Feeder Breaks

When feeders cross, a break is automatically inserted. The Wire break block option, located in the One-Line Diagram section of the Options dialog box, is used for the appearance of the break. You cannot move or modify these breaks.

The breaks are updated when the  Update One-Line Diagram command is run. They do not automatically update as you modify your feeders.

Swap Feeder

Use the  Swap Feeder command to switch the location of two feeders. This command is typically used when reordering feeders coming from the same panel due to changes in the rest of the diagram. This way, you can easily move them around without losing your spacing or general routing.

To use the command, select two parallel feeder segments on different feeders. The location of the feeder segments will be swapped with each other. The swap will often cause the two feeders to cross each other. The command will follow the feeders and swap segments until they no longer cross.

Redraw Feeder

Sometimes, the path of a feeder can be so wrong that it would be simpler to start over. In these cases, you can use the  Redraw Feeder command to insert the feeder from scratch. You will get to specify the location of the feeder from start to finish and new locations for the blocks and labels on the feeder.

For more information about this command, visit the Redraw Feeder page of the Design Master Electrical User Manual.

Node and Tangent Osnaps

Feeders use the Node and Tangent osnaps for special purposes. These osnaps are especially helpful when manually redrawing a feeder.

The Node osnap will snap to a point that is offset from one end of the feeder. The distance is determined by the Feeder offset multiplier set in the Options dialog box. This snap is useful for arranging sets of feeders coming from a single panel. To turn on the Node osnap while running a command, type NOD at the command line.

The Tangent osnap will snap to a perpendicular point that is offset from the feeder. The distance is determined by the Feeder offset multiplier set in the Options dialog box. This snap is useful when running a feeder parallel to a feeder that is already inserted on the drawing. To turn on the Tangent osnap while running a command, type TAN at the command line.

Offset Feeder

The  Offset Feeder command allows you to evenly space out your feeders. The distance is determined by the Feeder offset multiplier set in the Options dialog box.

First, select the feeder segment that is in the right location. Then, select the feeder segment that you want to move. Finally, specify a point on one side of the first segment. The second feeder segment will be moved.

You have the option to continue to select feeder segments. Each segment will then be offset from the last segment that was moved. You will not be prompted to select a side again. The feeders will continue to offset to the same side.

Align Feeder

Use the  Align Feeder command to line two feeder segments up with each other. It is useful when you have two parallel feeders that need to turn in different directions or you have a series of feeders connecting distribution equipment.

First, select the feeder segment that is in the right location. Then, select the feeder segment that you want to move. The second segment will be moved so that it is on the same line as the first feeder segment.