topic Issue with Parametric PLCs Using Incorrect Block File Names in AutoCAD Electrical Forum

Issue with Parametric PLCs Using Incorrect Block File Names

aaron_robertsLV97S — Thu, 05 Dec 2024 15:46:13 GMT

'm working with parametric PLCs in AutoCAD Electrical and using the PLC Database File Editor to create a custom symbol. Specifically, I'm modifying both the vertical and horizontal modules.

However, I've encountered an issue:

When I insert a vertical parametric PLC, it pulls in the horizontal block file names I’ve modified.
Similarly, when I insert a horizontal parametric PLC, it seems to reference the vertical block file names.

To test, I modified the HP1WA-DL file, which I understand is supposed to be used for horizontal PLCs. However, it ends up being used when I select a vertical PLC instead.

See the screenshots below for reference:
To demonstrate this, I added the file name as text to the file itself. For example, my HP1WA-DL file includes visible text that says "HP1WA-DL." As you can see in the screenshots, when I choose the vertical insert of style 1, it incorrectly pulls in the horizontal file. The last screen shot is what is inserted.

Has anyone else experienced this, or does anyone know if there’s a setting or configuration I might have missed?

Re: Issue with Parametric PLCs Using Incorrect Block File Names

aaron_robertsLV97S — Thu, 05 Dec 2024 16:24:01 GMT

Perhaps I’ve been looking at this the wrong way.

When selecting a vertical PLC, it might make sense for it to reference horizontal symbols so that all connections extend to the left or right. Similarly, when selecting a horizontal PLC, referencing vertical symbols ensures that the connections extend above and below the PLC.

Does this approach align with how these symbols are typically designed to function?

Re: Issue with Parametric PLCs Using Incorrect Block File Names

arshdeepsingh404 — Thu, 05 Dec 2024 17:49:16 GMT

Correct, Vertical PLC module uses horizontal Pin Styles and Horizontal PLC module uses vertical pin styles.

To put a perspective on it, Anything that travel in AutoCAD X direction is horizontal and Anything that travel in Y direction is Vertical.

In the case of Vertical PLC, The module itself is travelling in Y (Vertical / Top to Bottom or vice versa) direction but the individual connection points are travelling in X (Horizontal / Left to right or vice versa) direction.

At least this is my understanding of how it works.

Re: Issue with Parametric PLCs Using Incorrect Block File Names

aaron_robertsLV97S — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 13:20:40 GMT

This is where it gets deceiving!

When your using the PLC Database Editor to edit your Parametric PLCs and you go to Settings the pop has a section to toggle between vertical and horizontal modules. When you do toggle between them it shows you vertical and horizontal files that correspond with the vertical and horizontal modules.

If you toggle between the Horizontal and Vertical modules you will see the Block File names for a vertical module are indeed showing up as V files, this is where the confusion arrived from.