Drawing on paper is far from fun for everyone - it takes a long time, it’s not always beautiful, it’s hard to immediately correctly calculate the dimensions, and it’s inconvenient to make adjustments. All these problems are easily solved by the program for drawing diagrams. Most modern software products contain a library with a set of basic elements. From them, as from the constructor, the required configuration is assembled. Edits and corrections are made quickly, you can save different versions.

There are quite a few electrical drawing programs that you can use for free. Some of these are demo versions with limited functionality, some of them are full-fledged products. For designing a wiring diagram in an apartment or house, these functions are enough, but for professional use, a product with wider functionality may be required. For these purposes, paid options are more suitable.

Like any software product, a diagram drawing program is rated for ease of use. The interface should be simple, convenient, functional. Then even a person without special computer skills can easily figure it out. But, nevertheless, the main factor is the sufficiency of functions for creating circuits of varying complexity. After all, even an inconvenient interface can be adapted, but the absence of some parts is more difficult to make up for.

A simple program for drawing diagrams VISIO

Many of us are familiar with Microsoft office products and Visio is one of the products. This graphics editor has a familiar interface for Microsoft products. Extensive libraries contain all the necessary element base, you can create circuit, wiring diagrams. Working in VISIO is easy: in the library (window on the left) we find the desired section, look for the required element in it, drag it to the working field, put it in place. The dimensions of the elements are standardized, they fit one with the other without problems.

Vision program for drawing diagrams - a clear interface

What's nice is that you can create diagrams to scale, which will make it easier to calculate the required length of wires and cables. What’s more good is that it doesn’t take much space on the computer’s hard drive, even not very powerful machines will “pull” this program for drawing diagrams. Also pleased with the presence of a large number of video tutorials. So there won't be any problems with learning.

Clear ProfiCAD

If you need a simple program for the design of electrical wiring - pay attention to ProfiCAD. This product does not require downloading libraries like most others. The database contains about 700 built-in elements, which are enough to develop a power supply scheme for an apartment or a private house. The available elements are also sufficient to draw up not too complex circuit diagrams. If an element is missing, it can be added.

The main drawback of the program for drawing ProfiCAD diagrams is the lack of a Russified version. But, even if you are not strong in English, it is worth a try - everything is very simple. In a couple of hours you will master everything.

The principle of operation is simple: in the field on the left we find the desired element, drag it to the right place in the diagram, and rotate it to the required position. Let's move on to the next element. After completing the work, you can get a specification indicating the number of wires and a list of elements, save the results in one of four formats.

Compass Electric

A program with more serious functionality is called Compass Electric. This is the part software Compass 3D. In it, you can not only draw a circuit diagram, but also block diagrams and much more. At the output, you can get specifications, purchasing lists, connection tables.

To get started, you need to download and install not only the program, but also a library with an element base. The program, explanations, help - everything is Russified. So there will be no problems with the language.

When working, select the desired section of the library, graphic images appear in a pop-up window. In it, select the necessary elements, drag them to the working field, setting them in the right place. As the scheme is formed, the data about the elements get into the specification, where the name, type and denomination of all elements are fixed.

The numbering of elements can be put down automatically, or maybe manually. The method is selected in the settings menu. You can change it during work.

QElectroTech

Another program for drawing circuits is QElectroTech. The interface resembles Microsoft products and is easy to work with. There is no need to download a library for this program, the element base is "built-in". If something is not there, you can add your own elements.

The finished scheme can be saved in the get format (for further work with it in the program) or as an image (jpg, png, svg, bmp formats). After saving, you can change the dimensions of the drawing, add a grid, a frame.

QElectroTech- free editor to create electrical circuits

This program has some drawbacks. The first is that inscriptions can be made in only one font, that is, if you need a drawing in accordance with GOST, you will have to somehow figure out how to change the font. The second is that the sizes of frames and stamps are set in pixels, which is very inconvenient. In general, if you need a program to draw diagrams for home use is a great option. If compliance with the requirements of GOST is required, look for another.

123D Circuits Electronic Circuit Simulator

If you do not know how to draw a diagram on a computer, take a closer look at this product. 123D Circuits is an online service that allows you to create a not very complex circuit with the ability to create printed circuit boards. There is also a built-in simulator that simulates the work of the finished circuit. The function of ordering a batch of ready-made boards is available (for a fee).

Before you start, you need to register, create your profile. After that, you can start work. Multiple users can work on the same project using shared libraries. In the free version of the program, you can create an unlimited number of schemes, but they will be publicly available. In the amateur tariff ($12), five circuits can be personal, and there is also a 5% discount on the production of circuit boards. The Professional plan ($25) gives you an unlimited number of personal designs and the same discount on ordering boards.

The circuit can be drawn from the available components (there are not very many of them, but it is possible to add your own) or imported from the Eagle program. Unlike other programs, the 123D Circuits library does not contain schematic symbols of elements, but their mini copies. Interface with two side fields. On the right, the section of the library with the element base is displayed, on the left - part of the settings and the list of used elements. After the work is completed, the program itself generates a circuit diagram, and also suggests the location of elements on the board (can be edited).

Everything seems to be fine, but 123D Circuits has serious drawbacks. First, the results of simulated work are often very different from real readings. The second - the functionality is small, it will not work to make a really complex circuit. Conclusion: Basically, this program is suitable for students and beginner radio amateurs.

Paid programs for drawing electrical circuits

There are many paid graphic editors for creating diagrams, but not all of them are needed for "home" use or for work, but not directly related to design. Paying a lot of money for unnecessary features is not the smartest decision. In this section, we will collect those products that have received a lot of good reviews.

DipTrace - for PCB design

For experienced radio amateurs or those whose work is related to the design of radio products, the DipTrace program will be useful. It was developed in Russia, therefore it is completely in Russian.

It has a very useful function - it can develop a printed circuit board according to a ready-made scheme, and it can be seen not only in two-dimensional, but also in a three-dimensional image with the location of all elements. It is possible to edit the position of elements on the board, develop and correct the device case. That is, it can be used both for designing wiring in an apartment or house, and for developing some devices.

In addition to the program for drawing diagrams, you will also need to download a library with an element base. The peculiarity is that this can be done using a special application - Schematic DT.

The interface of the program for drawing circuits and creating printed circuit boards DipTrace is convenient. The process of creating a scheme is standard - we drag the necessary elements from the library onto the field, expand them in the required direction and set them in place. The element that is being worked on this moment illuminated, which makes the work more comfortable.

As the scheme is created, the program automatically checks the correctness and admissibility of connections, the coincidence of sizes, compliance with gaps and distances. That is, all edits and adjustments are made immediately, at the creation stage. The created circuit can be run on the built-in simulator, but it is not the most difficult, so it is possible to test the product on any external simulators. It is possible to import a scheme to work in other applications or accept (export) an already created one for its further development. So the DipTrase circuit drawing program is a really good choice.

If you need a printed circuit board, we find the corresponding function in the menu, if not, the circuit can be saved (it can be corrected) and / or printed. The DipTrace diagramming program is paid (there are different tariffs), but there is a free 30-day version.

SPlan

Perhaps the most popular program for drawing diagrams is SPlan. It has a well thought out interface, extensive, well structured libraries. It is possible to add your own elements if they are not in the library. As a result, it is easy to work, the program is mastered in a few hours (if you have experience with similar software).

The disadvantage is that there is no official Russified version, but you can find it partially translated by craftsmen (the help is still in English). There are also portable versions(SPlan Portable) which do not require installation.

One of the most "light" versions - SPlan Portable

After downloading and installing the program, you need to configure it. This takes a few minutes, the settings are saved on subsequent launches. The creation of schemes is standard - we find the desired element in the window to the left of the working field, drag it into place. The numbering of elements can be put down in automatic or manual mode (selected in the settings). What's nice is that you can easily change the scale - by scrolling the mouse wheel.

There is a paid (40 euros) and a free version. The free one disables saving (bad) and printing (you can bypass it by creating screenshots). In general, according to numerous reviews, it is a worthwhile product that is easy to work with.

While renovating a house, I encountered the need to draw a single-line power supply diagram. Everything could have been done by hand, but I decided to do it on a computer. This review is about free programs for preparing single-line electrical circuits.

What is a single line power supply scheme?

A one-line diagram is a technical document that GENERALLY gives the person working with it an idea of:
Connection points of the object;

1. The main loads and their indicators (power of machines, their nominal value, marking, etc.);
2. Supply cable (again, all its characteristics: type, permitted current, etc.);
3. Rated current of the input device at the connection point and protective switching devices (similarly);
4. The main consumers of electricity at the facility (similarly).

In fact, without a single-line power supply circuit, it is UNREAL to carry out electrical work. Since the main thing in the document is information.

What is a circuit diagram

A circuit diagram is a drawing showing the complete electrical and magnetic and electromagnetic connections of the elements of an object, as well as the parameters of the components that make up the object depicted in the drawing.

Why is the circuit called single-line?

A single-line diagram is the same electrical circuit diagram, but made in a simplified form: all lines of single-phase and three-phase networks are depicted as one line.
Example of a single-line electrical circuit

How to draw a single-line electrical circuit

There are a lot of programs for drawing on a computer (yes, electrical circuits are not drawn, but drawn!) But all of them are usually difficult to master if you are not doing it professionally. However, I have found a few that are easy for the average person to use.

Program 1-2-3 scheme

The HAGER software 1-2-3-diagram, Semiolog and hLsys Lume are distributed free of charge. You can and should download from the official website http://www.hagersystems.ru/software/. And do not look for it in file cleaning and garbage collection. Program in Russian.


The program "1-2-3 scheme" allows you to select the body of the electrical panel in accordance with the requirements for the degree of protection, equip it with protective and switching modular devices, set the hierarchy for connecting modular devices and v automatic mode form a one-line diagram of the shield.

The program allows you to correctly select the case series and its size, based on the number of modular devices, and arbitrarily mark modular devices. The element base of the 1-2-3-scheme program contains the actual article numbers of equipment supplied to the Russian market and certified according to Russian and European standards. Using the 1-2-3-scheme, you can correctly draw up a specification, create a single-line electrical panel diagram and draw it appearance.


It is clear that it is not at all necessary to use the element base of the HAGER manufacturer. The main thing is the result, that is, a single-line diagram, the correct size of the shield body (when there is enough space for all the machines) and, as a bonus, label printing, which can then be pasted on the shield above the machines.
Using the program 1-2-3 scheme you can easily and with minimal cost time to create an electrical circuit board for housing construction. In order to make better use of the program's capabilities and use time efficiently, hager has developed an interface between this new program and the semiolog labeling program.
For work, you can use only the mouse, develop and print a diagram of an electrical panel and labels with designations for the elements of the circuit for the shield.


An example of an assembled board with consumer group markings made in the Semiolog program.

XL Pro² Program by Legrand

The second program, also from the manufacturer, is Legrand's XL Pro², which simplifies the design of low-voltage switchgear (LVD).
The program allows the designers of switchboards to design switchboards and switchboards of the XL³ series in two ways:

1. using a single line diagram.

The program will automatically determine the type of the complete device, calculate its cost, and place the equipment. XL Pro² automatically makes all changes, making design and calculation as simple as possible various types cabinets.
XL Pro is free and available for download by registered Extranet users.

PROGRAM XL PRO³

The XL Pro³ software simplifies the design of low voltage switchgear (LVD).
The program allows designers of low-voltage switchgear to design distribution cabinets and switchboards manufactured by Legrand for currents up to 6300 A using two methods:

1. select Legrand equipment from the proposed list, necessary for cabinet assembly;
2. using a single line diagram.

The program will automatically determine the type of the complete device, calculate its cost, and place the equipment. XL Pro³ automatically makes all changes, which makes it as easy as possible to design and calculate various types of cabinets.
You can download the program on the official website - http://www.legrand.ru/ru/scripts/ru/publigen/content/templates/previewMultiPhoto.asp?P=1715&L=EN

Rapsodie - Switchboard layout

This is the third program in the overview for the layout of switchboards, but now from schneider-electric.

1. Rapsodie is designed for the assembly of Prisma Plus, Pragma and Kaedra series low-voltage cabinets.
2. Working in Rapsodie greatly speeds up the cabinet layout process.
3. As a result of working with the program, the user can get: the appearance of the cabinet and a complete assembly specification, as well as a detailed calculation of the project cost.
4. The program database contains Schneider Electric devices, the user can automatically select additional accessories for them. It is also possible to create a personal directory from devices that are not in the program database.
5. Rapsodie also allows you to choose to display the single-line diagram topology for the correct selection of switchgear and mounting accessories.
6. The program has a mode of automatic selection of a cell of the desired configuration, taking into account previously specified criteria.
7. The program has an attractive and intuitive Russian-language interface, documentation is issued in the form of files of common formats (*.txt, *.xls, *.pdf, *.dxf).

Advantages
Rapsodie is an intelligent switchboard layout tool.

1. Comfort and transparency when working in the program
2. Automatic device compatibility check
3. Quick access to design results
4. Print or export complete supporting documentation

As a result of working with the program, the User can get: the appearance of the cabinet (doors, front panels, devices, mounting plates, composite devices) and a complete assembly specification, a detailed calculation of the project cost (including taking into account assembly and commissioning works, as well as taking into account discounts).
The program has an attractive and intuitive Russian-language interface, documentation is created in the form of documents in common formats (*.txt, *.xls, *.pdf, *.dxf). Working with Rapsodie significantly speeds up the cabinet layout process and minimizes the possibility of errors.
The program is free, but just like in the case of Legrand, it is not freely available. The program is distributed among the clients and partners of ZAO Schneider Electric free of charge. For maximum user convenience in mastering Rapsodie, a training course is held at the Schneider Electric Learning Center.
The application form for the program can be found on the website, in the Rapsodie product section. The completed application should be sent to the Customer Support Center at [email protected]

Drawing electrical circuits and drawings becomes an easier process if done with the help of special software. The programs provide a huge number of tools and functions that are ideal for this task. In this article, we have selected a small list of representatives of such software. Let's get to know them.

First, consider the Visio program from the well-known to many Microsoft. Its main task is to draw vector graphics, and thanks to this there are no professional restrictions. Electricians can freely create diagrams and drawings here using the built-in tools.

There are a large number of different figures and objects. They are connected with just one click. Microsoft Visio also provides many settings for the view of the diagram, page, supports the insertion of images of diagrams and additional drawings. A trial version of the program is available for download for free on the official website. We recommend that you familiarize yourself with it before buying the full one.

Eagle

Now consider specialized software for electricians. Eagle has built-in libraries, where there are a large number of different circuit types. New project also begins with the creation of a directory, where all used objects and documents will be sorted and stored.

The editor is implemented quite conveniently. There is a basic set of tools to help you quickly draw the correct drawing by hand. In the second editor, printed circuit boards are created. It differs from the first one in the presence of additional functions that would be wrong to place in the schematic diagram editor. The Russian language is present, but not all information is translated, which may be a problem for certain users.

dip trace

Dip Trace is a set of several editors and menus in which various processes with electrical circuits are performed. The transition to one of the available modes of operation is carried out through the built-in launcher.

In the mode of working with circuitry, the main actions take place with the printed circuit board. Components are added and edited here. Parts are selected from a specific menu, where a large number of objects are set by default, but the user can create an element manually using a different mode of operation.

1-2-3 Diagram

The "1-2-3 Diagram" has been specifically designed to select the appropriate electrical panel enclosure according to the installed components and protection reliability. The creation of a new scheme occurs through the wizard, the user only needs to select the necessary parameters and enter certain values.

There is a graphical display of the scheme, it can be sent to print, but cannot be edited. When the project is completed, the shield cover is selected. At the moment, "1-2-3 Scheme" is not supported by the developer, updates have been out for a long time and most likely there will be no more of them at all.

sPlan

sPlan is one of the easiest tools on our list. It provides only the most necessary tools and functions, simplifying the process of creating a circuit as much as possible. The user only needs to add components, link them and send the board to print, having previously configured it.

In addition, there is a small component editor, useful for those who want to add their own element. Here you can create labels and edit points. When saving an object, care must be taken that it does not replace the original in the library if it is not needed.

Compass-3D

"Compass-3D" - professional software for building various diagrams and drawings. This software supports not only work in the plane, but also allows you to create full-fledged 3D models. The user can save files in a variety of formats and then use them in other programs.

The interface is implemented conveniently and completely Russified, even beginners should quickly get used to it. There are a large number of tools that provide fast and correct drawing of the diagram. Trial version"Compass-3D" you can download on the official website of the developers for free.

An electrician

Ends our list of "Electrician" - useful tool for those who often perform various electrical calculations. The program is equipped with more than twenty different formulas and algorithms, with the help of which calculations are carried out in the shortest possible time. The user is only required to fill in certain lines and tick the required parameters.

We have selected for you several programs that allow you to work with electrical circuits. All of them are somewhat similar, but they also have their own unique features, thanks to which they become popular with a wide range of users.

Let's start with the fact that the term electrical (circuit) circuit is used in electronics by radio amateurs. This article will be useful to students, engineers and hobbyists.

But what to do when there are no resources and time? A variety of online services come to the rescue. It turns out to draw a diagram online is simple. Such services for drawing diagrams, the so-called diagram editors, were created specifically to "simplify the life" of the developer and, of course, differ both in the convenience of working when creating a diagram and in functionality. The same schematic drawing functions exist in many CAD systems. electronic circuits.

How to understand such a variety and choose a service that meets your requirements? What to do when you are sitting at someone else's computer and it does not have those necessary CAD programs? The main thing is to have an internet connection.

So, on the Internet there are enough services for drawing those same circuits and even simulating the operation of circuits. There are only three really good ones with a complete list of radio elements, 123D Circuits and . I’ll tell you right away that they don’t have Russian, only English, maybe Google Translator will help you.

123D Circuits — company project Autodesk Inc., the one that made everyone famous AutoCAD. 123D Circuits is tightly integrated Arduino(Arduino is a small board with its own processor and memory). By registering, you get a full-fledged CAD editor, which includes tools such as:

• online project simulator ()

• online schematic diagram editor ()

• online circuit board editor ()

• another interesting feature of this project is that circuit simulation includes a firmware code editor with a debugger ()

Also in 123D Circuits there is a whole base ( Libraries) radioelements and their UGO. All actions and results of work in this online editor are saved in your account on the cloud, there is also an export to the program Gerber. In general, the company presented a good product to users.

is a free diagram drawing tool. A very large list of features of this service, starting with simple drawing and ending with exporting the scheme to .png and .pdf, sharing in social networks and direct printing. Having an account in SchemeIt, you can save an unfinished scheme and finish it at any time.

The editor itself looks like this:

The bottom line is, a pretty good tool to quickly draw a diagram and save it in a graphical format, but it lacks a few UGO radio elements.

- assembly and testing of circuits directly in the browser. This service is more focused on testing the assembled circuit, because. there are clearly not enough elements, but in those that are, you can specify various parameters, such as voltage and current, resistance and capacitance, etc. for accuracy when testing. Of course, there is also export to graphic formats, as well as saving the circuit if you have an account in CircuitLab.

The lab looks like this:

Summing up, I’ll say that this service does not have much that is in ordinary CAD programs, although in principle it can show a dependency graph, but it all depends on the specific scheme. UGO elements are enough, but there are more of them in SchemeIt.

So we tried to draw a diagram online:

We considered three main services for drawing diagrams online, all the other services I googled simply use their base and API.

If you find something similar on the net, please let us know - the article will be completed with an indication of your nickname. Looking forward to your comments and see you soon!

To date, drawing electrical circuits by hand on a leaf is no longer used by any experienced electrician. It is much easier, more convenient and clearer to draw up a project for the electrical wiring of a room on a computer through a special software package in Russian. However, the problem is that not all programs are easy to use, so when they stumble upon an inconvenient and, moreover, paid version of the software, most old-school masters simply discard modern way modeling aside. Next, we will provide readers of the site with an overview of the most simple programs for drawing electrical diagrams of apartments and houses on a computer.

Free Software

There are not many Russian-language, easy-to-use and, moreover, free software for compiling single-line electrical circuits on a computer. So, we have created a small rating so that you know which programs are best for drawing power supply diagrams for houses and apartments:

1. . Oddly enough, but the most popular and no less important - a free program for drawing single-line electrical circuits on a computer is the Visio vector graphics editor. With it, even a novice electrician can quickly draw a circuit diagram of a house or apartment. Concerning functionality, they are not as advanced as those of the software that we will provide below. Summing up, we can say that Microsoft Visio is an easy-to-use and at the same time free software for modeling electrical circuits in Russian, which is suitable for home electricians.
2. . A more professional software package for the design of power supply schemes for premises. Compass has its own database, which stores the names and ratings of all the most popular types of automation, relay protection, low-voltage installations and other circuit elements. In addition, the database contains graphic symbols of all these elements, which will make it possible to make an understandable power supply scheme or even a separate switchboard. The software is completely in Russian and you can also download it for free.
   
3. Eagle(Easily Applicable Graphical Layout Editor). This software package will allow you to not only draw single-line power supply diagrams, but also independently develop a printed circuit board drawing. As for the latter, drawing can be done both manually and without your own participation (in automatic mode). To date, there is both a paid and a free version of the Eagle program. For home use, it will be enough to download the version with the designation "Freeware" (there are some restrictions in relation to the maximum size of the usable area of ​​the printed circuit board). The disadvantage of this software package is that it is not officially Russified, although if you try a little, you can find a localization on the Internet, which will allow you to draw electrical diagrams of apartments and houses without obstacles.
   
4. dip trace. Another popular program for drawing electrical circuits and creating traces for printed circuit boards. The program is simple and easy to use, besides it is completely in Russian. The interface allows you to design a printed circuit board in three-dimensional form, using a database with ready-made electrical circuit elements. You can evaluate the full functionality of the software only for money, but there is also a stripped-down free version, which will be quite enough for a novice electrician.
   
5. ". A completely free program for drawing electrical circuits on a computer. From the official site you can download it in Russian and full version. In addition to modeling power supply projects for apartments, houses and other types of premises, in this software package you can easily draw up a diagram in which the most suitable ratings of machines, relay protection, etc. will immediately be provided. A nice addition this software contains a database with stickers that can be printed and pasted in your own switchboard for graphic designation of all circuit elements according to GOST.
   
6. . One of free versions The popular AutoCAD editor is AutoCAD Electrician. Briefly about this software, we can say the following: the functionality is suitable for both beginners and professional electricians working in the field of energy. The interface is simple and easy to understand. All functions are in Russian, so you can easily use AutoCAD to draw electrical wiring diagrams for wiring around the house or apartment.
   
7. Elf. An interesting name for a simple program for modeling power supply circuits in construction drawing. The software package itself is no less interesting and multifunctional. With the help of the "Elf Design" program, you can build power supply drawings of any complexity. In addition, software helps with a suitable denomination, etc. Elf Design is a completely free software package in Russian.

You can see some of the listed programs on video reviews:

AutoCAD Electrical

KOMPAS-Electric

In addition to the 7 programs provided for drawing electrical circuits, there are more than a dozen editors in which you can draw up a basic plan for the power supply of a house or apartment for free, but other programs have a more complicated interface or problems with the Russian version. We recommend that you give preference to representatives of this rating, so that in the future you do not waste time searching for cracks, user manuals, and the like!

Paid software

We reviewed free programs for drawing up electrical circuits on our own. However, you yourself understand that the paid versions provide a wider range of features and convenient add-ons that will allow you to draw an email diagram on a computer. There are many popular paid programs for drawing electrical circuits. We have provided some of them above, but there is one more program that is worth a little talk about - sPlan. It is one of the easiest to use yet feature rich software packages for wiring diagrams and tracing electronic circuit boards. The interface is convenient, in Russian. The database contains all the most popular graphic elements for drawing electrical circuits.

If you don't mind spending $40 for a license, we highly recommend choosing sPlan for drawing. This software is no doubt suitable for both home use and professional design work, as you can see by watching this video:

Proper use of sPlan

Here we have provided an overview of the best paid and free programs for drawing electrical circuits on a computer. By the way, you can download the Mobile Electrician application on your phone (on Android), in which you can easily calculate the main elements of the electrical circuit, which will help you correctly draw up an electrical circuit if the computer is not nearby!

Related content: