I need to learn how to create line and wiring diagrams

[Cajun54]

I recently graduated with a bachelors in Mech Eng and have been asked to create some wiring and line diagrams for UL approved industrial control panels for my first job. I need some good resources to guide me through this... Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[MikeHalloran]

Sharpen your pencil. ... No,
Fire up your CAD system. ... No,
Go find a drafter. ... No,
First, go find some examples of what has been submitted before, and start by marking up or modifying copies of those, adapted of course to the circuits and functions you are trying to generate.





Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[ScottyUK]

One of the few exceptions to Mike's advice above might be if you're using AutoCAD Electrical to generate the drawings, because that has its own style and does a lot of the drawing for you at the expense of you doing a lot of other stuff elsewhere.

Otherwise this is a routine task and the best bet is to find some good examples - i.e. clear, easy-to-understand, structured drawings - and figure out why they are good examples. Of course your company may already have some standards or previous projects which you can use as a basis.

 

[DRWeig]

Hi Cajun54, welcome to eng-tips.

It's a good idea to look at what's been done before, as Scotty and Mike pointed out.

Also, study the UL508a and UL508 standards. They're really not that hard to understand, and it's good to be able to find what you need quickly.

I designed for a UL508a panel shop. When the inspector came around, it was great to be able to open the book and point to a section in order to answer his question.

Best to you,

Goober Dave

Haven't see the forum policies? Do so now: Forum Policies

 

[jraef]

Ok, I'll say it. Maybe a recently graduated Mechanical Engineer who obviously knows little about Electrical Engineering is a poor choice for assigning this task to. Not your fault Cajun54, I just think your boss is a cheap idiot. Of course there are plenty of MEs out there doing control panel work, but most of them learned at the feet of more experienced and responsible mentors. You are being thrown to the wolves it appears. He shouldn't really be putting you in this kind of position.

That said, I think it might be important given your inexperience for him to at least pony up for a good control panel design software package, preferably one with circuit proving capability. They are out there, they are not cheap, but they are less expensive than catastrophic mistakes. It may be due to the previous night's revelry, but I cannot for the life of me think of one name right now, but when the ringing in my ears tapers off, I may be able to offer suggestions later.

"Will work for (the memory of) salami"

 

[controlsdude]

Only question I have is whether their designs you are looking at are UL approved?

If they are then above suggestions are valid, otherwise I think jraef has a valid point.