 when inputs are different. (Exclusive OR)

D Flip-Flop Stores one bit of data

Multiplexer / Mux 2 to 1 Connects the output to selected input line.

Multiplexer / Mux 4 to 1

Demultiplexer / Demux 1 to 4 Connects selected output to the input line.

VI. ELECTRIC COMPONENTS

Electronic components are parts of electrical & electronic circuits. Each component has
typical functionality according to its operational characteristics.

Table 2

Table 7.6. 1 ( Electrical and electronic components )

Component Image Component Component Name

Symbol

Wire

Toggle switch

Pushbutton switch

Relay
 Jumper

Dip switch

Resistor

Variable resistor /
Rheostat

Potentiometer

Capacitor

Variable capacitor

Electrolytic capacitor

Inductor

Battery

Voltmeter

Lamp / Light bulb

Component Component Component Name

Image Symbol

Diode

BJT Transistor

MOS transistor

Optocoupler /
optoisolator

Electric motor

Transformer
 Operational amplifier /
741

Crystal oscillator

Fuse

Buzzer

Loudspeaker

Microphone

Antenna / aerial

A. Passive components
Passive components do not need additional power source to operate and can not have
gain.

Passive components include: wires, switches, resistors, capacitors, inductors, lamps,

ect.

B. Active components
Active components need additional power source to operate and can have gain.

Active components include: transistors, relays, power sources, amplifiers, ect.

VII. REFERENCES

1. Electrical Symbols & Electronic Symbols. (2008). Retrieved from RapidTables. Retrieved from
[Link]

2. Schematic Diagram Definition. (2007). Retrieved from BussinessDictionary. Retrieved from

[Link]

3. Electronic Components. (2009). Retrieved from BussinessDictionary. Retrieved from

[Link]

4. Alexander Ouellet. (2015). Getting Started Guide. Retrieved from SolidWorks. Retrieved from
[Link]

5. [Link]. (2012). SolidWorks Electrical Getting Started. Retrieved from FTP. Retrieved from
[Link]