Devices are logical electronic or fluid-power (hydraulic or pneumatic) units. They are named with a device tag (DT), like M1, K1, X1, XS1, W1. A device consists or one or more functions (motor, coil, NO contact, NC contact, etc.). All functions that have the same DT belong to the same device. One function is the so called "main function". Here parts can be selected / entered (exceptions: terminals (parts can only be stored at main terminals), pins, busbar connection points and connections).
If function templates are assigned to the parts, they are shown in the device navigator at the device.
A device can consist of multiple items or just one item. An item is part of the device which cannot be further broken down, such as a motor, terminal, plug (male pins, not female pins!), auxiliary block, or cable.
A part number can be assigned to an item, i.e. an item normally represents a part. Items can be graphically displayed on the mounting panel.
Items only have meaning in connection with parts management and working with defined devices, but not for logical system behavior (copying, deletion, "use existing" etc.). The electronic, hydraulic, or pneumatic behavior of an item is represented by functions. Each item may contain one or several functions.
A function can be placed in the schematic and represented by a symbol. A placed function is called a component. A component, therefore, connects logic with graphics. The symbol contains only the graphic, while the logical information comes from the function (actually: from the function definition).
This means that you always place functions in the schematic, never items!
The following figures make the structure of devices clear:
All functions that have the same device tag K1 belong to the same device. So the K1 device consists of the following functions:
- Coil for power contactor A1;A2
- Power NO contacts 1;2, 3;4 and 5;6
- NO auxiliary contact 13;14
- NC auxiliary contact 21;22 (not placed)
- NC auxiliary contact 58;59.
Two parts are entered as items at the A1;A2 main function: A power circuit breaker with the function templates "Coil for power contactor A1;A2" and "Power NO contact 1;2, 3;4 and 5;6" and an auxiliary switch block with the function templates "NO auxiliary contact 13;14", "NC auxiliary contact 21;22", "NC auxiliary contact 31;32" and "NO auxiliary contact 43;44".
The auxiliary contacts 43;44 and 31;32 are not available in the project yet and are displayed as free templates in the navigator above the function templates stored at the part. These can therefore be inserted in the schematic, whereby a corresponding component is then produced.
The 21;22 auxiliary contact is available in the project but not placed on any page.
The 58;59 auxiliary contact also belongs to the K1 device but does not fit any of the function templates of the parts. A corresponding check run can alert you on such a case.
See also