> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.strata.hendersonengineers.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.strata.hendersonengineers.com/workflows/electrical-planning/electrical-planning-overview.md).

# Electrical planning overview

Understand the electrical workflow, hierarchy, views, and limitations.

Electrical is a discipline within the design environment, alongside Mechanical and Plumbing. It runs on the same canvas, data, and topology infrastructure as mechanical, with its own hierarchy, equipment, and load estimates. See [Design Environment Overview](/workflows/workspace/workspace-overview.md) for the shared layout and navigation.

> 📸 **Screenshot — Electrical discipline** The design environment with the discipline switcher set to **Electrical**, showing the electrical hierarchy tree (Source → Distribution → Branch → Space) in the left panel and an electrical detail pane on the right.

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## Switching to Electrical

Use the discipline switcher in the top nav bar and select **Electrical**. See [Navigating Project Strata](/workflows/get-started/navigate-strata.md).

Electrical spaces and data are isolated from mechanical — they do not share space records. A project has a separate space list, hierarchy, and canvas layer per discipline.

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## Hierarchy

Electrical uses a five-level hierarchy: **System → Source → Distribution (optional) → Branch → Space**. This parallels the mechanical System → Source → Zone → Space structure, with Distribution as an added optional tier and Branch/Panelboard standing in for Zone. See [System Hierarchy](/reference/reference/system-hierarchy.md) and [Hierarchy and Equipment](/workflows/electrical-planning/hierarchy-and-equipment.md).

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## Views

* **Canvas** — draws on the floor plan, same tools as mechanical. All four levels can be created and grouped from the action bar: **Add Branch** (`B`), **Add Distribution** (`D`), and **Add Source** (`O`); with a compatible selection these switch to **Group into Branch / Distribution / Source**. See [the action bar](/workflows/workspace/canvas-view.md#the-action-bar).
* **Data** — tabular entry for the full hierarchy, including source and distribution rows. See [Electrical Data View](/workflows/electrical-planning/data-view.md).
* **Topology** — read-only diagram of the electrical hierarchy, same as mechanical.

The **Views** switcher in the top nav bar toggles on-canvas overlays for electrical: **Equipment**, **Branch Map**, **Distribution Map**, and **Source Map**.

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## Current limitations

* One level of Distribution supported — nested distribution boards are not shown even if underlying data allows them.
* No metric units (shared canvas limitation with mechanical).

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## Related

* [Hierarchy and Equipment](/workflows/electrical-planning/hierarchy-and-equipment.md)
* [Electrical Data View](/workflows/electrical-planning/data-view.md)
* [Electrical Equipment Schedule](/reference/exports/electrical-equipment-schedule.md)
* [System Hierarchy](/reference/reference/system-hierarchy.md)