The function definition defines the standard behavior of a function. It determines how an object is treated in reports (for instance, contacts are shown in the contact image, terminals listed in the terminal diagram, etc.).
Moreover, additional logical information is stored in the function definition, such as whether a function is signal isolating. This logic information sometimes applies to the function as a whole, but more often to the connection points.
A function definition has the following properties:
- Name: A function definition includes a name for the function, such as "Power NO contact", "AC coil", etc.
- Description: Provides the technical purpose for which the function is used.
- Number of connection points: A normal function definition has at least one connection point. There are also special functions which have no connection points (e.g. black boxes). The number can also be variable, in which "n" then appears here. In this case, however, no detailed logic information can be specified for the connection points. Entries are then only possible which apply to all connection points ("n") and information for the last connection point ("z"), if multiple connection points are present.
For each function definition, 10 connection point designation recommendations and 10 connection point description recommendations can be given.
For each function (i.e. each component) you can freely determine the connection point logic - independent of the setting of the function definition. The properties entered here are added to the component and subsequently overwrite the properties from the function definition.
The user can enter function definitions into parts and therefore enable the subsequent selection of devices. The system then automatically offers the appropriate symbols corresponding to the function definitions given for the device.
Function definition library
A function definition library is a collection of function definitions. The function definition library is hierarchically organized by trade, area, category, group, and function definition. This grouping is designed to make it easier to find a particular function definition. The function definitions are displayed in the function selection dialog in a tree layout that reflects this grouping.
Function definition libraries are provided by EPLAN for the most current applications and items on the market; you cannot create them or extend them yourself.
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Layer |
Meaning |
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Determines the technical purpose for which the function is used, e.g., "electrical engineering" or "hydraulics". |
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Provides the area within the trade, e.g., "coils and contacts" or "motors". |
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Determines the system behavior of a function. This also means that depending on the category (e.g., contacts, protection devices, coils, terminals) certain properties may be available to the functions. For example, the property PLC address only exists for PLC functions, and the property Coil: Voltage is only available for coils. |
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Provides the basic functions of each category. For instance, the function "NO contact (2 connection points)" is a general definition and is made more detailed by "Power NO contact". |
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Function definition |
Defines the special type of function, e.g. "Power NO contact". |
Example:The function definition "Power NO contact" can be found in the selection dialog for function definitions under the following levels:
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Layer |
Entry |
|---|---|
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Trade |
Electrical engineering |
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Area |
Coils and contacts |
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Category |
NO contacts |
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Group |
NO contacts (2 connection points) |
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Function definition |
Power switches |
General function definitions
There are general function definitions, for example "Terminal, general, 2 connection points", in many groups of function definitions. Such a general function definition specifies the basic functionality of the item. All function definitions found within a group can be exchanged for one another. In this way, you can first use a general function in the project, and then later decide on a more precise definition.
The general function definitions are intended to be used in projects if the exact parts are not yet clear when the project configuration is carried out. At the device selection the general function definitions are suitable for all the exact function definitions within the same group. This means that the "Terminal, general, 2 connection points" can be replaced by an "N terminal, 2 connection points" as well as by a "PE terminal, 2 connection points" during the device selection.
If you store function templates in the parts management, you should only use the exact function definitions there.
See also