AI Diagram Builder: Professional Diagrams from Plain English

The AI Diagram Builder is part of the Elec-Mate platform, designed to help electricians create professional electrical diagrams without specialist CAD software or draughting skills. You describe the installation in plain English, and the AI generates circuit schematics, distribution board layouts, cable routing diagrams, and as-built drawings using standard UK electrical symbols.

BS 7671 Regulation 514.9.1 requires that a durable schematic diagram or chart be provided for every electrical installation. In practice, many electricians find producing these diagrams time-consuming and resort to hand-drawn sketches that, while technically sufficient, do not convey the same level of professionalism as properly formatted diagrams. The AI Diagram Builder produces professional-quality diagrams in seconds, raising the standard of your documentation without adding to your workload.

The tool integrates with other Elec-Mate agents. Circuit designs from the AI Circuit Designer can be imported directly to generate diagrams that match the design specification. The Wiring Instructions tool references the diagrams when explaining connection arrangements. And the Report Writer can include the diagrams in client-facing documentation.

All diagrams use the standard electrical symbols specified in BS EN 60617, ensuring they are universally understood by other electricians, inspectors, and building professionals. Diagrams can be exported as PDF, PNG, or SVG for inclusion in any documentation format.

Circuit schematic diagrams show the electrical connections between components using standardised symbols. They are the fundamental documentation tool for electrical installations, used for design verification, installation guidance, fault-finding, and future alteration work.

The AI generates circuit schematics that show: the supply arrangement (single-phase or three-phase, earthing system), the main switch and isolators, the distribution arrangement (consumer unit, distribution board, or sub-distribution board hierarchy), each protective device with its type and rating (MCB, RCBO, RCD, MCCB), each circuit with its cable type, size, and route length, and the final circuit accessories and loads. The diagram includes the correct BS EN 60617 symbols for every component.

For domestic installations, a typical schematic shows the consumer unit with all its outgoing circuits — lighting circuits, ring final circuits, radial circuits, cooker circuit, shower circuit, and any specialist circuits such as EV charger or solar PV connections. For commercial installations, the schematic may show a hierarchy of distribution boards fed from a main switchboard, with sub-distribution boards for different floors or areas.

The schematics comply with the documentation requirements of BS 7671 Regulation 514.9.1, which specifies that the diagram must show the type and composition of each circuit, the method used for compliance with Chapter 41, the information needed for identification of each device, and the number and size of conductors. For installations with solar PV or battery storage, the schematics include the DC side connections and the bidirectional protective devices required by Amendment 4:2024.

Generate circuit diagrams in seconds

Describe the installation and the AI produces a professional circuit schematic with standard BS EN 60617 symbols. Export as PDF for your EIC documentation.

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Distribution board layout diagrams show the physical arrangement of protective devices within a consumer unit or distribution board. Unlike circuit schematics (which show electrical connections), layout diagrams show the physical positions of devices on the DIN rail or busbar, making them essential for installation, verification, and future maintenance.

The AI generates layout diagrams that show: the main switch position and rating, the RCD positions and ratings (for split-load or dual RCD configurations), the position of each MCB or RCBO on the DIN rail, the circuit number and description for each device, the device type and rating, and the SPD position. For modern domestic consumer units with RCBO configuration (where every circuit has individual RCD protection via an RCBO), the layout shows the arrangement of RCBOs with their type designation (Type A, Type AC).

For three-phase distribution boards, the layout shows the three-phase busbar arrangement, which phase each outgoing device is connected to, the neutral and earth bar positions, and the metering arrangement if applicable. The AI ensures that the phase allocation achieves reasonable load balance and flags any potential issues.

The layout diagrams are particularly useful for the door card — the paper label fitted inside the consumer unit or distribution board door that identifies each circuit. The AI generates a door card layout that matches the physical arrangement of devices, making it easy to identify which device protects which circuit. This meets the requirement of Regulation 514.9.1 and provides a clear reference for anyone who needs to identify or isolate a specific circuit in the future, including during commissioning and periodic inspection.

Cable routing diagrams show the physical paths that cables take through the building. They are essential for planning cable installations, verifying that cables are routed within the permitted safe zones, and documenting the as-installed routes for future reference.

The AI generates routing diagrams that show: each cable run from distribution board to final point, the cable type and size for each run, the containment method (surface clips, conduit, trunking, cable tray, cable ladder), route lengths, and key reference points such as junction boxes, draw points, and fire stops. Where cables share common containment routes, the diagram shows the containment sizing and the cables it contains, linking to the trunking fill calculator or conduit fill calculator for capacity verification.

For domestic installations, cable routing diagrams typically show the main cable routes from the consumer unit to each area of the property, with the cable type and size annotated. For commercial installations, the routing diagrams can become complex, showing cable tray and ladder runs through risers and ceiling voids, with containment sizing, support spacings, and fire stop positions all documented.

Cable routing diagrams are particularly valuable for alteration and extension work. When a future electrician needs to run additional cables through an existing building, the routing diagram shows where the existing cables are, what containment is available, and where there is capacity for additional cables. Without this documentation, the only option is to trace cables manually, which is time-consuming and can lead to accidental damage.

As-built drawings document the electrical installation as it was actually installed, which may differ from the original design due to site conditions, client changes, or practical installation constraints. They are a critical part of the handover documentation and provide the definitive record of the installation for future maintenance, alteration, and periodic inspection.

The AI generates as-built drawings by combining the original design information with any modifications recorded during installation. If the cable route was changed to avoid an obstruction, the as-built drawing reflects the actual route. If an additional circuit was added during the installation, it appears on the as-built drawing with all the relevant specifications.

The as-built documentation package typically includes: a circuit schematic showing all circuits as installed, a distribution board layout showing the actual device arrangement, cable routing diagrams showing actual cable routes and containment, a schedule of circuits matching the consumer unit or distribution board door card, and a specification showing cable types, sizes, and installation methods for each circuit.

For commercial projects, as-built drawings are often a contractual deliverable — the client specification requires the contractor to produce accurate as-built documentation as part of the handover process. For domestic work, although not usually a contractual requirement, providing as-built documentation demonstrates professionalism and gives the homeowner a valuable record of their electrical installation. The AI Report Writer can combine the as-built drawings with a commissioning report and operating instructions to produce a comprehensive handover pack.

Professional as-built drawings for every job

Document every installation with professional as-built drawings. The AI generates diagrams that meet BS 7671 requirements and impress clients at handover.

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