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Practical 2025-07-05 · 4 min

Single-line diagram in 5 minutes

How GorkyCAD automatically builds a single-line diagram from the floor plan — without drawing a single line.

Author: GorkyCAD Team

What is a single-line diagram

The single-line calculation diagram is the main document of an electrical supply project. It shows: power source, panels, outgoing circuits with breaker ratings, cable cross-sections, and loads. All three phases are shown as one line — hence the name.

In traditional design, the diagram is drawn manually — taking 30-60% of project time.

How GorkyCAD builds it automatically

  1. Place electrical objects on the floor plan
  2. Assign groups (which outlets from which breaker)
  3. GorkyCAD builds the panel hierarchy (Feeder Topology)
  4. Loads, cross-sections, short-circuit currents are calculated
  5. Diagram auto-generated — all connections, ratings, cross-sections

What's on the diagram

  • Main breaker with rating
  • RCD with leakage current
  • Group breakers with ratings
  • Outgoing circuits with cable type and cross-section
  • Calculated loads per group
  • Total power

Editing

The diagram can be adjusted: rename groups, reorder breakers. When the plan changes, the diagram updates automatically — no redrawing needed.

Result

Single-line diagram — in 5 minutes instead of 2-4 hours. With automatic recalculation on any changes.

Frequently asked questions

Is this article free?
Yes, all articles and calculators are completely free.
Where can I run calculations?
The site offers 21 free calculators: cable sizing, breakers, RCD, voltage drop and more.
How do I prepare an electrical project?
In GorkyCAD Pro: plans, panels, calculations and a PDF set for free.
Found an error in the article?
Write to hello@gorkycad.pro — specialists will review and correct it.

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