Free design software to those not already using electrical CAD tools

RS Components has announced the launch of DesignSpark Electrical, which brings the benefits of design software to all those not already using electrical CAD tools. The new software targets electrical design engineers and other electrical professionals, enabling them to save time and money. Supported by Schneider Electric, DesignSpark Electrical joins the award-winning suite of DesignSpark engineering resources and continues to drive the initiative of removing the barriers to innovation for engineers. DesignSpark Electrical is a fully-specified electrical CAD package with key benefits, to deliver time saving and error avoidance, for control panel, machinery and electrical system design. This new free tool provides access to the functionality of electrical CAD for businesses that in many cases cannot reasonably justify the considerable price tag per seat for existing commercial electrical CAD software. DesignSpark Electrical considerably optimises the methods of electrical and automation system design and helps enhance the design capabilities of RS customers, enabling them to compete in the market much more effectively. A key element of the DesignSpark Electrical software is the integration of a library that comprises more than 250,000 components and parts, including 80,000 from Schneider Electric and 10,000 from RS, which can easily be added to customer designs. Other key features of the highly intuitive and highly functional software include intelligent and specialist electrical design tools, real-time referencing and validity checking to allow the creation of accurate 2D panel layouts, all of which saves time and reduces errors. Also built into the software is Bill-of-Materials (BOM) quote functionality, enabling customers to order parts via RS for their designs, both quickly and easily, says the company. “The high cost and the learning time that is required of existing commercial electrical CAD tools have been major barriers to adoption for many companies,” said Glenn Jarrett, global head of product marketing, RS Components. “Now, the introduction of the highly intuitive DesignSpark Electrical removes these cost barriers in a single stroke and passes on the key benefits of electrical CAD to all engineers, allowing them to design more quickly, accurately and effectively. Over the past five years or so, via the company’s DesignSpark initiative, RS has continually invested and worked with world-leading partners such as Schneider Electric to bring important design tools, component libraries and a host of other resources to engineers working in electronics, mechanical and now electrical design.”