Work with splices

In Cable and Harness, splices are a virtual representation of the splice location and the wires that are joined together to make a path for electricity to flow. The splice is created with a default size, is offset a specified distance from selected face geometry, or is associated to selected geometry. The default offset for splices is set on the Splice tab of the Harness Settings dialog box.

Once a splice is positioned in the harness assembly it is represented in a nailboard drawing like other harness objects. Splice information is also included in reports and when saving data to the XML format.

What is the workflow for creating splices?

There is more than one method for creating splices in a harness assembly. The recommended workflow is:

• Activate the harness assembly.
• Select the geometry to create the splice.
• Create a splice offset from a face.
• Accept or change the splice RefDes.
• Accept or change the Category and Name.
• Optionally, click Properties to view the properties on the library splice definition.
• Import the wires onto the connectors.
• Splice the wires for a visual representation of the splice.
• Redefine the splice onto the segment for optimal positioning.
• Route the wires.

Alternatively, you can:

• Create a splice on a segment.
• Import wires onto the splice.
• Route the wires.

What geometry is valid for inserting splices?

Valid geometry for splice selections include both associative or non associative points. Non associative points are arbitrary points offset from a face. Associative points include any one of the following:

• A wire or segment, including the segment endpoint and work points on wires or segments
• Wire stubs, exposed wire pieces, unrouted wires
• Other existing work points
• Center points on any circular component such as a face, a hole, and cylindrical cuts of arc edges
• Existing sketch points
• Model vertices

You cannot place a splice on:

• Cable wires
• Connector pins
• Another splice
• Dangling wires

Note: Although you can place splices at junction points it is not recommended. The stress caused by the junction may affect the electrical connection at the splice.

How do associative and non associative splices differ?

Splices associated to existing model geometry update automatically when the associated model geometry is changed. Non associative splices do not update automatically.

The other differences are in the actions you can perform while editing the splices. Because associative splices are created as regular work points, you can use the context menu to ground the work point. You can also right-click, select Redefine Feature, and then select a new splice location using standard work point options.

Non associative splices are created as grounded work points. As with associative splices, you can also use Redefine Feature. Unlike other grounded work points, you cannot use 3D Move/Rotate.

How are different splice types specified?

There are two kinds of splices:

• Butt splices - a physical object where the wires are inserted into the body of the splice to form the electrical connection. Wires do not overlap.
• Overlapping splices - wires are either soldered or ultrasonically welded together.

The splice type is indicated by setting the embedded length value for the splice. Butt splices have an embedded length of zero or a negative number. The embedded length value for overlapping splices is the amount that the wires overlap. This ensures that the proper wire length is added to each wire connecting to the splice.

How are splices and spliced objects named?

The RefDes is used as the name for the splice. The default RefDes is the SP prefix with a sequential number beginning with 1. For example, SP1, SP2. Each splice name must be unique.

Each splice contains two pins named 1 and 2, which are represented only in the browser. You cannot change the name property for splice pins during splice creation or on the occurrence. You can add and modify other splice pin properties on the splice occurrence.

When a splice is placed on an existing wire or segment, the wire or segment is split and each object gets a unique name. By default, the existing segment or wire ID is used as a base with a sequential number beginning with 1. For example, if the wire ID is 1019, then the new wire ID's would be 1019_1, 1019_2, 1019_3 and so on.

How are splices modified?

Once the splice is placed, you can:

• Add or modify properties on the splice occurrence or splice pin occurrences.
• Modify splices using standard work point operations (Ground and Redefine Feature).
• Delete the splice.
• Redefine the splice location.
• Add wires to the splice.

What happens to a virtual part when a splice is inserted?

The behavior of the virtual part is different depending on the harness object to which it is assigned:

• If a virtual part is assigned to a segment or wire control point, the virtual part remains assigned to that point when the segment or wire is spliced.
• If a virtual part is assigned to a wire, cable wire, or segment, the virtual part remains with the original harness object when the harness object is spliced
• If a virtual part is assigned to a wire pin, the virtual part is transferred to the new wire or segment that is created when the wire or segment is spliced. For example, if a label is attached to a wire pin on wire 109 and the wire is spliced, the label is transferred to the new wire, wire 109_1.
• If the virtual part is attached to a connector or splice pin, the virtual part remains in the same location when the wire connected to those pins are spliced.