2011

catalog tables for the same component family. Alternately, all master test and
all neon pilot lights (of all colors) can be combined into a single catalog table
named LT. AutoCAD Electrical determines the default catalog lookup table
name based on the WDBLKNAM attribute.
The following example references a custom master control relay with block
name “HCR1_MC_PWR.”
If your symbol does not carry the WDBLKNAM attribute:
1 The symbol is checked for the WDBLKNAM attribute (or Xdata). It is not
found.
2 The block name is read (“HCR1_MC_PWR”) minus its first character (the
orientation character “H” or “V”). The default_cat.mdb file is searched
for a table named “CR1_MC_PWR.”
3 If this table exists, it is used. If this table does not exist, and the block
name is eight characters or more, AutoCAD Electrical starts removing
characters from the block name, looking for a table name match with
each character removed. This process continues until only seven characters
remain. Table names that it would look for in sequence would be
“CR1_MC_PW”, “CR1_MC_P”, “CR1_MC_.”
4 If there is not a match on the last table name, AutoCAD Electrical checks
for the family-specific table (CR). It is the second and third character of
the block name.
5 If this table exists, it is used. If it does not exist, a MISC_CAT table is
looked for if the active properties of the project are set up to use this
catch-all table.
6 If all these items fail, AutoCAD Electrical stops looking (if running a
report) or prompts you to add a table to the default_cat.mdb file (if you
are inserting or editing a component).
If your symbol includes the invisible WDBLKNAM attribute with a value of
“HCRM”:
1 The symbol is checked for the WDBLKNAM attribute (or Xdata). It is
found. The attribute value of “HCRM” is used instead of the block name
and proceeds to step 2.
2 The leading “H” or “V” character is removed. The default_cat.mdb file
searches for a table named “CRM.”
3 If this table exists, it is used. If the table does not exist, and the attribute
value is eight characters or more, AutoCAD Electrical starts removing
1266 | Chapter 17 BOM and Catalogs