On this tab, you can change the symbol assigned to the function and specify certain function-specific data.

Overview of the main dialog elements:

Group box Symbol data (graphic)

Use this group box to edit the graphical properties of the component. Here you can assign the function a different symbol variant or a different symbol.

Number / name:

This field displays the name of the current symbol; click [...] to open the Symbol selection dialog and to select, if necessary, another symbol.

If available, a preview of the symbol is shown in the adjacent field.

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Group box Function data (logic)

Use this group box to edit the technical properties of the function. Here you can exchange the function definition, and modify the representation type or connection point logic.

Definition:

This field displays the currently selected function definition; click [...] to select, if necessary, another function definition from the Function definitions dialog. The function definition cannot be changed here for topology routing paths and routing points.

Connection points:

This field displays the number of connection points of the current function definition; it cannot be changed here.

Representation type:

Changing the representation type also changes the reporting behavior of the component. For unplaced functions, only the representation types "Multi-line" and "Single-line" are available; the other representation types are only available after the function has been placed. A function can be used in the project in different representation types simultaneously, but each representation type may occur only once per function. An exception are functions which represent the devices and have no connection points themselves (e.g. black boxes, PLC boxes, cable definition lines). Such functions may also occur several times for each representation type. Only the first placement of these functions is considered for cross-references of other representation types.
Graphical and external components are not displayed in the navigators and not captured in reports.
Select the desired entry from the drop-down list:

• Multi-line: Defines the corresponding function as multi-line, for use in multi-line schematics.
• Overview: Defines the corresponding function as an "Overview function" that can be used for the display of an overview via the device.
• Pair cross-reference: Defines the corresponding function as a pair cross-reference. A pair cross-reference component refers to its multi-line counterpiece that is wired in the schematic, and vice versa. The existence of a pair cross-reference component thus changes the cross-reference behavior of the main and auxiliary functions.
• Single-line: Defines the corresponding function as single-line, for use in single-line schematics.
• P&I diagram: Is used for functions that you place in a P&I diagram. These include, for example, process engineering containers.
• Topology: Is used for functions, routing paths, routing points, interruption points, and routing connections in the topology. The representation type for these objects cannot be changed.
• Functional: Used for functions and macros that you place in operational sequence sheets.
• Function overview (fluid power): Used for functions that you place in the function overviews for the fluid power.
• External: With this setting, the corresponding component is not directly reported in report or check runs or in cross-references. It is counted as a target, however. (Exception: Graphical connections are not used to report targets.)
• Graphic: With this setting, the corresponding component is not included in reports or error checking or when creating cross-references.

Main function:

Since general functions are cross-reference-capable, they can display both main and auxiliary functions: Activate / deactivate this check box to modify the setting.

If the check box is checked, the function is a main function and can contain parts information.

If the check box is not checked, then the function is an auxiliary function. The Parts tab is hidden in this case, since auxiliary functions contain no parts information.

When using a DT for which there is already a main function, when using a placed main function, or when placing an already placed main function, this property will automatically be switched off at the target function, that is, the check box is deactivated.

Safety function:

Safety functions are functions that, for example, take up or trigger a safety-relevant signal. This can, for example, be a PLC safety input or also a contact of a safety device.

Activate this check box if the function is to be a safety function. In the navigators such functions are indicated by the icon . A check box of the same name also exists at specific parts in the parts management in the Function templates tab. With both check boxes EPLAN offers the possibility to check whether the configured devices that you have equipped with a safety function also dispose of a part with a corresponding function template that is defined as a safety function.

Intrinsically safe:

Select this check box if the function is intrinsically safe. In this case, all connection points of the function are intrinsically safe for which intrinsic safety was enabled in the Connection point logic dialog.

With signal isolation:

Select this check box if the function includes signal isolation. Signals are then no longer routed to this function.

If the check box is not checked, then the function will transmit signals. In this case, the respective function connections to which the signal is transmitted must be defined in the Connection point logic dialog in the Transfer potential to property. For some functions, these entries already exist (e.g. for terminals or fuses), for others you will have to determine the connection points yourself (e.g. for lamps or motors).

Net-connecting:

Select this check box if the function is to be net-connecting. A net does not then end at this function, but is routed onwards.

If the check box is deselected, nets are interrupted at the function. Most functions have net isolation as standard.

A net is always terminated by a function that has either potential isolation, signal isolation, or net isolation. If the With signal isolation check box is activated, it means the function also has net isolation. The Net-connecting check box is, accordingly, grayed out and cannot be selected.

The Net-connecting property has no effect on the net extension for the connection numbering and the numbering with PLC data.

[Logic]:

Click this button to open the Connection point logic dialog and view the data on existing connection points and edit it if needed.

See also

Dialog Connection point logic

Editing Connection Point Logic

Swapping Symbols

Swapping Function Definitions