TM-1102 AVEVA Plant (12 Series) Cable Tray Modelling Rev 4.0

AVEVA Plant
(12 Series)
TRAINING GUIDE
Cable Tray Modelling
TM-1102
www.aveva.com
AVEVA Plant (12 Series)
Cable Tray Modelling TM-1102
www.aveva.com
2
Revision Log
Date Revision Description of Revision Author Reviewed Approved
05/01/2008 0.1 Issued for Review KM
25/01/2008 0.2 Reviewed KM BG
04/04/2008 1.0 Approved for Training 12.0.0.3 KM BG RP
06/03/2008 1.1 Issued for Review KM
06/03/2008 1.2 Reviewed KM KB
06/03/2008 2.0 Approved for Training 12.0.SP3 KM KB RP
10/11/2009 2.1 Issued for Review 12.0.SP5 KM
10/11/2009 2.2 Reviewed KM JH
24/11/2009 3.0 Approved for Training 12.0.SP5 KM JH RP
30/07/2010 3.1 Issued for Review 12.0.SP6 KB
30/07/2010 3.2 Reviewed KB SB
03/08/2010 4.0 Approved for Training 12.0.SP6 KB SB RP
Updates
All headings containing updated or new material will be highlighted.
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© AVEVA Solutions and its subsidiaries 2001 – 2010
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Contents
1 Introduction .............................................................................................................................................. 7
1.1 Aim..................................................................................................................................................... 7
1.2 Objectives ......................................................................................................................................... 7
1.3 Prerequisites .................................................................................................................................... 7
1.4 Course Structure .............................................................................................................................. 7
1.5 Using this guide ............................................................................................................................... 7
1.6 Setting up the Training Course ...................................................................................................... 8
2 Cable Tray Design – Basic Concepts .................................................................................................... 9
2.1 Entering a Design Session .............................................................................................................. 9
2.2 Cable Tray Specifications ............................................................................................................. 10
2.3 Setting the Appropriate Specification.......................................................................................... 11
2.4 Creating the Cable Tray Hierarchy ............................................................................................... 11
2.5 Cable Tray Creation Form ............................................................................................................. 11
2.6 Cable Tray Branches ..................................................................................................................... 12
2.7 Cable Tray Branch Heads and Tails ............................................................................................. 13
2.8 Cable Tray Branch Head / Tail Positioned Explicitly .................................................................. 14
2.9 World Co-ordinates ........................................................................................................................ 15
2.10 Cable Tray Branch Components (Fittings) .................................................................................. 16
2.10.1 Creating Branch Components (Cable Tray Fittings) ................................................................ 17
2.10.2 Selecting the Component from the Specification ..................................................................... 18
2.10.3 Branch Component List Order ................................................................................................. 19
2.10.4 Automatic Positioning and Orientation of New Components ................................................... 19
2.10.5 Positioning and Setting the Orientation of Components .......................................................... 19
2.11 Arrive and Leave Points ................................................................................................................ 20
2.12 Save Work ....................................................................................................................................... 20
2.13 Get Work ......................................................................................................................................... 20
Exercise 1 - Create a Cable Tray .................................................................................................................. 21
3 Connecting and Positioning Cable Tray Components ...................................................................... 23
3.1 Positioning Cable Tray Components using the Cable Tray Components Form ..................... 23
3.2 Creating a New Branch .................................................................................................................. 25
3.3 Connecting the Branch Head or Tail ............................................................................................ 25
3.3.1 Connecting to Tee .................................................................................................................... 26
3.3.2 Connecting to Multi-way ........................................................................................................... 27
3.3.3 Connecting to Branch Head ..................................................................................................... 27
3.3.4 Connecting to Branch Tail ........................................................................................................ 27
3.3.5 Connect to First Member .......................................................................................................... 27
3.3.6 Connect to Last Member .......................................................................................................... 27
3.3.7 Connect to Name ..................................................................................................................... 28
3.4 Connecting a Component ............................................................................................................. 28
3.4.1 Connecting Components at Creation ....................................................................................... 28
3.4.2 Connect To Previous ................................................................................................................ 28
3.4.3 Connect To Next ...................................................................................................................... 29
3.5 Displaying Cable Tray Obstruction Level .................................................................................... 30
3.6 Positioning Components .............................................................................................................. 30
3.6.1 Distance ................................................................................................................................... 31
3.6.2 Through .................................................................................................................................... 32
3.6.3 Clearance ................................................................................................................................. 33
3.6.4 Plane Through .......................................................................................................................... 34
3.6.5 Plane Clearance ....................................................................................................................... 34
Exercise 2 - Adding and Positioning Components .................................................................................... 36
4 Branch Re-routing and Connection References ................................................................................ 37
4.1 Swap Branch .................................................................................................................................. 37
4.2 Change Exit .................................................................................................................................... 37
4.3 Changing Branch Routing at a Tee .............................................................................................. 38
4.4 Changing a Component Connection Reference Explicitly ........................................................ 39
5 Positioning Commands for Branch Head/Tail .................................................................................... 41
5.1 General ............................................................................................................................................
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5.2 Distance .......................................................................................................................................... 42
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5.3 Through ........................................................................................................................................... 42

5.4 Move ................................................................................................................................................ 43
5.4.1 Distance ................................................................................................................................... 43
5.4.2 Through .................................................................................................................................... 43
5.4.3 Clearance ................................................................................................................................. 44
5.5 Drag ................................................................................................................................................. 44
5.5.1 Distance ................................................................................................................................... 45
5.5.2 Through .................................................................................................................................... 46
5.5.3 Clearance ................................................................................................................................. 47
6 Fixed Length Trays and Implied Straights .......................................................................................... 49
6.1 Replacing Implied Straights with Fixed-Length Trays ............................................................... 49
6.2 Replacing Fixed-Length Trays with Implied Straights ............................................................... 50
Exercise 3 - Create Branch and Add Fixed Length Tray ........................................................................... 51
7 Quick Cable Tray Routing using the Model Editor ............................................................................. 53
7.1 Extend Handle Pop-ups ................................................................................................................. 54
7.2 Rotation Handle Pop-ups .............................................................................................................. 55
7.3 Setting Increment Values .............................................................................................................. 56
8 Copying and Deleting Branches/Components ................................................................................... 57
8.1 Copy an Inline Component ........................................................................................................... 57
8.2 Copy a Branch ................................................................................................................................ 57
8.3 Deleting a Cable Tray/Branch ....................................................................................................... 58
8.4 Deleting individual components ................................................................................................... 58
8.5 Deleting a Range of Cable Tray Components ............................................................................. 59
A Worked Example - Cable Tray Routing .................................................................................................... 60
Exercise 5 ....................................................................................................................................................... 71
9 Data Consistency, Isodraft and Reporting .......................................................................................... 73
9.1 Data Consistency ........................................................................................................................... 73
9.2 Isodraft ............................................................................................................................................ 74
9.3 Generating Reports........................................................................................................................ 75
Exercise 6 ....................................................................................................................................................... 76
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CHAPTER 1
1 Introduction
Cable tray routing is an important activity on any large project. It uses the same principles and concepts as
pipe routing.
1.1 Aim
The aim of the course is to provide the skills required to use the Cable Tray Design application in the most
productive way.
1.2 Objectives
At the end of this session, the user will able to:
 Understand the basic concepts of cable trays and branches.

 Understand the use of cable tray specifications.
 Understand the concept of branch heads and tails and the importance of component list order
and flow direction within a branch.
 Create, position and orientate cable tray components.
 Apply an obstruction level to the cable tray.
 Use the various positioning options to place cable trays.
 Run data consistency checks.
 Produce a simple isometric from standard option files.
 Generate reports.
1.3 Prerequisites
The participants must have completed the PDMS Foundations course.
1.4 Course Structure
Training will consist of oral and visual presentations, demonstrations and set exercises. Each workstation
will have a training project, populated with model objects. This will be used by the trainees to practice their
methods, and complete the set exercises.
1.5 Using this guide
Certain text styles are used to indicate special situations throughout this document, here is a summary;
Menu pull downs and button press actions are indicated by bold turquoise text.
Information the user has to Key-in 'will be red and Bold.'
Annotation for trainees benefit:
 Additional information
 Refer to other documentation
System prompts will be bold, italicised and in inverted commas i.e. 'Choose function'.
Example files or inputs will be in the courier new font, colours and styles used as before. www.aveva.com
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1.6 Setting up the Training Course
Login to PDMS using the details below:
Project: Training (TRA)
 The Project name may vary. The Trainer will supply the correct Project name if different from
Training (TRA).
Username: TRAINER
Password: T
MDB: A-CABLE
Module: Design
In the General application in Design, select Utilities>Training Setup… from the main menu to display the
Training Setup form.
Select the Tray tab.
Click the Add Cable Tray Training Site radio button and click the Apply button. This creates the Cable Site
model ready for the training course.
Click the Cancel button on the Training Setup form.
Select Design>Exit from the main menu and click the Yes on the Save Changes message form.
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CHAPTER 2
2 Cable Tray Design – Basic Concepts
There is a separate design hierarchy for cable tray routing which follows the same principles as for pipe
routing; each cable element may own a number of branches. In turn, branches may own a number of cabling
components like bends, risers and reducers.
The difference between cable tray and branches is that a branch is only considered to have two ends, while
a cable tray may have any number of ends, depending on the number of branches it owns.
The diagram below shows a cable tray with three ends and two
branches. The second branch is connected to the first at the tee.
Although a branch only has two ends, it may own components (in this
case a tee), which connects to other branches.
These simple concepts enable any number of cable tray configurations

to be developed, and form the basis of all the AVEVA Plant cable trays
encountered.
BRANCH
1
BRANCH
2
TEE
2.1 Entering a Design Session
To enter PDMS, select: AVEVA> Plant 12.0.SP5 > Run PDMS from the programs menu. The following
Login form appears:
Your trainer will provide User Name and Password

details but typically they will be as shown below.
Project Training
Username A.CABLEMAN
Password A
MDB A-CABLE
Module Design
Pick OK
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Selecting Design > Cable Trays from the main

menu opens the Cable Tray application.
2.2 Cable Tray Specifications
In the same way that design offices have standard cable tray specifications for different materials, AVEVA
Plant has a set of specifications from which the Designer can choose. In fact all components used must be
defined in the Catalogue and placed in a Specification before the designer can select them.
The Training Project is supplied with a series of Cable Tray Specifications there are several from the
manufacturers Vantrunk and OgLaend.
There are also three Training specifications:
 SCTG STANDARD DUTY CABLE TRAY.

 MDCLG MEDIUM DUTY CABLE TRAY.
 HDCTG HEAVY DUTY CABLE TRAY.
These specifications contain all fittings required for the course

exercises.
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2.3 Setting the Appropriate Specification
The first task when building a cable tray is to decide which specification to use. Having decided on the
appropriate specification, this is then set as an attribute of the cable tray. Any subsequent branches will
automatically be assigned with the same specification (although this can be re-specified if required).
On entry to the Cable Tray Application the Default Specification

Form is displayed
 To change default specification, select Settings > Default

Specification, and select the new specification
 To change the Main or Branch specification, select Modify > Main / Branch > Specification from the
pull down menu and select the new specification required
The Cable Tray Toolbar is used to manipulate the cable tray

specification. Clicking on the Icon to the left displays the
Default Specification form. The text box adjacent to the
specification icon displays the default cable tray specification.
2.4 Creating the Cable Tray Hierarchy
Prior to creating a cable tray the correct hierarchy must be present in the design explorer.
Navigate to the WORLD level.
Select Create > Site
Name CABLE
Purpose CABL Cable
Pick OK
Select Create > Zone
Name 101C-CABLEWAYS
Purpose CABL Cable
Pick OK
2.5 Cable Tray Creation Form
To Display the Create Cable Tray Main form the user must
select Create > Main from the pull down menu.
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The Create Cable Tray Main form is now displayed.
Enter a name CTRAY_YY010 for the cable tray and select a

specification that will be applied.
 Note the default specification will be selected.
Clicking the Attributes Button display the Cable

Tray Attributes Form various Cable Tray
Attributes can be set.
Set the Tray width to 600
Click OK
Selecting the OK button on the Create Cable

Train Main Form will create the administrative
elements for the cable tray in the design
hierarchy. It will also open the Create Cable Tray
Branch form.
The Create Cable Tray Branch form is auto populated with a

branch name and specification inherited from the owning cable
tray.
Selecting the OK button will create a new branch in the cable

tray and automatically open the Branch at Explicit Position
form.
Branch Attributes can also be set.
 Setting branch head and tail positions is discussed in

section 2.8.
2.6 Cable Tray Branches
Branches serve two purposes:
 They define the start and finish points of a cable tray route (known as the Head and Tail in AVEVA
Plant).
 They own the cable tray components, which define the route.
The position and order of the cable tray components below branch level determine the physical route. In
AVEVA Plant, it is only necessary to consider the fittings, because the cable tray that appears between
fittings is automatically selected according to the specifications of the fittings.
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2.7 Cable Tray Branch Heads and Tails
All branches need to have a start and end point. These can be a position in space (3D co-ordinates), the
flange face of an equipment nozzle or pipe, a tee or various other points in the design. Heads and tails are
set up via a series of attributes that belong to the branch element.
Head
Riser
(Elbow)
Direction
of
Flow
Riser
(Elbow)
Tail
The attributes for heads of branches are: -
HPOS The position in the zone where the branch starts.

HCON The connection type of the branch end (BOXI or OPEN).
HDIR The direction in which the start of the branch is pointing (as if you were looking down the
tray / ladder).
HBOR The width of the cable tray.
HREF The name of the item to which the branch head is connected (e.g. Href TEE 1 of BRANCH
/CTRAY_YY2/B1). If this is not set, then the branch is open.
HSTU This is a reference to the catalogue, which determines the material of the first piece of cable
tray, between the start of the branch and the first fitting (this still needs to be set, even if
there is a fitting connected directly to the head).
The attributes for tails of branches are: -
TPOS The position in the zone where the branch ends.

TCON The connection type of the branch end (BOXI or OPEN).
TDIR The direction in which the end of the branch is pointing (as if you were looking back down
the tray / ladder).
TBOR The width of the cable tray.
TREF The name of the item to which the branch tail is connected (e.g. Tref TEE 1 of BRANCH
/CTRAY_YY2/B1). If this is not set, then the branch is open.
It is not necessary to specify each of these attributes every time a branch is created. On most occasions the
attributes for the head or tail are set automatically (e.g. where a branch is connected to a tee).
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2.8 Cable Tray Branch Head / Tail Positioned Explicitly
Each new branch must have its two ends (its Head and its
Tail) positioned in the design model.
When a branch is created, the Branch at Explicit Position

form is displayed. This form is used to position and orientate
the branch head and tail explicitly and define the connection
type for each.
The Branch at Explicit Position form may also be shown by

selecting Modify > Branch > Explicit.
The form can be used to:
 Set the Head / Tail option button to show the end of the branch which you want to position and
orientate.
 Define the Position by entering the required coordinates in the North / South, East / West, and Up /
Down text boxes, using the option buttons to set the appropriate direction in each case.
 Use the Width option button to change the tray width at the Head / Tail if required.
 Enter the Direction in which the head / tail is to be orientated.
 Use the Connection option button to select how the tray is to be terminated at the Head / Tail. The
options are Open the end will be left open for connection to another tray length (in another branch)
or Boxing the end will be closed to terminate the tray length.
 Change the Head / Tail option and repeat for the other end of the current branch if required.
 If this form is used to change the width of an existing branch, all components owned by the branch must
be reselected so that they are compatible with the new width. To do so, navigate to the branch and
select Modify > Branch > Reselect. A Reselect Branch form is displayed. On clicking Apply, all branch
components will be reselected automatically in members list order. Depending on the current Choose
options for the cable tray, it may be necessary to choose from the available types for some
components. (Note that the Choose form applies to the component next to the one highlighted in the
Members List, not to the current element).
 Selecting components with different sizes in a preconfigured pipeline or cable tray network can lead to
incorrect geometry. Check the effects by studying the 3D View and, if necessary, running a Data
Consistency Check.
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Setting the Cable Tray Branch CTRAY_YY010/B1 head and

Tail.
Select Head
Position East 45500

North 2000
Up 15500
Width 600
Direction W
Connection Open
Pick Apply
Select Tail
Position East 40000

North 2000
Up 14250
Width 450
Direction E
Connection Open
Pick Apply and Dismiss
2.9 World Co-ordinates
Within AVEVA Plant each element has a default orientation and lie in a particular orientation with respect to
an axis system labelled X, Y and Z. These axes relate to the World co-ordinates as follows:
X = EAST -X = WEST
Y = NORTH -Y = SOUTH
Z = UP -Z = DOWN
The default setting is E, N, U but this can be changed by entering COORDINATES XYZ or COORDINATES
ENU In the Command Window or by selecting Settings > Coordinates > XYZ.
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2.10 Cable Tray Branch Components (Fittings)
On initial definition of a branch head and tail, the branch will consist of one piece of cable tray running in a
straight line between the head and tail positions. This will appear as a dotted line between the two points
unless the head and tail are aligned along a common axis. (The dotted line indicates that the branch route is
geometrically incorrect.)
Head
Tail
The next step in designing a cable tray is to create and position a series of fittings, which define the cable
tray route required. It is necessary to decide which cable tray components are needed in order to satisfy the
requirements of the process and the design needs. It is not necessary to know specific fitting dimensions, as
PDMS derives these automatically from the catalogue.
To create cable tray fittings the user must select an item from the list of fittings available from the associated
cable tray specification. The main types of fitting available are Bends, Elbows (Risers), Tees, Reducers,
Crosses, and Fixed Tray (FTUB).
For all cable tray components the user must:
 Select the component from the cable tray specification.

 Position the component and set the orientation.
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2.10.1 Creating Branch Components (Cable Tray Fittings)
The user can create cable tray fittings by selecting Create > Component from the pull down menu.
Doing so will display the Cable Tray Component form.
This form shows all the component types that are available
in the current cable tray specification.
It is possible to select components from an alternative

specification by reselecting from the Cable Tray options list.
Normally Branch Members are defined in Forward mode, that is, one after the other, starting at the Head.
Sometimes it is more convenient to build the branch from the Tail first, in which case, Backwards mode is
more appropriate.
If the Auto Conn check box is ticked, this will ensure that components are automatically connected to the
previous component.
Components are created by selecting the required fitting from the scrollable list and then using the Create
button. The Choose form displays all available components for the specification selected.
Check Auto Conn
Select Riser
Pick Create
On the CHOOSE ELBO form Select OR 90.00 and OK
After selecting the initial component from the Choose form, the Open
Tray Direction form will open.
The user must set the tray direction by entering a valid direction Enter
U in the text box and then pick the OK button.
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An Inside Radius Riser is created

in a similar manor.
2.10.2 Selecting the Component from the Specification
On selection of a component from the catalogue, there are often a number of choices available. The
description of the component item can be presented in one of three ways
 Basic the least amount of information is displayed.

 Text description and material displayed.
 All all available data is shown.
The manner in which component information is displayed is changed by selecting Settings > Choose
Options. This will open the Choose Options form.
This selection criteria setting will determine the amount of information displayed. Auto Connect can also be
set from this form.
Selection Criteria: All
Selection Criteria: Text
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2.10.3 Branch Component List Order
With equipment and structures, the order in which items are created is of no importance to the final design.
With cable tray components, the order in which they are laid out, as well as their individual positions and
orientations, determines the final cable tray route.
Below is a Design Explorer window showing the components of a typical cable tray. The current element is
highlighted.
Any new item in the branch appears after the current element on clicking Create. The new item then
becomes the current element. The only slight deviation from this is for a new branch, in which case the new
item will be the first item in the branch.
List order will become second nature after the creation of a number of branches, but for the time being
remain aware of it and consider carefully where the next item is going to be inserted.
2.10.4 Automatic Positioning and Orientation of New Components
On selection of a component, in many cases, it is not necessary to go through the stages of positioning and
orientation. This is because the component is automatically connected to the previous one.
2.10.5 Positioning and Setting the Orientation of Components
Having created and chosen a component, the next stage is to position it. If it is the first component in the
Branch the Open Tray Direction must be specified.
On component creation, there is an option „Auto Conn’ which automatically connects the component to the
previous component (or to the Branch Head if it is the first component).
Components can be positioned using the lower button on the Cable Tray Components form, or by using any
selection from the Modify, Position or Orientate options from the Cable Tray Application menu.
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2.11 Arrive and Leave Points
Cable tray components have P–points (similar to those for equipment primitives). The significance of P–
points is two–fold. First, they define the connection points, and second, they determine the branch flow
through the component by means of Arrive and Leave attributes.
For the reducer shown below, the large end is at P1 and the small end is at P2. If this component is used to
increase the width of the branch, the flow in the direction of the branch will be from P2 to P1. In order to
specify in the flow direction in PDMS, set the two numeric attributes, Arrive and Leave, to the p–point
numbers required. In this case, Arrive would be set to 2 and Leave would be set to 1. (The default is Arrive 1
Leave 2).
Z P2 X Z Y
Y P0
P3
X
P1 P1 P2
Reducer Bends
Z P2 P2
Z
Y
X
P0
X P0
Y
P1 P3
P1
Tees Elbows or Risers
2.12 Save Work
Save Work saves any changes made to the model, this should be done at regular intervals to suit the
design, the Model Editor Undo and Redo function buttons can be used up to the point that the design is
saved.
To save the Design the user must select Design > Save Work from the pull
down menu or use the Save Work icon from the Default Toolbar.
A confirmation alert box now appears. Pressing Yes will confirm the action
and selecting No will cancel the action.
2.13 Get Work
Get Work updates the AVEVA Plant databases with work saved by other users.
To Get Work the user must select Design > Get Work from the pull down
menu or press the Get Work icon from the Default Toolbar.
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Exercise 1 - Create a Cable Tray
Prior to creating a cable tray the correct hierarchy must be present in the design explorer. Navigate to the
WORLD level then create a new SITE named CABLE. Under the SITE CABLE create a new ZONE named
101C-CABLEWAYS.
Create the Cable Tray Main CTRAY_YY010 and set the specification to SCTG.
Position the Head N 2000, E 45500, U 15500 and the Tail N 2000, E 40000, U 14250.
Set the width as 600 for the Head and 450 for the Tail and the direction to W for the Head and E for the Tail.
Set the connection to Open for both Head and Tail.
Create two riser components by working forward from the Head position. Ensure the Auto Connect check
box is selected then add a 90 degree Outer Riser to the head of the branch. Set the tray direction to U. Add
a 90 degree Inner Riser to the previous elbow. The branch should look like this in ISO 4:
Head
Tail
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CHAPTER 3
3 Connecting and Positioning Cable Tray Components
At the end of this session the user will be able to:
 Position and Connect Components using the Cable Tray Component Form
 Connect branch Head/Tail to the Tail/Head of another branch, or to a multi-way component, and
to the First/Last component within the branch.
 Connect adjacent components within a branch sequence.
 Understand the various menu options for positioning components.
A Connect command both Orientates and Positions the current component so that its p-arrive is directed
towards, and is aligned with, the p-leave of the previous component (in forwards mode). Unless overridden,
Connect also checks that the components to be connected have compatible connection types (as defined by
the Connection Compatibility Tables in the Catalogue database).
3.1 Positioning Cable Tray Components using the Cable Tray Components Form
The majority of positioning of cable tray items can be performed from the Cable Tray Components form. The
positioning pull down menu has the following options:
Thro Cursor A cursor-identified 3D position
Thro ID Cursor Cursor-identified item
Thro Point An identified p-point
Thro Next The next item in the Branch
Thro Tail The tail of the Branch
Thro Previous The previous item in the Branch
Thro Head The head of the Branch
Connect Connects to the previous component
There are many other ways to position cable tray components and these are explained in the following
pages.
Navigate to the Inside Riser in the
Design Explorer is will be shown as
ELBO2
On the Cable Tray Components Form
Select Thro Tail
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Note that a dotted line to the Tray Tail

is still shown as the Tray Sizes differ.
Create a new equal Tee by selecting the Tee

and picking Create Select a 600.00 Standard Equal Tee
Pick OK
Position the Tee 1000mm from the previous Riser by entering 1000 and Picking the Distance Button
 Note that the Distance Button is base on Centre Line

Distance Spool Distance is discussed later.
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3.2 Creating a New Branch
Each time there is an offline leg a Branch is required in the following example a new branch is created with
its Pipe Head Connected to a Tee and the Pipe Tail Positioned explicitly.
Select Create > Branch from the Main Form Pull Down.
The form is populated automatically

and the Branch Name incremented in
this case to B2
Pick OK to select the defaults.
Select Tail
Position East 40000

North 2000
Up 14250
Width 450
Direction E
Connection Open
Pick Apply and Dismiss
 The Tray Start will be set in the next section by

Connecting.
 The Tray Tail could be left at the world origin N0E0U0 and set later
3.3 Connecting the Branch Head or Tail
A variety of branch connection options are available to the

user. Users can access connection options by selecting
Connect > Branch from the Connect pull down menu.
This will open the Connect Cable Tray Branch form.
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 It is important that the user is located at branch level (or

below) in the design hierarchy when the menu is
accessed. If the user is not at the correct level a warning
message will be displayed.
The Connect Cable Tray Branch form allows the user to set the connection details of both the head and the
tail of the selected branch. The user can toggle between the head or tail by making an appropriate selection
from the option list in the top left corner of the form. The branch to which the connection is being applied is
displayed next to the head/tail selection.
The „To‟ option list provides a variety of connection options that can be applied to
the branch. These options are considered in more detail in the sections that
follow.
The form contains a CE button which allows the user to set the connection details
of several cable tray branches without closing the form.
 The user must be at branch level (or below) when using the CE button
otherwise an error message will be displayed and the form will close.
The base of the form contains three buttons. The Apply button actions the connection details set in the form.
The Reset button will return the form to the default settings. The Dismiss button closes the form cancelling
any connection details that may have been set but not applied.
 When a new branch is created the Branch at Explicit Position form is opened automatically. If the user
wishes to connect the new branch to an existing branch they must dismiss the Branch at Explicit
Position form then access the Connect Cable Tray Branch form as described previously.
3.3.1 Connecting to Tee
On applying the Tee option, the user is prompted to make a graphical selection of the tee to connect to. As
two of the three p-points available at the tee are already utilised, the application will automatically select the
free p-point and connect the branch to that point. Pick Apply and Identify the Tee.
Main Branch with through Tee New Branch Connected to Tee

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3.3.2 Connecting to Multi-way
On applying the Multi-way option, the user is prompted to identify the design point to connect to. As multiple
p-points are potentially available to connect to, the user cannot simply select an element. An individual p-
point within the multi-way element must be selected.
3.3.3 Connecting to Branch Head
On applying the Branch Head option, the user is prompted to identify the branch to connect to. A graphical
selection of any valid branch can be made and any part of the branch can be selected. The application will
then derive the head position of the selected branch and update the head/tail detail of the connecting
branch.
3.3.4 Connecting to Branch Tail
On applying the Branch Tail option, the user is prompted to identify the branch to connect to. A graphical
selection of any valid branch can be made and any part of the branch can be selected. The application will
then derive the tail position of the selected branch and update the head/tail detail of the connecting branch.
3.3.5 Connect to First Member
On applying the First Member option, the head or tail position will dynamically update to the position of the
first member in the branch.
Branch Head Prior to Connect Function Branch Head After First Member Option Used
3.3.6 Connect to Last Member
On applying the Last Member option, the head or tail position will dynamically update to the position of the
last member in the branch.
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3.3.7 Connect to Name
On selecting the Name option from the Connect Cable Tray

Branch form, the Name pop up form is opened.
The user must enter the name of a valid PDMS element

present in the model. The name will be checked, and if valid,
displayed adjacent to the „To‟ options list in the Connect Cable
Tray Branch form. The user must then select the Apply button
to connect the head/tail.
Where another branch element has been selected, the user will
be prompted to select whether the head or tail of the named
element is to be used as the connection point.
3.4 Connecting a Component
Individual components can be connected to each other using a variety

of options. The Connect menu contains two component connection
options. Command line syntax can also be used to connect
components. In addition to these options, components can be
connected when they are created.
3.4.1 Connecting Components at Creation
Selecting the Auto Conn check box when creating components will
ensure that the components are connected.
3.4.2 Connect To Previous
The user can connect a component to the previous component by selecting

Connect>Component>To Previous from the main Connect menu. Doing so
will connect the selected component to the previous component listed in the
branch members list.
This is illustrated in the scenario below. In this instance BEND 1 has been
selected and connected to TEE 1.
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Initial Component Layout – No Connection Elbow Connected Using Connect To Previous
3.4.3 Connect To Next
The user can connect a component to the next component by selecting

Connect>Component>To Next from the main Connect menu. Doing so will
connect the selected component to the next component listed in the branch
members list.
This is illustrated in the scenario below. In this instance BEND 1 has been
selected and connected to FTUB 1.
Initial Component Layout – No Connection Elbow Connected Using Connect To Next
 Connection of components can also be done using command line syntax. After selecting the
component to be connected, enter CONN TO PREV or CONN TO NEXT in the command line. This
syntax replicates the Connect To Previous and Connect To Next actions outlined previously.
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3.5 Displaying Cable Tray Obstruction Level
While the cable tray route is being designed, it may be necessary to show the obstruction level of the cable
tray. This is done by changing the obstruction volume representation level of either the branch or a
component.
Selecting Settings > Graphics from the main pull down menu will open the Graphics Settings form. The
representation of the obstruction volume is controlled on the Representation Tab. The obstruction option list
allows the user to alter the transparency of the obstruction volume.
3.6 Positioning Components
The Position Component options enable you to move a component without specifying a direction. The
direction of movement is the direction of the component. The options are as follows:
Distance Moves the component by a given

distance.
Through Moves the component along a given

point.
Clearance Moves the component to within a given

clearance of a give item or point.
Plane Through Moves the component along the line of

the branches so that the component
moves until it intersects a plane through
a given point.
Plane Clearance Extends the arrive tube so that the

component moves until it is within a
given clearance of a plane through a
given point.
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3.6.1 Distance
This function allows the positioning of a component at a given distance from a specified point. The direction
of movement and the distance are along the current components arrive/leave axis.
Selecting Position > Component > Distance from the main pull down menu will open the Distance form. A
positional axis will also appear on the component in the graphical view.
The user must then enter the distance required. Two option lists
below the distance text box control how the nominated distance
will be applied. Depending on the configuration selected, cursor
picks or additional data entry may be required.
A CE button is provided on the form allowing several

components to be positioned without closing the form.
Positioning options on the pull down menus are as follows:
Only Position is relative to previous item.
Spool Only Positions component at given distance from

next to achieve required tube length
between them.
Infront / Behind Can be used for any direction in a plan

view. Distance is measured along direction
of movement, relative to a specified point
Onto / Under Can be used for any N, S, E or W view

direction. Distance is measured along
direction of movement, relative to a
specified point.
From / To
Can be used with any direction in an
elevation view. Distance is measured along
direction of movement, relative to a
specified point
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The second pull down specifies the reference point from which the distance is measured. The choices are:
Cursor A cursor-identified 3D position
ID Cursor A cursor-identified item whose origin is at

the required position.
ID P-Point A cursor-identified p-point at the required

position
Coordinate An explicit position whose coordinates you

will enter
Name A named item whose origin is at the

required position
Pin A numbered construction pin at the required

position
Next / Previous Adjacent component in branch members

list.
Head / Tail Head or tail of owning branch.
Current Current item (used to reposition component

when previous item in branch members list
has been moved).
3.6.2 Through
This function allows the alignment of a component with a specified point. The direction of movement is along
the current components arrive/leave axis
Selecting Position > Component > Through from the pull down menu will open the Through form.
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The „Through‟ option list provides a variety of positioning

options that can be applied to the branch.
Like the Distance form, the Through form has a CE button

allowing the user to position several components without
having to close the form.
In this example the Tail option has been applied. Other combinations will require the user to either pick with
the cursor or enter data on the resulting form, depending on the way you chose to specify the position
3.6.3 Clearance
This function allows the component to be moved to a given clearance from a specified point. The direction of
movement is along the current components arrive/leave axis.
Selecting Position > Component > Clearance from the pull down menu opens the Distance form.
The user must then enter the clearance required. Two option
lists below the clearance text box control how the nominated
clearance will be applied. Depending on the configuration
selected, cursor picks or additional data entry may be required.

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3.6.4 Plane Through
This function allows the user to move the component until it intersects a plane through a given point. The
direction of movement is along the current components arrive/leave axis.
Selecting Position > Component > Plane Through from the pull down menu opens the Plane Through
form.
The user must define a plane by specifying its direction

(defined as the direction normal to the plane‟s surface)
and a point through which it passes.
The user must enter the plane direction in the Plane text-
box. The reference point through which the plane passes
can be selected from the Through options list.

3.6.5 Plane Clearance
This function allows the user to move the component until it has a given clearance distance from a plane
through a given point. The direction of movement is along the current components arrive/leave axis.
Selecting Position > Component > Plane Clearance from the pull down menu opens the Plane Clearance
form. An axis aid is displayed on the component to be moved.
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The user must define a plane by specifying its direction (defined

as the direction normal to the plane‟s surface) and a point through
which it passes.
The user must enter the plane direction in the Plane text-box and
a clearance distance (that will be applied from the plane) in the
Clearance text box.
Two option lists below the clearance text box control how the
clearance will be applied, relative to the plane, and the point
through which the plane will pass.
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Exercise 2 - Adding and Positioning Components
Add a Tee and a 450mm Reducer to the previously created Cable Tray CTRAY_YY010
Position the components as shown using the Position >Component and Connect > Component pull
downs.
1000
500
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CHAPTER 4
4 Branch Re-routing and Connection References
At the end of this session the user will be able to:
 Modify the offline leg direction of a TEE.

 Change branch direction and routing.
 Understand how to set/modify connection references for a multi-way component.
This session describes how to modify the off-leg direction of a TEE component and how to change branch
direction/routing at a TEE.
4.1 Swap Branch
The Swap Branch function allows the user to change the Offline leg Direction of a TEE.
Before carrying out the Swap Branch command it is necessary

to know the orientation of p-points at the selected component.
The orientation can be checked by selecting Query > General

from the pull down menu. Doing so will display the Query form.
Using the appropriate options list the various p-points of the
selected component can be checked.
After establishing the orientation of the p-points the user can re-
orientate the component. A tee can be rotated through 180
degrees, so that the direction of its offline leg (P3) is reversed,
by navigating to the tee and selecting Orientate > Component
> Swap Branch from the pull down menu.
The component immediately updates in the graphical view. The

new orientation can be confirmed by re-checking the p-point
orientation using the Query>General function.
 In order to retain the correct orientation for the open side

of the tray, this operation results in the p-arrive (P1) and p-
leave (P2) directions being reversed. To maintain
connectivity, p-arrive is reset to P2 and p-leave is reset to
P1 automatically.
4.2 Change Exit
The Change Exit function allows the user to change the Branch Direction at a Tee or Bend
By default, p-arrive for a tee is set to P1 and p-leave is set to P2. The off-leg (for connection to another
branch) is set to P3.
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The p-leave of a tee can be changed from P2 to P3. This is achieved by navigating to the tee then selecting
Orientate > Component > Change Exit. This function allows the user to toggle the p-leave point between
P2 and P3.
The same function can also be applied to a Bend to change the direction of the p-leave point. It swaps the p-
arrive and p-leave, so that P1 is p-leave, and P2 is p-arrive.
4.3 Changing Branch Routing at a Tee
By default, the p-arrive of a tee is set to P1 and the p-leave is set to

P2, so that the branch route continues straight through the tee. It is
possible to change the p-leave such that the branch route enters or
leaves the tee via P3. This is achieved by selecting Modify >
Component > Route from the pull down menu. This opens the
Modify Route form.
Three radio button options are available to the user. As previously described the default setting is the Route
Through option. Selecting the Branch Off option will change the p-leave point to the orthogonal branch of the
tee (i.e. P3). Selecting the Split Route option will change the p-arrive point to the orthogonal branch of the
tee. The p-leave point will be at P2.
Once the desired configuration has been selected the user must click the Apply button to instigate the
change. The tee orientation will immediately update to suit the new configuration.
The form also contains a CE button which allows the user to modify the configuration of several tee
components without closing the form.
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4.4 Changing a Component Connection Reference Explicitly
On connection of a multi-way component within a branch to another item (such as a nozzle, or the head or
tail of another branch), the Connection Reference (CREF) attribute of the component identifies the
connected item.
To unset the component reference, or connect it to a different item, the

user must select Modify > Component > Connection Ref from the pull
down menu. Doing so will open the Connection Reference form.
The appearance of the Connection Reference form will vary depending

on the number of offline legs held by the cable tray component being
modified.
For a component with only one offline leg (e.g. a tee), the Connection Reference form will only display the
connection reference for the offline leg (usually P3).
Components with more than one off-line leg have a CRFA attribute which is used to store the connection reference
at each p-point. For components with more than one offline leg (e.g. a cross), the Connection References form
displays an options list and a reference text box. The connection reference for each p-point can be checked by
selecting the desired point from the options list.
The connection reference can be removed by selecting the Unset button adjacent to the reference text box. The
connection reference can be changed to another item by entering the item name in the reference text box then
selecting the Apply button. Selecting the Reset button will restore the last connection references written to the
database.
 Applied connection references will be written to the database when the form is dismissed.
 Changing the connection reference does not change the position or orientation of any components, so it is also
necessary to ensure that the resulting geometry makes sense.
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CHAPTER 5
5 Positioning Commands for Branch Head/Tail
This session covers the explicit and relative positioning of Branch Heads and Tails.
Selecting Position> Branch from the pull down menu displays a range of positioning options available to
the user.
General Positions the Head / Tail at a given point
Distance Moves the Head / Tail along the current

branch direction until it is a given distance
from a given reference point
Through Moves the Head / Tail along the current

branch direction until it is aligned through a
specified point
Move Moves the Head / Tail in a given direction by a

given Distance, Through a given point, or to
within a given Clearance of another item
Drag Allows you to move a constrained network in a

given direction by a given Distance, Through a
given point, or to within a given Clearance of
another item
5.1 General
Selecting Position > Branch > General from the pull down
menu opens the Branch at General Position form. An axis aid is
also displayed in the graphical view.
The user can select whether the branch head or tail will be
positioned by making the appropriate selection from the options
list in the top left corner of the form.
The user can then select from a range of positioning points

from the „At‟ options list. Subject to the positioning point
selected, the user will be prompted to make a graphical
selection or enter further data.
Once the positioning point has been established the user can
position the branch by selecting the Apply button.
The form contains a CE button allowing the user to modify

several branches without closing the form.
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5.2 Distance
Selecting Position > Branch > Distance from the pull

down menu opens the Position form. An axis aid is
also displayed in the graphical view.
The user can select whether the branch head or tail

will be positioned by making the appropriate selection
from the options list in the top left corner of the form. A
value must also be entered in the distance text box.
The user must then stipulate how the distance will be

applied and where it will be applied from. This is done
by making selections from the two option lists below
the distance text box.
Once the positioning point has been established the

user can position the branch by selecting the Apply
button.
The form contains a CE button allowing the user to

modify several branches without closing the form.
 The positioning options available in the options

lists are very similar to those discussed in section
3.5.1 Component Position Distance.
5.3 Through
Selecting Position > Branch > Through from the pull

down menu opens the Position form. An axis aid is also
displayed in the graphical view.
The user can select whether the branch head or tail will
be positioned by making the appropriate selection from
the options list in the top left corner of the form.
The „Through‟ option list provides a variety of positioning

options that can be applied to the branch.
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Once the positioning point has been established the user can position the branch by selecting the Apply button.
The form contains a CE button allowing the user to modify several branches without closing the form.
5.4 Move
The Move function allows the user to move the branch Head or Tail by a given direction by a given Distance,
Through a given point, or to within a given Clearance of another item.
5.4.1 Distance
Selecting Position > Branch > Move > Distance from the pull down
menu opens the Move Branch Distance form. An aid axis is also
displayed.
The user can select whether the branch head or tail will be positioned by making the appropriate selection
from the options list in the top left corner of the form. A distance and direction must be stipulated. The
branch head/tail will be moved when the user selects the Apply button. The form contains a CE button
allowing the user to modify several branches without closing the form.
5.4.2 Through
Selecting Position > Branch > Move > Through from

the pull down menu opens the Move Branch Through
form. An aid axis is also displayed.
The user can select whether the branch head or tail will be positioned by making the
appropriate selection from the options list in the top left corner of the form. A direction
must be stipulated and a selection made from the „Through‟ option list. Depending on
the selection made, further graphical picks or data entry may be required.
The branch head/tail will be moved when the user selects the Apply button. The form
contains a CE button allowing the user to modify several branches without closing the
form.
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5.4.3 Clearance
Selecting Position > Branch > Move > Clearance from the pull
down menu opens the Move Branch Clearance form. An aid axis
is also displayed.
The user can select whether the branch head or tail will be positioned
by making the appropriate selection from the options list in the top left
corner of the form. A clearance and direction must be entered.
How the clearance will be applied and where it will be applied from is
specified by making selections from the two options lists. Depending on
the selections made, further graphical picks or data entry may be
required.
The branch head/tail will be moved when the user selects the Apply button. The form contains a CE button
allowing the user to modify several branches without closing the form.
 The positioning options available in the options lists are very similar to those discussed in section 3.5.1
Component Position Distance.
5.5 Drag
The Drag function allows the movement of a constrained network in a given direction by a given Distance,
Through a given point, or to within a given Clearance of another item.
A constrained network is a collection of cable tray components, equipment and nozzles formed automatically
during a Drag operation. The Drag action moves all items in the constrained network as a group, retaining
their relative positions and connectivity.
The network comprises all items connected to the current element in all directions up to a legal end point. A
legal end may be any of the following:
 FTUBE which can be extended or shortened parallel to the move direction.

 A nozzle.
 A point between misaligned components.
 A point between incompatibly connected components.
 A component which has not been positioned and orientated.
 An element which the user does not have access rights to move.
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5.5.1 Distance
Distance drags the branch Head / Tail, together with other connected components, equipment and nozzles
within a constrained network, by a given distance in a given direction.
Selecting Position > Branch > Drag > Distance from the pull down
menu opens the Drag Move Branch Distance form. An aid axis is also
displayed.
The user can select whether the branch head or tail will be positioned by making the appropriate selection
from the options list in the top left corner of the form. A distance and direction must be stipulated. On
selecting the Apply button, a confirmation alert box is displayed to the user.
If the user selects the No button the branch head/tail will be moved. Selecting the Yes button will return the
branch head/tail to its original position.
Original Branch Configuration Drag Distance Applied – 500mm from Tee
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5.5.2 Through
Allows you to drag a constrained network, along a specified direction until it is aligned with a specified point
Selecting Position > Branch > Drag > Through from

the pull down menu opens the Drag Move Branch
Through form. An aid axis is also displayed.
The user can select whether the branch head or tail will be positioned by making the
appropriate selection from the options list in the top left corner of the form. A direction
must be stipulated and a selection made from the „Through‟ option list. Depending on
the selection made, further graphical picks or data entry may be required. On selecting
the Apply button, a confirmation alert box is displayed to the user.
If the user selects the No button the branch head/tail will be moved. Selecting the Yes
button will return the branch head/tail to its original position.
Original Branch Configuration Drag Through Applied – ID P-Point at Tee
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5.5.3 Clearance
This feature allows a constrained network to be dragged along a specified direction until it is a given
clearance from a specified point.
Selecting Position > Branch > Drag > Clearance from the pull
down menu opens the Drag Move Branch Through form. An aid
axis is also displayed.
The user can select whether the branch head or tail will be positioned
by making the appropriate selection from the options list in the top left
corner of the form. A clearance and direction must be entered.
How the clearance will be applied and where it will be applied from is
specified by making selections from the two options lists. Depending on
the selections made, further graphical picks or data entry may be
required.
 The positioning options available in the options lists are very
similar to those discussed in section 3.5.1 Component Position
Distance.
On selecting the Apply button, a confirmation alert box is displayed to the user.
If the user selects the No button the branch head/tail will be moved. Selecting the Yes button will return the
branch head/tail to its original position.
Original Branch Configuration Drag Clearance Applied – 250mm Behind ID P-Point

at Tee
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CHAPTER 6
6 Fixed Length Trays and Implied Straights
Implied straights in cable trays can be compared with implied tubing for piping. Implied straights occur where
there is a physical distance between consecutive list order components. Implied straights can be replaced
by fixed length tray (FTUB) elements.
6.1 Replacing Implied Straights with Fixed-Length Trays
Fixed-length tray (FTUB) elements can be applied to all or part of the current branch in the model. Creating
fixed length trays will replace sections of implied straights.
To create fixed length trays the user must be at branch level or below in the design hierarchy. Selecting
Modify > Fill from the pull down menu will open the Fill Cable Tray Branch form.
The „Fill‟ options list allows the user to select the extent of the cable tray branch that fixed length trays will be
applied to. Four options are available to the user:
Branch – Replaces all implied straights with fixed length trays for the entire branch.
Components – Inserts fixed length trays between two specified components.
Head to Component – Inserts fixed length trays between the branch head and a specified component.
Component to Tail – Inserts fixed length trays between a specified component and the branch tail.
Model with Implied Straights Model with Fixed Trays Applied to Branch
The fixed-length trays used are derived from the current branch specification. The number of trays used in
each location is calculated from the length of the implied straight which they replace.
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6.2 Replacing Fixed-Length Trays with Implied Straights
It is sometimes necessary to remove fixed-length tray (FTUB) elements from all or part of the current branch
in the model.
To remove fixed length trays the user must be at branch level or below in the design hierarchy. Selecting
Modify > Unfill from the pull down menu will open the Unfill Cable Tray Branch form.
The „Unfill‟ options list allows the user to select the extent of the cable tray branch that fixed length trays will
be removed from. Four options are available to the user:
Branch – Removes all fixed length trays and replaces them with implied straights along
the entire branch.
Components – Removes fixed length trays between two specified components and relaces
them with implied straights.
Head to Component – Removes fixed length trays between the branch head and a specified
component and replaces them with implied straights.
Component to Tail – Removes fixed length trays between a specified component and the branch tail
and replaces them with implied straights.
Model with Fixed Trays Model with Unfill Branch Function Applied
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Exercise 3 - Create Branch and Add Fixed Length Tray
Using the example form the previous exercise, Create the branch from the Tee, add the 600mm bend and
600x450mm reducer to the branch.
Position the bend and the reducer as shown. Position the tail 500mm away from the leave of the reducer.
Fill the cable tray branches with fixed length tray.
1000
500
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CHAPTER 7
7 Quick Cable Tray Routing using the Model Editor
The Model editor allows the user to select and drag components along a specified direction and to rotate
components around their origin point. The editor uses three handles:
Extend Route Handle This is used to extend the route in the direction indicated by the handle.
Cardinal Direction Handles These are used to move components in a cardinal direction
Rotational Handles These are used to rotate components about their origin.
Rotational
Cardinal Handles
Direction
Handles
Extend
Route
Handle
 For cable tray components the model editor should only be used to move components within the route
direction.
The model editor can be used to quickly correct geometrical inconsistencies within the cable route.
The handle can be dragged by using either the LHS or RHS mouse buttons. By default the handle will move
in multiples of the currently defined linear increments.
If the RHS mouse button is pressed when the cursor is over the cable tray routing handle, the user will be
presented with a context sensitive menu. The menu will display the available options which relate to the
drag.
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7.1 Extend Handle Pop-ups
The following options are available on the Extend Handle before a drag.
Enter Offset This gives the Constrained Move form which lets the user enter an offset from the
current handle‟s position in the current routing direction.
Enter Leg Length This gives the Leg Length form which lets the user enter an absolute distance of the
handle from the last previous change in the direction‟s position.
Distance From Origin This displays the Explicit Distance form which allows the user to enter an absolute
distance of the handle from the previous component‟s origin position.
Extend Through This allows the user to identify features with which to align, along the current route
Feature direction.
Orient to Point This directs the handle either directly to a point feature or rotates about the vertical
axis, maintaining horizontal offset, when a linear feature is identified.
Align with Direction This allows the user to identify features with which the handle is to be aligned.
Explicit Direction This gives the Enter Direction for <direction> Axis form which lets the user enter an
explicit direction for the handle.
Component Choice This allows the user to select the type of Component that is created by the Routing
Handle when a change in direction occurs. The Component can be set to either
Elbows or Bends.
Distance Feedback This allows the user to select how the Routing Handle displays distance feedback.
This can be set to either Offset (offset from the previous handle‟s position), Leg
Length (distance of the handle from the last previous change in direction‟s
position), or From Origin (distance of the handle from the previous Component‟s
origin position). Using the D 'hotkey' cycles through the options.
Show Rotation This toggles the display of the Rotation Handles (selected by default).
Handles
Cancel This returns the handle and selection to its original state before the drag.
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The following options are available on the Extend Handle on completion of a drag, i.e. when the mouse
button has been used to drag the handle and no special actions are active:
Extend Leaves the handle at the shown position.
Cancel Returns the handle and selection to its original state before the drag.
7.2 Rotation Handle Pop-ups
The following options are available on the Rotation Handle before a drag:
Enter Value This gives the Rotate Selection About form, enabling the user to enter a value to
rotate the graphical selection about the selected rotational axis.
Orient to Point This allows the user to pick a p-line through a point with which to orient the Rotation
Handle.
Align with Direction This allows the user to identify features with which the handle is to be aligned.
Planes will be displayed to indicate a p-point direction (pointer symbol) or a p-line
direction (symbol). Pressing and releasing the SHIFT key will reverse the direction
of the handle.
Align With This displays the Enter Direction For <direction> Axis form which allows the user to
align the handle with a specified direction, or as close as possible to the given
direction, about the axis of the cable tray.
Rotate Handle Allows the user to rotate the Locator Handle, using the same movement options as
the main Rotation Handle menu. These options move the Locator Handle only; they
do not move the Graphical Selection. Alternatively a 'freehand' movement of the
Rotate Handle can be accomplished by pressing the H key with the handle selected
and the left mouse button held down.
The Locator Handle may be rotated independently of the Graphical Selection in

order to change the frame of reference for the next operation on the Graphical
Selection.
Rotate Handle > This option aligns the Locator Handle with the World co-ordinate system, without
To World rotating the Graphical Selection. The Locator Handle Y axis points North and the Z
axis points Up.
Cancel This removes the shortcut menu and deselects the selected Locator Handle.
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7.3 Setting Increment Values
As noted previously, the model editor handles move components by pre-defined incremental values. The
increment used can be adjusted by the user.
Selecting Selection > Set Increments from the main menu

opens the Set Increments form.
This form allows the user to set the increments for Linear, Fine Linear and Angular increments.
The Linear increment is specified in the currently active units. The Linear increment controls the step size
used when dragging a Graphical Selection using a linear or planar handle. The default step size in 50mm or
2 inches.
The Fine linear increment has the same function as the linear increment, but with a default step size in
5mm. Fine 'nudges' are achieved but using the '2' and '8' numeric keypad keys or the arrow keys with the
mouse button held down
The Angular increment controls the angular step size used when dragging a Graphical Selection using a
rotation handle. The default step size is 5 degrees
Linear increment Fine linear increment Angular increment
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CHAPTER 8
8 Copying and Deleting Branches/Components
8.1 Copy an Inline Component
As with equipment and piping components, inline cable tray

components can be copied using the offset, mirror and rotate
functions available through the Create>Copy pull down menu.
The user must ensure that they have selected the correct
component, either from the Design Explorer Hierarchy or via a
graphical selection, then select the appropriate option from the
Create>Copy menu.
In the example below, the copy offset function is applied to the reducer. As the screen shots demonstrate, the
steps involved in creating the inline component is the same as that in other standard PDMS applications.
Copy Offset Form Activated Aid Axis Confirmation Message Retained Copy
8.2 Copy a Branch
Many cable tray networks make use of components being regularly repeated in standard configurations. As
such, it is desirable for designers to be able to copy parts of the cable tray network and position them
elsewhere in the model. This can be achieved by copying a complete branch and moving it to another
position.
To create the copy, the user must select the branch required from the Design Explorer (or by selecting the
branch in the graphical view) and then select Create > Copy > Offset from the pull down menu.
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Original Configuration Branch Copied, Re-positioned & Connected
The workflow is identical to that used to create inline components; however the new branch will need to be
re-named. The Head and Tail positions of the branch also need to be connected to appropriate points in the
model.
8.3 Deleting a Cable Tray/Branch
It is often necessary to delete entire cable trays or selected cable tray branches. The user can delete cable
trays/branches by selecting them from the Design Explorer hierarchy, pressing the right mouse button, then
from the pop up menu selecting Delete.
Items can also be deleted by selecting Delete > CE from the pull down menu, or by selecting the delete
button from the default toolbar.
When the delete command is selected, a confirmation message box will be displayed. Selecting Yes will
delete the cable tray/branch and the graphical view will update.
8.4 Deleting individual components
Individual cable tray components can also be deleted. The work flow is the same as that outlined for
branches above. Components may be selected from the Design Explorer hierarchy or the graphical view.
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8.5 Deleting a Range of Cable Tray Components
It is possible to delete a number of components in the same cable tray or branch. Components must first be
selected, either by picking the components in the graphical view whilst holding down the Ctrl key, or by
highlighting the required components using a graphical selection window.
Selecting Edit > Delete Selection from the pull down menu will delete the components are the graphical
display will immediately update.
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A Worked Example - Cable Tray Routing

Before undertaking the worked example, ensure the site /CABLESITE exists, this site provides the building
that will be used in the following worked example and exercise. Select the site named /CABLESITE and set
the view limits to CE. Add the site to the display.
Remove the outside walls and shown
This worked example demonstrates various ways in which cable tray routing can take place. It will build up
the cable tray component sequence illustrated below. Where tray references are provided they relate to this
diagram. The default specification used in this example is set to SCTG.
N
15
14
13
12
11 PT
9
8 10
PH
6
1
4,5
2
3
BRANCH /TRAY-1/B1 showing input sequence

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It is first necessary to set up the design hierarchy and

administrative elements required for the cable tray.
Navigate to the site called /CABLESITE created in exercise

one.
Select Create> Zone from the pull down menu and create a
zone called CABLETRAZONE.
Select Create> Main from the pull down menu and create a
cable tray called TRAY-1.
The Create Cable Tray Branch form will automatically open

and be populated with a name for the branch. Select the OK
button to create the branch.
The Branch at Explicit Position form is automatically

opened.
Initially, only the head of the branch will be positioned and

specified. Enter the following information for the branch
head:
East 10000, South 12500, Up 5000.
Width 600, Direction W, Connection Open.
Select Apply and then Dismiss the form.
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With the necessary administrative elements in place,

specific components can now be created and positioned to
form the cable tray route.
Select Create>Component from the pull down menu. The

Cable Tray Components form will now be displayed.
Select the Forwards radio button and ensure the Auto Conn
check box is selected. Now choose the Tee option from the
scrollable list. Select the Create button.
As the Default check box is not selected on the Cable Tray

Components form the CHOOSE form is activated.
Select a 600 FALS Tee from the list and select OK button.
If the CHOOSE form does not appear as displayed here it

can be modified by selecting Settings>Choose Options
from the pull down menu. The Choose Options form will
then be displayed, Select All and Dismiss
As this is the initial component selected for the branch the

Open Tray Direction form will automatically open.
Set the open tray direction to U and press OK.
The Tee will be positioned at the head of the branch

because the Auto Conn check box has been selected.
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Using the Cable Tray Components form position the Tee using
the Through ID Cursor option.
A system prompt will then ask the user to Identify Element.

Select the penetration in the floor near the centre of the south
wall named /FLOORHOLE1.
 Keep the Cable Tray Components form open until the entire
Cable Tray has been routed.
Create another Tee in the same way as above and position it

through the next penetration named /FLOORHOLE2.
Fig 1 (Tray Ref 2)
Create a Bend (tray ref 3) from the Cable Tray Components List.
From CHOOSE BEND form select RH 90.00 and OK
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Position the Bend through the penetration in the wall named

/INTHOLE1.
The leave side of the Bend should point “North”. If it does not,
use Orientate>Component>Change Exit to correct it.
Create a Riser and select the OR 90 type (90 deg. elbow

outside radius), and position it a Distance 5000. The leave
should automatically point down.
Create another Riser and select the IR 90.00 type (90 deg.
elbow inside radius), and use Through ID Cursor option to
position it through the penetration named /INTHOLE2. The
leave should automatically point North.
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Create a Bend using the Cable Tray Components form and

select the RH 45.00 deg. ANGLE type.
Position it a Distance 5000 from the previous component.
Create another Bend and select the LH 45 deg. ANGLE type

(tray ref 7).
Position this using the Position>Component>Plane Through

option.
Select a Plane E and Through ID Cursor option. Select the

penetration in the wall named /INTHOLE3.
Dismiss the Plane Through form.
Next, Create a Bend and select the RH 90 deg. ANGLE type.
Use the Through ID Cursor option to position it through the

penetration named /INTHOLE4.
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Create a Tee and select the type with PBOR3 600 (tray ref 9).
Position the Tee using the Through ID Cursor option from the
Create Cable Tray Components form and select the nearer of
the two penetrations in the floor near the North wall, named
/FLOORHOLE3.
Create a Reducer and select the type PBOR1 450 CONC.

Position it a Distance 2500 from the previous component.
 The tray we are now creating is 450mm wide.
Create a Bend from the Cable Tray Components form and

select the LH 45 deg. ANGLE type. Leave it connected to the
previous component.
Create another Bend from the Cable Tray Components List and
select the RH 45.00 deg. ANGLE type.
Position this using the Position>Component>Plane Through

option.
Select a plane N and use the Through ID Cursor option. Select

the penetration in the wall named /INTHOLE5. Dismiss the
form.
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Create a Tee and select the type with PBOR3 450.00 (tray ref
13).
Position the Tee using the Through ID Cursor option from the
Create Cable Tray Components form and select the penetration
in the floor near the centre of the north wall named
/FLOORHOLE4.
Create another Tee as above. Position the Tee using the

Through ID Cursor option on the Create Cable Tray
Components form. Select the penetration in the floor near
the centre of the north wall named /FLOORHOLE5.
The connection point of the tee should point south but if it

points north, change this using the
Orientate>Component>Swap Branch function.
Create another Riser and select the OR 90.00 type (90 deg.
elbow outside radius).
Use the Through ID Cursor option to position it through the

penetration named /FLOORHOLE6. The leave should
automatically point Down.
To complete the Cable Tray the Tail needs to be positioned

at the penetration named /FLOORHOLE6.
Select Connect>Branch from the pull down menu. Use the

form to connect the branch Tail at the P-leave of the last
member.
 This will set Tail attributes TBOR, TPOS, TCON and

TDIR.
To position the Tail at the penetration named

/FLOORHOLE6 use the Position>Branch>Move
Through function.
Select /FLOORHOLE6 when prompted.
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Branch Creation:
Each time there is an offline leg, a new branch is

required.
Select Create > Branch from the Main Pull down.
The Create Branch form is automatically populated

with the next available branch code in this case B2
Pick OK to accept the defaults
The Branch Explicit Position Form is Automatically

displayed, this form can be dismissed as the Branch
head will be set by connecting it to the first Tee
(TEE 1) Pick Dismiss
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Positioned at the newly created Branch /TRAY-1/B2

Select Connect > Branch
As the Head is connected to a Tee Pick Apply
Select TEE1 of BRANCH /TRAY-1/B1
Create a Riser and select the OR 90.00 type (90 deg.

elbow outside radius).
Use the Through ID Cursor option to position it

through the penetration named /FLOORHOLE1. The
leave should automatically point Down.
To complete the Cable Tray the Tail needs to be

positioned at the penetration named /FLOORHOLE1.
Select Connect>Branch from the pull down menu.

Use the form to connect the branch Tail at the P-leave
of the last member.
 This will set Tail attributes TBOR, TPOS, TCON

and TDIR.
To position the Tail at the penetration named

/FLOORHOLE6 use the Position>Branch>Move
Through function.
Through ID Cursor and Apply
Select /FLOORHOLE1 when prompted.
The other Branches should be created in a similar manner.
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Filling Tray with Fixed Length Components
With the cable tray components now defining the

cable tray route, implied straights can now be
replaced with fixed length tray components.
Navigate to the branch level in the design explorer

hierarchy then select Modify>Fill.. from the pull
down menu. The Fill Cable Tray Branch will open.
Select the Branch option from the Fill options list

and click the OK button.
 If modifications are required to the cable tray

route it is best to remove the fixed length
straights before making the modifications. This
can be done by selecting Modify>Unfill.. from
the pull down menu.
 Fixed length straights should be added back to
the design once the cable tray route is correct.
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Exercise 4 – Creating Branches
The drawing on the next page shows three levels of cable tray with a series of side branches coming from
the uppermost cable tray. The previous worked example created the main branch of the uppermost cable
tray and one side branch.
Using appropriate creation, connection and positioning functions, create the side branches that attach to the
upper cable tray. Use riser sections to direct the cable trays to the openings created in the floors and
position the branch tails at these points.
Create the main branches of each of the lower cable trays using the Copy > Offset from the main pull down.
Remember to rename the branches and ensure the branch heads and tails are correctly connected.
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CHAPTER 9
9 Data Consistency, Isodraft and Reporting
If Isodraft is to be used to produce isometric plot files of cable trays there are a number of points that users
must consider.
 The cable tray must be data consistency checked and any errors removed before an isometric plot
is generated.
 Any Branches that make up a cable tray must connect to the Main Branch. It is not possible to have
a branch off a branch, as this will cause ISODRAFT to fail.
9.1 Data Consistency
To carry out data consistency checking from

within the Cable Tray application, the user must
select Utilities>Data Consistency.
Selecting the Cable Tray… button from the

Parameters panel opens the Cable Tray
Consistency Check Options.
The form allows the user to adjust the tolerances

that will be applied to the data consistency checks
as required.
Once the tolerances have been set the user must

navigate to the Cable Tray to be checked. The
user must then select the level of hierarchy at
which the checks will be made from the scrollable
list on the Data Consistency Check form.
Selecting Apply will run the consistency check. If

errors are present in the design a series of
diagnostic messages will be reported to the user
in the Data Consistency Check form.
 Refer to the Aveva Plant Piping reference

manual for a full description of data
consistency errors.
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9.2 Isodraft
When the Cable Tray Design is complete, and data consistency errors have been checked and rectified, it is
possible to produce an Isometric plot of the Cable Tray. To do this the user must switch to the Isodraft
module. This is done by selecting Design>Modules>Isodraft from the pull down menu. Navigate to the
Cable Tray required.
Selecting Isometrics>Standard from the main

application menu will open the Standard Isometric
form.
A basic drawing can be obtained by selecting the

BASIC.MET options file then selecting Apply.
 Refer to the Aveva Plant Isodraft reference manual for a full description of Isodraft functionality.
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9.3 Generating Reports
To generate a quick report, select Utilities > Quick Reports from the main bar menu.
Output can be directed to a file

or to screen.
Type can be any element type.
With allows a conditional

expression to be applied.
Columns are the headings for

the report, typically an attribute
name,
Hierarchy is the top level

element you wish to report on.
Select Run the Report to generate a file or screen listing.
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Exercise 5 – Data Consistency, Reporting and Isodraft
Select one of the main branch cable trays created in exercise 4. Run a data consistency check and correct
any errors that may occur.
Use the same cable tray and run a report checking the number of Tees with an arrive bore greater than 600.
List the names and positions of the Tee sections.
Switch modules to Isodraft and create an isometric drawing of the cable tray.
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TM-1102 AVEVA Plant (12 Series) Cable Tray Modelling Rev 4.0

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5.3 Through ........................................................................................................................................... 42

At the end of this session, the user will able to:

 Understand the basic concepts of cable trays and branches.

The participants must have completed the PDMS Foundations course.

1.4 Course Structure

1.5 Using this guide

Information the user has to Key-in 'will be red and Bold.'

Annotation for trainees benefit:

1.6 Setting up the Training Course

Login to PDMS using the details below:

Project: Training (TRA)

Select the Tray tab.

Click the Cancel button on the Training Setup form.

2 Cable Tray Design – Basic Concepts

These simple concepts enable any number of cable tray configurations

2.1 Entering a Design Session

Your trainer will provide User Name and Password

Selecting Design > Cable Trays from the main

2.2 Cable Tray Specifications

There are also three Training specifications:

 SCTG STANDARD DUTY CABLE TRAY.

These specifications contain all fittings required for the course

2.3 Setting the Appropriate Specification

On entry to the Cable Tray Application the Default Specification

 To change default specification, select Settings > Default

The Cable Tray Toolbar is used to manipulate the cable tray

2.4 Creating the Cable Tray Hierarchy

Navigate to the WORLD level.

Select Create > Site

Select Create > Zone

2.5 Cable Tray Creation Form

The Create Cable Tray Main form is now displayed.

Enter a name CTRAY_YY010 for the cable tray and select a

 Note the default specification will be selected.

Clicking the Attributes Button display the Cable

Set the Tray width to 600

Selecting the OK button on the Create Cable

The Create Cable Tray Branch form is auto populated with a

Selecting the OK button will create a new branch in the cable

Branch Attributes can also be set.

 Setting branch head and tail positions is discussed in

2.6 Cable Tray Branches

Branches serve two purposes:

2.7 Cable Tray Branch Heads and Tails

HPOS The position in the zone where the branch starts.

The attributes for tails of branches are: -

TPOS The position in the zone where the branch ends.

2.8 Cable Tray Branch Head / Tail Positioned Explicitly

When a branch is created, the Branch at Explicit Position

The Branch at Explicit Position form may also be shown by

The form can be used to:

Setting the Cable Tray Branch CTRAY_YY010/B1 head and

Position East 45500

Position East 40000

Pick Apply and Dismiss

2.9 World Co-ordinates

2.10 Cable Tray Branch Components (Fittings)

For all cable tray components the user must:

 Select the component from the cable tray specification.

2.10.1 Creating Branch Components (Cable Tray Fittings)