Best Free Electrical Design Software of 2026

QElectroTech is an open-source software application that enables users to design intricate industrial electrical diagrams at no cost. It accommodates a diverse array of diagram types, such as those for electrical, plumbing, geothermal, air-conditioning, hydraulics, pneumatics, domotic, and photovoltaic systems, to name a few. The latest release boasts over 8,000 symbols, allowing for the creation of highly detailed technical diagrams across multiple disciplines. Licensed under the GNU/GPL, it is accessible on Windows, Mac OS, and Linux operating systems. Users benefit from a versatile symbol library and intuitive tools that facilitate the production of professional-quality schematics. Contributions from various industrial firms and engineers, including Soliton Controles Industriais and C-Born Engineering, play a vital role in the software's ongoing development and translation efforts. QElectroTech also features DXF export capabilities, enhancing compatibility with other software applications, which further broadens its usability in professional settings. The collaborative nature of its development underscores the commitment to maintaining an up-to-date and efficient tool for its users.

Designcenter Solid Edge is a complete Siemens software portfolio built to support the full product development process from early design through manufacturing and documentation. It includes capabilities for 2D drafting, 3D design, electrical design, simulation, data management, computer-aided manufacturing, 3D printing, technical publications, and cloud-based collaboration. The platform uses synchronous technology to combine direct modeling speed with parametric design flexibility and control. This allows engineers and designers to make changes quickly, work with imported CAD data, and reduce delays caused by rigid modeling workflows. Designcenter Solid Edge is positioned as an affordable and easy-to-use solution for teams that need professional design tools without unnecessary complexity. It helps users create accurate models, validate product performance, manage data, and communicate manufacturing or maintenance instructions. The software is also useful for businesses that need to move quickly, such as race car component designers, machine builders, manufacturers, and product development teams. Its scalable tiers allow organizations to choose the features that match their needs as projects and teams grow. By connecting design, simulation, manufacturing, documentation, and collaboration, Designcenter Solid Edge helps organizations improve productivity and reduce development risk.

Cableizer is an electrical, mechanical and thermal cable design software package. Cableizer is a web-based application: it is inexpensive, widely available and customizable. It also has better interoperability and is easier to maintain and install than a desktop program. Property • Software-based cable design up to 500kV! • Calculations of cable mass, heat of burning, CO2, price etc. Calculation of cable pull and rated current • Environmental calculations including magnetic field and increase in ground temperatures • Web-based, without installation or dongle but with automatic updates Share links directly with customers to collaborate

ZapSketch is an online tool designed specifically for electricians, electrical contractors, and estimators to facilitate the planning of electrical home runs. It allows users to import floor-plan PDFs, draw walls on a blank canvas, or start from a quick sketch, enabling them to place panels, junction boxes, and devices while routing circuits and raceways efficiently. As users modify their layouts, the application automatically measures run lengths and offers insights on preliminary conductor sizing, ampacity, voltage drop, and conduit fill based on the NEC 2023 standards. Users can also access circuit schedules and export their marked-up plan PDFs along with raceway pull schedules for purposes such as estimating, review, and transitioning to the field; however, some export options and unmarked reports necessitate a Pro subscription. Additionally, there are free standalone calculators available for voltage drop, wire sizing, and conduit fill. While ZapSketch serves as a valuable preliminary planning tool, it is essential to note that it should not replace thorough code reviews, engineering judgment, or the verification of actual project conditions. This tool enhances workflow efficiency and supports better project management for electrical professionals.

ProWave serves as a Windows desktop tool designed for the examination and analysis of COMTRADE fault and disturbance records sourced from protection relays and digital fault recorders. It is capable of interpreting IEEE C37.111 records from both 1999 and 2013 in ASCII and binary formats, enabling engineers to access records from a variety of relay manufacturers within a single interface. The application allows users to open multiple records in different tabs, synchronize channels and timing, and monitor analog current, analog voltage, and digital signals through distinct plotting panels. Markers T0, T1, and T2 provide a clear indication of waveform positions as well as signal values. Additionally, phasor and harmonic views offer insights into RMS, total harmonic distortion, and phase angle measurements corresponding to cursor locations. A dedicated file browser facilitates filtering for COMTRADE configuration files, enhancing user experience. While the free edition caters to individual users, a separately licensed OEM/enterprise version is available for companies, enabling broader deployment or commercial redistribution. ProWave necessitates a system running Windows 11 or newer, with a minimum RAM requirement of 16 GB to function effectively, ensuring optimal performance. This comprehensive set of features makes ProWave an invaluable resource for professionals in the field.

SkyCAD streamlines the processes of wire and component numbering, parts list management, BOM creation, cross-reference updates, and panel layout designs, among other functionalities. It incorporates features such as automated numbering and parts-list management, cross-references, and license sharing, all without the need for user training. With distinctive design-reuse capabilities like design-by-systems and configuration management, the software promotes both efficiency and uniformity in projects. The platform includes user-friendly tools for the automatic generation of PLC and other component blocks, and it can create PLC drawings directly from an Excel I/O list. Additionally, the panel layout design process is integrated seamlessly within the software. SkyCAD accommodates both European and American drawing conventions. A comprehensive library of tutorials alongside active support forums helps users quickly familiarize themselves with the software's functionalities. Users can choose between a standard (free) license that satisfies many needs or an advanced license that offers extra features at an affordable price. Moreover, the software's flexibility makes it suitable for a wide range of industries and project types.

CableCalc BS7671 is a sophisticated software solution for electrical calculation and design, fully compliant with the most recent BS7671:2018+A2:2022 standards governing electrical installations, also known as IET Wiring Regulations 18th Edition Amendment 2, which assists electrical professionals in accurately sizing cables, assessing circuits, and designing distribution board projects. The software is adept at handling calculations for both single-phase and three-phase systems, encompassing various types of circuits including radial, ring, and sub-main configurations; it computes critical parameters such as voltage drop, disconnection times, fault currents, earth fault values, overload contingencies, and short-circuit metrics, while also accounting for correction factors like temperature variations and cable grouping. With extensive databases of copper cables and protective devices, it simplifies the selection process for users and includes powerful tools for producing detailed documentation like calculation reports, schedules, single-line diagrams, and schematic drawings, making it suitable for projects that range from basic circuits to complex multi-distribution board setups. Furthermore, its user-friendly interface ensures that both seasoned professionals and those new to electrical design can navigate the software with ease, enhancing productivity and accuracy in electrical installation projects.

Relay Tripping Curves PRO2 (RTC2) is a Windows-based application developed by protection engineers specifically for their peers in the field. It enables users to plot trip curves for relays, circuit breakers, and transformers on a log-log graph, ensuring the selectivity between different devices is verified, while also producing comprehensive technical reports necessary for professional engineering tasks. Field testing equipment may provide measurements, but they often fail to contextualize these readings with the primary system, visualize the curves, or document that settings are indeed coordinating, a gap that RTC2 effectively addresses. Key features include support for seven relay manufacturers, each replicating the original display and terminology, ten circuit breaker trip units encompassing L/S/I/G zones, and a transformer damage curve compliant with ANSI/IEEE C57.109-2018 standards, as well as capabilities for inrush and short-circuit current analysis, ΔT selectivity calculations among devices, and the generation of PDF reports that feature primary-equivalent current, curve equations, plots, and signatures. Moreover, the software is fully bilingual in English and Spanish, and it operates entirely offline. Users can explore a free DEMO version that has no time restrictions, while paid editions offer a perpetual license for a one-time payment. This flexibility ensures that all engineers can find a suitable option tailored to their needs.

Navigating the schematic and layout within PCBWeb Designer can be accomplished using either your mouse or keyboard. To adjust the zoom level, you can utilize the scroll wheel or the page-up and page-down keys to zoom in and out of the active design area. If you wish to return to a zoom level that fits your entire design, you can either click on the designated icon located in the lower right corner of the interface or simply press the home key. Panning through the PCBWeb Designer interface is achieved by holding down the right mouse button while moving your mouse, and alternatively, you can also navigate using the standard scroll bars situated at the bottom and side of the application. Additionally, PCBWeb Designer features a comprehensive component catalog that allows you to effortlessly search, filter, and place components that include both a symbol and footprint, enhancing your design efficiency. This integrated functionality streamlines the design process, making it easier for users to find exactly what they need without unnecessary delays.