TechTip: Plug with modular structure
Eplan Platform Version 2025
Status: 12. July 2024

TechTip: Plug with modular structure
Some plug manufacturers offer the possibility to configure a plug in a modular way. Modularmeans that nearly each individual component of such a plug can represent a separate productand can be separately acquired.
This document describes how the plugs with modular structure are configured in Eplan. To thispurpose the parts data for the components from the manufacturer are used and transfered to theparts management via Eplan Data Portal. These components are then combined as Module in
the parts management for the respective plug.
The module represents a black box for the modular plug. In addition the module contains a list of
the individual subparts that are identified with a subordinate DT. Since Version 2.9 it is possible
to use a DT ID alternatively to the DT. DT IDs make the used macros and modules independentof a device identification standard, so that different standards can be used as a result.
In some cases it is feasible to combine such a plug as Assembly. You can find details on this in
the section "Creation of a plug as an assembly in the parts management".
You can find example parts data with associated macros in the file Plugs-with-modularstructure.edz.

Preparation of the components
The parts data of the components can be obtained from the manufacturer via Eplan Data Portal.
It is alternatively possible to manually create the parts data of the components. You can findfurther information in the "Creating Parts" section in the online help system.

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TechTip: Plug with modular structure
Eplan Platform Version 2025
Status: 12. July 2024

Creation of a plug as an assembly in the parts management
It makes sense to create a plug as an assembly if it consists of components such as male pinsor female pins in large numbers.
Pro: The pins of the assembled plug are output together in the reports.
Contra: The pin designations can not be specified by the part.

Proceed as follows.
1.

Tab Master data > Command group Part > Management

2.

Create a new assembly by using the popup menu items New > Assembly.

General tab
3.

Assign the generic product group "Electrical engineering" and the product group "Plugs" tothe assembly and enter a part number.

4.

Confirm the entries with the [Apply] button, and update the display with the [F5] key.

Assembly tab
5.

Add the components (=subparts) that belong to the plug. To do this generate a row for eachsubpart.
Row

Quantity

Part number

Variant

1nPart number of the subpart. Can
be inserted via the part selection.

Variant of the subpart. Can beinserted via the part selection.

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TechTip: Plug with modular structure
Eplan Platform Version 2025
Status: 12. July 2024

Technical data tab
6.

Enter the name for the macro to be used here in the Macro entry field. Ensure whencreating the macro that the plug definition is the main function. For further information
please refer to the online help system in the section "Converting Auxiliary Functions into
Main Functions".

Function templates tab
7.

The function definitions that belong to the plug must be listed to this purpose. To do this callup the Sum up function templates menu item via the [Extras] button.

Creation of a plug as a module in the parts management
It makes sense to create a plug as a module if it consists of components such as integrable
standard plugs.
In the parts management the components are combined as subparts in a module.
1.

Tab Master data > Command group Part > Management

2.

Create a new module via the popup menu items New > Module.

General tab
3.

Assign the generic product group "Electrical engineering" and the product group "Plugs" tothe module and enter a part number.

4.

Confirm the entries with the [Apply] button and update the display with the [F5] key.

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TechTip: Plug with modular structure
Eplan Platform Version 2025
Status: 12. July 2024

Module tab
5.

Add the components (=subparts) that belong to the plug. To do this generate a row for eachsubpart. To uniquely identify the subpart within the module, a DT or a DT ID must beassigned.
RowQuantity

Part number

VariantDTDT ID*

1nPart number ofthe subpart. Canbe inserted via
the part selection.

Variant of thesubpart. Can beinserted via thepart selection.

Subidentifier

Alphanumeri
c value*: Alternative to DT, as of Version 2.9
Technical data tab
6.

Enter the name for the macro to be used here in the Macro entry field.
The creation of a macro takes place in a later step.

Function templates tab
7.

The function definitions that belong to the plug must be listed to this purpose. To do this callup the Sum up function templates menu item via the [Extras] button.

Creation of a matching macro - graphical editor
1.

Open the device navigator and insert a new device via the popup menu item New device.

2.

Drag the function templates individually from the device navigator into the graphical editor
and place them.

3.

Then select the black box with all the placed devices and save the selection as a windowmacro under the name stored in the module (menu item Create window macro / symbol
macro).

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TechTip: Plug with modular structure
Eplan Platform Version 2025
Status: 12. July 2024Configuration - graphical editor
1.

Insert the combined plug as a device via the Insert center.

2.

Select the respective module in the Part selection dialog.
 The macro stored at the module is attached to the mouse pointer and can be placed in
the schematic.

Configuration - reports
The reports are effected per device. Since a modularly structured plug consists of multipledevices, multiple reports are generated.
Reports can be summarized for dynamic forms (such as plug diagram, pin-connection diagram).
To this purpose call up the settings for the output to pages (Settings > Output to pages) in theReports dialog (Tab Tools > Command group Reports > Generate) and activate the check box
Combine for the respective report.

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