A first look into the database

To exercise control, you need appropriate tools. In EPLAN, these tools are called
navigators. You have already met one. This was the page navigator. There is more of it.
Each has its own special task. I will introduce you to the most important, the
equipment navigator, in the next chapter. The others will get to know you later in the
book. Only patience.

Chapter 11

PLC Easy and Clear

In his chapter

The PLC structure comes first

With a PLC overview, you keep an overview

Insert the inputs and outputs as a macro or as a symbol

Today there is probably no electrical system without a control. Create your

Programmable Controller (PLC) easily and clearly from product macros. These macros
are linked to the article database and can therefore be placed without effort. For the
PLC, you must add your own functional group = PLC.

Use English-language abbreviations for the functional and local structural identifiers.
This contributes greatly to the understanding of the plant structure when it is
delivered abroad.

First you create two new circuit diagram pages.

Create new pages for PLC structure and PLC overview

Two new pages are created for the control. Proceed as follows:

1. Click in the page navigator to enable it.

2. Open the context menu with the right mouse button and click on NEW.

Each time you change the structure identifier, you start with page number 1
again. Therefore the side name = PLC + CC1 / 1 (see Figure 11.1). We need a
new side type for the structure and the overview of the PLC: OVERVIEW. It
differs from the side type SCHALTPLAN, for example, in that there is no
autoconnecting. The page name of the first page is PLC structure.

3. Click Apply.

The first page is created and can already be seen in the page navigator. The
dialog remains open.

4. Just change the page header in the PLC overview (see Figure 11.2) and close
the dialog with OK.

Figure 11.1: Create the PLC structure page

Figure 11.2: Create PLC Overview page

Both pages can now be seen in the page navigator.

The new structure indicator was simply attached at the end (see Figure 11.3).
We will consider the exact project structure at a later stage. So we leave the
pages where they are.
 FIGURA 11.3 : Look at the page structure

Draw the PLC structure

The PLC structure represents the actual structure of the hardware. It consists of
a CPU, a digital input and a digital output card. For each of the three operating
resources, a corresponding installation tree is present and linked to the article
database.

1. Activate the PLC structure page.

It is shown in bold in the navigator and appears on your screen on the right in
the graphical editor.

2. Activate the function using INSERT.

The ARTICLE SELECTION (see Figure 11.4) opens.

3. In the article database, select item number SIE.6ES7315-2AG10-0AB0.

Are you looking for an article for a CPU? Enter CPU in the FULL FILTER, activate
it by clicking on the button with the binoculars and restrict the selection.
 Figure 11.4: Select CPU

4. When you close the article selection, you have the macro hanging on the
cursor.

5. Place it on the layout page and turn the insert mode to NUMBER (see Figure
11.5).
 Figure 11.5: Place the surface arousal

6. Open the device selection again and decide for article number SIE.6ES7321-
1BH02-0AA0.

First, the macro always has the variant A at the cursor (see Figure 11.6). This is
the representation of the PLC overview. However, we need the macro for the
PLC setup.
 Figure 11.6: Incorrect macro, no problem

7. Press the [Tab] key.

The next available macrovariante already hangs on the hook (see Figure 11.7).
In this case, the required display.

To switch between the macro or symbol variants, simply press the [Tab] key.

8. Place the macro to the right of the CPU. The insert mode is NUMBERed
again.

9. Now place the output card with the item number SIE.6ES7322-1BH01-0AA0.

The PLC structure should now look as in Figure 11.8. The three resources are
now stored in the project database. Further processing is carried out via the
device navigator.
Figure 11.7: Switch to the next macro variant with the [Tab] key
 Figure 11.8: Complete PLC structure
Insert the PLC overview

The PLC overview is a page on which all inputs and outputs available in the
project are displayed centrally. As soon as an input or output is inserted in the
circuit diagram, a corresponding entry is generated automatically as a cross-
reference on the overview page.

1. Now activate the page = PLC + CC1 / 2, on which you want to draw the PLC
overview.

2. Then open the Resource Navigator under PROJECT DATA | OPERATING

AGENTS | NAVIGATOR.

You remember? The Resource Navigator is an intelligent tool for monitoring

and editing the resources directly in the database.

On your workstation, you will see the open device navigator on the left and the
still unprocessed overview page on the right (see Figure 11.9).

3. In the device navigator, select the input module 1A2.

Figure 11.9: Resource navigator and graphical preview

If you have opened the graphical preview, you can see that the selected device
is marked with several concentric circles. If necessary, open the graphical
preview in the VIEW VIEW | GRAFICAL PREVIEW menu.

4. Use the right mouse button to open the context menu.

5. Click PLACE.

EPLAN automatically recognizes that a macro is stored for the resource and
that you have opened an OVERVIEW type page. Therefore, the macro of the
component in the variant A of the display type OVERVIEW depends on the
cursor.

6. Place the macro in the first third of the free overview page.

7. Proceed in the same way with output card 1A3.

Place the macro in the right third of the overview page (see Figure 11.10).
Figure 11.10: PLC overview for the input and output modules

The overview page is now ready. As soon as an input or an output is placed in

the plan, a cross-reference is automatically generated.

The PLC input in the circuit diagram

First you create a new schematic. You need the page = FB + CC1 / 2.

In the page navigator, select the = FB + CC1 / 1 page, and then click NEW on the
context menu. This means that all entries in the NEW PAGE dialog are already
pre-filled. You only need to change the page name.

Enter fault signaling in the page description (see Figure 11.11).

Figure 11.11: Create new page

You need a voltage supply (24VDC), an actuator (free NC contact of the motor
protection switch 1F1) and any PLC input. You have already drawn the voltage
supply on the previous page = FB1 + CC1 / 1. Why not just copy what already
exists?

1. While holding down the Mapping key, drag a window (see Figure 11.12).

This marks the two break-off points and the tee.

2. Open the context menu with the right mouse button and activate the COPY
action.

The selected elements are now in the Windows clipboard.

Figure 11.12: Copying the power supply

3. Return to the page = FB1 + CC1 / 2.

4. Open the context menu again and click INSERT.

 The previously copied elements now depend on the cursor.

To insert the break points at the same height (Y direction) as on the other
circuit diagram, press the [Y] key on the keyboard. This fixes the height. The
object can only be moved horizontally (X-direction) (see Figure 11.13).

5. Now activate the device navigator again. Locate the motor protection switch
1F1.

The free opener auxiliary contact is indicated by the fact that it does not yet
have a place icon (turquoise cubes).

6. Simply drag the auxiliary contact into the circuit diagram while holding down
the Mapping key.

Figure 11.13: Insert break-off points

7. Place it under the tee (see Figure 11.14) so that it connects automatically.

Figure 11.14: Pull the auxiliary NC auxiliary contact into the circuit diagram

8. Now go to input card 1A2 in the device navigator. Find the input E0.1 here.
 9. Drag the input into the circuit diagram as well.

EPLAN recognizes that a macro is stored and offers it for placement.

10. Place it under the NC auxiliary contact (see Figure 11.15).

11. Set another path function text Fault Conveyor Belt 1 (see Figure 11.16.

The path function text is activated with the shortcut [Ctrl] + [T]. The line break is
indicated by [Ctrl] + [Enter].

Figure 11.15: Input is drawn into the circuit diagram.

 Figure 11.16: Connected PLC input

Display the PLC output as a symbol

At the exit, you can make it easy again. You place a macro and assign the output to the
symbol.

1. Select the MACRO SELECT function with Shortcut [M].

2. Select the Error_Signal.ema macro (see Figure 11.17).

3. Place it on the right side of the schematic.

Make sure that the function texts are at the same height.

4. Insert mode is NUMBER.

 Figure 11.17: Select and place a macro

Since the PLC box for the output has not been drawn from the navigator, there is still no
address (see Figure 11.18). The corresponding output of the card still has to be assigned.

1. To do this, open the device navigator again and locate the output card = PLC + CC1-
1A3.

2. Select output A0.1 and open the context menu.

3. Activate ASSIGNMENT.

4. Move the cursor to the PLC box (see Figure 11.19).

 Figure 11.18: New circuit diagram with input and output

Figure 11.19: Assigning data to the symbol

5. Click the PLC box.

The data of output A0.1 are now transferred to the PLC box (see Figure 11.20).
Figure 11.20: Assigning the output data

The wiring diagram is now ready (see Figure 11.21).

Figure 11.21: PLC box with assigned data of the output

You have now got to know two representations for inputs and outputs. The macro was
used at the input. A symbol from the symbology file was used for the output. Decide in
the future for one of the two presentations.
Combine several work steps

Chapter 12

Combine several work steps

In this chapter

-Continue automating with page macros

-Texts exchange like a pro

The system consists not only of one conveyor, but of several. Therefore, the plan is
extended by one conveyor belt unit. For this purpose, you have a page macro
available, which consists of two layout pages.

Insert two sides on one stroke

So far you have met two types of macros: the window macro and the symbol macro.
From a technical point of view, both macrotypes are the same. They differ only in the
file transmission. Why is there the distinction? For historical reasons. EPLAN remains
compatible with its predecessor versions.

I personally use the different names also for a distinction in the head. The symbol
macros I use when macros are made by individual resources and linked to the article
database. You have set up the PLC with such macros. I use the window macros for
functional macros. Thus, whenever complete circuits or subcircuits are to be stored as a
macro. You have built up the conveyor belt and its control from these macros.

The page macros that are now used also belong to the functional macros. The difference
is that EPLAN integrates one or more complete pages into the circuit diagram.

1. To insert a page macro, click in the page navigator and open the context menu. Select
INSERT SIDE MACRO.

2. In the OPEN dialog, select the side conveyor belt_x.emp and click OPEN (see Figure
12.1).

The structure is adapted in the next dialog (see Figure 12.2). The side structure of the
source can be seen on the left. So the one with which the macro was saved.
3. On the right, enter the target structure.

In our example, this is for the functional identifier = FB2 and for the installation
location = CC1.

Figure 12.1: Selecting a page macro

Figure 12.2: Customizing target pages

DO NOT CHANGE the insert mode. This saves the work of numbering the busbar
connections.
4. Repeat the procedure for conveyor belt 3.

If you are viewing the page header and the function texts, you will notice that they are
all not assigned a conveyor number, but are marked with an asterisk.

Figure 12.3: Newly inserted functions = FB2 and = FB3

Adapt texts in one go

The texts are adapted for each conveyor belt in a single slide. First for = FB2, then for =
FB3. You are working with a Windows program. Since what is marked, the action is
taken into account.

1. Select the functional unit = FB2 in the page navigator.

2. Go to the SEARCH menu and start the SEARCH action (see Figure 12.4).

3. Enter the text conveyor belt x in the SEARCH FOR DETAILS text.

In the SEARCH IN and SEARCH LOCATION section, you can safely set all the
checkmarks. So you are sure that nothing will get you through the rags. Do not set the
APPLICATION TO ENTIRE PROJECT switch. This would leverage your mark of =
FB2. If the dialog is closed, a new navigator is opened (see Figure 12.5).

Four path function texts and a page description containing the searched text conveyor
belt x are found.
Figure 12.4: Find dialog

Figure 12.5: Text found

4. Select the five texts and open the context menu with the right mouse button (see
Figure 12.6).

Figure 12.6: Selecting texts and opening context menu

5. Activate the REPLACE action.

6. In the REPLACE box, enter the replacement text, that is, conveyor belt 2 (see Figure
12.7).

Figure 12.7: Insert replacement text

7. Close the dialog with OK.

The terms conveyor belt x were replaced by conveyor belt 2 (see figure 12.8).

Figure 12.8: Driven texts

8. Open the context menu again and click on DELETE ALL ENTRIES.

This clears the search window and is ready for the next run.

9. Repeat the procedure for conveyor belt 3.

10. Close the search window.

The inputs and outputs for the two new conveyor belts have not yet been assigned.
You should do this now. Then your PLC overview might look like in Figure 12.9.

Figure 12.9: PLC overview

The cross-reference, the symbolic address and the function text are transferred
automatically in the PLC overview.

Chapter 13

Ingenious work with the Data Portal

In this chapter
-What is the Data Portal?

-To give you a light - a switch cabinet light

-First Conclusion

So far we have always worked with article data and macros, which were already
present in your master data. In this chapter, I would like to introduce you to a genial
way of using other sources. The EPLAN Data Portal is the first place here. You will place
and link a switch cabinet from the Data Portal directly into the plan.

What is the Data Portal?

The Data Portal is an Internet platform on which component and component

manufacturers provide EPLAN-compatible equipment data. They retrieve the data
directly from the platform. Commercial and technical data are imported into the article
database. If available, article macros, data sheets and even pictures are also
downloaded. To use the Data Portal, you must be logged in and connected to the
Internet. Unfortunately, not all manufacturers provide you with their data. They fear
the high costs. EPLAN buttons the manufacturers a five-digit amount so that they can
transfer the data to the platform. Nevertheless, there are nevertheless more than 150
component and component manufacturers who were ready to do so. And there are
more and more. The Data Portal is only conditionally suitable for article research. So
you should already know about which component you want to use.

To get you a light - pick up a switch cabinet from the Data Portal

In our project, we will import a switch cabinet from the Data Portal.

1. First open the page = PS + CC1 / 1 in the page navigator.

On this page the control cabinet should be inserted.

2. Then start the Data Portal by selecting Utilities | Data Portal.

If the Data Portal is not available for any reason, you can also insert the switch cabinet
as a device. Take the article with the item number RIT.4138140.

The Data Portal opens and can be used as a navigator. There are different views.

In the manufacturer view, you see the list of all manufacturers who provide you with
data (see Figure 13.1). The desired switch cabinet should be from Rittal.
Figure 13.1: Data portal in manufacturer view

2. In the manufacturer list, scroll to RITTAL and click on the entry.

3. The Data Portal Navigator automatically switches to the catalog view (see
Figure 13.2). In the catalog view all details of the manufacturer Rittal are
ordered according to product group. The product groups in the Data Portal
correspond essentially to the product groups in the article database. In
theLEUCHTE product group, there is only one product group GENERAL.
 Figure 13.2: Rittal data in catalog view

The numbers in brackets indicate the number of items in the respective product group
or product subgroup.

4. Open the product subgroup GENERAL of the product group LIGHT.

The Data Portal Navigator automatically switches to list view (see Figure 13.3). The 39
articles are listed.
Figure 13.3: Rittal lights in list view

5. Locate the article with article number RIT.4138140.

Instead of scrolling, you can also enter the item number RIT.4138140 into the search
window.

The catalog entry contains a short description for the component (see Figure 13.4).
Figure 13.4: Catalog entry for article RIT.4138140

6. Click on the third button from the left to insert the component as a device into the
circuit diagram.

A display shows the progress of the import (see Figure 13.5).

Figure 13.5: Progress indicator for data import

7. You branch to the dialog ARTIMPORT.

In the dialog you will see all the data imported (see Figure 13.6). In this case, the actual
article data, an image file, a graphics macros for the circuit diagram, a connection
diagram for the 3D switch cabinet construction and a 3D graphics macro. Macros and
images are automatically linked to the article data. It can not be easier.
Figure 13.6: Article import

8. Confirm with OK.

The graphic cabinet of the switch cabinet hangs on the cursor.

9. Place it to the right of the power supply (see Figure 13.7).

10. Select the insert mode NUMBER (see Figure 13.8).

11. Connect the switch cabinet to the voltage.

If you like, you can still add a backup device as a little hard work.

The side with the feed and the switch cabinet light is now ready (see Figure 13.9).
Figure 13.7: Graphic macros of the switch cabinet

Figure 13.8: NUMBER INSERT mode

Figure 13.9: Power supply with control cabinet

First Conclusion

At this point you first make a break and draw a brief summary of your previous
construction. This example is an excerpt from my EPLAN basistraining. The sample
project you have drawn up contains all the essential components of a real project. It is,
of course, only a few pages, and in practice you would surely have designed it
differently. In this first part, I am going to teach you how to draw with EPLAN circuit
diagrams, and to tell you that you can work with EPLAN cumbersely or intelligently. I
wish you and yourselves that you decide for the intelligent way. Just think about a few
minutes of possible solutions before you begin blindly chopping. It is worth it ..

In the second part, you will make the schematic "chic". This is what the EPLANs call the
checking, elimination of errors and evaluation of the plan. In the second part, I will also
show you how to prepare the plan so that you can deliver it to your customer without
a bad conscience.
 .

PART II

In this part. . .

The small circuit diagram from Part I is now to be corrected and evaluated.

An evaluation for the table of contents

Sort and output the structure identifier

Output terminals diagrams

Plan example with special wishes

Cable plan of a special kind

Bills with filters

Order in the ERP system

Give the finishing touch

Electroconstruction is a complex process. Everything depends on everything. As a

result, you can not simply process a list of managers as desired.

The work with EPLAN looks more like that you always go through every topic and work
your way to the goal. The aim is to provide error-free documentation for production,
service and operators. Everyone has different requirements for the documentation.
Your job as a designer is to meet these requirements.

In fulfilling this task, I have always helped to see the other departments as my
customers. For a customer, you do (almost) everything so that it is satisfied.
able of Contents

In this chapter

What is an evaluation?

Table of contents total easy

The cover sheet is already included in the project template. It does not have to be
created anymore. A so-called evaluation is created for the table of contents.

What is an evaluation?

An evaluation means that you reuse information from the project database and
prepare it so that it flows into a cover sheet, a table of contents, a terminal plan, a
cable overview or one of the other fifty evaluation types. The evaluation pages are
created automatically by the system. When an EPLANer speaks of an evaluation, it
means the page on which the evaluated data is located. So table of contents, cable
plan and co. For each evaluation, you should create a template. A template has the
advantage that you can regenerate the evaluations at any time at the push of a button.
Even if the pages have been deleted. No rule without exception: the embedded
evaluation. It is created on an already existing page, ie embedded in an already
existing page. Then the page does not have to be created by the system. As a result,
there is no evaluation template for these pages. In order for the data to be processed,
you need an evaluation form. This tells you which information should be placed in
which format. EPLAN supplies dozens of evaluation forms as basic equipment. All
evaluations are applied according to the same schema.

Table of contents total easy

So fresh to the work. To warm up, you will create an evaluation template for the table
of contents.

1. Go to the Utilities | Evaluations | Generate menu.

The dialog EVALUATIONS (see Figure 14.1) opens.

2. Click the TEMPLATES tab and then the NEW button to create a new evaluation
template.

You branch to the Create Evaluation dialog box (see Figure 14.2). All available
evaluation types are listed in a list.
Figure 14.1: Dialog EVALUATION
Figure 14.2: Selecting a table of contents from the list

3. Select CONTENTS and close the dialog again with OK.

You will be taken to another dialog where various settings for the table of contents can
be made (see Figure 14.3). You can create filters or have the pages sorted in a different
order. But this is not necessary for the table of contents.

Figure 14.3: No other settings

4. Close the window without changing anything with OK.

The next dialog CONTENTS (see Figure 14.4) opens.

5. Enter a 2 in the SEIT NAME field.

The table of contents should be sorted directly after the cover sheet. If the DECKBLATT
is marked, EPLAN automatically enters the next free page number in SEITENNAME.
Since the cover page is on page 1, the table of contents is page number 2.

6. Uncheck the AUTOMATIC SIDE DESCRIPTION and enter the table of contents for the
page description.

The automatic page description is defined in the form. This is like a miracle. You never
know what's inside. Therefore, you should be safe and enter the page description
manually.

7. Close the dialog.

Your first evaluation template has already been created. It is given the number 1 in the
CONTENTS list (see Figure 14.5).

8. Click on the VALUE button and close the dialog again.

The evaluation is then generated. The table of contents is integrated into the
documentation (see Figure 14.6).
Figure 14.4: Specify page name and number
Figure 14.5: Finished evaluation template

Figure 14.6: Table of contents is ready.

Open the CONTENTS page and look at your first evaluation. Nice. Almost! Look at the
order of the plant identifiers. The indicator = PLC should be arranged before or after
the conveyor belts, but not in between. This will be rectified in the next chapter.
When you create a new page, the table of contents is not updated automatically. You
can update the pages yourself by means of PROJECTS | EVALUATIONS | UPDATE.
However, this only applies if the table of contents has been previously selected in the
page navigator. You work with a Windows program: Only what is marked is also
considered.

CHAPTER 15

Edit structure indicator

In this chapter

Structure label

Create new flag

Structural characteristics

Output structure indicator overview

Exchange form

As the name indicates, the structure labels bring structure into your project. Whenever
you use a new structure indicator in the project, it automatically appears in the
structure indicator management. In this chapter, I will show you how to put the
structure labels in the desired order, create new labels, add an explanation of what the
individual abbreviations mean, and how to output a structure label overview. Since the
evaluation form used is confusing, it is exchanged for a better one.

Structure label

First, the structure identifiers are placed in the desired order. To do so, open the
STRUCTURE MARKER MANAGEMENT menu in the PROJECT DATA menu (see Figure
15.1).

1. Click the LIST tab to open the list view.

In the left part of the dialog, you see the structure indicators used. In this project, the
PLANT NUMBER, LOCAL MARK, and PLANT NUMBER.

The attachment number is included in the project template. It is used for fluid projects.
In this book, hydraulics and pneumatics are unimportant.

2. Select the entry PLANT.

In the right-hand window, all plant codes are listed. The order of the structural
identifiers should be based on logical considerations. The flag = PLC should be pushed
up. It should be after = PS (see Figure 15.2).

3. Select the = PLC indicator and move it with the arrow key up one position.

Figure 15.1: Sorting the license plate

Figure 15.2: Correct order

Leave the structure label management open for the next action.

The order in the page navigator is not changed until the dialog is closed again. If this
does not happen automatically, click in the page navigator and press [F5]. With this
shortcut, you can update any EPLAN navigator.
Create new structure identifiers

New characteristics can also be created in the structure indicator management. A new
structure identifier is to be created for the terminal and cable diagrams as well as the
parts lists. A functional ID = REPORT should be created for the evaluations (see Figure
15.3).

Figure 15.3: Insert new label

Click the NEW button. A new line is inserted. Write the REPORT label in the
appropriate field. Then move the new functional indicator to the last position.

Label the structure label

You should always explain in your projects what the structural characteristics mean.
You know what is behind FB1. Do you know your colleagues and the customer?
Therefore, in the STRUCTURE DESCRIPTION field, enter a brief description of the
structure label (see Figure 15.4). Take the descriptions from the picture or let your
imagination play.

Figure 15.4: Structure descriptions for the plant

Now mark the installation locations and enter a structural description (see Figure
15.5).
Figure 15.5: Structure description for the installation location

Close the structure label management. The descriptions for the structure identifiers
are displayed in the page navigator (see Figure 15.6). This makes navigation easier.