Medeek Electrical
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Version 1.1.0 - 12.01.2019
- Fixed a minor bug in the General tab of the global settings.
- Enabled the ability to draw floor and ceiling outlets.
The included outlets: Raco 5500, Leviton 25249 (Nickel and Brass) Series, Standard Duplex Outlet.
The plugin automatically detects whether the outlet is a floor or ceiling outlet and assigns the appropriate symbol. This may require some further refinement for outlets mounted to slightly inclined floor or ceiling surfaces, I will be testing this particular situation further.
User defined outlets can be utilized by dropping the component files into the appropriate library sub-folders: library/fc_rcpt/gang1 or library/fc_rcpt/gang2
The default label for floor/ceiling outlets is 'RCPT', however this can be set independently from wall mount outlets in the global settings.
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Has anyone ever seen or used a symbol for a duplex switch?
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Version 1.1.1 - 12.04.2019
- Added additional 240V duplex and simplex outlets to the built-in library: NEMA 6-15R and NEMA 6-20R.
- Added some simplex outlets to the floor outlet built-in library.
I'm wondering with the undesignated 240V outlets if I should provide the NEMA number (ie. 6-20R) next to the 2D symbol. I would assume that this would be very useful information, a 240V receptacle can take many forms and various amperages.
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Version 1.1.1b - 12.04.2019
- Added more 20A (NEMA 5-20R) outlets to the outlet module: GFCI, WP GFCI, USB etc...
Creating a few new electrical components gives me a much needed break from the code and is actually quite relaxing. I'm at the most difficult part of the complex roof module, so I'm taking a couple days to clear my head so that I can take a fresh crack at it and allow myself to think outside the box if required. I find that sometimes it helps to take a break sometimes, which effectively takes the blinders off, and then alternative (better) solutions almost magically appear.
If there are any specific outlet or fixture types you would like added please email me.
I apologize that I have not provided a solution for other electrical standards yet. Eventually I will do this but I'm not ready to bite it off just yet.
Even if you do not purchase the plugin, I think it would be worthwhile to download the trial version just for all of the pre-built electrical components now available in the library sub-folder. Of course, I would prefer that you purchase the plugin but if you don't need the parametrics and some of the other automated features then even the trial version and the library files might be quite useful.
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Version 1.1.2 - 12.24.2019
- Added the "Draw Low Voltage Panel" function to the secondary toolbar.
- Enabled the ability to draw low voltage panels with Medeek wall assemblies or any wall geometry. Included Structured Media Panels: Leviton 47605 (14", 21", 28", 42").
View model here:
3D Warehouse
3D Warehouse is a website of searchable, pre-made 3D models that works seamlessly with SketchUp.
(3dwarehouse.sketchup.com)
For now only the flush cover models are included however if I find the time I will model up the hinged cover variants and include those as part of the standard library.
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I'm trying to figure out how to best handle the situation where outlets and switches are vertically sitting on top of each other:
I'm thinking about adding an advanced parameter which allows offsetting the symbol and label a custom amount so that the symbols don't all pile up on top of each other.
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Version 1.1.2b- 12.25.2019
- Added an offset parameter (advanced options) for switches which allows the symbol and label to be offset from the wall.
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Version 1.1.3 - 01.01.2020
- Added additional (120V, 20A) outlets to the built-in outlet library.
This update includes various (20A) USB and GFCI outlets.
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For many of the electrical fixtures the designer can use their own electrical components as well as the ones included with the plugin. Here are a few hints/tips on how to do this:
1.) You need remove the spaces from file names with spaces in them. Either delete the spaces or replace them with underscores like I have done with my filenames.
2.) With your electrical light fixtures be sure that fixture base is located at the origin of the model within your component file. This actually applies to any electrical fixture. The location of the component with respect to the origin determines where it will land within the model once it is inserted by the plugin.
3.) When you insert the (ceiling mount) light fixture below make sure you select "ceiling" and not "wall" for the mounting position from the parameter list.
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Per a customer request I will probably add in two additional user definable fields for all electrical fixtures:
1.) Description
2.) CircuitUnlike other parameters these will default to a nil value.
Are there any other parameters like these that I should add while I am updating each electrical fixture type to include these additional two parameters?
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Version 1.1.4 - 02.16.2020
- Added optional metadata parameters for switches: description, circuit.
Once I've received some additional feedback on this new feature I will probably add the metadata parameters for all other electrical fixtures.
Further down the road I can probably also setup a tool which will allow the user to quickly visualize which switches, outlets etc... are on a particular circuit.
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Version 1.1.5 - 04.28.2020
- Added a Global Reset button in the General tab of the Global Settings.
- Plugin files switched from .rbs to .rbe encryption.
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My youngest son is looking for a job this summer and with the situation being mostly under lockdown I would rather him work from home, with me.
As such I'm proposing that he help me by creating a number of models for the Electrical plugin so that I can extend it to include the British Standards (BS 1363). I have had a number of requests for other electrical standards and by far the most highly requested has been the British equivalents of our NEMA sockets and switches.
The BS 1363 (Type G) seems to be quite widespread throughout the world.
I have a few models already from a few months prior but any additional information on receptacles and switches as well as standard boxes used in the trade would be greatly appreciated.
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First look at a low poly UK outlet:
The model is based off of the .SAT models provided on the website of MK Electric.
View model here:
3D Warehouse
3D Warehouse is a website of searchable, pre-made 3D models that works seamlessly with SketchUp.
(3dwarehouse.sketchup.com)
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Unlike the typical US outlet and/or switch the British variety come with the faceplate and the electrical component integrated into a single unit. Due to this fact and other considerations the draw and edit menus for the UK version of the plugin will be different than the North American version (NEMA).
Here are some typical outlets:
3D Warehouse
3D Warehouse is a website of searchable, pre-made 3D models that works seamlessly with SketchUp.
(3dwarehouse.sketchup.com)
For those of you concerned that I am taking my attention off of the wall and truss plugins, don't be overly concerned. I am only setting up the templates so that my youngest son Edmond can be set loose to do most of the heavy lifting. I will provide oversight, as necessary, to make sure that every outlet and switch model meets my exacting standards but the bulk of my time will be spent working on the gable wall module for the next few days.
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I have been contacted by SketchUp (Educational Programs Coordinator) with regards to using SketchUp for electrical work. They are looking for some examples of recent work to share with the IBEW and ETA (electrical union) to showcase the use of SketchUp in the design and layout of electrical systems.
I am not an electrical contractor so I don't have any actual real life case studies to share or demonstrate but I am hopeful that some of the current users of the electrical plugin might have some examples they are willing to share with the rest of the electrical community.
If you would be interested in sharing some of your work as a case study please contact me at nathan@medeek.com.
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In the global settings there will be a new parameter for choosing the electrical standard. The default standard will be NEMA (North America) with a new option for the BS (British Standard).
When you enable the British standard the usual toolbars will be the same however you will also get a third toolbar for British standard specific outlets and switches (and in the future possibly other specific items). The regular NEMA switches and outlets will still be available with the main toolbar so in case the user wants a mixed installation of NEMA and BS components. I may change this in the future depending on customer feedback.
The initial UK toolbar will be:
I wish the Union Jack displayed with a bit more clarity but it is hard to get a lot of detail when the icons are as small as they are.
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MK Electric has a very extensive product line. There is also the MK Grid Plus line which is similar to the Leviton QuickPort system however it is primarily for switches not low voltage ports:
https://www.mkelectric.com/Documents/English/EN%20MK%20Catalogue/Grid%20Plus.pdf
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I've uploaded a very simple detached garage model that can be used to test out the electrical plugin:
3D Warehouse
3D Warehouse is a website of searchable, pre-made 3D models that works seamlessly with SketchUp.
(3dwarehouse.sketchup.com)
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Version 1.1.6 - 08.11.2020
- Updated all electrical drawing tools to be compatible with Medeek gable, shed and hip walls.
- Improved compatibility with the SketchUp Grid Tool.
Slightly off topic but I really like using the Grid Tool to help with laying out walls, foundations and even electrical components:
SketchUp Extension Warehouse
Your library of custom third-party extensions created to optimize your SketchUp workflow.
(extensions.sketchup.com)
My self imposed timeline for getting the UK switches and outlets released is Oct. 1, 2020. However I may be able to push that sooner if I am able to shuffle a few things.
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