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When a new panel design project appears with a tight deadline it’s very tempting to check the server for previous jobs that might be close enough to use, copy and adapt as a template.
But taking this route is a scenario that costs the panel building industry an enormous amount of time and money.
The Real Cost of Copy & Paste
Adapting an existing design understandably feels faster than building from scratch, which is why “copy & paste” engineering remains so deeply embedded in many businesses.
But last year's switchgear designs may not only carry hidden errors, they could also be marred by outdated component references or wiring data that no longer reflects the physical layout.
These issues tend to become apparent either during production or later still, when commissioning the systems. At either point, they will be considerably more expensive to resolve than it would have been during the engineering design phase..
Starting from scratch each time avoids any risk of perpetuating errors but it duplicates effort and can concentrate knowledge in individuals rather than across your organisation.
Treating Design Knowledge as a Reusable Asset
A more efficient and productive approach would be to treat each proven circuit (and validated device configuration) as a concept that gets built once and is then reused indefinitely across your team.
Eplan's macro technology allows standard circuit assemblies to be configured for each new project, with the same logic applied consistently from the individual symbol level through to full page layouts.
For example, motor starter circuits and PLC I/O layouts are among the design elements that appear repeatedly across projects, however, in most teams they get redrawn each time. In Eplan, they are stored as standardised modules ready to deploy.
Eplan also links your component libraries to manufacturer data rather than static records, so that any change to a device specification updates the schematic and panel layout automatically. That then removes the need for you to check every affected document for references to the device and then change these by hand.
The Effect on Panel Build
Consistent, structured design data will have a direct, and very positive impact on your workshop floor.
Accurate wire lists and logical terminal numbering will help reduce build time, and any errors that would previously have been caught during assembly or on the customer's site will be removed before any drawings are issued.
72% of panel building companies detect design errors (such as overfull ducts or spatial collisions) during production because problems were not identified during the design phase.
(University of Stuttgart research)
The further down the line you are before a mistake is discovered, the more it costs to correct. Eplan’s structured design data shortens that journey considerably.
What it Means for Developing Your Team
If your engineering knowledge lives in validated templates and sub circuits (macros), rather than just with two or three of your senior staff members, then it means that your less experienced engineers can make a more meaningful contribution to project developments.
Furthermore, working within a proven framework rather than constructing one under pressure also reduces the supervisory burden for your senior engineers, which also lifts overall team output.
If you’re trying to grow capacity without proportionally increasing your headcount, this represents a significant and often underestimated advantage.
The Broader Argument
Engineering hours are finite, and the businesses best placed to win more work at better margins are those that have made reusable, structured design data part of their standard process.
The methodology is straightforward and the tools to support it are already available.
FAQs
What is an Eplan macro?
Eplan macros are reusable, standardised sections of electrical schematics or functional partial circuits (e.g., motor starters, PLC modules) that can be saved, stored, and used across multiple projects.
Why are macros important in Eplan?
Eplan macros improve design speed, ensure consistency, and reduce errors compared to copy-pasting, acting as standardised building blocks.
Can I learn about Eplan macros?
Eplan users can learn how to efficiently work with macros in their designs by taking part in the Electrical Design Expert Course as an introduction. The Electrical Design Automation Extension course is highly recommended for all users to understand the larger use of macros prior to stepping into configuration.
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