Imagine an SME retrofitting a production line with PLCs. The engineering lead needs:
With QElectroTech plus a Siemens library, the team builds a template project: rack layout, I/O mapping, wiring diagrams, and bill-of-material placeholders — then clones it across machine lines, cutting design time from days to hours.
The qelectrotech siemens library is not a product you can buy – it is a resource you cultivate. By investing time in creating accurate, well-organized Siemens elements, you transform QElectroTech from a generic drawing tool into a professional-grade automation design suite.
Final Action Plan:
With a robust Siemens library, you can produce error-free, professional electrical schematics faster than ever – all with zero software licensing cost.
Call to Action: Do you have a collection of Siemens QET symbols? Share the link in the QElectroTech subreddit or forum. The open-source community thrives on collaboration. If you are looking for a specific Siemens part number for your library, comment below and the community may help you build it.
QElectroTech (QET) does not have a single, monolithic "Siemens Library," many Siemens-specific elements are included in the Official Elements Collection or shared by the community on the official forum Where to Find Siemens Elements Official Collection
: Most standard Siemens components (PLCs, contactors, relays) are bundled with the software. You can find them under the "Official"
tab in the elements panel, typically organized by category or manufacturer. GitHub Repository qelectrotech-elements
repository is the most up-to-date source for new Siemens S7 elements and other contributions. User Contributions
: For specific or newer hardware, users often post custom-made files on the QElectroTech Elements Forum Siemens S7-1200 : Specific elements for the S7-1200 PLC series are frequently discussed and shared. Sinamics V90 : Dedicated elements for Siemens Sinamics V90 drives are also available in user-shared threads. QElectroTech Importing Custom Siemens Elements file from the forum or GitHub. Right-click on your "User Collection" in the QET elements panel. "Open directory" to find the local path on your computer. Copy and paste the downloaded file into that folder. Restart QET or refresh the collection to see the new Siemens parts. QElectroTech Conversion Limitations Share the elements library (Page 1) - QElectroTech
Posts: 15 * 1 Topic by luca_orlandi 2021-03-14 11:20:03 (edited by luca_orlandi 2021-03-14 11:22:30) luca_orlandi. Nouveau membre. QElectroTech Quality of the elements II (Page 1) - QElectroTech qelectrotech siemens library
To effectively use the QElectroTech Siemens library, users can leverage both the built-in official elements and a wide array of community-contributed symbols to design complex industrial automation diagrams. Understanding QElectroTech Symbol Collections
QElectroTech (QET) organizes its components into three distinct types of collections to manage different manufacturers like Siemens:
Official QET Collection: A read-only database provided with the software. It contains thousands of standardized symbols, including essential electrical and logic components.
User Collection: A personal space where you can create, edit, or import custom Siemens elements.
Project Collection: Automatically stores any element used within a specific project file, ensuring portability even if the original library is missing on another computer. Accessing Siemens Elements in QElectroTech
While the Official QElectroTech Repository includes generic electrical symbols, specific manufacturer libraries like Siemens are often expanded through community efforts:
Check Built-in Categories: Look under the "Electric" and "Logic" folders in the standard collection for common PLC, motor, and converter symbols.
Community Contributions: The QElectroTech Forum hosts specific threads dedicated to Siemens elements where users share custom-made PLC I/O modules and contactors.
Third-Party Repositories: Sites like GitHub often host "contrib" libraries containing Siemens S7-1200 or S7-1500 symbols. How to Import Custom Siemens Libraries
If you find a Siemens library folder (containing .elmt files), you can add it to your setup: Official elements collection for QElectroTech. - GitHub
QElectroTech (QET) is a popular open-source software for creating electrical diagrams, and its Siemens-specific library is a vital resource for engineers working with Simatic PLCs, Sinamics drives, and other industrial automation hardware. Imagine an SME retrofitting a production line with PLCs
The library is primarily a community-driven collection of .elmt files (XML-based symbol formats) that represent Siemens components according to international standards like IEC 60617. 🛠️ Accessing the Siemens Library
The Siemens elements are not always bundled in the "out-of-the-box" base installation but are readily available through the Official QElectroTech Elements Collection.
Integrated Collection: Check the "Common Collection" tab in your QET panel. Look under Automation > PLC > Siemens.
GitHub Repository: For the latest additions (like S7-1200 or S7-1500 modules), users often pull directly from the Official Elements GitHub.
User Contribs: Many niche Siemens parts (e.g., specific Sinamics V90 drives) are found in the User Contribution Repository. 🧩 Key Library Categories
The library is organized to mirror real-world industrial panels:
PLC Modules: Includes CPUs, Digital Input/Output (DI/DO), and Analog modules for S7-300, S7-400, S7-1200, and S7-1500.
Motor Control: Symbols for Sirius soft starters, contactors, and thermal overloads.
Drives & Inverters: High-detail symbols for Sinamics G120 and S120 series. Power Supplies: Common Sitop power modules. HMI Panels: Graphics for Comfort and Basic touch panels. 📥 How to Add Custom Siemens Symbols
If you have a specific Siemens part not in the default list, you can import it using several methods supported by QElectroTech Documentation:
DXF to ELMT Conversion: Siemens provides .dxf drawings for most parts on their SiePortal (formerly Industry Support). Use the "Import DXF" feature in QET to convert these into editable symbols. With QElectroTech plus a Siemens library, the team
Manual Creation: Use the built-in Element Editor to draw a custom footprint. You can set terminal points (power, signal, ground) so that the "Auto-Link" feature works when you draw wires.
Community Forums: The QET Elements Forum is a hub where users share specific Siemens .elmt files they have created. 💡 Best Practices for Use
Use Project Collections: To ensure your project remains portable, QET copies used elements into a "Project Collection." This prevents broken links if you send the file to someone else.
Check Pin Layouts: Always verify the terminal numbering against the official Siemens datasheet, as community-made symbols may occasionally have variations in terminal spacing.
Layer Management: When using complex Siemens PLCs, utilize the "Folio" system to separate power distribution from I/O signal logic.
1. Visual Fidelity While functional, the symbols are not always "pretty." Some appear to be vectorized conversions of raster images, leading to slightly jagged lines or disproportionate text fields. While this doesn't affect the electrical logic, it can make schematics look less professional compared to the crisp, standardized graphics seen in EPLAN.
2. Incomplete Parts Data A symbol is only as good as the data attached to it. While the graphical representation is there, many parts in the library lack comprehensive technical data (article numbers, manufacturer links, power ratings). Users often have to manually input the exact part numbers (e.g., specific 6ES7 references) into the element properties to ensure the BOM is accurate.
3. Documentation Finding, installing, and updating the library can be a hurdle for new users. Documentation is often sparse or scattered across forums. Unlike paid software where a library manager handles updates automatically, QET users often have to manually merge .elmt files into their local directories.
You might ask: "Can't I just use the generic symbols?" Technically, yes. But professionally, no.
Using a dedicated QElectroTech Siemens library offers three critical benefits:
The library is not an official Siemens product but a community-driven collection. Typical components include:
| Category | Example Components | |----------|--------------------| | PLC & Controllers | SIMATIC S7-1200, S7-1500, S7-300 CPU modules, digital/analog I/O modules, signal boards | | HMI | SIMATIC HMI panels (Basic, Comfort, Mobile panels) | | Drives | SINAMICS G120, V20, S110 frequency converters | | Motor Starters | SIRIUS (3RT contactors, 3RU overload relays, 3RV circuit breakers) | | Power Supplies | SITOP PSU100C, PSU200M, LOGO!Power | | Protection Devices | 5SL miniature circuit breakers (MCBs), 5SU residual current devices (RCDs) | | Relays & Timers | 3RH contactor relays, 3RP timing relays | | Connectors & Terminals | SIMATIC TOP Connect, SENTRON terminal blocks | | Sensors | SIMATIC ET 200pro, proximity switches, photoelectric sensors |