ElecAS

EleCAD: Free PowerCAD Alternative for Australian Single Line Diagrams

EleCAD is a free, user-friendly, browser-based alternative to PowerCAD for Australian electrical design. Where PowerCAD is older, desktop-only PC software with a steeper learning curve, EleCAD is a modern tool you can pick up in minutes. It is online single line diagram (SLD) software that builds AS/NZS 3000 single line diagrams from a drag-and-drop palette of sources, switchboards, distribution boards, protective devices, cables and loads. Unlike lines on a page, every element carries real electrical data (cables hold conductor, insulation and installation method for AS/NZS 3008.1.1 sizing, and loads feed maximum demand), and link straight into the AS/NZS 3000 and AS/NZS 3008 design calculators. Unlike a paid, installed desktop package, EleCAD runs in any browser with no licence file and exports a clean, branded PDF of the diagram. It is the practical choice for single line diagrams and design documentation on projects of any size: a bigger project simply means a bigger diagram, and EleCAD scales to it; heavier desktop tools like PowerCAD remain suited to detailed protection discrimination and graphical time–current coordination on more complex projects. The deciding factor is the complexity of the analysis, not the size of the project.

Key facts

  • EleCAD is free and browser-based; PowerCAD is a paid, installed desktop package.
  • The deciding factor between them is the complexity of the analysis, not the size of the project.
  • EleCAD covers single line diagrams and AS/NZS design checks; PowerCAD remains stronger for protection discrimination and time-current coordination studies.

Who this page is for

Australian electrical engineers, designers, electricians, estimators and contractors evaluating PowerCAD or comparing electrical design software, and anyone looking for a free, no-install single line diagram tool for AS/NZS 3000 and AS/NZS 3008 design.

Relevant standards

  • AS/NZS 3000:2018 (Wiring Rules)
  • AS/NZS 3008.1.1:2025 (Cable Selection)
  • AS/NZS 4777.1 (Grid Connection: voltage rise)

What this tool helps with

  • Free, browser-based alternative to PowerCAD: no install, no licence file, no per-seat cost.
  • Modern and user-friendly: learn it in minutes, where PowerCAD is older desktop software with a steeper learning curve.
  • Builds AS/NZS 3000 single line diagrams from a drag-and-drop palette of sources, switchboards, devices, cables and loads.
  • Models real electrical relationships: cables carry AS/NZS 3008 sizing data and loads feed maximum demand, not just lines on a page.
  • Links straight into the AS/NZS 3008 and AS/NZS 3000 design calculators, so the diagram and the calculations stay in step.
  • Exports a clean, branded PDF of the single line diagram for tender drawings, design submissions and project files.
  • Exports to DXF for AutoCAD, Revit and BricsCAD as fully editable CAD geometry: hand the SLD to your drafting team without redrawing it.
  • Scales to projects of any size: a bigger project just means a bigger single line diagram; the deciding factor is analysis complexity, not project size.
  • Honest fit: PowerCAD remains stronger for deep protection discrimination and graphical time–current (TCC) studies on more complex projects.

How to build a single line diagram in EleCAD

  1. Open EleCAD in your browser: Go to EleCAD and start a new project: there is nothing to install, no licence file and no admin rights required. It runs in Chrome, Edge, Safari or Firefox on any laptop.
  2. Add a source: Drag a source (utility or substation) onto the canvas and set its rating: amps for a utility supply or kVA for a substation. EleCAD uses it to establish the fault level and earth loop impedance for everything downstream.
  3. Add a switchboard: Drag a switchboard onto the canvas and configure its busbar sections, incomer / main switch and outgoing protective devices. Devices auto-size to the connected load, or you can set them manually.
  4. Add loads and cables: Add motor, socket and general loads and connect them. Each cable carries conductor material, insulation, installation method and length, so it can be sized correctly.
  5. Let EleCAD size and check: EleCAD sizes each cable to AS/NZS 3008.1.1, aggregates maximum demand to AS/NZS 3000, and checks voltage drop, earth fault loop impedance and protection coordination live as you build.
  6. Export the branded PDF: Review the live design-issues panel, fill in the project metadata, and export a branded PDF of the single line diagram with cable and switchboard schedules for your submission or tender package.

PowerCAD alternative: how EleCAD compares for Australian electrical design

What EleCAD is (and how it differs from PowerCAD)

EleCAD is a free, browser-based single line diagram (SLD) builder for Australian and New Zealand electrical design, built to AS/NZS 3000:2018 and AS/NZS 3008.1.1:2025 conventions. You place sources, switchboards, distribution boards, protective devices, cables and loads from a drag-and-drop palette, and every element carries real electrical data: cables hold conductor material, insulation and installation method for AS/NZS 3008 sizing, switchboards track busbars and incomers, protective devices record their trip settings, and loads contribute to the upstream maximum demand. Those inputs link straight into the AS/NZS 3008 and AS/NZS 3000 design calculators, so the diagram and the calculations stay in step.

PowerCAD is an established, paid desktop power-systems package. The core difference is delivery, ease of use and depth: EleCAD is a modern, user-friendly browser tool with no install or licence file (free and quick to learn) focused on concept single line diagrams and fast design; PowerCAD is older, desktop-only PC software with a steeper learning curve, aimed at detailed, large-project power-systems modelling.

PowerCAD vs EleCAD: choosing the right tool

Choose EleCAD when you want immediate, no-install single line diagrams and standards-referenced design from any laptop, free, with a clean PDF of the diagram: for concept SLDs, tender drawings and projects of any size, since a bigger project simply means a bigger diagram and EleCAD scales to it.

Choose a heavier desktop package like PowerCAD when the project needs deep protection discrimination, graphical time–current coordination, or full modelling of a complex distribution network. The deciding factor is the complexity of the analysis, not the size of the project: EleCAD does not try to replace that class of tool, and many engineers use EleCAD for everyday design across projects of every size and reach for a desktop package only when the analysis genuinely requires it.

Reviewed by

Wisam Tozah: Associate Electrical Engineer. B.Eng (Electrical), MIEAust, CPEng, NER, NSW DBP, NSW PRE, APEC, IntPE(Aus). See how these calculations are verified. LinkedIn.

Frequently asked questions

Is EleCAD really a free alternative to PowerCAD?

Yes. EleCAD runs in the browser with no licence file, no install and no per-seat cost, and drawing single line diagrams is free. It suits concept SLDs, tender drawings and design documentation; PowerCAD remains the stronger fit for deep protection discrimination and graphical time-current coordination studies.

Can EleCAD replace PowerCAD on my project?

It depends on the analysis, not the project size. For single line diagrams, AS/NZS 3008 cable sizing, maximum demand and voltage drop checks with cited PDF reports, EleCAD and the ElecAS calculators cover the workflow. For detailed protection coordination, discrimination studies and full network modelling, an installed package such as PowerCAD is still the right tool.

Does EleCAD export to AutoCAD or Revit?

Yes. EleCAD exports the single line diagram to DXF as fully editable CAD geometry (layers, symbols, cables and labels), which opens directly in AutoCAD, Revit and BricsCAD, plus a clean branded PDF for submissions and client review.

Does EleCAD do the electrical calculations too?

The diagram carries real electrical data: cables hold conductor, insulation and installation method for AS/NZS 3008.1.1 sizing, and loads feed maximum demand. Elements link straight into the ElecAS calculators (cable size, voltage drop, maximum demand Tables C1, C2 and C3), so the diagram and the calculations stay in step.

Do I need to install anything or buy a licence?

No. EleCAD is browser-based: open elecas.com.au/elecad in any modern browser and start drawing. There is no licence file, no dongle and no trial expiry.

Related ElecAS pages