SymbolLogic™ Design and Engineering Solutions for Integrators
Training and Resources
System Design and Engineering Training
We'll Train You Sometimes you need more than software Get the personalized one-on-one training your engineering staff needs to be fully up-to-speed, self-sufficient and competitive Request a Training Quote Please fill out the form below and we will contact you to get a better understanding of your training needs. Or, call us directly at 207.692.0805
Why Are So Many Diagrams Missing From Today's System Designs?
TechTips
Click to Enlarge
Audio Troubleshooter Use the Qbox as an all-in-one audio line-tester for troubleshooting, installation work or anywhere audio runs down a cable. The Qbox includes a built-in microphone and speaker, volume control, a test tone generator, outputs for standard headphones, and a 1/4" jack for line-in. The tester works with mic and line-level signals and balanced and unbalanced lines.
Simply connect a patch cable from the Qbox's line-in jack to anywhere in your system's audio path to verify the presence and quality of audio. Or, inject a tone or internal microphone signal and listen for audio in the system's speakers. For an instant hands-free intercom, simply plug in headphones and hook up one Qbox on each end of a line. A handy clip attaches the Qbox to your belt or equipment rack. Powered by a single standard 9V alkaline battery and housed in rugged ABS, the Qbox is light yet able to withstand the wear and tear of fieldwork.
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Wire Colors
Fundamental to efficient installations is establishing your company's wire types and colors; and sticking with them. Head-end wire bundles ending up with mixed wire colors for the same signal type, because you ran out, makes for a serious waste of time when sorting these wires during trim-out and final rack wiring. Pick wire colors that your distributor always has in stock and always keep extra wire on your shelves and in your vans.
Click on the accompanying image to view an example of a pre-wire legend. Use it to help establish your own company's pre-wire philosophy...and stick with it.
Dual Displays
Desktop Efficiency
Visio, like AutoCAD is power hungry. Use a powerful computer with a fast processor and extended RAM. A wireless-optical mouse will allow you to move around freely on many different surfaces. Use a second, pivoting 24-inch display for working easily on full-page drawings while simultaneously using your main display for drawing-tools and other programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between design and engineering?
For electronic system integrators, design usually refers to the overall, conceptual layout of a project, i.e. locations and quantities of TVs, loudspeakers, keypads, wall jacks, etc. Engineering, however, usually refers to the specific details needed to make the design work as planned.
Design drawings are typically the floor plan layout and the block diagram which show the overall layout of installed devices in a project. The floor plan layout simply shows the physical location of devices, equipment racks and head-ends, whereas the system block diagram shows the overall interconnectivity of the entire system.
Engineering drawings are typically the schematics and equipment rack and head-end layouts. These drawings show specific wiring details of system electronics, proper placement of rack and panel mounted devices and other important system details such as power and ventilation requirements. The full-system block diagram can often show specific pre-wire information and generate other engineering-type reports which, in these cases, make the block diagram a bridge between design and engineering drawings.
Which are the most important diagrams my company should focus on?
To ensure successful projects, all four drawings listed below should to be completed in the order shown, since one drawing helps to accomplish the next: 1) Floor Plan Layout - The plan showing the physical location of area devices, equipment racks and head-ends. The Floor Plan Layout can help the client and other project stakeholders visualize and confirm what is being installed. 2) Block Diagram - The diagram showing general connectivity of devices within the entire system. This drawing is the foundation for creating a complete and accurate pre-wire schedule as well as other reports and diagrams for the project. 3) Schematics - Diagrams showing detailed head-end and room wiring. 4) Equipment Rack Elevations - The plan showing the correct placement of all rack-mounted equipment. Additionally, power and ventilation requirements for each rack, as well as millwork dimensions for cabinet and wall openings can be shown.
Why are Symbol Logic's block and schematic diagrams oriented in the portrait rather than landscape format?
Block diagrams usually include many areas or rooms. Similarly, schematics include many input devices (AV sources) and output devices (TVs, speakers, etc.). To clearly and logically show all of the areas and devices, and keep a left-to-right signal flow while not crossing wires, block and schematic diagrams will usually need to be oriented in the portrait (vertical) mode.
Which version of Visio should I be using?
Perhaps the most significant difference among all the versions of Visio is the Data Link feature introduced in Visio Professional 2007 and 2010. This feature simplifies the process of connecting your company database or catalog to your drawings. With Symbol Logic's Engineering Complete AV, using Visio Professional 2007 or 2010 will allow you to generate many valuable pre-made reports directly from the drawings, ensuring your information is meaningful and accurate.
Why do I often get errors when converting AutoCAD drawings to Visio?
When using AutoCAD drawings as floor plan backgrounds, make sure to ask your CAD program operator to make the following adjustments to the CAD drawing before providing it to you: 1) Use the PURGE ALL and AUDIT commands to clean up the drawing. 2) Use the CHPROP command to select all entities and set the color to BYLAYER. 3) Set TILEMODE=1 to put the drawing in model space. 4) Use the ZOOM EXTENTS command to set the view appropriately. 5) Save the drawing as an R14 DWG file, or if the file contains proxy objects, save it as an R12 DXF file.
After accepting your project plans quote, what do we need to do?
We will send you a second form to complete. Fill-in the wire types and equipment models that you plan on using for the project along with your company logo. If we're providing floor plan layouts, send us Visio, PDF or AutoCAD files of the floor plans along with sketches of the device locations on the plans (TVs, speakers, keypads, wall jacks, etc.). The sketches can be mailed, emailed, scanned and emailed or faxed to us.
What is the cost for your design and engineering services?
A full-documentation plans package could cost $1500 for an average 8-room custom project or $6,500 for a fairly complex 28-room custom project.
Do I have to purchase the complete drawing package service?
No, you can purchase only what you need. For example, purchase the block diagram and pre-wire schedule for now, and the schematics and equipment rack layouts later.
Symbol Logic - CEDIA's Associate Volunteer of the Year
