Using a Compatibility Table during Conductors Routing

You can use compatibility tables (separation code compatibility), stored in the Data Setup, to specify different rules for conductor routing. You can store them in database by declaring them in the Data Setup. You can set several text documents in the Data Setup specifying different rules for conductor routing.

Separation code is used to define the route of a conductor through segments. Separation code can be set on conductors and segments. By setting the separation code on the conductors you are specifying that the given conductor can pass through the segments having their separation code specified in the Compatibility Table. This can be verified in the steps below.

Two buttons, From Folder and From PRM, are available in the Separation Code File setting in Me > Preferences > Equipment > Electrical Discipline > Electrical Assembly Design > Conductor Routing. You can either browse a compatibility table (.txt file) in a folder on your disk or take it into account when you have stored it in the Data Setup.

For more information about Routing and Compatibility Table, see Electrical 3D Design User's Guide: Routing Conductors.

Before you begin:
  • In the Data Setup, select the resource table called Compatibility Table in the Electrical physical system design resources resource set.
  • To assign a resource to the resource table, select a .txt file (SEP_CODE1, SEP_CODE2 for example) containing the Separation Code.
  • Associate the resource table to a collaborative space.
  • Create a product containing an Electrical Geometry, an Electrical Branch Geometry and an Electrical Physical System.
  1. In the Electrical 3D Design app, select a conductor in the tree to check if a route has already been defined.
    In the image below, note that the ends of the conductor and a virtual line in-between are highlighted; it means that the conductor has not yet been routed.

  2. From the Compass, click 3D Modeling Apps and select Electrical 3D Design.
  3. In Me > Preferences, select All Preferences > 3D Modeling > Electrical 3D Design in the left-hand box, expand the Conductor section, and check the following options: Compatibility Table and From PRM.

    Separation code compatibility can be determined on a conductor-to-conductor or on a conductor-to-segment basis. You can check one of these options (Conductor-Conductor or Conductor-Segment) in the Conductor Routing tab.

  4. Click Browse.
    The Compatibility Table window displays the list of the resources set in Data Setup.
    Warning: If no resources are set in the Data Setup, a warning is displayed, explaining that the resource for Compatibility Table is unset and conductor routing is not possible.
  5. Select a resource (SEP_CODE1) from the list and click OK.
    Multi-selection of compatibility tables is allowed. The selected tables appear in the drop-down combo box in the Me > Preferences window and you can select the desired table for conductor routing.
    Note: If resources exist with different names, enter a character string in the search editor from the top bar and the list is modified accordingly.
  6. Click OK.
    The Compatibility Table window closes.
  7. Click OK to close the Me > Preferences dialog box.
  8. Select the Electrical Physical System and click Automatic Routing .
    The Conductor and Conductor group Routing dialog box appears listing existing conductors (Conductor01 and Conductor02) and conductor groups in the selected Electrical Physical System.
  9. Select Conductor01 and click Route without checking the Use rules for routing option.
  10. Select Conductor02, click Route and check the Use rules for routing option.
  11. Click Close.
    Both conductors are routed.



  12. Right-click Conductor01 and select Properties.
  13. Repeat the same step for Conductor02.
  14. Compare their lengths.
    Conductor02 is longer than Conductor01.

    The separation codes (BLUE for Conductor01 and GREEN for Conductor02) also appear in Properties.

    Tip: Check the Diameter and bend radius to its content option in Me > Preferences > Equipment > Electrical Discipline > Electrical Assembly Design > Conductor Routing, if you want to keep the same segment diameter and color, and no Update is needed at the end of routing.
  15. Right-click the segments through which the conductors are passing and select Properties.
    The segments have the same separation code which is allowed in the Compatibility Table. The conductors' route is modified.
  16. Click Update All .