SIDAC Automated SystemsCase study · Electrical Design
Industrial Control Panel Design
Designing five control panels in AutoCAD Electrical, from component selection to thermal and power calculations.
- My role
- Controls Technologist
- Timeframe
- SIDAC Automated Systems Ltd · Feb 2021 – Aug 2021
- Team / context
- SIDAC Automated Systems Ltd, North York, ON, Canada
- Tech stack
- AutoCAD Electrical · Panel drawings · Component selection · Thermal calculations · Electrical calculations · Power distribution
01
Overview
At SIDAC Automated Systems I designed industrial control systems under a senior engineer's supervision, including five control panels in AutoCAD Electrical.
For each panel I produced the schematics, panel drawings, and layouts; selected components and hardware based on the customer's needs and budget; and performed the thermal, electrical, and power distribution calculations during the design phase.
I also helped panel builders wire, label, and assemble the electrical components before each panel shipped to the customer for on-site commissioning. This work gave me a grounding in the same problems, such as sizing power correctly, that my AI platform at GM now checks automatically.
02
The problem & objective
Each control panel needed an electrical design with the right components, safe heat management, and correct power distribution, within the customer's budget and the deadlines set by senior engineers and management.
03
My role & responsibilities
Controls Technologist. Delivered as part of my role as Controls Technologist at SIDAC Automated Systems Ltd.
- Design 5 control panels in AutoCAD Electrical
- Produce schematics, panel drawings, and layouts
- Select components and hardware based on customer needs and budget
- Perform thermal, electrical, and power distribution calculations
- Help panel builders wire, label, and assemble components
- Meet deadlines set by senior engineers and management
04
Approach & process
Design the panel
Produce each panel's electrical design in AutoCAD Electrical.
Select components
Choose the parts each panel needs.
Calculate heat
Thermal calculations for each enclosure.
Calculate power distribution
Size the distribution of power within each panel.
Support the build
Help panel builders wire, label, and assemble each panel before it ships for on-site commissioning.
05
Key features & deliverables
Five panel designs
Schematics, panel drawings, and layouts in AutoCAD Electrical.
Engineering calculations
Thermal, electrical, and power distribution calculations for each.
Built panels
Panels wired, labeled, and assembled, ready to ship for commissioning.
06
Challenges & how I solved them
| Challenge | How I solved it |
|---|---|
| Panels must be safe and reliable for years | Thermal and power distribution calculations, alongside careful component selection, for every panel. |
| Balancing customer needs against budget | I selected components and hardware based on both each customer's needs and their budgetary requirements. |
07
Results & impact
- 5 control panels designed, with component selection and thermal and power calculations
- Projects delivered on time, meeting deadlines set by senior engineers and management
- Panel builds supported through wiring, labeling, and assembly before shipping
08
Skills demonstrated & lessons learned
Skills demonstrated: AutoCAD Electrical · Panel design · Component selection · Thermal and power calculations
Calculations done by hand build the intuition needed to automate them later.
Get in touch
Let's work together
I'm open to Controls Engineer, Automation Engineer, Software Engineer, and Full-Stack Developer roles, remote or on-site. If you're building something where automation and software meet, I'd like to hear about it.
elshark.atef@gmail.com