To Work With Circuit Builder

Builds a circuit based on your selection from a list of available circuits and circuit elements.

The circuit builds dynamically and matches the rung spacing, adds wiring between components, and can annotate the circuit with calculated values based upon the assigned load amperage of the circuit. Circuit Builder extracts these annotation values from a database based on engineering standards, motor horsepower, and supply voltage.

Note: Add the one-line library search path to the project so Circuit Builder can find the one-line circuit templates. By default, the one-line library is installed in a 1- folder under the schematic library folder.

Insert a circuit

  1. Click Schematic tabInsert Components panelCircuit Builder drop-downCircuit Builder. Find
  2. Select the circuit from the Circuits list.
    Note: You can also select History to display the list of previously configured circuits.

    A circuit inserted from the Circuits list contains all default circuit elements as defined in the circuit template and circuit builder spreadsheet. See how to set circuit element defaults to change the default circuit setup.

    A circuit inserted from the History list contains all circuit elements and values of the previously configured circuit.

  3. (Optional) Enter a Circuit Scale. This value sets an insertion scale value for the circuit template drawing.
  4. (Optional) Enter a Component Scale. This value sets an insertion scale value for the individual components inserted while building the circuit.
  5. (Optional) Enter a Horizontal Rung Spacing.
  6. (Optional) Enter a Vertical Rung Spacing.
  7. (Optional) Select to apply some specific annotation:
    • Presets - defined in the ANNO_CODE sheet of the Circuit Builder spreadsheet file that map to the selected circuit.
    • Reference an existing circuit - reference values from an existing circuit selected from a list of circuits extracted from the active project. The state of the Retag new components check box controls the retagging of the components within the new circuit. Values can include catalog assignment, component descriptions, annotation values, and more.
      Note: This option is not available if the circuit is selected from the History list.

  8. Select Insert.
  9. Select an insertion point location on the drawing.

Configure a Circuit

  1. Follow steps to insert a circuit.
  2. Select Configure.
  3. Select an insertion point location on the drawing. The template drawing for the selected circuit is inserted at the specified location. The template drawing contains marker blocks. Each block is marked with a code value that links to instructions for either inserting a component, wire number, or adjusting the wiring of the circuit.

    The dialog box has three sections, Circuit Elements, Select, and Setup & Annotations. The options differ depending on the circuit and circuit element selected.

  4. Select a circuit element, for example:

    Circuit Elements: Motor Setup

  5. Click the Motor Setup Browse button to display the Select Motor dialog box. This dialog box is where you select the motor and horsepower or KW size from the electrical standards database. For other components, the Catalog lookup dialog box displays. You can also type in values for each entry.
  6. Click the Wire Setup Browse button to display the Wire Size Lookup dialog box. This dialog box is where you select or adjust the wire size based on an analysis of the load and various installation parameters. You can also type in values for each entry.
  7. Select a circuit element, for example:

    Circuit Elements: Disconnecting means

    The options for this circuit element, defined in the circuit builder spreadsheet, are displayed in the Select section.

  8. Select the options for this circuit element, for example:

    Main Disconnect: Circuit breaker

    Include N.O. auxiliary contact: Yes

  9. (Optional) Modify values in the Setup & Annotations section for the selected circuit element.
    Note: Depending upon how this circuit element is set up in the circuit builder spreadsheet, this section may not be available for circuit element modification.

    Select the Browse button to make a part number assignment from the Catalog lookup dialog box. The “TABLE” entry defines the catalog lookup table for the component in the circuit builder spreadsheet. You can also type in values for each entry.

  10. Repeat to configure each circuit element.
  11. (Optional) Enter a name for the circuit. This name is added to the History list on the Circuit Selection dialog box and makes it easier to find this same circuit for future re-insertion.
  12. Select from one of three ways to insert the circuit elements.

    Click to insert just the highlighted circuit element.

    Click to insert all the circuit elements up to and including the highlighted circuit element.

    Click to insert all the circuit elements.

    Note: If the circuit contains a nested template, the circuit elements tree structure may expand when the nested circuit is inserted into the overall circuit. You may need to go back and configure the circuit elements that are part of the nested template.
  13. Select Done. The circuit is finalized by:
    • Remaining untagged child components are matched up with parent components and tags are assigned.
    • The selection information for the circuit is applied to the main component of the circuit, for example the motor or load symbol.
    • The remaining marker blocks are removed from the circuit template for any circuit elements not inserted.
Note: The Circuit Elements list is built dynamically based on the template for the selected circuit. As the circuit elements are inserted, if the element contains a nested circuit, the circuit element becomes expandable so you can configure the nested circuit elements.

Configure a Dual Circuit

  1. Follow steps to insert a circuit selecting a dual circuit. For example:

    Circuits: 3ph Power Feed, Horizontal - Dual feed.

  2. Select Configure.
  3. Select an insertion point location on the drawing. The template drawing for the dual circuit is inserted at the specified location. The template drawing contains marker blocks, with instructions for building the circuit, and the circuit wiring.

    The dialog box has three sections, Circuit Elements, Select, and Setup & Annotations. The options differ depending on the circuit selected.

    Note: The circuit elements with a “(2)” prefix make up the second circuit.
  4. Select a circuit element, for example:

    Circuit Elements: Load

    The options for this circuit element, driven from the circuit builder spreadsheet, are displayed in the Select section.

  5. Select the option for this circuit element, for example:

    Load: Generic box

  6. Select another circuit element, for example:

    Circuit Elements: Load Setup

  7. Click the Load Setup Browse button to display the Select Load dialog box. This dialog box is where you select the load from the electrical standards database. For other components, the Catalog lookup dialog box displays. You can also type in values for each entry.
  8. Click the Wire Setup Browse button to display the Wire Size Lookup dialog box. This dialog box is where you select or adjust the wire size based on an analysis of the load and various installation parameters. You can also type in values for each entry.
  9. Repeat to configure each circuit element including the ones with the “(2)” prefix indicating they are part of the second circuit.
  10. (Optional) Enter a name for the circuit. This name is added to the History list on the Circuit Selection dialog box and makes it easier to find for future re-insertion.
  11. Select from one of three ways to insert the circuit elements.

    Click to insert just the highlighted circuit element.

    Click to insert all the circuit elements up to and including the highlighted circuit element.

    Click to insert all the circuit elements.

    Note: If the circuit contains a nested template you, go back and configure the circuit elements in the nested template.
  12. Select Done. The circuit is finalized by:
    • Remaining untagged child components are matched up with parent components and tags are assigned.
    • The selection information for the circuit is applied to the main component of the circuit.
    • The remaining marker blocks are removed from the circuit template for any circuit elements not inserted.

Related Concepts

Related Tasks

Related Reference