Assigning multicable information

Multicable circuiting and labels can be automatically assigned to the connected fixtures on the light plot. If the multicables are feeding power to devices other than lighting devices, first select the Circuit Assign Preference command to determine where to send the circuit information from the break out cables; see Setting circuit data assignment preferences.

Assign the cables with ID labels with the Spotlight Numbering command; see Numbering light plot objects for more information.

Assigning circuit information

To automatically assign multicable circuit information to associated lighting devices (or other equipment):

1. Select the multicable object. The multicable needs to have a Cable Run ID assigned to it.

The Assign Multicable Circuits dialog box opens. Enter the starting number of the first break out cable. If desired, select the option to remove the break out circuit number for break out cables that are not assigned to an object. For example, if the break out consists of six cables, but only five devices are assigned, the unused break out cable has its circuit data removed, since it is not in use.

4. A VectorScript window opens, providing helpful information as you assign the circuit data to the devices.

● The circuit name and circuit number to be assigned to the next lighting device are displayed. Click lighting devices sequentially to assign the displayed circuit information to the next lighting device.

● Press the Shift key while clicking on the next lighting device to skip a circuit number.

● Press the Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Mac) key while clicking to gang the next device to the previous one. A symbol is placed on the drawing indicating the location of the ganged devices.

● Press Shift+Ctrl (Windows) or Shift+Command (Mac) while clicking on the next device to specify the circuit number. The Enter Value dialog box opens; enter the circuit number.

5. Continue assigning circuit information until the number of break out circuits has been reached. Click in a blank area of the drawing to finish.

The Circuit Name and Circuit Number parameters of the lighting devices have been automatically assigned based on the multicable break out circuits.

Placing break out labels

Multicables can be automatically labeled with break out information that shows multicable circuiting information. A variety of labels are available by default; custom labels can also be created.

1. If adding labels to specific multicables, select the multicable objects. To add labels to all multicables, do not select any multicables.

If no multicables are selected, confirm that you want to label all multicables. The Place Break Out Labels dialog box opens.

Parameter

Description

Place Break Out Labels on Layer

Select the layer where the break out labels will be placed

Use Break Out Label Type

Select the break out label format to use

Right-click on the break out label and select Select Multicable from the context menu to select the multicable associated with the label.

The break out label properties can be edited from the Object Info palette. Changes made to the label parameters are reflected in the parameters of the associated multicable object.

Parameter	Description
Cable Name	Indicates the name from the multicable Cable Run ID parameter
Cable Information	Provides the multicable informational parameters
Draw Head Location Pointer	Places a leader line from the break out label to the associated multicable
Cable Length Information	Displays the cable length and part measurements
Cable Type	Displays the type of multicable
Break Out Type	The break out type is displayed; if needed, change the break out type by selecting a different one from the list
Number of Circuits	Displays the number of circuits provided by the break out
Amperage/Voltage	Specifies the circuit power information
Spares List	Depending on the circuits assigned to the break out, lists the empty or spare circuit numbers, separated by a forward slash (/)
Circuit __	Lists the available circuits and their assigned circuit numbers; blank circuits are spares
Note __	Adds a note, for informational purposes
User Field __	Adds optional notes or comments about the break out. Field 3 is for entering a number only.
Use Symbol	Select the symbol to use for the break out label
Classes	Opens the Classes dialog box, to specify class naming for the break out label leader line. This allows the leader line (label pointer) to be set to visible, grayed, or invisible. Use the suggested standard class, select a class from the list of classes present in the drawing, or create a new class. Select <Break Out Label Class> to place the leader line in the same class as the break out label. ● Class Prefix: Specifies an optional default root class naming standard for the cable labels; click Use Standard Classes to begin all label class names with the prefix, so that they are sorted together. ● Use Standard Classes: Sets the class name for the label to the default suggested standard name, using the Class Prefix if there is one. ● Multi Label Pointer: Specifies the class name standard to use for the break out label leader line.