SOLIDWORKS Electrical Schematic - Exercise 13

In this exercise, you learn how to manage several types of symbols, such as the wiring line diagram and schematic symbols. You create a PLC symbol from its manufacturer part.

For reference while following this exercise, open, or download and print this PDF document.

Line Diagram Symbol

Ensure that the Emergency stop symbol is compatible to insert in a line diagram drawing.
  1. Click Library > Symbol manager .
  2. Click Filters and enter the details for all the fields.
  3. Select the Emergency stop symbol and click Open.

    You can also double-click the icon to open it.

  4. Click Draw > Rectangle to place a rectangle around the symbol.
    Without this rectangle, the wires or cables cannot snap onto the symbol.

Schematic Symbol

Create a 3P thermal-magnetic circuit breaker-type symbol in compliance with Appendix 13a with these parameters:
  • Name: Training_Circuit_Breaker
  • Belong to the IEC library
  • Drawn using Metric units
  • Declared as a parent in line symbol
  • Automatically associated with the 21113 part from Schneider
  • Propagate the cross-references, the current rating, and the magnetic current setting
  1. Click Library > Symbols manager.
  2. In the Symbols manager, under Classification, click Circuit breakers > Magneto-thermal.
  3. Click New.
  4. Enter these properties:

  5. Click OK to create the symbol.

    An empty thumbnail appears in the right side of the dialog box.

  6. Select the empty thumbnail and click Open.

    The Training_Circuit_Breaker opens in the graphics area.

  7. Click Draw > Rectangle.

    Ensure that the coordinates for the first point are at (0,0) and the second point are at (10,15).

  8. Draw the first pole of the circuit breaker, using the rectangle.
    1. Click Draw > Line .
    2. Click Draw > Arc .


  9. Specify the snap spacing so that the connection points have the same intervals as the distance between the wires (5mm by default).
  10. Right-click the lock bar to open the Drawing support dialog box.
  11. Specify the snap and grid settings:


  12. Delete the rectangle.
  13. Create poles 2 and 3 of the circuit breaker by copying the first pole.

    With the snap spacing locked, the poles are equidistant at 5mm.

  14. Add the axis line.
    1. Click Modify > Multiple copy.
    2. Click Draw > Line.
    3. Click Modify > Properties.
  15. Click Modify > Move to move the assembly so that the connection highest and furthest to the left is on the axis marker (double green arrow at coordinates (0,0).

  16. Click Edit symbol > New circuit to add 3 disconnectable Circuit breaker/Switch circuits.
  17. Select circuit 0 and click Edit symbol > Connection point to insert the connection points.
    The connection point block is attached to the pointer. It comprises a line and two circles.
  18. Press [Space] to rotate the connection point.
  19. Insert the connection point so that the white circle coincides with the wire connection point.
  20. Insert the five other connection points, selecting the corresponding circuits.

    The dockable panel displays the properties of the connection points and allows you to correct any allocation errors. In each circuit, the number of the points in the upper part must be less than the number of points in the lower part.
  21. Click Edit symbol > Insert attribute to insert the attributes.
  22. In the Attributes management dialog box, specify these attributes to insert on the symbols:
    • Indentification > #TAG
    • Descriptive data > Cross references > #CROSS_REF
    • Descriptive data > Manufacturer data > #TD_1
    • Descriptive data > Manufacturer data > #TD_4
  23. Insert the attributes near the symbol.

    You can use the attribute Properties to modify the font, height, and justification.

  24. Close and save the symbol file.
  25. Check the result by inserting the symbol in a scheme drawing.