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Table of contents
AutoCAD Electrical can generate any of hundreds of different PLC I/O modules on demand, in a variety of different graphical styles, all without a single, complete I/O module library symbol resident on the system. Modules automatically adapt to the underlying ladder rung spacing, whatever that value is, and can stretch or break into two or more pieces at insertion time. It is possible because AutoCAD Electrical generates PLC I/O modules through a parametric generation technique driven by a PLC database (ACE_PLC.MDB).
The PLC database contains the stack sequence and text values to annotate onto each symbol in the stack. As AutoCAD Electrical builds the module, it reads the underlying ladder rung spacing and spreads out the stack or compresses it to match the rung spacing. During the insertion process, you can interrupt it to break the module and then restart it at a different location.
Parametric PLC symbols vs. Full Units
Parametric PLC symbols are stored in
- Windows XP: \Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\\Autodesk\Acade {version}\libs\{library}\
- Windows Vista, Windows 7: \Users\Public\Documents\Autodesk\Acade {version}\libs\{library}\
The file names begin with the characters "HP" (Horizontal ladder rungs / PLC) or "VP" (Vertical ladder rungs) followed by a digit that corresponds to a PLC I/O style number. Each symbol is a building block with a different arrangement of attributes and wire connection points. AutoCAD Electrical selects the appropriate symbols to use, stacks them together in the order defined by the data file, and produces a completed I/O module.
The PLC database file (ace_plc.mdb) is used to drive the PLC I/O module generation process. You can modify the PLC database file manually or using the PLC Database File Editor (recommended method). The AutoCAD Electrical PLC database file (ace_plc.mdb) is installed in
- Windows XP: C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\My Documents\Acade {version}\AeData\Plc
- Windows Vista, Windows 7:C:\Users\{username}\Documents\Acade {version}\AeData\Plc
Each Parametric PLC symbol is a building block with a different arrangement of attributes and wire connection points. AutoCAD Electrical selects the appropriate symbols to use, stacks them together in the order defined by the parametric data file, and produces a completed I/O module. AutoCAD Electrical inserts the symbols based upon the rung spacing of the underlying ladder, explodes them, draws a rectangular box around the entire assembly, creates a single block out of the collection, and annotates the attributes of the new module.
Some PLC units may not lend themselves well to parametric generation. If a PLC module symbol is built with the appropriate attributes in place and the symbol name follows naming convention of AutoCAD Electrical (the block name begins with "PLCIO"), it can be inserted as a single unit using the Insert PLC (Full Units) command. The selected unit inserts into the ladder, breaks the wires, and then reconnects.
Inserts a parametrically generated PLC I/O module.
Toolbar: Main Electrical
Command entry: AEPLCPGenerate PLC I/O modules on demand in a variety of graphical styles with no complete I/O module library symbols. Modules adapt to the underlying ladder rung spacing. You can stretch or break them into two or more pieces at insertion time. A PLC database, ACE_PLC.MDB, drives generation. It contains the stack sequence and the text values to annotate onto each symbol in the stack.
Provides a complete list of the PLC modules available to AutoCAD Electrical. The Manufacturer Catalog tree is compiled from the database file, "ace_plc.mdb."
Displays the defined modules. Once you select a module type or a specific module from the Manufacturer Catalog tree, AutoCAD Electrical reads through the information contained in the database. Select from this list to begin the PLC module insertion process.
Specifies the graphical appearance of the PLC module. Styles 1-5 are provided with AutoCAD Electrical. Styles 6-9 may be user-defined. Select a style number and a sample portion of a PLC module displays.
To create a user-defined style: There are about two dozen symbols associated with each style. They are located in
- Windows XP: \Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\Autodesk\Acade {version}\Libs\{library}\
- Windows Vista, Windows 7: \Users\Public\Documents\Autodesk\Acade {version}\Libs\{library}\
The symbols carry the file name "HP?*.dwg" or "VP?*.dwg" where "?" is the style number. An easy way to create a style is to copy the symbols of an existing style to one of the unused style numbers (6, 7, 8, or 9) and edit each library symbol.
Specifies the scale for the PLC module. You can also specify to apply a border to the PLC module upon insertion.
Toolbar: Main Electrical Command entry: AEPLCPSelect the PLC module to insert, click OK, and place the PLC in the drawing.
Specifies the spacing for the module. The module defaults to the underlying rung spacing. If you wish to override this spacing, modify the number shown in the spacing edit box. The arrows below this box increment the number by the rung spacing. For example, if the rung spacing is 0.5 then each time you click ">" the number increases by 0.5.
Specifies whether to include all of the points or break the module into many pieces. You can break a module into as many pieces as you want at insertion time. It is useful for a module that does not fit into a single ladder column. You can also add extra space between adjacent I/O points. It allows for the extra room needed for parallel components. Select Allow Spacers/Breaks and after each I/O you have the opportunity to insert a space, break the module, or insert the rest normally. If the module's definition (in the Attributes column of the Module Terminal Information table of the ace_plc.mdb file or by selecting the check box in the Break After column of the PLC Database File Editor dialog box) carries a ";\SPECIAL=BREAK" flag, then the Note highlights and the module automatically prompts you for permission to break at the correct point during module insertion.
Include unused/extra connections
Specifies to include all of the extra connections to the PLC. Some modules may have terminals that are not used (that is, dummy terminals with no electrical connection). Unused terminals are skipped by default. This results in the most compact representation of the module, but you can set up the PLC modules to show unused terminals optionally. It is done by adding in "\SPECIAL=INCLUDE" and "\SPECIAL=EXCLUDE" flags (in the Attributes column of the Module Terminal Information table of the ace_plc.mdb file) or by selecting "When Including Unused" or "When Excluding Unused" in the Show column of the PLC Database File Editor dialog box.