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Some electrical connector parts are supplied with the software, or you can create your own connectors and other similar hardware (terminal blocks, ring terminals, switches). See Routing Options for the location of sample parts and for recommendations on where to store parts you create. |
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One or more Connection Points. A Connection Point is a point in an electrical connector where a cable begins or ends. Electrical connectors are required to have at least one connection point with the route type set to Electrical. This defines the part as an electrical connector and provides information about the route.
In connectors that have multiple pins, there are two approaches for defining connection points:
It is not necessary to have a connection point for each pin. You can use one connection point to represent all of the connector's pins, and route all wires/cables to the one connection point. The pin connectivity data is held as internal data.
Alternatively, you can model each pin individually, with a separate connection point for each pin. Then you can route individual wires to each pin. This should be done only where it is absolutely necessary, because it adds complexity to the model.
The following example demonstrates how to add an electrical connection point to a part.
To create an electrical connector:
Create a model of the connector. Add any mate references you might need to position the connector in an assembly.
Create a sketch point to use for locating the connection point. Add dimensions and relations as needed to ensure that the point location is fully defined. Position the point where you want the cable to begin or end.
Click Create
Connection Point 
(Routing Tools toolbar).
In the PropertyManager, edit the properties described
below, then click 
.
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Select route type 
.
Select Electrical, then select
sub-type Cable/Wire.
Nominal diameter 
. Type
the value of the maximum cable diameter that the connector can accommodate.
When starting a route from this connector, the default cable diameter
is one half this value.
Stub Length. Specify the default cable stub length to extend from the connector when the connector is inserted into routes. You can set the stub length in design tables using the parameter StubLength@CPoint<n>.
Conductor split length. Type a value to add to the cut length of the cable to allow for strip back, termination, and so on.
You can also add to the cut
length of the cable by setting a slack percentage in Routing Options.
The calculated cut length of cable is increased by the slack percentage
to account for sagging, kinks, and so on, that may occur in actual installations.
2D Schematic pin id. Because the connection point is for multiple pins, leave blank.
. Select the plane or
face where the cable exits the connector, then select the sketch point
you created in step 2. When the sketch point is projected onto the plane
or face, an axis is created normal to the plane or face at the point.
When the connector is used in a route sub-assembly, the cable is aligned
to this axis. An arrow shows the direction in which the route exits the
connector. If the arrow is pointing in the wrong direction, select 