The Gas and Pipeline Referencing Utility Network Foundation solution provides a preconfigured asset package, maps, styles, step-by-step instructions, common data management workflows, and more.
In this topic, you will learn how to use the solution to create and manage your gas and pipeline utility network. These workflows will use the asset map and utility network geodatabase that can be created from the asset package in the Configure gas utility network environment topic. These are a guide to help you learn key workflows in the Gas and Pipeline Referencing Utility Network Foundation solution.
Perform network traces
Tracing is a key capability of the utility network. There are several core trace configurations that allow you to analyze your network.
In the following workflows, you will perform several types of traces.
Find the subnetwork controller for a pressure zone
A key trace that often needs to be performed is to find a subcontroller of a pressure zone. Place a starting point and trace to find the route to the subnetwork controllers. Follow the steps below to complete a subnetwork trace which highlights the subnetwork controllers that are used in the pressure zone.
- Select the Utility Network ribbon. In the Tools section, select the drop-down menu for Trace and select Starting Points.
- Add a starting point by clicking any distribution main.
Note:
If you have previous trace points on the map and want them to be removed, this can be done by clicking the Trace drop-down menu and selecting Clear All.
- Select the Subnetwork Controllers option in the Tools section. This will open the Trace geoprocessing tool with prepopulated parameters for a subnetwork controller trace.
- In the Trace geoprocessing tool, enter the following parameter values:
Parameter Value Domain Network
Pipeline
Tier
Pressure
Note:
By selecting the tier as Pressure, the trace will be performed only within the pressure tier where the starting point is located. If the tier is set to System, it will trace the entirety of the gas network.
- All other parameters can be left with the default values.
- Click Run.
- Zoom to the selected features.
Click the Map ribbon and in the Selection section, click 'Zoom To'.
The features selected are the subnetwork controllers for the pressure tier where the starting point is located.
Perform isolation trace
A common maintenance task to be performed is to find all the isolating devices (such as valves) that need to be closed in order to isolate a specific area from the flow of gas. In this example, you will perform an isolation trace using a trace configuration.
- Clear any previous trace starting points and barriers.
If you have previous trace points on the map and want them to be removed, this can be done by clicking the Trace drop-down menu and selecting Clear All
- Select the Utility Network ribbon. In the Tools section, select the drop-down menu for Trace and select Starting Points.
- Add a starting point by clicking any distribution main.
- On the toolbar in the Tools section, there is a list of available traces. Select Isolation. This will open the Trace geoprocessing tool and prepopulate some parameters.
You may need to click the dropdown to find the Isolation option
- Place a checkmark on the Use Trace Configuration parameter.
- For Trace Configuration Name, select Isolation Trace (isolating features only).
- All other parameters can be left with the default values.
- Click Run.
- Zoom to the selected features.
Click the Map ribbon and in the Selection section, click 'Zoom To'.
A trace will be performed and several features will be highlighted. This trace is looking for any devices that have the value Device Status set to Closed, Normal Status set to Open, and have a network category assignment of Isolating. The highlighted features indicate all of the assets that will need to be closed in order for the flow of gas to stop to the specified starting point.
Add gas assets
When working with the utility network, editing plays a crucial role. The Gas and Pipeline Referencing Utility Network Foundation solution comes with preestablished editing workflows and templates. In the following sections, you will be guided through several essential editing workflows. These workflows are specifically designed to demonstrate common tasks and showcase the utility network's capabilities.
Note:
Before beginning, ensure that snapping is enabled for all asset groups in your map. In the Contents pane, click the List by Snapping tab. Expand all feature classes to ensure that snapping is checked for each asset group.
Extend existing distribution main to new area
A common workflow is extending distribution main to areas with new customers. In this workflow, you will learn how to extend an existing distribution main, utilizing a coupling, a tee, and a valve.
- In the map, navigate to a location with existing distribution main that comes to an end. You can use the default basemap to help you locate an appropriate building.
If using the sample data, a good location is 1009 Emerald Dr, Naperville, IL 60540
- Select the Edit ribbon. Under the Features section, click Select.
- Click on the End Cap to select it. In the Features section, select Delete. Click Yes in the popup to confirm the deletion.
- Select Create in the Features section.
- In the Search Bar, type coupling. Select the Plastic Coupling template.
- Hover the mouse over the end of the plastic pipe, where the End Cap previously was, snapping to the gas main, and click to place the coupling.
- In the Search Bar, type distribution. Select the Plastic PE ending with a 3-Way template.
- Extend the gas main to the next intersection by snapping to the coupling by hovering over it, then clicking to start the line. Click somewhere beyond the intersection to finish the line, and click the Finish button on the editing toolbar.
- Select the Utility Network ribbon. In the Network Topology section, click Validate.
In this workflow, you added distribution main that extends the existing gas main and uses group templates to place a tee and a valve at the end of the line. This was all done in one action because it was done using a group template for editing.
Add a residential service line with associated features
Residential buildings are connected to the gas system through service lines. In this workflow, you will learn about the process of adding a service line that includes a tee, an excess flow valve, and a customer meter using a preconfigured group template.
- In the map, navigate to a location with a building that is near a distribution main that does not have a service line. You can use the default basemap to help you locate an appropriate building.
- Select the Edit ribbon. Under the Features section, select Create.
The Create Features pane appears.
- In the Search Bar, type Plastic Service. Select the Plastic Service Line with EFV and Meter Setting option under the Pipeline Junction: Tee section and press the arrow to open the template.
Note:
You will notice that the result that is returned is located in the Pipeline Junction: Tee section. The group template is located in this section and not the Pipeline Line: Service Pipe section, because the originating feature controls the rules associated with the group template. It originates with this group since a service line cannot connect to a gas main without a fitting.
- Under the templates section, there are four feature type icons. These represent the four components that will be added in your workflow. As you click through them, the attribute pane updates and allows you to change the associated attributes that will be populated when they are added. Select Service Line from the template icons and change the Nominal Diameter field to 1/2".
- On the map, put a point on main. This will be the location where the tap is placed.
- Put another point approximately five to ten feet away from the main. This will be the location where the excess flow valve is placed.
- Place the third point near the building. This will be the location where the meter is placed.
- Click the Finish button on the editing toolbar.
Note:
Notice that the area gets marked as dirty, as indicated by the blue hashed polygon.
A service line will be drawn and will include the tee, excess flow valve, and meter.
- Select the Utility Network ribbon. In the Network Topology section, click Validate.
In this workflow, you added a 1/2" plastic service line that connects the residential building to the distribution main. On the building side, you added a meter. In the middle, you added an excess flow valve, and on the distribution main, you added a tee. This was all done in one action because it was done using a group template for editing.