Auto-assigning the same wire number for all ground wires

[dougmcalexander]

I was invloved in addressing this scenario over on the Idea Station.  I thought I would post here as well, in case anyone needs to assign the same wire number to all ground wires.  

You can assign wire numbers based upon layer name.  If all grounds distribute from a common point they will all share the same wire number.  You must first edit the wd.env file and remove the asterisk in from of the line that reads:

SETQ:GBL_wd_wnum_noduplicate_chk,'("GND" "24VDC" "COM")

GND is a default, so you only need to remove the asterisk that comments out the line.  This will enable the option.  If you prefer to name your ground wires PE or EARTH, add these text strings to the list.  Place each within quotation marks.  So the line will now look like this:

SETQ:GBL_wd_wnum_noduplicate_chk,'("GND" "24VDC" "COM" "PE" "EARTH")

Next go to Project Properties and click the Wire Numbers tab.  Set as shown in the first attachment below.  The reason I used D,D,D,D,D,etc. as the suffux is because the software needs some type of suffix when assigning wire numbers based upon line references. So I set the wire number to GN and the suffix adds the letter D. If I wanted to name the ground wires PE, I wouild enter P into the "Wire number format for layer" field and E,E,E,E,E,E, etc. into the suffix field.

You will notice that my main ground stud, tagged as -PE, branches off in a star-like configuration to distribute "potential earth" to various circuits.  This method allows each ground wire to be a different gauge/size if necessary.  Source arrows distribute ground to destination arrows attached to various circuits throughout the project.

But you could also just connect one wire to the ground stud and use a source arrow to feed multiple circuits throughout the project.  Since all wires connect to the same source arrow all ground wires will share the same wire number.  This method can be used if all ground wires are the same gauge/size.  (see 2nd attachment)

If you are auto-assigning wire numbers sequentially, rather than line-reference based, no suffix is needed, so you can type GND, PE, EARTH, etc. into the "Wire number format for layer" field and leave the suffix field blank.  So wires on a layer that begins with GN (green/yellow) will be numbered GND, PE, EARTH, etc..  GN* takes care of all sizes of green/yellow wires. (see 3rd attachment)

[Anonymous]

Doug,

Thanks for the post!!

I seem to be having an issue but let me first see if I understand what this will do.

If I create a wire layer called "GN-" and go thru the steps to set up the wire layer formating and modify the WD.ENV file then all wires on that layer would end up with wire numbers "GND"

You have a comment "If all grounds distribute from a common point they will all share the same wire number. " isn't that already the case? All wires connected together have the same wire number.

I was thinking this would cause ALL wires on that layer regardless of whether or not they are connect together to end up with the same "GND" wire number.

Did I misunderstand what this post should do?

I end up with the first wire number "GND" but the 2nd one is "GNE" then "GNF" and so on. If I change the wire layer formatting to B,B,B,B,B,B then the fist wire is labeled "GNB" and the 2nd is "GNC" then "GND" and so on.

thanks again for the post

Dennis

FYI i am running ACADE 2014

[dougmcalexander]

You didn't name your ground GN* did you. My group discussion wires are GN-YE in various sizes, like 2.5mm^2, 4.0mm^2, etc. The GN* just instructs the software to process all layers that begin with GN.

[Anonymous]

I'm sure I am missing something here.

Attached is the set up a am running, the left side with the D's for the suffix and the right side with random suffix's

The right side comes out fine but the left should be all D suffix's ...correct?

When I switch to a different page in the project it will again start with a GND then GNE and GNF.

I have also unstared (*) the line in the wd.env file.....SETQ:GBL_wd_wnum_noduplicate_chk,'("GND" "24VDC" "COM" "GN*" "GN" "GN*)

If I have a single ground on each page this would work but if I have more than 1 ground on a page it will not. Am I missing something or is this how it works?

I'm not trying to be a pain, this is a great idea and I would love to use this but I just can't seem to get it to work correctly.

Thanks

Dennis

[dougmcalexander]

Hi Dennis,

For some reason the D,D,D,D,D,D, etc, suffix worked when I tested it the first time.  I must have temporarily fooled the software, because what you did not see in the screen capture was another separate ground circuit at the top of the drawing that also got assigned GND.  But the software insists upon assigning a unique suffix, no matter what, when you are assigning wire numbers based upon line references.  Of course if all wires originate at one common ground stud, as shown in one of the screen captures in my previous post, the wire numbers will be the same anyway.  So there is no issue with the suffix, since none are needed.

But there is still a way to auto-assign the grounds when using line reference-based wire numbering.  Follow the attached screen capture after you click wire numbering.  Be sure that none of the ground wires have already been assigned a number.  Delete any previously assigned wire numbers from all ground wires.  When you click to wire number you will select to number new/unnumbered only and number sequentially, as shown in the screen capture.

I apologize for the confusion.  I should have tested more thoroughly.

[Anonymous]

Ok

Thanks Doug.

It was a great idea!!!

[drew_dewit]

I am trying this as well and am having the same issue with ACADE taging subsequent wires as GNE, GNF, etc. Am I understanding that there is no way to tell ACADE not to append a suffix?

[userlevel6]

I know this is an old thread, but I'd like to start with a summary statement... ACE is designed not to duplicate the same wire number on more than one circuit. 

The best option I've used, and as I just read either Doug or Dennis say, make a block with multiple possible connections, such as a ground strip, and branch your grounds like any other wire.  Technically, that's how a ground is supposed to behave anyway right?  That's great where it "looks ok" for your needs.  But if I use a ground symbol with a short "wire" attached as is commonly done a lot, I have put the "wire" line on a non-wire layer, such as the OBJ layer for example, instead.  The drawback to this is, if you need a GND or some specific text to show up in reports where this connection is made, it won't happen.  You MIGHT be able to make a custom symbol, or add an attribute on an existing symbol, with a preset value and get it in reports that way for such "fake" connections.  I haven't tried that, but it just now occurred to me.