Conveyor Splitter

A Conveyor Splitter is a building that takes items from a single input belt and outputs them between three other belts.

Working principle

 * A splitter splits items from one input belt into connected output belt(s).
 * The input side must be connected to a belt for it to function.
 * A splitter has three outputs, at least one of them must be connected to a belt.
 * If only one output is connected, all items from the input goes in the output.
 * If 2 or 3 outputs are connected, the splitter will attempt to split items evenly. First item goes to output A, 2nd item goes to output B, regardless if the items on the belt is of the same type or mixed type.
 * If one of the output belt is stuck, the splitter will attempt to split the items among remaining output belts.
 * If all output belts are stuck, then the splitter will stop splitting and build up its buffer of 9 items.
 * This also pauses the input belt.
 * The splitter works again if any of the output belt has the space for it to push items into.

Types
There are three types of splitters available, each with different sorting capabilities:

Basic
The standard splitter appears to simply split items between its outputs in sequence. If any output is full, it will distribute the incoming items into the remaining outputs evenly.

Smart
Splitter with 3 outputs. Each output can have a filter set to either "none", "any undefined", "overflow" or one specific item type.

Programmable
Splitter with 3 outputs. Has similar function as Smart Splitter, but multiple filters can be set for each output.

Building
The and  have fairly large collision boxes which are likely to obstruct additional parallel belts. For example, a splitter for belt is likely to block the construction of  belt. It is advised to build other nearby belts before building the splitter/merger.

Stacking
You can stack the splitters and/or mergers on top of each other, each stacking offset by 2-meter height.

Splitters can be built directly onto straight sections of existing, even if the belt is elevated or sloped. This makes it easy to split items off of raised or stacked belts without first having to stack splitters up to the correct height. When placing splitters on an existing belt, they do not snap to the foundation grid, even if the belt is on the ground level.

Belt splitting styles

 * Manifold
 * Balancer

Trivia

 * It is easy to differentiate between the input and output slot by looking at the shape of LED light at the belt connector. The outputs are indicated by an arrow-like light, while the input is 3 smaller dotted light. From the plan view, the inputs is always colored (default orange) while the outputs are always silver-colored.
 * Splitters will only split across the number of outputs you use. So you can divide the input into two halves, or three thirds.  This is a useful characteristic to apply in efficient early game set-ups for e.g. smelting ores, which are predominantly simple ratios of 1 to 2, 1 to 4 or 1 to 8.
 * Planning ahead, get into a habit of adding a Conveyor Splitter before every input of production buildings. This allows you to expand a line of production buildings later on.

Current issue

 * The splitters and mergers have buffer of 9 items that can be stored inside them, first-in, last-out. This can be an issue when accidentally sent a belt of wrong items into it and trying to purge the wrong items afterwards. It is recommended to rebuild the splitters and the belts altogether.
 * If a splitter is built onto an existing belt, it can sometimes retain a short segment of belt within it. When upgrading the belt later on, a short segment of belt can be left forgotten which can cause throughput issue. Dismantle the splitter to avoid this. If the splitter is built before connecting the belts, then it is fine.

History

 * Patch 0.2.1.10: All variants now have an internal inventory of 9 items
 * Patch 0.1.5: New design