Setting component defaults

You can set component defaults in two ways: from a component on the canvas, or in a defaults editor. This guide covers both methods.

Setting defaults from a component

The fastest way to set defaults is from a component you've already configured:

1. Create and configure a component with the properties you want as defaults.
2. Select the component on the canvas.
3. In the edit panel header, click the ... button (Component actions).
4. Choose Set as my default, Set as project default, or Set as organization default.

The defaults save at once and the button briefly shows Saved as default. All electrical and sizing properties from the selected component become the new defaults for that scope. Future components of the same type use these values; existing components are not affected.

You can also right-click a component and choose Make Project Default.

Example workflow:

You configure a cable with:

• XHHW-2 copper conductor series
• 90°C termination temperature
• 40°C ambient temperature

You choose Set as organization default. Now new cables created in your organization's projects use XHHW-2 copper, 90°C termination, and 40°C ambient.

Choosing scope (org, project, user)

Consider the scope's impact when setting defaults:

Set organization defaults when:

• You want consistency across all company projects
• The setting represents a company standard
• Multiple projects will benefit from the same default

Set project defaults when:

• Only this project needs the specific values
• Client requirements differ from company standards
• Project has unique environmental conditions

Set user defaults when:

• The setting is your personal preference
• Other users may prefer different values
• You want quick access without affecting others

Organization defaults affect everyone in your org. Project defaults affect everyone working on that project. User defaults affect only you.

Defaults editors

Each scope has its own editor:

To edit defaults:

1. Open the editor for the scope.
2. Select a category, such as Cable, Motor, or Sizing Rules.
3. Edit the fields. Changes save as you make them.

A field you have not set shows where its value comes from, such as Org default or System default.

Resetting defaults

To remove an override and return to the next lower scope's value, click the reset button next to the field's label. Its tooltip names the value it returns to, such as Reset to organization default.

Example:

You set user defaults for motor power factor = 0.92. Organization defaults have 0.85. System defaults have 0.85.

If you reset your user default:

• User default: (cleared)
• Effective value: 0.85 (from organization)

If org admin resets organization default:

• Organization default: (cleared)
• Effective value: 0.85 (from system)

Default fields by category

Cable:

• Length
• Default cable series

Conductor material, termination temperature, and ambient temperature are under Sizing Rules.

Motor:

• Horsepower, active power, rated voltage, demand factor

Load:

• Rated current, power factor, active power, rated voltage, load type, demand factor

Transformer:

• Rated kVA, primary and secondary voltage, transformer type, cooling type, vector group

Bus:

• Nominal voltage, phase/wire, rated amperage

Sizing Rules:

• Default Cable Series - preferred cable series for auto-sizing calculations
• Switch Sizing Margin - default 15% extra current margin for auto-sized disconnect and load-break switches
• Minimum LV Bus Rating - minimum auto-sized bus rating for buses at or below 1 kV
• Minimum MV/HV Bus Rating - minimum auto-sized bus rating for buses above 1 kV
• Minimum MV/HV Breaker and Switch Rating - minimum auto-sized rating for breakers and switches above 1 kV, and the starting rating for a new one placed above 1 kV
• Auto Parallel Sizing - enable or disable automatic parallel conductor sizing
• Max Single Conductor Size - largest conductor before the engine tries parallel runs (350 to 750 kcmil)
• Max Parallel Runs - upper limit on parallel conductor runs (2 to 6)

See Auto-parallel sizing for details on how these settings affect conductor sizing.

Canvas (My Defaults only):

• Show Grid - display the dot grid on the canvas

Best practices

Start with user defaults:

• Experiment with your personal defaults first
• Once settled on values, escalate to project or org defaults
• Prevents affecting other users while learning

Use project defaults sparingly:

• Too many project-specific overrides make troubleshooting difficult
• Prefer organization defaults for common scenarios
• Reserve project defaults for genuinely unique requirements

Communicate changes:

• Notify team when changing organization defaults
• Explain why defaults changed

Permissions required

To set user defaults:

• Any user (affects only yourself)

To set project defaults:

• Project owner or editor role
• Affects all project members

To set organization defaults:

• Organization admin or owner role
• Affects all organization members across all projects

Attempting to set defaults above your permission level shows an error.

Related topics

• Understanding defaults - Defaults hierarchy and how merging works
• User settings - Managing personal user defaults
• Organization settings - Organization-wide configuration