Numbering algorithm assignments

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Numbering algorithm assignments

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In the Numbering algorithms sub-section, you can assign a numbering algorithm to each terminal group in the project.

 

This is done in a table with three main columns. The first one is the terminal group name, the second is the numbering algorithm, and the third is a limit.

 

Please note that these assignments are also accessible in the Drawing Environment, directly from the Terminal Dialogue box.

 

The algorithm assignments which are defined here, can be used for automatic terminal numbering and for calculation of spare terminals. A spare terminal is defined as a terminal that is not shown in the circuit diagram, likely because it is not connected, but which nevertheless exists physically and should therefore be included elsewhere in the documentation.

 

A terminal group is defined as a number of terminals with a common terminal group name, for instance =A1+S1-X1. The only thing that separates the terminals within the terminal group is therefore the terminal number.

 

The algorithm assignment is a table in which you for every terminal group specify which numbering algorithm that the group should be numbered with, and how many terminals it should contain, the latter called the "limit". Of course, the numbering algorithm must support the number of terminals that the limit defines. For instance, it is not possible to say that a terminal group should contain 20 terminals if the numbering algorithm numbers from 1 to 10 with a step value of 1. The maximum number of terminals for such an algorithm is obviously 10.

 

Figure 461:  The "Numbering algorithm assignments" section

Figure 461:  The "Numbering algorithm assignments" section

 

In order to edit the table, you use the following methods:

 

If you wish to add a line to the table, you use the Add button. You can then specify the content of all columns as described below.

 

You can edit a line that already exists in the table, by simply selecting it and change it according to your wishes.

 

If you wish to remove a line from the table, you select the line in question and then click the Remove button.

 

Below the columns of the algorithm assignment table are described in detail.

 

Column

Description

Terminal group name

In this column, you specify the name of a terminal group that you wish to assign an algorithm to.

 

You can write the terminal group name in two different ways, with two different meanings:

 

You can specify the complete terminal group name as it is defined by the composition of item designations for terminals in the project parameters. (Please refer to the Composition of item designations topic). An example of such a complete terminal group name is:
 
=A1+S1-X1
 
This means that the numbering algorithm that you specify is assigned to the terminal group in question.

 

As an alternative, you can specify a reduced terminal group name, where plant/function, location and similar high-level designation parts are omitted,  as well as the separator character that is specified for the terminal group, in most cases a minus ("-"). An example of that is:
 
X1
 
This means that the numbering algorithm that you specify is assigned to all terminal groups with the specified reduced terminal group name.

 

Example

The composition of item designation for terminals is defined as:

 

=Plant  +Location  -Terminal group  :Terminal number

 

For the terminal group =A1+S1-X1 you can then chose to specify either the complete terminal group name or just X1.

 

Correct:

X1

Also correct:

=A1+S1-X1

Wrong:

+S1-X1

 

NB!

 

If you choose to specify the complete terminal group name, including high-level designation parts like plant/function and/or location, it is necessary that the specification corresponds in detail with the current composition of item designations for terminals with the terminal number excluded. This includes all separator characters. The complete terminal group name must be specified exactly correct for the assignment to work properly.

 

Numbering algorithm

You double-click in the Algorithm column to choose a suitable numbering algorithm in the drop-down list that is presented when you do.

 

The name of the selected numbering algorithm is shown in clear text.

 

Numbering algorithms are defined in the Settings module, in the Numbering algorithms tab.

 

Limit

The limit can be specified in the for this purpose designated field below the table or you can simply type the new limit. And a third option is to use the up and down arrows to increase or decrease the current limit.

 

The limit specified the number of terminals in the terminal group and is newer allowed to be bigger than the maximum number for the algorithm.

 

 

NB!

An important limitation of the effect of algorithm assignments, is that if you have specified that the sequence between terminals should be controlled by their position in the circuit diagram, rather than by the numbering algorithm, no calculation of spare terminals will be performed.

 

The reason for that limitation, is that the position within the terminal group for a spare terminal can then not be defined, since it depends on the position in the circuit diagram, where it does not exist, since a spare terminal by definition is not defined in the circuit diagram.

 

If there is no position for it, it can not exist, since it must be presented somewhere. (This is something to contemplate during dark autumn nights in front of the fireplace. A single malt whisky can be recommended to further benefit the analysis!).

 

Please refer to the Sequence between terminals controlled by topic.