PLC Symbol Default Text Locations

[dianamichelle33]

How do I edit the default location of the text on a PLC symbol that has been supplied with AutoCAD Electrical?

[caddude1]

Do you mean a predrawn symbol (as in a relay coil) or something generated by a script (a PLC module)?

[dianamichelle33]

I mean the PLC module generated by a script, I know it's made up of a bunch of symbols - is there a way to tell which symbols are being used?

[ccad2509]

Go Schematic tab>Other tools> Pulldown and select PLC Database File Editor

It will Launch the database which the script controls when building a PLC Symbol

BE Careful Read The Help Files Before you Starting Modifying Symbols Etc

[caddude1]

Is this for a specific module or all modules of a specific type (inputs or outputs)?

[dianamichelle33]

Eventually it's going to be for all modules, but at the moment I am trying to edit the AB#1756-IB16

[caddude1]

Something important to keep in mind, the format between modules as they were entered initially should not be assumed to be consistent. A/b should be pretty consistent, just cover your bases.

[jalger]

Hi Diana,

If i understand correctly you want to change the location of the text in the file that drives the PLC Editor.

Its a fun undertaking, about 81 files ( 40 horizontal ,41 Vertical files) per PLC Style.

I would actually Copy one of the existing styles that you like and edit that one as PLC Style 5 - 9.

The files are located in:

C:\Users\Public\Documents\Autodesk\Acade 2015\Libs\NFPA

(My example is the 2015, NFPA library, if you are using a different one (like JIC, or IEC, then select that path)

you are looking for files that have Hp# and Vp# (Where the # is the style).

(DO NOT CHANGE THE NAMES EXCEPT FOR THE NUMBER!, otherwise the selections will not work properly)

The H Symbols are for Horizontal wires.

The V Symbols are for Vertical Wires.

Here are some of the names fro the sample files that you are looking for:

Hp1-a-dl.dwg (Horizontal, Style 1, Top Input )

Hp2d-awo.dwg (Horizontal, Style 2, Normally Open Contact Output)

Vp1-a-dl.dwg (Vertical, Style 1, Top Input )

vp2d-awo.dwg (Vertical, Style 2, Normally Open Contact Output)

Again as stated, make a copy of the style you want to edit and change all of the Numbers to one of the unused styles (5 - 9)

All you need to do is Move the text in the symbol, you could make other change in the file as well (change the size of the box, or of the text).

I hope this helps,

James Alger

[dianamichelle33]

Thanks everyone, useful information.

If I don't want to edit all of these symbols at once, is there a way to tell what symbols are used in the script for a specific PLC so I can sort of edit them as I go?

[caddude1]

Very well said. I would make sure that the blocks are backed up in a separate directory prior to any changes being done. My initial reply that you would be correcting the base blocks that the script inputs did not note that? (my error). The practice of having a backup copy of the supporting blocks AutoCAD has built in is a good thing just to be sure, as it is not uncommon for files to become corrupted.

[jalger]

Hi Diana,

Which card (s) are you trying to Edit? (I can find out the dwg from the PLC Database editor, if its one of the existing ones)

Is it a horizontal or Vertical Wire bus configuration?

If you can share that with me, I'll let you know which ones to edit.

Regards,

James Alger

[dianamichelle33]

At the moment I'm trying to edit

AB#1756-IB16 (horizontal) - this one is most important, others can wait

AB#1756-OW16I (horizontal)

AB#1756-IF6I (vertical)

AB#1756-OF4 (vertical)

AB#1756-IR6I (vertical)

[jalger · Accepted solution]

Hi Diana,

Here are the symbols you need to Edit (Grouped in the Cards).

I used PLC Style 1 for the File names.

AB#1756-IB16 (horizontal)

Module Info Input I/O Point Wire Left  (HP1WA-DL.dwg) (so Horizontal, Style 1, Top, input with wire going left)

Input I/O Point Wire Left (HP1WA-D.dwg)

Terminal Point Wire Right (HP1-W.dwg)

AB#1756-OW16I (horizontal)

Module Info Output I/O Point Wire Left and Right (HP1DWAWL.dwg)

Output I/O Address Point Wire Left and Right (HP1WDAW.dwg)

Terminal Point Wire Left and Right (HP1W-W.dwg)

AB#1756-IF6I (vertical)

Module Info Terminal Point Wire Left (VP1W--L.dwg)

Input I/O Point Wire Left (VP1WA-D.dwg)

Terminal Point Wire Left (VP1W--.dwg)

AB#1756-OF4 (vertical)

Module Info Terminal Point Wire Right (VP1-WL.dwg)

Terminal Point Wire Right (VP1-W.dwg)

Output I/O Point Wire Right (VP1D-AW.dwg)

AB#1756-IR6I (vertical)

Module Info Input I/O Point Wire Left (VP1WA-DL.dwg)

Terminal Point Wire Left  (VP1W--.dwg)* This is a repeat Don't do it twice 🙂

Input I/O Point Wire Left (VP1WA-D.dwg)* This is a repeat Don't do it twice 🙂

So look for:

HP1WA-DL.dwg

HP1WA-D.dwg

HP1-W.dwg

HP1DWAWL.dwg

HP1WDAW.dwg

HP1W-W.dwg

VP1W--L.dwg

VP1WA-D.dwg

VP1W--.dwg

VP1-WL.dwg

VP1-W.dwg

VP1D-AW.dwg

VP1WA-DL.dwg

I hope this helps,

James Alger

[dianamichelle33]

Thanks James!