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Procedure for Inserting Devices

On insertion of a device, EPLAN checks the data allocated to the part. The part contains various fields allowing graphical placement. This data is prioritized in different ways:

The macro has the highest priority, then the function templates. The graphical macro with dimensions is only used for panel layouts.

Depending on the copy mode, a DT is assigned to new devices. (You define the copy mode under the menu items Options > Settings > Projects > "Project name" > Devices > Numbering (online).)

If a device is placed on a Panel layout page type, then a new part placement (and not a component) is created.

Define the main function

To allow the part to be transferred, a main function must be placed. If a device is placed that odes not contain a main function, then the first placed component automatically becomes the main function.

You cannot select multiple parts for placement.

Macros

If the macro has only one main function, the part is carried over to it.

If there is no main function in the macro, one of the components becomes the main function. EPLAN first checks which of the functions included in the macro is the main function in the function definition. If one exists, then it becomes the main function. If only auxiliary functions exist, then the first graphical function becomes the main function.

If the macro has more than one main function, the part is carried over to the first matching main function. This means that the part is assigned to the first main function in the macro that it can overlay correctly. The other main functions are not changed. If no matching main function is found, EPLAN first searches for a black box. If this does not exist, then the part is transferred to the first graphical main function.
Black boxes are therefore preferentially handled, since these usually represent the device or the module.

If the macro contains a main function that is already allocated to a part, then all of the parts are first completely removed, and the selected part is then transferred to the main function. In the process, all technical data contained in the part is carried over (technical characteristics, connection point designation, identifier).

Function templates

If the part contains function templates, on device insertion, EPLAN first offers the function representing a possible main function. Once the main function has been placed, then the remaining function templates are placed sequentially. The auxiliary functions are placed according to the sequence of the definitions (from the parts management). When the last function template of the selected part has been placed, the main function will be hanging once again on the cursor and you can place the device again if you wish.

Taking account of macro variants when generating devices

When generating a new device in the navigators (via the New device popup menu item), you can choose to use the functions from the macro entered on the part or from the function templates. This depends on the project setting Consider macro when generating devices (under the menu item Options > Settings > Projects > "Project name" > Devices > General).

If the project setting is deactivated (the default setting), an unplaced function is generated from the first main function that is entered in the function templates. If the part contains only one macro, but no function templates, an unplaced function is generated from the first main function found in the macro.

If the project setting is activated, unplaced functions are generated from the functions contained in the macro. The exact behavior depends on whether function templates have been entered additionally for the part.

Taking account of macro variants when inserting devices

If both a macro and function templates are entered at a part, functions contained in other macro variants of this macro can also be considered when you insert a device in the graphical editor (via the Insert > Device menu items). A new project setting has been implemented for this: Consider macro when generating devices.

If the project setting is deactivated (this is the default), the first macro variant matching the page type is offered when first inserting a device. Use [Tab] to browse through the macro variants and select the one you want. If the part contains no function templates, the functions of the currently selected macro variant are placed.
If the part contains function templates, the functions of the selected macro variant are placed in this case too. The other templates for which no matching function in the selected macro variant is found remain free.

If the project setting is activated and the part contains function templates, the functions of the selected macro variant are placed. In addition, unplaced functions are generated from the other macro variants if at least one function template matches the macro variant. The function templates are overlaid with the matching functions from the macro variant, i.e. both the placed and the unplaced functions receive the data from the function templates. Macro variants continue to be used in turn for as long as free function templates can be overlaid with them. If the functions in the current macro variant do not match the free function templates, the action is canceled. No further functions are generated from the remaining macro variants.

After the macro has been placed, it hangs on the cursor again and can be placed once more. This generates a new device.

See also