EPLAN: More than ECAD
Digital electrical engineering documentation for efficient plant operations
Is your documentation printed on paper? How difficult is it to find that documentation when operations come to a halt? And when you do find it, is it even up-to-date? Luckily, EPLAN can assist you and your suppliers quickly and easily in generating top-notch, constantly up-to-date documentation for your automation systems. This forms the foundation for uninterrupted operations as these have already been established during the electrical design phase.
Are your plant operations heading in the right direction?
Let’s take this journey together!
Be honest: Does inadequate documentation increase downtime in your plant?
Do you recognise this scenario? Production runs smoothly as long as the plant systems are functioning properly. However, when a malfunction arises, chaos ensues: What is the exact cause? How can our technician locate the specific components that need replacement among hundreds, or even thousands, of schematic pages – especially if the documentation is not up to date?
PDF documents can be just as confusing as folders filled with printed schematics covered in sticky notes. Consequently, production comes to a costly halt!
Why choose EPLAN? It’s a documentation tool for plant operators and their suppliers!
High-quality documentation of automation systems is crucial for seamless operations in industrial plants. However, relying solely on PDFs for technical documentation often lacks detailed information behind the schematic graphics. To address this, ECAD software proves to be a more suitable option, especially for electrotechnical documentation.
However, EPLAN takes it a step further by enabling machine suppliers to store comprehensive digital data within their schematics, including associated documentation. This creates a complete digital description of the automation systems, making it easier to commission new equipment and accept new plant systems. Furthermore, it simplifies troubleshooting during operations and facilitates future expansions.
Benefits for plant operators: electrical documentation with EPLAN
- At any moment, users have the ability to access all electrical information related to their project.
- The integrated device includes data from hundreds of manufacturers, providing users with a comprehensive and diverse range of information.
- Documentation such as bills of materials, terminal diagrams, etc. can be easily generated from the schematics.
- Changes need to be made only once and will be automatically applied to the entire project.
⇒ Smooth commissioning and expansion of plant systems
⇒ Fast response times in event of malfunctions
Different schematic views based on your documentation
- Central ‘navigator view' provides a comprehensive overview of your schematics and components
- Terminal assignment diagrams and component overviews
- Complete automation system site plans
- Clear functional markings in accordance with IEC 81346
- Traceable change processes
⇒ A solid data foundation for clear documentation
⇒ Evaluations and test runs are possible with just a few clicks
Boost the quality of your electrical documentation by using check runs: Four tips
EPLAN's automatic check runs provide a quick and efficient way to determine the quality and comprehensiveness of your documentation. In just a matter of minutes, you can effortlessly identify any errors like duplicate device tags, open connections, or components without assigned parts. Here are four tips about how to set up your error checking with EPLAN in the best way possible.
Considering future changes to an assembly line in the initial electrical designs
“We’re strongly relying on as much standardisation and modularisation as possible on our assembly lines, not least to keep the time-to-market as short as possible,” Alexander Klemenz from ZKW says. This is also reflected in the engineering department and “starts with fast product selection, moving on to accelerated design and time-optimised implementation.”
EPLAN has proven to be an ideal solution for ZKW by incorporating future changes to the assembly line right from the beginning and allowing for quick and effortless implementation when the time comes.
Considering future changes to an assembly line in the initial electrical designs
“We’re strongly relying on as much standardisation and modularisation as possible on our assembly lines, not least to keep the time-to-market as short as possible,” Alexander Klemenz from ZKW says. This is also reflected in the engineering department and “starts with fast product selection, moving on to accelerated design and time-optimised implementation.”
EPLAN has proven to be an ideal solution for ZKW by incorporating future changes to the assembly line right from the beginning and allowing for quick and effortless implementation when the time comes.
EPLAN's software and services for your uninterrupted plant operations
Discover our software and services for efficient and safe plant system operations. We’re happy to advise you on this!
High-quality software – now and in the future
EPLAN offers you the most powerful software for electrical engineering. Our software’s development is delivered to the needs of our users. We recommend that you always use the most current version of EPLAN so that you always benefit from the latest technology and seamless integration to our cloud collaboration and data solutions.
Easily exchange components based on device data
Use a huge selection of the latest device and component data from popular manufacturers to provide your suppliers with exact specifications for using components. Your service technicians will benefit from the comprehensive parts descriptions and device information.
View, document and share digital schematics anywhere
Make your schematics digitally available for service technicians anywhere, even without an EPLAN licence. Changes made can be digitally documented while still onsite via redlining on the schematics, electrical designers can then check the changes and update the documentation in no time at all.
Comprehensive services – from eLearning courses to individual consultation
EPLAN offers you a comprehensive range of support, training and consulting services. In just a few minutes of exploring our eLearning courses, you'll gain valuable insights, such as tips on designing terminals and cabling, not to mention guidance on the related documentation.
