Symbol Libraries
AutoCAD Electrical toolset provides library symbols that comply with the standards:
- IEEE 315/315A
- IEC-60617
- NFPA
The symbols are located in \Users\Public\Documents\Autodesk\Acade {version}\Libs.
Icon Menus
Use the icon menu to insert schematic and panel components. The program defaults to icon menu ACE_<standard>_MENU.DAT for schematic symbols and ACE_PANEL_MENU.DAT for panel symbols.
These menu files are located in \Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Autodesk\AutoCAD Electrical {version}\{release}\{country code}\Support.
Supported Databases
Microsoft® Access
Catalog information is furnished with the default AutoCAD Electrical toolset installation. The information is in tables in a Microsoft Access database file (mdb ).
- Catalog Lookup
- Parts catalog database. The following naming convention and search sequence is used:
- <project name>_CAT.MDB located in the same folder as the .wdp file for the active project
- DEFAULT_CAT.MDB located in the same folder as the .wdp file for the active project
- DEFAULT_CAT.MDB located in \Users\{username}\Documents\Acade {version}\AeData\{language code}\Catalogs
- DEFAULT_CAT.MDB located in a support folder
- Footprint Lookup
- Maps the graphical footprint symbols to catalog part numbers. The following naming convention and search sequence is used:
- <project name>_FOOTPRINT_LOOKUP.MDB located in the same folder as the .wdp file for the active project
- FOOTPRINT_LOOKUP.MDB located in the same folder as the .wdp file for the active project
- FOOTPRINT_LOOKUP.MDB located in \Users\{username}\Documents\Acade {version}\AeData\{language code}\Catalogs
- FOOTPRINT_LOOKUP.MDB located in a support folder
- Schematic Lookup
- Maps the schematic symbols when inserted from panel footprints. The following naming convention and search sequence is used:
- <project name>_SCHEMATIC_LOOKUP.MDB located in the same folder as the .wdp file for the active project
- SCHEMATIC_LOOKUP.MDB located in the same folder as the .wdp file for the active project
- SCHEMATIC_LOOKUP.MDB located in \Users\{username}\Documents\Acade {version}\AeData\{language code}\Catalogs
- SCHEMATIC_LOOKUP.MDB located in a support folder
- WD_LANG1.MDB
- Used when you convert description or switch position component text from one language to another. Located in \Users\{username}\Documents\Acade {version}\AeData\{language code}\Catalogs.
- ACE_PLC.MDB
- Used to generate PLC I/O modules. Located in \Users\{username}\Documents\Acade {version}\AeData\{language code}\PLC.
Microsoft® SQL™ Server
AutoCAD Electrical toolset also supports SQL Server for your catalog data information. AutoCAD Electrical toolset allows you to migrate the catalog data that is furnished with the default AutoCAD Electrical toolset installation in a Microsoft Access database file. You can either configure and set up your SQL Server instance when you are installing AutoCAD Electrical toolset or use the AECATALOGCONFIG command, later, to set your catalog database source.
Currently, the support is limited to catalog and footprint databases for SQL Server.
Circuit Builder
- ACE_CIRCUIT_BUILDER.XLS
- Defines the available circuits, circuit types, and defaults for each option within a circuit. Located in \Users\Public\Documents\Autodesk\Acade {version}\Support\{language code}.
- ACE_ELECTRICAL_STANDARDS.MDB
- Defines default values and engineering calculations, annotates circuits, and provides wire type analysis.
Din Rail and Wireway
- WDDINRL.XLS
- Used to parametrically generate din rail and wireway. Located in \Users\{username}\Documents\Acade {version}\AeData\{language code}\Catalogs.
Miscellaneous Text Files
- WD_DESC.WDD
- Lists various standard component description selections, accessible by clicking Defaults on the Insert/Edit dialog boxes.
- WD_FAM.DAT
- Maps the family codes to new values, overriding the family tag code of the library symbols.
- DEFAULT.WDT
- Attribute mapping file for Title Block update.
- DEFAULT.WDA
- User-defined attribute list used in reports.
- DEFAULT_WDTITLE.WDL
- Customizes the generic LINEx labels in the various title block and project information dialog boxes.
- DEFAULT.INST, DEFAULT.LOC
- Lists the default installation and location codes, accessible by clicking Project in the Installation or location section of the Insert/Edit dialog boxes.
Schematic Symbol Naming Convention
- The first character is either "H" or "V" for horizontal or vertical wire insertion.
- The next two characters are reserved for family type (for example, PB for push buttons, CR for control relays, LS for limit switches).
- The fourth character is generally a 2 for child contacts and 1 for everything else (parent or standalone component).
- If the symbol is a contact, then the fifth character is a 1 for normally open, 2 for normally closed.
The remaining characters are not specified. They are used to keep names unique. Symbol names are limited to 32 characters.
Replaceable Parameters
Replaceable parameters are codes used to define tagging formats.
- Device tags, wire numbers, cross-reference parameters
-
%F Component family code string (for example, "PB," "SS," "CR," "FLT," "MTR") %S Sheet number of the drawing (for example, "01" entered in upper right) %D Drawing number %G Wire layer name %N Sequential or Reference-based number applied to the component %X Suffix character position for reference-based tagging (not present = end of tag) %P IEC-style project code (default for drawing) %I IEC-style installation code (default for drawing) %L IEC-style location code (default for drawing) %A Project drawing list's SEC value for active drawing %B Project drawing list's SUB-SEC value for active drawing - Wire annotation and graphical terminal strips parameters
-
%P Terminal pin text %Q Terminal pin TERMDESC text %I IEC-style installation code %L IEC-style location code %M Mount assignment (on panel footprint equivalent) %U Group assignment (on panel footprint equivalent) %W Wire number %C Cable tag + conductor/core color combination (format is "tag-color") %E Cable tag %J Cable conductor/core color %V Cable tag substituted for wire number if cable tag is non-blank.The wire number is displayed when a cable ID does not exist. %G Wire color/gauge (or wire layer name) %H Cable wire color substituted for wire number if cable color is non-blank.The wire layer is displayed when a wire conductor in conjunction with a cable ID does not exist. %T Terminal strip terminal pin assignment %K Terminal strip TERMDESC text - useful for multi-stack terminals %1 Destination component tag ID. %2 Equivalent of "%1:%P" (comp tag:term) %3 Equivalent of "%1:%P:%D" (comp tag:term:termdesc) %4 Equivalent of "%L%1" (IEC comp tag) %5 Equivalent of "%L%1:%P" (tag:term) %6 Equivalent of "%L%1:%P:%D" (tag:term:termdesc) %7 Equivalent of "%I%I%1" (INST prefix+IEC comp tag) %8 Equivalent of "%I%L%1:%P" (tag:term) %9 Equivalent of "%I%L%1:%P:%D" (tag:term:termdesc) Note: You can use only one of the (%number) parameters.
Default Family Code Catalog Tables
AM | Ammeters |
AN | Buzzers, horns, bells |
CB | Circuit breakers |
C0 | Connectors/pins |
CR | Control relays |
DI | Din Rail |
DN | Device networks |
DO | Diodes |
DR | Drives |
DS | Disconnect switches |
EN | Enclosures/hardware |
FM | Frequency meters |
FS | Flow sensors |
FT | Foot switches |
FU | Fuses |
LR | Latching relays |
LS | Limit switches |
LT | Lights, pilot lights |
MISC | Miscellaneous |
MO | Motors |
MS | Motor starters/contactors |
NP | Nameplates |
OL | Overloads |
PB | Push buttons |
PE | Photo switches |
PLCIO | Programmable logic controllers |
PM | Power meters |
PNEU-ACT | Actuators |
PNEU-ALU | Lubricators |
PNEU-CYL | Cylinders |
PNEU-FLC | Flow Control |
PNEU-FLT | Filters |
PNEU-MET | Pressure Gauges |
PNEU-MFL | Silencers |
PNEU-MNF | Manifolds |
PNEU-MOT | Motors |
PNEU-NOZ | Nozzles |
PNEU-OPR | Push buttons |
PNEU-PMP | Pumps |
PNEU-TNK | Reservoirs |
PNEU-VAC | Suction |
PNEU-VLV | Valves |
PS | Pressure switches |
PW | Power supplies |
PX | Proximity switches |
RE | Resistors |
SS | Selector switches |
SU | Surge suppressors |
SW | Toggle switches |
TD | Timer relays |
TRMS | Terminal blocks |
TS | Temperature switches |
VM | Volt meters |
WO | Cables, multi-conductor cables |
WW | Wire ways |
XF | Transformers |