EPLAN Manufacturing Data Export Missing Jumpers & End Plates Fix
When working with EPLAN Electric P8, particularly version 2.9, many users encounter a frustrating issue: after carefully defining a terminal strip in the terminal navigator, assigning terminals, shorting links (jumpers), and end plates to the parts, the manufacturing data export only includes the terminals themselves. The accessories like shorting links and end plates are missing from the exported file, even though the terminal strip and terminals are checked in the manufacturing data settings.
This problem can disrupt production planning and procurement, as the bill of materials generated from the export will be incomplete. Let’s dive into the root causes and step-by-step solutions to ensure your manufacturing data export includes all necessary components.
Quick Tip:
Always verify that the parts are correctly assigned to the terminal strip definition and not just to individual terminals. The manufacturing data export relies on the terminal strip definition’s part assignment for accessories.
Understanding the Terminal Strip Definition and Part Assignment
In EPLAN, a terminal strip is more than just a collection of terminals. It is a structured object that can include various accessories like end plates, partition plates, and shorting links. These accessories are typically assigned at the terminal strip definition level, not at the individual terminal level. When you generate a terminal strip definition in the terminal navigator, you have the option to select a part that represents the entire strip, including its accessories. However, many users mistakenly assign parts only to the terminals themselves, leaving the strip definition without a part or with an incomplete part that lacks the accessory information.
The manufacturing data export function in EPLAN is designed to output data based on the parts assigned to the terminal strip definition. If the shorting links and end plates are not part of that definition’s part data, they will not appear in the export, regardless of the export settings.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide
1. Check the Terminal Strip Definition Part
Open the terminal navigator and locate your terminal strip. Right-click on the terminal strip definition (the top-level node) and select Properties. In the Parts tab, verify that a part is assigned. This part should be a terminal strip part that includes the necessary accessories in its bill of materials. If no part is assigned, or if the assigned part does not contain the shorting links and end plates as sub-parts, the export will miss them.
| Component | Assignment Level | Export Behavior |
|---|---|---|
| Terminals | Individual terminal | Exported if terminal is checked in settings |
| Shorting Links | Terminal strip definition part | Exported only if part of strip definition |
| End Plates | Terminal strip definition part | Exported only if part of strip definition |
2. Verify Part Data in the Parts Database
Go to Utilities > Parts > Management and open the part assigned to your terminal strip definition. In the part’s properties, navigate to the Bill of materials tab. Ensure that the shorting links and end plates are listed as sub-parts with the correct quantities. If they are missing, you need to add them manually. This is a common oversight: the part number for the terminal strip might represent only the housing or a basic kit, and accessories must be added as separate line items in the BOM.
3. Review Manufacturing Data Export Settings
In the manufacturing data export dialog (Project data > Manufacturing data > Export), click on the Settings button. Under the Terminal strip node, ensure that not only Terminals but also Accessories or Terminal strip definition is checked. Depending on your EPLAN version, the exact wording may vary. Some versions have a separate checkbox for “Terminal strip accessories” or “Mounting parts”. If only “Terminals” is selected, the export will ignore the strip-level parts.
Important:
In EPLAN 2.9, the manufacturing data export settings have a hierarchical tree. Expand the “Terminal strip” branch and check all relevant sub-options. Also, ensure the export format (e.g., CSV, XML) supports the accessory data fields.
4. Check the Terminal Strip Layout and Internal Connections
Sometimes, shorting links are not exported because they are not properly defined in the terminal strip layout. In the terminal navigator, double-click the terminal strip definition to open the Terminal strip editor. Verify that the shorting links are graphically placed and that the internal connections (jumpers) are correctly assigned. If the shorting links are only added as parts but not actually placed in the strip layout, the export may skip them.
5. Update the Terminal Strip Definition After Changes
After making any changes to parts or the strip layout, right-click the terminal strip definition in the navigator and select Update terminal strip definition. This ensures that the part data and layout are synchronized. Then try the export again.
Advanced Considerations
If the above steps do not resolve the issue, consider the following:
- Part selection mode: In the terminal strip definition properties, under the Parts tab, check the “Part selection” mode. If it is set to “Only main part”, accessories might be filtered out. Change it to “Main part and accessories” or “All parts”.
- Export template: The manufacturing data export uses a template that defines which fields are exported. If the template does not include columns for accessories, they won’t appear. Customize the template via Settings > Manufacturing data > Export > Templates.
- Project-wide settings: Some projects have global settings that suppress accessory export. Check under Options > Settings > Projects > “Project name” > Manufacturing data > Export for any filters.
- Software version quirks: EPLAN 2.9 had some known bugs related to manufacturing data export. Ensure you have the latest service pack installed. Check the EPLAN Knowledge Base for hotfixes.
Workaround: Manual BOM Generation
If the manufacturing data export still fails to include accessories, you can generate a parts list or bill of materials from the project data. Go to Project data > Parts > Export and select the terminal strip parts. This method often captures all assigned parts, including accessories, because it reads the part database directly rather than relying on the manufacturing data logic. You can then format the exported data for production use.
Preventive Measures for Future Projects
To avoid this issue in new projects, establish a standardized workflow:
- Always create terminal strip definitions from a master part that includes all standard accessories.
- Use part variants or assemblies in the parts database to group terminals, jumpers, and end plates.
- Test the manufacturing data export early in the design phase with a small sample strip to catch configuration errors.
- Document the required export settings in your company’s EPLAN standards.
By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your manufacturing data exports are complete and accurate, saving time and preventing costly ordering mistakes on the shop floor.
Summary
Missing shorting links and end plates in EPLAN manufacturing data export are typically due to incorrect part assignment at the terminal strip definition level or incomplete export settings. By verifying the part BOM, updating the strip definition, and adjusting the export configuration, you can resolve this issue and achieve a complete export.
