Troubleshooting Wiring in EPLAN Pro Panel: Best Practices

Through almost 13 years of working with the software, I’ve had the pleasure of engaging with countless customers about EPLAN Pro Panel and the Process Wiring functionality. It's a very convenient functionality and essential for panel builders to figure out the exact wire length, including terminations, fill capacity of wire ducts, etc. It looks super easy when you see it in demos, but when you start using it or trying it for the first time, some hick-ups are expected. That's why I am writing this issue for you – unfortunately, I still cannot record any videos, but here are some troubleshooting tips and tricks for using EPLAN Pro Panel Process Wiring.

Before We Start

If you purchased the Routing & Production Module, which contains the Process Wiring functionality, please spend time with your EPLAN professional and get some basic training. This will put you on the right track and save you a ton of time, in comparison to discovering the functionalities of the software alone, after the Basic Routing Training you can enjoy YouTube videos or other sources.

1. Identifying Wires Needing Routing

Challenge: How do you know which wires still need to be routed?

The easiest way is with a Filter, which displays all the wires from the schematic that don’t contain length information. You can find a Connection Filter called “EPLAN SAMPLE PROJECT” in the Demo Project that comes with the EPLAN installation. If you can’t find it, please reach out to me, and I’ll provide you with the filter.

2. Verify Wiring Feasibility

Challenge: Ensuring that connections can actually be routed.

Especially when you are a beginner, try Free Routing first. With Free Routing, you can confirm that the connection can actually get wired – meaning you have a unique connection with a source device and a target device in your layout space.

3. Testing the Actual Routing

Challenge: Routing wires through the "connected" routing path network.

You know from step 1 which wires need to be routed and from step 2 that they can be routed. Now, in step 3, you test if you have an actual way to route it through the routing path network. Beginners often struggle with connecting routing path segments (e.g., door with mounting panel). If you try to route and some connections cannot be routed, it’s often due to an incomplete routing path network.

Tips:

• Make Wire Ducts Transparent: Transparency of wire ducts helps you visibly check if routes are connected properly.

• Use Routing Path Network Tracking: This will highlight the segment of the routing path that is connected. Ultimately, you want the whole network to be highlighted.

4A. Forcing the Connection into the Routing Path Network

Challenge: Devices still not connecting to the routing path network.

If you’ve done all the steps above and still haven’t connected all wires, you can select the device missing the connection and use “Entry Point into Routing Path Network” to force your connection into the segment of the routing path. This is helpful if you have devices on a surface perpendicular to the main routing path network (e.g., sidewall or bottom while the main network is on the mounting panel).

4B. Checking the Connection Point Pattern

Challenge: Devices still not connecting to the routing path network.

If the connection doesn’t show up, it’s often because the connection doesn’t know how to enter the routing path. Ensure that your Connection Point Pattern is proper, and don’t blindly trust the Routing Direction “automatic.”

Final Thoughts

These steps are just the beginning. Efficient wiring in EPLAN Pro Panel can drastically improve your workflow and panel-building process. I hope these tips help you get started and troubleshoot common issues.

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Happy wiring and troubleshooting!

Best, Kruno

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