Defining Measure Points

You must select measure points on electrical components before creating dimensions. Measure points are published geometrical elements allowing you to define the start or end point of an electrical dimension.

You can use:

  • Default measure points: Default measure points on electrical components are considered automatically. For example:
    • Segment end is a default measure point for segment selection
    • Segment Connection Point or cavity on devices
    • Entry point and exit plane for supports
  • User-defined measure points: To define any other point as measure point, define it before using the commands. This measure point should respect a naming convention: EhfMeasurePoint_xxx in which "xxx" can be replaced by user information. It is selected if it is nearer to the selection than the segment end.
Tip: To deselect a measure point, click it again.

  1. Create objects on component reference that can be used as default measured points for following elements:
    • Segment Connection Point, cavity, and Backshell Connection Point for devices (Single Insert Connector, Equipment, backshell, etc.).
    • Supports: Used as the route definition of the segment. In case of several entry points defined in the support reference, the nearest entry point from the clicked position is considered as the measure point.
    • Protective Covering: The nearest end of this element is taken into account as the measure point. It is not possible to create user-defined measure points on protective coverings.
    • Segments: By default, segment ends are taken into account as the default measure point for segment. You can define measure point on the segment with the naming convention as EhfMeasurePoint_xxx. This point must be a point on curve type and it must be on the electrical curve (center-curve of the branch). When you click on the surface of the segment, the nearest published point or default measure point is chosen.
  2. Define specific measure point, user-defined measure point (a point or a face). For this, create objects on the component reference:
    • Segment Connection Point, cavity, and Backshell Connection Point for devices (Single Insert Connector, Equipment, backshell, etc).
      Note: Always define the point on curve inside the electrical branch geometry.
    • Supports: Select the Measure Point is always the middle of support and protection check box under Electrical Dimension, available in Me > Preferences > App Preferences > 3D Modeling > Electrical and Electronic Systems > Electrical Mfg. Preparation > General expander to automatically choose the center of the support as a measure point.

      This measure point is created in the electrical branch geometry as a point on curve, it is a user-defined measure point. No other default or user-defined measure points are used for the selection of a support. For more information, see General.

    • Mechanical parts: The dashed green lines are created to keep the link between the point in the mechanical part and the route definition point of the segment. The end point of the dashed green line can be taken into account as the measure point for the mechanical part. No other measure point can be defined. When you click the surface of the segment, the nearest published point of the mechanical part is taken into account as the measure point.
  3. Select the published objects that can be used as user-defined measure points.

    During the creation of the electrical dimension, when you click the device component, the nearest published element (either the default measured point or the user-defined measure point) is taken into account as the measure point.

  4. Select the default or user-defined measure points in the work area.
  5. Click the Multiple Dimensions or Overall Dimension command in the Electrical Dimension toolbar or in the Insert menu.

    Important:
    • Open the Electrical Manufacturing Preparation app to see the Electrical Dimension toolbar. Double-click the representation to activate it and then open the Electrical Manufacturing Preparation app.
    • When you apply electrical dimensions on scaled branches in flattened data, you can visualize the True Length which corresponds to the design length of the branch. The electrical dimension created on a scaled branch does not take into account the fake length (flat length) of the branch. To work with fake lengths, see Scaling Branches and Protections.