Characteristics in SAP PM

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Characteristics in SAP PM

A characteristics in SAP is a cross module application. It is used in PM, MM, PP, SD, QM etc modules. Here we will discuss application of Characteristics in SAP PM.

Business Application

In SAP PM module, Characteristics are used to represent certain business process related values. here are few examples:

  • We can represent the specifications of a technical object. Characterisitc can be assigned Class and class can be assigned to either equipment or functional location. We can capture the specifications of the machine in the characteristic values. Class type 002 and 003 can be used here.
  • We can use characterisitcs with notification items. In the notification items we can capture some specific value related to notification items. Class type used here is 015.
  • We can use characterisitcs in maintenance plans also. They can be assigned at the header of maintenance plans to identify specific maintenance plans.

Examples

  • Specifications of a motor. Class can be => ZMOTORS, Characterisicts can be Power, Voltage, Current, Ingress protection etc. The values can be maintained as characteristic values. Later on these values can be used to identify specific equipments based on their ratings usingt code CL30N.
  • In notification items class and characteristics can be used to represent specific values related to that notification item. For example: the condition of the machines before and after maintenance.

Details

Characteristics in SAP PM are widely used with Class. Once created, it is assigned to class and class is assigned to technical object (Equipment, functional location etc) and all the characteristics are available for the technical object.

Take one more example for proper understanding: Suppose there is equipment. We have created a Class ‘Motor’. Then we will create and assign characteristics Power, Voltage, Current etc to class. Then assign the class to the technical object (Equipment or functional location) all the characteristics will be available to the technical object.

Now we can maintain the values of these characteristics (Specifications) in CL20N or CL24N.

How to create Characteristics in SAP PM

  • Step 1: Run t code CT04 or navigate this path in SAP easy access screen.
    • SAP Menu -> Logistics -> Plant Maintenance -> Management of Technical Objects -> Environment -> Class -> Master Data -> CT04 – Characteristics
  • Step 2: Enter the name of characteristic and click on the create option available on the top menu bar or the white sheet on the right hand side of characteristic field.
  • Step 3: Five new tabs (sub-screens) will appear on the screen.
  • Step 4: First tab is Basic Data tab. Here we enter the description of characteristic. Char group and status of characteristic. Here we can also enter authorization group. Authorization group is used to allow a particular end user to maintain a characteristic.
    • For ex: Electrical department does not want mechanical department to display and process their characteristics then we should recommend use of Authorization Group.
  • Step 5: Afterwards select the Data type in next sub-screen. Available Data types are Character, Numeric, Currency, Date, Time format.
    • If you select Character then system will ask you to enter the number of characters. You can also make it case sensitive by setting a check box below.
    • If you select Currency then system will ask you to enter number of chars and currency like USD, INR etc.
    • If you select numeric format then enter number of chars, decimal places and unit of measurement.
  • Step 6: There is another sub-screen – value assignment, where you can decide that characteristic will accept a single value or multiple values or range, negative values or it is restrictable. We can also make this characteristic’s entry required.
  • Step 7: In the next tab you can select the language. Generally we have EN –English as default value.
  • Step 8: Next tab is values tab. Here you can maintain the values which you want to assign for this characteristics.
    • For ex: If you are creating voltage as characteristic then possible values can 220 V, 440 V, 3300 V etc.
    • However, you can set the check box of ‘additional values’ for allowing any other value.
  • Step 9: Additional Data tab is used in MM Module to configure release strategy. It is not used in PM Module.
  • Step 10: Last tab is Restriction tab. Here you can select the relevant Class type so that class created by you is used for only that application.
  • Step 11: Click on SAVE button.

Characteristic is created for SAP PM.

Now assign this characteristic to class in CL02 t code in the in the characteristic tab.

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