Design Master Wish List
Welcome to the Design Master Wish List, where you can submit your ideas for improvements to the software.
90 results found
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Balance Loads on Panels
Add a command to automatically balance the loads on a panel.
2 votes -
Inverter with Multiple Voltages
Allow the creation of UPS (or central inverter) to have multiple output voltages. We do a lot of tornado shelters where the backup power source is a central inverter. When using 277V lighting, we often need 120V backup power for other loads such as ventilation/exhaust fans and some plumbing loads to provide water for sinks/lavs. There is currently no good way to model an inverter with both 277V and 120V output capabilities.
1 voteOur recommended workaround is to model the single inverter as multiple inverters in DM.
Getting the total load on the inverter will require a little work with a main piece of equipment feeding the different inverters and likely some transformers to properly tie everything together.
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Display Single Equipment Instance in List for Each Equipment Callout
The equipment list currently displays all equipment in a group. The list can be longer than necessary if there are multiple similar pieces of equipment in the list.
Add a "Display one row per unique equipment callout" toggle to the "Insert Equipment List". If multiple pieces of equipment have the same callout, they would be collapsed to a single row.
For the columns, if the information is same for all the equipment, the common information would be listed. If the information was different, the different values would somehow all be included in the column so that no information was lost.
3 votesThere are two workarounds currently.
1. Use “Edit Multiple” to uncheck the “Show in List” toggle for all but one of each type of equipment.
2. Create a group and move a single instance of each type of equipment to that group. Insert the list for that group.
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Importing panel schedules from previous projects
We do a lot of repeat projects for clients and it would be nice to be able to import panel schedules (including circuiting and loading) from previous projects into a new project. These loads could be converted to fixed loads since the two projects would use different databases. This way we could better keep track of circuiting/loads and when the latter project are completed, the panel schedules would be more accurate.
3 votes -
Cut and paste devices between drawings and keep circuited
When cutting devices from one drawing file to another that is in the same DM database it will keep the devices circuited.
1 vote -
1 vote
Here’s the best workaround with the current features that exist in the software:
Set the default to the option you will use on most panels in the project.
In the other panels, change the circuit description to the other value. Then use the “Move Circuits” command. Use the “Copy” button in that dialog to copy the description to the other circuits. When you copy, the selected circuit will increment down one each time. You can press the button multiple times to fill in multiple circuits.
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Fan coils and splits that are electrically fed via heat pump.
It would be nice if we could define a heat pump as a piece of equipment but have a second piece of equipment like a ductless split or fan coil either as a secondary part of that equipment that can be placed on a separate drawing (or a different part of the same drawing) or if we could link them in some way. The goal would be that once you circuit the heat pump, the same circuit would automatically be assigned to the fan coil which may or may not have an additional load. Then when drawing a homerun from…
2 votes -
Add a 'Find All Circuits on Drawing' command similar to the 'Find Circuit on Drawing'
This command would be invoked from the panel circuiting dialog box, and would highlight all circuits fed from a particular panel.
1 vote -
Import/Export Electrical Equipment Schedule Excel
It would be a huge time saver to be able to Export a project electrical equipment schedule into excel for quick data entry and then import back into DM/Autocad. Entering a large list of kitchen equipment can be tedious. Being able to do this in excel would be quicker. The import/export functionality could be similar to how DM handles the layers for the standards database. Alternatively, listing the equipment as a table with aligned rows/columns would be equally efficient.
2 votes -
Multiple Fault Schedules
I would like the ability to break out individual fault current schedule entries into separate groups based on the service connection or other arbitrary criteria. For example, in a project with three electrical services, the distribution equipment fault current associated with one service could be scheduled separately from the other two services. Design Master currently schedules all fault current schedule entries together. On projects with multiple services and dozens of distribution equipment entries, a method of showing specific fault current calculations in separate schedules would be invaluable.
2 votes -
A copy function for identical floor plans in multi-level buildings would be a time saving idea to speed up drawing.
So that when I am working on a multilevel building all I would have to do is copy the floor plan from one identical level and placing it on the other matching levels then just rename the panels and circuit names, without duplicating the copied information on the original panels. Breaking its connection with the parent panel and giving a notification to reassign panel names.
4 votes -
Subfeed breakers
Add specific support for subfeed breakers.
Be able to set the number of subfeed breakers on a panel (similar to how the number of poles is currently set on a panel).
Have the panel schedule update to document which breakers are subfeed. We likely would add a separator block between the branch circuit and subfeed breakers that you could customize. The default block would have a line across the schedule plus some text indicating branch circuit breakers above and subfeed below. You could then modify that as desired for your documentation purposes.
56 votes -
Improve combined homeruns
Be able to combine homeruns with different wire sizes.
Be able to combine homeruns from separate panels.
Be able to display a full wire callout for combined circuit homeruns, including calculating the conduit size required for all the wires.
14 votes -
Voltage Drop Based upon Connected or Other Load
Be able to specify that the voltage drop on a feeder should be based upon the connected or other load, rather than the calculated load.
One example of a use for this feature is a piece of equipment that serves a single motor. You want the voltage drop for the connected load of the motor, rather than the calculate load, which will be 125% of the motor load.
6 votes -
Connect loops to fixtures on same switch first
When inserting automatic loops, connect devices on a switch together first rather than mixing up the loops when multiple switches are on a circuit.
3 votes -
Define fixed load by phase
When defining fixed load on a panel schedule allow entry of per phase loads on two and three phase circuits in stead of lumped loads, i.e., on 2-pole circuit be able specify a load for phase A and B on any of the demand categories.
2 votes -
Support Paralleled Generators Connected to Switchboard
DM does not currently support more than one source on the Normal side of an ATS or the EM side of ATS, however larger I-2, I-3 occupancies generally have paralleled generators connected to a switchboard. This feature would avoid cumbersome work arounds.
8 votes -
Do "Amps by Phase" using calculated loads on high-leg delta panels
High-leg delta panels are always unbalanced. The balanced 3-phase amps we display is not a good number to use when sizing these panels. The connected amps by phase does not account for largest motor loads or continuous loads.
Add the ability to determine the amps by phase using calculated loads. The largest motor, lighting, and continuous loads would all be calculated at 125%. All other loads would be calculated at 100%.
6 votes -
Tick marks for more than 1-pole, wire callouts for > #12
Add another option to "Homerun wire callouts and tick marks" labeled "Tick marks for more than 1-pole , wire callouts for > #12".
3 votes -
Erase Note - multiple
Select multiple devices and delete all custom notes (not fixture callouts) attached to them.
The "Match Device Label Locations" command can add many callouts at once, but there does not seem to be a way to easily delete multiple callouts.
This would be especially useful when adding lights to a circuit that already contains lights. Running “Draw Homerun And Loops" would erase a lot of my work, so I usually delete all the circuit callouts manually before drawing loops manually.
If this feature already exists, please make it easier to find.1 vote
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