About the Schematic Lookup File

The schematic lookup file maps catalog information from a panel component or equipment list to a specific schematic component library symbol. AutoCAD Electrical toolset supplies a starter lookup file called schematic_lookup.mdb in Access ".mdb" file format. Within the database file are tables based on Manufacturer codes. When you select a panel footprint from an AutoCAD Electrical toolset extract file or select a panel footprint from a catalog lookup file, it carries a manufacturer code, on the MFG attribute. AutoCAD Electrical toolset takes this MFG code, goes to the matching table name in the schematic lookup database and tries to find a match on the manufacturer, catalog number and assembly code (if non-blank). If a match is found, AutoCAD Electrical toolset retrieves the component block path/name (or AutoCAD Electrical toolset command list) from the matching record and inserts the schematic component representation into the drawing.

You must expand and modify these tables to meet your specific schematic needs. You can do this using tools provided with AutoCAD Electrical toolset or through the use of a database program that can read/write the Access file format. You may use the MDB file (schematic_lookup.mdb) or a project-specific schematic lookup file, called <project>_schematic_lookup.mdb. If the project-specific .mdb file is used, it needs to be in the same subdirectory as the <project>.wdp file.

Lookup file naming convention: AutoCAD Electrical toolset takes the target footprint's MFG code and looks for a table, in your Access schematic_lookup.mdb file with that name. For example, if the footprint's MFG value is SQD, then AutoCAD Electrical toolset searches for a schematic lookup table called SQD; manufacturer code of AB yields the table name AB.

Lookup file format

All fields contain characters except for RECNUM, which is automatically numbered in the list for you. Fields may be blank and may use wildcards, with the exception of SCHEMATIC_BLKNAM. Each record consists of these fields (in this order):

MANUFACTURER

Manufacturer name (same as attribute value)

CATALOG

Catalog part number

ASSEMBLYCODE

Assembly code part number link

FUNCTION_DESCRIPTION

Assigned description text (DESC1-DESC3)

PANEL_BLKNAM

Block name of the panel footprint insert

CATEGORY

Blank for component queries, 'T' or 'W' for terminal queries

WDBLKNAM

Name used to tie into catalog lookup table (ex. PB11, CR)

SCHEMATIC_BLKNAM

Schematic symbol block name or special insert command flag

COMMENTS

Description of the schematic block name

RECNUM

Record number (automatically numbered in the list)

Table query sequence

Queries on this database can be multi-level until a hit is returned. The first level is a query on the MFG/CAT/ASSYCODE fields. If 0 records are returned, a second query is done on just the CATALOG field (or the CATEGORY field if working with terminals). If 0 records are returned, a third query is done on the WDBLKNAM field. If this fails to return any records, a final query is made on keywords in the FUNCTION_DESCRIPTION field.

Note: When querying panel terminals, the second query is on the CATEGORY field, which contains a 'T' or 'W'. This query determines which symbols to display in the Insert dialog box. The 'T' displays a list of terminal symbols for terminal numbers, while the 'W' displays a list of terminal symbols for wire number terminals.

When multiple block name choices are returned, they are displayed in a pick list along with any comments from each matching record. If a match is not found or if matches are found and you choose not to use any of them, the displayed Insert dialog box offers several other options. You can:

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