Need to make control circuit diagrams for troubleshooting
Need to make control circuit diagrams for troubleshooting
(OP)
I currently am building the self-contained control system for a relatively simple machine which we build from the ground up.
I am wondering if there are any good programs out there which allow me to draw a wiring diagram quickly and easily. I would prefer the diagram to be laid out as "picture", showing each component & its terminals, with wires running from component to component. (Similar to what you see in factory service manuals for automotive/machinery/etc.) The diagram would be used primarily for troubleshooting, and for record-keeping purposes as each machine is different.
It would be easy to make a ladder diagram, but I have yet to talk to a service/maintenance technician who is willing to decipher it.
It would really be cool if the program was able to convert such a diagram to ladder logic or something, or have some kind of "simulation" mode. I am doing control wiring here, not discrete electronics, so maybe that's a little out of reach.
Just something where you are drawing more than just a picture. Then components can be moved around on the drawing board without having to re-draw everything.
I've tried Microsoft Visio (ick!) and we have AutoCAD, which both work OK, but I would like to draw more than just a picture sometimes.
I am wondering if there are any good programs out there which allow me to draw a wiring diagram quickly and easily. I would prefer the diagram to be laid out as "picture", showing each component & its terminals, with wires running from component to component. (Similar to what you see in factory service manuals for automotive/machinery/etc.) The diagram would be used primarily for troubleshooting, and for record-keeping purposes as each machine is different.
It would be easy to make a ladder diagram, but I have yet to talk to a service/maintenance technician who is willing to decipher it.
It would really be cool if the program was able to convert such a diagram to ladder logic or something, or have some kind of "simulation" mode. I am doing control wiring here, not discrete electronics, so maybe that's a little out of reach.
Just something where you are drawing more than just a picture. Then components can be moved around on the drawing board without having to re-draw everything.
I've tried Microsoft Visio (ick!) and we have AutoCAD, which both work OK, but I would like to draw more than just a picture sometimes.
Nic Van Engen
Electrical Technician





RE: Need to make control circuit diagrams for troubleshooting
RE: Need to make control circuit diagrams for troubleshooting
For more complicated circuits the diagram of choice is the schematic, or ladder diagram.
I occasionally use pictorial wiring diagrams to find the actual physical location of the parts and the wire routing.
As a circuit increases in complexity, the pictorial type of diagram becomes more and more difficult to analyze.
Most professionals are comfortable with ladder diagrams.
Those who prefer pictures may be more comfortable with pictorial diagrams.
respectfully
RE: Need to make control circuit diagrams for troubleshooting
Nic Van Engen
Electrical Technician
RE: Need to make control circuit diagrams for troubleshooting
...This is why I need to draw a pictorial diagram, preferrably using a program which is specifically for electrical diagrams, so that conductors are conductors, switches are switches, and components are components; rather than just a bunch of lines and pixels that look like electrical stuff. I believe this would make editing/modifying much easier.
The picture-making software which is available does not cater to electrical diagrams.
Nic Van Engen
Electrical Technician
RE: Need to make control circuit diagrams for troubleshooting
It was on the microsoft site and may have a free time trial. Good luck.
RE: Need to make control circuit diagrams for troubleshooting
Keith Cress
Flamin Systems, Inc.- http://www.flaminsystems.com
RE: Need to make control circuit diagrams for troubleshooting
Electrical Guy
RE: Need to make control circuit diagrams for troubleshooting
nic
Nic Van Engen
Electrical Technician