Editing cables

Reshape a cable run by double-clicking on it, or by right-clicking on it and selecting Edit Path from the context menu. The Reshape tool is automatically activated to reshape the object. After reshaping, the cable run parts are regenerated using the correct number of parts based on the inventory and new cable length, and the connections update.

The Split tool splits an existing cable into multiple cable parts. Use this tool to split (break) cables in a specific spot, allowing control over the location of connectors in the cable run. For example, if you need to note a cable break for a door that must be allowed to open and close, or a truss that has to move into position at a different time from another truss. Split cables share the same Cable Run ID and connections.

Cable objects can be directly edited from the Object Info palette, and the cable appearance is edited by clicking Settings from the Object Info palette. For cables using object styles, the parameters that are set by style display for informational purposes but cannot be edited. Many of the Object Info palette parameters are for informational and reporting purposes.

Parameter	Description
Style	Replace, remove, or edit the current style, or create a new plug-in object style for this object; see Objectstijlen wijzigen vanuit het Infopalet. Editing a style changes all instances in the file that use the style.
Hide style parameters	Hides the parameters that are set by style; these cannot be edited from the dialog box or Object Info palette
Settings	Opens the Cable Settings dialog box, to specify the type, connection, and appearance of the cable; see Cable settings
Cable Type	Displays the type of cable (feeder, data, jumper, or multi)
Cable Run ID	Names the cable run, which is useful for labels, schedules, and other worksheets
Universe	Indicates the universe assigned to the cable
Rack ID	Names the rack to which the cable connects
Box ID	Provides the distribution box name
Port ID	Names the port where the cable plugs in
Loom ID	Names the loom or bundle that includes the cable
Tape Color Code	Identifies the cable with a color code, which can be used to label racks and breaks
Start/End	Displays the connected object (distributor, electronic device) at the start and end of the cable
Adapter Start/End	If an adapter is present at the start or end of the cable, select it from the list. Enter text in the search box to filter the list.
Location	Specifies the cable location
Volt	Specifies the cable voltage provided by the power source
Ampere	Specifies the maximum amperage for the power source
Length	Displays the total length of the cable run
Cable Configuration	Opens the Cable Configuration dialog box, to specifically define the cable portions that make up the cable run; see Cable run configuration
User Field 1/2/3	Adds optional notes or comments about the cable, useful for reporting purposes. Field 3 is for entering a number only.
Voltage Drop	Displays the amount of voltage lost to cable resistance
Start Connector/End Connector	Specifies the connector at either end of the cable; select a different connector if needed
Select by Length	Selects all cables with the same length as that of the currently selected cable; this quickly identifies where the cable is used in the drawing for editing or other purposes
Load Information	A cable is considered a load in Braceworks calculations; if the insertion point is on a structural element, it is considered to be a load on that structure. Load information is used for Braceworks calculations and reports (Braceworks required).
Include in calculations (Braceworks required)	Includes the cable in Braceworks calculations; deselect to exclude the object from participating in structural calculations
Load Group Name	The load category is always Cable
Load ID	Enter a unique ID for the load for informational use in reports
Load Name	Identifies the object in load calculations; normally the object name is used
Distributed Weight	Specifies the distributed weight of the cable; changes here affect the Total Weight value
Total Weight	Enter the total weight of the object

Cable settings

When using a cable style, the cable appearance, type, connectors, and class settings are preset. The settings can be adjusted if needed, and a new cable style resource can be created.

Parameter	Description
Use Style	From the Resource Selector, double-click a cable style to apply it. See Concept: Objectstijlen voor parametrische objecten.
Convert to Unstyled	Converts a styled cable to unstyled for editing; the current values are retained, but all parameters on all panes are set to By Instance to allow editing
General
Tape Color Code	Identifies the cable with a color code, which can be used to label racks and breaks
Start Connector/ End Connector	Specifies the connector at either end of the cable
Cable Type	Select one of the cable types
Connector Marker	Select a marker to indicate where connectors are located along the cable run
2D Visualization
Line Style	Select a line style and thickness for the cable
Line Start Marker/Line End Marker	Specify a starting and ending marker for the cable
Middle Text Fill	Select whether the middle cable label text should have a solid fill or no fill; the fill color is set by the class on the Classes pane
Classes	To control appearance and visibility of the various labels and portions of the cable, select a class from the list of classes present in the drawing, or create a new class

Cable run configuration

A cable run is made up of cable parts of specific types, lengths, and voltages. The configuration of the cable run can be adjusted if needed.

1. From the Object Info palette of a selected cable run, click Cable Configuration.

Parameter	Description
Available Parts	Lists the available cable parts
Search	Enter text in the search box to filter the list
Only show compatible parts	Filters the list of available parts to show only the compatible parts (these have the same start and end connectors as the selected cable run)
Manage Cable Parts	Opens the Manage Cable Parts dialog box, for determining the cable parts that are available for use; see Managing cable parts
>	Adds a selected cable part from the available parts list to the selected parts list
<	Removes the selected cable from the configuration
Selected Parts	Lists the cable parts for the cable run
Summarize parts list	Lists the parts according to type, showing the quantities of each type of cable
List all parts	Lists each cable part in the configuration in order. Drag and drop to rearrange the order.
Cable Information	Displays information about the cable run. ● Current Length: Total length of parts in the Selected Parts list; this value updates as the list changes. ● Needed Length: Total length of the cable run required in the drawing. The dimensions that comprise the Needed Length are shown below it. ● Base Length: Length of the cable run geometry; this is the basis of the needed length. ● + Spare: Length of the spare cable, added to the base length. ● + Swag: Length of the cable swag, added to the base length. ● - Start Distributor Length: Length of the start distributor’s output cable, deducted from the base length. ● Voltage Drop: Percentage of voltage lost to cable resistance.

2.The Cable Information area shows the Needed Length and the Current Length. Locate the needed available cable parts and move them to the Selected Parts list to construct the cable run configuration. Use the < and > buttons, or simply drag and drop the cable parts between the lists.

If needed, adjust the cables that are in the available parts list by clicking Manage Cable Parts. Review the cable inventory and make any required changes.

Cable errors

If connection errors occur during placement, the Cable Errors dialog box opens, listing the problems and the affected connections. A different distributor, cable style, or connector may be needed, or an adapter may be required. To avoid future connection errors, select Automatically use adapters for future connection errors. This will add adapters to affected connections, ensuring that the appropriate connections can be made, and the errors dialog box will no longer open.