Cables CableConnector

Cables CableConnector
Menu location
Cables → Cable Connector
Workbenches
Cables
Default shortcut
C N
Introduced in version
0.1.0
See also
Cables Cable, Cables CableBox

Description

The Cable Connector creates a parametric connector object. The connector is a model of electrically conductive metal block (for simplicity without external insulation). From an electrical point of view, all wires connected to a connector form one electrical node. The connector has default size upon creation, but some parameters, like Height, Hole, Hole Diameter or Number of Holes can be changed later. The Cable Connector belongs to the Arch Component class and inherits all of its properties. The Cable Connector has a parametrically defined number of holes equipped with support points. Each hole has two support points (one point on each side of the hole) which can be used as attachment supports for wires passing through the hole.

The support points are barely visible by default, but this can be changed by increasing the Point Size view property.

Cable Connector object can be colored by attaching desired Material to the Material property.

Example of the default Cable Connector:
There are support points above and below holes.

Usage

1. Select the vertex, point on surface or object in the 3D view or select nothing.
2. Create Cable Connector by one of these methods:
   • Press the Cable Connector button.
   • Select the Cables → Cable Connector option from the menu.
   • Right-click in the Tree view or the 3D view and select the Cables → Cable Connector option from the context menu.

Once created the Cable Connector is placed at the position of selected vertex, point or object in the 3D space (or at the point (0,0,0) if nothing was selected).

Notes

Support points are always visible. The visibility can be improved by increasing the Point Size view property.

Properties

A Cable Connector object shares the common properties and behaviors of all Arch Components.

Data

Cable Connector

• DataHeight (Length): Specifies the height of the connector. The default height is 5 mm.
• DataHole Size (Length): Specifies the size of holes in mm². The default hole size is 2 mm².
• DataNumber of Holes (Integer): Specifies the number of holes. By default there are 3 holes.
• DataThickness (Length): Specifies the thickness of the wall between the hole and external surface of connector. The default thickness is 1 mm.

Typical workflow

This workflow shows how to build a connector, a cable box, a cable and how one subwire of cable can be passed through the one of connector holes.

1. Create a Cable Box and a Cable attached to it as described in Cable Box Typical workflow.
2. Select the Cable Box in a Tree view and create a Cable Connector as described in Usage.
3. Attach the Cable Connector to the Cable Box by setting it as Attachment Support and Object's XY as Map Mode.
4. Move the Cable Connector to the desired position using Position in Attachment Offset Property.
5. Make sure the Sub Wires Fillet Radius property of a Cable is set to 0 mm.
6. Hide the Cable Box and Cable shapes in a Tree view e.g. by pressing SPACE key. The cable subwires should be still visible.
7. Attach the end point of longest subwire created in step 1 to the top support point of first Cable Connector hole.
8. Attach the penultimate point of the same subwire to the bottom support point of first Cable Connector hole.
9. When the desired shape of the subwire has been built, the Sub Wires Fillet Radius property of a Cable can be set e.g. to 4mm.
10. Unhide Cable and Cable Box shapes in a Tree view e.g. by pressing SPACE key.

Example of cable subwire passed through the hole of Cable Connector.

Here is the animated image showing the steps described above.