The first step to modelling an existing network is to make sure that you have the right poles, conductors, components and assemblies, created with the right characteristics.

This article explains how to create them to your design specifications.

To quickly create one or more poles, add entries to the existing the Poles library data by editing the data in a Comma-Separated Values (CSV) file in an app such as Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets. This ensures that you retain the correct column headings and information.

To start with the correct CSV format, from the Library menu choose Poles and on the pop-up click the Export option to download the CSV poles file:

For easy editing, open the downloaded CSV file and insert new rows with a pole name and specifications beneath the column headings, for each additional pole type:

Save the file - making sure it saves in the CSV file format - and then return to Neara.

Again, from the Library menu choose Poles and on the pop-up click Replace and then OK. You will be prompted to select the updated CSV file on your device:

Select the file, and once the import and replace is complete you should see the new poles in the Library:

Pole material and structure type can changed by clicking on the field in the pole's row in the Pole Library.

Available pole materials include:

Available pole structure types include:

If Sectioned is chosen, you will see the “Sections” column in the pole library populate

and this can be clicked on to specify individual characteristics of each section and add/removed sections to create your pole.

Supported section shapes are:

You can then click save to save the changes or cancel to discard.

To create conductors follow the same steps as with creating poles, selecting Library / Conductors instead:

To create assemblies, the first step is to create the components that form the pole top assembly.

To make a component, find a component that reflects the type of component that we are trying to model. For example, if we are trying to make a post insulator we need to find an existing generic post insulator.

Select Library / Components and on the pop-up enter keywords to search for in the Search box, for example Post Insulator.

Select an existing item from the search results on the left, click Make a copy in the lower-right of the pop-up, name it, and edit the design specifications for the new component in the right-hand side of the pop-up. When ready, click Save in the lower-right of the pop-up.

To dismiss the pop-up, click outside of it.

Once you have modelled all of your components, the next step is to fit them together.

Select Library / Assemblies to view your Assembly Library.

To make a pole top assembly, first find a assembly that uses the same number of cables that you are trying to model with the new assembly.

In this example we will model a 3 wire vertical assembly:

In the new, copied assembly, scroll down and click the Add New Crossarm option:

For each new crossarm added:

Scroll down further to the Insulators section of the pop-up, and for each:

Finally, click Save in the lower-right corner of the pop-up to save the assembly. Click anywhere outside the pop-up to dismiss it.