Electrical AutoCAD Course

Lesson 1 • AutoCAD Interface and Workspace Setup

Covers the ribbon, command line, toolbars, and workspace customization for electrical drafting. Establishes the environment used throughout the entire course.

Lesson 2 • Coordinate Systems and Precision Input

Explains absolute, relative, and polar coordinate entry for accurate object placement. Precision input is essential for correctly scaled electrical schematics.

Lesson 3 • File Management and Drawing Templates

Introduces DWG file creation, saving protocols, and template setup for electrical projects. Ensures consistent file structure from the first drawing onward.

Lesson 4 • Basic Drawing and Editing Commands

Teaches line, circle, rectangle, move, copy, and trim commands as the building blocks of any electrical drawing. Provides the editing fluency needed for all subsequent chapters.

Lesson 1 • Linetypes, Lineweights, and Colors

Covers loading linetypes, assigning lineweights, and applying color standards to differentiate circuit types. These properties communicate design intent clearly to all drawing users.

Lesson 2 • Drawing Standards and Title Blocks

Covers industry drawing standards, border layouts, and title block content for electrical sets. A complete title block satisfies project documentation and submittal requirements.

Lesson 3 • Dimension Styles for Electrical Drawings

Introduces dimension style creation and application tailored to electrical layout drawings. Accurate dimensioning communicates conduit runs, panel locations, and equipment spacing.

Lesson 4 • Layer Creation and Management

Teaches creating, naming, and organizing layers according to electrical drafting conventions. Proper layer management is the foundation of readable, editable drawings.

Lesson 1 • Building and Organizing a Symbol Library

Covers saving blocks to a shared library folder, using the Design Center, and organizing symbols by category. A well-organized library reduces drafting time on every project.

Lesson 2 • Dynamic Blocks for Electrical Components

Introduces dynamic block parameters and actions to create flexible, multi-state electrical symbols. Dynamic blocks reduce the total number of symbols needed in a library.

Lesson 3 • Understanding Blocks and Attributes

Explains block definition, insertion, and attribute data for intelligent electrical symbols. Blocks with attributes enable automated schedules and consistent symbol appearance.

Lesson 4 • Creating Standard Electrical Symbols

Guides students through drawing outlets, switches, panels, motors, and lighting symbols to standard proportions. Accurate symbols ensure drawings are universally understood.

Lesson 1 • Wiring and Connection Annotation

Covers wire labels, terminal numbers, cable tags, and signal flow arrows for schematic clarity. Proper annotation allows technicians to trace circuits without ambiguity.

Lesson 2 • Single-Line Diagram Fundamentals

Covers layout conventions, bus representation, and component placement for single-line diagrams. Single-line diagrams are the primary overview document for any electrical system.

Lesson 3 • Panel Schedule and Load Calculation Tables

Introduces creating panel schedule tables using AutoCAD table objects and attribute extraction. Panel schedules are required deliverables on every electrical construction project.

Lesson 4 • Schematic Revision and Markup Workflow

Teaches revision cloud placement, delta markers, and revision table updates for schematic changes. A controlled revision workflow maintains drawing integrity across project phases.

Lesson 1 • Conduit and Raceway Routing

Introduces conduit run lines, sleeve callouts, and raceway schedules on electrical floor plans. Conduit routing drawings guide installation crews and support material takeoffs.

Lesson 2 • Lighting Layout and Switching Plans

Covers fixture placement, switching legs, and switch symbol annotation on reflected ceiling and floor plans. Lighting plans coordinate with architectural and mechanical disciplines.

Lesson 3 • Working with Architectural Background Files

Covers attaching, scaling, and managing architectural DWG files as external references for electrical overlays. A correctly scaled background prevents costly field coordination errors.

Lesson 4 • Power and Receptacle Layout

Teaches placing outlet symbols, home-run indicators, and circuit designations on a floor plan. Accurate power layout ensures code-compliant receptacle spacing and circuit loading.

Lesson 1 • Panel Schedule Creation and Formatting

Guides students through building a complete panel schedule with circuit descriptions, breaker sizes, and load values. Panel schedules are mandatory deliverables for electrical permit submissions.

Lesson 2 • Coordination with Mechanical and Plumbing

Covers adding equipment connection notes and coordination callouts for HVAC, plumbing, and kitchen equipment. Cross-discipline coordination prevents field conflicts and change orders.

Lesson 3 • Riser Diagram Concepts and Layout

Explains vertical distribution representation, floor stacking, and feeder routing in riser diagrams. Riser diagrams give a system-wide view of electrical distribution across all floors.

Lesson 4 • Feeder and Branch Circuit Sizing Notes

Teaches annotating conductor sizes, conduit types, and circuit ratings on riser and floor plan drawings. Sizing annotations are required for permit review and contractor bidding.

Lesson 1 • Layouts and Viewports

Teaches creating paper space layouts, placing viewports, and setting viewport scales for multi-sheet output. Layouts separate drawing content from presentation, enabling flexible sheet production.

Lesson 2 • Drawing Transmittal and Revision Control

Teaches creating transmittal logs, archiving drawing versions, and managing issued-for-construction sets. Proper transmittal control protects project records and supports construction administration.

Lesson 3 • PDF and DWF Export for Submittals

Covers exporting drawings to PDF and DWF formats with correct resolution, layers, and hyperlinks for electronic submittals. Digital submittals are the standard delivery method for permit and review packages.

Lesson 4 • Sheet Set Manager for Electrical Projects

Introduces the Sheet Set Manager for organizing, numbering, and publishing multi-sheet electrical drawing sets. Sheet sets streamline project management and reduce manual sheet tracking errors.

Lesson 1 • Fields and Automated Drawing Annotations

Introduces AutoCAD fields linked to drawing properties, sheet data, and block attributes for auto-updating text. Fields reduce manual text updates when drawing information changes.

Lesson 2 • Parametric Constraints in Electrical Layouts

Covers geometric and dimensional constraints to maintain design intent in equipment layout drawings. Constraints prevent accidental displacement of critical electrical components during editing.

Lesson 3 • Customization and Productivity Tools

Teaches creating custom tool palettes, action macros, and script files to automate repetitive electrical drafting tasks. Customization multiplies individual productivity on large electrical projects.

Lesson 4 • External References and Drawing Coordination

Covers advanced XREF management, clipping, and overlay strategies for multi-discipline coordination. Efficient XREF use keeps electrical drawings current with architectural and structural changes.