SmartPlant Electrical (SPEL) is an advanced, database-driven electrical design and engineering software developed by Hexagon PPM. It is part of the broader SmartPlant suite and is specifically tailored for electrical engineers to design, analyze, document, and maintain complex electrical systems. SPEL enables users to create intelligent, consistent, and standards-based electrical deliverables such as load lists, cable schedules, single-line diagrams (SLDs), panel layouts, and more. With automation and integration at its core, SPEL reduces manual errors, enhances productivity, and ensures consistency across multi-disciplinary engineering projects.
Role in Electrical Engineering and EPC Projects
SPEL plays a crucial role in ensuring efficiency, accuracy, and collaboration in electrical design workflows across Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) projects. Its application ranges from conceptual design to detailed engineering and ongoing project maintenance. Here's how SPEL supports these projects:
- Automates repetitive electrical design tasks, reducing manual intervention and potential for errors.
- Enables real-time data consistency across teams and disciplines, improving coordination.
- Supports intelligent documentation like cable schedules, SLDs, and BOMs, enhancing traceability and revision control.
- Integrates with other SmartPlant tools (like SP3D and SPI) for better multidisciplinary collaboration.
- Accelerates project timelines by enabling quick design changes and centralized data management.
Difference Between SPEL User and Admin
While both SPEL Users training and SPEL Admins work within the same platform, their roles, responsibilities, and levels of access differ significantly. SPEL Users primarily focus on project execution — such as drawing diagrams, entering design data, generating reports, and collaborating with other disciplines. They interact with the interface to perform daily design tasks using the configuration already set by the Admin.
On the other hand, SPEL Admins are responsible for configuring the software environment. This includes defining the database structure, setting up design templates, managing access rights, customizing rules and standards, and ensuring that the system is aligned with the organizations or project’s specifications. Essentially, Admins build the foundation; Users work on it. Together, they ensure efficient electrical design workflows throughout the project lifecycle.
Importance of SPEL in Modern Industrial Projects
SmartPlant Electrical (SPEL) is a vital tool in modern industrial projects where precision, scalability, and interdisciplinary collaboration are essential. Industries like oil & gas, petrochemicals, power generation, and manufacturing rely heavily on accurate electrical system design and documentation — areas where SPEL excels. By providing a centralized, intelligent database-driven platform, SPEL ensures that all electrical components, from cables and panels to loads and circuits, are consistently managed and traceable throughout the project lifecycle.
Its real strength lies in enabling teams to automate the generation of deliverables, maintain data integrity across revisions, and integrate electrical workflows with other disciplines like instrumentation and piping. This not only minimizes costly errors and rework but also speeds up project delivery. In an era where digital transformation and smart engineering are becoming the standard, SPEL User certification equips organizations with the tools needed to modernize their electrical design processes, improve collaboration, and maintain compliance with global engineering standards.
Overview of the SPEL User Interface
The SmartPlant Electrical (SPEL) user interface is designed to offer electrical engineers a comprehensive and intuitive workspace to manage complex design tasks efficiently. It features a structured layout, combining visual design tools with a robust database backend to support data-driven electrical engineering.
1. Main Modules and Navigation
The interface is divided into several modules that align with key project activities. These include:
- Single-Line Diagram (SLD) Editor: For creating schematic representations of electrical systems.
- Panel Layout Designer: Allows layout of equipment within panels and switchboards.
- Cable Routing and Management: For assigning, routing, and documenting cable data.
- Report Generator: Automates the creation of deliverables like cable schedules, load lists, and BOMs.
- Data Entry Forms: Provide structured input for equipment, loads, cables, and circuits.
The navigation is user-friendly, with ribbon-style toolbars, shortcut icons, and contextual menus that streamline user operations. Users can switch between design views, data sheets, and reports with ease.
2. Project Explorer & Electrical Database
At the heart of SPEL lies the Project Explorer, a hierarchical tree-view tool that organizes all elements of the project — from power sources and transformers to distribution boards, loads, and cables. This explorer links directly to the electrical database, ensuring that every change made visually is reflected in the underlying data, and vice versa.
The centralized electrical database ensures:
- Real-time updates across all components
- Consistent data referencing and versioning
- Seamless integration with other SmartPlant tools
3. Typical User Roles and Responsibilities
SPEL users typically include:
- Electrical Design Engineers: Focus on system layout, circuit design, and load management.
- Draftsmen: Prepare diagrams, panel layouts, and ensure graphical accuracy.
- Project Engineers: Monitor design consistency, collaborate across departments, and validate outputs.
- Quality Control/Checkers: Ensure design and documentation meet project standards and codes.
Each role interacts with the SPEL interface according to their permissions and project responsibilities, making the platform collaborative yet controlled.
Step-by-Step Workflow for SPEL Users
1. Starting a New Project
Starting a new project in SmartPlant Electrical (SPEL) involves setting up the project environment using predefined templates and configuration files. Users define basic parameters such as voltage levels, system frequency, and load categories. The project database is initialized to ensure centralized data storage. Key elements like power sources, distribution panels, and system boundaries are added to form the base framework. This stage sets the foundation for all future design work and ensures alignment with project-specific engineering standards.
2. Importing and Linking Electrical Data
Once the project framework is ready, SPEL users import data from external sources such as spreadsheets, databases, or SmartPlant Instrumentation (SPI). This includes equipment specifications, load data, and vendor details. The software enables intelligent linking of this imported data with existing objects in the system. For instance, a motor's specs can be automatically linked to a specific panel or circuit. This ensures data consistency across design stages and enables traceable, real-time updates as the project evolves.
3. Creating and Editing Circuit Diagrams
SPEL users then begin the core design work by creating electrical circuit diagrams such as Single-Line Diagrams (SLDs), control schematics, and panel layouts. The software provides drag-and-drop tools and symbol libraries that comply with IEC or ANSI standards. Users can assign loads, draw cable routes, and connect devices while the system automatically updates the database. Editing is also straightforward—when a change is made to one element, all related items across the project are updated accordingly, maintaining data consistency.
4. Generating BOMs and Cable Schedules
As the design progresses, SPEL enables automatic generation of critical deliverables like Bills of Materials (BOMs), cable schedules, and panel schedules. These reports pull real-time data from the centralized database, minimizing manual effort and errors. Users can configure the layout and content of each report to match client or project specifications. This automation ensures timely and accurate documentation, which is essential for procurement, installation, and compliance audits in large-scale industrial projects.
5. Exporting and Reporting
The final step for SPEL users involves exporting the completed design data and generating comprehensive reports for stakeholders. SPEL supports various formats like Excel, PDF, and XML, making it easier to share with procurement, construction, or regulatory teams. Reports include load lists, cable sizing reports, and system summaries. Users can also export data for integration with other tools such as SmartPlant 3D or project management platforms. This ensures seamless handover and continuity between design, execution, and maintenance phases.
Collaboration with Other Disciplines
SmartPlant Electrical (SPEL) is built for seamless collaboration with other engineering disciplines, making it a vital component in integrated EPC workflows. It allows electrical engineers to exchange data efficiently with teams working on instrumentation (via SmartPlant Instrumentation), 3D modeling (via SmartPlant 3D), and process design. For example, cable routing data from SPEL User online training can be directly utilized in SP3D for 3D visualization, while equipment tags and load data can be synchronized with instrumentation systems. This bi-directional data flow reduces rework, enhances design accuracy, and ensures that all disciplines operate with a unified source of truth—ultimately accelerating project timelines and improving coordination across departments.
Future Trends: SPEL in Digital Transformation
As the engineering world embraces digital transformation, SmartPlant Electrical (SPEL) is evolving to meet the demands of smart, connected, and data-driven project environments. Future trends point toward deeper integration with cloud platforms, enabling remote collaboration and real-time project updates. SPEL is also expected to incorporate AI and machine learning for predictive design assistance and automated error detection.
Additionally, integration with digital twin technologies will allow for virtual commissioning and enhanced lifecycle management of electrical assets. These advancements position SPEL as a future-ready solution, driving smarter engineering decisions and improving project efficiency across industries.
Conclusion
SmartPlant Electrical (SPEL) empowers electrical engineers with a powerful, intelligent platform to streamline design, documentation, and collaboration in complex industrial projects. From automating cable schedules to ensuring seamless data exchange with other engineering tools, SPEL enhances efficiency, reduces manual errors, and supports compliance with global standards. As industries continue to adopt digital technologies, SPEL stands at the forefront of electrical design transformation—offering scalable, future-ready solutions. For electrical professionals, mastering SPEL is not just a skill upgrade—it's a strategic move towards smarter engineering and career growth. Enroll in Multisoft Systems now!