Component Template Library

With a click on the upper bar of the window the whole Component template library window can be moved by drag-and-drop. Light blue bars indicate possible docking areas on the TOP-Energy user interface when moving the mouse over it.

To change the window size, the upper and right edges of the Component template library window can be enlarged or reduced while holding down the mouse button.

Component Template Tree

The component templates are organized in directory folders in a tree structure.

The component template tree is opened by left-clicking on the plus sign. This will display the next lower directory level. A click on the minus sign hides the layer again.

The following figure shows an example of an open Component template library.

After installation, there are folders with component templates and a folder for My Components.

The Component template library includes technical, tariff, and demand components, among others. The following folders are listed alphabetically:

An overview of all components can be found in the Appendix.

The components and their properties are described in detail in the articles on Energy Forms and Components.

Using Component Templates

The component templates are used to create components in the project. To do this, drag the component template from the component template library to the scheme or to the Scheme node while holding down the left mouse button (drag-and-drop).

The component can now be parameterized via the forms and integrated into the system by connecting the pins in the scheme view.

Of course, you can rename the components. Each instance of the component appears independently in the Component Library of the project.

The components generated from the templates initially contain a series of default values. During parameterization, you should replace these with your project-specific data. A specific CHP unit, for example, is provided with certain manufacturer data.

Context Menu of the Directory Folder

In order to get a current view of the directory, in case of doubt, it is recommended to Refresh via the context menu of the component template folder, which can be accessed by right-clicking (see the following figure).

Other functions of the context menu are Rename, Add directory, Change directory, and Close directory. New folder creates a new subfolder of the selected directory.

 Close directory removes the directory from the component template tree. However, the folder is not deleted. It is only no longer displayed in the TOP-Energy interface. The display can be reactivated at any time (see following paragraph).

Use  Add directory to add a directory to the component tree. For information on how to do this, see Creating and Managing Your Own Component Template Library.

Use  Change directory to select another folder for the directory and, if necessary, change the displayed name of the directory.

The Rename function refers to the directory folder both in the component template tree and at the Windows level. This requires write permission for the folder to be renamed.

Own Component Templates

You can create your own component templates that are available across projects.

Drag and drop your parameterized components from the Project explorer into a folder in the Component template library. The component is then copied there and saved in the template folder with the file extension e-cmp.

The prerequisite is that you have write permissions to the selected folder. The component templates are typically located under:

C:\Program Files\TOP-Energy$Version$\Components.

It is recommended to store your own components in the folder My Components first, because it is normally not restricted in the write permissions.

The My Components folder is located at: C:\User$Username$\Documents\TOP-Energy\.

You can also assign other folders to the Component template library. In the article Creating and Managing a Customized Component Template Library you will learn how to add folders (directories or network folders) and what happens if the network folder is not available.