Automatically re-assign child pin numbers after part number change

[dougmcalexander]

I have a lisp routone for this but I think AutoCAD Electrical should be able to handle this without a custom lisp.  When a relay, motor starter, etc. is edited and assigned a new part number, the software pops up a reminder to check all contacts and edit their pin assignments.  I think AutoCAD Electrical should offer to automatically update the pin assignments to child contacts to match the new pin list assigned to the parent.  Just reassign the pins in the same order that they were assigned previously, or go by drawing order.  And why limit this to relays and motor starters?  Offer to change pin assignments for child devices related to any type of parent, such as a disconnect switch and its child contacts, or a circuit breaker and its children.  Any time a parent device is loaded with a new and different pin list, offer to automatically update the child contacts from this new pin list.

[Icemanau]

For relays, auxilliary contacts and standard switches, this might work but it won't work for multifunction relays and other similar devices.

Even withing the same brand, contact functions change between models and even within the same model, the function can change depending on requested options. Thats not to mention those that have terminal numbers based on the slot the option card is connected to.

For example, relay model 1 has a trip contact, watchdog contact and then several control contacts, while the next model in the series might have 2 trip contacts, watchdog contact and double the number of control contacts. ACADE would not be able to automatically re-assign contects without a major re-write of the way the contacts are organised and entered into the pin list.

Regards Brad

[miles.nicholson]

I agree that on a  multi finctional relay it wont work exactly but it could work on IEC AC3/4 relays/contactors where the pin numbers are in accordance with EN50005 and they are standard irrespective of manufacturer. Even in the US they have standard pin values now I believe. If it gave you the option you could at least have the choice. On a multi functional relay Id use a table style override and map the child symbol names to different cross reference styles. In that way you can differentiate between a under current trip and over current etc. Thereefore if they do have a suggested map, they should take into account this method of cross referencing.

[dougmcalexander]

With IEC devices the pins are not as much of a problem, thanks to EN50005. That is not the case in America, with NEMA devices. Just about every vendor has their own pin values. All Autodesk needs to do is offer the option to auto update the pins or not. For a multifunction relay choose not to update and re-assign the pins manually. But for changing from something like an AB 700 series to an Idec RY it would be nice to let the software auto update the pin assignments.

[vikas.vaishnav]

Thanks for the idea. We are looking in to it. We will try to provide autoupdate of child pins in near future. 

Regards,

AutoCAD Electrical Research Team. 

[dougmcalexander]

Thanks so much!

[Anonymous]

How about just giving you the option to surf to all children contacts and pick which pins you want them to be right then, or even a different box inside of the parent edit box that would let you change the child pins directly from there.

Thanks,

Matt