ECN Electrical Forum
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I am an electrician in PA. I am looking for either very inexpensive or free software that I can re-create an existing house layout by room, dimension etc and then go and insert wiring information. My town municipality requires all projects to be presented with this type of layout before the permit may be issued and I am sure you all know how time consuming this can be.

The software does not have to have many bells and whistles. Just be able to lay out a room and then insert recepts, show where cable will run, lighting etc.

It does not have to have price cost ability.

Windows platform.

any ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks

I can't think of anything specific. Pretty much any drawing program will do what you want. It's just a matter of sitting down and learning how to use it efficiently

I have an old copy of 3d Architect that will draw electrical layouts fairly well. It will point out if you don't have enough receptacles (210.52 spacing) and things like that.
It does direct point to point, not actual cable routing in the wall but I doubt the AHJ wants that.

Lee County Fl is fine with the drawings I made.

If I can find the original disk I could send you an image to evaluate but you should get a licensed version if you are going to use it. I am sure they have made it better anyway.

I’ve never tried it myself, but Edraw Max Pro looks like it can do floor plans and electrical/telecom layout. It appears to be on sale for $99.95 with a single user license, but they also offer a free download so you can try it out and see if it will do what you want before buying.
Edraw

Have you looked at Google SketchUp?

Thanks all for your suggestions. Really appreciate it. I have downloaded a few programs to try out but not yet installed them.

EasyBid
SmartDraw
SmartHome 3D

I use a public computer and ccan not load software on it. Must wait til I have access to friends system to try them out. Also have download Google Sketchup to seee what that is all about. Will let you all know if I find something that may help you.

Thanks again.

Do you have like an iPad or other tablet type device? I just downloaded TouchDraw for $8.99 and it appears to have potential. Think of it as a po' man's autoCAD

No I don't have an iPad or anything like that.
Actually no computer at this point. Most of the programs I have found so far are only trial with 30 days. I just need a basic house layout program showing room dimensions etc and I can place in the symbols. This will save me a lot of time drawing on graph paper.

Start buy getting a computer? How can you not have a computer?

Cheap puters here -----> http://www.microcenter.com/

If you just want a cheap computer, go to a surplus outfit and buy a "off lease" used machine. (gearxs.com or similar)

I do have a disk for that 3d architect you can have if you want to try it. This isn't fancy but it does some rudimentary plans