Development and Updates for the Medeek Electrical Plugin

[Medeek]

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.

[Medeek]

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.

[Medeek]

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:

https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model/0dbd4a80-7af6-4064-9150-3cf73324d93c/K2647WHI

[Medeek]

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:

https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model/61db2faa-8a8a-4f22-9d94-3e06fc9d3517/MK-Logic-Plus-Low-Poly

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.

[Medeek]

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. 

[Medeek]

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.

[Medeek]

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

[Medeek]

I've uploaded a very simple detached garage model that can be used to test out the electrical plugin:

https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model/617e2cc7-a8df-42a3-a739-8e5c565b7375/Medeek-Garage-1