Force multiple wires into one connection point


 Product(s):Promis.e, Bentley Substation
 Version(s):08.11.12 through 08.11.13.140
 Environment:N/A
 Area:Wiring Features
 Subarea:Wiring Manager

How to force multiple wires to be connected to one connection point, so that several devices are all connected to one other device instead of each other? 

Steps to Accomplish

Option 1 - Wiring Manager (Star connection point)

  1. Right-click a wire in the potential and select Wiring Manager.

  2. In the left-hand pane, select the Arrange Connections tab.

  3. Drag a connection point and hold it over the connection point to which it should connect.  Do not release the mouse button.

  4. Wait or press the SHIFT key.  When the icon changes from a blue to a yellow arrow, release the mouse button.  This makes the dragged connection point a child of the other, forcing their connection.

  5. Repeat steps 3 - 5 for remaining connection points to be forced.

The graphic below demonstrates how all the alarm horn devices can be forced to connect to the terminal block instead of the default daisy-chain connection.

Option 2 - Diagonal Wire Connect Type

Continuing with example of several devices connected to a single terminal block, instead of using node connections the circuit could be drawn using the diagonal wire connector type.

  1. If circuit is existing, delete key wires so that the connection nodes are removed.

  2. Select the diagonal connector type from the Wiring toolbox:

    or Tasks > Design > Wire Connector Type.

  3. Draw the wires.  As connections are made, prompts will appear to select the orientation of the connector symbol.


Option 3 - Direct wiring

Again, continuing the above example, another alternative is to draw the circuit such that each branch is depicted separately and directly connected to the connection point of the terminal.

The software can automatically draw a diagonal segment when necessary to make the connection.  Set the Enable diagonal connections to CPs check box on [[Options]] > Project Options > Wire Settings to enable this behavior.  However, this method is limited to three connections per connection point.


 Original Author:Matt_P