Overview of the PLC database file

Example: "allen-bradley_1746_analog_input"

This file lists information that appears in the selection line of the module listed in the bottom half of the PLC Module Selection dialog box.

The following are optional parameters for parametric build symbol placement:

Box color/linetype/layer

You can instruct AutoCAD Electrical to draw the rectangular box using non-default line properties for color, layer, linetype, or ltscale. Encode this information as a series of keywords as if you were using the CHPROP command in AutoCAD to make the change. The keywords are encoded into the "BOX_RIGHT", "BOX_LEFT", "BOX_TOP" and "BOX_BOTTOM" entries in the specification table of a module. For example, the following makes the left and right-hand sides of the enclosing box cyan using linetype 'Hidden2' and the top and bottom blue using the default linetype:

BOX_RIGHT=0.5 COLOR CYAN LTYPE HIDDEN2

BOX_LEFT=0.5 COLOR CYAN LTYPE HIDDEN2

BOX_TOP=0.5 COLOR BLUE

BOX_BOTTOM=0.375 COLOR BLUE

Example: "allen-bradley_1746_analog_input_Data"

This file contains terminal information for the module type.

The following are optional parameters for parametric build symbol placement:

Use of %%x prompt values

After entering values such as rack, group or slot, the values are available for use on any subsequent I/O point of the module. If you want to use each I/O point's TERMDESC_ attribute to carry the I/O address in Rack/Group, bit number format, do the following:

1. Prompt for Rack and Group values in the first entry of the module.

   %%1PROMPT=Rack number;%%2PROMPT=Group number.

2. Encode the TERMDESC_ value using %%1, %%2, and a bit number suffix.

   TERMDESC_=1:%%1%%2/00 for the first I/O point

   TERMDESC_=1:%%1%%2/01 for the 2nd I/O point

User Attributes

You can add and annotate your own attributes to the parametric symbols if they are referenced in the Module Terminal Information table.

Address prefix or suffix

You can include a prefix or suffix to each address value that is inserted. For example, if you want "IN-" to come in as a prefix for inputs on a given module you would edit the database file and add ";TAGA_=IN-%%N" to each I/O parametric data entry in the block of data of the module. The %%N represents the calculated I/O address and the "IN-" is the prefix that gets added.

Dealing with non-sequential addresses

Some modules may have I/O address assignments that do not sequentially increment from one terminal to the next. Use the "%%A" flag to represent the beginning address of the module. In the example shown below, the address sequence is non-sequential. Note the use of the "TAGA_=%%A+ <some value>" flags.

Forcing a break

You can pre-define a module break point in the Module Terminal Information table. Add "\SPECIAL=BREAK" on the line where you want the break to occur.

20 terminals are allowed on the parametric build symbols by default. If the module exceeds 20 terminals the break is placed in a logical location; such as after a grouping of I/O addressing. For example, a 32 I/O point card could have 36 terminals on it, the module definition would run the break command at 18 (after the first set of 16 I/O addresses). If you want to break the module sooner you can use the PLC Database File Editor to add the break command or do the following in the Module Terminal Information table.

HP?WA-D;TERM_07\SPECIAL=BREAK

Triggering for reprompt of I/O address

Some modules include inputs and outputs. You can trigger AutoCAD Electrical to prompt for a new beginning address number when the parametric build flips from inputs to outputs or vice versa. Add "\SPECIAL=ADDR_OUT" on the line where you want a prompt for a new output address or add "\SPECIAL=ADDR_IN" if you want a prompt for a new beginning input address.

Including unused terminals

Some modules may have terminals that are not used. Unused terminals are skipped by default, resulting in a compact representation of the module. You can set up the PLC database file to show unused terminals optionally by adding "\SPECIAL_INCLUDE" and "\SPECIAL_EXCLUDE" in the Module Terminal Information table.

Special spacing

Normally when AutoCAD Electrical generates a PLC module, it uses the current rung spacing for I/O and wire connection point spacing. You can override it by using the "\SPECIAL=SPACINGFACTOR=<val> in the Module Terminal Information table. When AutoCAD Electrical sees it on an I/O point or wire connection entry line, it uses a factor of the rung spacing. For example, a "\SPECIAL=SPACINGFACTOR=0.5" for a given I/O or wire connection entry flags AutoCAD Electrical to insert this point down 0.5 rung spacing instead of a full rung spacing. A value of 1.5 inserts the point down an extra half run spacing than normal while 0.0 inserts the I/O point at the same location as the preceding one.

For example, the following four lines in a parametric data file inserts four points spread out over four-ladder rung spaces:

HP?WA-D;TERM_=01

HP?W--;TERM_=COM

HP?W--;TERM_=VDC

HP?WA-D;TERM_=02

If you want the two middle terminal symbols to group into one rung space instead of taking up two spaces, edit the file to read:

HP?WA-D;TERM_=01

HP?W--;TERM_=COM;\SPECIAL=SPACINGFACTOR=0.5

HP?W--;TERM_=VDC;\SPECIAL=SPACINGFACTOR=0.5

HP?WA-D;TERM_=02

You can copy an entire module into a new module using the PLC Database File Editor.

1. Click Schematic tab Other Tools panel Database Editors drop-down PLC Database File Editor.
2. In the PLC selection list, right-click on the module that you want to copy from and select Copy.
3. Right-click the Type in the tree that you want to copy to.

   For example, if you want to copy the new module to Allen-Bradley, 1746, Discrete Input, you would find Discrete Input under Allen Bradley 1746 in the tree.

4. Select Paste Module.

   If you attempt to copy a PLC Module part number into a PLC Type that already has a module with the same name, the PLC Database File Editor prompts you to change the name of the new module being copied.

5. To change the name for the module, right-click the module, select Rename, and enter a new name.

When you highlight an exiting module part number in the PLC Database File Editor tree structure, the terminal grid control becomes populated with the terminal information previously defined for the module.

1. Click Schematic tab Other Tools panel Database Editors drop-down PLC Database File Editor.
2. Select the module to modify from the tree structure.

   Inside the terminal grid control there are drop-down list boxes, text boxes, and context menus that you can use to modify the terminal information.

3. Select the terminals to modify. You can select multiple fields to edit at the same time by dragging your mouse across contiguous fields or by holding down the Control key while selecting non-contiguous fields. You can also select multiple terminals if you want the terminals to carry the same information.
   • If you want to modify the terminals one at a time, either make your changes on the PLC Database File Editor dialog box (using the drop-down list boxes or text boxes) or select a single terminal (making sure to select the entire row if you want to change more than one field), click the right mouse button, and select Edit Terminal from the menu.
   • If you want to modify multiple terminals at the same time, select the terminals, click the right mouse button, and select Edit Terminal from the menu.
4. In the Select Terminal Information dialog box, make any modifications to the selected terminals. Changes that you make in this box will be applied to all of the selected terminals in the terminal grid control.
5. Click OK to save your changes and return to the PLC Database File Editor.
6. Click Done to save your changes and exit the dialog box or click Done/Insert to save your changes and insert the PLC module into your drawing.

This tool creates and modifies PLC modules. All editing and creation of PLC data is stored within the PLC Database File (ACE_PLC.MDB).

Ribbon: Schematic tab Other Tools panel Database Editors drop-down PLC Database File Editor.

Toolbar: Insert PLC

Menu: Components Insert PLC Modules PLC Database File Editor

Command entry: AEPLCDB

PLC Selection List

Terminal Grid Control

Terminal Attributes

New Module

Module Specifications

Save Module

Style Box Dimensions

Settings

Selects a module to add to the terminal blocks from. Select the module from the list and click OK.

Ribbon: Schematic tab Other Tools panel Database Editors drop-down PLC Database File Editor.

Toolbar: Insert PLC

Menu: Components Insert PLC Modules PLC Database File Editor

Command entry: AEPLCDB

Click the Settings button, then click the Add Blocks From Module button.

The dialog box provides a complete list of the PLC modules available to AutoCAD Electrical. The Manufacturer Catalog list is compiled from the "ace_plc.mdb" file.

Defines the outer box dimensions of the module. The box dimensions are calculated from the insertion point of the parametrically built PLC symbols.

Ribbon: Schematic tab Other Tools panel Database Editors drop-down PLC Database File Editor.

Toolbar: Insert PLC

Menu: Components Insert PLC Modules PLC Database File Editor

Command entry: AEPLCDB

Click the New Module or Module Specifications button, and then click the Module Box Dimensions button.

Note: A value for the Split Top and Split Bottom dimensions must be set before you can specify their line properties.

Module Box Dimensions

Line Properties

Adds or modifies the type of terminal being used. You can select multiple fields to edit at the same time by dragging your mouse across contiguous fields or by holding down the Control key while selecting non-contiguous fields.

Ribbon: Schematic tab Other Tools panel Database Editors drop-down PLC Database File Editor.

Toolbar: Insert PLC

Menu: Components Insert PLC Modules PLC Database File Editor

Command entry: AEPLCDB

Right-click in the terminal grid control section of the dialog box, and select Edit Terminal from the menu.

The dialog box options enable depending on the fields selected at the time the dialog box was activated. For example, if you select the Show and Spacing Factor fields for multiple terminal entries in the Terminal Grid Control section of the PLC Database File Editor dialog box and then you activate this dialog box, you can update both fields through this dialog box for the selected terminals.

Category

Types for Category

Recently Used

Show

Optional Re-prompt Address

Break After

Spacing Factor

Defines the module descriptions and parameters. A series of boxes are used to type in or select the values required to define the module.

Ribbon: Schematic tab Other Tools panel Database Editors drop-down PLC Database File Editor.

Toolbar: Insert PLC

Menu: Components Insert PLC Modules PLC Database File Editor

Command entry: AEPLCDB

Click New Module.

New Module Controls

PLC Selection Expanded Description Listing Controls

AutoCAD Block to insert

AutoLISP file to run at module insertion time

Module Box Dimensions

Module Prompts

Adds or updates the symbols available to build a module.

Ribbon: Schematic tab Other Tools panel Database Editors drop-down PLC Database File Editor.

Toolbar: Insert PLC

Menu: Components Insert PLC Modules PLC Database File Editor

Command entry: AEPLCDB

Click Settings.

You can add a terminal to the list by clicking in any box in the last entry of the list. A blank entry line is added to the bottom of the list. Define the block name, assign it to a terminal category for selection, give it a description, and assign a bitmap to uses for dialog box displays.

Block File Name

Category

Unique Description

Sample Bitmap File

Graphics Style

View Drawing or View Bitmap

Add Blocks From Module

Defines the module box dimensions (such as the offset values and line properties) based upon the style number used when the PLC was created.

Ribbon: Schematic tab Other Tools panel Database Editors drop-down PLC Database File Editor.

Toolbar: Insert PLC

Menu: Components Insert PLC Modules PLC Database File Editor

Command entry: AEPLCDB

Click Style Box Dimensions.

Note: Set a value for the Split Top and Split Bottom dimensions before specifying their line properties.

Graphics Style

Module Box Dimensions for Selected Style

Line Properties

Modifies specifications previously defined during the creation of a new module.

Ribbon: Schematic tab Other Tools panel Database Editors drop-down PLC Database File Editor.

Toolbar: Insert PLC

Menu: Components Insert PLC Modules PLC Database File Editor

Command entry: AEPLCDB

Click Module Specifications.

Module Controls

PLC Selection Expanded Description Listing Controls

AutoCAD Block to insert

AutoLISP file to run at module insertion time

Spreadsheet to PLC I/O Utility Insertion Position

Module Box Dimensions

Module Prompts

Defines up to nine prompts to use at the time of module insertion. You can specify the prompt number and the accompanying text, or you can remove prompts from this dialog box.

Ribbon: Schematic tab Other Tools panel Database Editors drop-down PLC Database File Editor.

Toolbar: Insert PLC

Menu: Components Insert PLC Modules PLC Database File Editor

Command entry: AEPLCDB

Click the New Module or Module Specifications button, then click the Module Prompts button.

You can define up to nine different prompts at insertion time.

• To assign a prompt, select the prompt number from the list, enter the prompt text in the edit box, and click Change.
• To modify a prompt, select the prompt number from the list, modify the text in the edit box, and click Change.
• To remove a prompt, select the prompt number from the list and click the Remove Selected Prompt button.

Example

The Spreadsheet to PLC/IO utility uses the module category to calculate the insertion point of a module.

• Input module - inserted near the right or bottom bus line of the ladder.
• Output module - inserted near the left or top bus line of the ladder.
• Combination module - inserted centered between the bus lines of the ladder.

Before AutoCAD Electrical 2009, the Spreadsheet to PLC/IO utility determined the module category based on the value in the DESCRIPTION field or the database table name. For example, if the DESCRIPTION field contained the string "*IN*", it was considered an input module. In AutoCAD Electrical 2009 and later, the PLC database contains a CATEGORY field.

PLC Database Migration Utility

PLC Database File Editor

The PLC Database Migration utility compares the values in the DESCRIPTION field of the PLC database to values you assign as input, output, or combination. If a match is not made, the database table name is compared. If there is a match to the DESCRIPTION field or table name, the CATEGORY value is entered for that module.

• 1 - Input module
• 2 - Output module
• 3 - Combination module

The PLC Database Migration utility updates all tables in the PLC database based on these values.

Note: Blank spaces within the text are included as part of the search string. For example, "IN{space}*" matches "IN module" but does not match "INPUT".

If no match is made for a module, the CATEGORY field is not modified. Use the PLC Database File Editor to assign a category to a module. Select a "Spreadsheet to PLC I/O Utility Insertion Point" option on the Module specifications dialog box.

How to re-run the PLC Database Migration Utility