Cables are represented in EPLAN by cable definitions. These can be displayed graphically with cable definition lines or shields. In the properties dialog you can then specify the properties for the cable and thus define the cable.
In the cable navigator or in the device navigator, you have the option of predefining cables with certain properties without graphical display in the project. This type of unplaced cable can then later be placed on a device connection point or a terminal / terminal strip (or spare terminal / terminal strip).
Predefined cables are identified in the schematic based on the device tag. When doing this, the predefinition must clearly contain the cable type and its properties (Cable / Conduit: Number of connections, Cable / Conduit: Cross-section / diameter, etc.). You can also predefine the length in order to manage premade (spare) cables that are to be used later.
Definition of cable connections
You have a number of options for manually defining cable connections (conductors or - for hybrid cables - other connections in the cable):
- You draw a cable definition line over the connections that should be in the cable. The function definition for these connections is automatically set to "Conductor / wire" and the Connection: Association property is set to the "Cable" value.
- You place a connection definition point on every connection that should be in the cable. At the connection definition points select the "Cable" value for the Connection: Association property .
- Assign the Cable connection point property to a connection point of a function (in connection point logic).
Note:
Single-line representation of cables:
If you pull a cable definition line over a "cable" type connection in the single-line representation, a connection definition point will be set there and the representation type "Single-line" will automatically be entered. In the case of a mixed view (single-line symbols on multi-line pages) you must enter the representation type into the connection definition point yourself.
After defining the cable connections you can select an appropriate cable for it from parts database. You can either use the parts selection or the automatic cable selection. When the cable is automatically selected, EPLAN automatically generates a cable definition according to the settings and assigns a cable type with defined properties. After automatic cable assignments it is possible to retroactively change cable properties manually.
Assign cable connections to cables
Cable connections are assigned to a cable by virtue of the fact that they have the same DT.
If connections from one cable definition line are intersected, connection definition points are automatically placed there and the connections take on the DT from the cable definition line. In this case, the connection definition points are invisible but can be displayed again via the menu items View > Insertion points and thus the connection definition points can be located.
The values in the fields Displayed DT, Length, Cross-section / diameter, and Unit are carried over from the cable definition line to the connections intersected by it, if the corresponding fields in the properties dialog of the automatically placed connection definition point have no entry.
Cable connections take on the DT from a shield if the connection definition points are within the shield symbol.
A connection can also be assigned to a cable by placing a connection definition point on the connection and entering a DT for the cable there. In addition the Connection: Association property has to be set to the "Cable" value.
Connection definition points that define a cable connection can take on the DT from other connection definition points that define a cable connection from left (or above, depending on the plot frame). The normal DT transfer is meant in this case (from left, from black box, ...). The DT will thus not be transferred to the Displayed DT property field of the connection definition points.
Hybrid cables
In addition to conductors, a cable can also contain optical fibers or tubes (hybrid cable).
For connection definition points inserted with a cable definition line or a shield, the connection point type is automatically set to "Conductor / wire". All other connection point types have to be manually determined at the connection definition point by selecting the function definition. Furthermore, when updating connections, an error message will appear if the connection point types do not match the specifications in the connection definition points.
See also