Customizing the Circuit Builder in AutoCAD Electrical

Randy BrunetteAutodesk Electrical SME

Agenda

• What is the Circuit Builder?

• How the Parts Work Together.– Circuit Selection

– Circuit Configuration

– Circuit Build

• One-line Diagrams

• Customizing the Circuit Builder– Circuit Templates

– Circuit Spreadsheet

– Circuit Database

Knowledge of the Circuit Builder?

Knew the Circuit Builder existed?

Have used the Circuit Builder?

Have customized the Circuit Builder?

Hope to make your job easier?

Have attended a class or presentation of mine?

How many of you…

What is the Circuit Builder

• Configuration Tool– One design, many

variations.

• Rules Based Tool– Component ratings

based on motor parameters.

Circuit Builder

Circuit Spreadsheet

Standards Database

Circuit Templates

Four Pieces of the Puzzle

How the Pieces Work Together

Circuit Builder references Spreadsheet

Spreadsheet references Database

Data is supplied to Circuit Builder

Selected options drive choices

Circuit Selection

Defined circuit types displayed

History of previously inserted circuits available for reuse

Use Insert for quick insert with all default values

Use Configure to define each component

Circuit Configuration

Circuits inserted depending on selections

Default values used if component not configured

First item is motor, drives upstream ratings (FLA)

Build Options

Inserts only the highlighted circuit element

(One element at a time) Inserts all circuit elements up

to and including the highlighted circuit element

(Groups of elements) Inserts all circuit elements Reverses the most recently

inserted circuit element (Undo)

One-line Diagrams

Simplified version of 3PH diagram

Circuit Builder references both Useful for overall load strategy

Matching 3PH and One-line diagrams

Circuit Template

Provides framework for circuit, wires and marker blocks Marker blocks provide placeholders Codes on marker blocks matched to codes in spreadsheet

Circuit Spreadsheet

Drives appearance of Circuit Builder dialog

Contains data and commands Matched to template and

marker block codes

Circuit Database (Engineering Standards Database)

Provides selection and ratings to Circuit Builder Only NEC and IEC are provided, others can be added