Otis Singleton
AutoCAD Electrical offers a range of functionalities for updating contacts and related information. The software allows users to track contact and pin assignments, with unique tag-IDs assigned to key control components, facilitating easy mapping of schematic representations with physical layouts. Updates to wire numbers are automatically reflected in new drawings, while existing drawings require the use of the Swap Block feature with the Update a Block option. Additionally, the Refresh button in the Location View updates any edits made to a project, and the Sync button or automatic sync settings facilitate viewing the latest Inventor data. For resolving differences within Inventor, users can update Electrical component definitions by selecting differences and accepting Inventor changes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Component tagging | Assign unique tag-IDs to key control components to map the schematic representation of a component with its physical layout representation |
| Component linking | Multi-element components can have their "child" contact parts linked back to a "parent" |
| Catalog part number assignments | Deal with catalog part number assignments, child contact counts, and wire connection pin number assignments |
| Real-time tracking | Real-time tracking of device contact type and contact pin assignments |
| Wire sequence | Default wire sequence based on the Tag/Wire Number/Wire Sequence Sort Order property |
| Viewing updates | Click the Refresh button to view updates made by you or another team member |
| Syncing | Click the Sync button or set up Automatic sync by clicking on the Sync settings on the Location view tab |
| Manual updates | Run the custom report when required (a few clicks of a button) |
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What You'll Learn
Assigning tag-IDs to control components
Firstly, it is important to understand the purpose of tag-IDs. Tag-IDs are unique identifiers assigned to key control components, aiding in the mapping of the schematic representation of a component to its physical layout. This feature is especially useful for multi-element components, allowing their "child" contact parts to be linked back to a "parent".
To begin assigning tag-IDs, follow these steps:
- Insert a relay (or contactor) coil into your AutoCAD Electrical system.
- A cross-reference table will automatically be generated next to the coil.
- Insert NO or NC contacts, and observe that the table updates itself accordingly.
- Customise your relay symbol by selecting a specific manufacturer and series. For example, you can choose "AB" (Allen-Bradley) and select a specific AB series of relays.
- Pick the desired relay part number based on your requirements, such as coil voltage.
- Hit the "OK" button to finalise your selection.
- AutoCAD Electrical will automatically handle the component tagging, assigning unique tag-IDs to your control components.
It is important to note that you can also manually assign tag-IDs if needed. However, this approach leaves room for accidental re-tag updates unless you specifically mark the tag-ID as "fixed". To do this, simply instruct AutoCAD Electrical to change the component block insert's attribute tag name from "TAG1" to "TAG1F". This ensures that the tag-ID remains constant, even if the component is moved or the "Re-tag" command is accidentally invoked.
By following these steps, you can effectively assign and manage tag-IDs for control components in AutoCAD Electrical, ensuring a well-organised and efficient system.
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Tracking child contact counts
When working with relays, contactors, and similar items in AutoCAD Electrical, there are at least two categories of data that need to be tracked. The first category involves assigning unique tag IDs to key control components, which helps map the schematic representation of a component with its physical layout. This process also allows multi-element components, such as relays and contactors, to link their "child" contact parts back to a "parent."
The second category of data tracking involves catalog part number assignments, tracking child contact counts, and wire connection pin number assignments. AutoCAD Electrical can assist users in this catalog assignment and contact count tracking task for a newly inserted or edited relay coil symbol.
For instance, as users add child relay contacts throughout the schematic drawing set, AutoCAD Electrical will track and apply the next available set of contact pin numbers to each child contact symbol. This is a part of AutoCAD Electrical's "Pin List" feature, which also helps prevent users from mistakenly assigning more child contacts than what the parent coil's part number supports.
Additionally, when changing the state of a child relay contact from Normally Open to Normally Closed or vice versa, AutoCAD Electrical will confirm if the parent coil's part number assignment supports the change. If it does, it will flip the symbol to the opposite version and apply the correct set of pin numbers. The old contact and its set of pin numbers then become available for use elsewhere in the design, and AutoCAD Electrical automatically tracks these changes.
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Editing wire sequences
To edit the wire connection sequence of a wire network, you must first define the wire connection sequence of any wire network consisting of three or more interconnected devices. The network can be either fully contained in the active drawing or pass across multiple drawings using signal source/destination symbols.
To access the Edit Wire Connection Sequence dialog box, click Schematic tab > Edit Wires/Wire Numbers panel > Wire Sequence drop-down > Edit Wire Sequence. You can also access this tool by right-clicking on any wire segment in the wire network.
Once you have selected a wire segment on the wire network you want to process, you can adjust the connection-to-connection sequencing in the list by clicking Move Up or Move Down. You can also click Pick Mode to define the sequencing by actual picks at each wire connection point.
Note that Pick Mode is unavailable when working with a wire network that crosses multiple drawing files.
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Syncing Inventor data
Autodesk Inventor and AutoCAD Electrical are two of the most popular software applications used in engineering design, particularly in electrical and electronic design automation. Combining these two tools can lead to greater design efficiency and productivity.
Autodesk Inventor is a 3D modelling software used primarily for mechanical engineering design, while AutoCAD Electrical is a specialised software used for electrical engineering design. The Autodesk Inventor and AutoCAD Electrical Electromechanical Link option allows users to link the 3D mechanical layout with the schematic detail drawings, enabling easier collaboration between mechanical and electrical teams. This link can be created from either Inventor or AutoCAD.
To set up the Electromechanical Link, start by opening the Electromechanical tab on the ribbon in either Inventor or AutoCAD Electrical, depending on which software you are more familiar with. When starting from Inventor, the dialog box will allow you to create a new .emx file or link to an existing .emx file. The Electromechanical Link Setup tool is started from a saved Inventor assembly file. If you are using Autodesk Vault, it will be easy to identify the vault workspace set up for you.
Once the link is established in both Inventor and AutoCAD Electrical, the AutoCAD Electrical project file will be displayed in the dialog box. The assembly file the Electromechanical Link was created in will be displayed in the "Linked Inventor Assemblies" area of the dialog box. The “Linked AutoCAD Electrical Project” will also be filled in.
To keep the designs consistent between the two software applications, link all the components from AutoCAD Electrical to Components in Inventor and resolve their differences. To view the latest AutoCAD Electrical data in the Location View, click the Refresh button. To view the latest Inventor data in the Location View, click the Sync button or set up Automatic sync by clicking on the Sync settings on the Location View tab.
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Inserting NO or NC contacts
When inserting NO or NC contacts in AutoCAD Electrical, you will first need to insert a relay (or contactor) coil. This will add a cross-reference table next to the coil. To insert the NO or NC contacts, follow these steps:
- Using the normal AutoCAD Electrical icon menu selection, insert a generic relay coil symbol into a wire in the schematic.
- The "Insert/Edit Component" dialog box will appear with a generated tag-ID.
- Click on the "Lookup" button to open the Parts catalog database dialog.
- Select the manufacturer and series of the relay. For example, you can select "AB" (Allen-Bradley) and then choose the "CF" type.
- Select the relay part number for the specific coil voltage you require. For instance, for Allen-Bradley type "CF" relays at 120VAC coil voltage, you would choose the "2NO / 2NC" item, which includes two N.O. contacts and two N.C. contacts.
- Click "OK" to return to the "Insert/Edit Component" dialog.
By following these steps, you will be able to insert NO or NC contacts into your AutoCAD Electrical project. The cross-reference table will update automatically when you insert the contacts.
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Frequently asked questions
To update contacts in AutoCAD Electrical, you must first insert a relay (or contactor) coil, which adds a cross-reference table next to the coil. Then, insert NO or NC contacts, and the table will update automatically.
Yes, you can move the cross-reference table to a separate sheet. However, if you try to update anything on the table, it will be removed from the separate sheet and return to its original location.
For new drawings without wire numbers, your changes will be visible as soon as you insert and edit a wire number. For drawings with existing wire numbers, use the "Swap Block" function with the "Update a Block" option to swap in the updated wire number block.
To view the latest data, click the "Refresh" button in the Location View. This will update your view to show any edits made to the project by you or your team members.
