Which software do electrical engineers use to draw circuits usually? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: wirehead_freenode
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 15, 2020, 12:10:09 am
content: Open to any suggestions.

author: dan46n2
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 15, 2020, 12:27:46 am
content: KICAD is free...

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 15, 2020, 12:36:20 am
content: https://www.eevblog.com/wiki/index.php?title=PCB_CAD_programsThere is a whole section of forums here dedicated to them.Electronics <---- You are hereProductsGeneralComputingEDA <---- Here has all the electronics cad forums take your pickEEVblog

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 15, 2020, 12:38:38 am
content: Altium is pretty common, and there's a simpler free version of it called circuitmaker.I've not used it in ages so i cant remember what the limitations are, but i do know you can make projects of any size and use your the pcb designs commercially. I think the limitation comes down to storing your files on their cloud or something. can't remember.

author: SilverSolder
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 15, 2020, 12:40:21 am
content: I've found LTSpice makes quite nice diagrams, and the benefit is of course that you can simulate them at the same time! - huge time saver overall.

author: E-Design
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 15, 2020, 01:33:53 am
content: MS Visio if I need really pretty looking schematics or have other non circuit element things to include like block diagrams etc..Otherwise, the simulator tool works nice - Microcap or LTSpiceMany times, I just hand scribble ideas down on a blank sheet of paper and then scan it as a PDF to archive it for a future use.Sometimes I also take a hi res photo of my gigantic whiteboard where I have sketched out some kind of schematic or pseudo schematic.

author: Jay_Diddy_B
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 15, 2020, 02:49:32 am
content: Hi,To the original poster, are you asking about electrical circuits, power distribution, domestic and industrial installation etc?or you asking about electronic circuits, opamps, resistor etc?Jay_Diddy_B

author: Microcheap
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 15, 2020, 02:50:14 am
content: When you say a software for "electrical engineers", I'm assuming you are referring to a software specifically to drawn wiring diagrams for a machine or a building, for instance, correct?There is a huge number of software out there and the choice will depends on your application, budget, industry where you are and so on.AutoCAD Electrical and Eplan are two well know options but very expensive. SolidWorks Electrical is another one.If you need something free and simple that can run on Linux or Mac there is QElectroTechhttps://qelectrotech.org/index.htmlDesignSpark Electrial is also free:https://www.rs-online.com/designspark/electrical-softwareBut, as others pointed, you could use anything that you already have or know how to use, from MS Visio to Altium Designer.A long time ago, when I was still in college and I were an intern, I had to use AutoCAD (the normal version) to update the schematics of electrical panels for six complete production lines in a refrigerator factory. Definitely not the most efficient tool for the task, but I learned a lot with that.For reference, another similar thread posted recently:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/what-is-a-good-software-for-electrical-wiring-diagram/

author: Rasterist
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 15, 2020, 04:36:54 am
content: I don't know which package is the most popular, but I also don't think the question can be answered without narrowing down what you're really interested in. E.g., if you only want to simulate a circuit, there are applications that just do that. If you're going to turn the circuit into a physical design on a printed circuit board (PCB), there are packages that integrate circuit design and PCB design in one application. A single, independent, consulting EE is probably going to gravitate toward a different solution than the one chosen by a team at a large corporation (more expensive, more collaboration tools, possibly integrating circuit design + PCB design + simulation).

author: wirehead_freenode
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 15, 2020, 10:17:34 pm
content: Thanks all for your suggestions.Jay_Diddy_B, I meant designing a circuit with resistors and capacitors and such.

author: Jay_Diddy_B
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 15, 2020, 10:23:39 pm
content: Quote from: wirehead_freenode on September 15, 2020, 10:17:34 pm+1 for KiCADI switched to KICAD about 6 months ago. For the projects I have done with it, it has been great.I use LTspice for simulation.Jay_Diddy_B

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 15, 2020, 11:59:19 pm
content: DaveCAD for most smaller projects, otherwise KICAD.