To Create an Underground Network

Use the Electric Explorer to create an underground electric network.

To create an underground network

1. Select the appropriate electric display model and generate graphics.

   Click Home tab Display panel Generate Graphic.

2. Insert structures, for example, manholes and pads.

   See Drawing Segments, Ducts, Conductors, Devices, and Structures.

3. Draw segments to link the structures.

   In the Segment container, click New. Press ESC to end the command.

   See Drawing Segments, Ducts, Conductors, Devices, and Structures.

4. In the Electric Explorer, set the model for each segment according to the duct banks in the segment, for example 2x2.

   In the Segment container, select the segment and select a model from the Model drop-down list.

   You can also right-click the Segment in the container. Click Show Form. On the General tab, use the Model drop down to specify the number of ducts in the segment. Click Update & Close.

   The Model setting specifies the type of cross section to use, for example, a 2x2 cross section with four ducts. When you specify the cross section model to use, a cross section representation of the segment is displayed in the map (unless the segment is shorter than the threshold set in Document Options. For more information, see Set Electric Options). The FID Template attribute displays the selected template in the container.

   Note:

   The position of the cross section along the segment is midpoint. For more information on defining cross sections, see Electric Cross Sections.

   For more information, see Segment, Duct, Pole, and Tower Models.

5. Insert a duct in the segment cross section.

   In the Duct container, click New Duct. Click a snap point to position the duct.

   Note:

   If the network contains multiple segments, zoom out, locate the next cross section, and click to position the duct in the next cross section. Repeat for each segment.

6. Add conductors to ducts.

   In the Conductor container, click New Underground Conductor. Click in the duct. (If you have already selected the duct in the duct container, the conductor is placed in the selected duct.) Geometry is generated for the conductor for each segment.

7. Select the conductor in the container. Set phase and voltage attributes for the conductor. Press ENTER.

   Feature rules validate the phase and alert you if there is an inconsistent setting.

   Note:

   If the Phase dashboard becomes available, a phase setting is inconsistent somewhere in the network. You must reconfigure the phase to correct the inconsistency. For more information, see Reconfiguring Phase.

8. Add devices such as breakers, transformers, and switches where necessary to join the conductors. You can also use a feeder at the start of the network.

   See Drawing Segments, Ducts, Conductors, Devices, and Structures.

9. Create structure internals where necessary to handle the device complexity at certain nodes.
10. Create the circuit.

    There are a number of ways to create a new circuit. For more information, see Managing Electric Circuits. If errors are detected, use the Reconfigure Circuit and Flow workflow to correct them. For more information, see Reconfiguring Circuit and Flow.

11. Display the circuit form and specify the origin device for the circuit.

    See Associating the First Breaker or a Feeder with the Circuit and Specifying the Origin Device for the Circuit.

12. Run the Reconfigure Circuit and Flow workflow. See Reconfiguring Circuit and Flow.