Connections

EPLAN Training 1

Connections
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1 Editing the Connections...............................................................................3
1.1 Designate connections..............................................................................3
1.2 Update connections ..................................................................................4
1.3 Interrupt connections ................................................................................5
1.4 Delete connections ...................................................................................6
2 Using Smart Connect .................................................................................10
3 Drawing Connection Definition Points......................................................11
4 Predefining Connection Properties...........................................................13
5 Specifying Connection Properties for the Potential ................................15
6 Specifying Connection Properties via Connection Definition Points ....17
7 Viewing and Editing the Connection Properties ......................................19
8 Using Existing Connections ......................................................................21
9 Placing Connections ..................................................................................23
9.1 Delete connection placements................................................................24

This functionality is only available for certain module packages. Info
Connections
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1 Editing the Connections
Here, you will see how you draw, update, interrupt, and delete connections.
1.1 Designate connections
Autoconnect lines are automatically generated in EPLAN as soon as two connection
points are aligned, horizontally or vertically, directly opposite each other.
You can use connection symbols to specify the course of the connections.
1. Select the menu items Insert > Connection symbol and select the
appropriate symbol from the submenu.

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2. If you want to rotate the symbol, hold the [Ctrl] key down and move the mouse
in a circle.

The symbol is rotated in 90steps.

3. Click in the schematic to place the symbol on the page.

Note:
Autoconnecting initially generates only a graphical line, not a connection with data.
For certain actions (e.g., closing a page) the connections are first automatically
updated. In doing this, new connections are generated based on the available
information or existing connections are updated. You can also manually call up the
update of connections at any time.
1.2 Update connections
Connection properties are defined at four different locations: in the project settings, at
potential connection points, potential definition points, and connection definition
points. Connection data is not immediately automatically updated after changes. You
can manually update them if you need to.
Note:
You can tell if connections are up-to-date by looking at the right edge of the status
bar: If the "#" sign is displayed, the project has out-of-date connections. If the "*" sign
is displayed, the open page has out-of-date connections.
Precondition:
You have opened a page in the graphical editor or selected pages in the page
navigator.
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1. Select the menu items Project data > Connections > Update.

EPLAN regenerates all connections in the project. A progress bar is
displayed allowing you to cancel the process.

1.3 Interrupt connections
A connection can be interrupted using a break point.
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1. Select the menu items Insert > Connection symbol > Break point and place
the break point on a connection line.

EPLAN separates the corresponding connection.


1.4 Delete connections
Connections are automatically deleted if you move a component in the schematic
and its connection points can no longer find its counterpart. Any existing connection
definition points remain.
Unplaced connections can be deleted in the Connections - <Project name> dialog:
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1. Select the menu items Project data > Connections > Navigator.

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2. In the Connections - <Project name> dialog select the unplaced connections
you want to delete.

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3. Select Popup menu > Delete.

After a confirmation prompt the connections in question are deleted.

This functionality is only available for certain module packages. Info
Connections
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2 Using Smart Connect
Smart connect allows the movement of symbols in the schematic while retaining the
autoconnection.
Precondition:
You have opened a page in the graphical editor.
Options > Smart connect
1. Hold down the left mouse button and move a symbol in the schematic.

After releasing the left mouse button, the autoconnect lines are
automatically redrawn.

2. If you no longer wish to use smart connect, reselect the menu item Options >
Smart connect.

This functionality is only available for certain module packages. Info
Connections
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3 Drawing Connection Definition Points
Connections also be assigned properties via connection definition points.
1. Select the menu items Insert > Connection definition point.

The symbol for the connection definition point hangs on the cursor.

2. Click in the schematic to place the connection definition point.

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3. In the Properties <...> dialog specify the connection properties in the
Connection definition point tab (and other properties in the other tabs, if
necessary).

4. Click [OK].

The properties are assigned to the connection passing through the
connection definition point.

Tip:
You can insert multiple connection definition points at the same time by holding the
left mouse button down and pulling the cursor over multiple autoconnect lines.
At each autoconnect line intersected, a connection definition point is then
placed.
This functionality is only available for certain module packages. Info
Connections
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4 Predefining Connection Properties
Connections are given properties once from the defaults in the project and the
properties of the potential. All other properties are specified in the connection
definition points.
You can specify certain properties for connections in the project settings that are then
assigned to every connection generated.
The properties specified in the project are inherited by the potential. The potentials
then pass on their properties to the signals and then the connections. You can
manually change the data on the individual levels and define additional properties.
Options > Settings > Projects > "Project name" > Connections > Properties
1. Select the desired tab, Electrical Engineering, Hydraulic, Pneumatic,
Cooling , or Lubrication.

2. In the individual fields specify the default values for the connection properties.

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3. Click [OK].

The default values are saved. When generating a connection it is
automatically assigned the corresponding default values.

This functionality is only available for certain module packages. Info
Connections
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5 Specifying Connection Properties for the
Potential
Properties can also be assigned to a connection via the potential connection points
or potential definition points. If a connection with a potential connection point is
connected, or it intersects a potential definition point, it automatically inherits the
connection properties.
Precondition:
The connection leads to a potential connection point or intersects a potential
definition point.
1. Double-click the potential connection point or potential definition point.

2. Specify the name of the signal and the potential in the Potential definition tab
of the Properties <...> dialog in the Name of potential and Signal name
fields. Click [...] to open a selection dialog with signal and potential names
defined in the project.

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3. In the Properties field change the values for the already specified properties,
or create new ones.

4. In the Display tab you can change how properties are displayed in the
schematic and in the Connection graphic tab you can change the graphical
properties of the connection lines.

5. Click [OK].

The defined properties are assigned to all connections attached to the
potential in question.

This functionality is only available for certain module packages. Info
Connections
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6 Specifying Connection Properties via
Connection Definition Points
Connection definition points define the properties of connections which run under
them.
1. Double-click the connection definition point.

2. In the Connection definition point tab of the Properties <...> dialog, change
the default connection properties or create new ones.

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3. In the Display tab you can change how properties are displayed in the
schematic and in the Connection graphic tab you can change the graphical
properties of the connection lines.

4. In the Parts tab you can assign parts data to the connection.

5. Click [OK].

The defined properties are only assigned to the connection that intersects
the connection definition point in question. You can change the properties of
more than one connection if you make a multiple selection of connection
definition points.

This functionality is only available for certain module packages. Info
Connections
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7 Viewing and Editing the Connection Properties
Connection properties can be viewed and edited in the Connections - <Project
name> dialog.
Project data > Connections > Navigator
1. In the Connections - <Project name> dialog mark the desired connections
and select Popup menu > Edit.

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2. In the Properties <...> dialog change the connection properties in the
Connection tab and the graphical properties in the Connection graphics tab.

3. Click [OK].

The changes are adopted.

Connections can be assigned additional properties via Connection definition points.
Edit these properties at the connection definition point.
This functionality is only available for certain module packages. Info
Connections
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8 Using Existing Connections
In EPLAN you can generate unplaced connections that predefine certain properties.
These connections can be used on existing Connection definition points. The placed
connection in question thus gets the properties of the unplaced connection. It is also
possible to use existing placed connections. The connection in question then exists
more than once in the project and must be edited at a later point in time.
1. Select the menu items Insert > Connection definition point and place the
connection definition point on a connection line.

2. In the Properties <...> dialog select the Connection definition point tab and
click [...] next to the Displayed DT field.

All unplaced and placed connections of the project are listed in the Use
existing connections dialog. Connections where both targets match the
targets of the selected connections are at the top of the list. After that are the
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connections where one target is identical, then the unplaced connections
without targets and finally all other placed and unplaced connections.

3. Select the desired connection and click [OK].

The connection is used, i.e., its properties are transferred to the connection
definition point.

An unplaced connection is always deleted after it has been used. It is also
deleted if it previously had completely different targets and if a completely
different connection is created by the combination of multiple connection
definition points.

4. Click [OK].

You can only use existing if the connection definition point is uniquely assigned to
one individual connection. If this is not the case, then an appropriate message is
displayed.
This functionality is only available for certain module packages. Info
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9 Placing Connections
In general, it is possible to place unplaced connections, or to place already placed
connections again.
Project data > Connections > Navigator
1. Select the connections you wish to place.

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2. Select Popup menu > Place.

The symbol for a connection definition point hangs on the cursor.

3. Click in the schematic to place the connection definition point.

A connection definition point with the connection data is placed. Unplaced
connections are deleted after the placement.

9.1 Delete connection placements
A connection placement can only be deleted via its connection definition point. The
connection will then exist as an unplaced connection in the project.
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1. Mark the desired connection definition points and select the menu items Edit >
Delete placement.

The connection definition points in question will disappear and unplaced
connections will appear. This also applies if the connection it is associated
with does not disappear. Then there are two connections: one placed without
special properties and one unplaced with special properties.

If an unplaced connection already exists with identical targets, an additional
unplaced connection is added. Because multiple connection definition points
can be located on the same connection, this can result in inconsistencies.

If you delete the placements on multiple connection definition points of one
connection, multiple unplaced connections will be created. You can use or
place these unplaced connections again on multiple connection definition
points of one connection, in which case you again have the same result as
before deleting the placements.

Note:
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If placements from connected components are deleted, the associated connections
only remain as unplaced if the connection definition points were marked (that is, if
their placements were also deleted). If the placements of the connection definition
points are not deleted, no unplaced connections will result, but the connections will
be completely deleted.
You can only delete a placement if the connection definition point is uniquely
assigned to one individual connection. If this is not the case, then an appropriate
message is displayed.
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