PLC modules have a common look so the developers were able to include these to save us time.īut when it comes to VFDs and other application-specific devices the number of wire connections creates a complication for the developers. They are built parametrically from as many as 40 symbol blocks for each PLC style. PLC modules from major PLC manufacturers are also included. These symbol libraries include common symbols, mostly devices with 2 wire connections, though some can be joined by a dashed link line to represent 2-pole and 3-pole devices like relay and switch contacts, fuses, and circuit breakers. I would only add that the software is delivered with libraries of symbols from such standards as IEC, JIC, and NFPA, the NFPA being the updated version of the JIC, as a convenience. TRLitsey provided you with a very concise answer. Please mark as a solution if this works for you, kudos are always welcome. Just be sure to check the scale when you download. Here is one other link to a source for dumb block already drawn up. I don't think they are using wild cards yet. Just be sure to enter the full AB part number. You can download many plan jane 2D dwg and add smart attributes with the ACE symbol builder. Since you are talking AB here, this is a link to one of the AB stock, dumb block, free download sights. It might be worth reading up on the ACE naming convention also the first several character and character order is very important. Each type of symbol can carry a different set of attributes so it is important to start with the right type to end up with the right type. The trick is to select the same type of block to begin with, ie use a terminal block if you want a custom terminal block, use a relay coil if that is what you are trying to create. It will walk you through what was previously referred to in a post above, explode a standard block change the geometry to your liking, rename and away you go. There is a good little walk through for creating smart blocks in the tut that comes with every version of ACE. If you go into the select manufacturer install, you will see a ton of them available.Īnd just about everyone does end up making their own symbols sooner or later. By the way, initial install only brings in 3 manufactures. And these are just the graphics, there 1000s of parts and many manufacturers in the default catalog. Open up your folders and see what you really have installed. That is to say that from selecting a terminal block from the icon menu, you may have 1000 or more part numbers you can associate to that symbol.
And remember that what you see in the icon menu is only a representation of what is available. Did you install all of the libraries? Default install bring in a few but there are 5 or 6 libraries can be selected during or after initial install. This is where the Electrical tools shine.The symbols that come with ACE should cover a lot of what you need.
Using LT, you have to pay attention and make sure you manually update all the different pieces of the project when you make changes. If I had enough electrical design work, I would definitely use the "big guns," but for doing occasional electrical designs, I'm okay with the extra effort.
In LT, the process is definitely slower, but for the price, you can't beat it. The finished AutoCAD LT product is identical to the output from the full version of AutoCAD using the Electrical tools. By the time I was done, I had pretty much redrawn all the electrical systems and many of the branch circuits. (The engineered drawings were a mess, with a great disparity between "to" and "from" feeder runs.) I would work with my new conduit and cable schedules, compare against the engineered drawings, correct the conduit size, wire size/count, if necessary, analyze the structural plans, find the best path, and draw it for the electricians. The largest project by size was a 17,000 seat 300,000 m2 stadium where I did all the onsite electrical working drawings, as-builts, new panel schedules, and to-from conduit and cable schedules, including over 800 feeders for electrical, fire, intercom, sound, data, telecom, etc. I have done many, many electrical designs using AutoCAD LT.