Help Topics

Q How Do I Navigate This Site?
Q How Do the Images Work?
Q How Do I Print?
Q How Do I Use the Product Selector?
Q How Do I Use Select By Catalog Number?
Q How Do I Use the Competitve Cross Reference?
Q What Products Can I Find on This Site?
Q How Do I Export My Product List?
Q How Do I Buy Square D Products?
Q Frequently Asked Questions


A General Navigation                                                                                    
Help Topics...
The main functional areas to search the Square D Digest and build or select catalog numbers are available through the links in the center of the screen.

Additional functionality and navigational links are available through the Navigation Bar at the bottom of the screen.

This table details the navigational options

Screen Link Option Expected Result
Product Categories A list of product categories through which you can browse the Square D Digest.
Alphabetic Listing An alphabetical index of products through which you can browse the Square D Digest.
Search A screen that provides you 3 ways to search for items in the Square D Digest.
Product Selector A list of product categories from which you can narrow your choice of catalog numbers by choosing specific characteristics.
Competitive Cross Reference Allows you to enter a competitor's catalog number and find a comparable Square D product.
Other Products Information on other products provided by Square D Company.
Other Services Information on other services provided by Square D Company.
Navigation Bar Option Expected Result
Home Access the DigestPlus Selector Home Page from anywhere in the application.
Square D Home Access the Square D Home Page from anywhere in the application.
Technical Library Access the Square D Technical Library from anywhere in the application.
Search Access the DigestPlus Selector Search Page from anywhere in the application.
Select By Catalog # Displays a Pop-Up Window in which you can enter any catalog number and add the item to your Product List. Accessible from anywhere in the application.
Product Selector Access DigestPlus Selector's Product Selector Page from anywhere in the application.
Competitive Cross Reference Access a tool which allows you to enter a competitor's catalog number and find a comparable Square D product. Accessible from anywhere in the application.
My Product List Access the DigestPlus Selector "My Product List" page from anywhere in the application.
Help Access the DigestPlus Selector Help Page from anywhere in the application.
Contact Square D Access a form where you can send comments and questions about the DigestPlus Selector to Square D Company. All messages will be answered by e-mail, FAX, or telephone. Accessible from anywhere in the application.



A Image Functionality                                                                                    
Help Topics...
This table details the functionality of the images you encounter when using the DigestPlus Product Selector.

Image Function
Black Triangle Pointer Move up on the current page. Usually followed by a description of the page section to which you will move.
Red Adobe Symbol Denotes additional information available. Clicking on the link following this image will usually launch Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Continue Button Will allow you to continue to the next screen for product configuration and catalog number selection.
Red Reset Button Will remove all product characteristic selections from the filter used to display appropriate catalog numbers.
Blue Undo Arrow Will remove the specific product characteristic selection from the filter used to display appropriate catalog numbers.
Red Text Red Text inside a drop down box indicates that this product characteristic cannot be changed based on the other characteristics selected.
Blue Text Blue Text inside a drop down box indicates that this product characteristic has been changed and will have the blue back arrow shown above immediately to the right of the drop down box.
Add To My List Button Will add the configured item shown to your Product List
Magnifying Glass Will move to a screen or section of a screen to display part number details.
Pencil Will allow you to edit the quantity of the item and update your Product List.
Trash Can Will allow you to delete the item and remove it from your Product List. Clicking on the large Trash Can image in the header of the Product List will prompt you to delete all items in your Product List.
Export Button Saves the information from your Product List and clears the contents of your Product List. This enables you to import the items from your Product List into other applications. Only one set of items from your Product List can be saved for import at a time. If you export another set of items from your Product List before you import the first set of items into your application, the first set of items is lost.
Digest Link Button Appears to the right of catalog number search results. This takes you to the electronic version of the digest page indicated on the face of the button. (i.e. 9-9)
Digest Link Clicking on an underlined (linked) Catalog Number will automatically add that item to your Product List.



A Printing Instructions                                                                                    
Help Topics...
Printing Product Presentation, Catalog Number Details, and My Product List Details

Due to the nature of documents on the World Wide Web, you must change settings on your printer in order to print these pages properly.

Product Presentation is displayed before you configure (determine the characteristics) of a product.
Catalog Number Details is accessed through the Magnifying Glass from your Product List.
My Product List Details is displayed when you view the contents of your Product List.

To print these screens you must change the page orientation setting on your printer to Landscape.

To do this using Microsoft's Internet Explorer:
  1. Choose File/ Print from the Browser Menu
  2. Click the Properties button on the response window
  3. On the Page Setup Tab, click the Landscape Checkbox
  4. Click the OK Button on both Response Windows to print the page
To do this using Netscape Navigator:
  1. Choose File/ Print Frame from the Browser Menu
  2. Click the Properties button on the response window
  3. On the Page Setup Tab, click the Landscape Checkbox in the Orientation section
  4. Click the OK Button on both Response Windows to print the page

A Using Select By Catalog Number                                                                      
Help Topics...
When you click on Select By Catalog # in the Navigation Bar, a small window should appear in the center or upper-left corner of your screen.

Select By Catalog Number Window


Inside this window you can type any catalog number and add the item to you Product List by clicking on Add To My List Button

You can use this tool to:
  • Add an item to your Product List for which you already know the catalog number.
  • Enter a catalog number found by using the Competitive Cross Reference tool.
    The Competitive Cross Reference tool is accessible from the Competitive Cross Reference Link on the Home Page, and the Competitive Cross Reference Button on the Navigation Bar at the bottom of each page.
  • 'Build' a catalog number from the electronic Digest pages accessible within DigestPlus Selector.

Please note that catalog numbers entered through this window may not be available in this catalog. If this is the case, your Product List will show a List Price of "N/A" and a description of "*** Item Not Found in Catalog ***". You must contact a Square D electrical distributor or Square D field sales office to obtain additional information about these products.


A Using the Competitive Cross Reference                                                        
Help Topics...
When you click on Competitive Cross Reference button in the Navigation Bar or the Competitive Cross Reference link on the Home Page, you will see additional directions for how to use this tool.

Scroll down the page past the instructions to find the area in which you can enter a Square D competitor's catalog number. If you enter the Potter and Brumfield catalog number "AB11AY120", you will be presented with a list of Square D brand products that have the same or similar characteristics. If you type in the Telemecanique catalog number "AB1A16", you will be presented with a list of Square D brand products that have the same or similar characteristics.

To add these items to your Product List:
  • Highlight the catalog number with your mouse by holding the left mouse button and dragging the cursor across the text
  • Select Edit/Copy from your browser window (or use keyboard command CTRL-C)
  • Open the Select By Catalog Number function accessible from the Navigation Bar at the bottom of the page
  • Select Edit/Paste from your browser window (or use keyboard command CTRL-V)
  • Click on Add To My List Button



A Products Found On This Site                                                                             
Help Topics...
The table below details the kinds of products you will find in each area of the DigestPlus Selector site.
The Electronic Digest is accessible from the Product Categories link, and the Alphabetical Listing link on the Home Page, as well as the Go To Page Search and the Text Search.

The Product Selector is accessible from the Product Selector Link on the Home Page, and the Product Selector Button on the Navigation Bar at the bottom of each page.

Product area
Electronic Digest
Product Selector
Additional Comments
AC Drives Contains basic devices without modifications Contains only open devices  
Automation Products Contains a limited listing None For selection refer to Programmable Controller document # 8000PL9602R11/99
Busway Includes devices to meet most needs Includes devices to meet most needs  
Circuit Breakers Contains basic devices without modifications Contains basic devices with some modifications  
Component Network Solutions No listing None For selection refer to catalog # 8330CT9601R2/99 or D-FAX #1093 and #1094
IEC Style Contactors and Starters Contains basic devices without modifications Contains basic devices with some modifications  
Limit Switches Includes devices to meet most needs Includes devices to meet most needs  
Load Centers Contains only components Contains only components  
Machine Cabling Accessories Includes devices to meet most needs None  
Machine Safeguarding Products Includes devices to meet most needs Includes devices to meet most needs  
Medical Products Includes devices to meet most needs None  
Metering Equipment Includes devices to meet most needs Includes devices to meet most needs for MP and individual sockets  
Motor Control Centers No listing None Refer to Class 8998 catalog for product offering details on units, structures and accessories
NEMA Contactors and Starters Contains basic devices without modifications Contains basic devices with some modifications  
Operator Mechanisms and Disconnect Switches Includes devices to meet most needs Includes devices to meet most needs  
Panelboards Contains only components Contains only components  
Power Monitoring and Control Includes devices to meet most needs Includes devices to meet most needs  
Power Factor Capacitors: Includes devices to meet most needs for fixed capacitors Includes devices to meet most needs for fixed capacitors  
Pressure, Vacuum, Temperature and Float Switches Contains basic devices without modifications Contains basic devices with some modifications  
Push Buttons and Operator Interface Contains only components Contains only components Custom assembled stations require key sheet - no electronic selection means exists
Relays and Timers Contains only components Basic devices with some modifications  
Safety Switches Includes devices to meet most needs Includes devices to meet most needs  
Solid State Sensors Contains basic devices without modifications Contains basic devices with some modifications  
Surge Protective Devices Includes devices to meet most needs None  
Switchboards/Switchgear Contains a limited listing None  
Terminal Blocks Includes devices to meet most needs Contains basic devices  
Transformers Includes devices to meet most needs Contains basic devices with some modifications  
Voltage Tester -Wiggy Includes devices to meet most needs Includes devices to meet most needs  
Wire Management Systems Includes devices to meet most needs Includes devices to meet most needs  



A Exporting My Product List                                                                                    
Help Topics...
Installing the Java Applet

The first time you access your Product List &/or the export button, you will be prompted to allow a Java Applet to be installed on your PC. A Java Applet is a small program that runs inside your web browser.

If you have Microsoft Internet Explorer, you will see this message...



If you click the Square D Company link, you will be able view the certificate issued by Thawte Server which verifies that the applet is provided by Square D Company.



After you close this certificate window, check the box next to "Always Trust Content From Square D Company" so that you will not be prompted to install this applet in the future.

You should now click the Yes button to allow this applet to be installed on your hard drive.

If you have Netscape Communicator, you will see this message...



If you click the Certificate button, you will be able view the certificate issued by Thawte Server which verifies that the applet is provided by Square D Company.



After you close this certificate window, check the box next to "Remember This Decision" so that you will not be prompted to install this applet in the future.

You should now click on the Grant button to allow this applet to be installed on your hard drive.

What Does This Java Applet Do?

This applet will take the current contents of your Product List and stores the quantities and the catalog numbers to a text file on the hard drive of the computer. This file will be located in the C:\ directory and will be called SHOPPINGCART.TXT. You can import this file into other applications such as Word Processing Documents or Spreadsheets.



The contents of this file looks something like this...

                            QO120    15
                            QO115    1
                            QO110    5

The catalog number is first, followed by a TAB character and finally the quantity.

IMPORTANT NOTES:
  1. Once you have exported the contents of your Product List, the items are removed from your Product List.
  2. There can only be one SHOPPINGCART.TXT file. Every time the contents of your Product List are exported, the old items in the file are erased and the file is filled with the new items.

A How Do I Buy Square D Products?                                                               
Help Topics...
The Right Product, In the Right Place, at the Right Time

Square D has the best distribution channel in the business. We sell products in the United States under the Square D, Federal Pacific, Telemecanique, Modicon, Federal Pioneer, and Merlin Gerin brand names.

Square D sells through the finest electrical distributors in the industry. These distributors understand the industry and their customers, and serve the industrial, OEM, construction, and contractor markets.

Distributors offer:
  • Local service and support
  • Factory trained experts
  • A wide variety of Square D equipment
  • Terms and conditions to suite the local market
  • Job site delivery
The homeowner, do-it-yourselfer, and small contractor may find it convenient to purchase Square D residential equipment at most major home centers and hardware stores nationwide.

Square D maintains an extensive network of about 150 field sales offices throughout the country. These offices are staffed by engineers who are experts in the application of electrical distribution and control equipment. These sales offices provide nearby support to distributors and large customers.

Square D equipment is sold outside of the United States by local Groupe Schneider offices in each country.

Q Frequently Asked Questions                                                               
Help Topics...
Q When I try to print My Product List, it only prints out the buttons on the bottom of the screen.

Click on the main area of the page you are trying to print. This will activate the main area of the page. After doing this, you should be able to print as directed in the How Do I Print? section. Browsers may have a print option set to only print the frame that has focus. When accessing My Product List from the navigation bar button, if the you have not clicked anywhere on the main area of the page, the navigation bar is actually the frame that has focus when you attempts to print.

Q I can't find the Select By Catalog Number window after I clicked on the button in the navigation

This function is a pop-up style window. It does not "stay on top" of the web browser. Check the Windows Start Bar for another instance of your browser and click on it to bring the pop-up window back on top of the original browser.

Q I clicked on a catalog number link and it added the item to My Product List. I don't want this item. I wanted to see information about the item.

To view the available Digest page for the item, click on the Digest Page link to the right of the item description for the item in question. If you do not want the item, delete the item from your Product List by using the small trash can icon on the left hand side of the screen next to the item in question. You may also want to perform a text search for the item or type of item to attempt to find additional information about the product or product line. The Technical Library link accessible from the navigation bar may also provide the information desired.

Q What does it mean when I have an item in My Product List with a description of "*** Item not found in catalog *** " and a price of "N/A"?

Some items may not have information available in this on-line catalog. These items may be valid products or they may be invalid catalog numbers. You can export these items the same as those with descriptions and prices. You will have to contact a Distributor or Sales Office to get a price quote and more information.

Q I clicked the Magnifying Glass icon in My Product List and the Product Details Page was blank.

Some items may not have detail information available in this on-line catalog. You may want to perform a text search for the item or type of item to attempt to find additional information about the product or product line. The Technical Library link accessible from the navigation bar may also provide the information desired. You may also want to contact a Distributor or Sales Office to get more detailed information.



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