What is a wiring line diagram and how is it used?

A wiring line diagram is to represent the wiring of your installation. It is a simple but complete feature which includes all important components in creating drawings like the interconnections (cables) between locations, terminal strips and devices. It can also include actual manufacturers part details and in some cases can provide enough detail to support the build of the project.

It is possible to create projects without drawing a wiring line diagram but many people find them useful. It can be used as a way of building up a components list to a point where you have included everything you need to make the system work as required. The components browser can then be used as a prompt to help when creating schematics.

The following is an example of designing the wiring line diagram:

First, open the line diagram drawing under the project.

Then, click the “Line diagram” tab in the menu.

To design the wiring the diagram, there are few steps: Drawing devices, cables, location outline and function outline.

Drawing devices

1. There are two ways to insert line diagram symbols.
   The first method is by clicking “Insert Symbol” under Line diagram.
   

Or you can click the “Symbols” tab in the side panel.

Remark: After selecting the symbol, click the “Other symbol” button in the side panel to select another symbol.

2. When the symbol is clicked into the diagram, a “Symbol properties” dialog box opens. It is used to manage the class and mark of the device.
3. Allocate the location and function in the “Mark” group.
   
4. In the “Manufacturer part and circuits” tab, you can search the manufacturer parts. This step can be done in the schematic design stage if you prefer.
   
5. Select the part by double click or the “Add” button and it will be associated with the component.

 

6. Click “Select”, then “OK”.

Drawing cables

1. Click on the “Draw cable” button in the “Insertion” group.
   
2. Select the wire style – Click on the “Manager” button in the side panel. In the pop-up window, you can add or delete the wire styles which include color and the line type.
   
   
   
3. Draw the cable – Click the first point inside the first symbol. There should be a mark when the cursor moves on the symbol representing the connect point.

Remark: The last point of the cable should be inside the second symbol.

4. Note that only a connection path is inserted and there is no cable inserted yet. To reserve cables and cores, select the line and click on the “Cables reservation” in the “Changes” group in the menu.

 

5. Click the “New cable” button in the pop-up dialog and add the cables.

6. Check the cables that are needed and click “OK”.
   
7. Cables are reserved successfully and ready for use to design the scheme.

 

8. To manage the cable, click on the “Cables” button in the “Project” menu.

 

Drawing location and function outlines

It is used to mark the area to represent the location so as to make the diagram easier to understand.

1. Click the “Function outline” or “Location outline” button in the “Insertion” group in the menu. Click the arrow at the end of the text can choose drawing in either rectangle or polygon.

2. Click the first and second points to draw a rectangle (or a polygon) area.
   

Remark: When you draw a location outline in which a symbol already exists, the marking is updated. When you insert a symbol in an existing location outline, the marking of the symbol will automatically be associated with this location.

Please note if you go on to create schematics in addition to the wiring line diagrams to represent the same project, the components will not be automatically added to the schematic. The wiring line diagram does however create a list of components in the browser as a reference from which the schematic can be created.