EPLAN Black Box Advanced Symbol Tutorial:
Multi-Input/Output, Drive & Inverter Design
Learn how to design advanced device symbols in EPLAN P8 using the Black Box tool. This EPLAN Black Box Advanced Symbol Tutorial covers multi-input/multi-output symbol creation, drive and inverter symbol design, and catalog-based symbol implementation for professional, accurate schematics.
EPLAN Black Box Advanced Symbol Tutorial – Lesson 12: Multi-IO, Drive & Catalog-Based Symbols
In this lesson, you will master advanced symbol creation in EPLAN P8 using the Black Box tool. The focus is on building multi-input/multi-output symbols, accurately representing drives and inverters, and designing symbols according to catalog specifications.
🛠️ Advanced Symbol Design with Black Box:
We start by creating a new page and setting up the internal layout of complex devices. The EPLAN Black Box Advanced Symbol Tutorial demonstrates how to manage multiple connection points and ensure precise schematic representation.
📦 Drive and Inverter Symbol Implementation:
Step by step, you will add internal connections for drives and inverters, including grounding and shielding, following manufacturer catalog data. This ensures symbols are fully professional and functional.
🔧 Catalog-Based Symbol Design:
Device connection points and attributes are imported from the catalog to match the manufacturer’s specifications. This EPLAN Catalog-Based Symbol Design approach guarantees accuracy and consistency across projects.
📐 Configuring Display Symbols and Graphics:
Graphical elements like polylines are used to visualize internal connections, while display symbols are configured so EPLAN recognizes them correctly.
📌 Adding Logos, Text, and Brand Information:
Enhance your schematic by adding logos, labels, and brand descriptions next to the symbol for a professional appearance.
🔄 Symbol Duplication for Efficiency:
Symbols are duplicated when needed, saving time and standardizing designs across multiple pages.
🚦 Control Elements for Drives:
Push buttons are added to control forward/reverse operation and different drive speeds directly within the schematic.
💾 Preparation for Macros and Reuse:
By the end of this lesson, you will be ready to create macros and reuse your designed symbols in other projects, streamlining future work and maintaining professional standards.
This free course includes the first 20 sessions of our full 90-session Complete EPLAN P8 Program.
If you want to continue and access the full professional training, the remaining sessions are available in the complete package.
Mohammad Rahmati
Founder & Lead EPLAN Instructor – EPLAN Center
With over 15 years of specialized experience in electrical engineering, industrial automation, and panel design, I have worked extensively across major oil, gas, petrochemical, energy, and manufacturing projects. My expertise spans:
• Electrical, instrumentation, and Ex-proof panel design
• Industrial automation & control systems
• Engineering documentation and standards development
• Optimization of design workflows using EPLAN
• Technical consulting for engineering teams and industrial companies
As the founder and lead instructor at EPLAN Center, I have trained more than 4,000 engineers and technicians, helping organizations adopt modern, standardized, and error-reduced engineering processes. I have authored over 100 hours of structured, industry-focused EPLAN training, designed to build real-world skills from beginner to advanced levels.
I hold an M.Sc. in Power Engineering and an MBA, and continue to work with engineering teams to advance best practices in digital design and documentation.
Alireza Momeni
EPLAN Presenter & Project Engineering Specialist
I am a Telecommunications Electrical Engineer with a Master’s degree from TU Darmstadt, Germany. With over a decade of experience in electrical engineering and hardware development, I have contributed to a wide range of industrial and technical projects across Europe.
I currently work as a Project Engineer at the European Central Bank (ECB) in Frankfurt, where I design and document complex electrical and communication systems. In my daily workflow, I use EPLAN to develop structured, reliable, and fully standardized project layouts.
At EPLAN Center, I combine my strong engineering background with clear technical communication, serving as an EPLAN Presenter and contributing to the creation of high-quality, real-industry-based educational content. My focus on precision, clarity, and practical engineering makes me an essential part of the EPLAN Center team.
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| Features | Free Course ✅ | Full Course 💎 |
|---|---|---|
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| Certificate of completion | ❌ | ✅ |
| Instructor Q&A | ❌ | ✅ |
| Instructor direct message | ❌ | ✅ |
| Sample project files & exercises | ❌ | ✅ |
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