Design Master Wish List
Welcome to the Design Master Wish List, where you can submit your ideas for improvements to the software.
195 results found
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Multiple Switch Legs on a Single Switch
Allow a single switch to have multiple switch legs associated with it. Currently we require a separate switch for each switch leg.
13 votes -
Backfeed Breakers
Be able to use a branch breaker on the panel as the main breaker.
1 vote -
Find Unlooped Devices
A function similar to “Find Uncircuited” that finds elements that are circuited but have not been looped – “Find Unlooped” or something of that nature. I often am at risk of missing a dedicated receptacle or single equipment connection that I circuited, but missed when I was going through the looping/home run process.
2 votes -
Set room boundaries to also be light-obstructing rectangles for photometric analysis
It duplicates work to trace the boundaries of all rooms for energy analysis and circuit naming, then have to trace all the rooms again for photometric analysis. This would likely require the addition of a 'door' object to define places where light-obstructing boundaries would be ignored
2 votes -
Circuiting layer dependent on device layer system
DM's default circuit layer system can be determined by three different options: (1) same as distribution equipment, (2) new, and (3) existing. We'd like a fourth option that makes the circuit layer system match the circuit layer system of the device that's being circuited.
For example, we're currently designing a job where we are installing new receptacles that are being fed from an existing panel. Our receptacle circuit callouts are coming up under the existing layer system (based off of the panel) instead of the new layer system (based off of the new receptacles). To address this, we changed the…
1 vote -
Minimum panel clearance width
For panels smaller than 30" width, increase the panel clearance width to 30" automatically.
3 votes -
Support feeder calcs for track lighting
See NEC 220.43(B). The connected load for the branch circuit is the sum of the wattage of the connected light fixtures. The demand load is an additional 150VA per foot. I would like a place to enter the number of feet of track on a branch circuit so the demand load is calculated correctly in the load summary. We currently accomplish this through a 'Variable Caclulated Load', but it might be more intuitive if there is a 'Length Variable Demand' option. Thank you.
2 votes -
Homerun Note
Be able to add a note to a homerun callout.
4 votes -
Add load column to receptacle schedule
Add a column to the receptacle schedule to show the load on the receptacle.
1 vote -
Add Sections to Panels
Define how many breakers are in each section of panel. This would be used when creating a 84 circuit panel that is made up of 2 sections, each with 42 circuits.
For the panel schedule, include a separator between the sections.
When circuiting, do not allow 2 or 3 pole circuits to span the two sections.
12 votes -
Homerun from non-circuited devices
We'd like an option to manually homerun from devices that lack a circuit. For example, we frequently connect switched receptacles to relays controlled by occupancy sensors, so we'd like to show our homeruns to start at that relay as opposed to a receptacle. We also currently show lighting homeruns commencing at relays for the same reason.
We'd still like to be able to select devices whose circuits we want to include in the homerun.
4 votes -
Voltage Drop in Equipment Schedule
Add "Voltage Drop" as a column to the equipment schedule. Would list the branch circuit voltage drop to a each piece of equipment in the schedule.
3 votes -
Export the luminaire schedule into excel
I have lighting reps ask me all the time for an excel spreadsheet of our luminaire schedule. It would be helpful to export our luminaire schedule into excel.
9 votes -
Custom Transformer Impedance and XR Ratio
Be able to create a custom table of impedance and XR ratio values for transformers based upon the kVA. Currently the default values are fixed. If you always use different values, you have to manually change them every time.
2 votes -
Incorporate adjustable trip breakers
Add the ability to specify breakers with electronic trip units (ETUs), aka adjustable trip breakers, in Design Master projects.
The intent of adding this capability would be to allow the user to flag where an ETU is used and display the required/desired settings.
It would NOT be the intent to make DM have the functionality to do the coordination studies necessary to develop the settings.
1) Electronic trip breakers, when used, are usually MCBs or feeder breakers with the following characteristics:
Breaker Frame (AF)
Breaker trip (AT)
Breaker plug size (AP)*Long-time pickup (LTPU)
Long-time delay (LTD)
Short-time pickup (STPU) …4 votes -
Fewer Tick Marks and Circuit Labels on Combined Homeruns
Have an option for combined homeruns that will display tick marks and a circuit callout on the loop where the circuits change.
For example, if you have a circuit like this:
<-----(1)------(1)------(3)------(3)
It would insert a circuit label and tick marks between the devices on circuit 1 and 3.
P-1,3<-----(1)------(1)---3--(3)------(3)
1 vote -
Fire Alarms
Add better support for fire alarm system design.
Various improvements related to this suggestion include:
Add 12V, 14V, 16V, 18V and 24V DC device support for Fire Alarm Systems
Change loads from KVA to mA or even VA. Two load types should be
available, standby power and alarm power for each FA device.Add ability for wiring such as 24, 22, 18, 16, and 14 awg.
Add ability to perform standby and alarm battery ampere-hour
calculations.Display length, current, voltage, and voltage drop for each circuit.
Have fire alarm panels with appropriate attributes, such as alarm time, standby time, battery…
46 votes -
RV Park and Marina Branch Circuit Calculations
For RV Parks and Marinas, be able to model the pedestals or shore power receptacles as equipment connections, and use the feeder calculations on the branch circuits for breaker sizing and voltage drop purposes.
1 vote -
Simpler way to Change fonts in all your panel/switch box schedules
Right now, one has to edit all the blocks of a panel schedule in order to simply change the font. There should be a way to set the preferred font for all these schedules. If there is a way, I don't know about it. When I first set up DM 10 years or so ago, I do not remember having to change every block, but it's been so long ago...
3 votes -
Calculate Voltage Drop for Subset of Project
Be able to recalculate the voltage drop for just a portion of the project when updating the schedule.
1 vote
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