Neara

For example constructions and components library, download them here.

See also How do I create a new construction?

The constructions library contains all the construction currently available to use in the design. The library allows for the export and import of constructions. The list of constructions is conveniently split into those currently being used in the design and other constructions that are available. New construction can be specified within the library itself.

The library contains features for the viewing and editing of constructions. The editing features are broken into five categories.

The first field is a representation of the construction currently selected. The model will be updated in real time as the construction is edited. It can be rotated by right clicking and dragging the mouse and zoomed by scrolling.

Label and Notes

The label is the name of the construction shown in the construction list, it will be the same label used throughout the design.

The vertical size is a non-editable field which represents the distance from the top of the pole to the bottom most crossarm or insulator attached to the pole. It is automatically calculated and allows for constructions to be positioned on individual poles.

The notes field can be used to add any specific notes about the construction or can be left blank. The notes field can be expanded vertically to allow for the viewing of more text or will have a scrollbar for viewing longer notes.

Crossarms

The crossarm section allows for the addition of crossarms to the construction. To remove a crossarm all the insulators currently attached must be positioned elsewhere and then a removal option will automatically appear.

Each individual crossarm can also be edited. The beam used may be selected from the beam library. The horizontal input will position the beam horizontally on the pole. The vertical input represents the distance between the centreline of the beam and the top of the pole.

Left and right braces can be added from the library and can be toggled between up and down orientations.

Strength data for crossarm is an optional field for entry. If strength data is present the interface will display ‘Edit’ otherwise it will display ‘Add data’. Data can be typed directly in the pop up window or can be copy-pasted in from an excel spreadsheet (copy pasting will ensure it is tab-separated). Once the data is entered clicking update will show a graph of the data as well as a table which can be previewed and saved.

Insulators

The insulators editor displays a table of insulators present in the construction. The specific insulator from the components library can be selected. Where the insulator is attached can also be switched between the pole and any of the crossarms. The offset field allows for positioning the insulator relative to the top of the pole or the end of the crossarm depending on where it is attached.

For fixed insulators such as pin or post insulator the angle of the insulator can also be edited. The angle can be entered in manually or clicking the toggle button will switch the angle between the default angle orientations.

Non Structural Components

Non structural components can also be added into the design. These components are rendered in the 3D model but are not electrical or structural features of the construction. Their orientation can be edited by selecting the start and end points in 3D space. Components library can be accessed from the top menu under Library/Components.

The list of components is split up into the ones used in the current design and other unused available components. The components library allows for the editing of current components and adding in new custom components. Components include beams, braces and insulators. The insulators are further categorised into pin insulators, post insulators, strain insulators and suspension insulators. Components are used as elements in creating construction in the construction library.

Beam

The beam editor has fields for changing the label of the beam as well as its dimensions, mass and strength data.

Brace

The brace editor has fields for changing the label of the brace as well as its dimensions, mass and strength data. The mass of the brace can be entered in and the length will be used to calculate the mass per meter of the brace. Thus if braces are duplicated with different lengths then the mass of the brace will be calculated from the mass per meter data.

Insulator

The editable insulators include pin insulators, post insulators, strain insulators and suspension insulators.

An example of a post insulator configuration is shown below. Editable fields include the label, a general notes field, the length, the mass and the average width for wind load calculation purposes. The strength data model for the insulator can also be selected which will reveal fields for previewing and editing the strength data of the insulator.