Qelectrotech Siemens Library
The QElectroTech Siemens Library is a valuable, cost-free resource for creating electrical schematics that incorporate real Siemens hardware. While it lacks official support, automated workflows, and completeness of commercial tools, it serves excellently for small to medium projects, education, prototyping, and maintenance documentation. Users should be prepared to manually verify, extend, and maintain their library copies. For professional, large-scale industrial projects requiring full Siemens integration, proprietary software remains necessary, but QET with the Siemens library offers an impressive open-source alternative.
Disclaimer: This report is for informational purposes. QElectroTech and Siemens are independent entities; no affiliation or endorsement is implied. Always verify electrical designs against official Siemens documentation.
Headline: Streamline Your Siemens Projects in QElectroTech ⚡
Tired of drawing Siemens PLC racks and I/O modules from scratch? I’ve put together a comprehensive Siemens Element Library for QElectroTech to help speed up your electrical schematic workflow. What’s inside this collection:
S7-1200 & S7-1500 Series: CPU units, digital/analog input and output modules.
S7-300/400 Heritage: Classic rail components for legacy support. ET 200SP: Distributed I/O stations and base units.
HMI Panels: Basic and Comfort panel outlines for cabinet layouts. Why use this library?
Standardized Dimensions: All elements follow a consistent grid for clean, professional schematics.
Correct Terminals: Pre-defined connection points matching official Siemens datasheets.
User Collection Ready: Simply drop the .elmt files into your User Collection folder and start dragging them onto your workspace. How to Install: Download the library archive [Insert Link Here]. Open QElectroTech and go to the Elements Panel. Right-click on User Collection > Open directory.
Paste the Siemens folder into this directory and restart QElectroTech.
Building a shared resource makes the open-source automation world stronger! If you have specific modules you’d like to see added, let me know in the comments.
#QElectroTech #Siemens #PLC #ElectricalEngineering #OpenSource #Automation #S71200 #S71500 Tips for your post:
Visuals are key: Attach a screenshot of a completed S7-1500 rack or a detailed schematic page using these elements.
Source Verification: If you are looking for existing libraries, check the QElectroTech Forum where users frequently share "S7-1200" and "S7-1500" collections.
Compatibility: Remind users that QET elements are saved in XML format, making them easy to edit in the built-in Element Editor if they need to tweak a specific part. Elements (Page 1) - QElectroTech qelectrotech siemens library
11 siemens s7-1200 plcs elements (2) * 1 reply. * 1,393 views. * Last post 2026-01-06 14:43:18 by spotu. QElectroTech QElectroTech - a quick start guide 1 - TuxFamily
QElectroTech (QET) is an open-source electrical diagram editor that has gained significant traction for industrial automation due to its expansive, community-driven libraries, particularly for Essential Guide to Using Siemens Libraries in QElectroTech
QElectroTech provides a robust platform for designing professional electrical schematics without the high licensing costs of proprietary software. For users specifically looking for
components, the library has seen major updates, including new elements for industrial and automation workflows like PLC modules, sensors, and logic elements. 1. Accessing Siemens Elements
The Siemens library in QET is categorized by hardware series, making it easier to find specific modules: PLC Series : You will find dedicated folders for Automation Elements
: This includes detailed symbols for power supplies (SITOP), communication modules, and HMI panels. Community Contributions : Many Siemens symbols are shared by users in the QElectroTech Element Collection
, which can be downloaded and imported into your local user library. 2. Best Practices for PLC Schematic Design
When working with Siemens PLC symbols, consistency is key to a professional diagram: Symbol Standardization
: Community members advocate for standardizing symbol sizes (e.g., Siemens PLC modules) to ensure they align properly on the grid when multiple modules are placed together. Terminal Management : Use the built-in Terminal Strip Editor
to manage the extensive I/O connections typical of Siemens PLC projects. This tool supports layout previews and automated terminal bridge drawing. Metadata Accuracy
: Recent updates have normalized metadata such as article numbers and manufacturer fields, ensuring that your Bill of Materials (BOM) is accurate when exported. 3. How to Expand Your Library
If a specific Siemens part is missing, you have two main options: Import DXF/SVG : You can import existing CAD files into the QET Element Editor to create custom Siemens symbols. Collaborate : Join the official QET forum
to find shared .qet element files from other engineers working on Siemens-based industrial projects. Summary of Key Features Siemens Support in QET PLC Modules S7-1200, S7-1500, S7-300, S7-400, LOGO! Includes article numbers and manufacturer data Automation Sensors, HMI, and communication modules Terminal Strip Editor for complex I/O
For those looking to dive deeper, you can download the latest version and explore the official documentation at the QElectroTech Homepage or setting up a PLC I/O list
The story of the QElectroTech (QET) Siemens library is a prime example of open-source collaboration, where a community-driven project rose to meet the needs of industrial professionals seeking free alternatives to expensive proprietary software. The Genesis of QElectroTech The QElectroTech Siemens Library is a valuable, cost-free
The journey began in 2007 when two French students, Xavier and Benoit, founded QElectroTech as a tool for creating complex electrical schematics. Although the original founders left in 2013, a global community of developers and electrical engineers took over, evolving the software into a robust CAD/CAE editor. Bridging the Industrial Gap
As QET grew, users working with high-end industrial hardware—particularly from Siemens—needed standardized symbols to document their systems.
A Massive Collection: Today, the official collection exceeds 8,000 symbols, covering electrical, logic, pneumatic, and hydraulic systems.
Vendor-Specific Additions: Recent updates (such as version 0.100) specifically highlighted the addition of Siemens-related elements, logic sensors, and Arduino components to better support industrial automation workflows. The User-Driven Library
What makes the "Siemens library" unique in QET is its community-curated nature:
Contributions: Many Siemens-specific symbols are created by professional electricians and shared via the QET Official Elements Collection on GitHub.
Customization: Because Siemens hardware varies greatly, users often use the built-in Element Editor to draw their own specific PLC or drive symbols. Once dropped into a project, these symbols can be edited and saved to a personal "User Collection".
Open Standards: Symbols are saved in XML format, allowing for easy modification and sharing across different operating systems (Windows, Linux, and macOS). How to Use the Library
Engineers typically integrate Siemens components into their projects by:
Searching the Collection: Using the integrated search engine to find "Siemens" or specific part types in the elements panel.
Drag and Drop: Dragging the symbol onto the workspace where it automatically connects to aligned conductors.
Generating Reports: Once the schematic is finished, the Export Nomenclature tool can generate a CSV parts list for ordering the actual Siemens hardware.
Today, the QElectroTech Siemens library continues to grow through an active Forum where users exchange new symbols, ensuring the software remains a viable, professional-quality choice for industrial documentation. Quality of the elements II (Page 1) - QElectroTech
The QElectroTech (QET) Siemens library is primarily found within the software's Official Elements Collection, which includes a growing set of S7 elements and other Siemens-specific components like PLCs and network devices. Accessing Siemens Elements
Standard Library: Most common Siemens symbols are pre-installed in the QET Collection. Look under categories like Programmable Logic Controllers > Siemens or Switchgear. Disclaimer: This report is for informational purposes
Official GitHub: You can manually download or clone the latest Siemens additions from the qelectrotech-elements repository.
User Contributions: Specialized or newer Siemens parts (e.g., specific S7-1200 or S7-1500 modules) are often shared in the QET Element Contrib repository. Creating & Managing Your Siemens Library
If a specific Siemens part is missing, you can develop it yourself using these methods: Modify Existing Elements:
Right-click a similar Siemens element in the library and select Edit element.
Use File > Save as to save it to your User collection with a new name. Import from Siemens DXF:
Download the official DXF/CAx data from the Siemens Industry Online Support portal.
Use the dxf2elmt converter to transform manufacturer drawings directly into QET .elmt files. Element Editor: Create elements from scratch in the Element Editor.
Ensure you follow community standards for terminals and labeling (e.g., using "Master/Slave" references for PLC modules) to maintain diagram consistency. Community Best Practices
Standardization: When creating Siemens PLC symbols, aim for standardized sizes and front-views to ensure they align properly on your schematics.
Project Embedding: Once you add a Siemens element to a project, it is embedded in the .qet file. This means you can share the project without needing to send the separate library files. ) to add to your library? Quality of the elements II (Page 1) - QElectroTech
I have structured this as a professional software review, suitable for posting on a forum, blog, or technical documentation site.
| Limitation | Description |
|------------|-------------|
| Not official | Siemens does not endorse or verify these symbols; errors may exist. |
| Incomplete | Many newer or niche Siemens products are missing. |
| Variable quality | Some symbols lack proper terminal definitions, part numbers, or scaling. |
| No automated BOM | Unlike EPLAN, QET requires manual or semi-automated bill-of-materials generation. |
| No PLC I/O import | Cannot directly import Siemens .aml or .edz I/O configurations. |
| Manual updates | Users must track new Siemens products and update elements themselves. |
A messy library kills design speed. Use this folder structure under ~/qelectrotech/elements/:
Siemens_AG/
├── Automation/
│ ├── PLC_S7-1200/
│ │ ├── CPU_1211C_ACDC_RLY.elmt
│ │ ├── SM_1221_DI8.elmt
│ │ └── CM_1241_RS485.elmt
│ ├── PLC_S7-1500/
│ └── LOGO/
│ ├── LOGO_12_24RCE.elmt
│ └── LOGO_AM2.elmt
├── Protection/
│ ├── MCB_5SY/
│ ├── MCCB_3VA/
│ └── Motor_Starter_3RV/
├── Switching/
│ ├── Contactor_3RT/
│ └── Relay_3RH/
└── HMI/
├── KTP400_Basic_PN/
└── KTP700_Comfort/
Pro Tip: Edit the .qet project file in a text editor to batch-replace generic components with your new Siemens paths.
Include symbol categories typically used in Siemens-based automation: