--- title: Understanding the Basics Of ECAD technology description: EPLAN explores what ECAD technology is and how it can be used for schematic design, reducing manual tasks and using component libraries. image: https://blog.eplan.co.uk/hubfs/5-reasons-for-improving-collaboration-between-ecad-and-mcad-applications.png --- [![Logo](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/3337099/blog/images/Logo/Eplan.svg)](https://blog.eplan.co.uk?language=all) [![](https://blog.eplan.co.uk/hubfs/blog/images/Category/Trends-eplan-2021-black.svg) trends](https://blog.eplan.co.uk/tag/trends?language=all) [![](https://blog.eplan.co.uk/hubfs/blog/images/Category/Projects-eplan-2021-black.svg) projects](https://blog.eplan.co.uk/tag/projects?language=all) [![](https://blog.eplan.co.uk/hubfs/blog/images/Category/Software-eplan-2021-black.svg) software](https://blog.eplan.co.uk/tag/software?language=all) ![](https://blog.eplan.co.uk/hubfs/5-reasons-for-improving-collaboration-between-ecad-and-mcad-applications.png) [Home](https://blog.eplan.co.uk) [Software](https://blog.eplan.co.uk/tag/software) Understanding the Basics Of ECAD technology ## Author ![Simon Knibbs](https://blog.eplan.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Simon%20Knibbs%20Headshot%20-%2008.jpg?length=68&upsize=true&upscale=true&name=Simon%20Knibbs%20Headshot%20-%2008.jpg) Simon Knibbs Simon has been working at EPLAN UK for 3 years as an EPLAN Applications Engineer. He started his career in building, services, and moved on to designing and programming early robotics. He then became involved in mechatronic design and PCB layout. Since joining the CAD industry he has always been at the forefront assisting customers. He is a great advocate of value for money and hates to see customers’ investments underutilised through lack of knowledge, configuration skills or investment. He is a firm believer that a consultant’s role is to aid the customer in doing things better, easier and faster. So automation, standardisation and integration into other workflows are his interests. [Knibbs.S@eplan.co.uk](mailto:Knibbs.S@eplan.co.uk) [Simon Knibbs auf LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonknibbs/) 30/10/24 # Understanding the Basics Of ECAD technology Author: Simon Knibbs Time to read: minute minutes Original Blog Posted 15/08/2023:  To stay competitive, electrical engineering companies must keep up with the latest technologies and use the right digital tools. Though electrical CAD software has been around over forty years, now it is much more sophisticated with improved usability. EPLAN's electrical schematic design software can automate complex electrical design work, complementing and facilitating the work of manufacturing teams.  ## What is ECAD?     ECAD is the acronym for Electronic Computer-Aided Design. This acronym can also be used for *Electrical* Computer-Aided Design, where it serves the design of higher-voltage electrical systems. At heart, ECAD technologies are specifically designed to facilitate the creation of electrical schematic diagrams. ECAD applications can be used to produce detailed 2D schematic diagrams, as well as more sophisticated 3D virtual prototypes of electrical systems. ![virtual prototype blog snapchot](https://blog.eplan.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/EPLAN%20UK/virtual%20prototype%20blog%20snapchot.png?width=834&height=464&name=virtual%20prototype%20blog%20snapchot.png)   ## Schematic Design    ECAD software is primarily a tool for electrical engineers to design and edit schematics and layouts. Electrical engineering product design has always required high-quality, accurate schematic diagrams; ECAD serves this need while also adding extra functionality. Because it is designed specifically for electrical systems, [EPLAN's Electric P8](https://www.eplan.co.uk/solutions/eplan-electric-p8/)electric schematic design software facilitates better electrical diagramming, with embedded component information and real systems logic. It also saves time and reduces errors in the design process, offering accurate and usable schematics to engineers on the shop floor.    Beyond standard 2D diagrams, EPLAN also supports 3D virtual prototyping. This feature allows engineers to identify potential problems earlier in the design process, and helps to standardise actual routing and connection processes.    [![Discover how to avoid electrical mistakes getting through to production](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3056111/bb940eb1-13b7-498c-9287-6368706f27cd.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3056111/bb940eb1-13b7-498c-9287-6368706f27cd) ## Reduced Manual Tasks    There are many generic CAD systems that engineers can use to generate electrical schematic designs. However, the fact that ECAD is tailored for the electrical engineer means that inconsistencies and mistakes can be easier avoided. EPLAN's ECAD software include tools to improve workflows based on real engineering principles, helping to optimise designs with foresight and reduce manual work during installation and maintenance.  ![manual-vs-automated-why-automated-cad-software-is-superior](https://blog.eplan.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/manual-vs-automated-why-automated-cad-software-is-superior.jpg?width=1920&height=1080&name=manual-vs-automated-why-automated-cad-software-is-superior.jpg)   ## Component Libraries    Unlike non-specific design and diagramming tools, EPLAN software includes electrical component libraries to streamline design and ensure compatibility. Component libraries contain detailed information about their entries' electrical properties and physical dimensions. This means layouts and pinouts can be planned accurately with potential problems foreseen at an early stage. To ensure maximum reliability, use [EPLAN's Data Portal](https://www.eplan-software.com/solutions/eplan-data-portal/), a cloud-based solution with component data from thousands of manufacturers.    The EPLAN Data Portal is revolutionising the world of electrical engineering by providing a central database for component data. With over one million components from 344 manufacturers, this portal offers a comprehensive and easily accessible resource for engineers. The recent update to the user interface has made searching for and finding device data even faster and more enjoyable, leading to increased efficiency in the design process. With the goal of achieving 100% digital data availability, the EPLAN Data Portal is paving the way for a future of highly efficient engineering and seamless integration between processes and machines.  ![data portal-2](https://blog.eplan.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/data%20portal-2.jpg?width=838&height=471&name=data%20portal-2.jpg) ## Data Exports    All necessary data from ECAD tools can also be exported directly for both manual and automated manufacturing. The EPLAN software generates full documentation for panel building and component assembly, including layout and placement specifications. [EPLAN's Smart Mounting](https://www.eplan.co.uk/solutions/eplan-smart-mounting/)and EPLAN's [Smart Wiring](https://blog.eplan.co.uk/wiring-control-panels-the-easier-way) applications can also offer detailed instructions for populating and wiring an enclosure. This ensures that all electrical enclosures are built in a standardised way, without the need for highly skilled technicians, guesswork, or ad-hoc decision-making.    ## Next Steps    [Get in touch today](https://www.eplan.co.uk/company/contact/) to find out more about EPLAN, the world’s best eCAD software for electrical design engineers.    [![Electrical Design Mistakes - Long CTA](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3056111/746dffa7-9ecd-487d-8885-21df1d509197.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3056111/746dffa7-9ecd-487d-8885-21df1d509197) Related tags: - [3D Electrical Design](https://blog.eplan.co.uk/tag/3d-electrical-design?language=all) - [SOFTWARE](https://blog.eplan.co.uk/tag/software?language=all) - [ECAD](https://blog.eplan.co.uk/tag/ecad?language=all) - [Electrical Engineering](https://blog.eplan.co.uk/tag/electrical-engineering?language=all) Share this article ... ## Comments ## Author ![Simon Knibbs](https://blog.eplan.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Simon%20Knibbs%20Headshot%20-%2008.jpg?length=68&upsize=true&upscale=true&name=Simon%20Knibbs%20Headshot%20-%2008.jpg) Simon Knibbs Simon has been working at EPLAN UK for 3 years as an EPLAN Applications Engineer. He started his career in building, services, and moved on to designing and programming early robotics. He then became involved in mechatronic design and PCB layout. Since joining the CAD industry he has always been at the forefront assisting customers. He is a great advocate of value for money and hates to see customers’ investments underutilised through lack of knowledge, configuration skills or investment. He is a firm believer that a consultant’s role is to aid the customer in doing things better, easier and faster. So automation, standardisation and integration into other workflows are his interests. [Knibbs.S@eplan.co.uk](mailto:Knibbs.S@eplan.co.uk) [Simon Knibbs auf LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonknibbs/) ## Top 3 articles [Answering your questions: How much does EPLAN cost?](https://blog.eplan.co.uk/how-much-does-eplan-cost?language=all) [What is Eplan & How much does it cost?](https://blog.eplan.co.uk/how-much-does-eplan-cost-0?language=all) [How do I migrate from EPLAN 5 to EPLAN Electric P8?](https://blog.eplan.co.uk/how-do-i-migrate-from-eplan-5-to-eplan-electric-p8?language=all) ## Recent articles [![BOMAG steam roller](https://blog.eplan.co.uk/hubfs/BOMAG.png) Parallel Engineering for Wiring Harnesses: BOMAG’s Digital Twin Strategy](https://blog.eplan.co.uk/bomag-revolutionizes-cable-harness-creation-with-eplan?language=all) [![Migration options for Eplan software](https://blog.eplan.co.uk/hubfs/pep1910178.jpg) Migrate Your Business to Eplan With Minimal Disruption](https://blog.eplan.co.uk/migrate-your-business-to-eplan-with-minimal-disruption?language=all) [![](https://blog.eplan.co.uk/hubfs/csm_Training_16x9_08171d62ac-jpg.jpeg) Transitioning to Eplan ECAD software: the learning curve ](https://blog.eplan.co.uk/transitioning-to-eplan-ecad-software-the-learning-curve?language=all) ## Blog Newsletter ![](https://blog.eplan.co.uk/hubfs/blog/images/Icon/Mail-eplan-2021-bw.svg) Subscribe to our blog and stay up to date! ## Videos You need to enable functional cookies to show this video. 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