Boost Electrical Design with SPEL

In the era of digitized industrial engineering, effective design and documentation of electrical systems are critical for operational excellence. Whether it’s an oil refinery, a power plant, or a chemical facility, the electrical infrastructure must be robust, safe, and well-integrated with other disciplines. This is where SmartPlant Electrical (SPEL) by Hexagon (formerly Intergraph) comes into play—a highly efficient electrical engineering software tailored for the design, modeling, and management of electrical systems across industries.

In this blog by Multisoft Systems, we delve into the features, benefits, workflows, and applications of SPEL online training, and explain why it is a top choice among electrical and instrumentation engineers worldwide.

What is SmartPlant Electrical (SPEL)?

SmartPlant Electrical (SPEL) is an advanced software solution designed to handle the complete lifecycle of electrical design—from conceptualization to commissioning. Developed by Hexagon PPM, SPEL supports electrical load analysis, equipment sizing, cable routing, and generation of intelligent schematics and reports. It ensures consistency, accuracy, and compliance throughout project execution and integrates seamlessly with other SmartPlant suite products like SmartPlant Instrumentation (SPI) and Smart 3D.

Unlike traditional CAD tools, SPEL is data-driven. Every symbol, wire, and connection is tied to a central database, ensuring real-time synchronization across deliverables. This centralized approach enhances traceability and reduces errors that typically plague manual electrical drawings.

Key Features of SmartPlant Electrical

Let’s explore the main features that make SPEL a comprehensive solution for electrical engineering professionals:

1. Centralized Data Management

SPEL operates on a centralized database architecture, meaning all components and documents are interconnected. Any change made in one area of the system reflects automatically across the entire project, reducing rework and enhancing consistency.

2. Intelligent Electrical Schematics

It supports the creation of smart one-line diagrams, interconnection diagrams, and wiring schematics. Each component in these diagrams carries metadata like voltage, load, cable type, and connection details, which can be extracted into reports.

3. Load Calculation and Distribution

SPEL allows for automated load balancing and power distribution across electrical networks. It helps engineers calculate demand and diversity factors while ensuring that circuits are properly sized according to regulatory standards.

4. Cable Sizing and Routing

The software provides tools for automated cable sizing, based on current, voltage drop, and distance. It also allows for cable routing optimization through integration with Smart 3D, helping with space management in congested areas like cable trays.

5. Standards Compliance

SPEL supports design according to international standards such as IEC, NEC, and IEEE. It enables engineers to configure design rules and ensure that all deliverables meet industry and safety regulations.

6. Integration with Other SmartPlant Products

Through seamless integration with SmartPlant Instrumentation, SmartPlant P&ID, and Smart 3D, SPEL ensures consistent data flow across engineering disciplines, allowing for true multi-disciplinary collaboration.

7. Report Generation

The system can generate various customizable reports like cable schedules, termination reports, panel load summaries, and material take-offs—helping in procurement, construction, and commissioning phases.

Benefits of Using SmartPlant Electrical

Implementing SPEL brings a host of benefits to engineering firms and EPCs (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction companies:

• By automating routine tasks such as cable sizing, report generation, and schematic updates, SPEL saves time and increases the efficiency of electrical engineers and designers.
• The central database and intelligent connections reduce human error. A single source of truth ensures consistency across diagrams, schedules, and procurement documents.
• Integration with other SmartPlant tools ensures that electrical engineers can collaborate effectively with mechanical, instrumentation, and civil teams—avoiding clashes and data silos.
• Early detection of design inconsistencies and automatic updates across deliverables significantly reduce the need for rework, saving both time and cost during project execution.
• SPEL is suitable for small, medium, and large projects. It can scale to handle hundreds of panels, thousands of cables, and multiple teams working concurrently on the same data set.

Workflow of a Typical Project in SPEL

To understand how SPEL functions in a project setting, let’s look at the typical workflow:

Step 1: Project Configuration

Define electrical design rules, standards, and templates based on client or industry-specific requirements.

Step 2: Equipment Definition

Input or import electrical equipment like motors, transformers, and control panels with load data and operational parameters.

Step 3: Load Analysis and Power Distribution

Use built-in tools to perform load analysis, assign loads to panels, and validate the power distribution across the system.

Step 4: Cable Sizing and Routing

Assign cables to loads, perform automatic sizing, and define routing paths. Integrate with 3D models for tray coordination.

Step 5: Schematic Design

Create one-line and wiring diagrams using intelligent symbols that reflect changes in real time across documents.

Step 6: Report Generation

Generate BOMs, cable schedules, connection lists, and panel layouts automatically from the central database.

Step 7: Review and Integration

Collaborate with other disciplines for interference checking, finalize documents, and export data to downstream systems or construction teams.

Industries That Use SmartPlant Electrical

SPEL is widely used in industries where electrical design plays a critical role in operational success:

• Oil & Gas
• Power Generation and Distribution
• Petrochemicals
• Water Treatment Facilities
• Mining and Metals
• Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
• Marine and Shipbuilding

These sectors benefit from SPEL’s ability to manage large volumes of electrical data, ensure safety, and maintain compliance with standards.

SmartPlant Electrical vs Traditional Electrical CAD Tools

This comparison illustrates why organizations are increasingly transitioning from traditional CAD tools to data-centric platforms like SPEL.

Challenges and Considerations

While SmartPlant Electrical (SPEL) offers a wide range of advantages for electrical design and engineering, its implementation and day-to-day use can present several challenges that organizations must carefully consider. One of the primary hurdles is the steep learning curve—SPEL training is a feature-rich platform, and professionals unfamiliar with data-driven engineering tools may find it initially overwhelming. This necessitates structured training and hands-on practice to unlock its full potential. Another consideration is the initial setup and configuration, which can be time-consuming, particularly for large or complex projects. Defining design rules, templates, equipment libraries, and database structures requires meticulous planning and cross-functional collaboration. Additionally, integration with other SmartPlant tools or legacy systems can pose compatibility issues, especially in organizations transitioning from traditional CAD platforms. Cost is another factor; being a premium solution, SPEL involves significant licensing and infrastructure expenses, making it crucial to assess ROI beforehand.

Furthermore, organizations must invest in dedicated IT and support resources to manage updates, troubleshoot issues, and maintain system performance. Despite these challenges, with the right preparation, training, and long-term vision, organizations can overcome these barriers and leverage SPEL’s robust capabilities to improve design accuracy, reduce project delays, and foster engineering collaboration across disciplines.

Training and Certification

To maximize the benefits of SmartPlant Electrical certification, professional training is highly recommended. Training typically covers:

• SPEL User Interface & Navigation
• Project Setup and Configuration
• Load Analysis and Panel Design
• Cable Sizing and Routing
• Schematic Drawing Tools
• Integration with SmartPlant P&ID and Smart 3D
• Custom Report Generation

Multisoft Systems offer flexible online instructor-led training for engineers, EPC professionals, and engineering students.

The Future of Electrical Design with SPEL

With the rising adoption of digital twins, integrated engineering, and Industry 4.0, tools like SPEL are becoming increasingly vital. Future enhancements may include:

• AI-based load forecasting
• Cloud deployment and SaaS versions
• Real-time collaboration using BIM workflows
• Integration with IoT and smart grid technologies

SPEL is already ahead of the curve in providing a digital, intelligent environment for electrical design, setting the stage for more connected and automated infrastructure development.

Conclusion

SmartPlant Electrical (SPEL) is revolutionizing how electrical design is performed across industries. Its centralized, intelligent, and standards-compliant environment enhances accuracy, boosts productivity, and promotes cross-functional collaboration. For organizations looking to scale their engineering efficiency and reduce costly errors, adopting SPEL is a forward-thinking move.

Whether you're an electrical engineer, designer, or project manager, investing time in mastering SPEL will place you at the forefront of modern electrical engineering design—and prepare your team for future-ready, digitized projects. Enroll in Multisoft Systems now!