Mastering sophisticated design tools is essential for success in today’s highly competitive engineering and industrial design landscape. One such tool that has become indispensable for electrical designers is SPEL (SmartPlant Electrical) — now known in newer versions as Smart Electrical from Hexagon (formerly Intergraph). It enables efficient design, documentation, and management of electrical systems in complex industrial facilities such as oil & gas plants, refineries, power plants, and chemical industries.
In this comprehensive blog provided by Multisoft Systems, we will explore the importance of SPEL (User) Training, its core components, how it benefits users, industry applications, typical career paths, and why companies are investing in equipping their professionals with this vital skill.
What is SPEL (SmartPlant Electrical)?
SmartPlant Electrical (SPEL) is a cutting-edge electrical design and data management software developed by Hexagon PPM. It offers a single integrated environment for electrical engineering, helping designers create accurate electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, cable schedules, load lists, and panel layouts.
SPEL is highly popular in engineering firms, EPC (Engineering, Procurement & Construction) companies, and owner-operators of industrial facilities because it improves design accuracy, reduces errors, and integrates with other SmartPlant and third-party tools. Key features of SPEL include:
- Load list and load calculations
- Cable routing and management
- Single-line and multi-line diagrams
- Schematic diagrams
- Panel design
- Intelligent wiring diagrams
- Cable schedule reports
- Integration with SmartPlant P&ID and Smart 3D (SP3D)
Why SPEL (User) Training is Important
While SPEL is powerful, it is also a complex tool that requires proper training to maximize its potential. Without formal training, users often struggle with the advanced functionalities and miss out on ways to improve productivity. SPEL (User) Training equips professionals with the ability to:
- Confidently navigate the SPEL interface
- Utilize advanced electrical design functionalities
- Create and manage accurate project data
- Produce high-quality reports and documentation
- Reduce design errors and project rework
- Improve collaboration with other design disciplines
In short, it transforms average users into proficient electrical designers who can deliver faster, more accurate project outcomes.
Target Audience for SPEL (User) Training
SPEL (User) Training is ideal for a broad range of professionals in the industrial design and engineering space. These include:
- Electrical Design Engineers
- Electrical Draftsmen
- CAD Designers
- Electrical Engineers (working in EPC, power plants, refineries)
- Project Engineers
- Engineering Consultants
- Maintenance Engineers
- Electrical Supervisors involved in construction & commissioning
- Any professional aiming to upgrade skills in electrical design software
Overview of SmartPlant Electrical
SmartPlant Electrical (SPEL), developed by Hexagon PPM, is a comprehensive, data-centric software platform for electrical engineering design, documentation, and data management. It enables users to create intelligent electrical deliverables for complex industrial plants such as oil & gas facilities, refineries, power plants, and chemical plants. SPEL allows engineers to model entire electrical systems, from power generation to distribution, load management, cable routing, and panel layouts. The software is designed to improve accuracy, reduce design errors, and facilitate seamless integration with other SmartPlant products like Smart 3D (SP3D) and SmartPlant P&ID. With its powerful reporting and data consistency features, SPEL User training helps ensure compliance with international standards, simplifies project handover, and enhances overall project efficiency.
Software Architecture and Database Concepts
SmartPlant Electrical is built on a robust, multi-tiered architecture designed to handle large-scale engineering projects with complex data requirements. Its architecture ensures data integrity, scalability, and flexibility across project lifecycles. Key architectural and database concepts include:
- Client-Server Model: The software operates in a client-server environment, with project data centrally stored in an RDBMS (Relational Database Management System), typically Microsoft SQL Server or Oracle.
- Data-Centric Approach: SPEL is not just a drawing tool — it is a database-driven system where all design elements (loads, cables, panels, wires) are stored as structured data.
- Project Schema: Each project uses a predefined schema to maintain consistency and standardization across multiple users and teams.
- Multi-User Environment: Multiple users can work simultaneously on a project while maintaining data integrity through controlled access and version management.
- Integration Ready: The architecture supports seamless data exchange with other engineering tools such as SmartPlant P&ID, Smart 3D, and external systems via APIs or data exchange formats (XML, CSV).
Project Setup and Management
Setting up and managing projects in SmartPlant Electrical is a structured process designed to ensure data consistency, ease of collaboration, and streamlined project execution. At the outset, project administrators define the project settings, including units of measurement, design standards, voltage levels, and plant hierarchy. The project is then initialized in the database, with required libraries (equipment catalogs, cable types, wire types) imported or configured. Users are assigned roles and access rights to maintain data security. Throughout the project lifecycle, SPEL enables robust project management capabilities such as revision control, data validation, change tracking, and integration with project schedules. Project managers can monitor project progress, generate versioned reports, and ensure that the electrical design stays aligned with other engineering disciplines through built-in integration capabilities.
This structured approach helps large engineering teams manage complex projects with accuracy, transparency, and efficiency — a key reason why SPEL is widely adopted in industries with high engineering complexity.
Integration with Other SmartPlant Tools
One of the key strengths of SmartPlant Electrical (SPEL) certification is its ability to seamlessly integrate with other tools in the SmartPlant suite, enabling a highly collaborative, multi-disciplinary design environment. SPEL integrates closely with SmartPlant P&ID (SPPID), allowing electrical designers to directly reference and link instrumentation and control loops defined in P&ID diagrams. This ensures consistency between the electrical and instrumentation domains and reduces the risk of design conflicts. Additionally, SPEL integrates with Smart 3D (SP3D) to support cable routing and electrical component placement within the 3D plant model. Designers can export cable and tray information to SP3D and import spatial data for precise cable length calculation and routing. Furthermore, SPEL supports data exchange with SmartPlant Foundation (SPF), providing a common platform for project data management, document control, and lifecycle integration. This interoperability across tools enhances cross-discipline coordination, improves data accuracy, and ensures that project deliverables remain consistent and fully aligned across all engineering domains.
Benefits of SPEL (User) Training
The value of completing SPEL (User) Training is immense for both individuals and companies.
For Individuals:
- Improved Job Prospects: SPEL skills are in demand in EPC, oil & gas, energy, and construction sectors.
- Higher Salaries: Certified SPEL users command premium compensation.
- Work on International Projects: SPEL is used in global projects, opening up opportunities worldwide.
- Reduced Errors: With formal training, users avoid costly mistakes and rework.
- Career Growth: Ability to transition from draftsman roles to senior designer or lead positions.
For Organizations:
- Faster Project Execution: Trained designers work faster and more efficiently.
- Higher Quality Designs: SPEL ensures data consistency and drawing accuracy.
- Better Collaboration: Seamless integration with other engineering disciplines reduces coordination time.
- Standardization: Training enforces global design standards and best practices.
- Improved ROI on Software Investment: Organizations maximize their SPEL license value when users are proficient.
Typical Career Paths After SPEL (User) Training
Professionals with SPEL skills often follow these career paths:
- Electrical Design Engineer
- Senior Electrical Designer
- Lead Electrical Engineer
- Project Engineer
- Electrical CAD Supervisor
- SmartPlant Electrical Administrator
- Commissioning Engineer (Electrical)
- Maintenance/Asset Management Engineer (Electrical)
Conclusion: Why You Should Invest in SPEL (User) Training
In an increasingly digitalized and automated engineering environment, mastering SPEL is no longer optional — it’s essential for career success in electrical design for industrial plants. With SPEL (User) Training, professionals gain the ability to:
- Design faster and more accurately
- Work on international mega projects
- Integrate smoothly with multi-disciplinary teams
- Stay competitive in the global job market
For organizations, the ROI is clear — investing in SPEL training results in higher quality designs, reduced project errors, faster delivery, and better profitability.
Whether you are a working professional looking to upskill or a company aiming to build a best-in-class electrical design team, SPEL (User) Training is a strategic choice that will pay rich dividends. Enroll in Multisoft Systems now!