Tab Master data > Command group Parts > Management. You have opened a parts database using [Extras] > Settings. You have marked a part in the tree or list or you marked an accessory list, accessory placement, etc. Select the Properties tab.

Here you specify the important information for a part, such as the part number or the product grouping. The part number and the ERP number of a part must be unique. The other data can be specified once per part variant.

Part: Designation 1:
Part: Designation 2:
Part: Designation 3:

In these properties, you can specify additional specifications for the part, for instance also corresponding to the data in the manufacturer's catalog. They are not subject to special processing, but they can be output in the bill of materials.

Part number:

The part number is identifying for a part, it combines the variants of a part. In the case of part variants, the combination of part number and a variant designation is identifying.

During entry as many characters as you wish are possible for the part number, but only the first 96 characters in the UTF-8 format are identifying. When saving the part or the variant, a check is automatically carried out whether an entered part number or variant designation is already available.

Discontinued part:

Activate this check box if the part is to be characterized as "not used any more". With the configuration of the list view in the parts and bill-of-materials navigators and with the filter you can then have such parts displayed or filtered out.

ERP number:

Here you provide the part number of an external ERP system. Like the part number, this number must also be unique. The variants of a part also need to have the same ERP number.

During entry as many characters as you wish are possible for the part ERP number, but only the first 64 characters in the UTF-8 format are identifying.

The entered ERP number is verified while a part or a variant is being stored. If this number already exists, a message is displayed. If the ERP number is entered at a variant of a part, this number is synchronized with the other variants of the part. When a part is copied, the ERP number is not copied as well. During importing, ERP numbers that are used several times are listed in the system messages and are not transferred into the parts database.

Even though the ERP number is checked for uniqueness during the entry and import of parts data, same ERP numbers are still possible at different parts or variants as a result of editing via the EPLAN API. The check run 501021 in the message class 501 "Part master data" is available to find the relevant part. In addition it is thus also possible that different ERP numbers are available for the variants of a part. The check run 501036 finds the differences between the variants of a part.

Manufacturer:
Supplier:

In these properties you can select the corresponding short and long name in the column Value by using [...]. Direct entry of the short name is also possible. By contrast the property for the long name cannot be edited.

Product grouping:

To change the assignment in the product grouping for a part, click [...] in the Value column for this property. From the drop-down list with the product groups double-click to select the desired product subgroup (e.g. "General").

After you have saved or applied the modifications, the part is resorted accordingly in the tree view.

Type number:

In contrast to the part number, the type number, particularly for cables, is not unique. The entry here should correspond to data from the manufacturer catalog as much as possible.

Variant:

Enter the desired designation of the variant here, up to 3 characters are possible. A part always has at least one variant. By default, the variant designation "1" is assigned to the first variant of a part.

Here you define the "general" data for a part.

Connection point pattern:

To store a connection point pattern created in the "Connection point pattern" hierarchy level at the part, click […] in the Value column and select the desired connection point pattern in the Connection point pattern selection dialog.

Connection point pattern: Offset X-direction:
Connection point pattern: Offset Y-direction:

In these properties, you specify a move in the X and Y direction for the respective connection point pattern. This allows you to use identical connection point patterns for parts of different sizes.

Attributes:

The properties available below this hierarchy level are used for the entry of additional attributes. Attributes are independent of the part type. In contrast to the user-defined properties, attributes are no longer multilingual.

Record type:

This property shows the type of parts data or cross-part data, such as component, assembly, accessory list, drilling pattern, customer. For parts data and for addresses you can change the record type via the drop-down list (for parts data: component, assembly, module; for addresses: customer, manufacturer / supplier).

Function group:

This property is for informational purposes and can be used, for instance, for filtering during part selection.

Group number:

The group number is used to differentiate between individual parts groups.

Schematic macro:

Click in the Value column to select the desired 2D macro for the schematic configuration via the file selection dialog.

Assignment to a macro is especially important for modules; if no macro is assigned to a module when it is saved, a message is displayed informing you of this.

In this property you can also store outlines of the type "Outline extrusion". These outline extrusions can also be used for placing user-defined rails in the layout space.

You can use the Insert path variable popup menu item to branch to the dialog Select path variable where you can select one of the available path variables.

Schematic macro: GB/CCC ... Schematic macro: NFPA mm:

In these properties you can store a part for multiple standard-related schematic macros. Click in the Value column to select the desired macro via the file selection dialog.

Schematic macros for company standard:

In this property you can store up to ten different company standards with associated schematic macros for a part. In the Value column click [...] to open the subsequent dialog Property: Schematic macros for company standard. There you enter the name of the company standard in the first column and in the second column select the associated macros via .

The name of a company standard cannot be translated. If a name is already available, it can be selected in the column Schematic macro: Name for company standard via […].

In order for a macro to be used for a company standard during insertion, the name of the company standard must also be used in the project setting Company standard of the group box Preferred standards for inserting schematic macros.

Part group:

Part groups are used to group parts of the same type; for instance, you can define a grouping into power or auxiliary contacts with different numbers of NO and NC contacts. Or you can group together heat- or vibration-sensitive items. Simply mark the parts to be grouped and enter the desired designation in the property.

You define the accessory lists here. An accessory list allows you to select an accessory part from a list of possible alternatives.

Name (accessory list):

Specify the name the accessory list here. The accessory list at the part in the Accessories tab can be selected by means of the name.

You define an accessory placement here. You can specify a position (base point) where the accessory item is to be placed in the accessory placement. If such an accessory placement is defined at an accessory in the parts management, the placement of the accessories takes place automatically during insertion in the layout space.

Description (accessory placement):

Enter a description for the accessory placement here.

Name (accessory placement):

Specify the name of the accessory placement here. The accessory placement at the part for the accessories or at the accessory list can be selected by means of the name.

Here you define the drilling patterns. A drilling pattern contains information about the type and location of cut-outs and drill holes in enclosure items.

Name:

Specify the name of the drilling pattern here. The drilling pattern at the part in the Manufacturing tab of the selected by means of the name.

Here you define default values for the connection points in a connection point pattern. The part placements in the layout space receive information about their connection points mostly from the definition of the connection point pattern on the part. In order to assign a connection point pattern defined in the "Connection point pattern" record type to a part, you can select a connection point pattern specified here in the property Connection point pattern in the Properties tab of the part.

Connection category (default):

Select the default value that specifies the connection point type of the connections more exactly from the drop-down list in the Value column.

Click [...] to define the desired values in the subsequent dialog and save them to the database. We recommend only using the connection categories corresponding to the ECLASS classification when new connection point patterns are created.

Connection dimension (default):

A connection dimension can be entered for bolt connections, flat plug-in connectors, band connections, rail connections, internal threads and external threads. For a terminal with the connection category "Bolt connection" specify, for example, a bolt diameter of "3 mm". Or for a push-fitting with the connection category "External thread" you can enter the connection thread, for example "M3" or "G1/8".

Name (connection point pattern):

Specify the name of the connection point pattern here. The connection point pattern at the part can be selected by means of the name.

Routing direction (default):

Select the default routing direction from this drop-down list.

Additional length (default):

Here you enter the default value for the additional length of the connection point collection.

You can define individual connection points in the Connection points tab and specify values which deviate from the values specified by default for the Connection category, Connection dimension, Routing direction and the Additional length.

The values recorded here are accessed at the part placements in the layout space which use this connection point pattern, if no connection points are defined in the connection point pattern in the Connection points tab.

You can assign an identifier for the main part of a device here. This identifier can have one or more "conditional forms" assigned. thus allowing the necessary blocks to be combined in the report.

Identifier for reports:

Select the appropriate identifier for the reports from the Value column, or enter a new identifier manually. Please note that this identifier is always managed in a single language. The value of this identifier can determine the subform to be reported in the main form.

Symbol for reports:

For one of the Symbol for reports [1-20] properties click [...] in the Value column to select a symbol via the symbol selection. Multiple selection is not possible.

The lines are displayed in the following format:

<Symbol library>;<Symbol library assignment in the project>;<Symbol number>;<Variant>

You can store up to 20 external documents for a part here.

External documents:

In the Value column here click [...] to store external documents.

In the subsequent dialog Property: External documents the following dialog elements are available to this purpose:

External document: File / hyperlink:

To store external documents for part and device data, click in this column and select the desired document file from the file selection dialog that opens. Here, again, you can also use copy and paste from the clipboard to enter an Internet or e-mail address.

External document: Designation:

If you have stored external documents in the column External document: File / hyperlink, enter the associated designations of these documents here.

In addition, the following dialog-specific popup menu items are available:

The available trades and subtrades are listed below this hierarchy level.

Trade '<Trade name>':

For a trade activate the check box in the Value column, if this trade is to be assigned to the part.

Subtrade '<Trade name>':

These properties can be used to create several subtrades for a trade.

If, for example, you want to create a subtrade for the "Electrical engineering" trade, click the character in front of the hierarchy level Subtrade 'Electrical engineering' to open this hierarchy level. Then enter the desired name of the subtrade for the indexed property Subtrade 'Electrical engineering' [1] into the Value column.

Here you specify the mounting data for a part. This data is used during the placement of the part in the 3D mounting layout and also partially in the 2D panel layout.

Dimensions:

The properties Width, Height and Depth which are available below this hierarchy level are used for the entry of device-specific dimensions in mm. When using wiring systems, the dimensional specifications correspond to the punched rail, the wiring cradle, or the perforation strip.

Devices and items cannot only be visualized via the properties Width, Height and Depth but also via qualified 3D graphical macros.

Clip-on height:

Only relevant for the 3D mounting layout. The clip-on height describes the position in the side view or from the top / bottom. When it is placed on a mounting rail, the item is automatically placed on the rail to the correct mounting depth. If the rail is replaced, the height of the item will move as well. The item is thus aligned above the top edge on the basis of the value entered here, rather than on the underside of the rail.

Image file:

Click in the Value column to select the desired image file via the file selection dialog (*.bmp, *.jpg, etc.). The image file stored here is used for the part in the graphical preview, while being inserted as a device in the Insert center, etc.

You can use the Insert path variable popup menu item to branch to the dialog Select path variable where you can select one of the available path variables.

Mounting clearances:

These properties are used for the entry of the device-specific mounting clearances in mm. When using wiring systems, the dimensional specifications correspond to the punched rail, the wiring cradle, or the perforation strip.

If you have stored values in these properties, you can calculate the value of the Space requirement property according to the following formula:
((w+wc) *(h+hc)), where w = width, wc = width mounting clearance, h = height, and hc = height mounting clearance.

Mounting depth:

Enter the mounting depth here in mm. This part property is only taken into consideration at a 3D part placement if no 3D graphical macro is used for the part placement. The value then automatically specifies how far an item projects into another item against the Z-axis and referenced to the mounting surface after the part placement.

External placement:

Check this check box if the part should be labeled as "externally placed" and thus excluded from evaluation in panel layout (e.g., motors or generators).

Graphical macro:

Click in the Value column to select the desired macro via the file selection dialog.

The contents of a 3D macro stored here defines the graphic for the 3D mounting layout. If there is no graphic macro for the part, the graphic is implemented as a cuboid by entering the height, width, and depth.

In this property you can also store outlines of the type "Outline extrusion". These outline extrusions can also be used for placing user-defined rails in the layout space.

You can use the Insert path variable popup menu item to branch to the dialog Select path variable where you can select one of the available path variables.

Center mismatch:

Only relevant for the 3D mounting layout. If you do not want the part to be centered in the front view, enter the offset relative to the middle of the mounting rail. The item will then be automatically offset by this value.

Space requirement:

Specify the space requirement of the part here. To do this, the values of the properties Width and Height and the following formula are used:
(w*h) with w = width and h = height.

Texture:

Click in the Value column to select the desired image file for the texture via the file selection dialog. The image file stored in this property is mapped to the front side of the placed 3D object when placing the part in the layout space - if the part dimensions are available. Using an image file as texture displays the surface of a 3D model in more detail and more realistically or illustrates the photo of an original item.

You can use the Insert path variable popup menu item to branch to the dialog Select path variable where you can select one of the available path variables.

You can specify extra commercial information here. This data can be specified once per part variant.

Purchase price/price unit Currency 1:
Purchase price/packaging Currency 2:

There are two input fields available for two different currencies. The currency units you defined as Currency 1 and Currency 2 in the dialog Settings: Parts management are displayed (e.g. "EUR", "USD" etc.; Command path: File > Settings > User > Management > Parts > [More]).

Quantity/packaging:

Enter the number of units here which are contained in one packaging unit.

Quantity unit:

In the value column click […] and select the appropriate quantity unit for the part from the drop-down list, e.g., piece, m, mm². You can also enter a new unit manually.

Barcode number:
Barcode type:

Barcodes are used to give goods a unique identification. Different coding standards are used internationally, e.g. the GTIN (Global Trade Item Number). In addition to this, companies use company-specific or separate industry standards. The value of the Barcode type property indicates which type of coding is used, e.g. 2D code, EAN / GTIN, ISBN, etc.

The contents of these two properties can be evaluated in part assemblies (parts lists, manufacturer / supplier lists, etc.) and when parts are exported and imported.

Here you define the technical data for a part.

Technical characteristics:

Enter the appropriate values here. For instance, for contactor coils there is the option of transferring the coil voltage and the switching capacity into the technical characteristics.

The value of this property depends on the value that is entered for the technical characteristics in the Function templates tab.

• If a value is entered for this property in the Function templates tab, this value is transferred to here and displayed. A modification is then not possible. If several function templates exist, the value of the first "main template" is displayed here. The main template is the first function template in the Function templates tab of the parts management whose function definition is set to "Main function".
• If no value is entered for the technical characteristics in the Function templates tab, you can enter a value here. However, this value is not transferred to the Function templates tab.

Here you specify the information for the Power dissipation calculation of busbars for the parts of the product grouping "Mechanics > Busbars > Rail".

Conductivity (at +20 °C):

The specific electrical conductivity is specified in the unit MS/m (= MegaSiemens per meter). The values for the rail materials "Copper Cu-ETP CW004A" and "Aluminum, EN AW-1350A" are entered automatically. Values for other materials have to be taken from the associated data sheet.

Rail cross-section:

The rail cross-section is calculated from the values for height and width or is taken from the data sheet of the manufacturer.

Rail material:

The following materials can be selected:

• Copper, Cu-ETP – CW004A: Cu-ETP is a standardized material designation. CW004A is a standardized material number to EN 13601 for a material with a copper content of at least 99.9%.
• Aluminum, EN AW-1350A
• Other material

When the material "Copper, Cu-ETP – CW004A" or "Aluminum, EN AW-1350A" is selected, the properties Conductivity (at +20 °C) and Temperature coefficient are filled out automatically. The properties are write-protected subsequently.

Temperature coefficient:

The temperature coefficient describes the relative change of the electrical resistance of a busbar depending on the material and temperature referenced to a reference temperature of 20 °C. Values for the rail materials "Copper" and "Aluminum" are entered automatically. Values for other materials have to be taken from the associated data sheet.

Here you can store the identifiers for different certifications for a part.

Certification: ATEX identifier:

Here you enter the identification for explosion protection in accordance with the ATEX Directive of the European Union. (The term ATEX is derived from the French acronym for "ATmosphère EXplosibles".)

Certification: General:

Enter the identification here for a certificate or test number which is assigned on the basis of a safety check. Or use […] to select an identification already assigned from the drop-down list.

Certification: CE:

Select the check box if a certificate of the Communauté Européene certificate, i.e. the previous European Community is available.

Certification: UL Category Control Number:
Certification: UL File Number:

Enter the identification here which was assigned by the UL organization (Underwriters Laboratories Inc.) during the certification of the part. Both identifications can be found in the UL database.

Certification: VDE:

Enter the identification of the German Association for Electrical Engineering, Electronics, Information Technology here.