In the EPLAN environment, "portable" projects are essential for education, troubleshooting, or vendor demonstrations. Instead of relying on a local SQL or Access database on a specific server, these projects package all necessary assets—schematics, 3D layouts, and reports—into a single compressed file.
Primary Purpose: Providing a baseline for learning EPLAN Electric P8 features like automated wire numbering, BOM generation, and PLC cross-referencing.
Target Audience: Students using EPLAN Education or engineers testing new macros and symbols without affecting their main production environment. Key Components of a Sample Project
A standard EPLAN sample project includes several critical engineering layers:
Multi-line Schematics: High-level electrical drawings showing circuit connections and power distribution.
Parts Database: A portable "snapshot" of the components used, allowing the project to display correctly even if the recipient doesn't have the same master data.
Automatic Reports: Pre-generated Report Templates such as Terminal Diagrams, Cable Overviews, and Bills of Materials (BOM).
Device Structure: A predefined hierarchy (Location/Installation) that demonstrates how to organize large-scale plant systems. How to Access and Use a Portable Sample Project
To use a portable project file, follow the standard Restoration Procedure within the EPLAN Platform:
Opening a Built-in Sample: Navigate to File > Open > Browse and select the default "EPLAN Sample Project" provided with your installation.
Restoring a .zw1 File: If you have a downloaded "portable" project, go to File > Restore. This unpacks the data into your local project directory while maintaining all internal links to symbols and macros.
Version Compatibility: Ensure the sample project version matches your software. For example, a project created in the latest EPLAN Platform 2026 may not be backward compatible with older versions like 2.9. Common Sources for Portable Projects
EPLAN Data Portal: Vendors often provide sample projects for specific hardware (like Siemens or Phoenix Contact) to showcase their macros.
Training Centers: Educational institutions provide "starter" projects for students to complete specific design exercises. Open EPLAN sample project eplan p8 sample project portable
EPLAN Electric P8 provides a standard sample project—often titled "EPLAN Sample Project" "ESS Sample Project"
—to help users understand the software’s database-driven environment. While the software itself is not "portable" in the sense of a standalone executable, EPLAN projects are designed for easy portability through a specific archiving (*.zw1) Accessing the Sample Project
To explore the built-in sample project in recent versions (like Platform 2022-2025): Navigation from the ribbon to enter the Backstage area. Open > Browse
and look for the "EPLAN Sample Project" in the default directory. : Once opened, the project structure appears in the Page Navigator
, allowing you to see standardized templates for IEC, NFPA, and other global standards. How to Make an EPLAN Project "Portable"
To move a project between workstations or share it with others while maintaining all database links, you must use the internal management tools rather than just copying Windows folders: Project > Back up function to compress the project into a single
. This file includes the project database, documents, and necessary master data. : On the target machine, use Project > Restore
to unpack the file. This ensures that cross-references and device data remain intact.
: If you are starting a new mobile-ready project, using a template like "IEC_bas001.zw9"
ensures your project begins with a standard structure that is easily recognizable by other EPLAN users. Key Components in Sample Projects A typical sample project like the ABB 12 kV Switchgear demonstrates the following "informative" features: Open EPLAN sample project
Open Project. On the ribbon, select the File tab > Backstage area Open > Browse. Select the "EPLAN Sample Project". Click [Open]. Open EPLAN Sample Project
To generate a proper report for an "EPLAN P8 Sample Project" and ensure it is "portable" (meaning easily shared or exported as a finalized document), you should follow the standard evaluation process in EPLAN Electric P8.
The term "portable" in this context typically refers to exporting project documentation to formats like PDF or DWG/DXF so it can be viewed without the EPLAN software. 1. Identify Necessary Report Types In the EPLAN environment, "portable" projects are essential
A standard sample project report usually includes several key evaluations to provide comprehensive documentation:
Bill of Materials (BOM): A summarized parts list of all components.
Terminal Diagrams: Visual representations of terminal strips and their connections.
Cable Diagrams: Details on cable types, source, and target connections.
PLC Diagrams: For projects involving controllers, these show I/O assignments.
Table of Contents: An organized list of all pages in the project. 2. Steps to Generate Reports in EPLAN P8
To create these reports within your project, use the following procedure:
Open the Project: Navigate to the File tab > Open and select your sample project (e.g., .elk file).
Access the Report Menu: Go to Utilities > Reports > Generate.
Create New Templates: In the Templates tab, click (New) to select the report types you need (e.g., "Parts list").
Set Filters and Sorting: Define how the data should be organized (e.g., sorting by manufacturer or mounting location).
Assign Forms: Choose a standard EPLAN form (like F02_001) that defines the visual layout of the report page.
Run Generation: Click Generate project reports to automatically create all defined pages in your page navigator. 3. Making the Report "Portable" (Exporting) Part 1: What is an "EPLAN P8 Sample Project Portable"
Once the reports are generated as pages within your project, you must export them for external use: Report Types - EPLAN Help
Before we discuss the mechanics, we must define the terminology.
.zw1 or .elk archive) containing macros, pages, parts, and reports. Examples include the "Demo Project" or "Washing Machine Example."Even with a portable project, users encounter errors. Here are the top three and their fixes.
Let me know, and I’ll tailor the response further.
In EPLAN Electric P8, the "EPLAN Sample Project" (sometimes labeled as "ESS Sample Project") is a built-in, standard-compliant model designed to showcase the platform's professional engineering capabilities. The "Story" of the Sample Project
The sample project serves as a comprehensive demonstration of how a complex electrical system is structured according to international standards like Standard-Compliant Architecture
: It isn't just a random drawing; it illustrates a complete lifecycle, from a Title Page with automatic project statistics to detailed Multi-line Schematics 3D ProPanel Layouts Educational Use Case : It acts as a "live" classroom, teaching users how to use Function and Location Indicators for a control cabinet) to organize components logically. Portable Nature
: While not a "standalone" app, the sample project is highly "portable" in terms of its .elk (editable) .zw1 (backup archive)
formats. This allows users to export and share professional-grade data across different workstations or versions of the EPLAN Platform. How to Access the Sample Project
You can typically open the sample project immediately after installation to verify your setup. Open EPLAN : Navigate to the tab on the ribbon. from the Backstage area. : Look for the "EPLAN Sample Project" "ESS Sample Project" in the default project directory. : Once open, use the Page Navigator
) to explore different document types, from parts lists to 400V power supply diagrams. Open EPLAN sample project
.zw1 file (or extracted into a folder with all necessary data).A system integrator carries a portable sample project on a USB stick to show potential clients a typical solution, requiring only a laptop with EPLAN P8 installed.
If you want to build a portable "Golden Standard" project to share with your team or keep on a USB drive for contracting work, follow this technical workflow:
A deep-level sample project is not just a collection of circuit diagrams. It is a sandbox of engineering logic. To make a sample project truly portable, it must be structured as a Self-Contained Unit.