Adding sockets, loops, and terminators

A socket is a port on a device through which a signal flows. Devices can incorporate any number of input (IN), output (OUT), or input/output (IO) sockets. Since signals typically flow from left to right, place input sockets on the left side of a device and output sockets on the right. Sockets can be named based on the type of connector and the signal they carry, or by a custom naming convention. While sockets can be placed on the top side of a device, that area is normally reserved for the device name label.

As sockets are placed on an existing device, they automatically become part of the device.

A socket loop places three objects: a socket, an adjacent socket, and a loop on the same device (creating a “loop-thru”). If adjacent input or bi-directional sockets are already present, the Socket Loop tool connects them with a loop. Multiple loop-thrus can be connected in a chain, to send the same signal to several locations.

The Terminator tool adds or removes a terminator. Terminal sockets cannot be connected.

Adding sockets and socket loops

Tool	Tool set
Socket Socket Loop	Schematics

 

Mode	Description
Single Click	Places a single socket or socket loop at the click location
Linear Array	Places an array of sockets or socket loops along the drawn line
Name	Enter the name that appears in various worksheets; names must be unique. If placing an array of sockets, a number is automatically appended to the name.
Input/ Output/ Bi-Directional	Select whether the socket is type is IN, OUT, or IO. This setting determines how the Connect tool draws circuits; for more information, see Creating circuits. Socket loops are IN or IO only.
Left/ Right/ Top/Bottom	Specifies the orientation of the socket or socket loop
Automatic Type	Automatically places the socket or socket loop in the correct orientation, based on where it goes on the device. The automatic detection works best for standard rectangular device shapes.
Signal	Select the type of audio, video, communication, networking, computer, phone, or provider signal; the list of available signals displays according to priority (uncategorized, custom, workgroup, and default). Select --- to indicate a passive socket, or select ??? for an unknown type of signal. For information about display order and editing signals, see Specifying ConnectCAD settings.
Connector	Select the type of connection; the list of available connectors for the selected signal displays according to priority (uncategorized, preferred, custom, workgroup, and default). Select --- to indicate that there is no connector, or select ??? for an unknown type of connection. For information about display order and editing the connectors and cables associated with a signal, see Specifying ConnectCAD settings.

To place sockets:

Do one of the following:

Click the tool, and select the placement mode. Select Input, Output (socket only), or Bi-Directional (IO) mode. Click the mode that matches the orientation for the socket or loop; alternatively, select Automatic Type mode to automatically select the orientation as the object is placed on a device. Then select the Signal category and type; the Connector is automatically selected, but it can be changed.

Open the Resource Manager, open the folder containing the sockets saved with the file or in the user folder, and then double-click a socket. The tool is activated, and the Tool bar displays the modes associated with the socket. Select the modes from the Tool bar as described above.

Click to place the socket or socket loop into the drawing, normally on a device.

If placing the socket on an existing device, the device is highlighted and the socket or socket loop automatically becomes part of the device.

In Single Click mode, click once to place the object.

 

In Linear Array mode, click once to start the array; move the cursor to set the distance and direction of the linear array. Press the Shift key to constrain to the horizontal or vertical direction. The preview indicates the spacing and placement of the objects; the floating Data bar shows the Count. Click to place them.

 

In addition to label information, the socket’s appearance indicates whether it is an output socket (red triangle), an input socket (green triangle), or a bi-directional socket (both red and green triangles). Socket appearance can be changed; see Editing devices, sockets, and adapters.

Socket parameters

The socket parameters can be edited later from the Object Info palette or by editing the socket as described in Editing sockets.

Alternatively, to edit sockets and socket loops that are part of a device, select Modify > Edit Device to enter object editing mode (see Object editing mode). Exit object editing mode to return to the drawing.

The Connections Count parameter, which displays the number of connected circuits, is available for worksheets (see Creating worksheets), record formats (for displaying text linked to a record, see Linking text to record formats), and data visualizations (see Creating a new data visualization).

Click to show/hide the parameters.Click to show/hide the parameters.

If you plan to reuse the device in the future with its sockets and loops, click Save as Symbol from the Object Info palette of the selected device to save the device as a symbol definition resource.

Adding terminators

Tool	Tool set
Terminator	Schematics

A socket with a terminator cannot be connected to a circuit.

To place a terminator on a socket:

Click the tool.

Add a terminator to a socket by clicking on the socket. Alternatively, select Is Terminated from the Object Info palette of a selected socket.

If an existing terminator is no longer needed, click on the terminator with the tool to remove it, or deselect Is Terminated.

Editing devices, sockets, and adapters

Renumbering devices and sockets

Placing adapters 

Connecting sockets

Placing devices

ConnectCAD