Now that we have modelled an existing network, we can view utilization and model changes and extensions.
View utilization
Neara makes modelling changes to the network simple and effective with the Utilization view.
This view calculates the utilization of a pole or conductor and represents it as a percentage of its total strength. We use this so that we can understand the impact of adding additional attachments onto poles.
Click the View menu and select Utilization for the Asset coloring:
All the poles and conductors will now be represented by a heat map. The heat map indicates whether the pole is approaching the breaking moment of the pole.
The utilization percentage appears above the pole
If the pole is colored red or purple, it is at risk or breaking
Poles that are over-utilized (100%+) will also have the percentage above shown in red
Add a new line
Select Conductor tool from the toolbar
Specify the conductor, pole and construction to use in the Properties panel in the sidebar
Either:
Click on an existing pole to tee off from; or
Click on an existing conductor to continue the circuit
Left-click to place new poles
Right-click to stop placing new poles and conductors
Add a stay/guy wire
We can now see that by extending our network a pole is over-utilized at 141%:
This means we either need to:
Change the pole type; or
Add a stay/guy wire to the pole.
In this case we will add a stay:
Click the Stay tool on the toolbar.
Hover over the location where you would like to place it. There are two options:
Place it in line with conductors; or
Place it in line with a crossarm/the pole itself.
Once you are hovering over the location, you will see it automatically place a stay at 45 degrees to the location on the pole
Left-click to confirm the location
In the Properties panel in the sidebar, change the Cable type if required to Use a bollard pole
As a result of the above changes, the end pole has an over-utilization of 138% so we will add an inline stay to that pole too. When you add an opposing stay it is automatically placed at the best possible angle.
If a stay location needs to be changed on the ground, switch to the Select tool on the toolbar and click on the stay, this can then be edited by changing the following fields in the Properties panel.
If a stay needs to be removed, switch to the Select tool on the toolbar and click it, and press DEL / DELETE on your keyboard.
See Stays/Guys