Placing distributors
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Tool |
Tool set |
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Distributor
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Cable/Power Planning |
The Electrical Component tool and the Distributor tool share the same position in the Cable/Power Planning tool set in the Spotlight workspace. Click and hold the mouse on the visible tool to open the Pop-out tools list and select the desired tool.
The Distributor tool places power distribution objects such as power distribution racks, dimmer racks, breakout boxes, two-fers, and so on. Distributor objects split power or signals to the cables. A large variety of distributor resources are available in the Vectorworks libraries; navigate to [User]\Libraries\Defaults\Cable Tools to browse the default content. To create a custom distributor symbol with any number of inputs, outputs, and fuses, see Creating custom electrical devices.
A distributor object is considered a load, and can be included in load calculations (Braceworks required). Distributors can be labeled with data tag objects; see Adding data tags and labels.
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Mode |
Description |
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Distributor Symbol |
Opens the Resource Selector to select a distributor resource for placement; double-click a resource to activate it |
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Automatic Numbering
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When toggled on, enables automatic numbering as objects are placed |
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Automatic Numbering Preferences
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Sets the automatic numbering preferences |
To insert a distributor:
Click the tool.
Click Distributor Symbol on the Tool bar to select a resource from the Resource Selector.
If you do not select a distributor resource, a rectangle is placed.
Click to place the distributor in the drawing; click again to set the rotation. The object can be attached to a rigging object; see Concept: Attaching loads to rigging objects.
The parameters can be edited later from the Object Info palette.
Click to show/hide the parameters.Click to show/hide the parameters.
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Parameter |
Description |
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General |
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ID |
Provide a unique identifier for labels, power patching, and paperwork. If blank, a value is automatically assigned when calculations are run (Braceworks required). |
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Name |
Displays the name of the distributor model for paperwork; the name can be changed |
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Location |
Enter the name of the associated rigging object or other location information for paperwork |
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Symbol |
Displays the name of the symbol used to represent the distributor |
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Select Symbol |
Opens a Resource Selector to select a different distributor symbol; double-click a resource to activate it |
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Classes |
Specifies the class naming for the distributor label and length indicators. This allows them to be set to visible, grayed, or invisible. Use the standard class, select a class from the list of classes present in the drawing, or create a new class. Select <Object Class> to place the label or indicators in the same class as the distributor. |
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Use Standard Classes |
Specifies an optional default root class naming standard for the label and indicator; all label and indicator class names begin with the prefix, so that they are sorted together. |
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Label |
Specifies the class to use for the distributor label |
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Output Length Indicators |
Specifies the class to use for the output length indicator |
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Connections |
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Draw output lengths |
Draws the Connector Length using circles as an indicator to represent the maximum length |
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Load Information |
A distributor is considered a point load in Braceworks calculations; if the insertion point is on a structural element, it is considered to be a load on that structure. Load information is used for Braceworks calculations and reports (Braceworks required). |
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Include in calculations (Braceworks required) |
Includes the distributor in Braceworks calculations; deselect to exclude the object from participating in structural calculations |
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Load Group Name |
The load category is always Cable for distributors |
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Load ID |
Enter a unique ID for the load for informational use in reports |
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Load Name |
Identifies the object in load calculations; normally the object name is used |
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Total Weight |
Enter the total weight of the object |
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Position |
Displays the name of the associated rigging object, if the distributor is attached. Optionally, attach this object to a rigging object, or change the rigging object association, by entering the Position Name of the rigging object. Delete the name to break the association. For other methods to attach loads, see Making the attachment. |
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Power Information |
A distributor can be power patched within the electrical system; see Power patching from the Object Info palette. Power information is used for power calculations and reports. Different parameters display for different types of distributor objects. |
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Select Range |
The socket connection parameters are displayed in sets of seven. Select which set of sockets to display for editing. The sets are numbered according to the input/output stacking order. |
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Power source parameters (power source distributors only) |
Output: Select the socket for the output connection Max Payload: Displays the maximum electrical load the power source can handle Voltage: Displays the voltage per phase of the power source Connector: Displays the connector used by the power source |
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Input parameters (plugbox or breakout distributors only) |
Input: Select the socket for the input connection Voltage: Displays the voltage from the input connection Connector: Displays the connector for the input connection Power Source: Displays the power source for the distributor |
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Select Power Source |
Click to select a power source for the distributor |
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Output parameters (plugbox or breakout distributors only) |
Output: Select the socket for each output connection Voltage: Displays the voltage from the output connection Connector: Displays the connector for the output connection |
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Equipment Subparts |
Lists the subparts that make up the object. These subparts are counted and reported separately in equipment and inventory lists. The parameters must be selected for display for this type of object in Spotlight preferences: Inventory pane. |
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Equipment Virtual Parts |
Virtual parts are associated with an object and are reported in equipment and inventory lists, but do not display in the drawing. After adding virtual parts, they are listed in the Object Info palette. |
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Edit Virtual Parts |
Opens the Virtual Parts dialog box to add virtual parts to the object; see Managing virtual parts and independent virtual parts |
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Assign Sources |
Opens the Assign Sources dialog box to assign the object and its subparts and virtual parts to an inventory source; see Assigning equipment to an inventory |
When a distributor is moved, the attached cables adjust to maintain the connection.
