Automatic Terminal Block Numbering

[norchemcorp]

Hi All,

My name is James.  I have a question regarding terminal numbering.  I want a terminal to automatically assign itself a number based on the line it is on.  For example, a terminal block has the tag name TB, and is on line 218.  I want it to automatically update its number to tag TB, number 218.  The reason for this is the line numbers change periodically but we copy a lot of projects this way.  I need to be able to quickly change hundreds of terminal block numbers this way.  I know how to renumber all terminal blocks quickly using Terminal Strip Editor, but it assigns numbers sequentially.  Our numbering is in intervals of two.  (Line 218, 220, 222, 224, etc..)  Please let me know if there is a way to add something such as %N to get them to auto number.  If not, please let me know how to change all terminal numbers by interval of two, not just sequential.  Thank you.

[TRLitsey]

Hi there,

I have not tried to do something exactly as you are.  All our terminal numbers are based on the wire number.  But you may find what you are look for in the screen shots if you do a little testing.  Just looking at the options to select, it could be as simples as resequencing sheets and or rung reference numbers then update that tags.  Hope someone has a better answer for you.

Good luck

 

[norchemcorp]

Thank you for the response.  That is exactly what I have done, (changing line numbers, then updating everything), however, update does not work on the TB's for some reason.  Every component updates just fine, as do the wire numbers, but the TB's are not updating.  I have tried changing tags, tried putting % functions in every box they have, but nothing I've tried will associate a TB with a line number. 

[TRLitsey]

Hi again,

Sorry I am not much help.  I remember reading some posts that pointed out terminal blocks have special considerations.  Especially with terminal strips that have associations.  Hopeful one of the terminal strip wizards will chime in here before to long.  In the mean time, have you looked at these tool to see what they have to offer?  Maybe you will get lucky, I hope so.

Good luck

[rhesusminus]

I guess you have 2 options.

1. Use terminals that use the wire number, and make sure the wire numbers follows the line reference:

2. Get someone to program a utility that locates the line reference, and change the terminal number to match that.

[norchemcorp]

Thank you for the reply.  Unfortunately, the wire going in, and the wire going out are different numbers so associating it with the wire won't work.  Unfortunately, I'm trying to do drawings on many machines that are already built so its not like I can change the standards.  Otherwise, I would in a heartbeat.  Please let me know if anyone comes up with something that would work.  The renumber function is fine, as long as I can get it to renumber in intervals of two.

[TRLitsey]

Ok, so you are stuck with what you have.  You did say the TB takes on the line/reference number of the ladder, right?  So this question is for you Trond.  Is the characteristics of the TB block/symbol build that make ACE treat them as a special case or is ACE itself set to treat anything in the TB family as a special case?  What I am getting is this, could a custom block/symbol built such that it would walk and talk like a duck but with the project wide tag update it would act like plane jane components.  If that could be > project wide swap/replace > project wide tag up date = done.

Just a thought

Good luck

[Jon.Dean · Accepted solution]

@norchemcorp James,

I think this dialog says it all. What you are requesting is not possible.

Cheers

Jon

[norchemcorp]

Thank you all for the help.  I will manually change the TB's for now.  I thought about the custom block idea, but then TB editor won't work for me.  It would take me longer to do a panel backplane than it would to renumber TB's.  Thanks again.