AutoCAD Electrical Course
The AutoCAD Electrical course teaches you to draw control schematics and panel layouts with the Electrical toolset instead of drawing every symbol and wire number by hand. Book a free demo class and a counsellor will share the complete outline, fees and batch timings.
Book your free demo class
Send your details on WhatsApp and get the outline, fees and timings.
Quick answer
AutoCAD Electrical is a toolset inside the AutoCAD subscription for designing electrical control systems. The course covers projects, schematic symbols, automatic wire numbering, PLC drawings, panel layouts and bill-of-material reports.
- For
- Electrical engineers and technicians
- Toolset
- AutoCAD Electrical
- Prerequisite
- Basic AutoCAD
- Mode
- Live online
- Duration
- Shared by counsellor
About the AutoCAD Electrical Course
Control panels are drawn as schematics, and a single machine can have hundreds of wires. Doing this by hand in plain AutoCAD means typing every wire number and updating references manually. AutoCAD Electrical automates these jobs, but only if you set up the project properly and understand what the software is doing.
This course starts with the project structure: how drawings, a project database and settings fit together. You then draw ladder schematics with the toolset's symbols, let it number the wires and watch cross-references update as you move components.
You also draw PLC input and output pages, panel layouts with real footprints, terminal strips and the reports a panel builder needs: bill of materials, wire list and terminal list. The aim is to produce a package that a wireman can build from.
Who should take the AutoCAD Electrical Course?
Electrical diploma and degree students
Control and panel drawings are asked for in project work.
Panel builders and technicians
Produce consistent drawings and reports faster.
Maintenance engineers
Update drawings after plant changes.
What you will be able to do
- Create and manage an electrical project
- Draw ladder schematics with wires, components and cross-references
- Number wires automatically and tag components
- Draw PLC I/O and terminal connections
- Lay out components in an enclosure and a terminal strip
- Generate a bill of materials and wire list
Your first month. You learn the project structure and schematic basics, build a motor starter circuit and generate your first report.
A worked example from class
You create a project, insert a ladder, and build a motor starter circuit with a contactor, overload and push buttons. The software numbers the wires and updates cross-references when you move a rung. You then place the components in an enclosure layout and generate a bill of materials. When the trainer changes a component, you see the report update.
What you need to practise
- A recent full AutoCAD installation that includes the Electrical toolset
- Basic knowledge of control circuits and symbols
- A sample control circuit to draw
- Access to a symbol standard (IEC or JIC)
- A spreadsheet viewer for reports
How progress is assessed
You are assessed on a complete small panel: schematic, wire numbers, PLC I/O page, panel layout and reports, with the trainer checking tags and cross-references.
AutoCAD Electrical Course syllabus
Your trainer adjusts pace and depth to the batch. The counsellor shares the detailed module list when you enquire.
1. Projects and setup
Topics covered
Topic list
- Project manager and drawing sets
- Standards and settings
2. Schematics
Topics covered
Topic list
- Ladder rungs, components, wires
- Wire numbers and cross-references
3. PLC and I/O
Topics covered
Topic list
- PLC modules and I/O assignment
4. Panel layout
Topics covered
Topic list
- Footprints and enclosure layouts
- Terminal strips
5. Reports
Topics covered
Topic list
- Bill of materials, wire and terminal lists
Module by module: what you actually do
Project setup
You create a project, choose a standard such as IEC or JIC, set drawing properties and define wire numbering rules before drawing. Skipping this step is the most common cause of messy reports.
Schematic drawing
You insert a ladder, add rungs, place a contactor, overload, push buttons and lamps from the symbol library and connect them with wires. Component tags are assigned from the rung number.
Numbering and references
Wire numbers and parent/child contact references update automatically. You change a rung and see the references follow, which shows why the toolset saves time.
PLC and terminals
You place a PLC module, assign addresses and draw its inputs and outputs. Terminal strips link field wiring to panel wiring.
Panel layout
Footprints of the real components are placed in an enclosure, with space for wire ducts and clearances. The layout stays linked to the schematic data.
Reports
You generate the BOM, wire list and terminal list, check them for missing catalogue numbers and fix the source data rather than the report.
How the training works
- 1. Book a free demo class
- 2. Receive the course outline, fees and timings
- 3. Get matched with a suitable trainer
- 4. Attend live classes and draw along
- 5. Finish project drawings with feedback
- 6. Receive your completion certificate
Projects you will work on
- Motor starter control schematic
- Panel layout with terminal strip
- Report package for a small panel
Plain AutoCAD vs AutoCAD Electrical
| Task | Plain AutoCAD | AutoCAD Electrical |
|---|---|---|
| Wire numbering | Manual | Automatic |
| Reports | Manual tables | Generated |
| Symbols | Blocks you draw | Library with intelligence |
Mistakes we fix early
| Common mistake | What to do instead |
|---|---|
| Drawing symbols as plain blocks | Use the toolset symbols so data flows into reports |
| Changing wire numbers by hand | Let the software renumber and fix the cause |
| No standard chosen | Pick a standard such as IEC or JIC at project setup |
| Ignoring catalogue data | Assign catalogue part numbers so the BOM is correct |
Who this is not for. If you only need lighting and power layouts for buildings, the MEP or regular AutoCAD course fits better than the Electrical toolset.
How this is used in real work
Panel builders and machine makers use electrical CAD to produce consistent documentation for each machine. Because schematics, panel layouts and reports come from the same data, errors drop and revisions are faster.
Industrial plants also keep electrical drawings up to date as machines change. Maintenance staff who can edit a schematic correctly and regenerate reports keep documentation useful instead of outdated.
Careers and next steps
Typical roles include electrical draftsman, control panel designer and design engineer with panel builders and EPC firms. Mention the toolset by name on your resume and show a schematic sample.
This course supports roles such as electrical draftsman, panel designer assistant and control engineer assistant. Show a motor starter or small PLC panel package in your portfolio.
For building electrical work, look at the MEP course instead; the Electrical toolset is aimed at control systems.
Useful reference: AutoCAD Electrical toolset (Autodesk).
Fees
Fees depend on the number of hours, batch type and track, so the counsellor shares the exact amount with your outline after the demo. See the fees guide to understand what changes the price.
AutoCAD Electrical Course FAQs
Do I need basic AutoCAD first?
Yes, a working knowledge of layers and blocks helps. Beginners can take the basic course first.
Does it cover building wiring layouts?
Building power and lighting layouts are drawn in regular AutoCAD or MEP; the Electrical toolset is for control systems.
Is the toolset included with AutoCAD?
It is part of the AutoCAD subscription from Autodesk. Check current plan details on the official site.
Which standards are used?
JIC and IEC style libraries are available; your trainer shows how to choose.
Free demo?
Yes.
Is a PLC knowledge required?
Basic understanding of inputs and outputs helps. The course shows the drawing side, not PLC programming.
Do I need the full AutoCAD licence?
Yes, the Electrical toolset is part of the full AutoCAD subscription. Check current plans on Autodesk's site.
Which symbol standard should I use?
Use the standard your employer or client specifies. We show how to switch between them.
Can I practise at home?
Yes, with a licence or an education version if you are eligible.
Related courses
Try a free demo class before you decide
Message us and a counsellor will share the outline, fees and batch timings, then match you with a trainer.