Elbug PDF

Electrical Library Version 5 Release 14 Page 1
Electrical Library
Overview
Conventions
What's New?
Getting Started
Entering the Electrical Part Design Workbench
Defining a Single Insert Connector
Defining a Cavity Connection Point
Entering Electrical Assembly Design Workbench
Accessing Data Through a Catalog
Connecting Electrical Devices
Adding Electrical Behavior to Element Within the Assembly
Inserting New Electrical Part
User Tasks
Using Electrical Library
Entering the Electrical Assembly Design Workbench
Defining Electrical Devices
Defining an Equipment
Defining an Electrical Connector
Defining a Filler Plug
Defining a Contact
Defining a Shell
Defining a Back Shell
Defining a Mounting Equipment
Defining Electrical Connection Points
Defining a Cavity
Defining a Termination
Defining a Connector Connection Point
Defining a Bundle Connection Point
Defining a Back Shell Connection Point
Creating Supports
Creating Standard Supports
Creating Retainers
Creating an Adaptative Part
Creating Protections
Connecting/Disconnecting Devices
Disconnecting Electrical Devices
Importing Electrical Specifications to Design the 3D Implementation
Working with External Systems
Selective Loading in Electrical Products
Importing Electrical External Data for 3D Implementation
Selecting Systems from External Data
Reconciling External Systems and Physical data
Managing Links from External Data
Removing a Link to a Device
Linking Devices from External Data
Replacing a Device from External Data
Placing Internal Splice by Drag and Drop
Displaying Location Information from External Electrical Specification
Working with Electrical Functional Definition
Placing Physical Devices from Functional Data
Removing Functional Link
Adding Link to Component from Functional Data
Electrical Integration Scenarios
Electrical Integration from External Data
Environment Settings
Setting up the Electrical Process Interfacing
Placing Devices from External Data
Creating the Cable Harness
Placing Internal Splices
Automatic Routing
Exporting Data from CATIA
Electrical Integration from Functional Data
Using Catalogs
Opening Existing Documents Using the Browse Window
Storing a Device
Refining the Catalog Mapping for the Device Storage
Connecting Device by Drag & Drop at Placement
Connecting Contacts by Drag & Drop at Placement
Using Smart Placement from Catalog
Using Smart Move
Working with Wires
Creating Wires Interactively
Creating a Catalog
Creating the Wire References
Describing the CSV File
Editing the Wire Properties
Editing Electrical Properties
Viewing Related Objects
Electrical and Knowledge
Electrical User Functions
Electrical Package in Knowledge Expert
Electrical Application Interoperability
ENOVIA V5 Interoperability
Working with Electrical Data
Optimal CATIA PLM Usability
Using ENOVIA Catalog for Electrical Mapping
Loading an iXF Document with VPM Navigator
Workbench Description
Menu Bar
Toolbars
Electrical Workbench Specification Tree
Customizing
General
Electrical Library Access
Electrical Mapping
Electrical Process Interfacing
Electrical Data Exchange Format
Describing the iXF Electrical Schema
Considering the iXF Schema in Greater Depth
Methodology
Protection of Given Length Methodology
Creating a Protection of Given Length
Instantiating a Protection of Given Length
Using Back Shells as Guiding Supports
Glossary
Index
Overview
Welcome to the Electrical Library User's Guide!
This guide is intended for users who need to become quickly familiar with the product.
This overview provides the following information:
● Electrical Library in a Nutshell
● Before Reading this Guide
● Getting the Most Out of this Guide
● Accessing Sample Documents
● Conventions Used in this Guide
Electrical Library in a Nutshell
Electrical Library is a product which provides a set of tools for defining electrical devices, placing and
connecting them. It also allows the creation and management of wire and electrical device catalogs.
This product offers the following main functions:
● electrical behavior definition on parts and assemblies

● electrical semi-automatic placement (using mechanical assembly features)
● assisted device placement according to the electrical specifications coming from external, legacy or CATIA
electrical specification tool
● electrical wire references generation in the catalog
● electrical properties and attributes edition
● interactive access and navigation within electrical catalogs
● electrical catalogs customizing.
As a scalable product, Electrical Wire Routing can be used in cooperation with other current or future
companion products such as Electrical Wire Routing, Electrical Harness Installation, Electrical Harness
Flattening and Electrical System Functional Definition.
Before Reading this Guide

Before reading this guide, you should be familiar with basic Version 5 concepts such as document windows,
standard and view toolbars. Therefore, we recommend that you read the Infrastructure User's Guide that
describes generic capabilities common to all Version 5 products. It also describes the general layout of V5 and
the interoperability between workbenches.
You may also like to read the following complementary product guides, for which the appropriate license is
required:
● Electrical Wire Routing,

● Electrical Harness Installation
● Electrical System Functional Definition
● Electrical Harness Flattening.
Getting the Most Out of this Guide

To get the most out of this guide, we suggest that you start reading and performing the step-by-step Getting
Started tutorial. This tutorial shows you how to define and connect electrical devices.
Once you have finished, you should move on to the User Tasks section, which deals with handling all the
product functions.
The Workbench Description section, which describes the Electrical Wire Routing workbench, and the
Customizing section, which explains how to set up the options, will also certainly prove useful.
Navigating in the Split View mode is recommended. This mode offers a framed layout allowing direct access
from the table of contents to the information.
Accessing Sample Documents

To perform the scenarios, sample documents are provided all along this documentation. For more information
about this, refer to Accessing Sample Documents in the Infrastructure User's Guide.
Conventions Used in this Guide

To learn more about the conventions used in the documentation, refer to the Conventions section.
Conventions
Certain conventions are used in CATIA, ENOVIA & DELMIA documentation to help you recognize and understand
important concepts and specifications.
Graphic Conventions
The three categories of graphic conventions used are as follows:
● Graphic conventions structuring the tasks
● Graphic conventions indicating the configuration required
● Graphic conventions used in the table of contents
Graphic Conventions Structuring the Tasks
Graphic conventions structuring the tasks are denoted as follows:
This icon... Identifies...
estimated time to accomplish a task
a target of a task
the prerequisites
the start of the scenario
a tip
a warning
information
basic concepts
methodology
reference information
information regarding settings, customization, etc.
the end of a task

functionalities that are new or enhanced with this release
allows you to switch back to the full-window viewing mode
Graphic Conventions Indicating the Configuration Required
Graphic conventions indicating the configuration required are denoted as follows:
This icon... Indicates functions that are...
specific to the P1 configuration
Graphic Conventions Used in the Table of Contents
Graphic conventions used in the table of contents are denoted as follows:
This icon... Gives access to...
Site Map
Split View mode
What's New?
Overview
Getting Started
Basic Tasks
User Tasks or the Advanced Tasks
Customizing
Reference
Methodology
Glossary
Index
Text Conventions
The following text conventions are used:
● The titles of CATIA, ENOVIA and DELMIA documents appear in this manner throughout the text.
● File -> New identifies the commands to be used.
● Enhancements are identified by a blue-colored background on the text.
How to Use the Mouse

The use of the mouse differs according to the type of action you need to perform.
Use this
mouse button... Whenever you read...
● Select (menus, commands, geometry in graphics area, ...)

● Click (icons, dialog box buttons, tabs, selection of a location in the document window,
...)
● Double-click
● Shift-click
● Ctrl-click
● Check (check boxes)
● Drag
● Drag and drop (icons onto objects, objects onto objects)
● Drag
● Move
● Right-click (to select contextual menu)

What's New?
This table identifies what new or improved capabilities have been documented in Version 5 Release 14 of the
Electrical Library User's Guide.
New Functionalities
Adding cavities to back shells
This functionality allows you to ground the wire/cable shielding through a contact.
Creating a new support type: the retainer
The retainer generates an additional route constraint for the bundle segment.
Unlinking a device from external data
Once a 3D object has been linked to a device, based on an external electrical specification, you may
need to remove this link, if you made a mistake.
Adding keyword for automatic catalog mapping
This functionality allows you to refine the catalog mapping, using keywords during the device storage.
Selective Loading
This functionality allows you to work in light mode to connect and link devices to external specification.
Enhanced Functionalities
Displaying internal splice graphical representation
Visualizes the position of the splice in the harness.
A user function and attributes on electrical objects have been added:
Using the Browse window
The Browse window is integrated to the Store Device and Smart Place commands.
It lets you select catalogs stored in database when working in ENOVIA context.
Customizing Settings
The working catalog is now defined in the Electrical Mapping tab and no longer in the Electrical Process
Interfacing tab. However, this information is still shown in the second one.
Getting Started
Before getting into the detailed instructions for using Electrical Library Version 5, the following tutorial
provides a step-by-step scenario demonstrating how to use key functionalities. You should be familiar
with the basic commands common to all workbenches. These are described in the Infrastructure User's
Guide.

Entering Electrical Assembly Design Workbench
Adding Electrical Behavior to Element Within the Assembly
Inserting New Electrical Part
All together, this task should take about 20 minutes to complete.

Using the Electrical Part

Design Workbench
This task explains how to set up the environment to work with CATIA - Electrical Library.
CATIA - Electrical Library includes two workbenches:
● the Electrical Assembly Design workbench: to work at the level of an assembly of electrical objects.
● the Electrical Part Design workbench: to add electrical behavior at the level of a part.
You will start with working in the Electrical Part Design workbench to add an electrical behavior to standard
part: it becomes an electrical connector.
Open the PrtStd.CATPart document.
1. Choose the Electrical Part Design item from the Start -> Equipments &
Systems menu.
The Electrical Part Design workbench is displayed with the part.


This task explains how to add an electrical behavior to a standard part. Therefore it becomes an
electrical connector.
The document is already open from the previous task.
1. Define this part as a single insert connector using this icon .

You are prompted to select the part.
2. Click the part either in the specification tree or in the geometry.
The Connector Definition dialog box opens:
3. Click OK to validate.
4. Save the document with another name: PartStd2.CATPart for example.

This document now contains an electrical connector that you will insert later in the
assembly.

This task explains how to add a cavity connection point to the connector in order to insert it into a cavity
of an equipment.
The document is still open from the previous task.
1. Define the Cavity Connection Point using this icon .

You are prompted to select a device.
2. Click the part itself.
The dialog box opens:

❍ Enter CavConnectionPoint in the Name field for example.

❍ Select the back face as Representation: Face.
The representation will be the visualization of the cavity connection point.
❍ Select the Placement Constraints as follows:
the contact: Point.1
the coincidence: Face
Those selections will be used as specification to create assembly constraints during the
connection of this single insert connector to a cavity.
The OK button becomes available.

❍ Press OK to validate your choice.
3. Save the document as PartStd2.CATPart for example.
This document now contains an electrical connector, with its connection point, that you will insert
in the assembly.
See the last task.
Entering the Electrical Assembly

Design Workbench
You will now work in the Electrical Assembly Design workbench.
CATIA V5 is launched. A CATProduct document is displayed.
1. Choose the Electrical Assembly Design item from the Start -> Equipments &
Systems menu.
The Electrical Assembly Design workbench is displayed and ready to use.


This task explains how to instantiate electrical devices into a CATProduct document using a catalog.
The devices to be imported are:
● an equipment: EquipmentDA4
● two single connectors: SingleConnectorDF56L and SingleConnectorDF56R
1. Click the Catalog Browser icon to open the CatalogOfDevices.catalog.
If necessary, use the Open icon to browse another catalog and select the
CatalogOfDevices.catalog from the samples folder. The full path is:
.../online/elbug_C2/samples/CatalogOfDevices.catalog.
2. Double-click the Electrical Devices: the folder content is displayed.
3. Double-click the Equipments: the folder content is displayed.
4. Select the EquipmentDA4, drag and drop it onto the Product1 in the specification tree.
The equipment is instantiated: it is composed of three cavities.

5. In the Electrical Devices folder, double-click Single Connectors, then
6. Select the SingleConnectorDF56L, drag and drop it onto the Product1 in the specification
tree.
7. Select the SingleConnectorDF56R, drag and drop it onto the Product1 in the specification
tree.
The result looks like this:
8. Close the Catalog Browser.

Note that when you insert a device into a product, you can take advantage of CATIA - Assembly
capabilities to constrain the device within the digital mock-up, profiting therefore by the associativity. For
more information, refer to Using Assembly Constraints

This task explains how to connect the electrical devices previously instantiated.
1. Select the Connect Electrical Devices icon to connect together the two single insert
connectors.
You are prompted to select a connector.
2. Select the SingleConnectorDF56R connector connection point that is represented by the front
face as shown below:
You are prompted to select another connector.
3. Select the SingleConnectorDF56L connector connection point that is represented by the front face
as shown below:
The connectors are connected together.
❍ an electrical connection has been created to reflect that the connectors are electrically
connected
❍ using the definition of the connector connection points, mechanical constraints are
created to get the correct positioning
❍ it's the first selected object that moves to the second one's location.
The mechanical constraints are added to the specification tree:
4. Select the Connect Electrical Devices icon again to place the SingleConnectorDF56R in
the first cavity of the equipment.
5. Select the SingleConnectorDF56L cavity connection point that is represented by the face as
shown below:
6. Select the EquipmentDA4 cavity connection point that is represented by the face as shown below:
The DF56R connector is connected to the selected cavity of the equipment.
❍ it's the first selected object that moves to the second one's location
❍ the DF56L connector moves together with the DF56R connector owing to the
mechanical constraints.
The coincidence and surface constraints are added to the specification tree:
Adding Electrical Behavior to Element

Within the Assembly
This task explains how to instantiate a standard part into the session document then to add electrical
behavior to this part within the assembly.
1. Import the element using the catalog.
To do so:
❍ Click the Catalog Browser icon to open the CatalogOfDevices.catalog.

The full path is:

❍ Double-click the Standard Parts: the folder content is displayed

❍ Double-click the Parts: the folder content is displayed
❍ Select the FillerPlugStd, drag and drop it onto the Product1 in the specification tree. The
standard part is instantiated.
❍ Close the Catalog Browser.
2. Double-click to activate Product1.
It's in the context of this product only that the electrical behavior to the part. The reference part
remains unchanged. This means that, only in the context of the active product, this part will be
seen as an electrical component.
3. Click the Define Filler Plug icon to convert the FillerPlugStd.

You are prompted to select a product.
4. Select the FillerPlugStd (FillerPlugStd.1) product.

5. Enter FillerPlugElec in the Instance name field and click OK.
Note that it is the instance of the filler plug imported in the assembly, which is modified
and not the reference.
6. Click the Define Cavity Connection Point icon .

You are prompted to select an electrical device.
7. Select the filler plug either in the specification tree or in the geometry.
The Cavity Connection Point Definition dialog box opens:
8. Enter CaCnxPnt in the Name field.
9. Click the back face as Representation:

10. Define the Placement Constraints as follows:
❍ Select the point as Contact:
❍ Select the back face as Coincidence:

The cavity connection point (CaCnxPnt) is added to the specification tree.
12. Now connect the filler plug into the equipment using this icon .
You are prompted to select an electrical connector.
13. Select the filler plug cavity connection point represented by the back face.
14. Click the bottom of the equipment middle cavity.
The filler plug is now electrically connected to the equipment and placed at the correct position
thanks to the connection point definition.
Inserting the Electrical Part Newly Defined

This task shows you how to add the previously electrified part to the product.
1. Select the Existing Component icon .

You are prompted to select the product in which you want the component to be inserted.
2. Select Product1.
3. Select the file saved in the previous task: PrtStd2.CATPart.
The PrtStdElec is added to the specification tree and the geometry.

4. Click the Connect Electrical Devices icon .

5. Select the new connector back face, i.e. the representation of the cavity connection point you've created,
as shown below:
6. Select the representation of the Equipment DA4 third cavity, i.e. the face as shown below:
The connector is connected to the equipment.
It's the first selected object that moves to the second one's location.

User Tasks
The User Tasks section explains and illustrates how to create various kinds of features.
The table below lists the information you will find.

Creating Supports
Creating Protections
Connecting/Disconnecting Devices
Importing Electrical Specifications to Design the 3D Implementation
Using Catalogs
Working with Wires

This task explains how to set up the environment to work with CATIA - Electrical Library.
CATIA - Electrical Library includes two workbenches:
Electrical Assembly Design workbench to work at the level of an assembly of electrical objects.
Electrical Part Design workbench to add electrical behavior at the level of a part.
Entering the Electrical Assembly

Design Workbench
The Electrical Assembly Design workbench allows you to create electrical assemblies in CATProduct
documents.
CATIA V5 is launched. A CATProduct document is displayed.
1. Choose the Electrical Assembly Design item from the Start -> Equipments &
Systems menu.
The Electrical Assembly Design workbench is displayed and ready to use.

Using the Electrical Part

Design Workbench
The Electrical Part Design workbench is used to define electrical connectors or to convert standard parts
into electrical devices.
CATIA V5 is launched. A CATPart document is displayed.
1. Choose the Electrical Part Design item from the Start -> Equipments & Systems
menu.
The Electrical Part Design workbench is displayed with a CATPart document.

These functionalities are available in both the Electrical Assembly and Part workbenches.
They are used to add an electrical behavior to a product or a part.
As a result, the product itself, the instance or the reference will become an electrical element:
● When you open a CATPart document and you add an electrical behavior to the part, it is the reference
which will be modified. If you insert this part in an assembly, all the occurrences will be modified.
● When you open a CATProduct document containing a CATPart, if you double-click to activate the product of
the part or the part, and add an electrical behavior to it, the result is similar: you have modified the
reference and all the occurrences will have an electrical behavior. As a consequence, you will have to save
the part.
● On the other hand, if the root product is activated and you select the product of the part, it is only this
instance of the part which will become an electrical device. The reference is NOT modified.
This rule applies for all the devices.
Equipment: Click this button and select the part or product to be converted into an equipment.
Connector: Click this button and select the part or product to be converted into a connector.
Filler Plug: Click this button and select the part or product to be converted into a filler plug.
Contact: Click this button and select the part or product to be converted into a contact.
Shell: Click this button and select the part or product to be converted into a shell.
Back Shell: Click this button and select the part or product to be converted into a back shell.
Mounting Equipment: Click this button and select the part or product to be converted into a
mounting equipment.
Defining an Equipment
This task explains how to add an electrical behavior to a standard part.
An equipment is an electrical device with one or more associated components: connectors, shells,
contacts, filler plugs, placed in cavities.
Let's see two different cases to illustrate:
● first, you will work with an instance of the product, i.e. only this instance will get the electrical
behavior.
If you insert the part to another assembly, it remains a standard part.
● then, you'll work with the reference of the part, i.e. all the instances of the part will get the
electrical behavior.
Adding the electrical behavior to an instance...
Open the BasicTasks.CATProduct document.

It contains several standard parts.
1. Click the Define Equipment button .

You are prompted to select a part or a product.
2. Click the EquipmentStd either in the specification tree or in the geometry.
The Define Equipment Part dialog box opens:
3. Enter EquipmentElec in the Instance name field.
The specification tree is updated.

The part is not modified.
The selected object is now an electrical equipment as the electrical behavior has been added to
this instance.
Adding the electrical behavior to the reference...
Open the EquipmentStdtoBeElectrified.CATPart document.
1. Click the Define Equipment button .

2. Click the EquipmentToBeElectrified either in the specification tree or in the geometry.
The Equipment Part Definition dialog box opens:
3. Change to EquipmentElec in the Part Number field.

The part has been modified.
The selected object is now an electrical equipment as the electrical behavior has been added to
this reference.
An equipment allows bundle connection points, terminations, cavities and a cavity connection point as
well as the following components connected into a cavity through a cavity connection point:
● connector shells
● single insert connectors, studs, terminal blocks, terminal strips
● contacts
● filler plugs.
Defining an Electrical Connector

This task explains how to add an electrical behavior to a standard part to turn it into an electrical
connector.
You can add an electrical behavior to an instance or a reference.

Refer to Defining an Equipment.
The BasicTasks.CATProduct document is still open.
1. Click the Define Connector button .

2. Click the ConnectorStd either in the specification tree or in the geometry.
The Define Connector dialog box opens:
3. Select the desired Type of connector using the combo:

The different types available are:

❍ Single Insert Connector: male or female connector
❍ Stud: connector receiving bundle segments
❍ External Splice: connector receiving bundle segments from different geometrical bundles
❍ Terminal Strip: connector with electrical termination strips
❍ Terminal Block: connector receiving bundle segments, each bundle segment wire being
connected to a termination
❍ Internal Splice: connector used between wires belonging to the same bundle segment.
An internal splice is a CATProduct document. It is only available in the context of
Electrical Assembly workbench but not in Electrical Part workbench.
4. Enter ConnectorElec in the Instance name field.
5. Enter the Number of termination to be defined onto the connector.
The electrical terminations are used to connect wires, using CATIA - Electrical Wire Routing.
The selected object is now an electrical connector as the electrical behavior has been added.
A single insert connector allows one cavity connection point, one connector connection point, one
back shell connection point, bundle connection points, terminations and cavities as well as the following
components connected into a cavity through a cavity connection point:
● contacts
● filler plugs.
A stud allows one cavity connection point, bundle connection points and terminations.
An external splice allows bundle connection points and terminations.
A terminal strip allows one cavity connection point, bundle connection points and terminations.
A terminal block allows one cavity connection point, bundle connection points and terminations.
An internal splice only allows terminations.
Defining a Filler Plug

This task explains how to add an electrical behavior to a standard part to turn it into a filler plug.
A filler plug is an electrical component used to block up an unused cavity.

1. Click the Define Filler Plug button .

2. Click the FillerPlugStd either in the specification tree or in the geometry.
The Define Filler Plug dialog box opens:
3. Enter FillerPlugElec in the Instance Name field.
The selected object is now an electrical filler plug as the electrical behavior has been added.
A filler plug only allows a cavity connection point.

Defining a Contact
This task explains how to add an electrical behavior to a standard part to turn it into a contact.
A contact is an electrical component used within a termination and a cavity or between bundle segments.

1. Click the Define Contact button .

2. Click the part or product which is to become a contact either in the specification tree or in the
geometry.
The Define Contact dialog box opens:
3. Enter ContactElec in the Instance Name field.
The selected object is now an electrical contact as

the electrical behavior has been added.
Note that a termination is automatically created when defining the contact.
A contact allows bundle connection points, one cavity connection point and one termination.
Defining a Shell
This task explains how to add an electrical behavior to a standard part to turn it into a shell.
A shell or connector shell is a non-electrical part which groups one or more electrical connector parts.
1. Click the Define Shell button .

2. Click the part or product which is to become a shell either in the specification tree or in the
geometry.
The Define Shell dialog box opens:
3. Enter ShellElec in the Instance Name field.
The selected object is now an electrical shell as

the electrical behavior has been added.
A connector shell allows one cavity connection point, bundle connection points, terminations and
cavities as well as the following components connected into a cavity through a cavity connection point:
● single insert connectors, studs, terminal blocks
● contacts
● filler plugs.
Defining a Back Shell

This task explains how to add an electrical behavior to a standard part to turn it into a back shell.
The back shell is a physical component used to guide the bundle segment extremity to the single insert
connector, and to protect the crimping area.
1. Click the Define Back Shell button .

2. Click the BackshellStd either in the specification tree or in the geometry.
The Back Shell dialog box opens:
3. Enter BackShellElec in the Part Number field.
4. Enter 15mm in the Extra Length field: this corresponds to the wire length necessary to connect
the bundle segment to the single insert connector through the back shell.
The selected object is now an electrical back shell as the electrical behavior has been added.
A back shell allows:
● one ore more cavities

● one or more back shell connection point
● one bundle connection point
as well as a single insert connector connected through the back shell connection point.
Defining a Mounting Equipment

This task explains how to add an electrical behavior to a standard part to turn it into a mounting
equipment.
A mounting equipment is a non-electrical part which groups one or more electrical connector parts
placed into empty cavities. This object is used to support the placement of all electrical devices
and to mount them together. For instance, a mounting equipment can represent a rack or
an electrical panel.
Open the Cockpit.CATPart document.
1. Click the Define Mounting Equipment button .

2. Click the part (or product) which is to become a mounting equipment either in the specification
tree or in the geometry.
The Define Mounting Equipment dialog box opens:
3. Enter MountEquipElec in the Instance Name field.
The selected object is now an electrical mounting equipment as the electrical behavior has been
added. You can now add cavities and other electrical components.
A mounting equipment allows cavities, only one cavity connection point, bundle connection points, as
well as the following components connected into a cavity through a cavity connection point:
● mounting equipment
● equipment
● connector shell
● single insert connector
● terminal block
● terminal strip.

The connection functionalities are available in both the Electrical Assembly and Part workbenches.
Cavity: Click this button and select the device where you want to define a cavity.
Termination: Click this button and select the device where you want to define a termination.
Back Shell Connection Point: Click this button and set the placement constraints for the connection
point between back shells and electrical devices.
Bundle Connection Point: Click this button and set the placement constraints for the connection point
between electrical devices and bundle segments (created with Electrical Harness Installation).
Connector Connection Point: Click this button and set the placement constraints for the connection
point between connectors.
Cavity Connection Point: Click this button and set the placement constraints for the connection point
between cavities and electrical devices.
It is possible to delete the electrical cavities, terminations and the connection points.
This applies to:
● termination
● cavity
● cavity connection point
● connector connection point
● bundle connection point
● back shell connection point.
Note that when deleting these objects, the associated publications are also deleted.
But the publications of the geometries which constrain their placement are NOT automatically deleted, since
they may have been created earlier, from another application.
According to your choice, you can delete them using the publication management available in the Assembly
Design workbench (Tools -> Publication menu item).
Defining a Cavity
This task explains how to define a cavity on an electrical device.
The cavity is used to specify the location of the electrical object when connecting.
Cavities can now be added to back shells.

This functionality allows you to ground the wire/cable shielding through a contact.
Open any document containing a device where you want to place a cavity.
1. Click the Define Cavity button .
The Cavity Definition dialog box opens:
2. Select the electrical device where you want the cavity to be defined.
3. Enter a value in the IdNumber field.
Note that the IdNumber must be unique.
4. Select a Representation, for example a pocket, a pad, a face...
5. Optionally, place a Contact constraint, for example a surface or a point.
6. Optionally, place a Coincidence constraint, for example a surface, a line or an axis.
7. Optionally, place an Orientation constraint, for example a surface, a line or an axis.
The orientation is used to constrain the rotation i.e. the third degree of liberty.

For more information about the placement constraints, refer to Using Assembly Constraints.
A cavity is allowed on:

● mounting equipments
● equipments
● single insert connectors
● back shells.
Defining a Termination
This task explains how to define a termination on an electrical device.
The termination is a sub-element ensuring the electrical signal conduction between any type of electrical
component except the filler plug. It is indissociable from the electrical component and corresponds to a
contact crimped into a cavity.
Open any document containing a device where you want to place a termination.
1. Click the Define Termination button .
2. Select the electrical device where you want the termination to be defined.
The Termination Definition dialog box opens:
3. Enter a value in the IdNumber field.
Note that the IdNumber must be unique.
4. Optionally select a Representation, for example a pocket, a pad, a face...

A termination is allowed on:
● equipments
● single insert connectors, studs, external splices, terminal strips, terminal blocks, internal splices
● contacts.
Defining a Connector Connection Point

This task explains how to define a connector connection point on a connector.
The connector connection point is used to specify how the mating connectors are placed when
connecting.
Open any document containing a single insert connector where you want to place a connector connection
point.
1. Click the Define Connector Connection Point button .
2. Select the electrical device where you want the connector connection point to be defined.
The Connector Connection Point Definition dialog box opens:
3. Enter a value in the Name field.
5. Optionally, place a Contact constraint, for example a surface or a point.
6. Optionally, place a Coincidence constraint, for example a surface, a line or an axis.
7. Optionally, place an Orientation constraint, for example a surface, a line or an axis.

A connector connection point is only allowed on single insert connectors.

Defining a Bundle Connection Point

This task explains how to define a bundle connection point on a device.
The bundle connection point is used to specify the position and the direction of the bundle segment
connected to the device.
Open any document containing a device where you want to place a bundle connection point.
1. Click the Define Bundle Connection Point button .
2. Select the electrical device where you want the bundle connection point to be defined.
The Bundle Connection Point Definition dialog box opens:
4. Select a Representation, for example a surface or a point...
5. Set a Point constraint: select a point.
This point will possibly be used as bundle segment extremity.
6. Set a Initial Condition constraint: select a plane or an axis.
This plane or axis will possibly be used to orientate the bundle segment.

A bundle connection point is allowed on:
● equipments
● single insert connectors, studs, external splices, terminal strips, terminal blocks
● contacts
● back shells.

This task explains how to define a cavity connection point on a device.
The cavity connection point is used to specify how the device is placed in the cavity when connecting.
Open any document containing a device where you want to place a cavity connection point.
1. Click the Define Cavity Connection Point button .
2. Select the electrical device where you want the cavity connection point to be defined.
The Cavity Connection Point Definition dialog box opens:
5. Optionally, set a Contact constraint, for example a surface or a point.
6. Optionally, set a Coincidence constraint, for example a surface, a line or an axis.
7. Optionally, set an Orientation constraint, for example a surface, a line or an axis.

A cavity connection point is allowed on:
● single insert connectors, studs, terminal strips, terminal blocks
● filler plugs
● contacts.
Defining a Back Shell Connection Point

This task explains how to define a back shell connection point.
The back shell connection point is used to specify how the back shell will be placed on the electrical
connector.
You can now define more than one back shell connection point on the single insert connector.
Open the BackShell.CATPart and run the Defining a Back Shell scenario.
1. Click the Define Back Shell Connection Point button .
2. Select the electrical device where you want the back shell connection point to be defined.
The Back Shell Connection Point Definition dialog box opens:
4. Select a Representation, for example a pad, a face...
5. Optionally, set a Contact constraint, for example a surface or a point.
6. Optionally, set a Coincidence constraint, for example a surface, a line or an axis.
7. Optionally, set an Orientation constraint, for example a surface, a line or an axis.

A back shell connection point is allowed on:
● back shells
● single insert connectors.
Creating Supports
A support is a mechanical object used to hold the bundle segments in position.
There are several types of supports used to route electrical bundle segments.
This functionality is available in Electrical Part Design workbench only.

Creating Retainers
Methodology: Branch point in the middle of the support/retainer

Creating a branch point in-between the entry point and the exit plane of a support is not recommended.
It won't be handled by the flattening command in Electrical Harness Flattening.
Let's have a look at this scenario:

● If the support has been defined like this:
● you route a branch through this support:
● you will not be able to use the branch point in the middle of the support, as it will not be
handled when flattening.
The workaround is to define the support as shown below:
● with the branch point outside the support definition area:
This will be properly handled by the flattening command in Electrical Harness Flattening.

This task explains how to define a support for electrical bundle segments.
A support is a mechanical object used to hold the bundle segments in position.
Open the Support.CATPart document.
1. Click the Define Support button .

You are prompted to select a part.
2. Click the Support either in the specification tree or in the geometry.
The Support Definition dialog box opens:
3. Enter/change the name for the support.
4. Select the point through the support, to define the reference position of the bundle segment in
the support.
Note: Using the Define Support command several times on the same support allows you to
define several ways through (multi-support).
If the point is not already defined, click the button.

For more information, refer to the Point Definition.
You are prompted to select the first plane: the way in of the support.
5. Select the front face.
You are prompted to select a second plane: the way out of the support.
6. Select the opposite face.
To be selectable, it must be parallel to the first face.
7. Optionally, select a base plane to define a retainer. Refer to Creating Retainers.
If nothing is selected, the support is considered as standard one.
The specification tree is updated:
Two extra planes have been defined (Plane.1 and Plane.2) and publications created.
● When you define another way through a support (multi-support), the second plane is predefined as it
is for the first way.
A first way through the support has been created:
Using the previous steps, when you select the support a second time to create the second way
through:
❍ select another point
(or define one if necessary by clicking the button).

❍ the second plane is already defined.
● Defining supports generates Publication labels: if you instantiate the support in a product
environment, it can be replaced, keeping the links with the bundle segments going through the
support.
● The Base Plane Definition field is used for the retainer type of support.
Creating Retainers
This task explains how to define a retainer used to route electrical bundle segments.
A retainer is a special type of support, which is composed of a specified straight base. The bundle segment
routed through this support keeps in contact with this base, whatever the bundle segment diameter is.
Open the retainer document.
1. Click the Define Support button .

2. Click the Support either in the specification tree or in the geometry.
The Support Definition dialog box opens:
3. Enter/change the name for the support.
4. Select the point through the support, to define the reference position of the bundle segment in the
support: here Point.4
You are prompted to select the first plane: the way in of the support.
5. Select the front face:
You are prompted to select a second plane: the way out of the support.
6. Select the opposite face.
To be selectable, it must be parallel to the first face.
7. Select the base plane to complete the support definition as a retainer.
This plane is published with a dedicated name: EHISUPPORT-RefBasePlane.
This allows the retainer to be recognized as such in CATIA.
The selection of the base plane is optional. If nothing is selected, the support is considered as
standard one.
Only planar surface or plane can be selected as Base Plane to avoid ambiguous positioning
on curved surface.
The publications are created with the specific retainer parameter EHISUPPORT-RefBasePlane.
When a bundle segment is attached to this kind of support, a formula is automatically generated:
The RetainerFormula.1 is defined as follows:

Points are created on-the-fly to ensure that the bundle segment keeps in contact with the base plane of the
support, whatever the diameter is.
This is the case when using the Add Support command and when defining the bundle segment route
through a support.
A retainer can be a multi-support: two different base planes can be defined, along which bundle segments
can be routed.
Refer to Routing Bundle Segments trough Retainers.
Remember that the bundle segment slack is ignored on the route though a support.

This task explains how to define an adaptative part such as a support, using a formula.
In visualization mode, when the part document is not loaded, an adaptative support is recognized as such if the ELEC-
SUPPORT-RADIUS parameter is published.
To take advantage of this option, you need to publish it manually.
If this option is not selected, or if the parameter is not published, the support is not seen as adaptative.
Refer to Part Design User's Guide - Advanced Tasks - Using Tools - Publishing Elements.
Open the AdaptativeClamp.CATPart document.
This document also contains three formulas that have been defined to re-compute the support geometry after
routing:
1 - The support remaining length value is set to:

20mm*(2*PI+1)-(2*PI*Radius)
2 - The inner diameter value is set to:

Radius
3 - The outer diameter value is set to:

Radius + 2mm
1. Click the Formula Editor button .
2. Select the Length type and click the New parameter of type button.
3. Enter the name for it: ELEC-SUPPORT-RADIUS

and a value: 18mm for example
Note: the name must strictly be ELEC-SUPPORT-RADIUS.
4. Select the support radius (PartBody\Sketch.1\Radius.50\Radius) and click the Add Formula button:
5. Enter the formula:
PartBody\Sketch.1\Radius.50\Radius = 'ELEC-SUPPORT-RADIUS'
(the radius is equal to the new parameter ELEC-SUPPORT-RADIUS)

6. Click OK to validate the entries made in both dialog boxes.
Now, if you route a bundle segment through this support:
● A formula will automatically be generated under the root product of the document, if and only if the ELEC-
SUPPORT-RADIUS parameter has been detected:
Support radius = Bundle segment diameter * 0.5
● The support will exactly fit the bundle segment diameter. The formulas given above are used to re-compute
the support geometry.
Creating a Protection
This task explains how to define a protection for electrical bundle segments.
A protection is a mechanical object used to cover one or more bundle segments.
The bundle segments must be tangent at their extremities, within the same geometrical bundle.
The centerline of the protection is a combination of the bundle segment centerlines.
This functionality is only available for bundle segment with circular section.
It is possible to add supports to bundle segments covered with a protection.
Open a new CATPart document.
1. Click the Define Protection button .

2. Click the Part1 in the specification tree.
The Protection Definition dialog box opens:
3. Enter/change the name for the protection.
4. Select the protection type.

It can be Corrugated tube or Tape. When the feature is defined, the type is frozen.
Corrugated: a tube defined through an inner diameter, a thickness, a bend radius and a
linear mass.
Tape: a strip defined through a width, a thickness, a bend radius delta and a linear
mass.
The inner diameter is the bundle segment diameter.
Note: The tape type is also displayed as a tube in the geometry.
5. Enter the parameter values:
For the corrugated tube:

❍ Inner diameter: when you enter a value, the section updates accordingly.
❍ Inner section: when you enter a value, the diameter updates accordingly.
❍ Thickness
❍ Bend radius: must be greater than the sum of the inner diameter plus the thickness.
❍ Linear mass
For the tape:

❍ Width
❍ Thickness
❍ Bend radius: must be greater than the sum of the inner diameter plus the thickness.
❍ Linear mass
6. Select the line type.
Line type defines the representation of the protection viewed in 2D when using the Electrical
Harness Flattening workbench. New line types can be defined with the Tools -> Options menu.
7. The Light geometry option allows you to create the protection geometry according to two
modes:
❍ when the option is checked, the geometry looks like a cylinder and the CATPart document
created is smaller. It's the default value.
❍ when you uncheck this option the geometry looks like a tube.

You can now save the protection into a catalog. Using the Electrical Harness Installation workbench, it
will be possible to instantiate and modify it according to your needs.
As the bundle protection object is highly customizable and flexible, you can modify the reference to
create new kind of objects that protects bundles (refer to Creating a Protection of Given Length
methodology to see an example). You can modify the geometry, add a design table, user attributes or a
material to fulfill your protection specification. All this information will be stored into the catalog and re-
instantiated each time you will use the protection in your 3D design.
Be aware that if you modify the geometry, you must not change any object under the ElecRouteBody
at the risk of getting hazardous behavior when instantiating, modifying or updating the protection.
Connecting/Disconnecting
Electrical Devices
These functionalities are only available in the Electrical Assembly workbench.
It is recommended to instantiate harness connectors inside a geometrical bundle, as it will become

flexible when needed - for example, adding a multi-branchable document/bundle segment or connecting
devices.
Connecting: Click this button and select the devices you want to connect.
Disconnecting: Click this button and select the devices you want to disconnect .

This task explains how to connect the electrical devices.
What Connection to What Component...
Device/Component On Connector On Connector Device/Component

Mounting Equipment Cavity Cavity Connection Point Mounting Equipment
Equipment
Shell
Single Insert Connector
Stud
Terminal Block
Contact
Filler Plug
Cavity Connection Point Cavity Mounting Equipment
Bundle Connection Point Bundle Segment Extremity Bundle Segment
Equipment Cavity Cavity Connection Point Shell
Stud
Terminal Block
Terminal Strip
Contact
Filler Plug
Shell Cavity Cavity Connection Point Single Insert Connector
Stud
Terminal Block
Contact
Filler Plug
Equipment
Single Insert Connector Cavity Cavity Connection Point Contact
Filler Plug
Connector Connection Point Connector Connection Point Single Insert Connector
Equipment
Shell
Back Shell Connection Point Back Shell Connection Point Back Shell
Stud Cavity Connection Point Cavity Mounting Equipment
Equipment
Shell
External Splice Bundle Connection Point Bundle Segment Extremity Bundle Segment
Terminal Strip Cavity Connection Point Cavity Mounting Equipment
Equipment
Shell

Terminal Block Cavity Connection Point Cavity Mounting Equipment
Equipment
Shell
Contact Cavity Connection Point Cavity Mounting Equipment
Equipment
Shell
Back Shell
Filler Plug Cavity Connection Point Cavity Mounting Equipment
Equipment
Shell
Back Shell Back Shell Connection Point Back Shell Connection Point Single Insert Connector
Cavity Cavity Connection Point Contact
Bundle Segment Bundle Segment Extremity Bundle Connection Point Mounting Equipment
Equipment
Shell
Stud
Terminal Block
Terminal Strip
Contact
Back Shell
External Splice
Bundle Segment Extremity Bundle Segment Extremity Bundle Segment
When you create an electrical connection between two devices:
● an electrical link is created between the connected components. See Related Objects.
● if placement constraints have been defined on connection points, the mechanical assembly constraints
are automatically created.
Since it's now possible to use this command in visualization mode also (cache activated), the scenario is
described according to the two modes:
● The design mode is mandatory to perform the connections.
● In visualization mode, the model is lighter since the geometry is not loaded.
It allows you to display large assemblies.
When you work in visualization mode, CATIA switches to the design mode only for the elements which
will contribute to the connection.
In Design Mode
Open the Connecting document in design mode (the cache is not activated).
The whole geometry is loaded.
1. Click the Connect Electrical Devices button to connect two devices.

You are prompted to select the first device.
❍ an electrical connection has been created together with mechanical constraints.
2. Select the first device either in the geometry or in the specification tree:
You are prompted to select another device.
3. Move the cursor onto the second device before selecting it, as shown below:
The cavity connection point of the first device and the cavities of the second one are displayed in
green: this means that it is possible to connect the first device to any of the four cavities available on
the second one.
According to the selection, if a cavity is already used or if no connection point is defined onto the
second device, it is displayed in red:
4. Click to select a connection point available on the device, Cavity3 for example.
The devices are connected together and the mechanical constraints are added to the specification
tree:
Note that you can select the second connection point using one of the three following ways to get the same
result:
● the representation of the connection point in the geometry
● the label with the name of the connection point
● the connection point in the specification tree.
In Visualization Mode
Open the Connecting document in visualization mode (the cache is activated).
The geometry is not loaded.
1. Select the Connect Electrical Devices button to connect two devices.

❍ an electrical connection has been created together with mechanical constraints.
2. Select the first device either in the geometry or in the specification tree.
You are prompted to select the second device.
3. Move the cursor onto the second device before selecting it, as shown below:
Note that:
❍ You cannot expand the specification tree since you are in visualization mode.
❍ No annotations are displayed on the device connection points.
4. Click to select the mounting equipment:
The geometry is loaded for both devices and the annotations display:
5. Click to select a connection point available on the device, for example Cavity3.
The devices are connected together and the mechanical constraints are added to the specification
tree:
Note that the specification tree also displays the plus sign for the other devices: this is due to the update
that loads the publications. However the geometry for these components is not loaded:
Disconnecting Electrical Devices

This task explains how to disconnect electrical devices.
1. Select the Disconnect Electrical Devices button to disconnect devices.

2. Select the first device you want to disconnect:
You are prompted to select another device.
3. Select the second device that was connected to the first one:
The devices are disconnected.
❍ The electrical connection is deleted.

❍ The mechanical constraints are deleted in the geometry and the specification tree:
Note that the device position remains unchanged but as the mechanical constraints have been deleted,
you can shift the connectors using the compass.
Importing Electrical Specifications to Design

the 3D Implementation
To complete the electrical process from end to end, CATIA Electrical products can import electrical
specifications from various data repository. It is possible to manage links to map electrical devices
positioned in 3D to any format of electrical specifications (textual, list, 2D schematics). This can be done
at various steps of the process (from functional or logical information) to insure the reliability and
integrity of the 3D implementation of your electrical systems. Moreover, in Electrical Wire Routing, the
connectivity information (wires or signals) can also be imported in this manner.
You can either use the import from external data mechanism or the integration with Electrical System
Functional Definition.


Thanks to the selective loading capabilities, you can work with the cache activated.
refer to Selective Loading in Electrical Products.
Make sure the CATIA options are properly set up:
● for the electrical mapping
● for the external process interfacing
● for the environment definition

Importing Electrical External Data for 3D Implementation
Reconciling External Systems and Physical data
Replacing a Device from External Data
Placing Internal Splice by Drag and Drop
Displaying Location Information from External Electrical Specification
The main objective is to enhance the scalability of CATIA Electrical tools, making it possible to design a
complete harness in context, using a light loading mode for all surrounding parts.
The principle is to only load needed data, when necessary without any explicit action from the user. The
selective loading is integrated in all Electrical tools (ELB, EHI, EWR and EHF) and save up to 60% of
memory consumption by keeping the whole mechanical context in Visualization Mode and by switching
to design mode only the used devices, supports or bundle documents when they are used.
As an example, here is the memory consumption for a simple test scenario:
To activate this functionality, you need to activate the cache in Tools -> Options -> Infrastructure:
● Choose Product Structure, the Cache Management tab then Cache Activation.
● Select Work with the cache system:
Then, when working with CATIA Electrical tools, the necessary information will be loaded automatically
by switching to design mode the selected or needed parts.
This means that you can work with all your mechanical environment kept in visualization mode.
Importing Electrical External Data for 3D

Implementation
The electrical 3D design products - Electrical Library and Electrical Wire Routing - cooperate with external
electrical system specification tools (schematic, legacy database, etc.).
There are two ways to integrate the external tools with CATIA Electrical products
● using a direct access through CAA V5 APIs

● using an XML file.
You can perform two different actions regarding this integration:
● in Electrical Library, it is possible to place and link the imported devices

● in Electrical Wire Routing, it is possible to route the wires/equipotentials from their from-to connectivity
specification taking into account their properties, then to export their length back to the external tool for
further use.
A system imported from external data consists of:
● electrical equipments and their properties

● electrical connectors and their properties
● internal splices and their properties
● electrical pins and their properties
● electrical and assembly links between those components
● wire specifications (from-to connectivity and properties)
● equipotential specifications (from-to connectivity and properties).
Electrical Library and Electrical Wire Routing can import and use this data in order to make the 3D
implementation in the digital mock-up of electrical systems. With this integration the whole electrical process is
completed from specification to implementation.
Since the option to enable the external systems interfacing is set up, an additional command is
available in the Electrical Library and Electrical Wire Routing workbenches.
This task explains how to select the system prior to placing electrical components.
Once a system is selected, the list of devices is loaded and ready to use.
The data used in the task can be found in .../online/cfysm_C2/samples/ElectricalIntegration.
1. Click the Select External Systems button .
The System Selection dialog box displays with the systems available:
2. Select one or more systems and click the right arrow .
The component list is filled up with these data and available for assisted placement.
If a system has already been selected, data is reloaded.

Reconciling External Systems and Physical Data

This task explains how the reconciliation is done between external systems and physical data.
A unique identifier is shared between external system data and CATIA 3D data.
This identifier is named the Id attribute in the exchange schema. The link between the external system
devices and the physical device is done by copying this Id to the reference designator from the external
system to the physical one. Then:
1. Between connectors:
A check is performed between the external system connector Part Number and the physical
connector Part Number:
❍ if they are identical: the link is done
❍ if the external system connector Part Number is empty: the link is automatically done.
❍ if the external system connector Part Number is different from the physical connector Part
Number, a message is displayed. You can decide whether you want to create the link (using
the OK button) or not (Cancel).
Then a check is performed between the sub-entities Id Number: the external system contacts
and physical cavities, terminations:
❍ if the Id Number is identical, the link is created between sub-entities.

For example, a pin in the 3D data is mapped to its external counterpart, using this
mechanism. Then the pin Id coming from the external electrical specification is set as
reference designator for the connector termination in the 3D session.
❍ if some Id Number attributes are different, a message warns you that only some of the sub-
entities have been linked.
2. Between equipments or between shells:
A check is performed between the external system Part Number and the physical equipment
Part Number:
❍ if it is identical: the link is done.
❍ if the external system equipment Part Number is empty: the link is automatically done.
❍ if the external system equipment Part Number is different from the physical equipment
Part Number, a message is displayed. You can decide whether you want to create the link
(using the OK button) or not (Cancel).
At that time, the external system connectors have to be reconciled with the physical connectors
of the equipment: the mapping is done between the external system connector Name and the
cavity Id Number of the equipment. When a cavity Id Number is compatible, the connector
plugged in this cavity is reconciled with the external system connector.
For example: an equipment has two cavities, with IdNum1 and IdNum2 as Id Number.
If the external system specification mentioned that a connector is plugged in IdNum1, and if, in
the 3D session, a connector with the compatible Part Number is connected within this cavity,
the system will automatically link this connector by setting its reference designator to the Id of
the connector coming from the external specifications.
Then the checks are performed for the sub-entities (see paragraph 1 above) of the connectors
previously linked (as explained above).
3. Automatic placement of a connector on an equipment already realized:
If an external system consists of an equipment with connectors, and the equipment is already
realized but not the connectors, when you place the physical connectors from the catalog using
the Link button of the Manage Links command , they are automatically placed at the
correct location in the cavities of the equipment, and the electrical connection is performed at
the same time.
External electrical specifications can give a more detailed definition than CATIA, and the routing will be
correctly performed:
In 3D, the terminations can be missing. The links between the connectors is enough to route wires even
if the wire from-to connectivity definition is at the pin level in the external specifications (xml file).
To know more about wire routing from external data, refer to Considering External Data Routing in
Greater Depth.

This task explains how to place electrical components from the external device list, managing the cavity
placement with label display.
This working mode is only proposed if the component to be placed has a cavity connection point.
Otherwise the standard placement is performed (placement at the origin 0,0) and the step 6 is avoided.
● In the Tools -> Options -> Equipment & Systems -> Electrical Process Interfacing tab:
❍ Make sure the External System Interfacing is enabled.
❍ Select ...\online\elbug_C2\samples\managelinks as System Repository.
● In the Tools -> Options -> Equipment & Systems -> Electrical Mapping tab:
❍ Select ...\online\elbug_C2\samples\managelinks\CatalogOfDevices.catalog as Working Catalog.
❍ Define the mapping for the electrical objects.
Refer to the Customizing documentation.
Open the P404 document.
1. Click the Select External Systems button .

Select the only system available and validate.
2. Click the Manage Links button to display the list of the devices to be placed.
The device list displays.

3. Select an equipment: P212-1
The Place button is activated.
4. Click the Place button.
Since a mapping has been defined and the part number retrieved from the external data, the
catalog browser opens with the predefined equipment:
5. Select this equipment and click OK.
The catalog closes.

Moving the cursor over the device displays the cavities available for placement:
6. Click the cavity you want to use:

The equipment is placed.
The device list is updated: the equipment is now referenced as Linked.

7. Repeat these steps for the second equipment:
Note that the cavity where you have previously placed the equipment now shows in red. It is not
available for placement.
Click the last cavity available: the equipment is placed, the device list and the specification tree
are updated.
8. Click Close when you are done.
Note that if you click in the free space to place the device and not a cavity, it will be placed at the origin
(0,0).
Removing a Link to a Device
Once a 3D object has been linked to a device, based on an external electrical specification, you may
need to remove this link, if you made a mistake. This task explains how to do it.
The application is set up as follows:

● In the Tools -> Options -> Equipment & Systems -> Electrical Process Interfacing tab:
❍ Make sure the External System Interfacing is enabled.
❍ Select ...\online\elbug_C2\samples\managelinks as System Repository.
● In the Tools -> Options -> Equipment & Systems -> Electrical Mapping tab:
❍ Select ...\online\elbug_C2\samples\managelinks\CatalogOfDevices.catalog as Working Catalog.
❍ Define the mapping for the electrical objects.
You have performed the previous task.
The equipments are placed and linked to the cavities.

1. Select an equipment: P212-1
The Unlink button is activated, only if the status of the selected device is Linked or Partially
linked.
This command unlinks the selected device and all its children.
This means that the Reference designator attribute of the selected device and of its
children are reset to blank. Formerly, this attribute contained the unique identifier shared
between ECAD and MCAD world.
2. Click Unlink.
The device list is updated.
The physical equipment is left in the cavity but the electrical link is broken.
Note that the cavity from where you have unlinked the equipment now shows in green: It is available
for placement.
Since the option is set up to enable the external systems interfacing, an additional command is available in the Electrical
Library and Electrical Wire Routing workbenches.
And the commands Place Physical Device and Add Link are replaced with this one: Manage Links .
This task explains how to link electrical components already placed in the session, from the external device list. The components are
not yet linked.
Refer to the Electrical Integration from External Data scenario.
1. Click the Manage Links button .
The device list displays:
The components you can place are:

❍ equipments
❍ connectors
❍ internal splices
❍ shells.
You can filter the list:

❍ Show all devices: the list displays all the devices referenced in the external data file, even if they are not placed in the
geometry.
❍ Show only devices present in session: the list displays only the devices placed in the geometry.
❍ Show only changed devices: the list displays only the devices which part number has been changed in the external
data file.
2. Select the component you want to link to a device already placed in the session.
As no link exists, the Place and Link buttons become available.
3. Click Link to add link to electrical components already placed in session with no link to external data.
The 3D component list displays:
This list contains the devices candidate to linkage present in session: all are electrical components with the same part
number as the device selected in the list.
You can select the component:
❍ in the list: the 3D view is reframed on this component

❍ in the geometry
❍ in the specification tree.
4. Select the component in the 3D component list and click OK.
The device list is updated:
If the sub-elements are already placed with the correct part number, they will also be linked automatically. If not,
the element will be referenced as Partially linked.

You can also link to a component with a different part number. In this case:
● Choose the component you want to link in the device list and click the Link button.
The 3D Component List opens but is empty.
● Select the corresponding component in the geometry.
You will have to confirm your selection.
● Click OK to validate.
The Device List is updated:
Replacing a Device
from External Data
This task explains how the reconciliation between external and physical data is done when the device
part number has been modified.
The link between the external system's devices and the physical devices is already done.
In order to find out any device part number modification, the system compares the external device list
and the linked objects in session.
Open the PN_replace document.
Make sure the options are set up as follows:
a. for the electrical process interfacing:
- the Electrical iXF data repository is:

.../online/cfysm_c2/samples/ElectricalIntegration
b. for the electrical mapping regarding the working catalog.
- the working catalog path is:
.../online/cfysm_c2/samples/ElectricalIntegration/ElecIntegration.catalog
1. Click this button to select an external system.

In the context of this scenario, select both electrical bundles and validate.
2. Click the Manage Links button .
The device list displays. A connector is shown as Changed in the list:
3. Select this connector: Connector_F.11
The Replace button is activated.

You can filter the device list to display only the devices to be changed by clicking the
Show only changed devices option.
4. Click the Replace button.
Since a mapping has been defined, the catalog browser opens with the predefined equipment:
5. Select this connector and click OK.
The device list is updated: the connector is now referenced as Linked.

The geometry is updated.
The old device is replaced with the new one to synchronize the external device list and the
devices in session. All the electrical, mechanical and external links are automatically rebuilt
together.

Placing Internal Splice from Catalog

This task shows how to place internal splices by drag-and-drop from a catalog.
The document must contain at least:

● a geometrical bundle with bundle segments and components at their extremities
● a system.
1. Click the Smart Place icon .

The Catalog Browser displays.
If necessary, navigate to select the ElecIntegration.catalog using the Browse another
catalog button .
The ElecIntegration.catalog is located in:
.../online/cfysm_C2/samples/ElectricalIntegration/
2. Select the internal splice you want to place.
3. Drag and drop it onto the bundle segment.

4. Move then click to place the internal splice.

The Internal Splice Placement window opens. You can modify the offset in this field.
5. Click OK when you are satisfied.
The graphical representation respects the following characteristics:
It is made of three circles representing a light sphere, based on the diameter of the bundle segment:
The center of the sphere is the exact position of the internal splice, taking into account the offset.
The graphical representation is updated in the following cases:
● when the bundle segment diameter is modified:

● when the splice position is modified (offset value):
● when a routing is performed, leading to a modification of the bundle segment diameter, the circle
diameter of the splice is updated.
Note that double-clicking its representation does not edit the internal splice.
Displaying Location Information

from External Electrical Specification
This task explains how data can be displayed from the external electrical specification when placing an equipment. This information
aims to help the user to place devices based on location information.
Open the Root document.
Select Tools -> Options -> Equipment & Systems to set the options:
a. In the Electrical Process Interfacing tab:
❍ make sure Enable external systems interfacing is checked.

❍ However, you are required to define the path of the folder in which the XML files available are stored:
.../online/elbug_C2/samples/cavityinfo
b. In the Electrical Mapping tab, select the working catalog and define a mapping for the electrical objects:
.../online/elbug_C2/samples/cavityinfo/ElecIntegration.catalog
For more information about the settings, refer to the Customizing section.
1. Click the Select External Systems button and select Electrical Bundle2.1:
2. Click the Manage Links button.
The Device List displays.
3. Select the second equipment in the list and click Place.

Since information is available for the selected object in the external electrical specification, the following dialog box displays
at placement:
The Identifier is the reference designator of the device to be placed.
The System Type, Description, Localization are textual information related to this device coming from the external
electrical specification.
At the same time, the Catalog Browser opens with the correct catalog according to the options previously set up.
4. Successively select the proposed equipment in the catalog, then validate the cavity in the geometry.
Note the cavity label showing in the geometry.

The equipment is placed and linked.
For more information about device placement, refer to Managing Links from External Data.

Place: Click this button, select the device to be placed
Remove: Click this button then select the device to be removed.
Add: Click this button and select the corresponding devices.

Placing Physical Devices

from Functional Data
This task explains how to import physical devices, for example an equipment with its connectors from the
catalog according to its functional definition, previously performed in EFD.
Open the AutomaticPlacement.CATProduct document.
Make sure the Electrical Library options are properly set up with the correct catalog:
.../online/elbug_C2/samples/AutomaticPlacement/CatalogOfDevicesR7.catalog
1. Click the Place Physical Device button .

You are prompted to select a functional device.
2. Click the Equipment-AXC-12 in the specification tree.
The Catalog Browser displays the correct catalog, with a pre-selected equipment:
3. Select PN-19102000-1050.
You are prompted to decide whether you want or not to import the connectors together with the
equipment.
5. Click Yes to import the connectors at the same time:
❍ The physical equipment is imported together with the connectors, owing to the functional
information.
❍ The electrical link between the functional and the physical device is created (a message is
displayed). When you select the functional equipment in the specification tree, the physical
equipment is highlighted in the geometry.
❍ In the specification tree, the functional equipment and connector icons turn to green.

Step 5, if you have chosen No:
● the connectors were not imported and you've been informed that all the links have not been
performed:
● however you can place the connectors later.

To do so:
a. Click the Place Physical Device button .
b. Select the functional connector Connector-AX1 in the specification tree.
The catalog opens.
c. Select PN-19102000-1100.
d. Click OK to validate.
The connector is correctly placed in the cavity of the equipment and the link is done,
owing to the functional information.

How is the reconciliation done between functional and physical?
1. Between connectors:
A check is performed between the functional connector Nominal Part Number and the physical
connector Part Number:
❍ if the functional connector Nominal Part Number is empty: the link is automatically done
❍ if the functional connector Nominal Part Number is different from the physical connector Part
Number, a message is displayed. You can decide whether you want to create the link (using the
OK button) or not (Cancel).
Then a check is performed between the sub-entities Id Number: the functional contacts and physical
cavities, terminations:
❍ if the ID Number are identical, the link is created between functional and physical sub-entities
❍ if some ID Number are different, a message warns you that only some of the functional and
physical sub-entities have been linked.
2. Between equipments:
A check is performed between the functional Nominal Part Number and the physical equipment
Part Number:
❍ if the functional equipment Nominal Part Number is empty: the link is automatically done
❍ if the functional equipment Nominal Part Number is different from the physical equipment Part
Number, a message is displayed. You can decide whether you want to create the link (using the
OK button) or not (Cancel).
Then the functional connectors have to be reconciled with the physical connectors of the equipment:
the mapping is done between the functional connector Id Number and the cavity Id Number of the
equipment. When a cavity Id Number is compatible, the connector plugged in this cavity is
reconciled with the functional connector.
Then the checks are performed between connectors and between the sub-entities (see above).
3. Using shells:
In the physical world, an electrical assembly possibly consists of an equipment, a shell, connectors
and their sub-entities. In the functional world, the shell does not exist.
Since the mapping between physical connector and functional connector plugged on an equipment is
done through the Id Number, when a shell is used, CATIA temporarily generates an Id Number,
following the rule below:
"Id Number of the equipment cavity" + "|" + "Id Number of the shell cavity"
Example: E1|S1
It is this Id Number which will be compared to the Id Number of the functional connector.
4. Automatic placement of a connector on an equipment already realized:
If a functional system consists of an equipment with connectors, if the equipment is already realized
but not the connectors, when you place the physical connectors from the catalog using this button
, they are automatically placed at the correct location in the cavities of the equipment.
Removing Functional Links

This task explains how to remove a link between the physical and the functional corresponding device.
1. Click the Remove Functional Link icon .
You are prompted to select a physical or functional device.
2. Select the device either in the specification tree or in the geometry.
❍ The electrical link between the functional and the physical device is removed. When you
select the functional connector in the specification tree, the physical connector is no longer
highlighted in the geometry.
❍ In the specification tree, the functional connector icon turns to red:
● This functionality is available for the equipments and any type of connectors.
● The Remove Functional Link command is deactivated when you work with external data.
Adding Link to Physical Devices

from Functional Data
This task explains how to create a link between the physical and the functional corresponding device.
1. Click the Add Link icon .
You are prompted to select a physical and a functional device.
2. Select the devices either in the specification tree or in the geometry.
❍ The electrical link between the functional and the physical device is created: when you select
the functional connector in the specification tree, the physical connector is highlighted in the
geometry.
❍ In the specification tree, the functional connector icon turns to green:

● This functionality is available for the equipments and any type of connectors.
● To know more about the reconciliation, refer to Place Physical Device.

To complete the electrical process from end to end, CATIA Electrical products can import electrical
specifications from various data repository. It can be either from CATIA EFD product or through external
electrical specification authoring tools (schematics, database, etc.) thanks to CAA APIs or XML exchange
files.
Here are two scenarios illustrating these capabilities:


This document explains the external data exchange capabilities available in the electrical workbenches.
Environment Settings
Automatic Routing
Setting up the Environment

Make sure the options are set up as follows:
1. Select the Tools -> Options... command then in the Infrastructure category, click Part
Infrastructure.
2. In the General tab:
Keep link with selected object option must be checked:
This makes possible the contextual links between the bundle segments and the geometry when
creating the harness.
3. Then in the Equipment & Systems category, click the Electrical Harness Installation
workbench. Click the Harness Management tab:
The bundle segment naming rule is set to Parent-Bundle Segment(#PN#)

to help you recognize to which geometrical bundle a bundle segment belongs.
4. Click OK to validate the entries made.


This document shows how to set up the options to take advantage of external data from partners through
XML files.
See also the Customizing - Electrical Process Interfacing documentation.
It is also possible to use CAA V5 APIs to get information from legacy databases.
1. Select the Tools -> Options... command then in the Equipment & Systems category, click the
Electrical Process Interfacing tab.
This tab lets you define:

❍ the access to external data
❍ the electrical iXF repository path
❍ the electrical working catalog path.
2. Make sure Enable external systems interfacing is checked.
However, you are required to identify the path:

❍ of the folder in which the XML files available are stored
❍ of the working catalog containing the V5 parts which Part Number are referred to in the XML
files.
3. Use to locate the iXF systems repository.

For this example, the path is: .../online/cfysa_C2/samples/ElectricalIntegration
4. Select the Electrical Mapping tab to select the working catalog:
❍ Click the Browse button to locate the catalog containing the V5 parts, which Part Number
attributes are referred to in the XML files.
For this example, the path is: .../online/cfysa_C2/samples/ElectricalIntegration/

ElecIntegration.catalog
5. Click OK to validate the entries made.
It is now necessary to define the electrical objects mapping regarding the working catalog.
To do so:
● use the Tools -> Options... menu
● then in the Equipment & Systems category, select the Electrical mapping tab.
Refer to the Customizing - Equipment & Systems - Electrical mapping documentation.


Since you have set up the option to enable the external systems interfacing, an additional command
is available in the Electrical Library and Electrical Wire Routing workbenches.

This task explains how to select the system prior to placing electrical components or routing.
Once a system is selected, the list of devices is loaded and ready to use.
1. Switch to the Electrical Assembly Design workbench or Electrical Wire Routing .
2. Click the Select External Systems button.
The System Selection dialog box displays with the XML files available:
3. Select one or more systems and click the right arrow .

for example: Electrical Bundle2.1
The component list is filled up with these data and available for assisted placement or routing.
If a system has already been selected, the data is reloaded.

Since you have set up the option to enable the external systems interfacing, an additional command is available in the
Electrical Library and Electrical Wire Routing workbenches.
And the Electrical Library commands Place Physical Device and Add Link are replaced with this one: Manage Links
This task explains how to place electrical components from the external device list.
The device list displays:
The components you can place are:

❍ equipments
❍ connectors
❍ internal splices
❍ shells.
You can filter the list:

❍ Show all devices: the list displays all the devices referenced in the external data file, even if they are not placed in the
geometry.
❍ Show only devices present in session: the list displays only the devices placed in the geometry.
❍ Show only changed devices: the list displays only the devices which part numbers have been changed in the external
data file.
2. Select a component, for example the battery: Battery 6volts.1
If the component is not linked to a 3D element, the Place and Link buttons become available.
3. Click Place.
The catalog browser opens.

Since a mapping has been defined, the catalog browser has been filtered to display only the object with the same
part number as the object selected in the device list.
If the part number is defined neither in the device list nor in the catalog, you can navigate in the catalog browser to
select the component of your choice.
4. Select this equipment: Battery 6volts and click OK.
The equipment is placed and automatically linked, together with the connector that belongs to it.
They are added to the specification tree under the active product and appear in the geometry at the origin. You can change
their locations using the compass.
The component list is updated: the equipment, connector and pins are shown as linked in the device list.
If all the sub-element part numbers are filled up in the device list and found in the catalog, they are automatically
placed and linked.
5. Repeat these steps for the second equipment: Battery 6Volts.2.
Make sure you have defined the electrical objects mapping regarding the working catalog.
To do so:
● use the Tools -> Options... menu
● then in the Equipment & Systems category, select the Electrical mapping tab.
Refer to the Customizing - Equipment & Systems - Electrical mapping documentation.

Since you have set up the option to enable the external systems interfacing, an additional command is available in the Electrical
And the Electrical Library commands Place Physical Device and Add Link are replaced with this one:
Manage Links .
This task explains how to define the cable harness and place the connectors at each extremity.
1. Switch to Electrical Harness Assembly workbench .
2. Insert a new product under the root product.
Either use the contextual menu - Components -> New Product - or select the Insert -> New Product menu item.
3. Click the Geometrical Bundle button.
4. Switch to Electrical Assembly Design workbench again.
5. Double-click to activate the geometrical bundle to place the extremities.
6. Click the Place Physical Device button.
The component list displays:
You will place the mating connectors: Connector_M.1 and Connector_M.2.

7. Select a connector, for example Connector_M.1
8. Click Place.
Since a mapping has been defined, the catalog browser opens with the predefined connector:
9. Select this connector: Connector_M and click OK.
The connector is placed and automatically linked, together with the pins that belong to it.
They are added to the specification tree under the active product and appear in the geometry at the origin (0, 0). You change the
location using the compass.
The component list is updated: the connector and pins are shown as Linked in the device list.
10. Repeat these steps for the other mating connector if you perform the whole scenario.
You will now connect the male connectors to the batteries.
The parent product, common to both devices to be connected, must be active.
11. Click the Connect Electrical Devices button.

Select successively the connector connection point of both connectors to link them.
Since you have set up the option to enable the external systems interfacing, an additional command is available in the Electrical
And the Electrical Library commands Place Physical Device and Add Link are replaced with this one:
Manage Links .
This task explains how to place internal splices anywhere inside the bundle segment, under the covering.
1. Switch to Electrical Harness Assembly workbench .
2. Double-click to activate the geometrical bundle.
3. Create the bundle segment harness.
To do so:
a. Click the Bundle Segment button.
b. Define the bundle segment parameters.
c. Define a construction point to link the harness between the batteries.
d. Define the bundle segment routes.
These steps are detailed in the Basic Tasks - Creating the Bundle Segment Document.

You will now place the internal splices inside the bundle segments.
4. Switch to Electrical Assembly Design workbench .

The device list displays.
6. Select an internal splice:
7. Click Place.
Since a mapping has been defined, the catalog browser opens with the predefined internal splice:
8. Select this internal splice: IS-2Term and click OK.
You are prompted to select the bundle segment on which you want to place the internal splice.
9. Click to select the bundle segment.
The Internal Splice Placement dialog box opens:

10. Move then click to place the internal splice.
You can also modify the offset in the dialog box.
11. Click OK.
Repeat these steps for the other splice.

The internal splice is placed and automatically linked.
They are added to the specification tree under the active product. They do not have a geometrical representation.
The component list is updated: the splices and pins are shown as linked in the device list.

Automatic Routing
Since you have set up the option to enable the external systems interfacing, an additional command
is available in the Electrical Library and Electrical Wire Routing workbenches.

This command allows you to select the systems to be imported.
The Automatic Wire Routing command in Electrical Wire Routing is modified:

This task explains how to route wires from an external wire list into an electrical bundle.
To know more details, refer to Considering External Data Routing in Greater Depth.
The document must contain at least:
● a geometrical bundle with bundle segments and components at their extremities
● a system.
1. Switch to Electrical Wire Routing workbench .
2. Double-click to activate the root product.
3. Create the electrical bundle connected to the geometrical bundle.
To do so:
a. Click the New Bundle button.
b. Select the geometrical bundle to be connected to.
These steps are detailed in the Basic Tasks - Defining the Routing Context - Creating the Bundle.
The electrical bundle is added to the specification tree under the root product.
4. Click the Automatic Routing button.
The wire list opens with connectivity and attribute information:

For the wires available in the list, you get the following information:
❍ the wire name
❍ the wire reference designator
❍ the wire external diameter
❍ the wire bend radius
❍ if the wire is routed or not
❍ if the extremities have been found or not, or changed.
Filters can help you make your selection:
❍ hide already routed wires

❍ hide not routed wires
❍ hide wires which extremities are not found.
The routing options allow you to use or not the knowledge rule.
5. Select one or more wires and click the right arrow.
The selected wires shift to the right column: they will be routed.
6. Click Route.
The Automatic Wire Routing Report is displayed
7. Close the report window.
The wires are added to the specification tree:

The bundle segments diameter are updated according to the wiring information.
To know more, refer to Customizing - Equipment & Systems - Electrical Wire Routing
documentation.
Since you have set up the option to enable the external systems interfacing, an additional command is available
in the Electrical Library and Electrical Wire Routing workbenches.
And the Export Wires... command in Electrical Wire Routing is modified.
Refer to the Electrical Wire Routing - Basic Tasks - Exporting Wires to know more about the Wire Export first method.
This task explains how to export data from CATIA, for back annotation purpose through CAA V5 APIs or using an XML
file.
Using this method, you can export data from a complete harness or a sub-assembly.
It allows you to generate the full harness schematic with the wires, the connectors at the their extremities, the
equipments, etc.
1. Switch to Electrical Wire Routing workbench .
2. Click the Tools -> Export Wires... menu item and select the Export Wires in iXF Format.
You are prompted to select a node in the specification tree and every electrical bundle belonging to it will be
exported.
3. Click a node in the specification tree.
The File dialog box opens:

4. Navigate to select the folder where you want to store your file and enter the name of the file.
5. Click Save.
An .xml file is created.
Note that the wires are exported by harness (electrical bundle).

The data exported are:
● the wire properties, particularly the wire length computed from the 3D geometry
● the electrical objects connected to the wires (termination, cavity, etc.).

This scenario puts together the functionalities from the four workbenches used successively to create an electrical product. As
an example: a hair dryer.
It can be split in four phases:
the electrical system definition using Electrical System Functional Definition
the device implantation in 3D environment with Electrical Library
the physical harness creation using Electrical Harness Installation
and finally the electrical wire routing with Electrical Wire Routing.
Re-using predefined electrical systems to create a more elaborate system
1. Start an Electrical System Functional Definition session.
2. Click the New icon and assemble the electrical systems:
3. Import existing components using the contextual menu:

❍ PowerSupply
❍ HairDryer
❍ HairDryer_Signals
4. Map the functional connectors to the physical ones using the contextual menu:
(connector_M: extension cable connectors to be plugged onto the batteries)
This action makes it possible to predefine for each functional connector what device reference to be used for the 3D
placement. This will simplify the 3D Designer work: he's driven by the functional data, reusing the Electrical System
engineer knowledge to achieve the 3D implantation.
5. Connect terminations and signals using the Assign icon .

This action makes it possible to define the signal extremities corresponding to the power supply and the hair dryer
systems.
6. Save the electrical system assembly using this icon .
The electrical functional system is defined.
It is saved in the HairDryer_Assembly.CATProduct document in the samples folder.
7. Launch a CATIA session.
8. Open the ElectricalWorkbenchIntegration.CATProduct.
It contains two batteries with two female connectors.

9. Load the functional system.
To do so:
❍ Right-click the ElectricalWorkbenchIntegration product and select Components -> Existing Components...
❍ Select the HairDryer_Assembly.CATProduct.
The correct path is: ...\online\cfysa_C2\samples\ElectricalIntegration
10. Set up the options using the Tools -> Options... menu:
❍ Select Infrastructure -> Part Infrastructure -> General:

Activate the External References option: Keep link with selected object.
❍ Select Mechanical Design -> Assembly Design -> General:
Activate the option: Automatic update.
3D implantation of the device
You will place the physical device: the hair dryer.
1. Start the Electrical Assembly Design workbench.
2. Insert a New Product.
❍ Right-click the ElectricalWorkbenchIntegration

and select Components -> New Product,
❍ In the Properties dialog box, enter the Part Number value for the hair dryer:
Hair-DryerProd and validate.
This product will contain the hair dryer itself and later the power cable.
3. Open the Catalog Browser using this icon .
Successively:
❍ Choose the catalog: ElecIntegration.catalog
if necessary, use the Browse button . The correct path is:

...\online\cfysa_C2\samples\ElectricalIntegration
❍ Drag and drop the hair-dryer equipment onto Hair-DryerProd.
❍ Close the Catalog Browser when done.
This action places the component from the catalog at the default location.
Using the compass, you can modify the position of the equipment.
It's a first standard mode of placement.
4. Click the Add Link icon to link the respective physical and functional equipment (the hair dryer).
This action generates the link between the component and its corresponding functional element.
❍ You can see if a component is connected or not: the equipment icon sign changes and turns from red to green,
meaning that the hair dryer is now electrically linked.
>>
❍ The automatic signal routing will be possible since the signal extremities defined in the functional system can be
transposed in the 3D world using the physical/functional relations.
Physical harness creation
1. Start the Electrical Harness Assembly workbench.
2. Create two new products:
one for the hair dryer power cable, the second for the extension cable.
To do so:
❍ Right-click the Hair-DryerProd, select Components -> New Product, enter the Part Number for the power
cable in the Properties dialog box and validate.
❍ Right-click the ElectricalWorkbenchIntegration, select Components -> New Product, enter the Part Number
for the extension cable in the Properties dialog box and validate.
3. Create the geometrical bundles:
❍ Select the power cable and click the Geometrical Bundle icon .
You can change the instance name to PowerCable.
❍ Select the extension cable and click the Geometrical Bundle icon again.
You can change the instance name to ExtensionCable.
❍ The power cable is part of the hair dryer: that's why you create it in the hair dryer product (Hair-DryerProd).
❍ The extension cable is an independent assembly: that's why you create it under the root product assembly.
4. Double-click to activate the Geometrical Bundle2 (the extension cable) in the specification tree.
5. Switch to Electrical Library workbench.
6. Click the Place Physical Device icon to import the 3D connector for each battery.
7. Select the first connector in the PowerSupply system. The catalog pops up.
An alternative to steps 6 and 7 is to use the contextual menu, by right-clicking the connector in the
PowerSupply system and choose Place Physical Device.
❍ Select the connector in the catalog and click OK to validate. The connector is added to the specification tree and
appears in the geometry at the origin (0, 0). You can change its location using the compass.
❍ Repeat these steps for the second connector.
The physical connector pre-selection previously performed with Electrical System Functional Definition is used to
automatically get the correct part reference.
The 3D connector is automatically placed in the active product (Geometrical Bundle2) at the product origin.
8. Use the Electrical Assembly Design workbench to create the electrical connection with the batteries.
❍ Double-click to activate the ElectricalWorkbenchIntegration in the specification tree.
❍ Click the Connect Electrical Devices icon to connect the connector_M to the battery.
❍ Select successively in the geometry each connector_M connection point from the Geometrical
Bundle2(ExtensionCable) then the corresponding connector_F connection point of the battery.
1.
2.
The connectors are linked and shifted to the batteries.
This action creates the assembly constraints between connector and battery.
9. Double-click to activate the Geometrical Bundle2 (the extension cable) in the specification tree.
10. From the catalog, drag and drop the connector_F onto the Geometrical Bundle2 for the extension cable. If needed,
position it between the hair dryer and the batteries using the compass (ExtensionCable must be active).
This action places the connector from the catalog onto the extension cable.
11. From the catalog, drag and drop the Backshell_F directly onto the Connector_F in the Geometrical Bundle2.
This action places the back shell from the catalog onto the extension cable connector.
❍ it places the connector in the assembly
❍ it creates the assembly constraints between connector and back shell
❍ it establishes the electrical link between connector and back shell.
It is a second placement mode.

When the back shell is selected, the electrical link is displayed in the Related Objects viewer.
12. Double-click to activate the Geometrical Bundle1 (PowerCable) in the specification tree.
13. From the catalog, drag and drop the Connector_M directly onto the Connector_F of the extension cable.
This action adds the power cable connector (connector_M) from the catalog to the extension cable connector. The
assembly constraints as well as the electrical constraints have been created between the power cable and the extension
cable connectors. When the female connector is selected, the electrical link is displayed in the Related Objects viewer.
14. From the catalog, drag and drop the Backshell_M directly onto the Connector_M of the power cable.
This action places the back shell from the catalog onto the power cable connector. The assembly constraints as well as
the electrical constraints have been created between the connector and the back shell.
You can repeat this step to place back shells on the extension cable male connectors (at the other extremity).
15. Start the Electrical Harness Assembly workbench to create the bundle segments for the power and extension cables.
To do so:
❍ Define a bundle segment in the Geometrical Bundle1(PowerCable):
(Diameter = 10mm, Bend Radius = 15mm, Slack = 10%)
❍ Define a point in the Geometrical Bundle2(ExtensionCable):
(Mode Between + Middle)
❍ Define a bundle segment in the Geometrical Bundle2(ExtensionCable):
(Diameter = 10mm, Bend Radius = 15mm, Slack = 5%)
❍ Define their routes.
This action creates the bundle segments that will be used to route the wires of the power and extension cables.
Electrical wire routing
1. Start the Electrical Wire Routing workbench to create the wires.
2. Create two electrical bundles using the New Bundle icon .

They will contain the wires for:
❍ the power cable (first electrical bundle)
❍ the extension cable (second electrical bundle).
3. Associate each of them to the respective geometrical bundle.
The wires will be created in the correct bundle according to their route.
4. Select Signal_check.
Boxes are displayed to help you recognize the extremities of the signal.
5. Click the Automatic Routing icon .

❍ The bundle segments diameter are updated according to the signal section.
❍ The specification tree is updated.
6. Multi-select Signal_plus and Signal_minus using the Signal icon .
7. Click the Automatic Routing icon .
❍ The specification tree is updated: the wires and wire connections are created.
❍ The length of the wire linked to a back shell is extended with an extra-length, defined as a back shell attribute.
However, an alternative is to connect the bundle segment through the back shell: in this case, the wire length is
equal to the total length of the bundle segments of the wire route.
❍ The bundle segments diameter is updated using the section defined on the signals (with EFD).
❍ When only one signal is selected, the wire connections are displayed (as shown below).
Using Catalogs
These functionalities are available in the Electrical Assembly workbench.
The first two are also available in the Electrical Part workbench.
It is recommended to instantiate harness connectors inside a geometrical bundle, as it will become
flexible when needed - for example, adding a multi-branchable document/bundle segment or connecting
devices.
The Browse window is integrated to the Store Device and Smart Place commands.
It lets you select catalogs stored in database when working in ENOVIA context.
Storing a Device: Click this button, select the catalog and the family of interest.
Refining the Catalog Mapping for the Device Storage: Use automatic keyword mapping.
Connecting Devices: Drag and drop the device from the catalog at its proper placing.
Connecting Contacts: Drag and drop the device from the catalog at its proper placing.
Using Smart Placement: Select the component, point to the correct position and click to place it.
Using Smart Move: Select the component and use the compass to move it.
Opening Existing Documents Using the Browse Window

This task shows you how to use the Browse window which provides alternate methods to access your documents.
This window will appear in addition to the File Selection dialog box when using the commands listed below, provided you have
allowed the necessary document environments in your Document settings:
● File->Open...
● Edit->Links...
● Replace Component
● Instantiate From Document
● Catalog Browser.
The list of document access methods available from the Browse window will vary according to the document environments you
defined.
Open the document Links.CATProduct.
1. Select the Tools->Options... command then the General category and finally, the Document tab:
The Document Environments area lets you define the method(s) you will use to access your documents by allowing
the desired environment(s) selected from the list.
These document environments are:
● Folder: default document environment (indicated by the status "Current") in which the dialog accesses the
folders containing the documents
● DLName: document environment which lets you restrict the access to specific folders referenced by logical
names referred to as "DLNames".
● SmarTeam: lets you access SmarTeam projects stored in SmarTeam - CATIA Integration
● SmarTeam Query: lets you access SmarTeam projects stored in SmarTeam - CATIA Integration using queries
● SmarTeam CIX: lets you access documents stored in SmarTeam - CATIA Xtended Integration
● ENOVIA: lets you access documents stored in ENOVIA V5
● Catalog: lets you access documents stored in catalogs
● Loaded document: lets you access documents loaded in the current session.
2. To allow a document environment, select it from the list then click the Allowed button. Repeat this step as many
times as necessary to allow all document environments.
For detailed information on document environments, refer to the Document tab (section entitled "Document
Environment" in the Version 5 - Infrastructure User's Guide).
3. Click OK to validate and close the panel.
4. Select the Edit->Links... command.
5. Select the item to be replaced then click the Replace button.
The File Selection dialog box and the Browse window (displayed in the background) open simultaneously as shown
below:
6. Click Cancel to close the File Selection panel and activate the Browse window:
Note that the icons displayed in the Browse window will vary with the document environments you have allowed in
step 2. The above picture is just an example.
In addition to that, some methods are discarded by default when using specific commands because they are not
relevant (for instance, "Catalog" is not available from the Catalog Browser command).
Let's have a look at the following matrix in which red symbols identify the discarded methods in relation to the
corresponding commands:
Commands File->Open Edit- Replace Instantiate Catalog

>Links Component From Browser
Document
Environments
Folder
DLNames
SmarTeam
SmarTeam
Query
SmarTeam CIX
ENOVIA V5
Catalog X X
Loaded
document
X X
Bear also in mind that other methods may be discarded by your Version 5 administrator and thus, may impact the
look of the Browse window.
7. Select the desired method by clicking the corresponding button:

● Logical File System
Lets you access the folders containing documents using DLNames. This method implies that DLNames have
been previously defined in the Document settings, otherwise a warning message appears.
After clicking the Logical File System button, the following dialog box opens:
Refer to the Document tab (section "DLName Integration") to learn how to define DLNames and use the
File Selection dialog box in the Version 5 - Infrastructure User's Guide.
● File
Opens the usual File Selection dialog box which lets you browse your folders containing the documents:
Refer to "Opening Existing Documents" in the Version 5 - Infrastructure User's Guide for detailed
information on this dialog box.
● Catalog
Opens a catalog browser which lets you browse then instantiate components stored in catalogs:
Note that after clicking the icon to access the document to be browsed, you must select the type
"*.catalog" from the "Files of type" list before selecting the element you want to instantiate.
For detailed information on the Catalog Browser, refer to "Browsing a Catalog Using the Catalog Browser"
in the Version 5 - Component Catalog Editor User's Guide.
● Loaded document
Opens the Session document dialog box which enables you to preview and select documents opened in your
current Version 5 session:
Note the following:
● in the context of the Edit->Links... command, the selected element will open and replace the
element highlighted in the first place and the new element name will be displayed in the Links dialog
box.
Refer to "Editing Document Links" in the Version 5 - Infrastructure User's Guide for detailed
information on links between documents
● in the context of the catalog browser, the object to be accessed must be of type "*.catalog".
The selected catalog will then open in the browser.
● ENOVIA V5
Lets you perform a query for document-type objects in the ENOVIA V5 database.
This document environment is only available with a VPM Navigator license.
● SmarTeam
Lets you access documents stored in SmarTeam.
This document environment is only available with a SmarTeam license.
● SmarTeam Query
Lets you access SmarTeam projects stored in SmarTeam - CATIA Integration using queries.

● SmarTeam CIX
Lets you access documents stored in SmarTeam - CATIA Xtended Integration.
8. Once you have accessed the desired document, click OK or Open (depending on the method) to validate.
Storing a Device
This task explains how to store electrical devices into a catalog.
You can store both electrical parts or products.
A CATIA session is running.
A catalog is already created to store the electrical devices.
You can use the Demo.catalog. It is made up of:
● a chapter: Electrical Devices

● a family: Contacts
1. Open the ContactXJ220Elec.CATPart document.

If modified, the document must be saved before being stored to the catalog.
2. Click the Store Device button .
The Device Storage dialog box opens:
3. Use the Browse button to select the catalog, if need be.
Here select Demo.catalog.
4. Select the Contacts family using the combo list.
The light turns to green.
5. You can also check the Use catalog/electrical objects predefined mapping if it has been
defined in the Tools -> Options. Refer to Mapping Definition.
Note that to use this option, it is the device reference, which must have the electrical behavior,
not an instance. Otherwise, this option is grayed out.
Refining the Catalog Mapping

for the Device Storage
When storing electrical devices into a catalog, an attribute mapping is automatically performed if:
● the storing catalog is organized in families with keywords

● the electrical devices to be stored have the corresponding attribute specified in their Properties.
● the property value is strictly equal to the keyword value for the storage family, together with an identical type
(Boolean, integer, etc.).
The system then will automatically set the keyword value equal to the attribute value.
Before the comparison of the names is done, spaces - blank characters - at the beginning and at the end of the
word are removed, but those between words are kept.
Else, no keyword mapping is done.
This task explains how to take advantage of this functionality.
Moreover, with these keywords set in catalogs, you will be able to perform powerful queries in the catalog
browser.
You can use the Demo.catalog to store the electrical devices.
It is already made up of:
● a chapter: Electrical Devices

● a family: Contacts
In the Tools -> Options -> Equipment & Systems -> Electrical Mapping tab:
● Select ...\online\elbug_C2\samples\Demo.catalog as Working Catalog.

● Define the mapping for the electrical objects.
Refer to Mapping Definition.
1. Open the Demo.catalog.
2. Add a family : Connectors
To know more about the Catalog workbench, refer to Using Catalogs.
3. Add keywords defined as follows:
Name: iswaterproof
Type: Boolean
Default value: false.
Name: pinnumber
Type: Integer
Default value: 5
4. Validate the entries made and save the catalog.
5. Open the document containing the device you want to store to the catalog:
a jack for example.
6. Select the Edit -> Properties... menu item.
7. Click the Define other properties... button.
The Device Storage dialog box opens. To define other properties:

❍ select Boolean in the drop-down list and click New Parameter of Type.
❍ change the name and value: iswaterproof and false.
Create another property:

❍ select Integer in the drop-down list and click New Parameter of Type.
❍ change the name and value: pinnumber and 5.
❍ Validate the entries made.

The Properties dialog box is updated:
❍ Click OK to validate the added properties.
The document must be saved before being stored to the catalog.
8. Click the Store Device button .
9. Use the Browse button to select the catalog, if need be.
Here select Demo.catalog.
10. Select the Connectors family using the combo list.
The light turns to green.
11. Optional - Select Use Catalog/Electrical objects predefined mapping, to take advantage of the
mapping previously defined in the Tools -> Options.
In the Tools -> Options -> Equipment & Systems -> Electrical Mapping tab:
❍ Select ...\online\elbug_C2\samples\Demo.catalog as Working Catalog.

❍ Define the mapping for the electrical objects:
Connectors mapped to Single Insert Connector type.
Refer to Mapping Definition.
Note that to use this option, it is the device reference which must have the electrical behavior, not an
instance. Otherwise, this option would be grayed out.
The device has been added to the catalog taking into account the correct keyword values.
13. If you modify the value of a property, then use the Store Device button again, the keyword value is
updated in the catalog.
This mapping is taken into account if there is no mapping to the Part Number.
Otherwise, the mapping to the Part Number takes priority.
Connecting Devices by Drag and Drop

at Placement
This task explains how to place devices by drag and drop with automatic connection to an existing
component.
The devices to be imported from a catalog are:
● an equipment: EquipmentDA4
● two single connectors: SingleConnectorDF56L and SingleConnectorDF56R
Open a new product document.
1. Click the Catalog Browser button to open the CatalogOfDevices.catalog.

CatalogOfDevices.catalog from the samples folder. The full path is:
2. Double-click the Electrical Devices: the folder content is displayed.
3. Double-click the Equipments: the folder content is displayed.

4. Select the EquipmentDA4, drag and drop it onto the Product1 in the specification tree.
The equipment is imported:

it is composed of three cavities.
5. In the Electrical Devices folder, double-click Single Connectors, then
6. Select the SingleConnectorDF56L, drag and drop it onto the left cavity for example or in the
specification tree.
The connector is properly located into the cavity: the constraints are created.
The component is instantiated under the active product.
7. Select the SingleConnectorDF56R, drag and drop it onto the SingleConnectorDF56L
connector in the specification tree.
The connector is properly located onto the male connector.

8. Close the Catalog Browser.
Note that when you insert a device into a product, you can take advantage of Assembly Design
capabilities to constrain the device within the digital mock-up, profiting therefore by the associativity.
For more information, refer to Using Assembly Constraints.
Connecting Contacts/Filler Plugs

by Drag and Drop at Placement
This task explains how to place contacts or filler plugs by drag and drop with automatic connection into a cavity.
If you drag and drop a contact onto a connector, the contact will be automatically placed on every cavities where
wires are routed.
If you drag and drop a filler plug onto a connector, the filler plug will be automatically placed on every cavities
where no wires are routed.
Open a Session.CATProduct document.
It contains three connectors with several cavities, three signals routed through five wires into bundle segments.
1. Double-click to activate Electrical Bundle.1.
2. Click the Catalog Browser icon to open the CatalogForNewFeatures.catalog.

CatalogForNewFeatures.catalog from the samples folder. It is located in:
.../online/cfysm_C2/samples/ElectricalSession/
3. Double-click the Filler Plugs: the folder contents is displayed.
4. Drag and drop the Filler Plug onto a connector in the specification tree.
This sample connector has:

❍ one cavity receiving a wire extremity
❍ two empty cavities (with no wire extremity): they will be automatically filled in with the selected filler
plug.
To see the filler plugs in the cavities, you may need to update the geometry.
The filler plugs are added to the specification tree.

5. Repeat the steps 3 and 4 for the contacts.
The contact is added to the connector in both the geometry and the specification tree.
6. If you want to place a different contact (or filler plug) in a cavity of the connector, place it first into the
correct cavity then place automatically the other ones.

7. Close the Catalog Browser when done.
Note that when you insert a device into a product, you can take advantage of Assembly Design capabilities to
constrain the device within the digital mock-up, profiting therefore by the associativity.
For more information, refer to Using Assembly Constraints.
Using Smart Placement from Catalog

This task explains how to place a component from a catalog using a compass.
Make sure you have set up the automatic compass option.
Open the SmartPlace.CATProduct document.
1. Click the Smart Place button .

The Catalog Browser opens.
If necessary, navigate to select the CatalogForNewFeatures using the Browse another catalog button .
The CatalogForNewFeatures.catalog is located in: .../online/cfysa_C2/samples/ElectricalSession/
2. Select the part you want to place.
For example: Standard Parts -> Supports -> Plastic-A.
In the graphic area, a manipulator displays allowing you to select:

❍ the placement point
❍ the privileged plane
❍ the direction. By pressing the Shift key, you can invert the direction.
3. Point to the chosen position and click to place the support.

The support is placed on the plane selected, with a compass automatically snapped to the part.
4. Use this compass to orientate the support.
You can also select an edge in the geometry:

A green arrow appears showing the orientation. By pressing the Shift key, you can invert the arrow direction.
Click to select the chosen orientation.

The support is orientated according to the edge you have selected: the rotation applied to the object aligns the
compass V axis to the manipulator's green arrow.
5. Point to the next position if you want to place the support again.
Otherwise, click a different part from the catalog and repeat these steps.
Smart Placement and Adaptative Parts

To know more about adaptative parts, refer to Creating an Adaptative Part.
1. Click the Smart Place button .

The Catalog Browser displays.
2. Select an adaptative part.
Note that this part has been stored into the catalog with a special keyword: InstantiateAsNew. Refer to the
Catalog Editor documentation.
This keyword, valuated as True, makes it possible to use a same component several times from the catalog,
creating each time a new document with a new part number.
This functionality is specially designed to work with adaptative parts. It is not necessary to use this keyword in
other cases.
It can be practical to create a family in your catalog to store all your adaptative parts. When adding a
part to this family, the keyword InstantiateAsNew will automatically be valuated as True.
3. Point to the chosen position and click to place the support as often as needed.
New documents have been created with different part numbers.

The Part Number is automatically generated using:
❍ the component part number,
❍ the date (year_month_day)
❍ and the time (hour_minute_second_millisecond).
● The part is stored in the catalog with:

❍ an origin point
❍ a x, y and z direction
❍ optionally, a specific keyword.
● The origin of the part (the support in this example) is placed at the point selected with the compass.
● The x, y plane of the part is parallel to the plane selected using the compass.
● The z direction of the part is collinear to the z direction selected using the compass.
● The keyword InstantiateAsNew is added and valuated using the Catalog Editor.
If the keyword InstantiateAsNew is valuated as False or does not exist, the same component is used several
times, with the same part number.
Using Smart Move

This task explains how to move a component placed in the geometry, using a compass.
Open the SmartPlace.CATProduct document and place a component.

Refer to Using Smart Placement from Catalog for example.
1. Click the Smart Move button .

You are prompted to select a device.
2. Select the support.

A compass appears.
3. Click to place the compass on the support.
4. Move the cursor to change the position of the support.

In the graphic area, the manipulator allows you to select:

❍ the placement point
❍ the privileged plane
❍ the direction: you can select an edge.
By pressing the Shift key, you can invert the direction.
5. Click to place the support:
The support is placed on the plane selected, with a compass automatically snapped to the part.
You can use this compass to orientate the support.
6. Click anywhere in the geometry area to exit the Smart Move command.
This functionality uses information stored with the part in the catalog:
● an origin point
● a x, y and z direction.
● The origin of the part (the support in this example) is placed at the point selected with the compass.
● The x, y plane of the part is parallel to the plane selected using the compass.
● The z direction of the part is collinear to the z direction selected using the compass.
Working with Wires

Creating the Wire References interactively
Creating a Catalog
Creating the Wire References Using a Macro

CSV File Description
Creating the Wire Reference

Interactively
This task explains how to create the wire reference.
Open a new product document.
1. Click the Define Wire icon .

You are prompted to select the root product
2. Select Product1.
3. Fill up the parameters of interest:
a. enter a value in the Part Number field
b. enter a value in the Section field or
c. enter a value in the Diameter field
d. enter a value in the Bend Radius field
e. enter a string in the Color field.
❍ If you enter a value in Section, the Diameter is computed and vice-versa.

❍ According to the last parameter entered, the other one is computed using
knowledgeware.
Remember:
● a wire reference is defined in a CATProduct document and there is only one wire per document
● the selected product must be the root product
● it must have no children.
Creating a Catalog
You first need to create the catalog.
Refer to Using Catalogs for more information.
Create a new document of CatalogDocument type.
1. Choose the New item from the File menu.
The New dialog box opens.
Select the CatalogDocument type.
The Catalog workbench is displayed.

3. Select the Add Family icon then Chapter.1 in the specification tree.
The Families are used to classify the different types of wires such as: power, video etc.
The Component Family Definition dialog box
opens:
4. Enter Power Wires in the Name field and click OK.

The Power Wires family is added to the specification tree.
5. Select this icon to create keywords then click Power Wires in the specification tree.
The Keywords allow you to display the properties of the stored components such as section, diameter, bend
radius etc.
The Keyword Definition dialog box
opens.
6. Enter Section in the name field.

7. Choose the Type of your keyword for example Area.
It can be a basic type (string, real etc.) or a magnitude (length, volume, area etc.)
Remember that the magnitudes are in MKS units.
8. Save the document.
At the creation of the Family, a keyword is defined by default: Name.

It corresponds to the identifier of the stored component (PartNumber).
Creating the Wire References

The wire reference creation will be done using a VisualBasic macro (.CATScript extension).
This macro calls an Electrical Library method. This method needs two arguments:
● the catalog in which the wire references will be stored
● a neutral file in which the wire references are described (CSV file defined in Excel).
The default column separator used by ELB for CSV files is the semi-colon ";".
Copy the following files in your c:\Temp from the samples folder and uncheck the Read-only attribute:
● CreateWires.CATScript
● WiresDefinition.csv
● CatalogOfWires.catalog
If you work on Unix platform, make sure you modify the paths consequently in the CreateWires.CATScript
document.
The script below is given as an example of the macro:
Wire creation and storage in catalog

Language="VBSCRIPT"
Sub CATMain()
'Definition of input data

'WARNING: Define the absolute path of the inputs
'(csv file and catalog)
csvFile = "c:\Temp\ListOfWires.csv"
catalogfile = "c:\Temp\CatalogOfWires.catalog"
'Open Catalog
Dim Catalog As Document
Set Catalog = CATIA.Documents.Open(catalogfile)
'Get the "ElectricalLibrary" workbench
Dim Wkb As Workbench
Set Wkb = Catalog.GetWorkbench("ElectricalLibrary")
'Create the wires references and store them in the catalog
Wkb.CreateWiresIntoCatalog csvFile, catalogfile
End Sub
A CATIA session is running. In order to launch the macro:
1. Select the Tools -> Macro -> Macros... item.
The dialog box

opens:
2. Click the Select button and choose the CATScript file.
3. Edit it and update the csvFile and catalogfile variable with the corresponding paths, if need be.
4. Then run it!
Once the macro performed, the result looks like this:
if a mapping has been defined, the Reference tab will display this information.
Other views are available giving more information if attributes have been defined in the catalog:
● the Reference tab displays the wire references attributes
● the Keywords tab
● the Preview tab shows the wire references with a graphical representation
● the Generative Data tab.
For more information, refer to the Catalog Editor User's Guide.

Describing the CSV File

To know more about Catalog, refer to CATIA - Infrastructure User's Guide.
1. Open the WiresDefinition.csv to see the structure of the file.
❍ The PartNumber and the Filename tags are mandatory.

❍ The PartNumber corresponds to the wire reference identifier.
❍ The Filename is the name of the document (CATProduct) containing the wire reference that will be
created.
❍ The Family tag lets you specify the family in which the wire reference will be stored. It is not
mandatory and if not defined, the wire reference created will be stored in the first family associated
to the wire type according to the mapping defined in a preceding step. Don't forget to update them
with a valid path!
❍ As a wire has no geometrical representation, the Icon tag allows you to associate a picture (bmp,
jpg). The smaller the picture is and the faster the load of the catalog document will be!
❍ The other tags correspond to the attributes of the wire type.
❍ The tag order does not matter.
● If the Diameter only is valuated, the Section will be computed.

● If the Section only is valuated, the Diameter will be computed.
● If both are valuated:
❍ if the values are consistent: there will be no change
❍ if the values are inconsistent: the Section will be computed from the Diameter.
The .csv file is either a text file (with columns separated by a comma or a semi-colon) or an Excel file (with
cells separated by a comma or semi-colon) saved in the .csv format.
The default column separator used by ELB for csv files is the semi-colon ";".

The wires contained in the catalog have properties which can be edited.
Open the Wire01.CatProduct generated when running the macro in the previous task.
1. Right-click the PN-AMP-0012A product in the specification tree and select the Properties item.
The Properties dialog box opens:
2. Modify the properties according to your needs and click OK to validate.


Here is an example of a document demonstrating how electrical properties on component are managed
within CATIA Electrical products.
And moreover, new properties have been added to a number of electrical components:
functional equipments and connectors defined in EFD
electrical bundle defined in EWR
bundle segment defined in EHI
A CATProduct document may contain references or instances of the components.

Let's see the differences on the following documents:
● The Equipment.CATProduct contains an equipment.

It is the reference of the component.
● The RootProduct.CATProduct contains an occurrence of the equipment (Insert -> Existing
Component...).
The Equipment(Equipment.1) is an instance of the component.
Depending on the component you have activated (by double-clicking: blue object) and on the object you
have selected, the properties you will edit may be the ones of the reference or of the instance.
1. In the Equipment.CATProduct, if you edit the properties of the Equipment, you will display the
properties of the reference.
Type and External Reference are attributes of the reference.
If you modify them, all the occurrences will be modified.
2. In the RootProduct.CATProduct, if the RootProduct is active (in blue in the specification tree) and if
you select the Equipment.1 to edit the properties, you will display the properties of the instance:
The instance also has instance attributes: Reference Designator and SubType.
If you modify the attributes of instance, only this instance will be modified.
On the other hand, if you modify the attributes of reference, they will be modified in all the
occurrences and in the reference document.
3. In the RootProduct.CATProduct, if the Equipment.1 is active (double-click Equipment.1) and you
select the Equipment.1 to edit the properties, you will display the properties of the reference:
If you modify the attributes, the reference will be modified:

❍ Equipment.CATProduct will be modified
❍ and all the occurrences of the component.
Notes:
● This behavior is specific to the electrical properties.
● When a product is activated (by double-clicking), editing the electrical properties operates in the same
way as if the electrical properties were edited in the document in which the root product is the reference
of the active product. (i.e. Equipment.1 in the RootProduct document against Equipment in the
Equipment document.)
This definition is recursive within all the levels of instance.
Functional equipments and connectors properties

When you edit the properties of a functional equipment or connector, the Preselected Physical Device frame
indicates if a physical component corresponding to the functional one has been chosen to be placed in the
geometry. Two fields give this information:
● Catalog Path indicates the location of the catalog containing the physical component
● Part Number indicates the part number of the physical component.
Electrical bundle properties

When you edit the properties of an electrical bundle, the Associated Geometrical Bundle frame indicates in a
list the name of the geometrical bundles being part of the electrical bundle.
Bundle segment properties

When you edit the properties of a group of bundle segments, the Length in out field indicates the total
length of the bundle segments selected.
This task shows how to use the Related Objects viewer to navigate through the objects connected to the
selected object.
The Related Objects command displays all the bundle segments of a branch even those which are not
connected. The reason is that the command displays the whole document contents: And all the bundle
segments inside a multi-branchable document belong to the same CATPart document.
You can focus on an object and see how it was constructed via its related objects.
The related objects command identifies the parent, any children or connected objects and the relationship
between objects. It is available when none of the icons of the workbench are activated that is to say when you
are in Select command .
Accessing related objects can be done in two ways:
● by clicking the Related Objects icon in the toolbar

● from the contextual menu, by selecting Related Objects.
The different options available are:
Reframe on selection: reframes the main 3D window on the Related objects selection.
Reframe on selection: the main window selection corresponds to the Related objects
selection. The main window display is not reframed.
Freeze: freezes the contents of the Related objects window. You can still
navigate in the main window: the Related objects view will not be
updated.
Freeze: the Related objects selection corresponds to the main window
selection.
View related objects: displays the parent, any children or connected objects.
View related objects: only displays the selected objects.
Functional: displays the functional system. If the bundle segment contains wires,
the corresponding signals are displayed in the bundle segment.
N.B.: the signal name is displayed followed by the separation code, if
any:
Functional: hides the functional children elements.

Wire: displays the wires contained in the bundle segment.
Wire: hides the wires contained in the bundle segment, shows the bundle
segments and signals.
Harness: displays the relationship to the harness: connectors, equipments,

shells, etc.
Harness: hides the children bundle segments, only shows the signals and wires.
Sub objects: displays the electrical contents.

Sub objects: hides the electrical contents.
On a complex electrical system, the 3D view allows you to limit display to a specific area thus enlightening
the information regarding this area.
Open the RelatedObjectsSession.CATProduct document.
1. Select an object: Geometrical Bundle1.1 for example.
2. Click the Related Objects icon .

The Related Objects dialog box appears. The geometry area and the specification tree are reframed on
the object selected.
3. Select the Bundle Segment4.1 in this window.

The dialog box focuses on the object selected: Bundle Segment4.1 (center of the window) and
shows the parent and the connected objects:
❍ on the left is the parent object (Assembly meaning).
It represents the container object.
❍ on the right are the children objects (Assembly meaning), connected to the Bundle Segment4.1.
They represent the contents.
This window shows the following:

❍ the bundle segments assembly within the geometrical bundle
❍ the Bundle Segment4.1 is connected to three bundle segments
❍ the Bundle Segment4.1 contains two wires and their associated signal.
4. Select the Sig2.
The geometry area is reframed on the signal and it shows:

❍ the signal extremities with the functional connectors
❍ the wire that realizes the signal
❍ the harness objects: the physical connectors that correspond to the signal extremities as well as
the bundle segments, and the wire they contain.
5. Click the 3D tab to display the geometry.
6. Close the dialog box to exit the Related Objects viewer.


This section exposes the functions and objects available in the Knowledge Products.
Electrical User Functions

Electrical User Functions in Knowledge Products
About the Electrical User Functions...

● Elec_DistanceCommon
● DistanceWireProduct
● VisualMode
To be able to use these functions, you need to activate the ElectricalMeasure package.
To do so:
1. Select Tools -> Options... -> General -> Parameters and Measures and go to the Language tab.
2. Choose the ElectricalMeasure package and click the right arrow:
Elec_DistanceCommon
Syntax
Elec_DistanceCommon(Wire1: Wire, Wire2: Wire):Length
Returns the common length of the two wires given as input arguments.
The type of Wire1 and Wire2 is ElecWire.
Example 1
The Elec_DistanceCommon user function can be used in Knowledge Expert to find all the couples of wires in the session that have a common length
greater than a given value.

Example 2
In Knowledge Advisor, it can be used to define a rule giving the common length of two specific wires sharing properties.
Applying the rule displays the following message if the condition is met:
Example 3
Still in Knowledge Advisor, to verify that two wires selected in the specification tree have a common length, the following action can be defined:
then ran: select two wires in the specification tree and click OK to validate.
The following message displays:

DistanceWireProduct
Syntax
DistanceWireProduct(Wire1: Wire, Object: Product):Length
Returns the minimum length between a wire and a product in session. The product must contain at least one part.
Example 1
The DistanceWireProduct user function can be used with the f(x) command to display the distance between a wire and a component in the session.
This formula returns the following value:
Example 2
The DistanceWireProduct user function can be used in Knowledge Expert to find all the wires in the session that have a minimum distance to
defined components smaller than a critical value chosen by the user. The components can be defined as heat-resistant.
Properties have been added to the product:
and to the wires:
A check is defined as follows:

Updating the session displays green/red light on the check:

A report is generated showing the check result: some wires verify the condition, other not.
Example 3
The DistanceWireProduct user function can be used in Knowledge Advisor to define a rule that displays a warning message if a minimum distance
between a wire and an object is smaller than a critical value chosen by the user.
Running this rule displays the following message:
Example 4
Still in Knowledge Advisor, an action can be defined using the DistanceWireProduct user function, to know the distance between a wire and an
object selected in the specification tree:
Run the action using the Action.1 contextual menu:
select a wire and a product in the specification tree then validate.

This message displays:
VisualMode
Syntax
VisualMode (BundleSegment: Feature, Visualization Mode (LIGHT/FULL): String): Boolean
Description
This function is useful to minimize the size of the harness in LIGHT mode. It simplifies the visualization, the curve and the diameter only are
represented, the rib being deleted.
Example
Create a rule in Knowledge Expert:

Running this rule displays the harness in LIGHT mode:
The rule is reversible: you can load a harness in LIGHT mode and reload the geometry by applying the rule with the FULL parameter:
The harness is displayed in FULL mode: the rib is recreated:

Working in LIGHT mode allows you to modify the route (refer to Electrical Harness Installation - Branch Definition) and route wires but the split,
transfer and add branch point commands are not supported.


An Electrical package is supported by Knowledge Expert.
To be able to use it, you need to activate the Electrical package.
To do so:
1. Select Tools -> Options... -> General -> Parameters and Measures and go to the Language
tab.
2. Choose the Electrical package and click the right arrow:
This package can be accessed via the object browser and objects, attributes and methods in the package
can be used in expert relations.
You can, for example, write a rule to report in a file all the bundle segments with a diameter greater than
a specified value.
The package contains the following objects:
The IncludesWires attribute has been added to the BundleSegment object.
The CoveredBundleSegments attribute has been added to the Protection object.
BackShell FillerPlug SignalRoute

BundlePositionPoint FunctionalConnector Stud
Bundle FunctionalEquipment System
BundleSegment GroundSignal Tape

Cavity GroupSignal TerminalBlock
CommandSignal InternalSplice TerminalStrip
ConnectorShell OffSheet Termination
Contact PowerSignal Termination_GeoConstraint
ContactPoint Protection VideoSignal
CorrugatedTube ShieldingSignal Wire
Equipment SingleConnector
ExternalSplice Signal
BackShell
Description
Describes the electrical feature of Back Shell type that you create when you select the icon in the
Electrical Library workbench.
For more information, refer to the Electrical Library User's Guide.
The back shell is a physical component used to guide the bundle segment extremity to the single insert
connector, and to protect the crimping area.
Inheritance path: Standard - Feature -> ProductPackage - Product
Attributes
Elec_Extra_Length Type: Double
Defines the cable extra-length to be added to take into account the wire length inside the back shell.
Elec_Ref_Des Type: String

Defines the back shell reference designator attribute, which is the unique identifier for the back shell in the
project.
Elec_Sub_Type Type: String

Defines the back shell subtype (User defined subtype).
Elec_Fmbd_Modify Type: Boolean

Defines the back shell attribute, which makes it possible to know if the component has been modified during
the Electrical Harness Flattening Synchronization command.
Is True if modified.
Elec_External_Reference Type: String

Defines the back shell external reference attribute.

It is used in Electrical Harness Flattening for 2D detail graphic replacement in a drawing.
Elec_FullConnected Type: Boolean

Is True if the back shell is connected to a single insert connector and a bundle segment.
BundlePositionPoint
Description
Describes the electrical feature of Bundle Segment Position Point type.
For more information, refer to the Electrical Harness Installation User's Guide.
The Bundle Segment Position Point type defines the point along a bundle segment at which the local slack is
applied.
Inheritance path: Standard - Feature
Attributes
Elec_Slack Type: Double
Defines the slack length at the bundle segment position point.
Bundle
Description
Describes the electrical feature of Bundle type that you create when you click the icon in the Electrical
Wire Routing workbench.
For more information, refer to the Electrical Wire Routing User's Guide.
The ElecBundle type is an object that contains wires.
Attributes
Defines the bundle reference designator attribute, which is the unique identifier for the bundle in the project.

Defines the bundle subtype (User defined subtype).
BundleSegment
Description
Describes the electrical feature of Bundle Segment type that you create when you select one of these icons
or in the Electrical Harness Installation workbench.

For more information, refer to the Electrical Harness Installation User's Guide.
The BundleSegment type is a segment of a geometrical bundle.
Attributes
Elec_Bend_Radius Type: Double
Input data defining the bend radius value that corresponds to the minimum bend radius of the bundle segment
curve.
Elec_Bend_Radius_OK Type: Boolean

Is True if the bundle segment real bend radius is greater than the Elec_Bend_Radius attribute.
Elec_Creation_Mode Type: String

Defines the electrical bundle segment creation mode.
Three modes exist:
● Slack: Elec_Length is not valuated.
● Bend: Elec_Slack and Elec_Length are not valuated.
● Length: Elec_Slack is not valuated.
Elec_Di_Slack Type: Double

Input data defining the percentage of distributed slack along the bundle segment.
This attribute induces the value of the Elec_Length attribute.
Elec_Diameter Type: Double

Defines the bundle segment diameter.

Defines the bundle segment attribute, which makes it possible to know if the component has been modified
during the Electrical Harness Flattening Synchronization command. Is True if modified.

Is True if both bundle segment extremities are connected.
Elec_Length Type: Double

Gives the bundle segment length.
Defines the bundle reference designator attribute, which is the unique identifier for the bundle in the project.
Elec_Segreg Type: String

Defines the bundle segment separation code used by the routing algorithm.

Defines the bundle segment subtype.
Elec_True_Length Type: Double
Attribute used in the fake length context of the extracted data in EHF.
This attribute keeps the bundle segment real length, coming from the 3D data.
In this context, the Elec_Length returns the fake length.
IncludedWires Type: CATIList
Returns a list of wires routed inside the bundle segment.
Cavity
Description
Describes the electrical feature of Cavity type that you create when you click this icon in the Electrical
Library workbench.
The cavity defines a reservation for a connector.
Attributes

Defines the wire length to be added to the wire routing length.
Elec_Id_Number Type: String

Defines a unique identifier for the cavity used to map a functional component and the corresponding physical
part.

Defines the cavity reference designator attribute, which is the unique identifier for the cavity in the project.

Defines the cavity subtype.
CommandSignal
Description
Describes the electrical feature of Command Signal type that you create when you click this icon in the
Electrical System Functional Definition workbench.
For more information, refer to the Electrical System Functional Definition User's Guide.
The command signal is a logical connection between two or more components. It will be realized by a wire in
physical world.
Inheritance path: Standard - Feature -> ProductPackage - Product -> Electrical - ElecSignal
Attributes
Elec_Nominal_Part_Num Type: String
Defines the nominal part number of the wire that realizes the command signal.
Elec_Recom_Wire_Type Type: String

Defines the attribute of the wire recommended to realize the signal.
Elec_Routing_Priority Type: Double

Defines the priority for the signal routing.
Elec_Sep_Code Type: String

Defines the separation code of the command signal used by the algorithm to find out the wire route.
Elec_Signal_Section Type: Double

Defines the command signal section.

Defines the command signal subtype.
ConnectorShell
Description
Describes the electrical feature of Connector-Shell type that you create when you click the icon in the
A connector shell or shell is a non-electrical part which groups one or more electrical connector parts. It may be
part of an equipment.
Attributes
Defines the connector shell reference designator attribute, which is the unique identifier for the connector shell
in the project.

Defines the connector shell subtype.

Defines the connector shell attribute, which makes it possible to know if the component has been modified

Defines the connector shell external reference attribute.
Contact
Description
Describes the electrical feature of Contact type that you create when you click the icon in the Electrical
Library workbench.
A contact is an electrical component used within a termination and a cavity or between bundle segments.
Attributes
Elec_Barrel_Diameter Type: Double
Defines the hole diameter which lets the wire through.

Defines the contact reference from an external library.

Is True if all the contacts are connected.

Defines the contact reference designator attribute, which is the unique identifier for the contact in the project.

Defines the contact subtype.
CorrugatedTube
Description
Describes the electrical feature of Corrugated Tube type that you create when you click the icon in the
Electrical Library workbench. The corrugated tube is then instantiated using the Electrical Harness Installation
workbench.
For more information, refer to the Electrical Library and Electrical Harness Installation User's Guides.
A corrugated tube is an electrical component applied onto bundle segments as a protection.
Attributes
Defines the bend radius value, which corresponds to the minimum bend radius of the corrugated tube curve.
Elec_Bend_Radius_Protection_OK Type: Boolean

Is True if the Elec_Bend_Radius attribute is smaller than the real value of bend radius of the largest bundle
segment linked to the corrugated tube.

Defines the single connector attribute, which makes it possible to know if the component has been modified
Elec_Inner_Diameter Type: Double

Defines the corrugated tube inner diameter.

Defines the corrugated tube length.
Elec_Line_Type Type: Double

Defines the corrugated tube line type.
Elec_Line_Weight Type: Double

Defines the corrugated tube linear mass, used for the flattened representation.

Defines the corrugated tube reference designator attribute, which is the unique identifier for the corrugated
tube in the project.
Elec_Ref_PartNumber Type: String

Defines the corrugated tube reference part number.

Defines the protection subtype.
Elec_Thickness Type: Double

Defines the corrugated tube thickness.
Equipment
Description
Describes the electrical feature of Equipment type that you create when you click the icon in the Electrical
Library workbench.
An equipment is an electrical device with one or more associated components: connectors, shells, contacts,
filler plugs, placed in cavities. An equipment can also comprise terminations and bundle connection points.
Attributes
Defines the equipment reference from an external library.

Defines the equipment attribute, which makes it possible to know if the component has been modified during
the Electrical Harness Flattening Synchronization command. Is True if modified.

Defines the equipment reference designator attribute, which is the unique identifier for the equipment in the
project.

Defines the equipment subtype.
ExternalSplice
Description
Describes the electrical feature of External Splice type that you create when you click the icon in the
An external splice is an electrical connector receiving bundle segments from different geometrical bundles.
Attributes
Defines the external splice reference from an external library.

Defines the external splice attribute, which makes it possible to know if the component has been modified

Defines the external splice reference designator attribute, which is the unique identifier for the external splice
in the project.

Defines the external splice subtype.

Is True if all the bundle connection points and terminations of the external splice are connected.
FillerPlug
Description
Describes the electrical feature of Filler Plug type that you create when you click the icon in the Electrical
Library workbench.
A filler plug is an electrical component used to block up an unused cavity.
Attributes
Defines the filler plug reference designator attribute, which is the unique identifier for the filler plug in the
project.

Defines the filler plug subtype.
ContactPoint
Description
Describes the electrical feature of Contact Point type that you create when you select the icon in the
This contact point is a functional electrical component that defines the point of contact or attachment for an
electrical signal.
Attributes
Defines the contact point Id number.
Elec_Number Type: Integer

Defines a unique identifier for the contact point used to map a functional component and the corresponding
physical part.

Defines the contact point reference designator attribute, which is the unique identifier for the contact point in
the project.
Elec_Signal_IO Type: String

Defines if the signal is input or output.
Elec_Signal_Unicity Type: Boolean

Defines the unicity of the signal: True if the signal is unique.

Defines the contact point subtype.
FunctionalConnector
Description
Describes the electrical feature of Functional Connector type that you create when you click the icon in the
This connector is a functional electrical component with one or more associated contact points, for example, a
power or signal transmission connector.

Attributes
Defines the functional connector reference to an external library.

Defines a unique identifier for the functional connector used to map a functional component and the
corresponding physical part.

Defines the nominal part number of the physical connector that realizes the functional connector.

Defines the functional connector reference designator attribute, which is the unique identifier for the connector
in the project.

Defines the functional connector subtype.
FunctionalEquipment
Description
Describes the electrical feature of Functional Equipment type that you create when you click the icon in the
This equipment is a functional electrical component with one or more associated connectors, for example a
lamp or a battery.
Attributes
Defines the functional equipment reference to an external library.

Defines the nominal part number of the physical equipment that realizes the functional equipment.

Defines the functional equipment reference designator attribute, which is the unique identifier for the
equipment in the project.

Defines the functional equipment subtype.
GroundSignal
Description
Describes the electrical feature of Ground Signal type that you create when you click this icon in the
The ground signal is a logical connection between two or more components. It will be realized by a wire in
physical world.
Attributes
Elec_Ground_Unicity Type: Boolean
Defines the unicity of the ground signal: True if the signal is unique.

Defines the nominal part number of the wire that realizes the ground signal.



Defines the separation code of the ground signal used by the algorithm to find out the wire route.

Defines the ground signal section.

Defines the ground signal subtype.
GroupSignal
Description
Describes the electrical feature of Group Signal type that you create when you click this icon in the
Groups signals will be routed together, for example shielded or twisted signals.
Attributes
Defines the nominal part number of the wire that realizes the group signal.



Defines the separation code of the group signal used by the algorithm to find out the wire route.

Defines the group signal section.

Defines the internal splice attribute, which makes it possible to know if the component has been modified

Defines the group signal subtype.
InternalSplice
Description
Describes the electrical feature of Internal Splice type that you create when you click the icon in the
An internal splice is a type of connector used to connect two or more wires belonging to the same bundle.
Attributes
Defines the internal splice reference to an external library.
Elec_Mass Type: Double

Defines the internal splice mass.
Elec_Offset Type: Double

Defines the distance to the bundle segment extremity selected to place the internal splice.

Defines the internal splice reference designator attribute, which is the unique identifier for the internal splice in
the project.

Defines the internal splice subtype.
OffSheet
Description
Describes the electrical feature of Off Sheet Connector type that you create when you click the icon in the
An off sheet connector is a marker in the functional definition that is used to establish connections between
different systems.
Attributes
Elec_Name Type: String

Defines the off sheet connector name.
Elec_Number Type: Integer

Defines the off sheet connector number.
Elec_Signal_IO Type: String

Defines if the signal is input or output.

Defines the off sheet connector subtype.
Stud
Description
Describes the electrical feature of Stud type that you create when you click this icon in the Electrical
Library workbench.
A stud is an electrical connector receiving bundle segments with one or more wires connected through a
termination. It is used to ground bundle segments or pieces of equipment.
Attributes
Defines the stud reference to an external library.

Defines the stud reference designator attribute, which is the unique identifier for the stud in the project.

Defines the stud subtype.

Is True only if all the stud bundle connection points are connected.
PowerSignal
Description
Describes the electrical feature of Power Signal type that you create when you click this icon in the
The power signal is a logical connection between two or more components. It will be realized by a wire in
physical world.
Attributes
Defines the nominal part number of the wire that realizes the power signal.
Elec_Nominal_Voltage Type: Double

Defines the power signal nominal voltage.



Defines the separation code of the power signal used by the algorithm to find out the wire route.

Defines the power signal subtype.

Defines the power signal section.
Protection
Description
Describes the electrical feature of protection type from which both the corrugated tube and the tape derives.
Attributes
CoveredBundleSegments Type: CATIList
Returns the list of bundle segments covered by the protection.


Defines the protection length.

Defines the protection line type.

Defines the protection linear mass, used for the flattened representation.

Defines the protection reference designator attribute.

Defines the protection reference part number.

ShieldingSignal
Description
Describes the electrical feature of Shielding Signal type that you create when you click this icon in the
The shielding signal is a logical connection between two or more components. It will be realized by a wire in
physical world.
Attributes
Defines the nominal part number of the wire that realizes the shielding signal.



Defines the separation code of the shielding signal used by the algorithm to find out the wire route.

Defines the shielding signal subtype.

Defines the shielding signal section.
Elec_Nominal_Voltage Type: Double

Defines the shielding signal nominal voltage.
SingleConnector
Description
Describes the electrical feature of Single Insert Connector type that you create when you click this icon in
the Electrical Library workbench.
A single insert connector is an electrical connector male or female. It's the physical representation for both the
plugs and the sockets.
Attributes
Defines the single insert connector reference to an external library.

Defines the single insert connector reference designator attribute, which is the unique identifier for the single
insert connector in the project.

Defines the single insert connector subtype.
Elec_Fmdb_Modify Type: Boolean

Defines the single connector attribute, which makes it possible to know if the component has been modified

Is True in only two cases:
● if the single insert connector is integrated into an equipment and connected to another single insert
connector,
● if the single insert connector is connected to a bundle segment or a back shell and connected to another
single insert connector.
Signal
Description
Describes the electrical feature of Signal type that you create when you click the icon in the Electrical
System Functional Definition workbench.
A signal is a logical connection between two or more components. May be of the following types: ground,
shielding, video, power, command or grouped.
Attributes
Defines the nominal part number of the physical wire that realizes the signal.



Defines the separation code of the signal used by the algorithm to find out the wire route.

Defines the signal section.
Elec_ListPhysical Type: CATIList

Contains the list of ElecWire objects that realize the signal.
SignalRoute
Description
Describes the electrical feature of Signal Route type that you create when you click this icon in the
Electrical Wire Routing workbench.
For more information, refer to the Electrical Wire Routing User's Guide.
The signal route is computed to find out the optimized way between two or more extremities of a signal.
Attributes

Defines the signal route length.

Defines the nominal part number of the wire that realizes the signal.
Elec_Section Type: Double

Defines the signal route section.

Defines the signal route subtype.
System
Description
Describes the electrical feature of System type that you create when you click the icon in the Electrical
System Functional Definition workbench.
A system consists of equipments, connectors and signals. It is an electrical unit, which accomplishes a specific
function.
Attributes
Defines the system reference designator attribute, which is the unique identifier for the system in the project.

Defines the system subtype.
Tape
Description
Describes the electrical feature of Tape type that you create when you click the icon in the Electrical
Library workbench. The tape is then instantiated using the Electrical Harness Installation workbench.
A tape is an electrical component applied onto bundle segments as a protection.
Attributes
Elec_Bend_Radius_Delta Type: Double
Defines the bend radius value, which corresponds to the minimum bend radius of the tape curve.
This value takes into account the bundle segment and tape bend radius rule and ends up to an increased
rigidity due to the tape.
Elec_Bend_Radius_Protection_OK Type: Boolean

Is True if the Elec_Bend_Radius attribute is smaller than the real value of bend radius of the largest bundle
segment linked to the tape protection.
Elec_Covering_Length Type: Double

Defines the tape overlapping used when instantiating the protection.


Defines the tape length.

Defines the tape line type, used for the flattened representation.

Defines the tape linear mass.
Elec_Number_Layer Type: Double

Defines the tape number of layers applied onto the bundle segment.

Defines the tape reference designator attribute, which is the unique identifier for the tape in the project.

Defines the tape reference part number.

Elec_Tape_Thickness Type: Double

Defines the tape thickness.
Elec_Tape_Width Type: Double

Defines the tape width.
Elec_Taping_Angle Type: Double

Defines the taping angle.
Elec_Total_Tape_Length Type: Double

Defines the tape length considering the overlapping due to the taping angle, and also the number of layers.
Elec_Total_Thickness Type: Double

Defines the tape thickness considering the overlapping due to the taping angle, and also the number of layers.
TerminalBlock
Description
Describes the electrical feature of Terminal Block type that you create when you select this icon in the
A terminal block is an electrical connector receiving bundle segments, each bundle segment being connected to
a termination.
Attributes
Defines the terminal block reference to an external library.

Defines the terminal block attribute, which makes it possible to know if the component has been modified

Defines the terminal block reference designator attribute, which is the unique identifier for the terminal block
in the project.

Defines the terminal block subtype.

Is True if all the terminal block terminations are connected.
Termination
Description
Describes the electrical feature of Termination type that you create when you click this icon in the
A termination is a sub-element ensuring the electrical signal conduction between any type of electrical
component except the filler plug. It is indissociable from the electrical component and corresponds to a contact
crimped into a cavity.
Attributes
Defines the length to be added to the wire routing length.

Defines a unique identifier for the termination used to map a functional component to the corresponding
physical part.

Defines the termination reference designator attribute, which is the unique identifier for the termination in the
project.

Defines the termination subtype.
Termination_GeoConstraint
Description
Describes the electrical feature of Termination type that you create when you click this icon in the
This type of termination only exists for terminal strip and the stud connectors. It has an associated geometry (a
line), which allows the connection to be constrained between the bundle segment and the connector. The
bundle segment can only be connected via this associated geometry (the line).
Attributes
Defines the length to be added to the wire routing length.

Defines a unique identifier for the termination used to map a functional component and the corresponding
physical part.

Defines the termination reference designator attribute, which is the unique identifier for the termination in the
project.

Defines the termination subtype.
TerminalStrip
Description
Describes the electrical feature of Terminal Strip type that you create when you click this icon in the
A terminal strip is an electrical connector comprising a strip of terminations.
Attributes
Defines the terminal strip reference to an external library.

Defines the terminal strip attribute, which makes it possible to know if the component has been modified

Defines the terminal strip reference designator attribute, which is the unique identifier for the terminal strip in
the project.

Defines the terminal strip subtype.

Is True if all the terminal strip terminations are connected.
VideoSignal
Description
Describes the electrical feature of Video Signal type that you create when you click this icon in the
The video signal is a logical connection between two or more components. It will be realized by a wire in
physical world.
Attributes
Defines the part number of the wire that realizes the video signal.



Defines the separation code of the video signal used by the algorithm to find out the wire route.

Defines the video signal section.

Defines the video signal subtype.
Wire
Description
Describes the electrical feature of Wire type that you create when you click the icon in the Electrical
Library workbench.
Attributes
Defines the bend radius.
Elec_Catalog Type: String

Defines the catalog from which the wire is selected.
Elec_Color Type: String

Defines the color of the wire.
Elec_Diameter Type: Double

Defines the wire diameter.
Elec_FromConnectionPoint Type: String

Returns the reference designator value of the connection point to which the first extremity of the wire is
connected.
Elec_FromDevice Type: String

Returns the reference designator value of the device to which the first extremity of the wire is connected.

Is True if both wire extremities are connected.
Elec_IsNetworkConnex Type: Boolean

Is True if a route exists between whatever nodes only using the network connected branches.
Elec_IsRouted Type: Boolean

Is True if the wire is routed.

Defines the wire length.

Defines the wire linear mass.

Defines the wire reference designator.

Defines the separation code of the wire used by the algorithm to find out the wire route.
Elec_Shielding_Signal Type: String

Returns a product of type ElecSignal that realizes the wire.
Elec_Signal Type: ElecSignal

Returns a product of type ElecSignal that realizes the wire.
Elec_Signal_Id Type: String

Defines the identifier of the signal used during the wire routing.

Defines the wire subtype.
Elec_ToConnectionPoint Type: String

Returns the reference designator value of the connection point to which the second extremity of the wire is
connected.
Elec_ToDevice Type: String

Returns the reference designator value of the device to which the second extremity of the wire is connected.
IsSingleInBundleSegment Type: Boolean

Is True when the wire route follows at least one bundle segment containing only this wire.
Electrical Application Interoperability

In this section, you will find information about interoperability between CATIA Electrical Applications and
other applications listed below:
Using ENOVIA Catalog for Electrical Mapping

using VPM Navigator
This task explains how to work with electrical data stored in ENOVIA V5, using VPM Navigator.
Also refer to Optimal CATIA PLM Usability.
We recommend that you read the VPM Navigator User's Guide to know more about this product.
This documentation can be found on the ENOVIA LifeCycle Applications Documentation CDROM.
1. Log on to VPM Navigator.
Once the connection has completed successfully, the icons in the ENOVIA V5 toolbar are no longer grayed out.
2. Click the the ENOVIA Search... button in the ENOVIA V5 toolbar.
The Result window listing all the PRCs appears.
A PRC (referred to as Product Root Class or root in VPM Navigator) is the most basic entity in your Product Structure.
3. In this window, double-click the object you want to open.
The VPM Navigator window displays, looking something like this:
You are now ready to work with this ENOVIA V5 data.
4. Click the Close button if you no longer need the Result window.
Working with Electrical Data
This task shows you how to open electrical objects for editing purposes.
Electrical data can be saved in product document (in workpackage) or in component (in explode
mode): Geometrical bundles can be saved with both these modes, when CATPart documents (bundle
segments, devices, etc.) and electrical bundles are automatically saved as workpackage.
1. In the Product tree, right-click the object you want to open and, in the contextual menu, select the
Open... command.
Note that the multi-selection is possible using the Ctrl-key.
The following dialog box appears:

2. Click OK to open the documents in context.
3. Now switch to Electrical Library to connect the plug of the geometrical bundle to the female socket
of the other.
To do so:
a. Click the Connect Electrical Devices button .
b. Select the female socket.
c. Select the plug.
For more information about electrical device connections, refer to Electrical Library User's
Guide - User Tasks - Connecting Electrical Devices.
The bundle segment of the second geometrical bundle is updated.
4. Click Save in ENOVIA V5 to store your data in ENOVIA V5.

Also refer to Working with ENOVIA V5: Optimal CATIA PLM Usability.
Working with ENOVIA V5:

Optimal CATIA PLM Usability
This section explains in more details how electrical data designed in CATIA is stored in ENOVIA V5, using VPM Navigator.
And this being user-friendly.
When working with ENOVIA V5, a new mode ensures that you only create data in CATIA that can be correctly saved in
ENOVIA V5.
ENOVIA V5 offers two different storage modes: Workpackage (Document kept - Publications Exposed) and Explode
(Document not kept). Electrical products have been configured to work in the Workpackage mode and the Explode
mode, according to the objects considered.
We recommend that you read the VPM Navigator User's Guide to know more about this product.
This documentation can be found on the ENOVIA LifeCycle Applications Documentation CDRom.
Working with Geometrical Bundle as Workpackage

A workpackage is one or more documents that are displayed in ENOVIA V5 as a single entity.
This means that a node in the CATIA specification tree is chosen as an entity to be shown in ENOVIA V5. The children are
not visible as documents in the ENOVIA V5 tree.
The geometrical bundle is a candidate to be stored this way, as it represents a complete and coherent package for the
electrical design.
Within CATIA connected to ENOVIA V5 through VPM Navigator, if the user selects a new product as a geometrical bundle,
the system automatically knows that this geometrical bundle has to be stored as a workpackage.
Checks are performed when using the Electrical tools to ensure that all entities created or modified will be correctly
stored, using the following rules:

● No links to geometry (that is to say external references) can be done from the part inside a workpackage to a part
outside the workpackage.
Let's see an example:
With a geometrical bundle stored as a workpackage (publication exposed mode), the bundle segments belonging to
this geometrical bundle cannot use, as routing objects, supports, devices or any geometry external to the
geometrical bundle while keeping the contextuality. The external references won't be synchronized and the bundle
segment shape won't any longer be contextual to any object outside the geometrical bundle. Contextual links are
kept inside the geometrical bundle.
● The context for the external links must be set to a product node inside the workpackage.
Refer to Infrastructure User's Guide - Customizing Part Infrastructure.
● Mechanical constraints and electrical connections between parts inside the workpackage and outside the workpackage
must rely on published objects.
To make this possible, the following settings must be applied when working with CATIA connected to ENOVIA V5, to
store the geometrical bundles as workpackage in ENOVIA V5:

a. Select Tools -> Options -> Infrastructure -> Part Infrastructure -> General tab.
In the External References frame, uncheck Use root context in assembly.
b. Select Tools -> Options -> Equipment and Systems -> Electrical Harness Installation -> Harness
Management tab.
In the Contextual Links frame, for Keep link with selected object, choose In geometrical bundle in the
list.
Anyway, the system checks that the rules are not violated and if those options are not set properly, an error message is
displayed:
Moreover, during the electrical connection between devices and/or bundle segments that are not inside the same
workpackage, publications are automatically created on the geometrical bundle stored as workpackage, to ensure that
constraints and connections are correctly stored.
Working with Geometrical Bundle in Explode Mode

Using the Explode mode, all the nodes of the product structure are stored in ENOVIA V5.
This means that each component and its children are as many documents visible in ENOVIA V5.
Within CATIA connected to ENOVIA V5 through to VPM Navigator, if the user selects a new component as a geometrical
bundle, the system automatically knows that this geometrical bundle has to be stored in explode mode.
A single check is performed when using the Electrical tools to ensure that all the entities created or modified will be
correctly stored:
The context for the external links must be set to the root product node of the session.
Refer to Infrastructure User's Guide - Customizing Part Infrastructure.
To make this possible, the following settings must be applied when working with CATIA connected to ENOVIA V5, to
store the geometrical bundles in explode mode in ENOVIA V5:
a. Select Tools -> Options -> Infrastructure -> Part Infrastructure -> General tab.
In the External References frame, check Use root context in assembly.
Commands Not Supported in ENOVIA V5

For the time being, the following commands are not available if CATIA is connected to ENOVIA V5 Database:
In Electrical Library - Electrical Assembly workbench
Place Physical Device
Add Link
Remove Functional Link
Define Mounting Equipment
Define Equipment
Define Shell
Define Contact
Define Filler Plug
Define Back Shell
Define Cavity
Define Termination
Define Connector Connection Point
Define Bundle Connection Point
Define Cavity Connection Point
Define Back Shell Connection Point
In Electrical Wire Routing
New Wire Connection
Move Connection
Delete Connection
Merge Connections
Split Connection
New Wire
Select Signal
Using ENOVIA Catalog

for Electrical Mapping
This methodology explains how to set up the Electrical Mapping option to use catalogs coming from ENOVIA.
First of all, the document environment needs to be set up to allow the catalog stored in ENOVIA V5 to be browsed/accessed.
Then the catalog of interest is selected in the Electrical Mapping tab. To do so:
1. Select the Tools -> Options command.
The Options dialog box displays.
2. Choose the General category in the left-hand box and click the Document tab.
This tab lets you define the document environment.
3. Select ENOVIA and click the Allowed button on the right.
The Current button is activated.
4. Click the Current button if you want ENOVIA to be launched by default.
The dialog box becomes:
5. Make sure you are connected to VPM Navigator.
6. Switch then to the Equipment & Systems category, to the Electrical Mapping tab:
This tab lets you define the Catalog/Electrical objects mapping.
7. Click the Browse button.
The Search ENOVIA data is displayed as follows:
Together with:
8. Enter one or more criteria and validate.
The Search Result window updates.
9. Select the desired catalog and click Open.
The Electrical Mapping tab is updated.

10. Define the mapping as explained in the CATIA - Infrastructure User's Guide - Customizing - Customizing Settings -
Equipment and Systems - Electrical Mapping.
The catalogs stored in ENOVIA appears in the editor as ENOVIA5\Catalog name.catalog.


This methodology explains how to load iXF documents when using VPM Navigator.
First of all, the document environment needs to be set up to allow the documents stored in ENOVIA V5 to be
browsed/accessed. To do so:
1. Make sure you are connected to ENOVIA V5 through VPM Navigator.
2. Click the the Search ENOVIA data button in the ENOVIA toolbar.
The Search ENOVIA data is displayed as follows:
Together with:
3. Enter one or more criteria and validate.
For example: documents with iXFElec file extension
The Search Result window updates.
4. Select the desired document and open it, using the contextual menu (right-click -> Open item).
The document is stored in the current session, and ready to use.
5. Switch to Electrical Assembly Design.
6. Click the Select External Systems button.
The System Selection dialog box opens containing the previously selected iXF files:
7. Select the iXF file of interest and validate.
The iXF document is loaded.
For more information about external systems, refer to the CATIA - Electrical Library User's Guide - User Tasks -
Electrical Integration Scenarios - Electrical Integration from External Data
The Electrical Library Version 5 applications windows look like this:
Click the hotspots to display the related documentation.
Electrical Part Design
Electrical Assembly Design

Menu Bar
Toolbars
Electrical Workbench Specification Tree
Menu Bar
The Menu Bar and most of the items available in Electrical Library workbenches are the standard ones. The
different commands and tools are described in Infrastructure Version 5. For more information, refer to the
standard Menu Bar section.
Electrical Library Toolbars

This section describes the various icons available in the Electrical Library workbenches.
The toolbars are located on the right in the default set-up except for the Catalog Browser, the Measure and the Update
icons which are located in the horizontal bottom toolbar.
Electrical Part Design Toolbars
Electrical Assembly Design Toolbars
See Creating Wire Reference
See Inserting a New Part
See Inserting Existing Components
See Viewing Related Objects
See Defining an Equipment
See Defining a Shell
See Defining a Connector
See Defining a Filler Plug
See Defining a Contact
See Defining a Mounting Equipment

See Defining a Cavity
See Defining a Termination
See Defining a Bundle Connection Point
See Defining a Connector Connection Point
See Defining a Cavity Connection Point
See Connecting Devices
See Disconnecting Devices
See Adding Functional Link
See Placing Physical Device
See Removing Functional Link
See Managing Links
See Storing a Device
See Creating a Support
See Creating a Protection
See Using a Catalog, Using Catalogs
See Using Smart Placement from Catalog
See Using Smart Move
See Selecting External Systems, External Data Exchange for Electrical

Electrical Product Specification Tree

In this document, you will find the different icons generated in the electrical workbenches.
Mounting Equipment
Equipment
Shell
Single Insert Connector, External Splice, Internal Splice, Stud, Terminal Strip, Terminal Block,
Filler Plug
Contact
Back Shell
Electrical container
Cavity
Termination
Connector Connection Point
Bundle Connection Point
Cavity Connection Point
Back Shell Connection Point
Geometrical Bundle
Multi-Branchable Bundle Segment
Branchable Bundle Segment
Bundle Segment
Electrical Bundle
Wire (not resolved)
Resolved Wire
Wire Connection Container

Wire Connection
Internal Splice
Functional System
Functional Equipment
Not linked to physical Linked to physical Partially linked to physical

Functional Connector

Functional Connection Point

Signal, Power Signal
Not routed (Not yet implemented) Partially routed

Shielding Signal
Group Signal
Ground Signal
Video Signal
Other
Routed Signal in System Space Reservation (SSR)

Customizing
Before you start your first working session, you can customize the way you work to suit your habits. This type
of customization is stored in permanent setting files. Settings will not be lost if you exit your session.
Other information can be considered as customization:

Electrical Data Exchange Format deals with electrical specifications from external data.
1. Select the Tools -> Options menu.
The Options dialog box is displayed.
2. Select Equipment & Systems in the left-hand box.
The Electrical Mapping and the Electrical Process Interfacing tabs appear:
❍ The Electrical Mapping tab lets you define the catalog and the electrical objects mapping.
❍ The Electrical Process Interfacing tab lets you define the access to external data, the electrical
iXF repository path and the identifier for mapping management.
3. Select the Electrical Assembly Design workbench.
The General and Electrical Library Access tabs appear:
❍ The General tab lets you define the Automatic compass option.
❍ The Electrical Library Access tab lets you define the library and the compatibility table and
their locations.
4. Set options in these tabs according to your needs.
5. Click OK in the Options dialog box when done.

General
The General tab contains one option.
Automatic Compass
Snap to placed element
If this option is selected, when you place an element, the compass snaps to this element allowing you to modify
the orientation and location.
By default this option is selected.

Electrical System Functional Definition takes advantage of Electrical Library for the mapping between
functional equipments and connectors to V4 library parts. It consists of the definition of the
corresponding physical components for functional equipments or connectors.
This is done in Electrical System Functional Definition.
Moreover, a compatibility can be established between functional and physical components in order to
reduce the list of physical components available for a functional component. The compatibility sets a
relation between the External Reference attribute of the functional component and the Part Number
attribute of the physical component. These relations are stored in a compatibility table, in csv format.
The Electrical Library Access tab contains two categories of options letting you customize:
● The library names and their locations
● The location of the compatibility table.
V4 Library Access Configuration

● To add a library in the list, click the corresponding button.

● Enter the library name and path then click OK to validate.

● You can delete or modify the library access, using respectively the Remove or Edit button.
By default, the fields are blank.
Functional-Physical Compatibility Location
To gain access to the compatibility table, enter its path (for example: c:\Temp) in the Compatibility Path
field.
By default, the field is blank.
Let's see the compatibility table structure:

In this sample, the functional equipment which External Reference is ExtRefEqt is compatible with
three physical equipments which PartNumber are PN1, PN2, PN3.
For more information about the interoperability with Electrical System Functional Definition, refer to
Mapping Functional Components to Physical Parts in this User's Guide.
The Electrical Library Access can be set by the administrator.

In this case it can also be locked.
To get more information about the Administration Mode in CATIA, refer to Infrastructure User's Guide.
Electrical Mapping
This tab deals with the catalog and objects mapping:
● the catalog definition
● the mapping between the catalog and the electrical objects
● the keyword attributes.
Catalog/Electrical objects mapping

In order to valuate the keywords automatically when the devices are stored in the catalog with their properties,
you need to define a mapping between keywords of each family and the attributes of the component type.
Catalog
The drop-down list or the Browse button lets you define the catalog of interest.
This information is displayed in the Electrical Process Interfacing tab.
Define the corresponding type for each family

Associate an electrical Type to the currently selected Family, to do so:
● select a family
● then use the combo list to select the corresponding type.
Define the corresponding the corresponding attribute for each keyword

Define for each Keyword the corresponding reference Attribute:
● select a keyword
● then use the combo list to select the corresponding attribute.
By default, these options are cleared.
The mapping definition can be set by the administrator.

In this case it can also be locked.
To get more information about the Administration Mode in CATIA, refer to Infrastructure User's Guide.
This document lets you define the options to take advantage of external data from partners, through XML files
or from CAA V5 APIs, retrieving information from legacy databases.
This tab shows:
● the access to external data
● the electrical iXF repository path
● the electrical working catalog path
● the identifier for mapping management.
External Data Interfacing
Enable External Data Interfacing

If this option is selected, you can use external data. If not you can only work with CATIA data.
By default, this option is selected.
Electrical iXF Data Repository

System repository
Identify the folder path in which the XML files available are stored.
To do so, use this button to locate the iXF systems repository.
By default, this option is cleared.
Electrical Working Catalog
Catalog path
The catalog path is displayed in this frame. However, it is defined in the Electrical Mapping tab.
● Select the Electrical Mapping tab to select the working catalog using the Browse button .
● Locate the catalog containing the V5 parts, which Part Number attributes are referred to in the XML files.
Identifier Management
Instance Name
Select this option so that the Instance Name will be taken into account instead of the Reference
Designator to insure the mapping between 3D objects and external system's objects.

It is also necessary to define the electrical object mapping regarding the working catalog.
To do so, select the Electrical Mapping tab.
Refer to the Customizing - Equipment & Systems - Electrical Mapping documentation.

Electrical Data Exchange Format

To complete the end-to-end process, it is possible to get electrical specifications from external data.
Those specifications consist of:
● a device list containing the device attributes and the assembly connectivity
● and a wire or equipotential list containing their attributes and the from-to connectivity.
This information will be used by CATIA Electrical products to implement in the digital mock-up the
electrical systems driven by any electrical authoring tool (schematics or database for example).
You can either access this information through CAA APIs (refer to CAA documentation) or through an
XML file. This method (using an XML file) is described in Electrical Integration from External Data.
You will find hereafter the XML schema to create your own interface to CATIA Electrical Tools.
The exchange data model is different from the data model of CATIA Electrical solutions. Actually, this
data model consists of pertinent information that needs to transit between Electrical specification tools
(schematics, etc.) and CATIA. It only aims at implementing those specifications in the mock-up. So only
this pertinent information (objects, attributes and connectivity) is described in the following XML schema
and not all the information stored in the CATIA electrical product documents.
In the context of CATIA P1, the CAA APIs are not supported.
As well, several objects are not managed in CATIA P1:
● equipotential
● connector shell
● splice
even if defined in the XML file: the same XML schema is shared for P1 and P2 products.
Preamble
iXF is a format defined by Dassault Systèmes, which is used for the data exchange in XML within CATIA.
Succinctly, iXF is based on the SOAP format and relies on the XML and the XML schema concept. It
makes it possible to describe a grammar (a specific data model) expressing the object, class and
behavior concepts as well as documents containing data conforming to the defined grammar.
A detailed description of the iXF format can be found at the following address: http://www.ixfstd.org/

Considering the iXF Schema in Greater Depth

The electrical schema, defined for the data exchange between CATIA V5 electrical products and external applications
(CAA partners applications, etc.), describes a subset of electrical objects together with their relations.
This schema is based on the fact that an object is defined as a class, which one is associated to a behavior set. Thus, an
electrical connector corresponds to the Connector class, to which the Connector and Product behaviors are
associated.
Electrical Objects
The following classes with their associated behavior describe the electrical objects within the iXF Electrical Schema.
● Harness
❍ Harness
❍ Product
● Wire
❍ Wire
❍ Product
● Equipotential
❍ Equipotential
● Equipment
❍ Equipment
❍ Product
❍ Function
● ConnectorShell
❍ ConnectorShell
❍ Product
● Connector
❍ Connector
❍ Product
● Splice
❍ Splice
❍ Product
● Pin
❍ Pin
❍ Product
● Cavity
❍ Cavity
All these classes derived from the Object abstract class. This one is not to be used as is but allows you to define the Name
attribute for all the classes deriving from the Object class.
The units for all the attributes are given in the standard MKS system.
The following behaviors, associated to the electrical objects are defined in the iXF electrical schema (behavior named
ClassBehavior):
● Harness
❍ Attribute: SubType
● Wire
❍ Attributes: InnerDiameter, OuterDiameter (mandatory), BendRadius, Length, Color, LinearMass, SeparationCode,
SubType, SignalId
● Equipment
● ConnectorShell
● Connector
❍ Attributes: SubType, Color, MatingConnector
● Splice
● Pin
● Cavity
● Product
❍ Attribute: PartNumber
● Equipotential
❍ Attributes: EstimatedDiameter, SeparationCode, RoutingPriority, WirePartNumber, SubType
● Function
❍ Attributes: System_Type (mandatory if the Function behavior is defined), Description, Localization
At last, all the objects expressed in a iXF document have an attribute identifying in a unique way each object within the project,
except for the objects of Link type, which have a unique identifier within the document.
To illustrate how to describe an electrical object with the iXF format, let's take the example of an electrical connector:
This electrical connector of Connector class has:
● as identifier: V242 (attribute 'id')

● as name: Motor,Window_Driver (attribute 'Name')
● as reference: 5584555 -5W (attribute 'PartNumber' via its Product behavior)
● as subtype: Single Insert Connector (attribute 'SubType' via its Connector behavior)
● as color: Yellow (attribute 'Color' via its Connector behavior)
Relations between Electrical Objects

Using a Link type behavior
Nearly all the relations between electrical objects take the form of objects with a Link type behavior To know about the
standard behavior definition, refer to http://www.ixfstd.org/std/ns/core/classBehaviors/links/1.0.
The Link object classes of the electrical schema are the following:
● WireLink
● EquipotentialLink
● DeviceLink
● HarnessLink
These object classes allow you to define:
a. the connectivity of the wire and equipotential objects, that is to say their connections with the electrical components
(instantiated standard parts).
b. the aggregation relations between the electrical components (instantiated standard parts).
For example a connector with pins or an equipment with connectors and pins.
c. the harness composition (wires and electrical components)
These links take the form of identifiers.

For example: a wire, which identifier is W1, connected to two electrical connectors, which identifiers are C1 and C2:
Using a Specific Attribute
The relation between two connectors (mating connector, connector) is not managed by a Link type object as above but using a
specific attribute named MatingConnector (behavior attribute of Connector type). This attribute is optional and is valuated
with the identifier of the mating connector on both sides of the connection.
Let see an example where two connectors are connected together. The connectivity between them is described as follows:
Considering the iXF Schema

in Greater Depth
The iXF electrical schema is split in four parts (four files):
● the first one: ElectricalSchema.xsd refers to the other three and describes the Electrical Object Classes.
● the second one: IXF_CB_NS1.xsd describes strictly the Electrical Behaviors.
● the third one: IXF_CB_NS2.xsd describes the Link type Behaviors (iXF standard reference).
● and last but not least, the fourth one: IXF_CB_NS3.xsd describes the Functional Behaviors.
Electrical Object Classes

Electrical Behaviors
Link Type Behaviors

Functional Behaviors
Methodology
This section explains how to create other kinds of features.
The table below lists the information you will find:


This section explains how to create protections of given length as it is widely used in the industry.


As the protection reference can be customized, it is quite easy to define its own bundle protection kind
with a minimum effort. This scenario explains, as an example of the protection object flexibility, how to
create a protection with a given fixed length. This methodology is widely used in the industry.
1. Start the Electrical Part Design workbench.
2. Click the Define Protection button .

3. Click the Part1 in the specification tree.
The Protection Definition dialog box opens.

Enter the following values for example, then validate:
❍ Width: 16mm
❍ Thickness: 2mm
❍ Bend radius: 7mm
The geometry is created.
4. Switch to Wireframe and Surface Design workbench.
5. Create a point on the joint which will be used for the instantiation:
To do so:
a. Click the Point button .
The dialog box opens to create Point.6.
b. Enter the following values:
■ Point type: On curve

■ Distance on curve
■ Length: 250mm
■ Reference point: Point.3
The offset from Point.3, entered in the Length value (250mm) is the parameter which
will drive the protection length.
c. Click OK to validate.
Point.6 is added to the geometry.

6. Create a new split on the joint between Point.3 and the newly created Point.6 to define a new
centerline between Point.3 and Point.6.
To do so:
a. Click the Split button .
The dialog box opens to create Split.2.
b. Enter the following values:
■ Element to cut: Join.1

■ Cutting elements:
■ Point.3 and click the Other side button.
■ Point.6.
c. Click OK to validate.
The geometry is updated.

7. Now replace Split.1 in the PartBody with Split.2, using the contextual menu, to define the rib
between Point.3 and Point.6.

The Replace dialog box opens.
a. Select Split.2 (in with field).
b. Click OK to validate.
8. Save your protection for a further instantiation.

With such a methodology you can also create grommets, green lines or boots.
Green line
Grommet
Boot

This scenario explains how to instantiate a protection of given length (250mm here) as it is widely used in the industry.
1. Start the Electrical Harness Assembly workbench.
2. Click the Protection button .
The Instantiate Protection dialog box opens:
3. Select the catalog then the protection you want to instantiate.
To do so:
❍ Click this button and navigate to the catalog, for example:

.../online/cfysa_C2/samples/ElectricalSession/catalog/catalog1.catalog.
❍ Double-click the protection: Part2
The catalog browser closes and the selected protection displays in the upper right corner of the primary
window.
4. Select one or more bundle segments to be covered with the protection:
The dialog box updates and the protection start and end points display in the geometry.
Note that using this methodology, the covered length indicated in the Protection Information is not correct: it indicates
the distance between the Start extremity and the End extremity of the selected bundle segment when the protection is
applied between the Start extremity and for a length of 250mm (Point.4).

This methodology explains how to use a back shell as a guiding support:
A back shell is usually connected to the connector through the back shell connection point and to the
bundle segment through the bundle connection point. Adding the support function to this back shell allows
a bundle segment to go through this device to the connector, from the back shell connection point to the
support position point, getting an accurate geometry.
This object will be used as a back shell to be placed in the 3D, but as it has support position points, it will
be recognized as a support for bundle segment routing.
To do so, the part will be defined as a back shell. This back shell gets both a back shell connection point
(for automatic placement to the connector) and support points and plane to be used as support. No bundle
connection point on the back shell will be used for routing.
Creating the Back Shell

Open the backshell1 document.
1. Using the Electrical Part Design workbench, click the Define Back Shell button to add the
back shell behavior to this part.
2. Then click the Define Back Shell Connection Point button to add the connection point to
the device. It will be used to get the correct positioning of the back shell during connection to the
connector.
To do so:
a. select the outer face as Representation and Contact constraint

b. select the hole axis as Coincidence constraint.
3. Click the Define Support button to add the position point and planes. Those geometries will
be used as support entry and exit points.
To do so:
a. select the point: Point.1
b. select the planes: Plane.2 and Plane.1.
The device is ready to use.
Using the Device

Open the geometrical bundle1 document.
1. Switch to the Electrical Assembly Design workbench and click the Connect Electrical Devices
button. Thanks to the definition of the back shell connection point on the back shell and on the
connector, the placement and connection of those two devices will be done automatically.
2. Select the back shell then the connector.
They are connected.
3. Switch to the Electrical Harness Assembly workbench to define a branchable bundle segment.
4. Click the Branchable Bundle Segment Definition button.

The dialog box opens.
5. Define the bundle segment parameters and click the Route Definition button.
6. Select the point (Point.1), the back shell (Part.2, note that it is considered as a support) then the
connector (Single connector DF56L, which has the bundle connection point).
The bundle segment definition takes into account the accurate length needed to go to the
connector through the back shell, as well as the exact geometry according to the routing
constraints. Moreover, the bundle segment is visualized up to the connector (and not only to the
bundle connection point as it is the case with a plain back shell.)
Glossary
B
back shell Electrical component used to guide the wire extremity to the single insert connector
and to protect the crimping area. A back shell can comprise bundle connection points
and only one back shell connection point. A back shell does not have an equivalent in
the functional world.
back shell connection Sub-element allowing the connection with another back shell connection point. This
point element can only be used between a single insert connector and a back shell. A back
shell connection point does not have an equivalent in the functional world.
bend radius The minimum bend radius allowed for the bundle segment: it corresponds to the
maximum torsion possibly applied to a wire according to its physical characteristics.
bundle A document containing wires
bundle segment A geometrical subdivision of a bundle
Also called segment or BNS in V4 environment.
bundle connection Sub-element used to place the bundle segment extremity on the electrical
point component (except on filler plug and internal splice). A bundle connection point does
not have an equivalent in the functional world.
C
cavity Sub-element allowing one associated component amongst: equipment, shell,
connectors (single insert connector, stud, terminal strip, terminal block), contact,
filler plug. An electrical connection can be defined between a cavity and a cavity
connection point. A cavity has an equivalent in the functional world only when the
cavity is associated to a contact: the ContactPoint.
cavity connection Sub-element allowing the connection into a cavity. This connection corresponds to an
point assembly relation. All the electrical components allow a cavity connection point
except the external and internal splices. A cavity connection point does not have an
equivalent in the functional world.
connect Establishes peculiar constraints between two electrical objects:
● the electrical signal continuity is ensured between the connected components.
● if connection points have been defined, the mechanical assembly constraints are
automatically created.
connector Basic term grouping six connector types each of them with specific capabilities: single
insert connector, stud, external slice, terminal strip, terminal block, and internal
splice. A connector has an equivalent in the functional world: the functional
connector.
connector connection Sub-element allowing the connection with another connector connection point. Only
point the single insert connectors use the connector connection point. A connector
connection point does not have an equivalent in the functional world.
contact Electrical component used within a termination and a cavity or between bundle
segments.
convert Act to add electrical behavior to an existing component which becomes an electrical
into electrical device component. If the component is a reference, it becomes an electrical reference. As
opposed, converting an instance only add an electrical behavior to this instance, but
doesn't in any case modify the reference.
csv file A text file used for data exchange between CATIA V4 and V5
D
diameter Corresponds to the diameter of the wire together with the insulation.
disconnect Deletes the electrical connection between two electrical components.
E
electrical behavior Peculiar reactions of a component bound to additional rules adapted to the electrical
domain.
electrical component A product or a part with an electrical behavior
electrical connection Constraint existing between two electrical objects. Allows connection relations as well
as assembly constraints.
electrical system An electrical unit which accomplishes a specific function. Consists of equipment,
connectors and signals. Described in a CATProduct document.
equipment An electrical device with one or more associated components: connectors, shells,
contacts, filler plugs, placed in cavities. An equipment can also comprise terminations
and bundle connection points. An equipment has an equivalent in the functional
world: the functional equipment.
external splice Electrical connector receiving bundle segments from different geometrical bundles. It
comprises bundle connection points as well as terminations. An external splice has an
equivalent in the functional world: the functional connector.
F
filler plug Electrical component used to block up an unused cavity.
I
instance Designation of reference placed in a context, i.e. in design mode. An instance can
have additional characteristics that do not belong to the reference. For example, the
instance of a wire has a length attribute in an assembly context when its reference
doesn't out of this context.
As opposed, see reference.
internal splice Electrical connector used between wires belonging to the same bundle segment. It
comprises terminations. An internal splice does not have an equivalent in the
functional world.
M
mapping An operation that consists to assign to every keywords of each chapter the
corresponding attributes of the wire component type.
mounting equipment A non electrical part with one or more associated components: mounting equipments,
equipments, connectors, shells, contacts, filler plugs, placed in cavities. A mounting
equipment can also comprise terminations and bundle connection points. An
equipment has no equivalent in the functional world.
P
pin An electrical termination
properties Attributes of a component that define its electrical, mechanical, etc. characteristics.
protection Covering element wrapping the conductor and possibly the insulating coating bringing
out a mechanical protection. It can be a sleeve, a corrugated tube, a tape, etc.
R
realize An operation that attributes a physical device to a functional definition or vice-versa.
reference Component model corresponding to the definition of a real object. A reference can be
stored in a catalog. In the electrical context a reference corresponds either to a
CATPart document being electrified or to a CATProduct document which root product
is being electrified. As opposed, see instance.
retainer A retainer is a special type of support, which is composed of a specified straight base.
The bundle segment routed through this support keeps in contact with this base,
whatever the bundle segment diameter is.
S
section Corresponds to the section of the wire together with the insulation.
segment See bundle segment.
shell A non-electrical device with one or more associated electrical components:
connectors, contacts, filler plugs, placed in cavities. It may be part of an equipment.
A shell can also comprise terminations, bundle connection points and only one cavity
connection points. A shell does not have an equivalent in the functional world.
signal A logical connection between two or more components. May be of the following
types: ground, shielding, video, power, command or grouped.
single insert connector Electrical connector male or female. It comprises terminations and/or cavities which
can receive contacts; also bundle connection points, only one connector connection
point, only one cavity connection point and only one back shell connection point. A
single insert connector has an equivalent in the functional world: the functional
connector.
store (a device) Place an electrical component into a catalog family.
stud Electrical connector receiving bundle segments with one or more wires connected
through a termination. It is used to ground bundle segments or pieces of equipment.
It comprises only one cavity connection point as well as bundle connection points /
terminations pairs. A stud has an equivalent in the functional world: the functional
connector.
support A mechanical object used to hold the bundle segments in position.
T
terminal block Electrical connector receiving bundle segments, each bundle segment wire being
connected to a termination. It comprises bundle connection points as well as
terminations. A terminal block has an equivalent in the functional world: the
functional connector.
terminal strip Electrical connector comprising a strip of terminations. Each strip can receive bundle
segments with one or more wires connected through a termination. It comprises only
one cavity connection point as well as bundle connection points. A terminal strip has
an equivalent in the functional world: the functional connector.
termination Sub-element ensuring the electrical signal conduction between any type of electrical
component except the filler plug. It is indissociable from the electrical component and
corresponds to a contact crimped into a cavity. A termination has an equivalent in
the functional world: the ContactPoint.
Also called pin.
W
wire Electrical wire: physical object corresponding to a signal (several wires can
correspond to a signal)
A wire reference is characterized by properties such as: section, diameter, bend
radius, color, linear mass, etc.
Index
A
adaptative part
ELEC-SUPPORT-RADIUS
InstantiateAsNew (keyword)
adding link to physical devices
automatic placement
automatic placement from external data
B
back shell
back shell connection point
bend radius
Browse window
bundle connection point
bundle segment
C
catalog
connecting devices by drag and drop
creating a catalog
internal splice
keyword mapping
placement from catalog
smart placement
storing a component
wire references
CATScript
cavity
cavity connection point
cavity information for placement from xml file
cavity placement
command
Add Link
Automatic Wire Routing
Catalog Browser
Connect Electrical Devices
Define Back Shell
Define Back Shell Connection Point
Define Bundle Connection Point
Define Cavity
Define Cavity Connection Point
Define Connector
Define Connector Connection Point
Define Contact
Define Filler Plug
Define Mounting Equipment
Define Protection
Define Shell
Define Support
Define Termination
Define Wire
Disconnect Electrical Devices
Formula Editor
Manage Links
Place Physical Device
Remove Functional Link
Select Systems
Smart Move
Smart Place
Store Device
compass
device position and orientation
smart move
smart placement
connecting
connecting devices by drag and drop
connecting electrical devices
connector connection point
contact
converting into electrical device
creating wire references
csv file
D
defining a protection
defining back shell connection points
defining back shells
defining bundle connection points
defining cavities
defining cavity connection points
defining connector connection points
defining electrical connectors
defining filler plugs
defining mounting equipments
defining retainers
defining shells
defining supports
defining supports (retainers)

defining terminations
diameter
disconnecting
disconnecting devices
DistanceWireProduct
documents
opening using the Browse Window

drag and drop
connecting devices
internal splice
smart placement
E
ElecDistanceCommon
ELEC-SUPPORT-RADIUS
adaptative part
electrical application interoperability
electrical behavior
electrical connection
electrical connector
electrical data exchange format
electrical object class
electrical package
electrical user function
DistanceWireProduct
ElecDistanceCommon
VisualMode
equipment
external data
automatic placement
linking devices
management
placing internal splices
replacing a device
selecting systems
setting up the Electrical options
xml files
external splice definition
F
filler plug
from external data
placing devices
functional behavior
I
importing external systems
instance
InstantiateAsNew (keyword)
adaptative part
internal splice
definition
drag and drop
iXF electrical schema
K
keyword InstantiateAsNew
smart placement
keyword mapping
catalog
keyword mapping to added properties

L
link type behavior
linking devices from external data
linking devices from functional data
loading an iXF document with VPM Navigator
M
macro
managing links
managing part number change
replacing device
mapping
mounting equipment
O
optimal CATIA PLM usability
P
part number change
placing devices
from external data
from functional data
replacing a device from external data
placing internal splices
external data
placing physical devices

PRC
Product Root Class
R
reconciling systems and physical data
reference
removing functional links
removing links
replacing devices
retainer
S
section
selective loading
shell
single insert connector

smart move
compass
smart placement
compass
drag and drop
keyword InstantiateAsNew
smart placement from catalog
storing a device
stud
support
T
terminal block
terminal strip
termination
Tools Options - Electrical Library
General
Tools Options - Equipment and Systems
Electrical Mapping
U
unlinking physical devices
using ENOVIA catalog for electrical mapping
V
VisualMode
W
wire
wire reference
X
XML file

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Electrical Library Version 5 Release 14 Page 1

This overview provides the following information:

● Electrical Library in a Nutshell

● Before Reading this Guide

● Getting the Most Out of this Guide

● Accessing Sample Documents

● Conventions Used in this Guide

Electrical Library in a Nutshell

This product offers the following main functions:

● electrical behavior definition on parts and assemblies

Before Reading this Guide

● Electrical Wire Routing,

Getting the Most Out of this Guide

Accessing Sample Documents

Conventions Used in this Guide

● Graphic conventions structuring the tasks

● Graphic conventions indicating the configuration required

● Graphic conventions used in the table of contents

Graphic Conventions Structuring the Tasks

Graphic conventions structuring the tasks are denoted as follows:

This icon... Identifies...

estimated time to accomplish a task

the start of the scenario

information regarding settings, customization, etc.

the end of a task

functionalities that are new or enhanced with this release

allows you to switch back to the full-window viewing mode

Graphic Conventions Indicating the Configuration Required

Graphic conventions indicating the configuration required are denoted as follows:

This icon... Indicates functions that are...

specific to the P1 configuration

specific to the P2 configuration

specific to the P3 configuration

Graphic Conventions Used in the Table of Contents

Graphic conventions used in the table of contents are denoted as follows:

This icon... Gives access to...

Split View mode

User Tasks or the Advanced Tasks

How to Use the Mouse

● Select (menus, commands, geometry in graphics area, ...)

● Right-click (to select contextual menu)

Entering the Electrical Part Design Workbench

All together, this task should take about 20 minutes to complete.

Using the Electrical Part

Open the PrtStd.CATPart document.

The Electrical Part Design workbench is displayed with the part.

Defining a Single Insert Connector

1. Define this part as a single insert connector using this icon .

2. Click the part either in the specification tree or in the geometry.

The Connector Definition dialog box opens:

4. Save the document with another name: PartStd2.CATPart for example.

Defining a Cavity Connection Point

The document is still open from the previous task.

1. Define the Cavity Connection Point using this icon .

2. Click the part itself.

The dialog box opens:

❍ Enter CavConnectionPoint in the Name field for example.

the contact: Point.1

the coincidence: Face

The OK button becomes available.

3. Save the document as PartStd2.CATPart for example.

Entering the Electrical Assembly

CATIA V5 is launched. A CATProduct document is displayed.