• Electrical design software programs help electrical design engineers draft and draw wiring layouts.electric cable image by jimcox40 from Fotolia.com
  
  Electrical and electronics engineers draw schematics and create specifications for the wiring of electrical systems and circuits. Before the advent of computers, the work all had to be done by hand. Now electrical engineers can input information into software programs that will assist them to quickly and efficiently create diagrams. Many of these programs use standard templates that eliminate the need to start from scratch. The programs require a fee to use.
  
  

SmartDraw

• SmartDraw comes with preloaded templates that electrical engineers either can use for their entire drawings or as starting points. The program features a library of graphics for standard electrical items, including switches, relays, bulbs, audio systems and sensors. Other features include an automatic drawing tool that will help electrical engineers lay out and align components and wires. SmartDraw is specifically designed to create diagrams for electrical circuits, wiring, schematics and digital/parallel circuits. The program can be downloaded on a free trial basis for a limited time.
  
  SmartDraw
  
  9909 Mira Mesa Boulevard
  
  San Diego, CA 92131
  
  800-768-3729
  
  

Design Master

• Design Master's electrical software program is designed for electrical or building engineers. It features riser diagrams, feeder/wire sizing, fault current/voltage drop calculations and lighting/power design layouts. Other features include the ability to draft cost estimates, quantity takeoffs, circuit tags and circuit loops, and it also allows users to conduct indoor/outdoor lighting calculations. This program works in conjunction with AutoCAD, and users must have the 2004 or later version of AutoCAD or the 2000 or later version of Windows. This program can be downloaded on a free trial basis for a limited time.
  
  Design Master Corporate Headquarters
  
  20300 19th Avenue NE
  
  Shoreline, WA 98155
  
  866-516-9497
  
  designmaster.biz
  
  

Volts

• The Volts electrical design software incorporates formulas, tables and other criteria of national and international electrical and electronic engineering associations and accrediting organizations, including ANSI, NEC, NOM, IEEE and IEC . The software can create customized reports that can be exported to PDF, Excel, CAD, CSV or BMP, and this allows users to work with information imported from other programs. Other features include the ability to organize and standardize data, conduct phase load balancing, label items and analyze surge protection. The program also has drop-down menus for easy data entry, and users can automate repetitive processes. A free 10-day trial version is available from the company on request.
  
  Dolphins Software
  
  10021 Prairie Dunes Way
  
  Sacramento, CA 95829-8002
  
  916-681-0513
  
  dolphins-software.com