I have tried many software programs over the last few years. Here are my thoughts on a couple that stand out:
Autocad Electrical: I currently use this because our work has it. The symbols are ok – but made for a ‘D’ size drawing, and if you print it out on ‘B’ size paper (11x17) it is almost illegible IMO. The stock libraries need tweaking to get nice drawings, IMO. It has the most options by far, and you can create nearly any kind of drawing with it, but it will take time to get it set up.
The cost is prohibitive, IMO, because it is now subscription only – a huge turnoff for me. I would never buy or use this if it were my choice for that reason alone. With multiple people using it – drawings can get cluttered very quickly and ‘broken’ if people accidentally purge. Make sure you have drawings only you touch for this reason.
Radica Electra: Uses Microsoft Visio for drawings. Has a great symbol library and makes some really nice looking, mostly legible drawings. When it comes to things like lists, however, you are pretty much stuck with their library and how it looks. You can make some symbols that work with the system, but unless you are used to Visio, it won’t be very intuitive. The autocad import for visio is very specific and often doesn’t import well – so keep in mind if you are wanting to get manufacturer drawings.
All cad exports are M-text and lines. The nice part is that it has one file for all of the project. The downside is, when you have large projects, it can be difficult to navigate. It has subscriptions, but you can buy perpetual. Latest cost is around $2k – probably too expensive for what it is. This would be a good tool for someone who just needs to make drawings and doesn’t have to follow customer standards.
Also of note – the program does use a part database. It becomes almost useless IMO because the data imports when you make the symbol. So – let’s say you put a relay in the database with a cost and description. Then you make a drawing. Then you change the cost and fix a type-o in the description. If you copy a symbol from the first drawing, it won’t update from the database – the part data is only pulled from the database the first time you insert it. Deal killer for me, personally.
PC Schematic Automation: Good software, has the best file organization of all software I’ve tried. Great setup of part library / symbols / layouts. Does panel wire routing, will generate graphical terminal plans, graphical wiring schematics, etc. DWG based, so you can import and export DWG. Has symbol creation wizards, etc. There are many features, but it can take a long time to learn to use them. Complicated, but if set up properly, you can make drawings in a snap and have everything in one place. Program stores in a single directory on the C:\ drive, which I personally find great.
All cad exports fully blocked. Drawings are nicely organized and clear. The downside is, it uses the line width settings, which make the dwgs look a little 'blocky' when you open them.
For NFPA drawings, you are pretty much out of luck. You will need to make many symbols that are standard. Some of the program ‘automation’ makes vertical drawings difficult to make. Also – the software is all metric. You can set it up for inches – but it acts buggy and it actually converts from mm – so .125 is not actually .125 but rounded to .13, for example. Plan on drawing everything metric. It will do imperial layout dimensions, however.
The amount of features and included symbols are overwhelming at first. One you whittle it down to your own symbols and circuits, the features work well. The downside is the cost – which comes in sheet / symbol limitation tiers – 150 symbols / 20 sheets / 40 sheets / unlimited sheets. You can, however upgrade if you need to.
Elwin: works kind of like Eplan. Database driven software, you don’t draw wires, just connectors. Has IEC symbol library, nothing for NFPA – you will have to make your own. Many lists and options. Can use many databases in a project – so you could for instance keep all of your parts and pricing in one library, all your symbols in another, special pricing components in another, etc. Symbol library included is set up for ‘A’ size drawings (8 ½ x 11).
The software looks like it was made for windows 95 (as well as the website) but don’t let that fool you – it still has many good features.
No dwg import, and very, very basic drawing abilities. Don’t expect detailed panel drawings – but it isn’t really necessary to make decent drawings. Basically squares, lines, and text. Circles turn out funny looking – so keep them to a minimum. Only works in metric – no imperial whatsoever.
Keeps track of legend plates / engraved tags / etc which is missing from most other software I’ve tried other than Eplan and Autocad Electrical. Another feature I really like is that it will create purchase orders for your project. If I were a one man show, I didn’t have to use customer title blocks / symbols, and I could draw in IEC standards, I would just use this software.
The price is what makes it worth investing time in. A license cost me about $35. No, I’m not missing any zeros there. The software works for free with a nag screen that pops up every so often. The only down side to the license is that it is per-computer, not key based, so if your computer dies you need to buy a new license.
There is my book on these four options. I’ve tried some other solutions, but these are the four I have spent the most time with.