In EPLAN there is a difference drawn between potentials and signals. Through the potentials, both the templates for the connection properties and the potential information are introduced to the project.
A potential or signal is defined by a potential definition point or a potential connection point. The data entered there applies to the entire potential or signal and not just to the single connection.
Signals must have a different name to the associated potential and may possess different data. The signal name is required for the distribution of connections over several schematic pages and for orientation in the enclosure and the schematic. If, for example, you wish to know which fuses you need to disable to make the motors of a part section voltage-free, then you first check to see what signals are connected to the motor. Then you check to see from what fuses this signal originates.
At the potential definition points, the value of the potential is specified as well as all signals that a consumer may connect to. This makes it possible to check the potentials present at a consumer.
Example: The potential L1 has a value of 230/400 V at a frequency of 50 Hz, and a consumer can be connected to the signals L2, L3, and N.
Potential definition points and connection points
Through the potential definition points and connection points a connection receives the following data:
- Name of potential
- Signal name
- Potential type
- Potential value
- Frequency
- Possible counter potentials.
The following data can only be contained by a connection via a connection definition point (and not via a potential definition point):
- DT
- Function definition
- Exchange source and target.
Potential definition points and connection points have the same privileges. You can enter the same data at a potential connection point as is possible at a potential definition point.
Potential definition points and connection points are not adopted in the project structure and are also not nested.
Potential type
The potential type can only be derived from the potential or the connection points. The potential definition has priority in this case. Differences between the potential types for connection and connection point are displayed as an error. (The potential type "Undefined" matches all other potentials and does not lead to an error message.) When the potentials are adopted from the connection points, the potential types defined there may disagree with each other. In this case the one occurring first in the graphical order wins and an error message is generated.
Connections with potential types L, N, PE / PEN, +, M, -, and SH are each saved to separate layers, for example, EPLAN540, Symbol graphic.Connection symbols.Autoconnecting.Potential type [L]. The properties specified in layer management for these layers determine how the connections are displayed. By default, these have the same settings as the layer for general connections, EPLAN311, Symbol graphic.Connection symbols.Autoconnecting. If you change the settings in layer management, connections with different potential types can then be highlighted in different colors, for example. The settings stored in layer management for potential types are only effective if no other settings for the connection graphic have been made for that connection (e.g. using the potential or connection definition point).
Property placement
As the standard, the potential name is placed at a potential definition point, but further properties can also be placed.
At a potential connection point, only the potential name is placed.
Logic information of a potential connection point
A potential connection point is a function and thus contains logic information. For several connecting points, the information as to how the potential and signal are to be forwarded to the connection point is stored here. With regard to the function definition, the connecting points of the potential connection point behave neutrally. If the potential type is defined in the properties dialog of the potential connection point then this also then applies to the connecting points.
Reporting of several potential definition points or connection points
Multiple potential definition points or connection points with the same name are allowed. If there is a conflict in their properties, then an error message is generated (even if they are at different potentials).
Multiple potential definition points or connection points with different names at the same potential are allowed; their properties enhance each other. Inconsistencies are detected during the inspection of project data and flagged.
In the case of inconsistencies, the first graphically represented definition point or connection point always wins. Which definition point is graphically the first is obtained from the plot frame. With DIN, the search proceeds from upper left to lower right.
The graphical winner of the potential definition points must also be determined for connections that cross pages. If a definition point on a partial connection is relevant can thus only be determined when the full connection is defined.
See also