Electrical Design Software | Elecdes Design Suite by Scada Systems Ltd

Catalog Files

All catalog data is stored in catalog files. These files are DBASE 3 compatible. They are fully open for customisation and integration to your existing stores and warehousing packages. Catalog files can be found in the catalog directory.

You can choose instead to store your catalogs in a Microsoft Access database or on a SQL server database.

Catalog File Types

EDS is distributed with a set of sample component catalogs, for both metric and imperial drawings. These catalogs are intended as samples. You will need to add your own local suppliers' component, wire and cable specifications.

There are 9 types of catalog named below:

  • Each catalog type has its own format.

Catalog File Naming

NB: In the following text '??' is the manufacturer's code e.g. 22 = OMRON, 0 = GENERAL or not classified.

A single letter or digit may follow the manufacturer code if the file is a sub-catalog, see below.

The file MANUFACT.DBF in the catalog directory contains the manufacturer codes.

CATD??.DBFDevice catalogs (fuses, circuit breakers, switches).
CATT??.DBFDiscrete terminal catalogs.
CATW??.DBFPanel wire catalogs.
CATC??.DBFMulti-core cable catalogs.
CATP??.DBFPLC I/O card catalogs.
CATL??.DBFInstrument catalogs.
CATR??.DBFCrimp catalogs.
CATG??.DBFGeneral component catalogs.
CATX??.DBFDevice terminal details catalogs.

There is no limit to the number of records in any catalog.

Sub-Catalogs

If a catalog file becomes very large, you can divide the components into multiple files, called sub-catalogs. This will reduce the time taken to load the file or reference a component.

Each sub-catalog for a manufacturer is distinguished by a single letter or digit following the manufacturer code in the catalog file name.

Catalog File Organisation

A single catalog file can group all of the components related to:

  • A single manufacturer.

  • A group of manufacturers. (The catalog file manufacturer code is 0)

You need only assign a manufacturer code to a catalog file and edit the MANUFACT.DBF file to add a new manufacturer. See also Addition of Catalogs.

Catalog File Maintenance

Catalog files can be edited, added, or deleted, whenever required. You may use any DBASE compatible database or spreadsheet package for this purpose. e.g. Dbase, Access, Excel. There is no limit to the number of records in any catalog.

Catalog File Contents

Each record of a catalog file contains the data for a single component.

For a more detailed description of the contents of the catalog files see Catalog File Structure.

All component catalogs include:

  • Block name or Component Class Name

  • Manufacturer

  • Part numbers

  • Description

  • Ratings

  • Pricing

  • Physical dimensions

  • User defined data

Device component catalogs also include:

  • Terminal assignments

  • Area classification

Discrete Terminal catalogs also include:

  • Area classification

Conductor catalogs (wires and cables) also include:

  • Cable filling factor

  • Power rating

  • Area classification

PLC I/O card catalogs also include:

  • Parametric information on terminals and channels

  • Series number for addressing

  • Area classification

Instrument catalogs also include:

  • Instrument type code or function

  • Instrument function description

  • Area classification

General component catalogs also include:

  • Parametric construction information (including physical dimensions)

  • Cable filling factor (for raceway)

  • Area classification

Device terminal details catalogs also include:

  • Terminal position details for each terminal on a device