Over four million sets of device data available provide a vast variety for projects. Nonetheless, it’s not only about the quantity, but also the quality of the data. “Quality and quantity are aspects that are interconnected for us,” states Rainer Ackermann, Eplan’s Head of Content Quality Management. “We hold high standards for the quality and thoroughness of the data sets to ensure we provide our users with the maximum added value.” This is also the reason we keep developing the Eplan Data Standard, or EDS. Manufacturers are also working to fulfill these demands by supplying data sets that are as complete as possible. This may involve parts for control cabinets, a 3D model of a device, measurements for drilling layouts, wiring diagrams, as well as pricing information, device identifiers, and written descriptions.
Siemens Energy Automation and Building Technology Unified
Siemens has showcased its energy automation and building automation products in the Data Portal for numerous years. Currently, protection and automation equipment from the Siprotec 5 series has been incorporated. Safeguarding, automating, and overseeing the power grid is crucial for a robust network. “We require a dependable and secure power supply to create a sustainable infrastructure and meet our net-zero targets,” states Stefan Werben, Portfolio Manager of Siprotec Medium Voltage Products at Siemens, adding: “We are happy to now assist those clients who have selected Eplan as their engineering platform to effectively implement their projects in the development, operation, and expansion of facilities.”
Data depth ensured – even globally
A majority of the device data stored in the portal – 1.4 of more than 2 million components – are already available in the Eplan Data Standard. The EDS increases and guarantees the quality of the data sets so that they can be used efficiently – ideally from engineering through to production. Rittal has around 7,300 devices stored in the Eplan Data Portal – around 5,600 of them in the Eplan Data Standard. These include control cabinets, control cabinet accessories, Blue e+ climate control devices and more. There are almost no limits globally speaking as well: If a device data set is created using ECLASS as a step file in an IEC format (the European standard), the Eplan software automatically also supports the NFPA device data set (the American standard). With this multi-standard support in one single data set, macros can also be saved in accordance with various standards that the Eplan Electric P8 software then recognises automatically. Furthermore, modifiable data from configurators and selectors of various manufacturers can also be used. These have linked their product catalogues directly with the Eplan Data Portal.
Data not only fuels project planning and design. The Eplan Data Portal provides users with access to premium product catalogues from an ever-expanding selection of well-known component manufacturers. The portal has now surpassed the threshold of over two million sets of static device data from approximately five hundred manufacturers! With integrated configurators, users can access over four million data sets easily. It’s an almost boundless and continually growing array of elements that can be swiftly and effortlessly incorporated into projects – and the data quality is inherently excellent.
Development continues
Less visible but at least as important is the continued development of the data quality in the Eplan Data Portal. This year the focus is on preassembled cables. To ensure that machine cabling works as efficiently as possible with the new Eplan Cable proD solution, 3D data for the connectors is also being successively introduced. Technically speaking, functional improvements are also on the horizon: The Eplan Data Portal will be able to be directly integrated into local device management with the upcoming release of the new Eplan Platform 2026. This will again even further simplify selecting components and accelerate project planning and design work.
Eplan at the Hannover Messe Hall 11, Stand E06