Utilizing internal and external connections of terminal block on schematic

[Anonymous]

I'm hoping somebody could point me in the right direction toward better application and practices within the drawings I create.

My question is how others draw terminal blocks within their schematics to accurately reflect the number of terminal blocks actually needed to manage all internal and external connections?

As an example of what I mean: say you have a component internal to the control panel that requires a 24VDC terminal block, and you also have a field device (external to the panel) that requires 24VDC.  For efficiency sake you would only need (1) terminal block to provide both an internal connection and an external connection (as depicted in the picture).

Sample circuit

 However, I've never seen panel schematics drawn this way.  It's pretty typical to see something like this:

 I think it's pretty clear that I don't need (4) terminal blocks in the drawing above, when (2) would work just fine.  (2) internal connections for the heater and relay, and (2) external connections to the field.

Ultimately, I want a drawing that uses all connections without a cluttered drawing deviating from the typical.  Anyway, any advice/opinion is appreciated.  Thank you!

[imadHabash]

Hi,

i suggest to create a dynamic block with Visibility States , By using Visibility States and leveraging the Visibility Parameter in the Block Editor, you can combine multiple block definitions into a single Dynamic Block that includes a drop down list to “switch” between multiple view options for a block .

[Anonymous]

I’m not familiar with that.  I’ll give it a try.

Is this a technique you use?  I’m really curious about how others use terminal blocks in their drawings.

I have a lot to learn about AutoCAD electrical, and I feel like I’m missing some sort of fundamental understanding of generating drawings and properly representing the use of terminal blocks.  I appreciate your help!  Thank you for the suggestion!

[Anonymous]

How did you implement this?

[imadHabash]

you can look and search in YouTube CAD tutorials . 

[testsubject · Accepted solution]

I have to disagree with Imad.

Autocad Electrical does not work well with dynamic blocks. ACE expects the block name to stay the same and this does not happen with dynamic blocks.

The way you drew your sample drawing is the most appropriate way to depict each terminal.

This is how I depict multi-tier (2 or 3 level) terminals that are internally jumpered together.

It is up to you to determine which is internal and which is external and then stick with that.

To get an accurate terminal strip, you need to show each terminal. (it is possible to add spares later on)

I do try to follow this:

positive from the left, field to the right.

negative from the right, field to the left.

All jumpers are vertical.

The panel builders know that internal wiring is top (Internal), Bottom (field).

Within the panel, the most economical routing is followed. That means that sometimes the source to the strip will come in the bottom and go out the top.

I do show bus terminal strips a little different based on where it will be in the panel.

[Anonymous]

I tried this, and it didn't seem to accomplish what I was trying to do.  I don't see how visibility states will allow me to represent the same terminal in 2 different spots.  Perhaps I was applying it wrong...

[stevenhcox001]

I have replied to a separate thread post by @testsubject as my question is related.

In the example shown, the wire numbers on all the terminals remain the same.  Is there a way to make the wire numbers break at terminals?  We are required to have a unique wire number for every wire.  I would prefer to do this without having to/from wire tags.

Thanks, Steven

[testsubject]

You sure can. You want to select a terminal that has "Wire Number Change" in the description. (these are terminals that have the name VT100# or HT100#. The # is the symbol graphic; circle, square, etc)

This will then force the number to change when crossing teh terminal.

[stevenhcox001]

@testsubjectthats what I was looking for!!

Thanks,

Steven

[tvasnelis]

I am having the same issue as the original post and I fail to see how the accepted solution solves it.  You would still end up with unecessary terminals in the Layout/Terminal Strip Editor.  Could you elaborate on the solution?

I am typically dealing with 2 level terminal blocks, so 2 connections per terminal for both internal and external.  In the original example, 4 terminals are shown that in reality could be connected with 2 terminals.  As far as I can tell, each instance of the terminal in the schematic represents a level and there is no way to Associate the 4 terminals shown in the schemtic to represent 2 terminals in the layout.  Terminals are defined in the catalog as shown below.  Terminal Strip Editor as shown.  How do I combine the terminal blocks such that the DCCOM external connections use the open pins first DCCOM terminal?