Building a device

If you know the make and model number of a manufacturer’s device, the device builder automatically adds the appropriate sockets and other information. If you do not know the make or model number, or if you want to modify a standard device, the device builder is still a convenient way of creating a custom device with sockets.

Custom devices created with the device builder are automatically saved as symbol definitions in the user folder. These can be accessed for editing from the Resource Manager, and they can be placed on the drawing with the Insert Device mode of the New Device tool. If you click Create Temporary Device, the symbol definition is not saved in the user folder.

The Device Builder dialog box opens. Enter information about the device and its sockets.

Parameter	Description
Device Browser
Category/Device type	Select the category of device, and click the disclosure arrow to select a device type. Enter text in the search box to filter the list. This selection filters the Make/Model list. Alternatively, select <All> to use no filtering, viewing all makes and models.
Make/Model	Select the manufacturer, and click the disclosure arrow to select the model name from the list. The available items shown in the list depend on the selection in Category/Device Type. Enter text in the search box to filter the list. If the model, or even the manufacturer, is not available, you can customize the device. To create a custom make and model, select New Make/Model to open the New Make/Model dialog box. Either select a manufacturer, or select New Make. Enter the custom make name, and then specify the model name. The new make and model appear in the Make/Model list under your user name for future selection.
Device Identification	Enter information that appears in labels on the drawing and in worksheets
Device Name	Enter the name of the device
Display Tag	Enter the tag name for labels (normally, this is the Device Name)
Display Description	Enter a description, such as the manufacturer and model name
Label Symbol	Select a label symbol definition; advanced users can edit the label from the Resource Manager
Device Type
Physical	Creates a device that can automatically create a corresponding equipment item in the layout with the Update Rack Elevation command
Virtual	Creates a virtual device; this is not considered as a device for creating equipment items automatically in the layout
Height/Width/Depth	Enter the device height, width, and depth in millimeters
Height (Rack Units)	Enter the height in rack units
Half-rack width	Sets the width to half of a standard 19” rack (9.5” or 242 mm)
Modular device	Indicates that the device is modular and is inserted in a rack frame
Module Width (Frame slots)	For modular devices, enter the number of frame slots required in a rack frame
Power	Specify the power requirements (the units are set in the ConnectCAD Settings)
Weight	Enter unit weight (the units are set in the ConnectCAD Settings)
Sockets Definition	If the manufacturer’s make and model information was recognized by ConnectCAD, the sockets are defined for you. To customize, specify the number of in, out, and I/O sockets for each type of signal and connection, to be created on the left and right sides of the device. Generally, inputs (and I/O) are located on the left, and outputs (and I/O) are located on the right.
Create Temporary Device	Instead of clicking OK, click this option to create a device that is for one-time use only and is not saved in the user folder

● Click OK to add the device as a resource in the user folder, where it can be used later in other files

● Click Create Temporary Device to create a device for use only in the current file

If you change your mind and want to save a temporary instance, click Save as Symbol from the Object Info palette of a selected device, to save the device as a symbol definition resource.