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29 Cables
29 Cables
Cables
EPLAN Training
Cables
1.2
2.2
4.1
4.2
5.2
Exchange connections............................................................................33
6.2
9.2
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Cables
This functionality is only available for certain module packages. Info
EPLAN Training
Cables
Cables can be defined using cable definition lines or shields. To do this, the cable
definition line or the shield symbol must cross the connections in question.
1.1
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Cables
2. Drag the line over the connections to be included in the cable. Click with the
left mouse button to establish the start and end point of the line.
A connection definition point is set automatically on every intersection of
connections with this cable definition line.
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3. In the Properties <...> dialog you can change the DT and specify additional
properties for the cable.
4. Click [OK].
Notes:
If you want to retroactively reduce the cable definition line, the connection
If you pull a cable definition line over a "cable" type connection in the singleline display, a connection definition point will be set there and the
representation type "Single-line" will automatically be entered. In the case of a
mixed view (single-line symbols on multi-line pages) you must enter the
representation type into the connection definition point yourself.
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1.2
Draw shields
2. Drag the shield (like a rectangle) over the connections to be shielded. Click
with the left mouse button to establish the start and end point of the shield.
A connection definition point is set automatically on every connection within
the shield.
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3. In the Properties <...> dialog you can change the DT and specify additional
properties for the shield.
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Cables
4. If you want to suppress the display of properties on the shield, select the entry
"No display" in the Property arrangement field on the Display tab.
5. Click [OK].
Notes:
If you want to retroactively reduce the shield, the connection definition points on
connections that are no longer within the shield will be deleted. If you enlarge
the shield, new connection definition points are set for newly included
connections.
In the user settings (Options > Settings > User > Graphical editing >
Connection symbols) you can determine whether the property dialog will be
shown or not when inserting shields.
EPLAN Training
Cables
Precondition:
You have defined a cable or a shield.
In addition to properties that all other devices also have, there are special properties
for cables and shields. These are displayed in the Cable tab in the Properties dialog
and can be edited there. The property dialog can be called from the graphical editor
or from the navigator dialogs Devices - <Project name> or Cables - <Project
name>.
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2.1
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2. Select the menu item Edit > Properties.
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3. In the Properties <...> dialog, select the Cable tab.
2.2
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1. Select a cable definition in the Cables - <Project name> dialog.
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2. Select Popup menu > Properties.
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3. In the Properties <...> dialog, select the Cable tab.
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Cables are generated based on data from connections. Since connections are not
refreshed immediately when drawing, cables also can only be generated and
updated after the connections have been refreshed.
When automatically generating cables, free conductors are automatically assigned to
an existing cable. If no suitable cable is found, EPLAN generates a new DT. A
connection definition point is automatically set on the connection in question and the
DT for the cable is entered there.
The "Generate cables automatically" functionality can be called from different places
in the program. These include from selections in the graphical editor or in the
navigator dialogs Pages - <Project name>, Connections - <Project name>,
Cables - <Project name>, or Devices - <Project name>. It can be used on the
entire project.
After generating the cable, they are automatically numbered and a cable selection is
made.
Precondition:
The connections have been generated and are up-to-date (Project data >
Connections > Update).
Project data > Cables > Generate cables automatically
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1. Click [...] in the Settings field of the Generate cables automatically dialog.
2. In the Settings: Cable generation dialog you specify the objects on which
cable properties are to be placed and which objects are to be taken into
consideration when generating cables. Select the appropriate check boxes
and click [OK].
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3. In the Cable numbering group box in the Generate cables automatically
dialog specify the settings for cable numbering. Select a suitable scheme from
the Settings drop-down list, or click [...] to open the Settings: Cable
numbering dialog to create or change a scheme.
4. In the Start value and Increment fields specify the value at which the DT
counter should begin as well as the value by which the counter should
increase.
5. Specify whether you want to keep the DT from already numbered cables,
whether you want to number only the selected cables or all the cables in the
project, and whether you want to see a preview before the final numbering
takes place. Check the corresponding check boxes.
6. Specify the settings for the automatic cable selection in the Automatic cable
selection group box . Select a suitable scheme from the Settings drop-down
list, or click [...] to open the Settings: Automatic cable selection dialog to
create or change a scheme.
7. Specify whether the cable selection should be made for the entire project or
only for the selected elements, and whether it should be made only for
automatically generated cables or also for manually generated cables. Select
or deselect the Apply to entire project check box accordingly.
8. Click [OK].
Cable definition lines and connection definition points are generated in the
schematic. Only one cable definition line and one connection definition point
will be placed on the first graphical connection of a cable. Connection
definition points with the same DT will be placed on all other connections.
If you checked the Preview of result check box, you will see the Number
cables: Preview of result dialog. The old and new device tags for the newly
generated or already existing but unnamed cable definition lines, shields, and
connection definition points are displayed here. You can accept or change the
new device tags or keep the old ones.
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If an unnamed cable definition line receives a name in the course of the
automatic run, it will be identified as "automatically set" (Property "Name
automatically set"). Automatically set names are deleted and newly assigned
in the next automatic run and manually assigned names will be kept.
The cable device tags are then numbered and the cable selection is made.
Whether or not the selection is made for newly generated cables or for all
cables depends on the settings. This results in completely designated cables
with devices.
Notes:
When automatically generating cables, only connections with the "Cable
or external function.
Cable definition lines are placed on a separate layer but not connection definition
points.
3.1
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1. Select cables in the graphical editor or select pages or a project in the page
navigator.
2. Select the menu items Project data > Cables > Automatic -> Manual.
The "Automatically generated" property is reset for the selected cables.
The cables are then treated as manually generated cables and remain
unchanged in subsequent automatic processes.
Switching this property for cable definition lines automatically also switched
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the layer where the cable definition line is located (if the standard layer is set).
The layer is unchanged if you have selected a different standard layer.
Note:
To change individual cables to manually generated, open the Properties <...> dialog.
(for instance, by double-clicking on the cable.) Deselect the Automatically
generated check box in the Cables tab.
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Cables are manually generated when you draw cable definition lines and connection
definition points. Only one cable definition line is required for each DT (more are
possible). Any additional connections can be assigned using connection definition
points.
You can display cables in a distributed form by drawing multiple cable definition lines
and assigning them the same DT.
Cable connections can be defined either on the connection definition point or on the
connection point. The setting on the connection definition point overwrites all other
settings.
4.1
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1. Select the menu items Insert > Connection definition point.
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2. Place the connection definition point on a connection.
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3. In the Displayed DT field of the Properties <...> dialog specify the DT of the
cable to which you want to assign the connection.
4. Select the Cable connection property in the table and select the check box in
the cell next to it.
5. Specify any additional conductor properties in the dialog and click [OK].
The conductors are assigned to the cable.
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4.2
1. Select a component in the graphical editor and then select the menu items
Edit > Properties.
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2. In the Properties <...> dialog, select the Symbol / function data tab and click
[Logic].
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3. In the Connection point logic dialog select the Cable connection point
check box for the desired connection points.
4. You can also change the connection point type, the potential type, and other
properties of the connection point.
5. Click [OK].
The connection point data is stored to the function.
The connections attached to the function get the properties from the
respective connection point and thus become cable connections.
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Assigning Conductors
You can manually change the assignment of connections to conductors in the Edit
cable dialog. That dialog displays the existing function templates in the cable part
(i.e., the part conductors) as well as the functions of the cable defined in the project
(i.e., the connections) and their assignments.
A function (i.e., a placed or unplaced connection) superimposes the function template
(i.e., the part conductor) if it has the same identifying properties. In this case the
name of the shield is taken into consideration first. If no suitable connection with
shield is found for a function template with shield, this template is assigned a
connection without shield (as long as the remaining identifying properties match). The
shields thus do not necessarily have to be drawn into the schematic.
Moving or exchanging connections are displayed in the changes on the right side of
the dialog. The order of the function templates on the left side always remains the
same.
5.1
Move connections
Connections can only be moved to free function templates. Other connections are not
changed when doing so.
PE and SH potential type connections cannot be moved to function templates with
other potential types. Nor can they be moved to another shield. Connections without
shields, however, can be assigned to a function template with shielding.
Project data > Cables > Navigator
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1. In the Cables - <Project name> dialog, select a cable definition, a (placed)
conductor, or a shield.
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2. Select Popup menu > Edit.
All connections to the associated cable are displayed in the Edit cable
dialog.
3. In the Connections table select a connection and move it using the arrow
buttons to the position where there is a free function template.
The connection transfers the data from the function template into the still
free properties. Existing properties of the connection superimpose the
template.
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The data on the connection definition points are correspondingly updated.
Tip:
To open the Edit cable dialog, you can also select a cable definition line, a shield, or
a connection definition point in the graphical editor and select the menu item
Project data > Cables > Edit .
5.2
Exchange connections
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Cables
1. In the Cables - <Project name> dialog, select a cable definition, a (placed)
conductor, or a shield.
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2. Select Popup menu > Edit.
All connections to the associated cable are displayed in the Edit cable
dialog.
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3. Select two connections in the Connections table and click
(Exchange).
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Placing Cables
In EPLAN there are two different options for creating cables: When performing a
Place again in the Edit cable dialog, only the potential type is compared. When
performing a Place in the cable navigator or through the main menu, all identifying
properties of the connections and conductors are compared and only matching
conductors are placed.
6.1
Precondition:
You have selected a cable definition line in the graphical editor, or a cable definition
in the Cables - <Project name> navigator dialog.
Project data > Cables > Edit
1. In the Edit cable dialog, select Popup menu > Place again.
The conductors of the cable part are assigned to the connections, if the
potential type matches.
Existing properties of the connections are overwritten by the conductor
properties.
The structure of shields is retained, but the shield designations can change.
The sequence of the connections is defined by the rules for determining the
source and target of the cable or with terminals according to the order of
terminals on the terminal strips.
6.2
Precondition:
You have selected a cable definition line in the graphical editor, or a cable definition
in the Cables - <Project name> navigator dialog.
Project data > Cables > Place
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The conductors of the cable part are assigned to the connections if their
identifying properties match. If a property of the cable conductor is filled in, the
connection must have the same value. Blank properties of the cable conductors
match any value on the connection. Shielded conductors also match non-shielded
connections; however, if a matching shielded connection has already been found, it
will be assigned preferentially.
Example:
The property "Cross section" has the following values for the cable conductors and
the connection:
Cable conductor Connection matching
0.01 in
0.01 in
yes
0.01 in
0.00 in
no
0.01 in
no
0.01 in
yes
0.00 in
yes
The sequence of the connections is defined by the rules for determining the
source and target of the cable or with terminals according to the order of
terminals on the terminal strips.
Identifying properties for the assignment of conductors to the connections are:
Function definition
Shielded by
Pair index
Potential type
Color / number
Cross-section.
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2. Select the Only automatically generated cables check box if you only want
to assign parts to only those types of cables. Otherwise, the automatic cable
selection will also be made for manually generated or named cables.
3. Use the Apply to entire project check box to specify whether the cable
selection should be made for all cables in the project or only for the selected
ones.
4. Click [OK].
According to the settings specifying which properties should be taken into
consideration for the automatic cable selection, the suitable cable is searched
for in parts management. The voltage entered for the cable, the voltage of the
conductors (defined via the potentials), the number of conductors present, and
the number of reserve conductors are compared. If there is no information on
the manufacturer, the first one to be found will be taken.
Notes:
The quantity of PE conductors (0, 1, or 2) specified in the PE conductors field is
example, a cable type can already be entered on a cable in the schematic that
is not in the settings for the cable selection. A cable will then be selected
which corresponds to the cable type entered and has a suitable number of
conductors. A missing cross-section is taken from the defaults depending on
the voltage. The same values are used here as for manual cable selection.
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This functionality is only available for certain module packages. Info
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Using existing cables and conductors is similar to using terminals and plugs and is
done in the DT selection dialog. If a DT is selected there, you can accept this one or
generate a new one. In this case, the respective functions must match or the DT
selection is not possible. It is thus only possible to use existing cable definition lines
on cable definition lines, and only connections on connections.
If a connection definition point or a connection is assigned the "Cable connection"
property "Yes", the dialog for either using existing cables or connections opens. In
this case the corresponding structure level in the environment (page, location box) is
marked. If the DT is already known, it is selected and can be accepted.
9.1
When manually defining cables you can select an existing DT, generate a new DT, or
generate a new cable definition for an existing DT. If you use an existing unplaced
cable definition line, all data for this function is transferred to the cable definition line
in the schematic.
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1. Select a cable definition line, a shield, or a connection definition point in the
graphical editor.
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2. Select the menu item Edit > Properties.
3. In the Properties <...> dialog select the Cable (or Connection definition
point) tab, and assign the "Cable connection" property to the component.
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4. Click [...] next to the Displayed DT field.
In the DT - selection dialog, all cable DTs used in the project are shown.
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5. Scroll through the tree or the list and select a DT. Or, independent of the
selection, generate a new DT using [Next].
6. Click [OK].
The DT is inserted in the Properties <...> dialog, and the connection is
assigned to the cable.
Note:
The following behavior applies when generating a new DT using [Next]:
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If a DT is selected, a new DT is generated with the next available counter.
If a cable definition is selected, another cable definition is generated for the
same DT.
If a conductor is selected, another cable definition is generated for the same DT.
9.2
Precondition:
The "Cable connection" property is set for the connection definition point.
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1. Select a connection definition point in the graphical editor.
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2. Select the menu item Edit > Properties.
3. In the Properties <...> dialog, select the Cable definition point tab and
assign the "Cable connection" property to the connection definition point.
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5. Select a connection in the DT selection dialog.
6. Click [OK].
The DT is inserted in the Properties <...> dialog, and the connection is
assigned to the cable.
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10
Numbering Cables
There is a special numbering function for cables, which compared to the "normal" DT
numbering function has additional setting options.
Precondition:
You have selected a cable definition in the graphical editor, or in the Cables <Project name> navigator dialog.
Project data > Cables > Number
1. In the Settings field of the Number cables dialog select a scheme that
specifies the settings for the cable numbering, or click [...] to open the
Settings: Cable numbering dialog and create a new scheme there.
2. In the Start value and Increment fields specify the value by which the DT
counter should begin as well as the value by which the counter should be
increased.
3. Select the Keep existing cable DTs check box if you want to keep the device
tags of already numbered cables. Otherwise, they will be renumbered and the
existing device tags will be overwritten.
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4. Specify whether you want to number only the selected cables or all of the
cables in the project, and whether you want to preview the results before the
final numbering. Check the corresponding check boxes.
5. Click [OK].
If the Preview of result check box was checked, you will see the Number
cables: Preview of result dialog. This displays the old and new device tags of
the cable.
If the Preview of result check box was not selected, the new device tags
of the cable are immediately written to the project and displayed on the cable
definition lines.
6. If necessary, change the new device tags of the cable in the preview dialog.
7. Select the cables that are to keep their old device tags and select Popup
menu > Apply original DT.
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8. Click [OK].
The new device tags of the cables are saved in the project and displayed
on the cable definition lines.
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The cable lengths used in the project can be automatically totaled up for each cable
type, in order to determine the number of cable drums needed. The same types of a
cable will be combined into one cable project part and the lengths of the individual
cables added together. The parts do not have to match, but the physical properties of
the cables must match.
Multiple cables in EPLAN have the same cable type if the following properties match:
If all properties of the cable are specified, the complete cable type is available.
You can only calculate the cable quantities for the entire project.
Preconditions:
Cable lengths are entered for the cables.
A project is selected in the page navigator.
2. Select Popup menu > Parts selection if you want to select a new cable part.
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3. Select Popup menu > Delete in order to delete a part and thus exclude it from
later reports.
4. Click [OK].
The old cable project parts are deleted and new ones are entered.
The quantity of parts is reset to zero on the individual cables.
Note:
You can view, edit and delete the project parts in the Bill of materials - <Project
name> dialog. The changes, however, are overwritten in the next cable length
calculation.
3. Select the check box for the Do not use cable when adding up cable
lengths property.
4. Click [OK].
If the main part of the cable has a quantity of zero, a message will appear
because this value may have been generated while adding up the cable
lengths.
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This functionality is only available for certain module packages. Info
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In the parts reports you can decide whether cable parts (from the individual cables)
and cable project parts should be output. Cable parts with the quantity zero can be
excluded from the output using a filter (product group = "Cable" AND quantity = "0").
It may make sense to output the cable parts with quantities of zero: In this case the
accessory parts of cables as well as the premade cables that were not taken into
consideration for the cable calculation are output. The parts with quantities of zero
then display which cable is used there, and the project parts specify what needs to
be ordered.
Precondition:
You have opened a project.
Utilities > Reports > Generate
1. In the Reports dialog select [Settings] > Parts list.
2. In the Settings: Parts dialog select the Cable part check box so that cable
project parts are included in the parts list.
3. Activate the Cable project part check box, so that cable project parts will be
inserted into the parts list.
4. Select the Connection part check box so that cable parts of the individual
cables are included in the parts list.
5. Click [OK].
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6. Select [Settings] > Display / output.
7. In the Settings: Display / output dialog select the Restrict output of cables
check box if you want to restrict output to cables that have a certain minimum
number of conductors.
9. Click [OK].
10. Click [New] to generate a new report, or select an existing report and update
this by clicking [Update].
2. Click [OK].
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