Auto-connect

The auto-connect feature automatically creates electrical connections when you drop components near compatible existing components. This accelerates diagram building and reduces manual connection effort.

How proximity detection works

Auto-connect uses a 300-pixel detection radius:

You drag a component from the toolbar.
As you move it over the canvas, the system checks for nearby components.
If a compatible component exists within ~300 pixels, it highlights green.
Drop the component to create the automatic connection.
The connection appears immediately without manual handle dragging.

The 300px threshold provides generous range while preventing unwanted connections to distant components.

When auto-connect triggers

Auto-connect activates when all these conditions are met:

Component dragged from toolbar (not existing component being moved)
Drop location is within 300px of an existing component
Target component is electrically compatible
Target component has available connection handles
Shift key is not held during drop

If any condition fails, no automatic connection occurs.

Visual feedback

Clear visual indicators show auto-connect status:

Green highlight:

Target component glows green when you hover within range
Indicates this component will auto-connect on drop
Brightness increases as you approach

Green circle:

Shows the exact handle that will connect
Appears on the target component
Marks connection point

Connection preview:

Temporary dashed line may appear
Shows where connection will form
Helps visualize the resulting connection

No highlighting:

Component too far (>300px)
Component incompatible
Shift key held
Auto-connect disabled

Disabling auto-connect (Shift key)

Override auto-connect for precise placement:

Start dragging component from toolbar.
Hold Shift key before releasing the mouse button.
Drop the component.
Component places without creating connections.
Manually connect later if needed.

Use Shift when:

Placing components near buses without connecting yet
Building dense diagram sections
You want exact control over connection sequence
Testing component placement before committing to connections

Smart connection logic

Auto-connect validates electrical compatibility before connecting:

Validates:

Component type compatibility (source to bus, bus to load, etc.)
Voltage level compatibility
Connection direction (upstream vs downstream)
Handle availability

Prevents:

Invalid connections (load to load)
Voltage mismatches without transformers
Reverse polarity connections
Connections to fully-connected handles

The system only auto-connects when the connection makes electrical sense.

Auto-connect for different components

Buses:

Most common auto-connect target
Creates dynamic handle aligned with dropped component
Vertical connection line
See Buses

Transformers:

Auto-connects to primary (top) if component dropped above
Auto-connects to secondary (bottom) if dropped below
Prevents both sides connecting simultaneously

Breakers and fuses:

Auto-connects to line side (top) from upstream
Auto-connects to load side (bottom) from downstream
Maintains correct polarity

Loads and motors:

Auto-connects to top handle only (power input)
Downstream endpoint in power flow

Handling multiple nearby components

When multiple components exist within 300px:

System calculates distance to each component center.
Closest compatible component gets priority.
Green highlight shows the selected target.
Only one component auto-connects per drop.

If the highlighted component isn't your intended target:

Move slightly closer to desired component
Highlighting updates to nearest component
Or use Shift key to disable auto-connect and connect manually

Building typical configurations

Auto-connect excels at standard electrical configurations:

Utility to load:

Drop utility feed on blank canvas.
Drop breaker below utility (within 300px).
Auto-connects utility → breaker.
Drop transformer below breaker.
Auto-connects breaker → transformer.
Drop bus below transformer.
Auto-connects transformer → bus.
Drop loads near bus.
Each load auto-connects to bus.

Result: Complete distribution system with minimal manual connections.

Troubleshooting auto-connect

Green highlight doesn't appear:

Move closer (currently >300px away)
Check component compatibility
Ensure target has available handles
Verify auto-connect isn't globally disabled

Wrong component highlights:

Move closer to intended target
Competing components may be nearer
Use Shift to disable auto-connect and connect manually

Connection doesn't form after drop:

Electrical validation rejected the connection
Check validation warnings panel
Manually connect after fixing compatibility issues

Don't want auto-connect:

Hold Shift key during drop
Prevents all automatic connections
Full manual control

Advantages of auto-connect

Speed:

10× faster than manual handle dragging
Build complete systems in minutes
Reduces repetitive clicking

Accuracy:

System enforces electrical rules
Prevents invalid connections
Maintains proper polarities

Consistency:

Connections always align correctly
No crooked or misaligned connections
Professional appearance

When to use manual connections

Prefer manual connections when:

Building complex topologies
Precise connection sequence matters
Components too far apart for auto-connect
Testing alternative configurations
Learning system for first time

Auto-connect and manual connections work together - use auto-connect for speed and manual for precision.

Connections - Manual connection methods
Buses - Bus dynamic handle behavior
Validation warnings - Connection validation rules