About Schematic Attributes

The following are attribute requirements for various categories of schematic symbols. Some attributes are used in multiple categories.

Schematic Parent and Child Components

TAG1

(Parent only) Attribute for required component tag name (255 characters maximum). The default value for this attribute becomes the family code string used to build the tag name of the component when the block is inserted into your schematic. This value is used as the Family Code (%F) portion of the tag format code defined in the Drawing Properties dialog box.

Example: The TAG1 attribute definition on the symbol carries a default value of MCR and the tag format of the drawing is "%F%N". The %N is the placeholder for the line reference number or next sequential number. When this symbol is inserted, it is automatically assigned a tag name with an MCR prefix followed by the reference or next sequential number.

Note: When a component is marked with a fixed tag, this attribute name is automatically changed with an F suffix; TAG1F.

TAG2

(Child only) If the child is related to a parent symbol, this attribute is a copy of the parent component's tag name (255 characters maximum).

TAG1_PART1, TAG1_PART2, and TAG1_PARTX

(Parent only) Alternate to using a single TAG1 attribute. These attributes allow the component tag name to be split into two pieces (example: two lines - MDOT on first line and 123 on the second line for a full tag name of MOT123). To include a delimiter character in the tag name but not show it on the drawing, include a TAG_PARTX invisible attribute to carry the delimiter.

Note: The default for the %F tagging parameter, as described in TAG1 previously, is carried on the TAG1_PART1 piece of the attribute pair. If a component with a split tag is marked as Fixed, the attribute names are automatically changed to TAG1F_PART1 and TAG1F_PART2.

TAG2_PART1, TAG2_PART2

(Child only) Same as TAG1_PART1 and TAG1_PART2 but for child components.

COPYTAG

Attribute that can carry a copy of the tag value. When the program updates a TAG1, TAG2, split tag, or TAGSTRIP attribute, it also looks for and updates any COPYTAG attributes present on the symbol. A special replaceable parameter, "%T", can be encoded onto the COPYTAG attribute prompt value of the block definition. It allows for adding a suffix and/or prefix to the TAG text. If you need more than one extra tag copy on a symbol, name the attributes COPYTAG01, COPYTAG02, and so on. If there is no prompt value encoded on the attribute definition, the program applies a copy of the tag value to each of the COPYTAG* attributes.

For example, you create a drive schematic symbol with a TAG1 attribute for the tag value of the drive. You want some other parts of this single symbol to carry the same value plus a suffix like -POT and -DBRES. On your library symbol, insert these attribute definitions:

COPYTAG01 with a prompt value of %T-POT near the potentiometer graphic of the symbol
COPYTAG02 with a prompt value of %T-DBRES near the dynamic braking resistor graphic

When this symbol is inserted on a schematic drawing, and a tag value is assigned, each COPYTAG* attribute updates accordingly.

MFG

Attribute used to hold manufacturer name or code (24 characters maximum).

MFGn: Attributes for manufacturer name or code for up to 99 extra part number assignments (24 characters maximum each). The "n" is the sequential code value "01" through "99". If these attributes are not present, the data is saved on the inserted symbol as Xdata.

Note: MFG, CAT, and ASSYCODE generally appear on parent components only; not child contact symbols. If they are included on child symbols, they are counted in the quantity in a Bill of Material report.

CAT

Attribute used to hold catalog part number assignment (60 characters maximum).

CATn: Attributes for catalog value for up to 99 extra part number assignments. The "n" is the sequential code value "01" through "99". If these attributes are not present, the data is saved on the inserted symbol as Xdata.

ASSYCODE

Attribute for optional subassembly code that causes AutoCAD Electrical toolset to look for subassembly items to extract into BOM reports (60 characters maximum). Define these subassembly items in the active catalog lookup file in the ASSYCODE and ASSYLIST fields. The value for this attribute is set automatically when you make a selection from the catalog lookup that carries subassembly information.

ASSYCODEn: Attributes for subassembly code value for up to 99 extra part number assignments. The "n" is the sequential code value "01" through "99". If these attributes are not present, the data is saved on the inserted symbol as Xdata.

ITEM

Attribute for the item or detail number for a component.

FAMILY

Attribute for the component's family type (for example, "CR", "TD", "M", "PB"; eight characters maximum). Generally, the default value of the FAMILY attribute definition is the same as the default value for the TAG1 or TAG2 attribute of the component. It is used as a check at the time child components are linked to a parent. On a family mismatch, an alert dialog box displays.

if the Family attribute value of the child is left blank, it can be linked to any type of parent symbol.

DESC1, DESC2, DESC3

Attributes for the component's description (60 characters each maximum).

INST

Attribute for component installation code (255 characters maximum).

LOC

Attribute for component location code (255 characters maximum).

XREFNO, XREFNC

(Parent only) Attributes to hold normally open and normally closed cross-reference annotation. If graphical or table cross-referencing is applied to the component symbol, these attributes automatically switch to invisible.

XREF

Use this attribute in two ways:

A combined list of normally open and normally closed contacts where normally closed references are underlined
If XREFNO and XREFNC are present, then this XREF attribute is used includes non-NO/NC references

Note: If XREF is not present then non-NO/NC references are included with the XREFNO annotation.

CONTACT

Attribute that is present when the symbol is a contact. The value of this attribute is the de-energized state of the contact; NO, NC, or any text string with an embedded NO or NC such as NO-TC. Use NULL as the value of the contact attribute to exclude the contact from being included in any cross-reference text annotation.

COMMON

Attribute that defines which TERMxx attribute receives the first PINLIST value. The attribute value is a two character string, for example 02, that matches with one of the TERMxx attributes found on the symbol. If this attribute does not exist on the symbol, the first PINLIST value is assigned to TERM01 and the second to TERM02.

POSn

Attribute to mark switch position text where "n" is the position number digit (POS1 through POS12; 36 characters maximum).

STATE

Contact state character string to denote relationship between switch positions and open/closed contact state. It is for display only.

RATINGn

Rating value attribute text where "n" is the rating number digit (RATING1 through RATING12; 60 characters maximum). A RATING1 value on a cable marker holds the wire color value.

X?LINK

Attribute that allows you to tie in dashed link lines automatically between related components (instead of cross-reference annotation). The "?" is a digit that indicates the preferred link line connection direction and follows the wire connection convention.

1. connects to the attribute from the right
2. connects to the attribute from above
4. connects to the attribute from the left
8. connects to the attribute from below

PINLIST

(Parent only) Attribute carried on a parent symbol for storing the allowed contact pin list for the child contacts of the parent (no limit on characters). If this attribute is not present then any related pin list data is stored on the symbol as Xdata.

PEER_PINLIST

(Parent only) Like the PINLIST attribute, but is used to hold a second pin list temporarily that is later retrieved during insertion of a peer parent device. For example, a reversing motor starter contactor might be a single component with a single part number, but has a parent coil and a peer reversing coil. Each is to receive its own unique pin list. The catalog lookup assignment pulls both sets of pin lists to the parent. Then, inserting the peer reversing coil and referencing the parent, the pin list of the peer is retrieved from the parent and pulled over to the peer.

WDTAGALT

(Parent only) Attribute carried on a parent symbol used for setting up a peer-to-peer relationship. It stores the cross-reference tag name of a related symbol shown on a different drawing type; instrument drawing or pneumatic drawing vs. electrical schematic. For example, an instrument drawing might be included in a project drawing set with a valve tagged FY201. On the electrical schematics, the solenoid for this instrument valve is tagged SV456. The WDTAGALT attribute carried on the schematic valve symbol can be annotated with the FY201 instrument tag name. A WDTAGALT attribute on the symbol of the instrument diagram carries the SV456 tag name pointing back at the schematic representation. With this in place, the program can cross-reference between them, autoupdate, and surf from one drawing type to the other.

Note: For cross-referencing to include these peer references, make sure that the Project Properties

Cross-reference tab

Peer to Peer option is checked.

WDTYPE

Attribute used to define the component category. A missing or blank value indicates a schematic component.

1-. one-line
1-1. one-line bus-tap
HY. hydraulic
PI. P&ID
PN. pneumatic

Note: The WDTYPE value can be a user-defined value. User-defined values must be three or four characters long.

WD_WEBLINK

Attribute carried on a parent symbol for Internet URL's, .pdf, .xls, or .doc links that can be surfed on. The attribute value should be the URL, .pdf, .xls, or .doc document file name that should be displayed when selected from the Surf dialog box of the component. Multiple weblink attributes can be assigned to a symbol. Use attribute names with the WD_WEBLINK prefix; WD_WEBLINK1, WD_WEBLINK2, and so on.

WDBLKNAM

Attribute to define the catalog database table to use for the component. If absent, the catalog table name is based on the block symbol name.

One-line

A one-line symbol can be a parent, child, or terminal. These one-line symbols use the same attributes as the schematic parent, child, and terminal symbols but with the following exceptions.

WDTYPE: The attribute must be present and carry a value of "1-" to indicate it is a one-line symbol, or “1-1” for the one-line bus-tap symbols. A bus-tap symbol is used to mark the beginning of a one-line circuit. Schematic symbols do not carry this attribute or have the attribute but with a blank value.
RATING1: Omitted from one-line cable markers symbols since a one-line cable marker can represent multiple conductors, multiple wires, or core color assignments.
TERM01: Omitted from one-line terminal symbols since a one-line terminal can represent multiple independent terminals.
If a TERM01 attribute is added to a one-line symbol, it can be edited in the Insert/Edit Terminal Symbol dialog box. However, terminal number text on one-line terminal symbols is not linked back to terminal number assignments on schematic or panel terminal representations.

Note: Terminal Strip Editor does not process one-line terminals.

Wire Connection/Terminal Pin Number Pairs

X?TERMn

Wire connection attributes where an external wire connects to the origin point of the attribute. The "n" character is an incremented digit starting at "01" used to keep multiple wire connection point attribute names unique. It also provides a link to an associated terminal number (TERMn) and a terminal description (TERMDESCn) attribute. The "?" character position is used to identify the preferred wire connection direction:

1: wire connects to the attribute from the right
2: wire connects to the attribute from above
4: wire connects to the attribute from the left
8: wire connects to the attribute from below
0: special for motor connections that radiate from a circle.
Note: When a component is inserted with, nearby wires try to connect to this type of attribute only if it has a default prompt value of X0STRETCH

If more than 99 terminals are present on a single symbol, the "n" value can continue with double alpha letters/numbers such as A0, A1, AZ, B0 and so on.

Note: X?TERMn attributes can be stand-alone, meaning there is not an associated TERMn attribute.

X?TERMDESCn

Wire connection description attributes that match up with X?TERMn wire connection attributes (128 characters maximum). The value assigned to each termination description attribute can be extracted into various wire connection reports or merged onto panel wiring diagram representations of schematic symbols.

The program uses these attributes to define a terminal as an internal or external connection.

TERMn

Terminal pin number attribute (ten characters maximum) where "n" is a two-digit number (starting at 01) that is used to match up with the corresponding X?TERMn wire connection attribute.

A single TERMn attribute can have two, three, or four wire connection attributes associated with it. For example, a terminal symbol having a single terminal number attribute TERM01 can carry four wire connection attributes to allow connection from any direction. All four wire connection attribute names would end with 01 to link them all to the common terminal pin number attribute.

WD_JUMPERS

Internal wire jumpers attribute that can be encoded to internally jumper sets of terminals together. These values are taken into account when calculating wire number assignments and processing wire connection and from/to reports. For example, a WD_JUMPERS attribute value of ((01 02)) jumpers wire connection X?TERM01 to X?TERM02. The Internal Jumper command assigns these values. Find

Schematic Connector Parametric Build Symbols

The parametric connector is made up of a series of master symbols; one parent and multiple children (default library symbol names HCN1_1*.dwg, VCN1_1*.dwg, HCN2_1*.dwg, VCN2_1*.dwg). A parent symbol has a 1 and child has a 2 as fourth character of the symbol name. The symbols use the standard parent and child schematic attributes along with the following.

ACE_FLAG: Attribute with a value set to 2 to identify a parametric connector symbol.
TERM01P: Attribute for terminal pin number on plug side.
TERM01J: Attribute for terminal pin number on receptacle side.
X?TERM01P, X?TERM01J: Wire connection attributes for plug and receptacle side respectively. The "?" is the wire connection direction digit; 1, 2, 4, or 8.
X?TERMDESC01P, X?TERMDESC01J: Attribute for terminal pin description for plug side and receptacle side respectively. The "?" digit is the wire connection direction digit; 1, 2, 4, or 8.
X?WIRE01P, X?WIRE01J: Attribute for wire connection annotation for plug side and receptacle side respectively. The "?" digit is the wire connection direction digit; 1, 2, 4, or 8.
X?_TINY_DOT_DONT_REMOVE_01P, X?_TINY_DOT_DONT_REMOVE_01J: Attribute with a small, single character value ".", that must remain visible and must be placed at the exact insertion location of the XnTERM01P and XnTERM01J attributes. Maintains wire connection integrity if a connector pin is moved beyond the end of the connector shell. The "?" digit is the wire connection direction digit; 1, 2, 4, or 8.

Note: The "01" is incremented when the parametric connector is generated and is used to keep multiple wire connection point attribute names unique.

Schematic Terminal Symbols

Use the following attributes for terminal symbols or multi-connection sequence terminal symbols.

TAGSTRIP: Attribute to carry terminal strip tag name (64 characters maximum).
X?TERM01: Attribute for wire connection. The "?" digit is the wire connection direction digit; 1, 2, 4, or 8.
X?TERMDESC01: Attribute for wire connection description. The "?" digit is the wire connection direction digit; 1, 2, 4, or 8.
STRIPSEQ: Attribute used internally by the Terminal Strip Editor command to sort a terminal strip.
LINKTERM: Attribute used internally to associate schematic terminals within a multi-level terminal, or to associate a schematic terminal to its panel representation.
WIRENO or TERM01: Attribute to carry the terminal number assignment. If the terminal is to display the wire number value of the wire network that it is inserted into, then WIRENO (24 characters maximum) attribute must be present. Otherwise, if the attribute is to carry a terminal pin assignment independent of the wire number, attribute TERM01 (ten characters maximum) must be used.
MFG: Attribute used to hold manufacturer name or code (24 characters maximum).
MFGn: Attributes for manufacturer name or code for up to 10 extra part number assignments. The "n" is the sequential code value "01" through "10". If these attributes are not present, the data is saved on the inserted symbol as Xdata.

Note: MFG, CAT, and ASSYCODE generally appear on parent components only; not child contact symbols. If they are included on child symbols, they are counted in the quantity in a Bill of Material report.
CAT: Attribute used to hold catalog part number assignment (60 characters maximum).
CATn: Attributes for catalog value for up to 10 extra part number assignments. The "n" is the sequential code value "01" through "10". If these attributes are not present, the data is saved on the inserted symbol as Xdata.
ASSYCODE: Attribute for optional subassembly code that causes AutoCAD Electrical toolset to look for subassembly items to extract into BOM reports (60 characters maximum). Define these subassembly items in the active catalog lookup file in the ASSYCODE and ASSYLIST fields. The value for this attribute is set automatically when you make a selection from the catalog lookup that carries subassembly information.
ASSYCODEn: Attributes for subassembly code value for up to 10 extra part number assignments. The "n" is the sequential code value "01" through "10". If these attributes are not present, the data is saved on the inserted symbol as Xdata.
DESC1, DESC2, DESC3: Attributes for the component's description (60 characters each maximum).
INST: Attribute for component installation code (255 characters maximum).
LOC: Attribute for component location code (255 characters maximum).
WDBLKNAM: Attribute with value of TRMS to force access of the TRMS table in catalog lookup (32 characters maximum).

Special Multiple Connection Sequence Terminal Symbol

Use the following attributes for this special type of terminal symbol. This single symbol instance can be used to define a series of up to six terminal strip interconnections (example, a wire that passes through a series of shipping split terminal strips). Default library symbol block names H--1_multi*.dwg, V--1_multi*.dwg.

WD_#_TAGSTRIP: Attribute to carry terminal strip number (16 characters maximum). Use WD_1_TAGSTRIP for the first terminal strip number and select from WD_2_TAGSTRIP through WD_6_TAGSTRIP for the next terminal number in the sequence.
WD_#_TERMNO: Attribute to carry optional terminal number. Use WD_1_TERMNO for the first terminal strip number and select from WD_2_TERMNO through WD_6_TERMNO for the next terminal number in the sequence.
WD_#_INFO: Attribute to carry additional information such as installation, location, catalog, and item number assignments; and any connected cable information. Use WD_1_INFO for the first terminal strip number and select from WD_2_INFO through WD_6_INFO for the next terminal number in the sequence.
X?TERM01, X?TERM02: Attribute for wire connections on each end of the symbol. The "?" digit is the wire connection direction digit; 1, 2, 4, or 8.

Source/Destination Wire Signal Symbols

These symbols allow a wire to jump from one place to another, either within a drawing or across multiple drawing. Default library symbol names are HAxSn.dwg, HAxDn.dwg where "x" = style digit and "n" = orientation 1, 2, 3 or 4.

SIGCODE: Attribute carries the unique signal code that is user-defined as the symbol is inserted (32 characters maximum). This value is used to match up each source signal with its destination signals.
WIRENO: Attribute carries a copy of the wire number that gets assigned to the wire that the signal symbol is attached to (24 characters maximum).
DESC1: Description attribute (60 characters maximum).
X?TERM01: Attribute for wire connection where the "?" character is the wire connection direction, same as previous attribute.
XREF: Attribute carries the reference location for the matching source or destination symbols. Updates automatically with the Update Signal References tool or Wire Numbers tool.
SHEET: Attribute for the SHEET (%S) value assigned in the drawing properties (12 characters maximum). Updates automatically with the Update Signal References tool or Wire Numbers tool.
DWGNAM: Attribute for the DWGNAM (%D) value assigned in the drawing properties (40 characters maximum). Updates same as previous attribute.

The XREF, SHEET, and DWGNAM attributes update automatically with:

Update Signal References Find
Wire Numbers Find

Stand-alone Source/Destination Cross-reference Symbols

These symbols are like the Source/Destination wire signal symbols, except there is no wire connection attribute and no WIRENO attribute. Default library symbol names are HAxS1_REF.dwg, HAxD1_REF.dwg where "x" = style digit.

In-line Wire Labels or Wire Numbers

These symbols insert into a wire, break the wire, and reconnect at each end. They carry a text label or wire number in the gap between the connected wire ends. They symbols can dynamically adjust their gap to accommodate the width of the in-line text. Default library symbol block names are HT0_*.dwg, VT0_*.dwg.

COLOR or WIRENO: Visible attribute for the text label (COLOR) or in-line wire text (WIRENO) (24 characters maximum). This attribute is center or middle justified and placed midway between the pair of wire connection attributes.
X?TERM01: Pair of wire connection attributes where the wires connect. The "?" digit is the wire connection direction digit; 1, 2, 4, or 8.
X?_TINY_DOT_DONT_REMOVE: Attribute with a small, single character value ".", that must remain visible and must be placed at the exact insertion location of each of the XnTERM01 attributes. This attribute allows the gap to auto-adjust to text width and to maintain connectivity through the symbol.

PLC Single I/O Point Symbols

These attributes must be present on single, stand-alone I/O symbols with one or two wire connections. Default library symbol block names are PLCIOI*.dwg and PLCIOO*.dwg.

TAG1 or TAG2: Attribute for PLC I/O module tag name (parent / child) (255 characters maximum).
TAGAn: Attribute for the I/O address (32 characters maximum). The "n" is the sequential code value starting with "01". For multiple addresses, increment the suffix number (TAGA02, TAGA03) and add corresponding terminal pin number attributes (TERM02, TERM03), and wire connection attributes (X?TERM02, X?TERM03), if needed.
INST: Attribute for component installation code (255 characters maximum).
LOC: Attribute for component location code (255 characters maximum).
XREF: Attribute carries the reference location for the matching child\parent symbols.
TERM01L, TERM01R: Attribute for terminal pin number on each side (ten characters maximum). If just a single wire connection then the attribute name is TERM01.
X?TERM01L, X?TERM01R: Attributes for wire connections on each side. If just a single wire connection then the attribute name is X?TERM01. The "?" digit is the wire connection direction digit; 1, 2, 4, or 8.
TERMDESC01L, TERMDESC01R: Terminal pin description attribute on each side of the symbol (128 characters maximum). If just a single wire connection then the attribute name is TERMDESC01.
MFG: Attribute used to hold manufacturer name or code (24 characters maximum).
CAT: Attribute used to hold catalog part number assignment (60 characters maximum).
ASSYCODE: Attribute for optional subassembly code that causes AutoCAD Electrical toolset to look for subassembly items to extract into BOM reports (60 characters maximum). Define these subassembly items in the active catalog lookup file in the ASSYCODE and ASSYLIST fields. The value for this attribute is set automatically when you make a selection from the catalog lookup that carries subassembly information.
DESCA01 - DESCE01: Attributes to hold up to five lines of description text (60 characters maximum).
LINE1, LINE2: Attributes to hold two lines of general text (example: Rack and Slot address numbers; 24 characters maximum).
DESC: (Parent only) Optional attribute for general description purposes (60 characters maximum).
FAMILY: Attribute for the component's family type; PLC by default for single I/O point symbols.

Splice Symbols

X?WIRE01, X?WIRE02: Attribute for wire annotation. The "?" digit is the wire connection direction digit; 1, 2, 4, or 8.
TERMDESCxx: Attribute for wire connection description (128 characters maximum).
ACE_FLAG: Attribute with a value set to 1 to identify a splice symbol.

Parametric Twisted Pair Symbols

X?TERM01: Attribute for wire connection. The "?" digit is the wire connection direction digit; 1, 2, 4, or 8.
X?_TINY_DOT_DONT_REMOVE: Attribute with a small, single character value ".", that must remain visible and must be placed at the exact insertion location of each of the XnTERM01 attributes. This attribute allows the gap to auto-adjust to text width and to maintain connectivity through the symbol.
ACE_OFFSET: Attribute that carries the vertex offset distance measured from the midpoint of the symbol's two wire connection points. A positive value extends the twist through the gap. A negative value (default) decreases the height of the twist. A value of 0.0 makes the twist come up to the wire-gap midpoint.
To change the height of the twist, open the symbol drawing file and edit this attribute definition. The next time you insert a twisted pair symbol into a new drawing, the twisted part takes on the new value.
ACE_FLAG: Attribute with a value set to 3 to identify a twisted pair symbol.