The behavior of splitters looks simple at first glance. But they are not that simple. Splitters have an astonishing amount of uses.
See also [[Transport Belt/Physics]] to dig deeper.
== Behavior ==
== Behavior ==
The behavior of splitters looks simple at first glance. But they are not that simple. Splitters have an astonishing amount of uses.
* splitters have two input-belt-sides and two output-belt-sides on which you can connect any [[transport belt]] or [[underground belt]]
* splitters have two input-belt-sides and two output-belt-sides on which you can connect any [[transport belt]] or [[underground belt]]
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** if two output-belts are connected, then every input-item is put alternated on one of the two output-belts. Or in other words: it is guaranteed, that the inputed items are output in a ratio of 50% on each belt.
** if two output-belts are connected, then every input-item is put alternated on one of the two output-belts. Or in other words: it is guaranteed, that the inputed items are output in a ratio of 50% on each belt.
** if one of the output [[belts lane]]s are full, then it tries to output on the other output belt. This is useful to fill belts.
** if one of the output [[belts lane]]s are full, then it tries to output on the other output belt. This is useful to fill belts.
* '''Joining''' [[File:T&T Belt04.jpg|thumb|300px|Feeding from side is only a good use, if you want to make a queue - e. g. for mines, some output-buffer]]
* '''Joining''' [[File:T&T Belt04.jpg|thumb|200px|Feeding from side is only a good use, if you want to make a queue - e. g. for mines, some output-buffer]] [[File:T&T Belt03.jpg|thumb|200px|Better: The capacity of the output belt is fully used]]
** splitters can be used to join two belts into one. This has a much higher throughput than only side-inserting.
** splitters can be used to join two belts into one. This has a much higher throughput than only side-inserting.
** as with splitting, the belt lanes aren't mixed up.
** as with splitting, the belt lanes aren't mixed up.
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== Special behavior ==
== Special behavior ==
* [[Splitter/Priority]]: when '''both input belts are at full capacity''', then the splitter '''prefers the left input''', or in other words: the right input is only taken to fill gaps in the left input. This can be used to priorize an item-source, for example a storage. [[File:T&T Belt08.jpg|thumb|200px]]
* [[Splitter/Priority]]: when '''both input belts are at full capacity''', then the splitter '''prefers the left input''', or in other words: the right input is only taken to fill gaps in the left input. This can be used to priorize an item-source, for example a storage. [[File:T&T Belt08.jpg|thumb|200px|Left side: A splitter cascade to let only the unused items into the storage. Center: A simple storage. Right side: The splitter prefers taking the input of the upper (left) belt, so the input from the storage is lower priority.]]
* [[Splitter/When is a faster splitter needed?]]: a basic splitter can keep up with the input of one fast belt, if the two output belts are connected and empty.
* [[Splitter/When is a faster splitter needed?]]: a basic splitter can keep up with the input of one fast belt, if the two output belts are connected and empty.
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** [[Splitter/Cascading]]: Use Cascading to fill storages only, when not needed otherwise
** [[Splitter/Cascading]]: Use Cascading to fill storages only, when not needed otherwise
* [[Splitter/Belt Lanes]]: from one belt lane to the other.
* [[Splitter/Belt Lanes]]: from one belt lane to the other.
* [[Splitter/Joining]]: more explained or instead of [[Transport Belt/Side-insert]] [[File:T&T Belt03.jpg|thumb|200px]]
* [[Splitter/Joining]]: more explained or instead of [[Transport Belt/Side-insert]]
When you feed a belt from the side, the throughput is limited. With v0.7 this has been improved much, but it is also simply the fact, that you feed only onside of a belt.
When you feed a belt from the side, the throughput is limited. With v0.7 this has been improved much, but it is also simply the fact, that you feed only onside of a belt.
The behavior of splitters looks simple at first glance. But they are not that simple. Splitters have an astonishing amount of uses.
splitters have two input-belt-sides and two output-belt-sides on which you can connect any transport belt or underground belt
splitters don't shuffle the lanes on the belts; items on the left input belt lane don't change the side to the right lane (and vice versa).
Splitting
if two output-belts are connected, then every input-item is put alternated on one of the two output-belts. Or in other words: it is guaranteed, that the inputed items are output in a ratio of 50% on each belt.
if one of the output belts lanes are full, then it tries to output on the other output belt. This is useful to fill belts.
JoiningFile:T&T Belt04.jpgFeeding from side is only a good use, if you want to make a queue - e. g. for mines, some output-bufferFile:T&T Belt03.jpgBetter: The capacity of the output belt is fully used
splitters can be used to join two belts into one. This has a much higher throughput than only side-inserting.
as with splitting, the belt lanes aren't mixed up.
Use faster splitter if you want to feed into a faster belt, because otherwise your splitter is the bottleneck!
Special behavior
Splitter/Priority: when both input belts are at full capacity, then the splitter prefers the left input, or in other words: the right input is only taken to fill gaps in the left input. This can be used to priorize an item-source, for example a storage. File:T&T Belt08.jpgLeft side: A splitter cascade to let only the unused items into the storage. Center: A simple storage. Right side: The splitter prefers taking the input of the upper (left) belt, so the input from the storage is lower priority.
When you feed a belt from the side, the throughput is limited. With v0.7 this has been improved much, but it is also simply the fact, that you feed only onside of a belt.
