Acad Elec 2008 Getstart

AutoCAD Electrical 2008
Getting Started
Part No. 22505-050000-5000A
January 30, 2007
2007 Autodesk, Inc. All Rights Reserved

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Contents
AutoCAD Electrical Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Chapter 1
Toolbar Commands in AutoCAD Electrical . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Command Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Main Electrical toolbar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Main Electrical 2 toolbar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Panel Layout toolbar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Conversion toolbar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Conduit Marker toolbar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Power Check toolbar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Panel Level/Sequencing toolbar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Extra Libraries toolbar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Chapter 2
Projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Learning about Standards .
Performing Exercises . . .
Prerequisites . . . . .
Help . . . . . . . . .
Working with Projects . . .
Working with Drawings . .
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Ladder Style Diagrams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Chapter 3
Wires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
About Wires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Inserting Wires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Trimming Wires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Chapter 4
Schematic Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
About Schematic Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Inserting Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Relocating Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Aligning Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Inserting Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Editing Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Linking Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Editing Catalog Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Moving Between Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Swapping Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Creating Custom Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Adding Attribute Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Adding Wire Connection Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Saving Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Chapter 5
Circuitry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Moving an Existing Circuit . . . . . . .
Creating a New Motor Circuit . . . . . .
Saving and Inserting Standard Circuits .
Inserting Saved Circuits Using WBlock .
Chapter 6
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. 144
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Wire Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161

About Wire Numbers . . . . . . . . .
Attaching Source Signal Arrows . . .
Attaching Destination Signal Arrows
Inserting Wire Numbers . . . . . . .
Working with Wire Layers . . . . . .
vi | Contents
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PLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Inserting Ladders into Drawings . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inserting PLC Modules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Using Multiple Insert Component . . . . . . . . . . .
Annotating PLC I/O Descriptions . . . . . . . . . . .
Inserting Wire Numbers Based on PLC I/O Addresses .
Resequencing Ladders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chapter 7
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Chapter 8
Panel
Layouts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
About Panel Layouts . . . . . .

Inserting Panel Components .
Modifying Attributes . . . . . .
Adding Nameplate Footprints .
Editing Terminal Strips . . . . .
Point-to-Point
Chapter 9
Connector
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Diagramming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Diagramming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
About Connector Diagramming . . . .

Inserting Connectors . . . . . . . . . .
Wiring Connectors . . . . . . . . . . .
Grouping Wires . . . . . . . . .
Modifying Connectors . . . . . . . . .
Adding Wire Numbers . . . . . .
Adding Connector Descriptions .
Chapter 10
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Pneumatic, Hydraulic and P&ID Diagrams . . . . . . . . . . . 227

Setting Up Hydraulic Drawings . . . . .
Inserting Hydraulic Schematic Symbols .
Creating Pipes . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Completing the Hydraulic Drawing . . .
Setting Up Your P&ID Drawing . . . . .
Inserting P&ID Schematic Symbols . . .
Creating Pipes . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Reports and Migrating AutoCAD Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255

Chapter 11
Generating Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257

Generating Bill of Material Reports .
Inserting BOM Tables into Drawings
Editing BOM Tables on Drawings . .
Changing Formats of BOMs . . . . .
Exporting BOMs to Spreadsheets . .
Chapter 12
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Migrating AutoCAD Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267

About Tagging and Linking Tools .
Exploding Block and Attributes . .
Tagging Schematic Components . .
Linking Schematic Attributes . . .
Adding Wire Connections . . . . .
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Contents | vii
Adding Geometry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277

Tagging and Linking Panel Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Updating Panel or Schematic Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
viii | Contents
AutoCAD Electrical
Environment
Part 1 of this manual provides information on AutoCAD
In this part
Electrical toolbars as well as information on how to set up a
Toolbar Commands in
AutoCAD Electrical
project.
Projects
Toolbar Commands in
AutoCAD Electrical
This chapter provides a list of the commands available on
In this chapter
AutoCAD Electrical toolbars, along with a brief description
Command Summary
of the function of each command and the associated

toolbutton.
Command Summary
The following is a list of the AutoCAD Electrical commands, a brief description
of each and the associated toolbutton.
NOTE This list does not contain AutoCAD commands.
You can turn on the visibility of the toolbars from the Projects Toolbars
menu or by right-clicking a toolbar and selecting from the Electrical list. All
of the smaller toolbars not listed here are found on the Main Electrical or Main
Electrical 2 toolbars.
Main Electrical toolbar

Tooltip
Command
Description
Insert Component
wd_insym_dlg
Inserts selected components from the icon

menu onto the drawing.
Insert Component
(Catalog List)
wd_inscat_s
Inserts schematic symbols by choosing a

catalog number or a component description
from a user-defined pick list. The data displayed in this pick list is stored in a database
in generic Access format. The file name is
wd_picklist.mdb and can be edited with Microsoft Access or from Add/Edit/Delete along
the bottom of the pick list's dialog box. The
AutoCAD Electrical normal search path sequence is used to locate this file.
Insert Component
(Equipment List)
ace_bom2sch
This spreadsheet organizes the selected usercreated equipment list and presents the list in
a pick list. As you pick an item from the pick
list, the appropriate schematic symbol is found
and inserted in the drawing at your pick point.
You can open a comma-delimited file, Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, or Microsoft Access
database file for input.
4 | Chapter 1 Toolbar Commands in AutoCAD Electrical
Tooltip
Command
Description
Insert Component (Panel

List)
ace_pnl2sch
Lists panel components extracted from your

panel drawing, finds the appropriate schematic symbol, and inserts the schematic components at your pick point.
Insert Terminal (Panel

List)
ace_pnl2sch_trm
Lists panel terminals extracted from your

panel drawing, finds the appropriate schematic symbol, and inserts the schematic terminals
at your pick point.
Swap/Update Block
wd_bswap_main
Use to update or change blocks in place. Attribute values are retained during the swapping process. Wire connections are also
maintained even if the new symbol is slightly
wider or narrower than the original.
Copy Component
wd_insym_same
Inserts a copy of an existing component into

the drawing and updates the component tags.
Multiple Insert (Icon

Menu)
wd_insym_f
Inserts a series of similar components at fence

crossing points with underlying wires.
Multiple Insert (Pick

Master)
wd_insym_f
Inserts a copy of the selected component

multiple times at each wire crossing and fence
line intersection point.
Link Components with

Dashed Line
wd_complink
Draws a smart dashed line between stacked

contacts of a multicontact component. When
the dashed link line inserts, certain attributes
automatically flip to invisible. Use the Attribute
Hide command to turn the visibility of the selected attributes back on.
Insert Reference Arrow To

wd_reflink
Draws a dashed line from a component to a

To arrow symbol.
Main Electrical toolbar | 5
Tooltip
Command
Description
Insert Reference Arrow From

wd_reflink_d
Draws a dashed line from a component to a

From arrow symbol.
Insert PLC (Parametric)

wd_inplc
Generates PLC I/O modules on demand, in a

variety of different graphical styles via a parametric generation technique. It is driven by a
database file (ace_plc.mdb) and a handful of
library symbol blocks.
Insert PLC (Full Units)

wd_insym_gomenu 33
Inserts PLC I/O modules that are fixed library

symbol blocks.
Unity Pro Export to

Spreadsheet
aceUnityProImportPLC
Imports Unity Pro hardware (.xsy) and I/O

variable (.xsy) files into AutoCAD Electrical to
reformat the data into a PLC import spreadsheet. After the spreadsheet file is created use
the Spreadsheet to PLC I/O Utility tool to
automatically create PLC style drawing files.
RSLogix 500 Export to

Spreadsheet
wdio_rsl
Prepares RSLogix 500 exported data to be

processed by the Spreadsheet to PLC I/O
Utility.
Spreadsheet to PLC I/O

Utility
wdio
Creates a set of PLC I/O drawings from

spreadsheet data. A project's PLC I/O requirements, in spreadsheet or database format, can
drive automatic generation of the I/O schematic drawings. Your information can be read
directly in Excel format (.XLS), as a table in
an Access Database file (.MDB), or you can
save your information out to a comma-delimited format (CSV) and then let AutoCAD
Electrical construct a set of PLC I/O wiring
diagrams directly from your data. Ladders and
modules insert automatically, breaking at the
Tooltip
Command
Description
bottom of one ladder and continuing on the

next (or on to the next drawing).
PLC Database File Editor
ace_plcedit
Creates and modifies PLC I/O module definitions. All editing and creation of PLC data is
stored within the PLC database file
(ACE_PLC.MDB).
Insert Connector
wd_p2p_connector_dlg
Generates a connector symbol from userdefined parameters. The symbol is created on

the fly, and inserted as a block insert into your
active drawing file. Since these are created on
an as-needed based, it eliminates the need for
you to create and maintain a library of connector symbols.
Insert Connector from

List
ace_connector_import
Imports a connector wire list from another

application, such as Autodesk Inventor
Professional Cable & Harness.
NOTE If the AutoCAD Electrical drawing is
missing one end of the connector or if a connection was not found, wiring information is
displayed next to the pin and the information
is written into a log file so you know AutoCAD
Electrical was unable to resolve the wire connections in the drawing. The log file name is
{drawing filename.LOG} and is found in the
same folder as the drawing file.
Reverse Connector
wd_react_do_flip_connector
Reverses the orientation of the connector

about its horizontal or vertical axis. None of
the existing wire connections automatically
reroute to the reverse side of the connector
and you will have to resolve wiring using the
wire editing tools.
Tooltip
Command
Description
Rotate Connector
wd_react_do_rotate_connector
Rotates the connector about its insertion point

in 90 degree increments. The wire connections
do not reroute with each rotation of the connector. You must resolve wiring using the wire
editing tools.
Stretch Connector
wd_react_do_stretch_connector
Increases or decreases the connector's overall

shell length. You might do this to make room
for new pins or to capture previously added
pins that fell beyond the connector shell. You
identify which end of the connector is to be
altered and the measurement of displacement.
Split Connector
wd_react_do_split_connector
Splits the parametric connector into two separate block definitions (i.e. parent and a child
or a child and another child).
Add Connector Pins

add_connector_pins
Adds pins to an existing connector.
Delete Connector Pins

wd_react_do_delpin_connector
Removes a pin from an existing connector

and, if the connector has a defined pin list,
frees this deleted pin to be re-inserted later
on this connector or on a related child of this
connector.
Move Connector Pin

wd_react_do_movepin_connector
Moves connector pin associated to selected

connector.
Swap Connector Pins

wd_react_do_swappin_connector
Exchanges one set of connector pin numbers

for another on an existing connector or
between connectors on the drawing.
Tooltip
Command
Description
NOTE You cannot swap a combination connector with a single plug or receptacle connector. Additionally, you cannot use this tool
to swap pins from one side of a connector to
the other.
Insert Splice
wd_menu_load_schem;
wd_insym_gomenu 48
Inserts a splice symbol selected from the onscreen icon menu.
Insert WBlocked Circuit

wd_ins_circ
Inserts WBlocked circuitry (external drawing

file) with automatic component tag update.
Insert Saved Circuit

wd_insym_gomenu 19
Inserts a user circuit selected from on-screen

icon menu.
Copy Circuit
wd_copy_circ
Copies existing circuits and pastes the copied

circuit to a specified location. The components
are automatically retagged based on their new
line reference locations.
Move Circuit
wd_move_circ
Moves the selected circuit to a specified location. The components are automatically retagged based on their new line reference locations and cross-references are updated.
Save Circuit to Icon

Menu
wd_sav_usercirc
Saves windowed portions of circuitry for later

reuse. Up to 24 circuits can be saved at any
one time in this scratch menu.
Edit Component
wd_sym_edit
Edits components, PLC modules, terminal,

wire numbers and signal arrows.
Add/Edit Internal Jumper

wd_jumper
Adds, changes, or deletes internal jumpers on

a selected component. When wire numbers
Tooltip
Command
Description
are inserted, these internal jumpers are read

and wire numbers are assigned accordingly.
Fix/UnFix Component
Tag
wd_fixed_comptag
Toggles selected component tag between

fixed and normal.
Copy Catalog Assignment

wd_bomdata_same
Inserts or edits catalog part numbers onto the

currently selected component or footprint.
Edit User Table Data

wd_user_ins_edit
Edits user-defined Xdata on component or

wire numbers and populates the User table in
project database file. You can add, edit, or remove free-form user data records attached to
the selected block insert.
Retag Components
wd_circa_retag
Retags components with contact updates. Run

this when something changes on your drawing or project that affects the component tags.
This can include revising the ladder line reference numbers or changing the tag format.
Retag redoes each selected primary component tag, and then updates the related secondary components. You can select to update a
single component, a group of components, a
drawing, drawings within your project, or the
entire project.
Find/Edit/Replace Component Text

wd_fr
Finds and replaces component and terminal

text values or find and replace substrings
within those values. You can do this on the
active drawing or across the project drawing
set.
Find/Replace Terminal
Text
wd_term_fr
Finds and replaces terminal number text values

or find and replace sub-strings within those
values. You can do this on a selection from
Tooltip
Command
Description
the active drawing, the entire active drawing,

or across the project drawing set.
Project-Wide Update/Retag
wd_bump
Updates component tags, wire numbers, ladder references, and select drawing settings.
Scoot
wd_scoot
Scoots selected components along their connected wires or scoots entire wires, including
components, along the bus. A rectangle indicates the selected items.
Align
wd_align
Aligns selected components with a master

component. All connected wires are adjusted,
and wire numbers recentered if necessary. You
can align vertically or horizontally by flipping
the command by typing V or H at the command line.
Move Component
wd_movesym
Automatically moves the selected component

to a new position.
Reverse/Flip Component
wd_react_do_reverse_component
Reverses or flips selected component graphics

and its associated attributes
Stretch PLC Module

wd_strblk
Stretches or compresses the windowed portion

of PLC modules (or any block insert) while
maintaining all of the original block information, including attributes.
Split PLC Module

wd_splitblk
Splits selected PLC module into two separate

block definitions (i.e. parent and a child or a
child and another child).
NOTE This tool only operates on a component with 2-wire connections (ex: limit switch
contact symbol).
Tooltip
Command
Description
Move/Show Attribute
wd_attr_m
Moves the selected attributes to a picked

point. The attributes remain tied to the block
inserts
Edit Selected Attribute

wd_edattr
Edits an attribute's text by picking right on the

attribute. A dialog box displays and you type
in a new attribute value. This utility also works
on invisible attributes. It finds and displays the
closest attribute to your pick point on a block
insert.
Hide Attribute (Single

Picks)
wd_attr_h
Hides selected attribute; to unhide pick on

block graphics and un-toggle attribute name
in the list. Select the graphic of a target block
insert to display a listing of all attribute names
and values. You can switch attributes between
hidden and visible or you can edit individual
attribute values.
Add Attribute
wd_addattr
Adds a new attribute to an existing instance

of a block insert.
Squeeze Attribute/Text
wd_tx_sqz
Compresses an attribute to make it fit into a

tight spot (such as between closely spaced
components). Each click on the attribute dynamically changes the attribute's width factor
by 5%.
Stretch Attribute/Text
wd_tx_stretch
Expands an attribute. Each click on the attribute dynamically changes the attribute's width
factor by 5%.
Change Attribute Size

wd_attrsize
Changes attribute text size when components

or wire numbers have already been inserted
onto your drawings.
Tooltip
Command
Description
Rotate Attribute
wd_tx_rotate
Rotates the selected attribute text or MTEXT

string 90 degrees from its current orientation.
After rotation, press M and [space] to flip into
the Move Attribute mode.
Change Attribute Justification

wd_tx_chgjust
Changes the justification of wire number text,

component description text, or attributes.
Change Attribute Layer

wd_ch_attlay
Forces attribute text entities to a given layer.

Select the target layer (type it in or select from
the list), press OK and then select the attributes to change to the target layer.
Toggle NO/NC
wd_swap_nonc
Flips a contact from one state (open or closed)

to the other. It looks at the picked contact,
reads its block name, and checks the 5th
character position for either 1 or 2. It then
substitutes 1 or 2 for the found character.
Delete Component
wd_delsym
Removes the selected component from the

drawing. If you erase a parent schematic
component, you have the option to search for
related child components, surf to them, and
delete them.
Insert Wire
wd_inwire
Inserts single line wire segments on a wire

layer (the wire layer does not have to be the
current layer).
Multiple Wire Bus

wd_in3wire
Inserts vertical or horizontal bus wiring. Bus

spacing defaults to the default ladder rung
spacing for horizontal bus. Multiple bus wiring
automatically breaks and reconnects to any
underlying components that it finds in its
path. If it crosses any existing wiring, wirecrossing gaps automatically insert (if the
drawing is so configured).
Tooltip
Command
Description
Insert 22.5 Degree Wire

wd_in22wire
Inserts an angled (22.5 degree) line wire segment on a wire layer (the wire layer does not
have to be the current layer).
Insert 45 Degree Wire

wd_in45wire
Inserts an angled (45 degree) line wire segments on a wire layer (the wire layer does not
Insert 67.5 Degree Wire

wd_in67wire
Inserts an angled (67.5 degree) line wire segments on a wire layer (the wire layer does not
Bend Wire
wd_bendwire
Bends a wire in a right angle and makes 3

right angle turns to avoid or add geometry.
When a wire is defined at a right angle you
can modify the wire and create a new right
angle bend while maintaining the original wire
connections to the components.
NOTE This tool terminates if the bend attempts to connect two different wire networks
or if the bend bypasses more than a single
right angle turn.
Interconnect Components
wd_inwire_connect
Inserts wires between aligned connection

points on a pair of selected components.
Insert Wire Gap

wd_wire_gap
Inserts a gap/loop at the point of two crossing

lines. Gaps are automatically inserted when a
new wire crosses another.
Flip Wire Gap

wd_flip_gap
Flips the gap to the other wire. AutoCAD

Electrical makes the gapped wire solid and
flips the gap/loop to the crossing wire(s).
Tooltip
Command
Description
Delete Wire Gap

wd_rmv_un_gaps
Removes a gap/loop that is no longer needed

in an existing wire.
Check/Repair Gap Pointers

wd_gap_chk
Verifies that the invisible Xdata pointers on

both sides of a wire gap/loop are valid. If not,
appropriate pointers are established.
Change/Convert Wire
Type
wd_wirlay
Changes between wire types and converts

lines to wires. Use the grid control to sort and
select the wire types for easy modification.
Create/Edit Wire Type

_WireTypeSel
Creates and edits wire types. Use the grid

control to sort and select the wire types for
easy modification.
Stretch Wire
wd_str_wire
Lengthens a wire until it meets another wire

or an AutoCAD Electrical component.
Show Wires
wd_audit_w_show
Highlights all wires and displays wire number

to wire segment relationships.
Check/Trace Wire
wd_aud_net_sstep
Helps troubleshoot problems with unconnected or shorted wires and invalid wire crossing
gap pointers by single stepping through and
highlighting each connected wire of the selected wire network.
Edit Wire Sequence

wd_wirseq_set
Predefines a wire network's connection sequence, either in a single drawing or across

multiple drawing files.
Show Wire Sequence

wd_wirseq_sho
Shows the wire sequence defined using the

Define Wire Sequence tool. If the wire sequence crosses multiple drawings and you try
to view the sequence as an animation, a dialog
Tooltip
Command
Description
box listing the off-drawing wire connection

information displays so that you can indicate
to go to the other drawings to continue
viewing the sequence.
Terminal: Show Internal/External Connections
wd_wirseq_sho_termdesc
Shows the state of the invisible attribute values

for selected objects. The values are shown with
red and green arrows.
Terminal: Mark Internal

Connections
wd_wirseq_i_termdesc
Marks attributes with an 'I' for internal wiring.
Terminal: Mark External

Connections
wd_wirseq_e_termdesc
Marks attributes with an 'E' for external wiring.
Terminal: Erase Internal/External Connections

wd_wirseq_blank_termdesc
Erases a terminal's internal (I) or external (E)

connection code. Select near a terminal's wire
connection point to erase the connection
code.
Cable Markers
wd_insym_gomenu 30
Inserts cable markers onto the drawing. Cable

markers carry a cable TAG value, just like any
parent/child device combination. They can
also carry a conductor color value (carried as
a RATING1 attribute value on the marker block
symbol).
Multiple Cable Markers

wd_cblmrk_ins
Inserts all the markers for a particular cable.

In addition, you can edit existing cable marker
sets, or even delete cable markers from this
dialog box.
Insert Dot Tee Markers

ace_insert_tee_dot
Inserts a dot tee connection symbol at a

manually drawn wire intersection. If present,
this replaces an existing angled wire connec-
Tooltip
Command
Description
tion symbol with a dot connection symbol.

You cannot insert a tee connection symbol
into empty space. A valid line wire ending (not
crossing) at a tee intersection somewhere
along the length of another line wire is
needed. This means that it will not insert a tee
connection symbol at a 90-degree wire turn.
Insert Angled Tee Markers
ace_insert_iec_tee_symbol
Inserts an angled tee connection symbol at a

manually drawn wire intersection. You can't
insert a tee connection symbol into empty
space. If present, this replaces an existing wire
connection dot with a tee connection symbol.
Toggle Angled Tee

Markers
ace_toggle_iec_tee_connector
Toggles an existing angled tee connection

symbol (or windowed symbols) through a
total of 4 possible orientations. Right-click to
toggle through the various tee connection
orientations, and press ESC when the appropriate one displays. This replaces any dot tee
symbols with angled tee symbols, and then
toggles through the 4 possible orientations
for each.
Insert Ladder
wd_ins_ladder
Inserts ladders of a set width and length onto

the drawing. There is no limit to the number
of ladders that can be inserted into a drawing,
but ladders may not overlap each other. Multiple ladder fragments in the same vertical
column need to be vertically aligned along
their left-hand side.
NOTE These limitations do not apply when
X-Y Grid or X-Zone referencing is selected.
Revise Ladder
wd_revise_ladder
Adjusts the line reference numbering along

the side of the ladders; however it doesn't
change existing ladder rung spacing.
Tooltip
Command
Description
Renumber Ladder Reference

wd_ladr2_reseq
Renumbers the ladder for the selected drawings from the active project.
XY Grid
ace_cfg_XY_grid
Inserts the X-Y grid labels for drawings that

use X-Y Grid for the Format Referencing. You
can also change other settings from here (such
as origin) instead of going back into the
Drawing Properties dialog box. Your drawing
must be configured for X-Y Grids. Set the
Format Referencing in the Drawing Properties
dialog box to X-Y Grid.
X Zone
ace_cfg_X_zone
Inserts the X grid labels for drawings that use

X Zones for the Format Referencing. You can
also change other settings from here (such as
origin) instead of going back into the Drawing
Properties dialog box. Your drawing must be
configured for X Zones. Set the Format Referencing in the Drawing Properties dialog box
to X Zones.
Add Rung
wd_ins_rung
Finds the nearest line reference location and

places a ladder rung at that reference position
(both bus wires must be visible on the screen
for this to work. If the new rung encounters a
schematic device floating in space, it tries to
break the wire across the device.
Trim Wire
wd_wtrim
Removes a wire segment and dots as required.

You can select a single wire or draw a fence
through multiple wires to trim.
Main Electrical 2 toolbar

Tooltip
Command
Description
Insert Wire Numbers

wd_ins_wn
Inserts or updates wire numbers associated

with wire line entities.
3 Phase Wire Numbers

wd_3pwn
Inserts special wire numbering generally associated with 3-phase bus and motor circuits.
PLC I/O Wire Numbers

wd_plc_wn
Inserts wire numbers based on the I/O address

that each PLC connected wire touches. Wire
numbers go in as FIXED which means that
they will not change if a wire number re-tag
is run later on.
Wire Number Leader

wd_wlead
Repositions the wire number text with an attached leader.
Wire Color/Gauge Labels

wd_wcolga
Inserts wire color gauge labels with a leader

on your drawing's wiring.
In-Line Wire Labels

wd_insym_gomenu 32
Inserts a reference-only in-line wire label.
Copy Wire Number

wd_copy_wn
Inserts extra wire numbers anywhere on a wire

network. These copies follow the network's
main wire number attribute. If AutoCAD Electrical modifies it, then any wire number copies
on the network also update. Extra wire numbers go on their own layer that is defined in
the Define Layers dialog box. If you assign a
color to this layer that is different than the
normal wire number and fixed wire number
layers, then it is easy to tell them apart from
the network's main wire number.
Main Electrical 2 toolbar | 19
Tooltip
Command
Description
Copy Wire Number (InLine)

(c:wd_insymn_repeat
HT0_WGENERIC)
Inserts extra wire numbers such that they appear in-line with the wire rather than above
or below the wire. These copies follow the
network's main wire number attribute; if
AutoCAD Electrical modifies it then any wire
number copies on the network also update.
Extra wire numbers go on their own layer that
is defined in the Define Layers dialog box. If
you assign a color to this layer that is different
than the normal wire number and fixed wire
number layers, then it is easy to tell them apart
from the network's main wire number.
Adjust In-Line Wire/Label

Gap
wd_adjust_wgap
Adjusts the gap between the wire and the wire

number text of wire numbers that are in-line
with the wire.
Move Wire Number

wd_movewn
Moves an existing wire number from one

segment of the network to another.
Edit Wire Number

wd_fixed_wn
Allows manual edit of an existing wire number

or insert of a new one if none exists.
Fix Wire Numbers

wd_force_fix_wn
Fixes all or many wire numbers on a drawing

at their current values. Fixing a wire number
means that the wire number tag is left unchanged if later processed or reprocessed by
the automatic wire numbering utility.
Swap Wire Numbers

wd_swapwn
Swaps wire numbers between two wire networks.
Find/Replace Wire Numbers

wd_fr_wn
Finds and replaces wire number text values or

substrings within those values. You can do this
on the active drawing or across the project
drawing set.
Tooltip
Command
Description
Hide Wire Numbers

wd_wnum_hidelay
Moves the wire number to a special hide layer

so that the number is no longer visible on the
screen. The new hide layer is created from the
wire number layer name with a _HIDE suffix.
For example, if the wire number text layer is
called WIRENO then the hide layer name is
called WIRENO_HIDE. The layer is created
automatically when needed and you are asked
if you want to freeze this layer.
Unhide Wire Numbers

wd_wnum_unhidelay
Moves the wire number out of the hide layer

so that the number is visible on the screen.
Flip Wire Number

wd_mirror_wn
Flips the wire number across its associated

wire.
Toggle Wire Number Inline

wd_react_do_toggle_inline
Switches the wire number between above or

below and in-line. If the selected wire number
is in-line, it toggles to above or below based
on the default Wire Number Placement setting
in the Drawing Properties dialog box. If it
starts as above or below, the selected wire
number toggles to in-line.
NOTE If there isn't room for a wire number
to become an in-line wire number, it remains
an above or below line wire number.
Source Signal Arrow

wd_ssig
Copies wire number from a source-arrowed

wire network to any/all associated destinationarrowed wire network.
Tooltip
Command
Description
Destination Signal Arrow

wd_dsig
Retrieves the wire number for a destinationarrowed wire network from its associated
source-arrowed wire network.
NOTE A Destination signal arrow cannot be
tied to a wire network that carries a pre-assigned fixed wire number.
Update Signal References

wd_ref_sigs
Updates cross-reference information for two

types of cross-reference symbols. Wire number
signal arrow symbols and standalone crossreference symbols.
Fan In/Out Source

wd_sfan
Inserts in-line source marker symbols and

changes the connected wire on the fan-in side
to be on a non-wire layer.
Fan In/Out Destination

wd_dfan
Changes the connected common wires on the

fan-out side to non-wire layer but leaves the
individual segments on the opposite side of
marker on the original wire layer.
Fan In/Out - Single Line

Layer
wd_faninoutlay
Defines a special layer or set of layers for the

wires going out of a Fan In/Out source marker
and the wires coming into a destination
marker.
List Signal Code

wd_siga_listsig
Follows a signal from a specific source or destination symbol and lists the signal code references.
Show Signal Paths

wd_showsigs
Displays signal source and destination paths

on the active drawing.
Signal Error/List Report

wd_sig_xrpt
Displays sequence of the selected wire signal.
Tooltip
Command
Description
Wire Arrows for Reference Only

wd_insym_gomenu 26
Inserts non intelligent, reference-only arrows.
Delete Wire Numbers

wd_del_wn
Deletes selected wire numbers.
Symbol Builder
wd_sym_build
Converts existing symbols or creates new,

custom components on the fly. It works nicely
for quickly building power supplies, filters,
drives, controllers, and other custom devices
or for converting existing non-AutoCAD Electrical symbols to make them AutoCAD Electrical smart. Schematic symbols created or
converted using the Symbol Builder are fully
compatible with AutoCAD Electrical, break
wires upon insertion, and appear in the various
BOM, component, and wire connection reports.
Icon Menu Wizard

wd_wdmenu_wizard
Launches the Icon Menu Wizard to easily

modify or expand an icon menu, or replace
an existing icon menu with your own custom
menu. You can change the default icon menu
using the Project Properties dialog box. The
default icon menu can also be redefined in
wd.env.
Merge Utility
acedbmerge
Copies database/folder data listed in the

Source into the Destination. A backup of the
destination database is created before merging, however backup files are not created
during panel content (folder) merges. The
backup database file is created in the same
NOTE If you erase a wire number and select

right on an extra wire number copy, AutoCAD
Electrical erases just that copy but leaves the
networks main wire number and any other
copies in place.
Tooltip
Command
Description
directory as the original file and is named the

same as the original, except that it has the
extension .bak. Each run of this utility with the
same destination database creates a new
backup file, which will not overwrite any existing backup files.
Associate Terminals
ace_term_assoc_term
Associates two or more terminal symbols together. Associating schematic terminals combines the terminals into a single terminal block
property definition. The number of schematic
terminals that can be combined is limited to
the number of levels defined for the block
properties.
Break Apart Terminal Associations

ace_term_break_assoc
Breaks one or more terminal symbols out of

an existing association. Schematic terminals
are removed from any multi-tier relationship
and any schematic-panel relationships. Panel
terminals are removed from any schematicpanel relationships.
Copy Terminal Block

Properties
ace_term_copy_properties
Copies terminal properties from one terminal

symbol to another. If the application of the
terminal properties reduces the number of
levels and the number of terminal symbols
exceeds the total allowed, an alert displays
and the properties are not copied.
Component Cross-Reference
wd_cross_ref
Collects and annotates groups of components

that carry the same TAG text string value (such
as 101CR). Components do not have to be
of the same family to be cross-referenced; they
just need to have the same
TAG1/TAG2/TAG_*/TAG attribute values.
Hide/Unhide Cross-Reference
Changes the visibility of cross-references. In

most cases the cross-referencing should be
Tooltip
Command
Description
ace_xref_hide_unhide
visible but there are times when you may not

want the cross-referencing displayed on parent
symbols.
Insert Stand-Alone CrossReference

wd_insym_gomenu 40
Inserts standalone cross-reference symbol (not

tied to a wire). You use standalone cross-reference symbols just as you would wire
source/destination arrow symbols but without
the wires. Insert a source reference symbol,
and then tie one or more destination reference
symbols to it. These can be on the same
drawing or scattered across the project drawing set.
Update Stand-Alone
Cross-Reference
wd_ref_sa
Updates cross-reference information for two

types of cross-reference symbols: wire number
signal arrow symbols and standalone crossreference symbols. It can update your source
or destination signals singly, drawing-wide,
or project-wide.
Change Cross-Reference
to Multiple Line Text
wd_xref_c2mtx
Converts a long string of relay coil or

source/destination cross-reference text to a
multiline text entity (MTEXT). The underlying
attribute value is maintained, but flipped to
visible. The MTEXT entity is created at the
same XY location as the underlying attribute.
The MTEXT entity updates, scoots, and behaves as if it is an attribute tied to the component block.
Cross-Reference Check
wd_quick_ref
Displays all associated and parent components

to the selected component. A complete list of
components is extracted from the project
drawing set. The component's tag is read,
then all associated components are found and
listed in the dialog box. A bill of material check
can be performed to see if the item's descrip-
Tooltip
Command
Description
tion indicates that the quantity of contacts

can be accommodated.
Child Location/Description Update
wd_loc_child
Updates child and panel components with

installation, location, and description values
carried by the associated parent schematic
component.
Copy/Add Component
Override
ace_xref_add
Copies and/or adds cross-reference component overrides from another symbol. You can
define components to have different crossreferencing styles. The settings specified using
this tool override the drawing properties.
Component overrides are copied when the
component is copied; similarly they are applied to multiple inserts of the same component.
Remove Component
Override
ace_xref_rmv
Removes the component overrides so the

cross-referencing commands use the settings
for the drawing or project.
Location Symbols
wd_locsym
Inserts location marks on symbols that are

identified with location code in text form.
Location Box
wd_loc_box
Draws a dashed box around selected components. A description can be assigned to the box,
and components within the box can have their
location and installation code(s) changed.
Copy Installation/Location Code Values

wd_copyloc
Performs mass copies of location, installation,

group, or mount codes to all of the components you select. You either type in the desired
code, pick from an on-line list, or pick a similar
master component.
Tooltip
Command
Description
Surfer
wd_surf
Moves from reference to reference across the

project drawing set. A new window opens and
the original window closes when Surf is selected unless you hold the Shift key while running
the command.
Continue Surfer
wd_cs
Continues a previous surf session from the

point where you left off.
Previous Project Drawing

c:wd_proj_dprev
Loads the drawing listed above the current

drawing in the project explorer, and closes
the current drawing.
Next Project Drawing

wd_proj_dnext
Loads the drawing listed below the current

drawing in the project explorer, and closes
the current drawing.
Schematic Reports
ace_report_schem
Selects schematic reports such as Bill of Material, Component lists, Wire From/To, PLC descriptions.
Show Missing Catalog

Assignment
wd_show_no_bomdata
Displays components that do not carry a

catalog number assignment. The components
are marked with diamond-shaped temporary
graphics.
Electrical Audit
_auditcmd
Displays a report of detected problems or potential problems. You can save this file for reference or surf the file to view and correct the
errors.
Drawing Audit
wd_aud
Displays a report of detected problems or potential problems. You can save this file for reference or surf the file to view and correct the
errors.
Tooltip
Command
Description
Report Format File Setup

ace_report_wizard
Creates and maintains report formatting files.
Automatic Report Selection

ace_report_auto
Defines a list of reports and their format files

to run automatically.
User Defined Attribute

List
ace_uda
Creates an attribute text file (*.wda) of userdefined attributes defined on AutoCAD Electrical block files. The User Defined Attribute
List is used by report tools to determine which
additional attributes are listed in a report. The
list file name can be the same as the active
project or named Default to be used by the
entire system. The Default .wda file is saved in
the base project folder, while the <project_name>.wda file is saved in the same folder
as the project definition file (*.wdp).
Autodesk Inventor Professional Export

ace_xml_export
Extracts wire list information into an XML export file to be used exclusively with Autodesk
Inventor Professional Cable and Harness.
NOTE You must first configure wire numbering to be On per Wire Basis for export and set
up the appropriate variables before running
the report.
Unity Pro Export

aceUnityProExportPLC
Creates the Unity Pro I/O variable file (.xsy) in

the Unity Pro XML format. The XML file contains the PLC I/O addresses and descriptions
for import into the Unity Pro software.
Export to Spreadsheet
wd_data_export
Exports the selected data category to a

comma-delimited, Excel XLS, or Access MDB
file format for editing.
Tooltip
Command
Description
Update from Spreadsheet

wd_data_importf
Updates components, wire numbers, terminal

text, and PLC I/O data from data imported
from a spreadsheet.
Update from Project

Scratch Database
wd_import_scratch_mdb
Updates project drawings; attribute text only,

from edits to the project's scratch database
file.
Insert Spreadsheet Data

to Table
wd_14_csv2tab
Inserts comma-delimited spreadsheet data into

a drawing as a table.
Drawing Properties
wd_dwg_config
Defines defaults for component and wire tag

formats, signal references, cross references,
and layers.
Rename Schematic Layers

wd_edlay
Renames layers one by one, or multiple layers

at once by using the Find/Replace method. In
addition to renaming the layer, this also updates the AutoCAD Electrical layer assignment
information carried on the drawing's WD_M
block. For example, if DEMO-WIRES is currently assigned as an AutoCAD Electrical wire
layer, and you rename it using this utility, the
new layer name is substituted for DEMOWIRES in the AutoCAD Electrical wire layer
name list.
Settings Compare
wd_compare_d_2_p
Displays differences between drawing and

project settings. Allows update.
Project Manager
wd_picprj
Lists the drawing files associated with each

open project. Use this to add new drawings,
reorder drawing files, and change project settings. You cannot have two projects open in
the Project Manager with the same project
name.
Tooltip
Command
Description
Copy Project
wd_cpyprj
Copies an existing project to a new name and

creates renamed copies of the drawing files.
Project-Wide Update/Retag
wd_bump
Updates component tags, wire numbers, ladder references, and select drawing settings.
Project-Wide Utilities
wd_prj_run
Updates wire numbers, component tags, and

attribute text. Allows user-defined scripts to
be applied project-wide.
Mark/Verify Drawings
wd_mark
Places an invisible mark on each component

before sending the drawings to a client. When
the drawings are returned, a list is generated
that includes any components or wire numbers that have been modified, edited, or
copied.
NOTE This command writes information to
the project database file that is used to check
for deleted components. Your drawings must
be named and part of the active project to use
this command.
Language Conversion
wd_blab
Translates component description text from

one language to another. Description text and
switch position text is processed on schematic
and panel components.
Edit Language Database

File
wd_blab_edit
Opens the current language table for review

and modification. The default table is
wd_lang1.mdb
Rebuild/Freshen Project
Database
(c:wd_mdb_rebuildall
nil)
Rebuilds or freshens the project temporary

database file for connections, cross-referencing, and reporting.
Panel Layout toolbar

Tooltip
Command
Description
Insert Footprint (Icon

Menu)
wd_do_psym_in
Inserts panel footprint selected from on-screen

icon menu. This icon menu can be modified,
expanded, or replaced with your own custom
using the Project Properties dialog box. Use
the Icon Menu Wizard to easily modify the
menu.
Insert Footprint (Schematic List)

wd_plo
Inserts and annotates panel footprint by referencing the project's schematic component
list. This report provides error checking
between the schematics and the panel layout
drawings. The program looks at the selected
components, both schematic and panel, to
find a match in the project. For each schematic component selected, the routine tries to
find a matching panel component based on
tag, location, and installation information. If
a match is found, then it further compares
catalog information looking for any discrepancies. The program looks at each selected panel
component looking for a matching schematic
component in the same way.
Insert Footprint (Manual)

wd_psym_in_mfp
Inserts panel footprint using a generic shape

or by converting an existing non intelligent
AutoCAD block.
Insert Footprint (Manufacturer Menu)

ace_menu_pnl_vendor
Inserts and annotates panel footprint using

manufacturer-specific icon menu. This can
save a lot of time if you frequently use the
same vendor and panel components. You can
even apply this method to create client-specific menus making it easier to use the vendor
or components that each client prefers.
Panel Layout toolbar | 31
Tooltip
Command
Description
Insert Footprint (Catalog

List)
wd_inscat_p
Inserts and annotates panel footprint from

user-defined list of components with catalog
assignments. The data displayed in this pick
list is stored in a database in generic Microsoft
Access format. The file name is wd_picklist.mdb and can be edited with Access or
from Add/Edit/Delete along the bottom of the
pick list's dialog box. The AutoCAD Electrical
normal search path sequence is used to locate
this file.
Insert Footprint (Equipment List)

ace_bom2pnl
Inserts and annotates panel footprint from

user-defined list of equipment.
Terminal Strip Editor

ace_tse
Displays terminal strips inside of the active

project database. The combination of Function, Location, and Terminal Strip values make
a complete unique record for selection in the
Terminal Strip Selection dialog box.
Terminal Strip Table

Generator
ace_auto_tsg
Controls the Tabular Terminal layout format

automatically. This creates a new drawing file
with each section break and automatically
adds them to the project listing. The terminal
strip's function (installation) code, location
code, and tag are written to the Page Description Field inside of the Project Listing (*.WDP).
Insert Terminal (Schematic List)

wd_ptrm_lo
Inserts and annotates panel terminals by referencing the project's schematic terminal list.
This report provides error checking between
the schematic terminals and panel layout terminals. The program looks at the selected
terminals, both schematic and panel, looking
for a match in the project. For each schematic
terminal selected, it tries to find a matching
panel terminal based on tag, location, and
Tooltip
Command
Description
installation information. If a match is found,

then it compares catalog information, and
description information, looking for any discrepancies. The program then looks at each
selected panel terminal looking for a matching
schematic terminal in the same way.
Insert Terminal (Manual)
wd_psyma_in_mfpt
Inserts and annotates panel terminal footprint

using a generic shape or by converting an
existing non intelligent AutoCAD block. Some
schematic components may not carry manufacturer/catalog information or have a part
number assigned that is not listed in the
footprint lookup file. In such a case, AutoCAD
Electrical cannot determine what footprint
block needs to be used so you have to select
to make catalog assignments, select or create
a footprint, or create a lookup entry on the
fly.
Copy Footprint
wd_psym_cped
Copies selected panel footprint on active

drawing. Use the Copy Footprint tool instead
of AutoCAD Copy when a panel component
footprint has a balloon or a nameplate associated to it. Since AutoCAD Electrical establishes
invisible Xdata pointers when these are tied
to a footprint, they are properly updated when
copied using this utility.
Edit Footprint
wd_psymed
Edits panel footprint or terminal. Converts selected block if it is not AutoCAD Electrical
compatible. In some cases, a footprint update
may be required due to manufacturer, catalog
or assembly value changes. When asked
whether to manually force a footprint change,
click No to leave the existing footprint block
as is or click Yes to set up a footprint lookup
database file or manually draw a simple footprint representation.
Tooltip
Command
Description
Make Xdata Visible

wd_pnlsb_x2a
Converts any piece of non-visible extended

entity data (Xdata) into a visible attribute tied
directly to the footprint block.
Insert Balloon
wd_balloon
Inserts item number balloon.
Wire Annotation of Panel

Footprint
wd_pnlw_s2p
Annotates panel footprint symbols with wire

connection information extracted from selected schematics.
Panel Reports
ace_report_panel
Selects panel reports such as Bill of Material,

Component lists, Nameplates.
Rebuild/Freshen Project
Database
(c:wd_mdb_rebuildall
nil)
Rebuilds or freshens the project temporary

database file for connections, cross-referencing, and reporting.
Insert Panel Assembly

wd_pins
Inserts WBlocked panel footprint assembly.

Use the Insert Panel Assembly utility instead
of the AutoCAD Insert/Explode command
when you want to insert a WBlocked group
of panel component footprints with balloons
or nameplates. Since AutoCAD Electrical establishes invisible Xdata pointers when these are
tied to a footprint, they are properly updated
when copied using this utility.
Copy Assembly
wd_pcopy
Copies one or more selected panel footprints.
Copy Installation Code

wd_pnl_copyinst
Copies Installation Code to one or more selected panel footprints.
Tooltip
Command
Description
Copy Location Code

wd_pnl_copyloc
Copies Location Code to one or more selected

panel footprints.
Copy Mount Code

wd_pnl_copymnt
Copies Mount Code to one or more selected

panel footprints.
Copy Group Code

wd_pnl_copygrp
Copies Group Code to one or more selected

panel footprints.
Resequence Item Numbers

wd_edplay
Assigns or resequences item number assignments on a drawing or project. This extracts

all panel components and nameplates and
resequences their item numbers starting at
the value you provide. Resequencing is based
on the main MFG/CAT/ASSYCODE value
combination. Additional multi-catalog numbers on a specific component are ignored.
Only the main part number combination is
used to group similar components together
under a common item number.
Footprint Database File

Editor
wd_fped
Edits the catalog number and footprint block

name lookup file. The footprint lookup database links a manufacturer's catalog part numbers to appropriate footprint block .dwg files.
This information is in a multitable Access
database file (footprint_lookup.mdb).
Schematic Database File

Editor
ace_acced_schematic_lookup
Edits the records in the schematic_lookup.mdb

file to use for mapping panel footprints and
terminal representations to the equivalent
schematic component block names.
Rename Panel Layers

wd_edplay
Renames panel-related layers and updates

panel drawing settings. The Panel Layer Rename utility makes it easy to rename layers
Tooltip
Command
Description
one by one, or multiple layers at once by using

the Find/Replace method. In addition to renaming the layer, this also updates the AutoCAD Electrical layer assignment information
carried on the drawing's WD_M block. For
example, if DEMO-WIRES is currently assigned
as an AutoCAD Electrical wire layer, and you
rename it using this utility, the new layer name
is substituted for DEMO-WIRES in the AutoCAD Electrical wire layer name list.
Update Footprint Layers
wd_padj_lay
Updates selected footprint layer assignments

to match panel drawing settings layer assignments.
Panel Configuration
wd_pnldwg_cfg
Sets panel footprint drawing defaults such as

text sizes and layer assignments. Configuration
settings are saved as attribute values on a nonvisible block named WD_PNLM (that inserts
at 0,0). If your current drawing does not have
this block present when any AutoCAD Electrical panel layout command is invoked, AutoCAD
Electrical pauses and asks you for permission
to insert this block.
Conversion toolbar
Tooltip
Command
Description
Special Explode
ace_migr_burst
Explodes attributes and blocks to geometry

and text entities while maintaining the value
previously defined in the attributes. You can
take advantage of the tagging tools to modify
the text entities to attributes and the linking
tools to make various blocks.
Tooltip
Command
Description
Block Replacement
ace_migr_replace
Performs drawing-wide and project-wide block

replacements using a user-defined spreadsheet. This automatically maps the unconverted drawing's non-AutoCAD Electrical block
inserts and attributes to appropriate AutoCAD
Electrical-smart component symbols drawn
from a symbol library.
Promise Conversion
ace_p2ae
Converts drawing files from promise to

AutoCAD Electrical. It examines the current
symbol attributes on the drawing and maps
them to the equivalent AutoCAD Electrical attribute to make them AutoCAD Electricalsmart.
Tag Schematic Component

ace_migr_tag1
Makes selected text entities an attributed block

file with the TAG1 attribute visible. The template block file (HDV1_CONVERT.DWG or
VDV1_CONVERT.DWG depending on the
drawing properties) contains attributes for a
schematic component.
Tag PLC
ace_migr_plctag
Makes selected text entities an attributed PLC

address associated to a PLC tag. The template
block file (PLCIO_ADDR_CONVERT.DWG,
PLCIO_CONVERT.DWG, PLCIO_V_ADDR_CONVERT.DWG, or PLCIO_V_CONVERT.DWG depending on the drawing properties) contains
attributes found useful for PLC addressing.
After the addressing is defined on the block,
select a PLC Tag or place one into the symbol
definition for use with AutoCAD Electrical.
Tag Child
ace_migr_tag2

Conversion toolbar | 37
Tooltip
Command
Description
drawing properties) contains attributes used

for a child component.
Tag Child - N.O.
ace_migr_tag2_no

for a child normally open contact component.
Tag Child - N.C.

ace_migr_tag2_nc
Makes the selected text entities an attributed

block file with the TAG2 attribute visible. The
template block file (HDV22_CONVERT.DWG
or VDV22_CONVERT.DWG depending on the
for a child normally closed contact component.
Tag Child - Form C

Command

block file with the TAG2 attribute visible. The
template block file (HDV23_CONVERT.DWG
or VDV23_CONVERT.DWG depending on the
for a child Form C contact component.
Tag Schematic Terminal

- Terminal Number
ace_migr_tagstrip_t

block file with the TAGSTRIP and TERM01 attribute visible. The template block file
(HT0T_CONVERT.DWG or VT0T_CONVERT.DWG depending on the drawing properties) contains attributes used for a terminal
block component containing a terminal
number.

- Wire Number
ace_migr_tagstrip_w

block file with the TAGSTRIP and WIRENO attribute visible. The template block file
(HT0W_CONVERT.DWG or VT0W_CON-
Tooltip
Command
Description
VERT.DWG depending on the drawing properties) contains attributes used for a terminal
block component containing a wire number
as the terminal number.
- Wire Number Change
ace_migr_tagstrip_wchg

block file with the TAGSTRIP and TERM01 attribute visible. The template block file
(HT1T_CONVERT.DWG or VT1T_CONVERT.DWG depending on the drawing properties) contains attributes used for a terminal
block component that changes the wire
number. This creates a terminal number block
that has a different wire number for each wire
connected to it.
Link Descriptions
ace_migr_desc1
Links simple text as Description 1-3 attributes

on an AutoCAD Electrical block file. You can
link them as description attributes to one or
more existing template block definitions.
During the conversion process, the text entity
is removed and replaced with the next available description attribute, up to 3.
Link Split Tag

ace_migr_split_tag
Links another string of text to a tag attribute,

creating a split tag. Create the device Tag using the TAG1, TAG, or P_TAG1 attributes, and
then use this tool to select the existing TAG
attribute on the drawing and link another
string of text, creating a split tag situation.
The first TAG becomes the Part1 of the split
tag while the linked portion becomes the Part2
of the split tag.
Link PLC Address Descriptions

ace_migr_plclink_desc
Links simple text to a PLC address attribute as

PLC I/O address description attributes. During
the conversion process, the text entity is removed and replaced with the next available
PLC address description attribute, up to 5.
Tooltip
Command
Description
Link Terminal Number

ace_migr_termtxt
Links simple text to a TAGSTRIP attribute as a

terminal number attribute on an AutoCAD
Electrical terminal block symbol. During the
conversion process, the text entity is removed
and replaced with the TERM01 or WIRENO
attribute.
Link Location Code

ace_migr_loc
Links simple text as Location attributes on an

AutoCAD Electrical block file. The entity value
is used as the Location value for one or more
template block definitions. If only one template block is selected for the link, the text
entity is removed and replaced with the Location attribute.
Link Installation Code

ace_migr_inst
Links simple text as Installation attributes on

an AutoCAD Electrical block file. The entity
value is used as the Installation value for one
or more template block definitions. If only one
template block is selected for the link, the text
entity is removed and replaced with the Installation attribute.
Link Manufacturer
ace_migr_mfg
Links simple text as manufacturer attributes

on an AutoCAD Electrical block file. The entity
value is used as the Manufacturer value for
one or more template block definitions. If only
one template block is selected for the link, the
text entity is removed and replaced with the
Manufacturer attribute.
Link Catalog Number

ace_migr_cat
Links simple text as Catalog Number attributes

on an AutoCAD Electrical block file. The entity
value is used as the Catalog Number value for
Catalog Number attribute.
Tooltip
Command
Description
Link Rating
ace_migr_rating
Links simple text as Rating 1-12 attributes on

an AutoCAD Electrical block file. The entity
value is used as the rating value for one or
more template block definitions. If only one
entity is removed and replaced with the rating
attribute, up to 12.
Link User
ace_migr_user
Links simple text (that is not an attribute

definition or part of geometry) as User (01-99)
attributes on an AutoCAD Electrical block file.
The entity value is used as the user value for
user attribute, up to 99. Window selection is
allowed.
Show Links
ace_migr_show_links
Selects the tagged template block file and

displays everything (such as description, location, manufacturer, and catalog number
codes) that has been linked to it.
Un Link
ace_migr_unlink
Selects an existing linked attribute and unlinks

the attribute from the symbol, changing the
attribute to AutoCAD text.
Add Wire Connections

ace_migr_wire_conn
Adds wire connection attributes to the existing

tagged block file. Select line endpoints or
geometry to add the appropriate wire connection attributes to. A new block definition is
created with the newly added wire connections. You can subsequently create a new
block file if the block is exploded.
Add Geometry
ace_migr_add_geom
Adds AutoCAD geometry to a template block

file to be created as part of a unique block instance. It creates a new block definition with
Tooltip
Command
Description
the newly added geometry. You can subsequently create a new block file if the block
is exploded.
Tag Panel Component
ace_migr_p_tag1

file with the P_TAG1 attribute visible. The
template block file (ACE_P_TAG1_CONVERT.DWG) contains attributes for a panel
component.
Tag Nameplate
ace_migr_np

file with the DESC1-3 attributes visible. The
template block file (ACE_NP_CONVERT.DWG)
contains attributes used in nameplate symbols.
If the description text strings were previously
defined as attributes on an AutoCAD Electrical
panel component block definition, the attribute values on the panel component are hidden
and the nameplate attributes DESC1-3 are
added and made visible.
Tag Panel Terminal Terminal Number

ace_migr_fpt_t

file with the TERM01 terminal number attribute visible. The template block file (ACE_TERMT_CONVERT.DWG) contains attributes for
terminal numbers.
Tag Panel Terminal Wire Number

ace_migr_fpt_w

file with the WIRENO wire number attribute
visible. The template block file (ACE_TERMW_CONVERT.DWG) contains attributes for
panel terminal symbols.
Link Description
ace_migr_desc1
Links simple text as Description 1-3 attributes

on an AutoCAD Electrical Panel block file. You
can link them as description attributes to one
or more existing template block definitions.
Tooltip
Command
Description
is removed and replaced with the next available description attribute, up to 3.

Link Split Tag
ace_migr_split_tag
Links another string of text to a tag attribute,

creating a split tag. Create the device Tag using the TAG1, TAG, or P_TAG1 attributes, and
then use this tool to select the existing TAG
attribute on the drawing and link another
string of text, creating a split tag situation.
The first TAG becomes the Part1 of the split
tag while the linked portion becomes the Part2
of the split tag.
Link Item Number

ace_migr_item
Links simple text as an Item Number attribute

on an AutoCAD Electrical Panel block file.
is removed and replaced with the Item Number attribute (P_ITEM).
Link Location Code

ace_migr_loc
Links simple text as Location attributes on an

AutoCAD Electrical Panel block file. The entity
value is used as the Location value for one or
more template block definitions. If only one
entity is removed and replaced with the Location attribute.
Link Installation Code

ace_migr_inst
Links simple text as Installation attributes on

an AutoCAD Electrical Panel block file. The
entity value is used as the Installation value for
Installation attribute.
Link Manufacturer
ace_migr_mfg
Links simple text as manufacturer attributes

on an AutoCAD Electrical Panel block file. The
entity value is used as the Manufacturer value
Tooltip
Command
Description
for one or more template block definitions. If

only one template block is selected for the
link, the text entity is removed and replaced
with the Manufacturer attribute.
Link Catalog Number
ace_migr_cat
Links simple text as Catalog Number attributes

on an AutoCAD Electrical Panel block file. The
entity value is used as the Catalog Number
value for one or more template block definitions. If only one template block is selected
for the link, the text entity is removed and replaced with the Catalog Number attribute.
Link Rating
ace_migr_rating
Links simple text as Rating 1-12 attributes on

an AutoCAD Electrical Panel block file. The
entity value is used as the rating value for one
or more template block definitions. If only one
entity is removed and replaced with the rating
attribute, up to 12.
Link User
ace_migr_user
Links simple text (that is not an attribute

definition or part of geometry) as User (01-99)
attributes on an AutoCAD Electrical block file.
The entity value is used as the user value for
user attribute, up to 99. Window selection is
allowed.
Show Links
ace_migr_show_links
Selects the tagged template block file and

displays everything (such as description, location, manufacturer, and catalog number
codes) that has been linked to it.
Tooltip
Command
Description
Un Link
ace_migr_unlink
Selects an existing linked attribute and unlinks

the attribute from the symbol, changing the
attribute to AutoCAD text.
Add Wire Connections

ace_migr_add_geom
Adds wire connection attributes to the existing

tagged block file. Select line endpoints or
geometry to add the appropriate wire connection attributes to. A new block definition is
created with the newly added wire connections. You can subsequently create a new
block file if the block is exploded.
Add Geometry
ace_migr_add_geom
Adds AutoCAD geometry to a template block

file to be created as part of a unique block instance. It creates a new block definition with
the newly added geometry. You can subsequently create a new block file if the block
is exploded.
Convert Ladder
wd_dumb_ladder
Converts the upper-most line reference number on a non-intelligent ladder to be AutoCAD

Electrical-aware.
Change/Convert Wire
Type
wd_wirlay
Changes wire types and converts lines to

wires. Use the grid control to sort and select
the wire types for easy modification.
Convert Text to Wire

Numbers
wd_convert_wn
Converts a text object to an AutoCAD Electrical compatible wire number.
Convert Block to Source

Arrow
wd_convert_src
Replace a non-AutoCAD Electrical source arrow

with a smart AutoCAD Electrical source arrow
and maps the information to the new AutoCAD Electrical source.
Tooltip
Command
Description
Convert Block to Destination Arrow

wd_convert_dest
Replaces a non-AutoCAD Electrical destination

arrow with a smart AutoCAD Electrical destination arrow.
Check/Repair Gap Pointers

wd_gap_chk
Verifies that the invisible Xdata pointers on

both sides of a wire gap/loop are valid. If not,
appropriate pointers are established.
Stretch Wire
wd_str_wire
Lengthens a wire until it meets another wire

or an AutoCAD Electrical component.
Change Attribute Size

wd_attrsize
Quickly changes attribute text size when

components or wire numbers have already
been inserted onto your drawings.
Add Attribute
wd_addattr
Adds a new attribute to an existing instance

of a block insert.
Convert Text to Attribute Definition

wd_tx2attr
Converts a text object into an attribute definition object. This is not an attribute associated
to an already-inserted block. This is an attribute definition possibly on a library symbol that
becomes an attribute when the symbol drawing is inserted as a block into another drawing.
Xdata Editor
wd_xdata
Allows display and edit of an object's 1000

type extended entity data (Xdata).
Convert to Schematic
Component
wd_convert
Takes non-AutoCAD Electrical blocks or

graphics representing a symbol and replaces
it with an AutoCAD Electrical block and transfers the attribute or text values to this new
AutoCAD Electrical block.
Tooltip
Command
Description
Map Attributes from Old

to New
wd_convert_edit
Reassigns attributes from a converted block

to those expected by AutoCAD Electrical. This
allows you to continue what you started with
Convert to Schematic Component. Use this if
you did not finish mapping values from your
non-AutoCAD Electrical block.
Swap/Update Block
wd_bswap_main
Lets you update or change blocks in place.

Attribute values are retained during the
swapping process. Wire connections are also
maintained even if the new symbol is slightly
wider or narrower than the original.
Conduit Marker toolbar

Tooltip
Command
Description
Conduit Marker (Pick)

wd_wway1_endconn
Formats an inter-wiring list from a selection

of interconnected components. Inserts as a
conduit tag.
Conduit Marker
(From/To List)
wd_wway1_fromto
Formats an inter-wiring list from a subset of a

component from/to report. Inserts as a conduit tag.
Edit Conduit Marker

wd_wway2_edit
Edits conduit marker tag, descriptions, and

wire assignments.
Conduit Marker Report

wd_wway2_rpt
Extracts conduit marker information into a

report. Extractable conduit marker symbols
are named WWAY*. A conduit can be represented by a line or a polyline and by itself
does not carry any intelligence. However, you
can insert a conduit marker symbol and asso-
Conduit Marker toolbar | 47
Tooltip
Command
Description
ciate it to a conduit. The conduit marker

symbol then carries wire information intelligence pulled from the AutoCAD Electrical
drawings.
Wire/Conduit Routing
Report
wd_wway2_seq_rpt
Reports a list of conduit tag assignments that

a given wire or cable passes through.
Extract Wire Data

wd_wway1_wd3
Extracts schematic wiring information prior to

conduit assignment.
Power Check toolbar

Tooltip
Command
Description
Add/Edit Power
Source/Load Levels
wd_pow1_P_set
Marks a component with a power source and

load value. A related routine, when invoked,
then scans the wire interconnections and reports if there is too much load on a given
power source
Mark Component To
Pass Power
wd_pow1_passpwr
Marks a component with a PASSPWR flag. The

PASSPWR flag instructs the Power Report to
pass through the marked component when
calculating the load on a given source. If a
component carries the PASSPWR flag the
Power Report program will pass through the
component and continue looking for load
values on the network.
NOTE Certain components don't need a
PASSPWR flag (such as terminals and contacts)
since they are automatically passed through.
Tooltip
Command
Description
Power Load Check Report

wd_pow1_check_pwr
Scans the wire interconnections and reports

if there is too much load on a given power
source.
Panel Level/Sequencing toolbar

Tooltip
Command
Description
Insert/Edit Panel Level

Assignment
wdlev_edseq
Allows viewing, assigning, or editing 3-digit

level codes and 4-digit sequence codes on
panel footprint components. This coding,
when present, can influence the way that
AutoCAD Electrical calculates the wire connection from/to sequence. As it processes the
schematic component representations and
wiring, it checks for any coding found on the
panel footprint and panel terminal strip representations. If present, it adjusts the from/to sequencing accordingly.
Missing Level/Sequence
Assignments
ace_wdlev_blank
Reports which component symbols do not

have leveling and sequencing information
already assigned to them. This is used as a
troubleshooting mechanism to aid in the assignment of leveling and sequencing information to provide better wire routing capabilities.
Insert/Edit Boundary Box

Assignment
wdbox
Allows viewing or editing 3-digit level codes

for boundary boxes. Devices placed within the
boundary box take on the boundary's level
codes. The dialog box lists the number of
device footprints found within the boundary
and the number of devices that currently do
not match the boundary default.
Panel Level/Sequencing toolbar | 49
Tooltip
Command
Description
Remove Level/Sequencing assignment

wd_wdlev_remove
Removes routing assignments found on components, boundary boxes, or terminals.
Copy Level Assignments

wdlev_copyseq
Allows defining or capturing a common set of

level assignments for panel footprint components and then copy these 3-digit level codes
to one or multiple footprints. This coding,
when present, influences the way that AutoCAD Electrical calculates the wire connection
from/to sequence. As it processes the schematic component representations and wiring,
it checks for any coding found on the panel
footprint and panel terminal strip representations. When present, it adjusts the from/to
sequencing accordingly.
Show Terminal Strip Sequencing Assignments

wdlev_sholev
Displays terminal level/sequencing assignments.
Show Footprint Sequencing Assignments

wdlev_sho_AtoB
Displays footprint level/sequencing assignments through terminal strips.
View/Edit Component
Sequence
wdlev_addseq
Sequences component footprints sharing the

same level assignment.
Show Footprint Component Sequence

wdlev_shoseq
Displays footprint level/sequencing assignments.
Freshen Wire Data

wd_pnlw_x_frm2all_&ts_rpt
Freshens wire connection table in project's

database.
Tooltip
Command
Description
Insert Terminal Strip

Representation
wd_psyma_in_mfptstrip
Define a rectangle as a supplementary terminal

strip to be used in the wiring routing information over large control system equipment.
Panel Terminal Strip Report

wd_lev_ts_rpt
Allows for selection of a supplementary terminal strip representation to display wiring information inside of a report generator dialog, and
subsequently insert a terminal strip layout
drawing.
Panel Terminal Strip

Swap Wire Text
wdlev_ts_swaptx
Swaps wire annotation text from one side of

the terminal strip to the other. The Internal
and External default definition applies when
the terminal strip is initially placed.
Extra Libraries toolbar

Tooltip
Command
Description
Insert Pneumatic Components

(c:wd_loadmenu
ACE_PNEU_MENU.DAT);
wd_insym_dlg
Inserts Pneumatic components from an onscreen icon menu. This icon menu can be
modified, expanded, or replaced with your
own custom menu. You can change the default icon menu using the Project Properties
dialog box. Use the Icon Menu Wizard to
easily modify the menu.
Insert Hydraulic Component

(c:wd_loadmenu
ACE_HYD_MENU.DAT);
wd_insym_dlg
Inserts hydraulic components from an onscreen icon menu. This icon menu can be
modified, expanded, or replaced with your
own custom menu. You can change the default icon menu using the Project Properties
dialog box. Use the Icon Menu Wizard to
easily modify the menu.
Extra Libraries toolbar | 51
Tooltip
Command
Description
Insert P&ID Component

(c:wd_loadmenu
ACE_PID_MENU.DAT);
wd_insym_dlg
Inserts P&ID components from an on-screen

icon menu. This icon menu can be modified,
expanded, or replaced with your own custom
using the Project Properties dialog box. Use
the Icon Menu Wizard to easily modify the
menu.
Projects
AutoCAD Electrical software extends the capabilities of
In this chapter
AutoCAD so that you can quickly build and manage an
Learning about Standards
Performing Exercises
Working with Projects
Working with Drawings
electrical controls drawing set.

This manual provides concepts and exercises to help you get
started with AutoCAD Electrical.
53
Learning about Standards

AutoCAD Electrical currently supports the following industry standards: JIC
(US), IEC (Europe), JIS (Japan), GB (China) and AS (Australia). Although
AutoCAD Electrical supports many standards, the Getting Started manual follows
the JIC standard and sample drawing set.
Since the workflow for both JIC and IEC are nearly identical, you can perform
the following exercises using the IEC demo drawing set, however your
components and wire numbering will display differently.
Performing Exercises
All of the AutoCAD commands and features are available while working on
AutoCAD Electrical drawings. All intelligence is carried directly on the drawing
using AutoCAD blocks with attributes and XDATA. AutoCAD Electrical does
not require any underlying database.
Backup exercise files are found at Program Files\Autodesk\Acade
<version>\Tutorial\Electrical\Aegs. If you make a mistake while working through
the exercises in this manual, simply browse to and copy the demo file(s) to
your project folder.
NOTE The exercises in this manual must be performed in order. It is advised to
turn off the AutoCAD DYN feature (found on the status bar) before starting the
exercises.
The Getting Started manual uses two manufacturers: Allen Bradley and Siemens.
You must install both manufacturers in order to have the same results that
are shown here. If you need to install content from these manufacturers, open
the Add or Remove Programs tool in your Control Panel, select AutoCAD
Electrical, and click Change/Remove. Click Add/Remove Features, click Next
on the first screen, and then select AB and Siemens on the Manufacturer
Contents Selection screen.
Prerequisites
It is assumed that you have a working knowledge of the AutoCAD interface
and tools. If you do not, review the AutoCAD online documentation.
54 | Chapter 2 Projects
It is recommended that you have a working knowledge of Microsoft

Windows 2000 or Windows XP, and a working knowledge of electrical
design and schematic ladder wiring diagrams.
Help
The AutoCAD Electrical Help system provides detailed concepts, procedures,
and reference information about every product feature. To access the Help
system:
Select Help Electrical Help Topics from the standard toolbar.
Click the Help button or press F1 within a dialog box or at a command

prompt.
Be more productive with Autodesk software. Get trained at an Autodesk

Authorized Training Center (ATC) with hands-on, instructor-led classes to
help you get the most from your Autodesk products. Enhance your productivity
with proven training from over 1,400 ATC sites in more than 75 countries.
For more information about Autodesk Authorized Training Centers, contact
atc.program@autodesk.com or visit the online ATC locator at
www.autodesk.com/atc.
Working with Projects

AutoCAD Electrical is a project-based system. Each project is defined by an
ASCII text file with a .wdp extension. This project file contains a list of project
information, default project settings, drawing properties, and drawing file
names. You can have an unlimited number of projects; however, only one
project can be active at a time.
NOTE You must install the JIC symbol library for these exercises to function
properly.
Use the Project Manager to add new drawings, reorder drawing files, and
change project settings. You cannot have two projects open in the Project
Manager with the same project name. By default, the Project Manager is open
and docked on the left-hand side of your screen. You can dock the Project
Manager into a specific location on the screen or hide it until you want to use
the project tools. Right-click the properties icon to display options to move,
size, close, dock, hide, or set the transparency for the Project Manager.
Help | 55
Create an AutoCAD Electrical project
Click the Project Manager tool if the Project Manager is not already
displayed on your screen.
Projects Project Project Manager
In the Project Manager, click the New Project tool.

NOTE You can also use the Project Manager to open an existing project. In
the Project Manager, click the project selection arrow and select Open Project.
3 In the Create New Project dialog box, specify:

Name: AEGS
A name must be entered in order to define any of the project properties.

The .wdp extension is not required in the edit box.
4 Make sure wddemo.wdp is specified in the Copy Settings from Project

File edit box.
5 Click OK-Properties.
Your new project is added to the current projects list and automatically
becomes the active project.
The Project Properties dialog box displays, where you can modify your project
default settings. All information defined on these tabs are saved to the project
definition file as project defaults and settings.
Set project properties
1 In the Project Properties dialog box, click the Components tab.
2 In the Component Tag Format section, verify Line Reference is selected.
This creates unique reference-based tags when multiple components of
the same family are located at the same reference location. When
reference-based tagging is used, a suffix variable is required to keep
components of the same family type unique. For example, 3 pushbuttons
on line reference 101 could be labeled PB101, PB101A, and PB101B. Click
Suffix Setup to change the suffix variable.
3 Click the Wire Numbers tab.
4 In the Wire Number Format section, verify Line Reference is selected.
This creates unique reference-based wire number tags for multiple wire
networks beginning at the same reference location. When reference-based
numbering is used, a suffix variable is required to keep wires on the same
Working with Projects | 57
reference line or in the same reference zone unique. Click Suffix Setup
to change the suffix variable.
5 Review the various options on the different tabs of the Project Properties
dialog box.
NOTE In the Project Properties dialog box, icons indicate whether the settings
apply to project settings or drawing defaults. Settings that apply to project
settings have the project icon next to them and are saved inside the project
definition file (*.wdp). Settings that are saved in the project file as drawing
defaults have the drawing icon next to them. Drawing related data that
should be added to the project when running the Add Drawing command
is saved as Drawing Custom Properties.
6 Click OK.
Working with Drawings

A single project file can have drawings located in many different directories.
There is no limit to the number of drawings in a project. You can add drawings
to your project at any time. When you create a new drawing, it is automatically
added to the active project.
Many of the drawing settings used by AutoCAD Electrical are stored in a smart
block on the drawing named WD_M.dwg. Each AutoCAD Electrical drawing
should contain only one copy of the WD_M block. If multiple WD_M blocks
are present, the settings may not be stored and read consistently.
Create a new drawing
In the Project Manager, click the New Drawing tool.
2 In the Create New Drawing dialog box, specify:

Name: AEGS11
Description 1: Bill of Materials Report
3 Click Browse next to the Template edit box.

A set of templates (*.dwt files) installed with AutoCAD Electrical contain
settings for various kinds of drawings, such as acad.dwt and
ACAD_ELECTRICAL.dwt.
You can create your own templates, or use any drawing as a template.
You can save a drawing at any stage of completion as a template file.
When you use a drawing as a template, the settings in that drawing are
used in the new drawing. The changes you make to a drawing that is
based on a template do not affect the template file.
AutoCAD Electrical fully supports the use of AutoCAD template files. To
make an AutoCAD drawing compatible with AutoCAD Electrical, select
an AutoCAD Electrical command to modify the drawing.
4 In the Select template dialog box, select ACAD_ELECTRICAL.dwt, and
click Open.
5 In the Create New Drawing dialog box, click OK.
Working with Drawings | 59
NOTE You could click OK-Properties to display the Drawing Properties dialog
box. This dialog box has options similar to those found in the Project
Properties dialog box, but defines drawing-specific settings that are maintained
inside the drawing's WD_M block.
6 In the Project Manager, double-click the project name (AEGS) to display
the drawing files. AEGS11 should be the only file in the list.
Add drawings to the project

1 In the Project Manager, right-click AEGS, and select Add Drawings.
2 In the Select Files to Add dialog box, select drawings AEGS01.dwg to
AEGS10.dwg and click Add.
3 When asked whether to apply the project default values to the drawing
settings, click Yes.
The Project Manager lists the files under the AEGS folder. New drawings
that you add from this point on are added at the end of the drawing
order. You now have access to the files required for the exercises in this
book.
NOTE Two projects can reference the same drawing file; however this can
lead to conflicts if both projects try to modify the same drawing with a
project-wide tagging or cross-referencing function.
The drawing order in the Project Manager determines how AutoCAD
Electrical processes the drawings during project-wide operations such as
resequencing and wire numbering.
4 In the Project Manager, right-click the project name, and select Reorder
Drawings.
5 In the Reorder Drawings dialog box, select AEGS11.dwg and click Move
Down until the drawing is at the bottom of the list.
6 Click OK.
AEGS11.dwg is now at the bottom of the project drawing file list in the
Project Manager.
NOTE The active drawing displays in bold text in the project drawing list
allowing you to easily see which file you are working in.
You can add descriptions for each drawing to the project file. Drawing
descriptions are saved in the project file only and do not change the drawing
itself. You can reuse drawing descriptions in title block attributes and associate
them with AutoCAD Electrical reports.
Add the description of a drawing you add
1 In the Project Manager, right-click AEGS10.dwg, and select Properties
Drawing Properties.
2 In the Drawing Properties Drawing Settings dialog box, Drawing File
section, specify:
Description 1: Connector Drawing
3 Click OK.
4 In the Project Manager, highlight AEGS10.dwg.
5 In the Project Manager, Details section, review the drawing descriptions.

The drawing details update when you highlight a drawing file and remain
visible until a new drawing file is selected. Displayed information includes
the status, file name, file location, file size, last saved date, and the name
of the last user who modified the file.
Use the Project Manager to easily preview drawings. Moving among drawings
using the up and down keys does not open the drawing. It changes the preview
or details display in the Project Manager.
View drawings in a project
1 In the Project Manager, highlight AEGS04.dwg.
2 In the Project Manager, Details section, click Preview.
3 Continue to click the drawing name you want to preview or use the up
and down arrow keys to scroll through the drawing files.
4 When you finish viewing the drawings, click Details to return to the
drawing details view.
If a project drawing is currently open and you want to move to the previous
or next drawing in the projects list, use the Previous Project Drawing and Next
Project Drawing tools. When you use these tools to move among drawings,
any unsaved changes to the current drawing are saved, the drawing is closed,
and the requested drawing is opened.
View project drawings when a drawing is open
1 In the Project Manager, double-click AEGS04.dwg.
To view the drawings, click Previous Project Drawing and Next

Project Drawing.
A new window opens and the original window closes when you click the
navigation tools unless you hold the Shift key while clicking the tools.
64
Ladder Style Diagrams
Part 2 of this manual provides information on setting up and
In this part
working with ladder style diagrams.
Wires
Schematic Components
Circuitry
PLC
Wire Numbers
Panel Layouts
65
66
Wires
This chapter contains information about wires and how they
In this chapter
are used in AutoCAD Electrical.
About Wires
Inserting Wires
Trimming Wires
67
About Wires
AutoCAD Electrical treats AutoCAD line entities as wires when the lines are
placed on an AutoCAD Electrical defined wire layer. The number of wire layers
available in AutoCAD Electrical is unlimited. These lines get tagged with wire
numbers and show up in various wire connection reports.
Two wire segments connect if the end of one wire segment touches or falls
within a small trap distance of any part of the other wire segment. This
connection can be at the end of the other wire or anywhere along the length
of the other wire.
AutoCAD Electrical considers a wire connected to a component if the wire
end falls within a trap distance from the wire connection-point attribute of a
component.
The wire layer for a new wire segment is determined by:
Wires that begin or end in space or begin and end at a component

connection point, are put on the current layer (if it's a wire layer), or on
the first wire layer AutoCAD Electrical finds in a layer name search.
Wires that begin at an existing wire are put on the same layer as the
beginning wire.
Wires that begin in space or at a component and end at an existing wire

take on the layer of the ending wire.
Inserting Wires
You can start or end a wire segment in empty space, from an existing wire
segment, or from an existing component. If you start from a component, the
wire segment snaps to the wire connection terminal closest to your pick point
on that symbol. If the wire segment ends at another wire segment, a DOT
(block name wddot.dwg) is applied if appropriate. If it ends at another
component, the segment connects to the wire connection terminal closest to
your pick point on that symbol.
NOTE When inserting wires, if a wire already occupies a wire connection point,
the new wire is drawn as an angled wire connection.
68 | Chapter 3 Wires
Insert wiring
1 In the Project Manager, Project Drawing List, double-click AEGS04.dwg.
Zoom in on the upper left corner of the drawing. Make sure the
hot and neutral vertical wires are displayed.
Click the Add Rung tool.

Wires Add Rung
4 Respond to the prompts as follows:

Add rung passing through this location or [wiretype (T)]:
Select a location between the two vertical bus wires beside line reference 403
(1)
Add rung passing through this location or [wiretype (T)]:
Select a location between the two vertical bus wires beside line reference 404,
underneath the newly created rung (2), press ENTER
Two horizontal wires are created automatically between the vertical bus
wires at the closest line reference location.
Create two vertical wires between two horizontal wires
Click the Insert Wire tool.

Wires Insert Wire

Specify wire start or [wiretype (T)/show connections (X)]:
Select the top wire at line reference 403(1)
Inserting Wires | 69
Specify wire end or [V=start Vertical/H=start

Horizontal/Continue]: Select the lower wire at line reference 404 (2)
The color of temporary graphics changes for a new wire when AutoCAD
Electrical can connect the wire to an existing wire.
Component wire connection points are displayed as green xs at the wire
connections when you enter X + ENTER during wire insertion. If you pan
or zoom, you have to repeat the command in order to view the wire
connection points.
3 Insert another wire to the right of the new wire.
4 Press ENTER to exit the command.
The inserted wires resemble the following image.
Trimming Wires
After you insert wires, you may need to trim them. The Trim Wire tool removes
wire segments. You can trim single or multiple wires.
Trim a wire
Click the Trim Wire tool.

Wires Trim Wire

Fence/Crossing/Zext/<Select wire to TRIM>:
Specify the wire segment at line reference 404 between the two vertical wires
(1), right-click
70 | Chapter 3 Wires
Wire segments are trimmed back to a connecting dot, a component, or

completely if neither is encountered along the segment. Any connection
dots that are no longer needed are removed.
The trimmed wire resembles the following image.
Trimming Wires | 71
72
This chapter contains information about schematic
In this chapter
components in AutoCAD Electrical and inserting them into
About Schematic
Components
drawings.
Inserting Components
Editing Components
Linking Components
Editing Catalog Information
Moving Between Symbols
Swapping Components
Creating Custom Symbols
73
About Schematic Components

An AutoCAD Electrical schematic component is an AutoCAD block with
certain expected attributes. When inserting components, you can use AutoCAD
Electrical tools to break wires, assign unique component tags, cross reference
related components, and enter values for catalog information, component
descriptions, and location codes.
AutoCAD Electrical supplies a schematic symbol dialog box for finding and
inserting schematic components. It also triggers a number of additional
features, such as automatic wire breaks, component tagging, real-time
cross-referencing, and component annotation.
AutoCAD Electrical employs a parent/child relationship for schematic
components. A relay coil with a certain number of contacts is represented by
the parent coil symbol and the child contact symbols. When the parent coil
symbol is inserted, it is assigned a unique component tag. When the child
contact symbols are inserted, the child is related to the parent and the parent
tag is assigned to the child symbol.
In this exercise, you insert components on the wires previously defined in
AEGS04.dwg.
Insert a parent component
Click the Insert Component tool.

Components Insert Component
In the Insert Component: JIC Schematic Symbols dialog box, click

Relays/ Contacts.
In the JIC: Relays and Contacts dialog box, click Relay Coil.

Specify insertion point:
74 | Chapter 4 Schematic Components
Position the component on the wire at line reference 403 near the neutral wire
and click (1)
TIP If the component misses the wire and it fails to break, click Cancel in the
Insert/Edit Component dialog box and press ENTER to repeat the command
and try again.
The coil symbol breaks the underlying ladder wire and reconnects if you
select directly on the wire or very near to it. If the component didnt
insert in-line with the wire, you didnt select close enough to the wire
for the symbol to sense that there was a nearby wire. Click Cancel on the
Insert/Edit Component dialog box. Right-click or press ENTER to repeat
the command and try again. Turning on Snap will help (0.125 is a good
setting to use).
This tool inserts components into alignment with underlying wires, it
does not align components side-to-side. If you want to insert components
in neat columns, you have 3 options: use AutoCAD Snap when inserting
components; use the Scoot command to stretch components and
connected wires in place; or use the Align Component tool.
5 In the Insert/Edit Component dialog box, verify the Component Tag is
set to CR403.
AutoCAD Electrical automatically determines the unique tag name for
the new relay based on the line reference location that you inserted the
symbol on. CR indicates that it is a control relay and 403 indicates
that the symbol is on line reference 403. If you inserted this symbol on
line reference 404 then the tag name would be CR404.
You can assign a catalog number to the component that can be extracted
into reports. There are two pieces of BOM catalog information:
manufacturer code and catalog number. These values are carried as
invisible attributes on the symbol. You can type in values for each or
select the BOM information from an on-line catalog database file.
6 In the Catalog Data section, click Lookup.
There are three search criteria pull-down lists across the top of the Parts
Catalog dialog box. You can easily change the search criteria to get a
different set of valid catalog numbers. Each time you make a selection
from one of these lists, the catalog selection is filtered.
Inserting Components | 75
7 In the Parts catalog dialog box, select the following search criteria:
MANUFACTURER: AB
TYPE: TYPE P
8 Change the catalog assignment to 700-P200A1.
9 Click Catalog Check.

10 In the Bill Of Materials Check dialog box, review the BOM information
associated with the selected part number.
Click Close.
11 In the Parts catalog dialog box, click OK.
The selected manufacturer code and catalog number display in the
Insert/Edit Component dialog box. When you click OK on the dialog
box, the values will transfer to the symbol.
NOTE Sample catalog information is provided with AutoCAD Electrical in

Access Database format (.mdb). If your company uses its own internal coding
system instead of manufacturer catalog numbers, just substitute those
numbers into AutoCAD Electricals catalog database files. If you use your own
system and reference a vendors number, extra user fields are available in all
of the sample database files.
12 In the Insert/Edit Component dialog box, Description section, specify:
Line 1: MASTER CONTROL
Line 2: RELAY
Up to 3 lines of description text can be entered as a description for

components. If the third description line is unavailable, the symbol does
not carry an attribute for a third line of description.
NOTE You can specify a description by entering text or by clicking Defaults
to select from a list of standard component descriptions.
13 In the Insert/Edit Component dialog box, Location code section, click
Drawing.
AutoCAD Electrical does a quick read of the drawing file and returns a
list of all location codes used so far.
14 In the All Locations - Drawing dialog box, select MCAB5 and click OK.
NOTE You can also include an external LOC location list in the project
LOC list to help with consistency. To use this feature, create a file called
default.loc and put it in an AutoCAD Electrical search directory. The format
for this text file is each location on its own line in the file with no leading
spaces. You can also create a project-specific file by naming it the same as
your project but with a.loc extension.
15 In the Insert/Edit Component dialog box, the pin values are inserted
based on the selected catalog number:
Pins: 1: K1
Pins: 2: K2
16 In the Insert/Edit Component dialog box, click OK.

Any values entered here are saved as attribute values on the symbol itself.
Relocating Components
You might need to scoot the component if it was not inserted in the correct
location. Use the Scoot tool to select a component or wire number and slide
it back and forth along the wire while keeping everything connected. You can
select a wire or a whole rung of circuitry and scoot it to a new position. If
there are any parent components among the scooted items, you will be asked
if you want to retag the scooted components.
The Scoot tool works on wire numbers, components, terminals, PLC I/O
modules, jogs in dashed link lines, signal arrows, wires, and wires with
wire-crossing loops.
Scoot a component
Click the Scoot tool.

Components Scoot

Select component, wire, or wire number for SCOOT:
Select the component that was just inserted at line reference 403
The cursor changes to a box.
Select component, wire, or wire number for SCOOT: to:
Move the cursor to the right and click, right-click to exit the command
The component moves to its new location.
You can use the Scoot tool to grab a component or a wire number and
slide it back and forth along a wire. You can grab a wire or a whole rung
of circuitry and scoot it to a new position, while keeping everything
connected.
The steps to insert a parent component and a child component are the same,
except when you annotate the symbol.
Insert a child component

Relocating Components | 79

Relays/ Contacts.
In the JIC: Relays and Contacts dialog box, click Relay NO Contact.

Position the cursor on the wire at line reference 404 near the hot wire and click
(1)
The Insert/Edit Child Component dialog box displays. Notice that

AutoCAD Electrical did not automatically assign a tag name for the relay
contact; there is just a generic CR in the edit box. You must determine
the relay contact tag name. A relay contact is a child component that
must link to a parent relay coil on a drawing in the active project. The
child gets the same name that is found on the parent relay coil.
You can assign the tag name by clicking Parent/Sibling and picking the
parent in the drawing or by clicking List: Drawing or Project to select
from a list of components with the same family name.
5 In the Insert/Edit Child Component dialog box, Component Tag section,
click Drawing.
6 In the Active Drawing list for FAMILY=CR dialog box, select:
MCAB5 CR403 MASTER CONTROL RELAY
7 Click OK.
The parents values are immediately transferred to the contact. It is
cross-referenced in real-time. This means that the coil is annotated with
the line reference number of the new child contact and the child contact
gets annotated with the line reference location of the parent coil.
8 In the Insert/Edit Child Component dialog box, verify the following
options are specified:
Component Tag: CR403
Description: Line 1: MASTER CONTROL
Description: Line 2: RELAY
Cross-reference: 403
Location code: MCAB5
Pins: Pin 1: A1X
Pins: Pin 2: A1Y
Relocating Components | 81
9 In the Insert/Edit Child Component dialog box, click OK.

The child component is inserted:
Aligning Components
Align the normally open relay with an existing component. After you insert
a component, you can align or edit it as necessary.
Align a component
Expand the Scoot tool, and then click the Align tool.
Components Align

Pick component to align with (Horizontal/<Vertical>):
Select the normally open limit switch component near the hot wire at line
reference 406 (1)
A dashed line is displayed.
Select objects:
Select the previously inserted child contact component near the hot wire at line
reference 404 (2), right-click
The aligned component is placed.
Now you need to insert a system reset push button, pilot light, and an
emergency stop push button to make up the circuit.
Insert a system reset button


Push Buttons.
In the JIC: Push Buttons dialog box, click Push Button NO.

Position the push button on the wire at line reference 403 near the hot wire
and click (1)
5 In the Insert/Edit Component dialog box, verify the following:

Component Tag: PB403
AutoCAD Electrical automatically assigned the tag name based on the

line reference.
6 In the Descriptions section, specify:
Line 1: SYSTEM
Line 2: RESET
7 In the Location code section, click Drawing.

8 In the All Locations - Drawing dialog box, select OPSTA3 and click OK.
Insert a pilot light


Pilot Lights.
In the JIC: Pilot Lights dialog box, click Green Press to Test.

Position the pilot light on the wire at line reference 404 near the neutral wire
and click (2)
TIP Having Snap turned on makes positioning the pilot light easier.
5 In the Insert/Edit Component dialog box, verify:
Component Tag: LT404

Line 1: CONVEYOR
Line 2: ON

Insert a push button for emergency stop


Push Buttons.
In the JIC: Push Buttons dialog box, click Mushroom Head NC.

Position the push button on the middle of the wire at line reference 403 and
click (3)

Component Tag: PB403A
AutoCAD Electrical automatically assigned the tag name based on the

line reference. It added the A suffix since this is your second push
button on this line reference.
Line 1: EMERGENCY STOP

Your finished schematic should resemble the following:
Editing Components
You can go back to a component at any time and make changes. You can
change description, tag, catalog number, location code, terminal numbers,
and rating values using the Edit Component tool.
Insert a child contact
1 Zoom in on the blank ladder rung at line reference 410.
2 Press F9 to turn SNAP on.

Selector Switches.
In the JIC: Selector Switches dialog box, click 2nd+ NC Contact.

Position the selector switch at line reference 410 near the left side of the ladder
and click (1)

Insert a pilot light


Pilot Lights.
In the JIC: Pilot Lights dialog box, click Blue Press to Test.

Position the pilot light at line reference 410 near the neutral wire but exactly
in line with the selector switch and click (2)
Editing Components | 87

Component Tag: LT410

Line 1: MAINT
Line 2: MODE

Edit a child contact
1 Press F9 to turn SNAP off.
Click the Edit Component tool.

Components Edit Component
NOTE You can also right-click on a component and select Edit Component
from the context menu.

Select component/cable/location box to EDIT:
Select the selector switch on line reference 410

click Parent/Sibling.

Select component:
Select the bottom sibling contact (3) of the existing switch on line reference 408
AutoCAD Electrical reads the sibling contact and transfers the appropriate
annotation to your new switch contact.
Editing Components | 89

The sibling contact information is displayed on the drawing.
Linking Components
In this exercise, you link the selector switch you just inserted to the existing
RAM MODE selector switch residing on line reference 406 through 408 using
dashed link lines.
Connect components using wires

Wires Insert Wire

Specify wire start or [wireType/X=show connections]:
Click the wire connection point on the right-hand side of the switch contact (1)
Specify wire end or [Continue]:
Drag the wire to the right and click the wire connection point on the left-hand
side of the blue pilot light (2)
Specify wire start or [Scoot/wireType/X=show connections]:
Click the left-hand side of the switch contact

Drag the wire to the left and click the left-hand vertical bus wire
The wire automatically ends on the bus and inserts a wire connection
dot.
3 Repeat the process to connect the right-hand side of the blue pilot light
to the vertical bus wire.
4 Right-click and select Enter to finish creating the wire connections.
If you lay a wire over the top of a series of components, AutoCAD

Electrical automatically breaks and reconnects to the underlying wire
connection points.
Link components
Expand the Dashed Link Lines tool, and then click the Link
Components with Dashed Line tool.
Components Link Link Components with Dashed Line

Component to link from:
Click the contact of the switch on line reference 408 (6)
Linking Components | 91
Component to link to:
Click anywhere on your new switch contact (7), right-click
The contacts annotation is changed to invisible and a dashed link line

is drawn from the bottom of the upper contact to the top of your new
contact.
Your finished schematic should resemble the following:
NOTE The Scoot command is fully compatible with dashed line links. Scooting
one contact left or right causes both links to automatically update. You can
even scoot the horizontal jog in the dashed link line up or down.
Editing Catalog Information

Sample catalog information is supplied with AutoCAD Electrical. The
information is held in tables in an Access Database file (.mdb) that is populated
with sample vendor data.
You can use sort criteria in the catalog lookup to selectively display catalog
numbers for a component type.
Filter catalog data
1 Right-click on LT410 and select Edit Component.
2 In the Insert/Edit Component dialog box, Catalog Data section, click
Lookup.
3 In the Parts Catalog dialog box, select:

Manufacturer: AB
Type: 30.5mm
Voltage: 120VAC XFMR
4 Change the catalog assignment to 800T-PT16E.
Add a catalog entry

1 In the Parts Catalog dialog box, click Add.
Editing Catalog Information | 93
The entries are prefilled with the information for the currently assigned
catalog part number. This makes it easy to add a new entry with similar
information.
2 In the Add Catalog Record dialog box, specify:
Catalog: BOG-123B
Manufacturer: BOGUS
The catalog lookup works most efficiently when field values that are
meant to be the same are exactly the same in both spelling and
capitalization. The list box beside each field helps you maintain
consistency as you add new catalog items.
3 Click List next to the Description field.
AutoCAD Electrical does a quick scan of the existing catalog file. It collects
and displays a list of all of the different description field values found in
the catalog.
4 In the Field Description existing values dialog box, select BLUE PILOT
LIGHT - PRESS TO TEST, NEMA 4/13 and click OK.
5 In the Add Catalog Record dialog box, click List next to the Type, Voltage
and Miscellaneous fields and select the values shown below if not already
selected.
AutoCAD Electrical provides 3 blank user fields for your own internal
use. Each can be a maximum of 24 characters wide and are extracted into
BOM reports along with all of the other fields.
NOTE You can add catalog entries with a subassembly. To link a subassembly
with the main, the catalog part numbers should share the same codes. In the
Edit Catalog Record dialog box, select As main->sub, enter the ASSYCODE,
and click OK. The ASSYCODE needs to be unique since it links the main
catalog item with subassembly items. To add the subassembly item, in the
Add Catalog Record dialog box, create a new catalog entry, select As sub,
enter an ASSEMBLYLIST code, and click OK.
6 In the Add Catalog Record dialog box, click OK.
As the new entry is being added to the file, the Part Catalog dialog box
displays.
Editing Catalog Information | 95
7 In the Parts Catalog dialog box, select the BOG-123B catalog entry and
click OK.
Moving Between Symbols

Use the AutoCAD Electrical Surf utility to quickly move from component
reference to reference across the project drawing set.
1 Zoom on the upper left-hand portion of the first ladder column.
Click the Surfer tool.

Projects Surfer
3 Click anywhere on relay coil CR407.
All instances of CR407 appear in the Surf dialog box.
4 Select the reference on sheet 6.

5 Click Go To.
The instance of CR407 on sheet 6 is surfed to and displayed in the drawing

next to the Surf dialog box.
Moving Between Symbols | 97
6 Select the reference on sheet 9.

7 Click Go To.
You can edit or delete the component using options in the Surf dialog
box.
8 Double-click the first entry in the Surf dialog box to return to the original
AEGS04.dwg drawing.
9 Click Close.
NOTE Drawing files are saved while surfing if AutoCAD Electrical senses that
a change has been made to the drawing.
Swapping Components
You can use the Swap Block tool to swap one component for another (such
as swapping a proximity switch with a limit switch) in a single drawing or
project-wide.
Swap switches while keeping wire connections
1 Zoom in on the limit switch on line reference 406.
Expand the Insert Component tool, and then click the Swap/Update
Block tool.
Components Component Miscellaneous Swap/Update Block
3 In the Swap Block/ Update Block/ Library Swap dialog box, specify:
Option A: Swap a Block - drawing wide
Pick new block from icon menu
Retain old block scale
Auto retag if parent swap causes FAMILY change
Attribute Mapping: Use Same Attribute Names (default)
Click OK.

Miscellaneous Switches.
In the JIC: Other Switch Types dialog box, click Proximity Switch
NO.

Select component type to swap out: Select the limit switch, LS406
The limit switch symbol disappears and the proximity switch symbol
inserts. All existing text annotation transfers to the new symbols and the
wires reconnect.
Swapping Components | 99
Creating Custom Symbols

You can use the Symbol Builder to easily create an AutoCAD Electrical symbol.
This utility builds a smart schematic symbol by either adding AutoCAD
Electrical attributes to the symbol's geometry or by converting text entities to
AutoCAD Electrical attributes. You can also use AutoCAD attribute definition
and editing commands to do the same thing. This tool just makes the task
easier by letting you quickly pick and place attributes. It tracks what attributes
are present and checks your work to make sure that any required attributes
are not omitted.
NOTE If at any time you exit out of the Symbol Builder, restart it and select any
graphics and attributes youve added so far. You can then start from where you
left off.
Create a parent schematic symbol
1 Open AEGS03.dwg.
Expand the Miscellaneous tool, and then click the Symbol Builder
tool.
Components Symbol Library Symbol Builder
3 At the command prompt press ENTER.

4 In the Symbol Builder: Choose symbol category dialog box, Schematic
Symbol section, click Parent.
5 In the Symbol Builder - Schematic Parent or Stand-alone symbol dialog
box, click Rectangle.
6 Draw a rectangle anywhere on the drawing.

TIP It may be easiest to draw it in the white space on the left-hand side of
the drawing.
Creating Custom Symbols | 101
Adding Attribute Symbols

In this example, we add 5 attributes: TAG1, DESC1, LOC, INST and FAMILY.
However you are not limited to these 5 attributes and you can include your
own user-defined attributes on the AutoCAD Electrical block files.
NOTE The TAG1 attribute is the only one required for a parent schematic symbol
and indicates to AutoCAD Electrical that the symbol should be treated as a parent.
Add attributes
box, click Standard.
Use this option to assign attributes to the rectangle as well as set the
height and justification for each attribute. The Component type:
Schematic Parent or Stand-alone dialog box displays listing the AutoCAD
Electrical attributes that you can insert and define as part of the symbol.
Once an attribute is inserted on the symbol it is disabled in the Missing
Attributes list. AutoCAD Electrical allows only one insertion of each
attribute.
NOTE You cannot create a symbol using the Symbol Builder until the
minimum attribute requirements are met. In most cases this means the TAG1
or TAG2 attribute.
2 In the Component type: Schematic Parent or Stand-alone dialog box,

specify:
TAG1
Height: 0.125
Justify: Center
Click Insert Attribute.

3 Insert the attribute above the rectangle.
The TAG1 default code dialog box displays. The default code is the %F
value of the tag format (such as CR, PB, or LT).
4 In the TAG1 default code dialog box, enter PS and click OK.
Notice that the Component type: Schematic Parent or Stand-alone dialog
box redisplays. The TAG1 option is now grayed out since that attribute
has been placed for the parent symbol. Continue placing the rest of the
attributes.
5 In the Component type: Schematic Parent or Stand-alone dialog box,
specify:
DESC1
Height: 0.125
Adding Attribute Symbols | 103
Justify: Center
Click Insert Attribute.

6 Insert the attribute below TAG1.
NOTE You do not have to insert the MFG, CAT or ASSYCODE attributes at
this time since they are automatically added through the Symbol Builders
WBLOCK option and set to invisible by default.
7 Insert the LOC, INST, and FAMILY attributes (in order) as indicated below:
LOC
Height: 0.0625
Justify: Center
Insert the attribute above TAG1.

INST
Height: 0.0625
Justify: Center
Insert the attribute above LOC.

FAMILY
Insert the attribute anywhere.
Once you place the FAMILY attribute, the FAMILY code dialog box
displays. The Family value generally matches the TAG1 %F value. This
value is only used when naming the block.
8 In the FAMILY code dialog box, click OK.
Notice that the FAMILY and TAG1%F default codes display in the
Component type: Schematic Parent or Stand-alone dialog box above the
Insert Attribute button. These values should both be PS.
9 Click Back to Main Menu.
Adding Wire Connection Points

If a components X?TERMxx (for example, "X2TERM01") wire connection-point
attribute lies within the small trap distance of the end of a wire, then AutoCAD
Electrical interprets the component connected to the wire. The only time the
trap distance changes is when you change the Feature Scale Multiplier in the
Drawing (or Project) Properties Drawing Format dialog box.
NOTE Components with closely spaced wire connection points may not be
processed properly if the connection points fall within the AutoCAD Electrical trap
distance of one another.
Insert connection points
box, click Wire Connection.
You can define wire connection points and terminal text for the library
symbol. The Terminal style/configuration dialog box displays.
Adding Wire Connection Points | 105
2 In the Terminal style/configuration dialog box, select Terminal Style 1 =

Screw.
This terminal style inserts both the graphic to represent the screw and
the wire connection points. You now have to determine which direction
the wire attaches to the component.
Click the button with the wire coming in from both the top
and the left.
4 Insert the terminal in the upper left-hand corner as shown.

NOTE Always use AutoCAD Snap to insert the wire connection point.
5 In the TERM01 --> X?TERM01 wire connection point dialog box, click
OK.
NOTE If the TERM01 text is not where you want it, click Move and select
the new location for the text before you click OK.
6 In the Pin number default value dialog box, enter L and click OK.
7 Insert the rest of the terminals as follows:
TERM02
Wire connection configuration:

Insertion Point: in the upper right-hand corner
Pin Number Value: N
TERM03

Insertion Point: below TERM02
Pin Number Value: GND
TERM04

Insertion Point: in the lower right-hand corner
Pin Number Value: -
Adding Wire Connection Points | 107
TERM05

Insertion Point: to the left of TERM04
Pin Number Value: -
TERM06

Pin Number Value: +
TERM07

Pin Number Value: +
8 In the Terminal style/configuration dialog box, click Back to Main Menu.

Your drawing should look like the following.
Saving Symbols
You have two options for saving the symbol: WBlock or Block. WBlock creates
the symbol file to be inserted while Block creates the symbol for this drawing
file only.
NOTE If WBlock and Block are disabled you have not satisfied the requirement of
the TAG1 attribute on the block. If this is the case, go back and make sure you
inserted the TAG1 attribute.
Save and insert the symbol onto a drawing
box, click WBlock.
AutoCAD Electrical provides a default name for the new symbol. Avoid
changing the first 4 characters of the file name and limit the total length
to 32 characters.
2 Enter a file name or accept the default and click Save.
3 In the Block insertion base point dialog box, click OK.
4 Specify the insertion point. Pick the point in-line with the top terminals
so that it is easy to later place on a wire.
5 When asked to insert an instance of this block now, click OK.
6 Place the symbol on the empty wire on the left-hand side of the drawing.
Saving Symbols | 109
The wire breaks, the component tag inserts, and the wires connect to the
symbol.
NOTE New symbols you create can also be inserted with the AutoCAD
Electrical Insert Component command. You can add your new symbol to the
icon menu or you can select it from the Type it or Browse dialog file selection
options in the icon menu.
Circuitry
This chapter provides information about working with
In this chapter
collections of interconnected components, or circuits. Circuits
Moving an Existing Circuit
Creating a New Motor

Circuit
Saving and Inserting

Standard Circuits
Inserting Saved Circuits

Using WBlock
can be simple or complex, single or multiple, and with or

without interconnecting wiring. Reusing circuits can both
speed up drawing creation and reduce errors.
111
Moving an Existing Circuit

When you move a circuit, most of the parent components contained in the
circuit automatically retag since the drawing is set up for reference-based
component tagging and, in the process of moving the circuit, you are changing
the reference locations of the moved components. Related child components
update to match the new parent tags, including references on other drawings
in the project.
NOTE Tagging updates vary depending on your default tagging configurations.
Move the location of a circuit
1 Open AEGS02.dwg.
Zoom in on the lower left corner of the drawing. Make sure the
3-phase motor circuit at line reference 215 is visible.
This circuit has component tags FU215 on the 3-pole fuse, 215CBL
on the multi-conductor cable, DS215 on the disconnect switch, and
MOT216 on the motor.
Expand the Insert Circuit tool, and then click the Move Circuit
tool.
Components Move Circuit

Select Objects:
Window around the circuit on line reference 215 to capture the connection wire
and dots that tie in to the vertical bus, right-click
112 | Chapter 5 Circuitry
Press F9 to turn SNAP on.

Specify base point or displacement:
Select a base point and then select a point on line reference 214
The circuitry is moved, the affected components are retagged, and
cross-references are updated based on the new line reference. Each of the
listed parent component tags decrement by one. For example, fuse FU215
became FU 214.
5 In the Update Related Components dialog box, click Yes-Update.
Related child references on the active drawing update to match the newly
retagged parent components.
6 In the Update other drawings dialog box, click OK.
Related child components and panel layout references on other drawings
that need to match the parent components on the moved circuit update.
7 If asked to save the drawing, click OK.
Moving an Existing Circuit | 113
9 Select FU214 on the drawing.

The Surf dialog box displays 3 references on sheet 2 and 1 reference on
sheet 9.
10 Double-click the reference on Sheet 9.
Surfer goes to the panel layout drawing and zooms on the physical
representation of this 3-pole fuse. Notice that the physical representation
of the fuse block tag updated because the circuit was moved.
11 Double-click the first entry in the dialog box to return to the original
AEGS02.dwg drawing.
12 Click Close.
Moving the motor circuit up one line reference spacing opened up a bit more
room for a new circuit to be added below it. The next step is to extend the
3-phase bus down to line reference 218 and over to the right to begin building
a new motor circuit.
Extending the 3-phase bus

Wires Trim Wire

Left-click the bottom ends of the 3 dangling wires, right-click
You can insert vertical or horizontal 3-phase wiring. Three-phase wiring

automatically breaks and reconnects to any underlying components that
it finds in its path. If it crosses any existing wiring, wire-crossing gaps are
inserted.
Expand the Insert Wire tool, and then click the Multiple Wire Bus
tool.
Wires Multiple Wire Bus
4 In the Multiple Wire Bus dialog box, select:

Horizontal Spacing: 0.5
Vertical Spacing: 0.5
Starting at: Another Bus (Multiple Wires)
Number of Wires: 3
5 Click OK.
Select existing wire to begin multi-phase bus connection:
Select the bottom corner of the left-most vertical bus on line reference 214 as
shown
Select existing wire to begin multi-phase bus connection: to:
Pull your cursor down to line reference 218 and over to the right
Moving an Existing Circuit | 115
Temporary graphics show the proposed routing of the extended bus.
7 To maintain the same phase sequence on the new horizontal portion of

the bus, enter F to flip the phase order of the 90-degree turn. Move your
cursor slightly to force the display to update.
8 Click to create the wires.

9 Right-click to exit the command.
The 3-phase bus and wire connection dot symbols are inserted on the
drawing.
Creating a New Motor Circuit

You will now construct a new motor circuit on the extended 3-phase bus. It
is similar to the previous one, except it wires directly from the overloads to
the motor through a fusible disconnect switch.
Copy the circuit
Expand the Insert Circuit tool, and then click the Copy Circuit
tool.
Components Copy Circuit

Select objects:
Window around the 3-pole fuse on line reference 214 from left to right,
right-click
<Base point or displacement>/Multiple: Select a base point
Specify second point of displacement:
Select a point on line reference 217 directly below the selected 3-pole fuse
The circuitry is copied and the components are retagged based upon their
new line reference locations.
Creating a New Motor Circuit | 117
NOTE If the circuit you are copying contains any fixed wire numbers or
component tags, you are prompted to specify how to handle them.
3 Repeat steps 1-2 for the 3-pole motor contactor on line reference 214.
The parent fuse and its two child fuses automatically retag based on the
line reference insertion point, becoming FU217. The 3-pole motor
contactor/ overload is blanked out to a generic M tag since all 3 poles are
child references. The motor starter contacts retag when they are tied to
a new parent motor starter coil symbol.
Insert multi-level terminals


Terminals/Connectors.
In the JIC: Terminals and Connectors dialog box, click Round with
Terminal Number.

Position the terminal on the wire at line reference 217 in line with the terminals
in the circuit at line reference 215 and click
The wire is broken and reconnected, and the terminal is inserted. The
Insert/Edit Terminal Symbol dialog box displays, where you can annotate
the terminal properties and associations.
5 In the Insert/Edit Terminal Symbol dialog box, Project List section, select
Tag Strip TB.
Selecting from the Project List assigns the Location code (MCAB5), the
Tag Strip value (TB) and the Number (10) to the terminal.
6 Click Details >>.

7 In the Catalog Data section, click Catalog Lookup.
8 On the Parts Catalog dialog box, select:
Manufacturer: SIEMENS
Type: MULTI-LEVEL
Rating: 20 AMPS
9 Select part 8WA1 011-3JF16 and click OK.

The Manufacturer and Catalog information for the selected part displays
in the Catalog Data section of the Insert/Edit Terminal Symbol dialog
box.
10 On the Insert/Edit Terminal Symbol dialog box, click OK-Repeat.
Position the terminal on the wire below and in-line with the terminal on line
reference 217 and click
Modify multi-level terminal associations

1 On the Insert/Edit Terminal Symbol dialog box, Modify
Properties/Associations section, click Add/Modify.
2 On the Add/Modify Association dialog box, Select Association section,
expand the active project node. The active node is bold in the list and in
this case is MCAB5-TB (11).
The terminal block quantity displays at the end of the node string in
parenthesis (). This terminal strip contains 11 terminal blocks.
3 Select the terminal block node you inserted on line reference 217 (10, ,
(3)).
The terminal numbers defined on the block are listed, separated by

commas. The number of levels defined in the block properties displays
at the end of the node string in parenthesis. For example, 1,21,GND (3).
If a level is not represented on the schematic, it is represented by empty
space: 1, , GND (3). If a terminal has been assigned to the level, but the
terminal doesnt have a number assignment, they are represented by ???:
1,???,GND (3).
NOTE The grid to the right populates with the definition for the selected
terminal: Level 1 has Label = TOP, Number = 10, Reference = 2,217.
4 Select Level 2 in the grid and click Associate.
Once you click Associate, the middle level updates with the terminal
number in the grid in the Active Association section of the dialog box.
5 Click OK.
The level assignments display in the Properties/Associations section of
the Insert/Edit Terminal Symbol dialog box. Notice that the terminal is
3 levels and levels 1 and 2 have now been assigned.
6 On the Insert/Edit Terminal Symbol dialog box, click OK-Repeat.

Position the terminal on the last wire below and in-line with the terminal on
line reference 217 and click

9 On the Add/Modify Association dialog box, Select Association section,
expand the active project node.
10 Select the terminal block node you inserted on line reference 217 (10,11,
(3)). Notice that the node properties updated to reflect that levels 1 and
2 are assigned and that level 3 is still blank/available.
11 Select Level 3 in the grid and click Associate.
Once you click Associate, the bottom level updates with the terminal
number in the grid in the Active Association section of the dialog box.
You can rearrange the levels by selecting a level and clicking Move Up
or Move Down.
12 Click OK.
The level assignments display in the Properties/Associations section of
the Insert/Edit Terminal Symbol dialog box. Notice that levels 1, 2, and
3 have now been assigned.
13 On the Insert/Edit Terminal Symbol dialog box, click OK.
Insert 3-pole fusible disconnect switch


Fuses/Circuit Breakers/Transformers.
In the JIC: Fuses, Circuit Breakers and Transformers dialog box,

click Circuit Breakers/Disconnects.
In the JIC: Disconnecting Means dialog box, click 3 Pole Fused

Disconnect.

Position the fuse on the wire at line reference 217 near the end of the wire and
click
6 When prompted to build up or down, click Down.

The wire is broken and reconnected, and the other 2 fuses are inserted.
Each fuse finds and connects to the underlying wire. The Insert/Edit
dialog box is displayed, where you can annotate the first pole of the
3-pole fuse.

Insert a 3-phase motor


Motor Control.
In the JIC: Motor Control dialog box, click 3 Phase Motor.

Position the motor at the end of the center phase of the 3-phase bus and click

Notice that the top and bottom phase wires do not automatically connect.

Wires Trim Wire

Select the upper and lower wire segments extending off the disconnect, right-click

Wires Insert Wire

Specify wire start or [wireType/ X=show connections]:
Select a point on the motor symbol near its 11 oclock position

Move the cursor up and over to the left and select the wire connection point on
the right-hand end of the upper disconnect switch
A wire is drawn at an upward angle and connects to the disconnect switch.
10 Repeat this process starting at the 7 oclock position on the motor symbol
and ending on the bottom disconnect switch.
11 Repeat this process starting at the 5 oclock position on the motor symbol
and pull down past the bottom pole, left-click.
12 Pull the wire to the left and down, then left-click to insert the wire and
press ESC to exit the command.
13
Click the Copy Component tool.

Components Copy Component

Select component to copy:
Select the ground symbol from the circuit on line reference 214
Specify insertion point: Select the end of the motor ground wire
Saving and Inserting Standard Circuits

AutoCADElectrical makes saving and inserting pre-drawn circuits easy and
convenient. You can save and insert from a user circuits page on the Insert
Component icon menu or you can use the normal AutoCAD WBlock
command to save selected circuitry to disk and an Insert Circuit command to
insert WBlocked circuits into the active drawing.
Save your circuit for use in the future
1 Zoom around the circuit so that it fills your screen.
Expand the Insert Circuit tool, and then click the Save Circuit to
Icon Menu tool.
Components Save Circuit to Icon Menu
3 On the Save Circuit to Icon Menu dialog box, click Add New circuit.
4 On the Create New Circuit dialog box, specify:
Name: Motor Circ - Fusible DS
Image file: Active and Create PNG from current screen image
File name: UserCirc1
Saving and Inserting Standard Circuits | 129
5 Click OK.
Base point:
Select the left-most wire connection point where the circuit ties into the left-hand
vertical bus wire
Select objects:
Window around the circuit from left to right to capture all of the components
and wiring, but exclude the vertical bus, press ENTER
7 On the Save Circuit to Icon Menu dialog box, click OK.

The circuit is saved to your AutoCAD Electrical user folder and can be
quickly accessed from the Insert Component icon menu or from the
Insert Saved Circuit tool.
The new motor has a 3-pole motor contactor child reference but there isnt a
parent motor starter relay coil to operate it. The motor start coil circuit needs
to be added on a control schematic in the project drawing set and linked back
to the new motor circuit.
Insert motor start coil circuit to control schematic
1 Open AEGS04.dwg.
2 Zoom on the upper-right hand ladder column so the full circuit on line
reference 422-423 is displayed.
Expand the Insert Circuit tool, and then click the Save Circuit to
Icon Menu tool.
Components Save Circuit to Icon Menu
4 On the Save Circuit to Icon Menu dialog box, click Add New circuit.
5 On the Create New Circuit dialog box, specify:
Name: Motor starter circ
Image file: Active and Create PNG from current screen image
File name: UserCirc2
Click OK.
Base point: Select the left-most wire connection point at line reference 422
Select objects:
Window around the circuit from left to right to capture all of the components
and wiring, but exclude the vertical bus, press ENTER
7 On the Save Circuit to Icon Menu dialog box, click OK.

Insert a circuit you saved for re-use
1 Pan to display the blank area between line references 426 - 432.
Expand the Insert Circuit tool, and then click the Insert Saved
Circuit tool.
Components Insert Saved Circuit
3 In the JIC: Saved User Circuits dialog box, select the Motor starter circ
button.
4 In the Circuit Scale dialog box, click OK.
Place the circuit insertion point on the vertical bus wire at line reference 427,
and left-click to insert the circuit.
The circuit inserts and updates. Tags automatically update to reflect the
new line reference number, and parent/child relationships defined inside
of the circuit update accordingly.
6 Right-click the M427 coil symbol and select Edit Component.
7 In the Insert/Edit Component dialog box, specify:

Description Line 2: MOTOR NO. 2
Click OK.
8 In the Update Related Components dialog box, click Yes-Update.
Linking the parent coil to the child contactor
1 Open AEGS02.dwg and zoom on the untagged 3-pole motor
contact/overloads on line reference 217.
2 Right-click the M contact and select Edit Component.
The Insert/Edit Child Component is displayed. You must enter the exact
parent coil tag into the Component Tag box to establish the link between
the parent and the child contacts. Currently the Component Tag is M.
click Project.
4 In the Complete Project list for Family=M dialog box, select M427
HYDRAULIC MOTOR NO 2 and click OK.
The tag M427 is now displayed in the Component Tag edit box. Notice
that the description, cross-reference, and location code boxes have also
updated.

6 In the Update linked components dialog box, click OK.
The components are now linked. If you go back to drawing AEGS04.dwg
and look at the motor starter coil, it shows references to these 3 child
contacts (plus one seal contact around PB427).
Using the icon menu to add a motor

1 Reopen drawing AEGS04.dwg and zoom to the blank area at line references
430-431.
2 Repeat the steps for inserting the saved Motor starter circ circuit.
4 Insert the circuit at line reference 430.
5 Right-click the M430 coil symbol, and select Edit Component.
Description Line 2: MOTOR NO. 3
Click OK.
7 In the Update related components dialog box, click Yes-Update.
8 Open drawing AEGS02.dwg and zoom to the blank area at line references
204-206.
9 Repeat the steps for inserting a saved circuit, but this time insert the
Motor Circ - Fusible DS circuit.
Position the motor circuit so that the insertion point lands on the left-hand
vertical bus at line reference 204, and left-click to insert the circuit.
Notice that the fuse, disconnect, and motor automatically retag based
on their reference locations.
12 Right-click the M child motor contact symbol, and select Edit Component.
click Project.
14 In the Complete Project list for Family=M dialog box, select M430
HYDRAULIC MOTOR NO. 3 and click OK.
The tag M430 is now displayed in the Component Tag edit box. Notice
that the description, cross-reference, and location code boxes have also
updated.
16 In the Update linked components dialog box, click OK.
You can now renumber your terminals manually or project-wide.

Renumber terminals
1 Click Components Terminals Terminal Strip Utilities Terminal
Renumber (Project-wide).
2 On the Project-wide Schematic Terminal Renumber dialog box, select:
Include Installation/Location in terminal strip Tag-ID match
Starting Terminal Number = 1
3 In the Tag-ID section, click Drawing.
4 On the Terminal Tag-ID List dialog box, select Tag-ID = TB and click OK.
5 On the Project-wide Schematic Terminal Renumber dialog box, click OK.
6 On the Select Drawings to Process dialog box, click Do All and click OK.
You can modify an existing terminal to make it a multi-level terminal block
and then associate terminals to the master terminal block.
Modify terminal properties
1 Right-click terminal 4 on line reference 207 and select Edit Component.
2 On the Insert/Edit Terminal Symbol dialog box, Catalog Data section,
delete the Manufacturer and Catalog information.
3 In the Modify Properties/Associations section, click Block Properties.
4 On the Terminal Block Properties dialog box, specify:
Levels: 3
Level 1
Level Description: Top
Wires Per Connection: 2
PinL: 1
PinR: 2
Level 2
Level Description: Middle
PinL: 3
PinR: 4
Level 3
Level Description: Bottom
PinL: 5
PinR: 6
Click OK.
Notice on the Insert/Edit Terminal Symbol dialog box,
Properties/Associations section that the block now has 3 levels and
terminal 4 is assigned to the top level of the block.
6 On the Update other drawings dialog box, click OK.

8 Click Components Terminals Associate Terminals.
Select Master terminal: Select terminal 4 on line reference 207
Pick terminal: Select terminal 5
Pick terminal: Select terminal 6, right-click
NOTE The command prompt area indicates that the terminal was added as
level 02 or level 03 once you pick the terminal.
10 Right-click terminal 6 and select Edit Component.
On the Insert/Edit Terminal Symbol dialog box, Properties/Associations
section, all three levels have been assigned. You can now move a terminal
to another level using the Add/Modify Association dialog box.

12 On the Add/Modify Association dialog box, Active Association section,

highlight level 3 in the grid and click Move Up.
The grid updates to reflect the move. Notice that terminal 6 is now
assigned to level 2.
13 Click OK.
15 If asked to update related components, click Yes-Update.
Add wire tee markers to your circuits
1 Pan your view so the circuit on line reference 204 is visible.
Expand the Wire Tee Markers tool, and then click the Insert Dot
Tee Markers tool.

Select the connection points at the vertical 3-phase bus for each wire
4 Insert dot tee markers for the circuit on line reference 217.
Inserting Saved Circuits Using WBlock

Another method for saving and inserting circuits is to use the AutoCAD WBlock
command to save the circuit to disk. A separate Insert Circuit command is
used to browse to a selected saved circuit and insert it into the active drawing.
This method allows unlimited circuits to be constructed and saved to disk.
They can be arranged into a set of shared subfolders for easy browsing and
retrieval using the Insert Circuit command.
Saving a circuit using WBlock
1 Pan to display the 3-phase motor circuit at line references 207 - 209.
2 Enter wblock at the command line and press ENTER.
3 In the Write Block dialog box, click Pick point.
Specify insertion base point:
Select the intersection of the left vertical bus with the upper horizontal wire at
line reference 207
5 In the Write Block dialog box, click Select objects.

Select objects: Window from left to right around the full circuit, right-click
7 In the Write Block dialog box, enter a name for the saved circuit. Take
note of the location where the drawing file is being saved.
8 Click OK.
Inserting a WBlocked circuit
Expand the Insert Circuit tool, and then click the Insert WBlocked
Circuit tool.
Components Insert WBlocked Circuit
2 In the Insert Wblocked Circuit dialog box, browse to the folder containing
the circuit you just saved.
3 Select the WBlocked motor circuit, and click Open.
4 In the Circuit Scale dialog box, select:
Move all lines to wire layers
Keep all source arrows
Update circuits text layers as required
Click OK.
Specify insertion point: Select any blank spot on your drawing
The parent component tags that are not set to Fixed automatically retag
based on the insertion point, similar to the behavior when inserting a
circuit using the icon menu method.
6 Delete the circuit.
Inserting Saved Circuits Using WBlock | 141
142
PLC
Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) modules are built
In this chapter
dynamically when selected from the menu. From a small set
Inserting Ladders into

Drawings
Inserting PLC Modules
Using Multiple Insert

Component
Annotating PLC I/O

Descriptions
Inserting Wire Numbers

Based on PLC I/O
Addresses
Resequencing Ladders
of library symbols, hundreds of PLC modules can be built on

request. This method allows the module to conform to the
underlying ladder rung spacing, so you can add spacers and
break the module at insertion time.
143
Inserting Ladders into Drawings

You can insert a ladder into a drawing at any time. A drawing may have
multiple ladders, as well as single-phase and three-phase ladders. The ladders
can have different parameters, such as rung spacing, number of rungs, and
ladder width.
Insert a single-phase ladder
1 Open AEGS05.dwg.
2 Click the Insert Ladder tool.
Wires Ladders Insert Ladder
3 In the Insert Ladder dialog box, specify:
Width: 9.000
Spacing: 1.0000
1st Reference: 519
Index: 1
Rungs: 18
Phase: 1 Phase
Draw Rungs: Yes
Skip: 0
You do not need to specify the Length since it is automatically calculated

once the 1st Reference, Index and Rungs are specified.
NOTE Reference 519 represents Page 5, Reference 19.
4 Click OK.
Specify start position of first rung or [wiretype (T)]:
Enter 16, 21, press ENTER

NOTE You can also specify the start position of the first rung by left-clicking
a location on the drawing with your mouse.
A single phase ladder is inserted in the drawing.
144 | Chapter 6 PLC
Inserting PLC Modules

AutoCADElectrical generates any of hundreds of different PLC I/O modules
on demand, in a variety of different graphical styles, all without a single,
complete I/O module library symbol resident on the system. Modules adapt
to the underlying ladder rung spacing, whatever that value might be. They
can be stretched or broken into two or more pieces at insertion time.
To insert a PLC module, you select the module and pick a location. AutoCAD
Electrical builds and inserts the module, using a small set of library symbols.
Insert a PLC module
Click the Insert PLC (Parametric) tool.

Components Insert PLC Modules Insert PLC (Parametric)
2 In the PLC Parametric Selection dialog box, select:

Manufacturer: Allen-Bradley
Inserting PLC Modules | 145
Series: 1746
Type: Discrete Input
Part Number: 1746-IA16
Graphics Style: 2, Vertical Module
3 Click OK.
Specify PLC module insert point or [Z=zoom, P=pan]:
Pick a point on wire line reference 520 closer to the right side, ensure the X is
near the horizontal wire, click
146 | Chapter 6 PLC
5 In the Module Layout dialog box, verify the default settings:

Spacing: 1.0000
I/O Points: Insert all
Click OK.
AutoCAD Electrical reads the vertical rung spacing of your ladder and
calculates how long the module is going to be. It multiplies the rung
spacing by the number of wire connections specified by the module you
selected.
Temporary graphics display a representation of the module (with the
spacing defined) to help position the module on the ladder.
6 In the I/O Point dialog box, specify:
Rack Number: 1
Slot Number: 1
NOTE Specify the values by either entering text into the edit boxes or by
clicking the arrows.
7 Click OK.
Inserting PLC Modules | 147
8 In the I/O Address dialog box, specify:

Beginning address: I:11/00
NOTE You can also select the beginning address from the Quick picks list.
9 Click OK.
10 In the I/O Addressing dialog box, click Decimal.
The PLC module is inserted into your drawing with incremental address
numbers already annotated as the module goes in, it breaks and
reconnects to underlying wires.
You can break an I/O module into as many pieces as you want at insertion
time. This is great for high-density modules that wont fit into a single
ladder column. Use the Allow spacers/breakers option in the Module
Layout dialog box at insertion time to do this.
You can also add extra space between adjacent I/O points using the Stretch
Block tool. This feature lets you leave extra room when you know ahead
of time that certain I/O point will have additional components wired
tied to a single I/O point after a PLC module is inserted.
NOTE This can be used on any block, not just a PLC module.
148 | Chapter 6 PLC
Remove ladder rungs

Wires Trim Wire

Select the ladder rung at line reference 519, right-click

The ladder rung is removed from your drawing.
Using Multiple Insert Component

You can insert components into wires that are tied to the PLC module. Use
the Multiple Insert Component tool to insert a string of normally open limit
switches.
Insert a limit switch
Click the Multiple Insert Component tool.

Components Multiple Insert Multiple Insert (Icon Menu)

Limit Switches.
In the JIC: Limit Switches dialog box, select Limit Switch, NO.
Using Multiple Insert Component | 149

Component Fence, From Point:
Select above the wire at line reference 520 (1)

Component Fence, From Point: to:
Drag below the wire at line reference 522, click the point (2), right-click
5 In the Keep dialog box, select:

Keep this one
Show edit dialog after each
Click OK
Component Tag: LS520
Description: Line 1: PALLET ENTERING
Description: Line 2: STATION
Location code: MACHINE
Click OK.
NOTE In the Insert/Edit Component dialog box, Component Tag section,
you can use the Use PLC Address button to add the I/O Address as the
component tag.
Keep this one
Click OK
Description: Line 1: PALLET INSIDE
150 | Chapter 6 PLC

Click OK.
Keep this one
Click OK
Description: Line 1: PALLET LEAVING
Click OK.
The normally open limit switches are inserted into the drawing.
Insert terminals
Click the Multiple Insert Component tool.

Components Multiple Insert Multiple Insert (Icon Menu)

Terminals/Connectors.
In the JIC: Terminals and Connectors dialog box, click Round with
Terminal Number.

Component Fence, From Point: Select above wire at line reference 520 (1)
Component Fence, From Point: to:
Select below wire at line reference 535 (2), left click to end command, right-click
to add terminal
5 In the Keep dialog box, select Keep this one.

Click OK.
6 In the Insert/Edit Terminal Symbol dialog box, Terminal section, specify:
Location: MCAB5
Tag Strip: TS1
Number: 1
152 | Chapter 6 PLC
7 Click OK.
Keep all, dont ask
Clear Show edit dialog after each
Click OK
The terminals are automatically added to your drawing.
Annotating PLC I/O Descriptions

You can add description text to a PLC module using the Edit Component tool.
You can make changes to the descriptions at any time. However, you must
edit each split PLC piece separately.
Add description text


Select component/cable/location box to EDIT:
Select anywhere on the top portion of the PLC module
154 | Chapter 6 PLC
The Edit PLC Module dialog box displays.
This dialog box provides spaces for you to enter description text for each
I/O point. Assume that the descriptions already assigned to the connected
limit switches are similar to what you want to use for the PLC I/O point
descriptions.
3 In the Edit PLC Module dialog box, click Wired Devices.
AutoCAD Electrical immediately follows each I/O points connected wire
backwards. If it finds a connected component, the component description
text is retrieved. Each description is displayed in a dialog list.
4 For the first I/O address (I:11/00), select the first description (PALLET
ENTERING STATION) in the extracted device list.
The Confirmation dialog box displays.
Annotating PLC I/O Descriptions | 155
5 Make sure the correct description is specified and click OK.

6 Click Next to highlight I/O address 1:11/01 in the Addressing list.
The corresponding device description highlights automatically.
7 Select the highlighted description, PALLET INSIDE STATION, and click

OK.
8 Repeat this process for the remaining I/O point.
NOTE Alternately you can use Pick to capture existing description text from
a connected device. To do so, in the Edit PLC Module dialog box, click Pick
and then select the component whose text you want to copy. AutoCAD
Electrical reads the existing DESC text values on the component and transfers
a copy to the DESC boxes in the Edit PLC Module dialog box.
9 In the Edit PLC Module dialog box, click OK.
Your descriptions appear on the module.
NOTE If your PLC description is not where you want it, use the Scoot tool
to scoot the description to a new location.
156 | Chapter 6 PLC
Inserting Wire Numbers Based on PLC I/O

Addresses
You can insert wire numbers based on the I/O address that each PLC connected
wire touches. The wire numbers insert with your specified format as fixed wire
numbers, so they will not change if a wire number re-tag is run later on.
NOTE If you want PLC I/O based wire numbering to be the automatic default for
a drawing, set this up in the Drawing Properties dialog box. Select the Use I/O
Wire Numbers toggle.
Insert PLC I/O wire numbers
Expand the Insert Wire Numbers tool, and then click the PLC I/O
Wire Numbers tool.
Wires Wire Numbers Miscellaneous PLC I/O Wire Numbers
The PLC I/O Wire Numbers dialog box displays.
The default format is %N, the address number. The wire number will be
the same as its connected I/O address number.
2 Click I:%n to change the wire number format.
This adds an I prefix to each wire number that ties to the input module.
3 Click OK.
Select I/O module to process: Select anywhere on the PLC module
Select objects: Select all of the connected wires to process, right-click
Inserting Wire Numbers Based on PLC I/O Addresses | 157
The wire numbers are inserted with the specified format. If some of the
I/O points short-circuit to other I/O points, the last point wire number
prevails for that common wire network.
158 | Chapter 6 PLC
Resequencing Ladders
AutoCAD Electrical drawings can be easily renumbered and retagged with a
minimum of manual clean up. You can resequence line reference numbers,
component tags, and wire numbers. This is useful when a drawing has been
copied from a previous project and the line reference numbers and tagging
format of the drawing do not conform to the project requirements.
Resequence ladder line reference numbers
Expand the Insert Ladder tool, and then click the Revise Ladder
tool.
Wires Ladders Revise Ladders
The Modify Line Reference Numbers dialog box displays a list of ladders
in the drawing.
2 Change the beginning line reference numbers for each ladder. Change
the first ladder to 101 (column 1, line 01) and the second ladder to 201
(column 2, line 01).
3 Click OK.
The reference numbers update along each ladder.
Resequencing Ladders | 159
160
Wire Numbers
This chapter provides information about working with wire
In this chapter
numbers in drawings and across projects.
About Wire Numbers
Attaching Source Signal

Arrows
Attaching Destination
Signal Arrows
Working with Wire Layers
161
About Wire Numbers

Wire numbers can be assigned to any and all existing wires on an individual
selection, an entire drawing, selected drawings in a project, or an entire project.
AutoCAD Electrical assigns a unique wire number to each wire network. A
wire network consists of one or more wires that are electrically connected.
Attaching Source Signal Arrows

AutoCAD Electrical uses a named source/destination concept. You identify a
wire network to be the source, insert a source arrow on that network, and
assigning a source code name to it. On the wire network that is to be a
continuation of the same wire number (whether on the same drawing or a
different drawing in the project) you insert a destination arrow and give it the
same code name that you gave to its source. AutoCAD Electrical then
reprocesses your drawing set for wire numbering update, it matches source
code names with destination names and copies source wire numbers over to
the destination wire networks.
You can attach a source signal to a wire segment of a wire network. This enables
the wire number assigned to the network to jump and continue to another
network on the current drawing or on one or more drawings in the project.
The source and destination are also helpful with the Wire From/To reports
and connection information.
Attach a source signal arrow
1 Open AEGS03.dwg.
Expand the Source Destination Signals tool, and then click the
Source Signal Arrow tool.
Wires Signal References Source Signal Arrow

Select wire end for Source:
Select the end of the hot wire on the schematic on the right side of the drawing
at line reference 332 (1)
162 | Chapter 7 Wire Numbers
4 In the Signal - Source Code dialog box, specify:

Code: 24 VDC
Signal Arrow Style: 1
AutoCAD Electrical allows one description line on a source arrow. This

description can then be carried over to the associated destination arrow.
You can define some default description lines to make them easier to
enter without typing them in each time. AutoCAD Electrical looks for a
file called WDSRCDST.WDD. This file is a simple text file with each line
Attaching Source Signal Arrows | 163
being read as a separate description. If this file exists, the Defaults button
is available on the Signal - Source Code and Insert Destination Code
dialog boxes.
5 Click OK.
6 In the Source/Destination Signal Arrows dialog box, click No.
NOTE Click No to insert the signal arrows on the next drawing. Click OK to
insert the signal arrows on the current drawing.
Click the Next Project Drawing tool to access AEGS04.dwg.

Now you are ready to insert a destination signal arrow.
Attaching Destination Signal Arrows

After the source signal arrow is attached to a wire in the drawing, you can
attach a destination signal to a wire segment of a wire network. This enables
the wire number assigned to another source wire network to carry over to the
current network automatically.
Attach a destination signal
Destination Signal Arrow tool.
Wires Signal References Destination Signal Arrow

Select wire end for Destination:
Select the top of the hot wire on the schematic on the left side of the drawing
at line reference 402 (2)
3 In the Insert Destination Code dialog box, click Project.
4 In the Signal codes -- Project-wide Source dialog box, select the following:
5 Click OK.
6 In the Insert Destination Code dialog box, verify:
Code: 24 VDC
Click OK + Update Source.
Attaching Destination Signal Arrows | 165
The cross-references for your signal insert into the drawing above the hot
wire.
Attach source and destination signals to the neutral wires.
Click the Previous Project Drawing button to return to AEGS03.dwg.
Source Signal Arrow tool.
Wires Signal References Source Signal Arrow

Select wire end for Source:
Select the bottom of the neutral wire at line reference 332 (3)
4 In the Signal - Source Code dialog box, specify:

Code: 24 VDC NEUTRAL
Click OK.
5 In the Source/Destination Signal Arrows dialog box, click No.
NOTE Click No to insert the signal arrows on the next drawing. Click OK to
insert the signal arrows on the current drawing.
Click the Next Project Drawing tool to open AEGS04.dwg.
Destination Signal Arrow tool.
Wires Signal References Destination Signal Arrow

Select wire end for Destination:
Select the top of the neutral wire at line reference 402 (4)
9 In the Insert Destination Code dialog box, click Project.
10 In the Signal codes -- Project-wide Source dialog box, select the following:
Attaching Destination Signal Arrows | 167
11 Click OK.
12 In the Insert Destination Code dialog box, verify:
Code: 24 VDC NEUTRAL
Click OK + Update Source.

NOTE If asked to change the destination wire layer, click Yes.
The cross-references for your signal insert into the drawing above the
neutral wire.
13
Show Signal Paths tool.
Wires Signal References Show Signal Paths
Temporary graphics illustrate the flow of the signals on your drawings.
NOTE There is no limit to the number of source and destination links you
can set up. One source network can jump to multiple destinations on one or
many drawings. A wire can carry both a destination signal and a source signal
pointing to the next daisy-chained destination.

You can process and tag wires with sequential wire numbers or with wire
numbers based upon the line reference location start of the wire network.
When wire numbers are automatically inserted into a drawing, the numbers
are not duplicated if they are defined on another network.
AutoCAD Electrical works from left to right, top to bottom as it processes wire
networks by default. You can change the direction of wire numbering using
the Project Properties Wire Numbers dialog box (in the Project Manager,
right-click the project name, and select Properties. In the Project Properties
dialog box, click the Wire Numbers tab).
Inserting Wire Numbers | 169
Insert wire numbers automatically

1 With AEGS04.dwg open as the active drawing, zoom the top portion of
the wire network on the left side of the drawing.
Click the Insert Wire Numbers tool.

Wires Insert Wire Numbers
3 In the Sheet 4 - Wire Tagging dialog box, click Pick Individual Wires.

Select objects:
Select the wire segment between the two push buttons on line reference 403 (1),
right-click
The wire number is placed.

Add wire numbers to the entire drawing

2 In the Sheet 4 - Wire Tagging dialog box, click Drawing-wide.

Wire numbers are assigned to each segment in your drawing.
Add wire numbers project-wide

2 In the Sheet 4 - Wire Tagging dialog box, click Project-wide.

3 In the Wire Tagging (Project-wide) dialog box, verify:
Wire tag mode: Reference-based tags
To do: Tag/retag all
Freshen database (for Signals)
4 Click OK.
5 In the Select Drawings to Process dialog box, Project Drawing List section,
press SHIFT as you select AEGS03.dwg and AEGSO04.dwg. Click Process.
6 Verify AEGS03.dwg and AEGSO04.dwgare listed as the drawings to process
and click OK.
Wire numbers are processed for the selected drawings.
You can use the Delete Wire Numbers tool to select a wire number or to pick
on any wire of the network.
Inserting Wire Numbers | 171
Delete a wire number
Click the Delete Wire Number tool.

Wires Delete Wire Number
2 Respond the prompts as follows:

Select objects: Enter all, press ENTER
The wires in the network change to dashed lines, representing the wires
from which the wire numbers will be erased.
3 Press ENTER again to erase the wire numbers.
Working with Wire Layers

When a wire is inserted, the wire ends up on the first valid wire layer as defined
in the Drawing Properties dialog box. It may be more appropriate for some
wires to be placed on different wire layers. You can use the AutoCAD
PROPERTIES command to move a wire to the correct layer or you can use the
Wire Layer utility.
Change wire layer assignments
Expand the Insert Wires tool, and then click the Change/Convert
Wire Type tool.
Wires Change/Convert Wire Type
The Change/Convert Wire Type dialog box lists all of the valid wire layers
that are defined for the active drawing. The the wire layer name and the
wire properties like color, size, and user defined properties are listed in
the grid. A number in the Used column indicates the number of wires
on the drawing. A 0 in the Used column indicates that the layer name
exists in the drawing but it is not currently being used.
2 Select RED_18AWG.
The wire type highlights in blue in the dialog box indicating that this is
the wire type that will be changed.
3 Click OK.
Select Objects:
Window from left to right around the wires as shown and press ENTER
Before you press ENTER, the wires display as dashed lines to indicate that
they have been selected; once you press ENTER the lines display in red
indicating that they have been moved to the RED_18AWG wire layer.
5 Repeat to move any other wiring onto another wire layer.
Working with Wire Layers | 173
174
Panel Layouts
This chapter provides information about working with tools
In this chapter
that insert footprint components into panel layouts in
About Panel Layouts
AutoCAD Electrical.
Inserting Panel
Components
Modifying Attributes
Adding Nameplate
Footprints
Editing Terminal Strips
175
About Panel Layouts

AutoCAD Electrical provides tools to create intelligent panel layout drawings.
You can drive layouts from information on the AutoCAD Electrical schematic
drawings or you can construct them independently of the schematics.
AutoCAD Electrical places no special naming or attribute requirements on
mechanical footprint symbols. You can use footprint symbols supplied by
vendors in AutoCAD format with AutoCAD Electrical.
Inserting Panel Components

Using the AutoCAD Electrical Panel Layout tools, you can select from a list of
schematic components and then place the footprint component directly into
a panel layout. The footprint remains linked to the original schematic
components, so you can perform bidirectional updating between schematic
components and the associated footprint blocks.
For this chapter, use the Panel Layout tools:
Select schematic component footprints

1 Open AEGS08.dwg.
Expand the Insert Component Footprint tool, and then click the
Insert Footprint (Schematic List) tool.
Panel Layout Insert Footprint (Schematic List)
3 In the Schematic Component List -- Panel Layout Insert dialog box, verify:
Extract component list for: Project
Location Codes to extract: All
176 | Chapter 8 Panel Layouts
4 Click OK.
5 In the Select Drawings to Process dialog box, select AEGS04.dwg and click
Process.
6 Verify that AEGS04.dwg is listed in the Drawing to Process section and
click OK.
7 In the Schematic Components (active project) dialog box, click Mark
Existing. An x marks the footprints that are already placed in the project.
You cannot insert the same component multiple times. If you select an
item with an x, the Insert button is disabled.
NOTE An o next to a component in the list indicates that a panel component
with a matching component tag was found, but the catalog information does
not match.
Inserting Panel Components | 177
8 In the Schematic Components (active project) dialog box, Display section,

select Hide Existing.
The schematic component footprints not yet inserted into the panel
layout are displayed.
Now you can begin to manually insert schematic component footprints

on the panel layout.
Insert the system reset footprint manually
1 In the Schematics Components (active project) dialog box, select PB403
OPSTA3 SYSTEM RESET.
2 Click Manual.
NOTE The Manual button is used when schematic component footprints do
not have a manufacturer and catalog number defined
The next step is to make a catalog assignment for the automatic footprint.
3 In the Footprint dialog box, Choice A section, click Catalog lookup.
NOTE Use Choice B to enter a graphic without selecting a catalog number.
MANUFACTURER: AB
TYPE: 30.5mm FLUSH
STYLE: *ALL*
5 Change the catalog assignment to 800T-A2A 1 NO 1 NC BLACK PUSH

BUTTON - MOMENTARY, NEMA 4/13 and click OK.
6 In the Footprint dialog box, Choice A section, verify:

Manufacturer: AB
Catalog: 800T-A2A
Click OK.
Select Location for PB403: Select to the left of PB414A (1)
Select Location for PB403: <Ortho on> select ROTATION:
Right-click to place the push button
The component may already have an Item Number assigned. If AutoCAD

Electrical finds a panel component with the same catalog information,
it automatically assigns the same item number to this new component.
If no item number is assigned and you think a matching component was
already inserted, use one of the Find buttons to look through the drawing
or project. If no matching component is found, click Next to assign an
item number to this footprint. This button updates each time you insert
a footprint and assign an item number. This item or detail number is
used for BOM and component reporting and can be referenced by optional
balloon labels tied to the footprint.
NOTE The Panel Layout - Component Insert/Edit dialog box displays each
time you insert a panel footprint. Information from the schematic
representation is automatically carried over to the panel footprint
representation.
8 In the Panel Layout - Component Insert/Edit dialog box, click OK.
The Schematics Component (active project) dialog box redisplays. You
can continue inserting components from the projects schematic list.
Insert the emergency stop footprint manually
1 In the Schematic Components (active project) dialog box, select: PB403A
OPSTA3 EMERGENCY STOP.
2 Click Manual.
Manufacturer: AB
Type: 30.5mm
Style: Red
5 Change the catalog assignment to 800T-D6A 1NO-1NC PUSH

BUTTON-MUSHROOM, NEMA 4/13 and click OK.
Manufacturer: AB
Catalog: 800T-D6A
Click OK.
Select Location for PB403A: Select to the left of Conveyor Motor Start (2)
Select Location for PB403A: <Ortho on> select ROTATION:
Right-click to place the push button

Insert the light footprint manually
1 In the Schematic Components (active project) dialog box, select LT404
OPTSTA3 CONVEYOR ON.
2 Click Manual.
MANUFACTURER: AB
TYPE: 30.5mm
VOLTAGE: *ALL*
5 Change the catalog assignment to 800H-QRT24G PLASTIC LENS

24VAC/VDC FULL VOLT GREEN PILOT and click OK.
NOTE To easily sort the Catalog list, select Show list sorted by catalog part
number in the Parts catalog dialog box.

Manufacturer: AB
Catalog: 800H-QRT24G
Click OK.
7 Respond to the prompts:
Select Location for LT404:
Select to the left of the Conveyor Running light (3)

Select Location for LT404: <Ortho on> select ROTATION:
Right-click to place the pilot light

In the Schematics Components (active project) dialog box, notice the
master control relay still needs to be placed.
9 In the Schematic Components (active project) dialog box, click Close.
NOTE You can modify a footprint at any time using the Edit Footprint tool.
Since there is bidirectional update capabilities between the schematics and
the panel layout drawings, you may introduce some inconsistencies between
the two during edit. If this happens, AutoCAD Electrical alerts you to first
check other drawings and then update any affected drawings.
10 In the Update other drawings dialog box, click OK.
Modifying Attributes
You can align the inserted schematic component footprints with existing
footprints. Temporary lines indicate the direction in which the alignment is
being defined as you select components for the alignment.
Align footprints vertically
Components Align

Select component to align with (Horizontal/<Vertical>):
Enter V, press ENTER

Select the power on button on the top, left of the layout (1)
Select objects:
Select the three components that were just inserted (2-4), right-click
The components are aligned vertically.

Align footprints horizontally
Components Align

Modifying Attributes | 189
Enter H, press ENTER

Select the conveyor running button (1)

Select objects: Select LT404 (2), right-click
3 Follow steps 1 and 2 to align the remaining footprints horizontally.

Move an attribute
Expand the Edit Attributes tool, and then click the Move/Show
Attributes tool.
Components Attributes Move/Show Attributes

Select attribute to Move or pick on block graphics for list
(W=Window move): Select tag LT404 (1)
Select object: Right-click to select
Base point: Select the base point (2), drag to the new location, right-click
The attribute is placed.

3 Repeat for PB403 and PB403A, then right-click to exit the command.
Very little of the information held on panel footprints is visible since only
specific attributes are used when assigning catalog information. If an attribute
is not found, the information is saved as standard AutoCAD extended entity

data (Xdata).
AutoCAD Electrical provides a way to change the extended entity data
manually into visible attributes tied to an inserted footprint block.
Change Xdata to attributes
Expand the Edit Footprint tool, and then click the Make Xdata
Visible tool.
Panel Layout Make Xdata Visible

Select footprint: Select LT404
The Select XData to Change to a Block Attribute dialog box displays. All
Xdata related to LT 404 are shown.
3 Select DESC1 and click Insert.
Specify location for attribute (DESC1):
Select the location for the attribute

The attribute is displayed on the drawing and the dialog box reopens.
5 Select DESC2 and click Insert.

Specify location for attribute (DESC2):
Select the location for the attribute
Modifying Attributes | 191
7 Click Done.
Adding Nameplate Footprints

At this point, you can add nameplates to the panel layout. Nameplates are
associated with existing component footprints. Nameplates can be inserted
from the main panel icon menu or from a vendor menu.
Insert an automotive type nameplate
Insert Footprint (Icon Menu) tool.
Panel Layout Insert Footprint (Icon Menu)
In the Insert Footprint: Panel Layout Symbols dialog box, click

Nameplates.
In the Panel: Nameplates dialog box, click Nameplate, Catalog

Lookup.
4 In the Nameplate dialog box, Choice A section, click Catalog Lookup.

MANUFACTURER: AB
TYPE: 800T Automotive
COLOR_AND_: *ALL*
6 Change the catalog assignment to 800T-X701 Red Blank Name Plate and
click OK.
7 In the Nameplate dialog box, Choice A section, verify:
Manufacturer: AB
Catalog: 800T-X701
Click OK.
Select objects: Select PB403 (1), right-click to the place the nameplate
As you select each footprint to insert, the nameplate block inserts and
the Panel Layout - Nameplate Insert/Edit dialog box displays where you
can annotate the nameplate and assign a BOM item number if needed.
9 In the Panel Layout - Nameplate Insert/Edit dialog box, click OK.
NOTE The data on the nameplate is linked by a tag name to the footprint and to
the schematic component of the same name. Changing the tag name of any of
these 3 representations triggers a prompt for permission to update the other
related instances.
Insert a half round nameplate
Insert Footprint (Icon Menu) tool.
Panel Layout Insert Footprint (Icon Menu)
In the Insert Footprint: Panel Layout Symbols dialog box, click

Nameplates.
In the Panel: Nameplates dialog box, click Nameplate, Catalog

Lookup.
Adding Nameplate Footprints | 193
4 In the Nameplate dialog box, Choice A section, click Catalog Lookup.

MANUFACTURER: AB
TYPE: 800T Half Round
COLOR_AND_: *ALL*
6 Change the catalog assignment to 800T-X59E Gray Custom Text Name

Plate and click OK.
7 In the Nameplate dialog box, Choice A section, verify:

Manufacturer: AB
Catalog: 800T-X59E
Click OK.
Select objects: Select PB403A (2), right-click to place the nameplate
9 In the Panel Layout - Nameplate Insert/Edit dialog box, click OK.

The nameplate is inserted.
Editing Terminal Strips

Terminal blocks are used to connect devices that require quick disconnect or
disassembly during product shipment, while at other times they can be used
to distribute power to other devices. The Terminal Strip Editor easily and
quickly defines the locations for these connected devices during the system
design process. Terminal strip editing is primarily used towards the end of the
control system design cycle to expedite the labeling, numbering, and
rearranging of terminals on a terminal strip.
Editing Terminal Strips | 195
Copy and paste terminal properties

1 Open AEGS09.dwg.
The terminal strip you will be editing, TB, is already placed on the
drawing. Zoom in on terminal strip TB to see what the terminal strip
currently looks like.
On the Panel layout toolbar, click the Terminal Strip Editor tool.
Panel Layout Terminal Strip Editor
3 On the Terminal Strip Selection dialog box, select Terminal Strip TB

and click Edit.
4 On the Terminal Strip Editor dialog box, Terminal Strip tab, select terminal
1 in the grid.
In the Terminal section, click the Move Terminal button.
6 In the Move Terminal dialog box, click Pick Above. In the Terminal Strip
Editor grid, select terminal 4.
NOTE You can also use the Move Up tool to move terminal 1 to the top of
the grid.
Click Done.
7 Select terminal 4 in the grid.
In the Properties section, click the Copy Terminal Block Properties

button.
Notice that when you click Copy Terminal Block Properties, terminals 5
and 6 also highlight. This is because terminals 4, 5, and 6 are associated
together so if you copy the properties from one of these terminals, you
will also copy the properties from the associated terminals. The Copy
Terminal Block Properties tool then copies the properties from the
terminals to one or many terminals within the same terminal strip.
9 Select terminal 7 and 10 in the grid by holding down the CTRL key while
you select the terminals.
10
In the Properties section, click the Paste Terminal Block Properties

button.
The properties you copied from terminal 4 are pasted to terminals 7 and
10. Notice that both terminals are now 3-tiered terminals with level 1
assigned for both.
Associate terminals
1 Select terminals 8 and 9 in the grid.
In the Multi-Level section, click the Associate button.
3 On the Associate Terminals dialog box, select terminal 7, , (3) and click
Associate.
Click OK.
4 On the Terminal Strip Editor dialog box, select terminals 11 and 12 in
the grid.
In the Multi-Level section, click the Associate button.
6 On the Associate Terminals dialog box, select terminal 10, , (3) and click
Associate.
Click OK.
Insert spare terminals and accessories
In the Spare section, click the Insert Spare Terminal button.
3 On the Insert Spare Terminal dialog box, specify:

Number: SPARE
Quantity: 1
NOTE You can also assign catalog information for the spare terminal from
the Insert Spare Terminal dialog box by clicking Catalog Lookup. You can
then select the part from the Parts Catalog dialog box if needed.
Click Insert Above.
Now you will insert accessories (end barriers) into the terminal strip - one
at the top and one at the bottom of the terminal strip.
In the Spare section, click the Insert Accessory button.
6 On the Insert Accessory dialog box, specify:

Number: EB1
Quantity: 1
NOTE You can also assign catalog information for the accessory from the
Insert Accessory dialog box by clicking Catalog Lookup. You can then select
the part from the Parts Catalog dialog box if needed.
Click Insert Above.
In the Spare section, click the Insert Accessory button.
9 On the Insert Accessory dialog box, specify:

Number: EB2
Quantity: 1
Click Insert Below.

Insert the terminal strip into the drawing
1 On the Terminal Strip Editor dialog box, click the Layout Preview tab.
2 Select Graphical Terminal Strip as the terminal type to insert into the
drawing.
3 Click Rebuild.
4 On the Terminal Strip Editor dialog box, click OK.

5 On the Terminal Strip Selection dialog box, click OK.
Point-to-Point
Diagramming
Part 3 of this manual provides information on creating
In this part
point-to-point diagrams using connector tools. You can also
Connector Diagramming
Pneumatic, Hydraulic and

P&ID Diagrams
create drawings for hydraulic, pnuematic, and P&ID style

diagrams.
203
204
Connector Diagramming
This chapter contains information about creating connectors
In this chapter
and how to modify them to create connector diagrams.
About Connector
Diagramming
Inserting Connectors
Wiring Connectors
Modifying Connectors
205
About Connector Diagramming

The connector wiring tools help you more easily create and work with
point-to-point style wiring schematics (as opposed to ladder-style schematics).
Though you may find some of these tools useful for ladder-style schematics,
they are tuned to work well with drawings that are heavy on point-to-point
connector diagrams. Instead of creating and maintaining a large library of
schematic connector symbols, each symbol is generated parametrically, on
the fly, per user input and at user-defined orientation. A connector toolbar
contains tools for creating and editing connectors.
Inserting Connectors
The Insert Connector tool generates a connector symbol from user-defined
parameters. The symbol is created on the fly and inserted as a block insert
into your active drawing file. Since these are created on an as needed basis, it
eliminates the need for you to create and maintain a library of connector
symbols.
Change drawing properties
1 Open AEGS10.dwg.
Click the Drawing Properties tool.

Projects Drawing Properties
3 In the Drawing Properties Components dialog box, select Sequential.

4 In the Drawing Properties Wire Numbers dialog box, New Wire
Number Placement section, select In-Line.
5 Click OK.
Add connectors to the drawing
Click the Insert Connector tool.

Components Insert Connector Insert Connector
2 In the Insert Connector dialog box, specify:
206 | Chapter 9 Connector Diagramming
Pin Spacing: 1.0

Pin Count: 15
Fixed Spacing
Pin List: 1
Insert All
Click the Flip button to flip the connector about its long axis. The
preview should look like the following.
4 Click Insert.
A preview outline of the connector displays for placement on the drawing.
It shows rounded corners for the plug side of the connector. An x
indicates the insertion point of the connector. An arrow indicates the
plug side wire connection direction for plug/receptacle or plug-only
connector inserts or shows the wire connection direction for a
receptacle-only connector insert.
NOTE Prior to committing the connector outline to the drawing, you can
press TAB on your keyboard to flip the connector through 4 different
orientations or press the V key to toggle between vertical and horizontal
orientations
Inserting Connectors | 207
Specify insertion point or [Z=zoom, P=pan, X=wire crossing,

V=horizontal/vertical, TAB=flip]:
Select to place the connector in the middle of the right-hand border of Black
Box 1
The connector was automatically assigned a component tag of PJ1.


Pin Spacing: 0.75
Pin Count: 4
Fixed Spacing
Pin List: A
Insert All
Click the Flip button to flip the connector. The preview should
look like the following.
9 Click Insert.
Select to place the connector in the middle of the left-hand border of Black Box
2
The connector was automatically assigned a component tag of PJ2.

11 Repeat steps 6 - 10 to place connectors on Black Box 3 and Black Box 4.
The connectors are assigned tags PJ3 and PJ4 respectively.
Inserting Connectors | 209
Wiring Connectors
Black Box 1 is associated to a larger component such as a power box. Black
Box 2 - Black Box 4 are smaller components that are part of the power box.
The components need to be wired together. The easiest way to do this is to
use the Insert Wire and Multiple Wire Bus tools.
Wire the connectors together

Wires Insert Wire

Click on PJ1 at pin 1 on Black Box 1

Specify wire end or [Continue]: Click on PJ2 at pin A on Black Box 2
3 Repeat to connect PJ1 (Pin 2) to PJ3 (Pin A) and PJ1 (Pin 3) to PJ4 (Pin
A). Right-click to exit the command.
Notice that the Insert Wire tool drew the wire between the connectors
while avoiding any existing geometry on the screen.
tool.
5 In the Multiple Wire Bus dialog box, specify:

Horizontal Spacing: 0.75
Vertical Spacing: 0.50
Starting at: Component (Multiple Wires)
Wiring Connectors | 211
6 Click OK.
Window select starting wire connection points:
Select pins 5-7 on Black Box 1 (1) and right-click

to (T= wiretype) (Continue/Flip):
Drag the wires to the right past the 3 wires you just inserted, enter C and press
ENTER (to continue and lock the drag)
to Point (Continue/Flip):
Drag the wires up towards PJ2 on Black Box 2, enter C and press ENTER (to
continue and lock the drag)
to (Continue/Flip):
Drag the wires to the right and connect to pins B-D on PJ2 (2)
tool.
9 In the Multiple Wire Bus dialog box, click OK to use the previous settings.
Select pins 9-11 on Black Box 1 and right-click

Drag the wires to the right, enter C, and press ENTER (to continue and lock the
drag)
Drag the wires up towards PJ3 on Black Box 3, enter C, and press ENTER (to
to (Continue/Flip):
Drag the wires to the right and connect to pins B-D on PJ3
Wiring Connectors | 213
11
tool.
12 In the Multiple Wire Bus dialog box, click OK to use the previous settings.
Select pins 13-15 on Black Box 1 and press ENTER

Drag the wires to the right, enter C, and press ENTER (to continue and lock the
drag) before you cross the wire connection to pin A
Drag the wires down towards PJ4 on Black Box 4, press C, and press ENTER (to
to (Continue/Flip):
Drag the wires to the right and connect to pins B-D on PJ4
Grouping Wires
Now that youve wired the connectors together, you need to insert in-line
connectors to group the wires.
Insert in-line connectors


Pin Spacing: 1.0
Pin Count: 3
At Wire Crossing
Pin List: 1
Insert All
3 Click Details.
4 In the Type section, clear the Add Divider Line box.
5 In the Display section, set Plug to Right and Pins to Both Sides.
6 In the Size section, set the Plug to 0.325.
Grouping Wires | 215
7 Click Insert.
Select to place the connector on the wires connected to PJ1, Pins 1-3


Pin Spacing: 1.0
Pin Count: 9
At Wire Crossing
Pin List: 1
Allow Spacers/Breaks
11 Click Insert.
Select to place the connector starting on the line at PJ1, Pin 5

Notice how the connector expands when you cross the wires.
13 In the Custom Pin Spaces/Breaks dialog box, click Insert Next Connection.
The dialog box displays which connector pin has been inserted so far.
Keep clicking Insert Next Connection until you place 6 of the 9
connections.
14 When the Custom Pin Spaces/Breaks dialog box says Inserted So Far: 6
of 9, click Break Symbol Now.

Select to place the connector starting on the line at PJ1, Pin 13

16 In the Connector Layout dialog box, select Insert All.
17 Click OK.
Grouping Wires | 217
NOTE Another method is to insert the entire connector and then use the
Split Connector tool to break the existing connector.
18
Expand the Dashed Link Lines tool, and then click the Link
Components with Dashed Line tool.
Components Link Link Components with Dashed Line

Component to link from: Select the bottom portion of PJ6 (1)
component to link to: Select the top portion of PJ6 (2), right-click
Modifying Connectors
The Insert Connector toolbar has tools for modifying connectors and connector
pins. You can reverse a connector about its horizontal or vertical axis, rotate
a connector about its insertion point at increments of 90 degrees, increase or
decrease the connector's overall length or width, and split the connector into
two separate block definitions. You can also add, remove, or move the pins
found inside of the connector.
Stretch existing connectors
Expand the Insert Connector tool, and then click the Stretch
Connector tool.
Components Insert Connector Stretch Connector

Specify which end of connector to stretch: Select the bottom of PJ1
Specify second point of displacement:
Pull the connector down towards the bottom of Black Box 1
Modifying Connectors | 219
3 Repeat for PJ6, pulling the bottom of the connector down so that it is
even with PJ1.
Add connector pins
Expand the Insert Connector tool, and then click the Add
Connector Pins tool.
Components Insert Connector Add Connector Pins

Select connector: Select PJ1
Specify where to insert new pin or [Reset]<16>:
Select 4 spaces down from pin 15 on PJ1, right-click and select Enter
The next available pin number (16) inserts at the selected point.
Expand the Insert Connector tool, and then click the Add
Components Insert Connector Add Connector Pins

Select connector: Select PJ6
Specify where to insert new pin or [Reset]<10>:
Select the new pin 16 on PJ1 to insert pin 10 in-line with it, right-click and
select Enter
NOTE You can delete pins using the Delete Connector Pins tool. Select the
pin you want to delete and it is automatically removed from the connector.
Modify connector pins
Expand the Insert Connector tool, and then click the Move
Components Insert Connector Move Connector Pins
Select connector pin to move: Select pin 16 on PJ1

Specify new location for pin 16: Select 2 spaces up on PJ1
Select connector pin to move: Select pin 10 on PJ6
Specify new location for pin 10:
Select pin 16 on PJ1 to move pin 10 in-line with it, right-click
Expand the Insert Connector tool, and then click the Swap
Components Insert Connector Swap Connector Pins

Select connector pin: Select pin 16 on PJ1
Select connector pin: swap with: Select pin 12 on PJ1, right-click
Expand the Insert Connector tool, and then click the Reverse
Connector tool.
Components Insert Connector Reverse Connector

Select connector to reverse: Select the top in-line connector, right-click


Pin Spacing: 1.0
Pin Count: 2
Fixed Spacing
Pin List: 1
Insert All
9 Click Details.
10 In the Type section, select Add Divider Line.
11 In the Display section, set Pins to Plug Side.
12 Click Insert.
Select to place the connector on the top of Black Box 1
14
Expand the Insert Connector tool, and then click the Rotate
Connector tool.
Components Insert Connector Rotate Connector

Select connector to Rotate or [Hold]:
Select the new connector, right-click and select Enter
Adding Wire Numbers

Wire numbers are blocks or attributes inserted on a line wire entity. AutoCAD
Electrical assigns each wire number type to its own layer. You can assign a
different color to each of these layers so you can easily tell them apart. The
wire number placement is set to in-line as defined in the Drawing Properties
Wire Numbers dialog box.
Insert wire numbers

2 In the Wire Tagging dialog box, specify:

Wire Tag Mode: Sequential
Start: 100
3 Click Drawing-Wide.
The wire numbers are automatically inserted into the drawing starting
with number 100.
Click the Move Wire Number tool.

Wires Move Wire Number

Specify new Wire Number location (select on wire):
Select each wire closest to Black Box 1, right-click

NOTE You can align the wire numbers using the Align tool.
Adding Connector Descriptions

AutoCAD Electrical supports 2 lines of description text on each connector:
one for the plug and one for the receptacle side of the connector.
Add descriptions
1 Right-click connector PJ1 and select Edit Component.
2 In the Insert/Edit Component dialog box, Pins section, click List.
3 In the Connector Pin Numbers In Use dialog box, connector pin grid,
click in the Description column for Pin 1.
4 In the Pin Descriptions section, enter POWER B2 for the Receptacle.
Click in the Description column again for Pin 1 to assign the description.
5 In the connector pin grid, click in the Description column for Pin 2.
Adding Connector Descriptions | 225
7 In the connector pin grid, click in the Description column for Pin 3.
9 Click OK.
11 Repeat to add the description POWER IN for Pins A on Black Box 2, Black
Box 3 and Black Box 4.
Your finished point-to-point diagram should look similar to the following.
10
Pneumatic, Hydraulic
and P&ID Diagrams
This chapter goes through the steps for creating Piping &
In this chapter
Instrumentation (P&ID) and Hydraulic drawings but the same
Setting Up Hydraulic
Drawings
Inserting Hydraulic
Schematic Symbols
Creating Pipes
Completing the Hydraulic

Drawing
Setting Up Your P&ID

Drawing
Inserting P&ID Schematic

Symbols
Creating Pipes
workflow can be applied for Pnuematics. Once your drawing
is created, you can use the regular tools in the AutoCAD

Electrical software to modify your drawing.
227
Setting Up Hydraulic Drawings

Use the Project Manager to manage your hydraulic drawings. From here you
can create a new drawing and modify any drawing properties.
1 In the Project Manager, right-click the project name, and select Properties.
2 In the Project Properties Project Settings dialog box, click Default to
switch on all paths for pneumatic, hydraulic and P&ID schematic libraries.
3 Click OK.
In the Project Manager, click the Create New Drawing tool.

Name: AEGS12
Template: Mouse over the edit box to verify AutoCAD_Electrical.dwt is specified
Description 1: Hydraulic Example
Click OK.
NOTE You can also Click OK-Properties to proceed to Drawing Properties
dialog box if you want to set the component, wire number, cross-reference,
style and drawing format settings.
6 Select Tools Drafting Settings.
228 | Chapter 10 Pneumatic, Hydraulic and P&ID Diagrams
7 In the Drafting Settings Snap and Grid dialog box, turn on Snap and
Grid and set the size of both to 0.125.
8 Click OK.

10 In the Drawing Properties Drawing Format dialog box, Scale section,

make sure that the feature scale multiplier is set to 1.0 inch.
11 Click OK.
NOTE For metric unit, the following settings are recommended so that the
wire connection points will be placed on the grids for easier drafting. Grid
and Snap Size = 2.5mm; Feature scale multiplier =20 (scale factor = 20)
12 Select Projects Toolbars Extra Libraries.
NOTE You can also turn on the toolbar by right-clicking on any toolbar and
selecting ACE: Extra Libraries.
This toolbar has tools for inserting Pneumatic, Hydraulic and P&ID
components.
Inserting Hydraulic Schematic Symbols

The hydraulic symbol library in AutoCAD Electrical includes filters, valves,
cylinders, pressure switches, motors, pumps, meters, restrictors, quick
disconnects, flow arrows and more. The hydraulic symbol library consists of
all the hydraulic symbols and is found at \Program Files [(x86)]\Autodesk\Acade
{version}\Libs\hyd_iso125.
Insert hydraulic symbols
Click the Insert Hydraulic Component tool.
Inserting Hydraulic Schematic Symbols | 229
2 In the Insert Component: Hydraulic Symbol dialog box, select the check
box for Vertical.
In the Insert Component: Hydraulic Symbol dialog box, click the

General Valves icon.
In the Hydraulic: General Valves dialog box, click Shut Off Valve
Open.

Select to place the valve in the upper left corner of your drawing
Component Tag: VAL2
Click OK.
7 Repeat steps 1 - 3.
In the Hydraulic: General Valves dialog box, click Checkvalve Flow

Left.

Select to place the check valve below the shut off valve
11
12
In the Insert Component: Hydraulic Symbol dialog box, click

Motors & Pumps.
13
In the Hydraulic: Motors and Pumps dialog box, click Fixed

Displacement.
14
In the Hydraulic: Fixed Displacement dialog box, click

Uni-Directional Pump.

Specify insertion point: Select to place the pump below the check valve

Component Tag: Hydraulic Oil Pump
Click OK.
17 Insert another Shut Off Valve Open below the Hydraulic Oil Pump.
18
19
In the Insert Component: Hydraulic Symbol dialog box, click Filters.
20
In the Hydraulic: Filters dialog box, click Filter.

Specify insertion point: Select to place the filter below the shut off valve

Component Tag: FI2
Inserting Hydraulic Schematic Symbols | 231
Description: Line 1: Filter
Click OK.
23
24
25

Miscellaneous.
In the Hydraulic: Miscellaneous dialog box, click Reservoir.

Specify insertion point: Select to place the reservoir below the filter
Creating Pipes
In the AutoCAD Electrical application, we use different types of wires to
represent the type of running pipes that allows water or oil flows from one
instrument to another. Let's start by setting up the type of wires for pipe runs.
Insert wires as pipes
Expand the Insert Wire tool, and then click the Create/Edit Wire
Type tool.
Wires Create/Edit Wire Type
2 In the Create/Edit Wire Type dialog box, specify:

Wire Color: RED
Size: 20
The Layer Name is automatically created. The name RED_20 is assigned

to the wire layer you are creating.
3 Click Color.
4 In the Select Color dialog box, select red and click OK.
5 Click Linetype.
6 In the Select Linetype dialog box, select Continuous and click OK.
Wire Color: GREEN
Size: 10
Color: Green
Linetype: Hidden2
8 Select RED_20 in the grid and click Mark Selected as Default.
Creating Pipes | 233
9 Click OK.
10

Wires Insert Wire

Enter X and press ENTER
Select the bottom of the shut off valve

Specify wire end or [Scoot/T=wiretype, X=show connections]:
Select the top of the check valve

12 Continue inserting wires connecting the components together. Right-click
to exit the command.
Your drawing should look like the following.
NOTE You can also insert the vertical or horizontal pipes first and then insert
the components onto the pipe, one at a time.
13
14 In the Insert Component: Hydraulic Symbol dialog box, select the check
box for Vertical.
15

Pressure Relief Valves.
16
In the Hydraulic: Pressure Relief Valves dialog box, click N.C.

Pressure Relief Valve with Preset -1.

Specify insertion point: Select to place the valve to the right of the pump

Component Tag: VAL4
Description: Line 1: Pressure Relief
Click OK.
19

Wires Insert Wire

Enter X, press ENTER

Press SHIFT + right-click and select Midpoint from the menu, then select the
midpoint on the pipe between the pump and the shut off valve above it
Specify wire end or [V=start Vertical/H =start
Horizontal/Continue):
Drag the pipe to the right so that it is directly above the pressure relief valve,
drag the pipe down and click the top connection point on the pressure relief
valve
You now need to insert a pipe that connects the end of the valve back
to the pump.
TIP Make sure that Snap is turned off and that the Wire Layer is set to
GREEN_10.
Select the bottom connection point on the pressure relief valve

Specify wire end or [V=start Vertical/H =start
Horizontal/Continue):
Drag the pipe down and to the left, click the connection point at the bottom of
the pump, right-click
Completing the Hydraulic Drawing

The rest of the hydraulic drawing consists of inserting a Pressure Gauge and
Check Valve at the left side of the pump and then inserting devices (Cylinder;
Restrictors; Filter; Check valve and 2-ways valve) along the top of the drawing.
NOTE During insertion, clear the Vertical option in the Insert Component: Hydraulic
Symbols dialog box.
Insert components

Meters.
In the Hydraulic: Meters dialog box, click Pressure Gauge.

Select to place the pressure gauge to the far left (and slightly above) of the pump
Component Tag: MTR1
Description: Line 1: Pressure Gauge
Click OK.

General Valves.
In the Hydraulic: General Valves dialog box, click Shut Off Valve
Open.

Select to place the valve to the right of the pressure gauge
Completing the Hydraulic Drawing | 239

11 Set the wire layer to RED_20.
12

Wires Insert Wire

Select the right connection point on the pressure gauge

Drag the pipe to the right and click the left connection point on the valve
Specify wire start or [Scoot/wireType/X=show connections]:
Select the right connection point on the valve

Drag the pipe to the right and click the vertical pipe, right-click
14
15 Insert and place the devices listed below as shown in the following
illustration. In the Insert/Edit Component dialog box, click OK after each
insertion.
NOTE You can also insert the vertical or horizontal pipes first and then insert
the components onto the pipe, one by one.
Icon
Symbol to Insert
2 Way Valves Solenoid Spring Return -1
(insert as Vertical symbol)
General Valves Checkvalve Flow Left (insert as a Vertical symbol)
Icon
Symbol to Insert
Filters Filter (insert as a Vertical symbol)
Restrictors Restrictor with Variable Output Flow
Restrictors By-Pass Flow Regulator with Variable Output Flow
Cylinders Single Acting Single Ended Piston Rod
TIP Align the components horizontally and vertically using the Align tool to
make inserting the pipes easier.
16

Wires Insert Wire
17 Connect the pipes from one control device to another as illustrated.
18
19

General Valves.
20
In the Hydraulic: General Valves dialog box, click Checkvalve Flow

Left.

Specify insertion point: Select to place the valve below the restrictor
23

Wires Insert Wire
24 Connect the pipes as shown.
The hydraulic schematic diagram is complete.

If you want to create a pneumatic drawing, use the Insert Pneumatic
Components tool on the Extra Libraries toolbar. Refer to the pneumatic
demo drawing file (Demo03.dwg) in the "Extra Library Demo" project.
Setting Up Your P&ID Drawing

Use the Project Manager to manage your P&ID drawings. From here you can
create a new drawing and modify any drawing properties.
In the Project Manager, click the Create New Drawing tool.

Name: AEGS13
Setting Up Your P&ID Drawing | 245
Template: Mouse over the edit box to verify AutoCAD_Electrical.dwt is
specified
Description 1: P&ID Example
Click OK.
NOTE You can also Click OK-Properties to proceed to Drawing Properties
dialog box if you want to set the component, wire number, cross-reference,
style and drawing format settings.
3 Select Tools Drafting Settings.
4 In the Drafting Settings Snap and Grid dialog box, turn on Snap and
Grid and set the size of both to 0.125.
5 Click OK.

7 In the Drawing Properties Drawing Format dialog box, Scale section,

make sure that the feature scale multiplier is set to 1.0 inch.
8 Click OK.
NOTE For metric unit, the following settings are recommended so that the
wire connection points will be placed on the grids for easier drafting. Grid
and Snap Size = 2.5mm; Feature scale multiplier =20 (scale factor = 20)
Set up wire layers
Type tool.
2 In the Create/Edit Wire Type dialog box, click in the Wire Type #2 row
and specify:
Wire Color: RED
Size: 25
The Layer Name is automatically created. The name RED_25 is assigned

to the wire layer you are creating.
3 Click Color.
4 In the Select Color dialog box, select red and click OK.
5 Click Linetype.
6 In the Select Linetype dialog box, select Continuous and click OK.
7 Click Lineweight.
8 In the Select Lineweight dialog box, select 0.30 and click OK.
For this example, you need to create three more wire types (two yellow
wire layers and one green wire layer) using the Create/Edit Wire Type
dialog box.
Wire Type #3
Wire Color: YELLOW
Size: 15
Color: Yellow
Linetype: Continuous
Lineweight: default
Wire Type #4
Wire Color: YELLOW
Size: 10
Color: Yellow
Wire Type #5
Wire Color: GREEN
Size: 10
Color: Green
Setting Up Your P&ID Drawing | 247
NOTE For pipe runs in P&ID drawings, you must include the different
linetypes from the acade.lin file. You can set up the wire types for pipes at
the beginning of the drawing or before creating the pipes.
10 To set the Linetype for the GREEN_10 wire layer, click Linetype.
11 In the Select Linetype dialog box, click Load.
12 In the Load or Reload Linetypes dialog box, click File.
13 In the Select Linetype File dialog box, select acade.lin and click Open.
NOTE The default location for the acade.lin file is \Documents and
Settings\{username}\Application Data\Autodesk\AutoCAD Electrical
{version}\{release number}\{country code}\Support.
14 In the Load or Reload Linetypes dialog box, select Pneumatic Signal and
click OK.
15 In the Select Linetype dialog box, select Pneumatic Signal and click OK.
16 In the Create/Edit Wire Type dialog box, click OK.
Inserting P&ID Schematic Symbols

The P&ID symbol library in AutoCAD electrical includes equipment, tanks,
nozzles, pumps, fittings, valves, actuators, logic functions, instrumentation,
flow, and flow arrows. The P&ID symbol library consists of all the piping and
instrumentation symbols and is found at \Program Files [(x86)]\Autodesk\Acade
{version}\Libs\Pid.
Insert P&ID Symbols
Click the Insert P&ID Component tool.
In the Insert Component: Piping and Instrumentation Symbols

dialog box, click Equipment.
In the PID: Equipment dialog box, click Ball Mill.

Select to place the ball mill in the upper left corner of your drawing
Inserting P&ID Schematic Symbols | 249

Component Tag: C-100
Description: Line 1: BALL MILL
Click OK.
6 Follow steps 1-2 above.
In the PID: Equipment dialog box, click Conveyors.
In the PID: Conveyors dialog box, click Conveyor 1.

Select to place the conveyor to the right and diagonally below the ball mill
Component Tag: N-100
Description: Line 1: CONVEYOR
Click OK.
11 Follow steps 1-2 above.
12
In the PID: Equipment dialog box, click Mixer 2.

Select to place the mixer to the right and diagonally below the conveyor

Component Tag: A-100
Description: Line 1: MIXER
Click OK.
15
16 Insert and place the devices listed below as shown in the following
illustration. In the Insert/Edit Component dialog box, click OK after each
insertion.
Icon
Symbol to Insert
Valves Gate Valve
In the Insert/Edit Component dialog box, clear the Component
Tag
Equipment Dryer
Component Tag = C-200; Description Line 1 = DRYER
Instrumentation Discrete Instruments Field Mounted

Component Tag = TE 201
Inserting P&ID Schematic Symbols | 251
TIP Align the components horizontally and vertically using the Align tool to
make inserting the pipes easier.
Creating Pipes
In AutoCAD Electrical, we use different types of wires to represent the type of
running pipes that allow water or oil flows from one instrument to another.
Insert wires as pipes
1 In the AutoCAD Layers toolbar, change the wire layer to RED_25.

Wires Insert Wire
3 Connect the pipes as shown. Right-click to exit the command.
4 In the AutoCAD Layers toolbar, change the wire layer to POS and the
linetype to HIDDEN2.

Wires Insert Wire

Select the bottom of the discrete instrument

Drag the wire down a few spaces, press ENTER
In the Insert Component: Piping and Instrumentation Symbols

dialog box, click Flow Arrows.
In the PID: Equipment dialog box, click Flow Arrow Down.

Select to place the flow arrow at the bottom of the new wire
The P&ID diagram is complete.

If you want to see how to expand the P&ID drawing, refer to the P&ID demo
drawing file (Demo01.dwg) in the "Extra Library Demo" project.
Reports and Migrating

AutoCAD Data
Part 4 of this manual includes information on generating
In this part
reports and migrating AutoCAD data to make it AutoCAD
Generating Reports
Migrating AutoCAD Data
Electrical-smart.
255
256
11
Generating Reports
AutoCADElectrical provides a number of reports as well as
In this chapter
great flexibility in each report format. This chapter provides
Generating Bill of Material

Reports
information about generating a report and then using various
Inserting BOM Tables into

Drawings
Editing BOM Tables on

Drawings
Changing Formats of BOMs
Exporting BOMs to
Spreadsheets
methods to manipulate the report format in AutoCAD

Electrical.
257
Generating Bill of Material Reports

Using AutoCAD Electrical, you can perform a project-wide extract of all BOM
data found on your project drawing set. The data is extracted from the project
database, matched with standard entries in the catalog database, and then
additional fields are pulled from the catalog files. You can format this data
into various report configurations and output to report files, export to a
spreadsheet or database program, or place in an AutoCAD Electrical drawing.
Generate a bill of material (BOM) report
1 Open AEGS11.dwg.
Click the Schematic Reports tool.

Projects Reports Schematic Reports
3 In the Schematic Reports dialog box, select:

Report Name: Bill of Material
Bill of Material: Project
Verify that the following options are specified:

Include options: All the above
Display option: Normal Tallied Format
Installation Codes to extract: All
Location Codes to extract: All
Click OK.
4 In the Select Drawings to Process dialog box, select AEGS03.DWG, and
click Process.
5 Verify that AEGS03.DWG is displayed in the Drawings to Process section
of the dialog box and click OK.
The generated report is displayed in the Report Generator dialog box.
258 | Chapter 11 Generating Reports
6 In the Report Generator dialog box, select:

Header: Time/Date
Header: Column Labels
Add blanks between entries
Inserting BOM Tables into Drawings

Insert a BOM into the drawing in tabular format
1 With the BOM report displayed in the dialog box, click Put on Drawing.
2 In the Table Generation Setup dialog box, select:
Column Labels: Include column labels
Title: Include time/date
Column Width: Calculate automatically
Borders: All Borders
Click OK.
NOTE The extents of the BOM table are displayed in temporary graphics.
Press Z to zoom down, or R to flip into real-time pan and zoom mode, if
necessary.
3 The table outline moves with your cursor. Position the table, and then
click to place the table. The BOM table is built where you placed it.
Inserting BOM Tables into Drawings | 259
4 In the Report Generator, click Close.
Editing BOM Tables on Drawings

You can use the Edit Component tool together with the Report Generators
Edit Mode to modify a report that has already been placed on a drawing.
Edit the BOM report

2 Select the report on the drawing.
The report is displayed using the current report settings.

3 In the Report Generator dialog box, click Edit Mode.
4 In the Edit Report dialog box, select FU307.
5 Click Move Up.

The lines that make up a single BOM entry are kept together and moved
up one space in the report dialog box.
Editing BOM Tables on Drawings | 261
NOTE You can also edit report data, delete BOM entries and add new catalog
items to the report.
6 Click OK - Return to Report.
7 In the Report Generator dialog box, click Put on Drawing.
The report on the drawing updates to reflect the changes you made.
8 In the Table Generation Setup dialog box, click OK.

9 In the Report Generator dialog box, click Close.
Changing Formats of BOMs

Each AutoCAD Electrical report is customizable, from which data fields are
reported and the order in which they appear to the justification of any column
and the column labels.
Remove the TAGS columns from the BOM
1 Erase the table, or UNDO, and rerun the BOM extract for AEGS03.DWG.
2 In the Report Generator dialog box, click Change Report Format.
In the Bill of Materials Data Fields to Report dialog box, Fields to report
section, the fields that format the BOM are displayed.
3 Select TAGS in the Fields to report list.
4 Click <<Remove.
The TAGS field is moved out of Fields to report and into Available fields.
NOTE You can also select a field in the Available fields list to add it to the
report or rearrange columns using the Move Up and Move Down buttons.
Clicking Ok-Save As saves these settings to a file for later use.
5 Click OK.
Changing Formats of BOMs | 263
NOTE This new format becomes the default the next time you extract a BOM
report.
The BOM data in the Report Generator dialog box is reformatted and
displayed.
6 Scroll down the report to verify that the component tags column is
removed.
7 Insert the new version of the BOM table into the drawing.
Exporting BOMs to Spreadsheets

You can move your BOM to a spreadsheet, database, or any other application
that can read data in a comma-delimited or MicrosoftAccess format.
Export the BOM to a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet
1 In the Report Generator dialog box, click Save to File.
2 In the Save Report to File dialog box, select Excel spreadsheet format (.xls)
and click OK.
3 In the Select file for report dialog box, enter an output file name or click
OK to accept the default name BOM.xls. Click Save.
4 In the Optional Script File dialog box, click Close - No Script.
5 In Microsoft Excel, click File Open.
6 Browse to the location where you saved the spreadsheet (the default is
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\My Documents) and select the
spreadsheet.
7 Click Open.
Your BOM data is displayed in spreadsheet format. You can slide the column
borders to expose the full column of text for each field. The first six columns
of the spreadsheet are shown above. The first column is the tallied quantity,
followed by subassembly quantity, catalog number, and manufacturer code.
The remaining fields are those extracted from the mfg/cat combo query on
the external catalog look-up file.
Exporting BOMs to Spreadsheets | 265
266
12
Migrating AutoCAD Data
This chapter describes using the tagging and linking tools in
In this chapter
AutoCAD Electrical to convert non blocked geometry and
About Tagging and Linking

Tools
text to a fully functional AutoCAD Electrical-aware block
Exploding Block and

Attributes
Tagging Schematic
Components
Linking Schematic
Attributes
Adding Wire Connections
Adding Geometry
Tagging and Linking Panel

Components
Updating Panel or
insert.
267
About Tagging and Linking Tools

AutoCAD Electrical has tagging and linking tools that enable non blocked
geometry to be made aware of AutoCAD Electrical. The existing geometry
stays in place and is unblocked, but key text entities are converted to attributes
with user picks and are linked into a generic, non graphical block insert. Wire
connection attributes can also be merged into this generic block insert. The
process to convert it from dumb text, circle, and line entities takes only
moments to complete and the result appears as a fully functional AutoCAD
Electrical-aware block insert.
Exploding Block and Attributes

The Special Explode tool in AutoCAD Electrical explodes attributes and blocks
to geometry and text entities while maintaining the value previously defined
in the attributes. You can take advantage of the tagging tools to modify the
text entities to attributes and the linking tools to make various blocks.
Explode AutoCAD blocks
1 In the Project Manager, right-click the project name (AEGS), and select
Add Drawings.
2 In the Select Files to Add dialog box, double-click the CONVERT subfolder.
3 Select files Convert-01.dwg through Convert-04.dwg and click Add.
4 When asked to apply the project defaults to the drawing settings, click
Yes.
5 Open Convert-03.dwg.
Zoom in on the components in the upper left-hand corner of the

drawing.
268 | Chapter 12 Migrating AutoCAD Data
7 Select Projects Toolbars Conversion Tools from the menu.

NOTE Only a portion of the conversion tools are shown here. The others are
not used in this manual; refer to the Help for information on how to use
them.
Use the Special Explode tool to explode attributes and blocks to geometry
and text entities while maintaining the value previously defined in the
attributes. You can take advantage of the tagging tools to modify the text
entities to attributes and the linking tools to make various blocks.
Click the Special Explode tool.

Projects Conversion Tools Special Explode

Select objects:
Select push button lights A - D (including all graphics and text) on lines 401 407 (use either single picks or window-select), right-click
Exploding Block and Attributes | 269
The blocks explode into separate text entities and geometry.
Tagging Schematic Components

Use the AutoCAD Electrical Tagging tools to convert text entities into an
attributed block. Through the insertion of a template block, you have control
over which attributes are inserted and visible. All necessary attribute definitions
are automatically placed. During the tagging process, the text entity is removed
and replaced with a template block file that contains multiple attributes used
in AutoCAD Electrical.
Tagging Results:
The selected text entities are replaced with a template block file.
The TAG attribute takes on the value of the converted text.
The TAG attribute is set to fixed.
The TAG attribute takes on the same ACAD properties as the tagged text.
Tag schematic components
Click the Tag Schematic Component tool.

Projects Conversion Tool Tag Schematic Tag Schematic
Component

Select objects: Select 9PB, 10PB, 11PB, and 12 PB, right-click
NOTE You may have to right-click several times to exit the command.
The text changes color to indicate that it has been tagged. The color of
the TAG attribute is by layer. The attribute is the same layer as defined
on the WD_M block. You can now link the descriptions and wire numbers.
Click the Schematic Report tool.

4 In the Schematic Report dialog box, specify:

Report Name: Component
Active Drawing
Click OK.
5 If asked to save the drawing, click Yes.
In the Report Generator dialog box, notice that 9PB-12PB are listed in
the TAGNAME column of the report
Linking Schematic Attributes

Use the AutoCAD Electrical Linking tools to associate non blocked text to
previously placed template blocks. Through the modification of a template
block, you have control over which attributes are inserted and visible. All
necessary attribute definitions are placed using the properties of the existing
text entities, such as justification, height, and location. If multiple template
block files are selected, the value of the text is added to the previously defined
template block attributes as hidden attributes and the text is not removed.
Linking Schematic Attributes | 271
Linking Results:
The selected text entities are replaced with an AutoCAD Electrical attribute.
Colors change to visually distinguish what has been already converted as

defined in the WD_M block.
Temporary lines display the link.

The Link Descriptions tool links simple text as Description 1-3 attributes
on an AutoCAD Electrical block file. You can link them as description
attributes to one or more existing template block definitions. During the
conversion process, the text entity is removed and replaced with the next
available description attribute, up to 3.
Link descriptions
Expand the Link Schematic tool, and then click the Link
Descriptions tool.
Projects Conversion Tools Link Schematic Link Description

Select objects: Select 9PB, right-click
Select text to fill in next available DESC attribute:
Select LIGHT A, right-click

Select LIGHT B, right-click

Select LIGHT C, right-click

Select LIGHT D, right-click

Colors change to visually distinguish what has been converted and

temporary lines display the link.
Click the Schematic Report tool.

4 In the Schematic Report dialog box, specify:

Report Name: Component
Active Drawing
Click OK.
5 If asked to QSave the drawing, click Yes.
In the Report Generator dialog box, notice that 9PB-12PB are still listed
in the TAGNAME column of the report.
6 In the Report Generator dialog box, click Change Report Format.
7 In the Component Data Fields to Report dialog box, select Desc1 from
the Available Fields list.
Desc1 moves into the Fields to report list. These are the fields that will
display in the Component report.
Linking Schematic Attributes | 273
8 Click OK.
The Report Generator dialog box now lists the TAGNAME and DESC1
values from the active drawing.
Adding Wire Connections

Wire connection attributes can also be merged into the new generic block
insert. AutoCAD Electricals Add Wire Connections tool adds wire connection
attributes to the existing tagged block file. Select line endpoints or geometry
to add the appropriate wire connection attributes to. A new block definition
is created with the newly added wire connections. You can subsequently create
a new block file if the block is exploded.
Wire Connection Results:
Visual indicators (x) appear where the wire connection attributes have
already been applied.
Wire connection attributes, terminal attributes, and terminal description

attributes are added.
The block definition is automatically modified during the attribute addition

process.
Terminal attribute colors change to visually distinguish what has been

already converted as defined in the WD_M block.
Convert device pins to wire connection attributes
Expand the Link Schematic tool, and then click the Add Wire
Connections tool.
Projects Conversion Tools Link Schematic Add Wire
Connections

Select block TAG or PLC Address: Select 9PB
Select end of wire (P=Pick Location): Enter P and press ENTER
Select location (W=Wire):
Press SHIFT + right-click to select Endpoint from the Snap options, select the
end point of the first wire on line 401
In the Wire Direction dialog box, select from left.
Select TERM01 text object: Select 22 (underneath 9PB TAG)
NOTE Visual indicators (x) appear where the wire connection attributes have
been applied.
Select location (W=Wire):
Press SHIFT + right-click to select Endpoint from the Snap options, select the
end point of the second wire on line 401
In the Wire Direction dialog box, select from right.
Select TERM02 text object: Select 55 (underneath line 401), right-click
You should be back at the prompt to Select block TAG or PLC Address.
3 Repeat for 10PB - 12PB.
Adding Wire Connections | 275
Pause the mouse over 9PB - 12 PB. The text, wire connection attributes,
and description text should all highlight. We still must convert the wire
number text and add the geometry to our block.
Type tool.
5 In the Create/Edit Wire Type dialog box, select Make all Lines Valid Wires
and click OK.
Click the Convert Text to Wire Numbers tool.

Projects Conversion Tools Convert Drawing Convert Text to
Wire Numbers

Select LINE near wire number text:
Select the left endpoint of the wire with the text 13 above it (line 401)
Select existing wire number text to convert: Select text 13
8 While you are still in the command, repeat for text 14 - 16 on lines 403
- 407.
Adding Geometry
The Add Geometry tool in AutoCAD Electrical adds AutoCAD geometry to a
template block file to be created as part of a unique block instance. It creates
a new block definition with the newly added geometry. You can subsequently
create a new block file if the block is exploded.
Add Geometry Results:
TAG1, TAG2, PLC TAG, and TAGSTRIP attributes are defined and selected
first.
The block definition is automatically modified.
The geometry's color changes by layer to visually distinguish what has

been already converted as defined in the WD_M block.
Add geometry to the block
Expand the Link Schematic tool, and then click the Add Geometry
tool.
Projects conversion Tools Link Schematic Add Geometry

Select block for additional geometry: Select 9PB
Select objects: Select the graphics for the push button, right-click
Specify insertion point: Select the middle of the push button
The geometry is associated to the template block files. Check that

everything has been tied to the block by mousing-over 9PB. The text,
wire connection attributes, description text and geometry highlights.
Adding Geometry | 277
3 Repeat steps 1 -2 for 10PB, 11PB, and 12 PB.

Your blocks are now AutoCAD Electrical-smart.
Tagging and Linking Panel Components

The AutoCAD Electrical Tagging and Linking tools work on panel components
the same way they work on schematic components.
Tag and link panel components
1 Open Convert-04.dwg.
Zoom in on the components in the middle of the drawing.
Click the Special Explode tool.

Projects Conversion Tools Special Explode

Select objects:
Select push button lights A - D (including all graphics and text) (use either
single picks or window-select), right-click
The blocks explode into separate text entities and geometry.

The Tag Panel Component tool makes selected text entities an attributed
block file with the P_TAG1 attribute visible. The template block file
(ACE_P_TAG1_CONVERT.DWG) contains attributes for a panel
component.
Click the Tag Panel Component tool.

Projects Conversion Tools Tag Panel Tag Panel Component

Select objects: Select 9PB, 10PB, 11PB, and 12 PB, right-click
The text changes color to indicate that it has been tagged. The color of
the PTAG attribute is by layer. The attribute is the same layer as defined
on the WD_M block.
Expand the Link Panel tool, and then click the Link Descriptions
tool.
Projects Conversion Tools Link Panel Link Description

Select LIGHT A, right-click

Tagging and Linking Panel Components | 279
Updating Panel or Schematic Components

Once a panel component has a component tag assigned, it is automatically
linked to the related schematic component. Updates to either the schematic
or panel component prompt an update to the related component.
Surf to the related schematic component

Projects Surfer

Select tag for Surfer trace (or <Enter> to type it): Select 9PB
3 In the Surf dialog box, double-click the component marked with type
p.
Surfer goes to the schematic drawing and zooms on the schematic

component.

5 In the Surf dialog box, click Edit.
6 In the Component Insert/Edit dialog box, change the description to
LIGHT 1 and click OK.
The Update Other Drawings dialog box displays. This dialog alerts that
other drawings in the project set may include child components or related
panel components.

8 In the Update Other Drawings dialog box, click OK.

Projects Surfer

Select tag for Surfer trace (or <Enter> to type it): Select 9PB
11 In the Surf dialog box, double-click the component marked with type
#.
Updating Panel or Schematic Components | 281
Surfer goes to the panel layout drawing and zooms on the physical
representation of the push button. Notice that the description for 9PB
updated to reflect the change you made to the schematic component.
12 In the Surf dialog box, click Close.
Index
A
add connector pins 220
add geometry 277
Add Rung tool 69
align components 82
All Locations-Drawing dialog box 77, 84
attributes 102105, 190, 272, 274, 279
add 102
DESC1 103
FAMILY 105
INST 104
link panel descriptions 279
link schematics 272
LOC 104
move 190
TAG1 102
wire connections 274
AutoCAD Electrical Help 55
B
bill of material reports 258
Bill of Materials Data Fields to Report
dialog box 263
C
catalog assignments 93, 180
add 93
catalog lookup 94
catalog numbers 75
Change/Convert Wire Type dialog
box 172
circuits 112, 117, 129, 131132, 141
copy 117
insert saved circuits 132
insert WBlocked circuits 141
move 112
save 129
save to icon menu 131
command summary 4
Component Data Fields to Report dialog
box 273
component fence 150
component tag 75
components 74, 79, 82, 98, 128, 271
aligning 82
child 79
copy 128
parent 74
scooting 79
swap 98
tag 271
conduit marker toolbar 47
Connector Layout dialog box 217
connector pin descriptions 225
connector pins 220222
add 220
move 221
swap 222
connectors 206207, 218219, 222223,
225
insertion 206
pin descriptions 225
placement 207
reverse 222
rotate 223
split 218
stretch 219
conversion toolbar 36, 269
convert text to wire numbers 276
Create New Drawing dialog box 59, 228,
245
Create New Project dialog box 56
Create/Edit Wire Type dialog box 233,
246, 276
Custom Pin Spaces/Breaks dialog
box 216
283 | Index
D
dashed link lines 9091, 218
destination signals 164
dialog boxes 59, 7677, 81, 8486, 88,
100, 106, 115, 144145, 147148,
150153, 155, 157, 159, 163165,
167, 170172, 176177, 183, 185,
206, 208, 211, 213217, 228,
233, 245, 258259, 261, 263264,
273, 280
All Locations-Drawing 77, 8486
Bill of Materials Data Fields to
Report 263
Change/Convert Wire Type 172
Component Data Fields to
Report 273
Connector Layout 217
Create New Drawing 228, 245
Create/Edit Wire Type 233
Custom Pin Spaces/Breaks 216
Edit PLC Module 155
Edit Report 261
I/O Address 148
I/O Point 147
Insert Connector 206, 208, 215216
Insert New Ladder 144
Insert/Edit Child Component 88
Insert/Edit Component 77
Insert/Edit Contact 81
Keep 150153
Modify Line Reference Numbers 159
Module Layout 147
Multiple Wire Bus 115, 211, 213
214
Panel Layout-Component
Insert/Edit 183, 185
Parts Catalog 76
PLC I/O Module
Selection/Insert 145
PLC I/O Wire Numbers 157
Report Generator 258
Save Report to File 264
Schematic Component List - Panel
Layout Insert 176
Schematic Components 177
284 | Index
Schematic Reports 258

Select Template 59
Sheet 4-Insert Destination
Code 165, 167
Signal Codes-Proj-wide Source 165
Signal-Source Code 163
Source/Destination Signal
Arrows 164, 167
Surf 280
Symbol Builder 100
Table Generation Setup 259
Terminal style/configuration 106
Terminals 152
Wire Tagging 170
Wire Tagging (Project-wide) 171
dot tee markers 139
drafting settings 229, 246
drawing details 62
drawing properties 61
drawings 6062
add 60
descriptions 61
in projects 60
next 62
previous 62
reorder 60
viewing within projects 62
E
edit components 88
Edit PLC Module dialog box 155
Edit Report dialog box 261
exercises 54
explode blocks 268
extra libraries toolbar 51, 229
F
Footprint dialog box 180
footprints 183, 189
aligning 189
manual insertion 183
H
Help systems, AutoCAD Electrical 55
hydraulic symbols 229232, 236, 239,
241243
by-pass flow regulator 242
checkvalve flow left 230, 241, 243
filters 231, 242
fixed displacement pump 230
general valves 230, 239, 243
insertion 229
meters 239
motors and pumps 230
pressure gauge 239
pressure relief valves 236
reservoir 232
restrictor with variable output
flow 242
shut off valve open 230, 239
single ended piston rod 242
solenoid spring return 241
uni-directional pump 231
I
I/O Address dialog box 148
I/O Point dialog box 147
Insert Connector dialog box 206, 208,
215216, 223
Insert New Ladder dialog box 144
Insert Pneumatic Component tool 245
Insert Wire tool 69
Insert/Edit Child Component dialog
box 88
Insert/Edit Component dialog box 77
Insert/Edit Contact dialog box 81
item numbers 182
K
Keep dialog box
150153
L
ladder rungs, removing
149
ladders, single-phase 144

linking tools 268
Load or Reload Linetypes dialog box 248
M
main electrical 2 toolbar 19
main electrical toolbar 4
minals 121, 135
multi-level 121
renumber 135
Modify Line Reference Numbers dialog
box 159
Module Layout dialog box 147
move connector pins 221
multi-level terminals 119120
multiple wire bus 115
Multiple Wire Bus dialog box 115, 211,
213214
N
name plates 189, 192193
insertion 192193
New Drawing tool 59
New Project tool 56
P
P&ID drawing 245
p&id symbols 249251, 254
ball mill 249
conveyor 250
dryer 251
equipment 249
field mounted instruments 251
flow arrow down 254
flow arrows 254
gate valve 251
mixer2 250
panel layout toolbar 31, 176
Panel Layout-Component Insert/Edit
dialog box 183, 185
panel level/sequencing toolbar 49
parent/child relationships 74, 80, 133
285 | Index
Parts Catalog dialog box 76, 93

pin descriptions 225
pipes 233, 252
piping & instrumentation 245
PLC I/O Module Selection/Insert dialog
box 145
PLC I/O point descriptions 155
PLC I/O Wire Numbers dialog box 157
PLC modules 145
point-to-point tools 206
power check toolbar 48
prerequisites for exercises 54
Project Manager 5556
project properties 57
Project Properties dialog box 58
projects 56
R
reference-based tags 57
renumber terminals 135
reorder drawings 60
Report Generator dialog box 258
reports 258, 260, 263264
change format 263
edit 260
export to spreadsheet 264
reverse connectors 222
rotate connectors 223
S
Save Report to File dialog box 264
schematic bill of material reports 258
schematic component 74
Schematic Component List - Panel Layout
Insert dialog box 176
Schematic Components dialog box 177
Schematic Report dialog box 271, 273
Schematic Reports dialog box 258
schematic symbols 74, 80, 8385, 87,
99, 119, 125127, 149, 151
3 phase motors 127
3 pole fused disconnects 126
blue press to test pilot lights 87
fuse/circuit breakers 119, 125
286 | Index
green press to test pilot lights 84

limit switch buttons 149
miscellaneous switches 99
motor controls 127
normally open limit switches 149
normally open push buttons 83
normally open relays 80
pilot lights 84, 87
proximity switches 99
push buttons 83, 85
relays buttons 74, 80
selector switches 87
standard coils 74
terms and connectors 151
scooting components 79
Select Color dialog box 233, 247
Select Linetype dialog box 233, 247
Select Linetypes File dialog box 248
Select Lineweight dialog box 247
Select Template dialog boxes 59
Sheet 4-Insert Destination Code dialog
box 165, 167
Signal Codes-Proj-wide Source dialog
box 165
Signal-Source Code dialog box 163
signals 162, 164, 168
destination 164
show 168
source 162
Source/Destination Signal Arrows dialog
box 164, 167
stretch connectors 219
surf components 280
Surf dialog box 280
surf symbols 96
swap components 98
swap connector pins 222
symbol builder 100
T
Table Generation Setup dialog box
tag panel components 278
tag schematic components 271
tagging tools 268
templates 59
259
terminal strips 195

Terminal style/configuration dialog
box 106
terminal styles 106
terminals 121, 135136
associations 121, 136
multi-level 136
properties 136
renumber 135
Terminals dialog box 152
terms and connectors 151
toolbar 4, 19, 31, 36, 4749, 51
conduit marker 47
conversion 36
extra libraries 51
main electrical 4
main electrical 2 19
panel layout 31
panel level/sequencing 49
power check 48
Trim Wire tool 70
W
WBlock 109, 129, 140
WD_M block 59
wire connection points 70, 105
wire connections 275
add 275
wire layers 68, 172
wire numbers 170171, 224, 276
automatic 170
convert text 276
move 224
projects 171
Wire Tagging (Project-wide) dialog
box 171
Wire Tagging dialog box 170, 224
wires 6870, 114115
multiple wire bus 115
single-phase 69
trimming 70, 114
X
xdata
191
287 | Index

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AutoCAD Electrical 2008

Part No. 22505-050000-5000A

January 30, 2007

2007 Autodesk, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Third Party Software Credits and Attributions

AutoCAD Electrical Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Toolbar Commands in AutoCAD Electrical . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Ladder Style Diagrams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

Wire Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161

About Panel Layouts . . . . . .

About Connector Diagramming . . . .

Pneumatic, Hydraulic and P&ID Diagrams . . . . . . . . . . . 227

Reports and Migrating AutoCAD Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255

Generating Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257

Migrating AutoCAD Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267

Adding Geometry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277

Part 1 of this manual provides information on AutoCAD

Electrical toolbars as well as information on how to set up a

This chapter provides a list of the commands available on

AutoCAD Electrical toolbars, along with a brief description

of the function of each command and the associated

Main Electrical toolbar

Inserts selected components from the icon

Inserts schematic symbols by choosing a

4 | Chapter 1 Toolbar Commands in AutoCAD Electrical

Insert Component (Panel

Lists panel components extracted from your

Insert Terminal (Panel

Lists panel terminals extracted from your

Inserts a copy of an existing component into

Multiple Insert (Icon

Inserts a series of similar components at fence

Multiple Insert (Pick

Inserts a copy of the selected component

Link Components with

Draws a smart dashed line between stacked

Insert Reference Arrow To

Draws a dashed line from a component to a

Main Electrical toolbar | 5

Insert Reference Arrow From

Draws a dashed line from a component to a

Insert PLC (Parametric)

Generates PLC I/O modules on demand, in a

Insert PLC (Full Units)

Inserts PLC I/O modules that are fixed library

Unity Pro Export to

Imports Unity Pro hardware (.xsy) and I/O

RSLogix 500 Export to

Prepares RSLogix 500 exported data to be

Spreadsheet to PLC I/O

Creates a set of PLC I/O drawings from

6 | Chapter 1 Toolbar Commands in AutoCAD Electrical

bottom of one ladder and continuing on the

Generates a connector symbol from userdefined parameters. The symbol is created on

Insert Connector from

Imports a connector wire list from another

Reverses the orientation of the connector

Main Electrical toolbar | 7

Rotates the connector about its insertion point

Increases or decreases the connector's overall

Add Connector Pins

Adds pins to an existing connector.

Delete Connector Pins

Removes a pin from an existing connector