You can model connectivity in a utility network using physical connections, known as geometric coincidence, or using associations. When you use geometric coincidence, features share the same x, y, and z location. Associations allow you to model relationships between features that are not necessarily geometrically coincident. This includes modeling connectivity between nonspatial features as well as spatial connectivity rules for features that are not physically attached.
Utility networks have the following associations:
- Connectivity associations allow you to model the connectivity between two features that are not coincident, or a junction between spatial and nonspatial features. For example, a transformer can be connected to an electrical distribution line without sharing a coordinate. The connectivity association is a rule that represents the physical jump between the distribution line and the transformer.
- Containment associations allow you to model a dense collection of features in a network and display them at a level of detail that is appropriate for the map resolution. In a containment association, containers are features that contain other features, while content features can be shown or hidden in the map to improve visibility and reduce map clutter. For example, a transformer (container) has many features inside it (contents) that are useful to see when zoomed into a detailed view of the transformer, but the transformer must be simplified when viewing the broader electrical network.
- Structural attachment associations allow you to model supporting structures and attachments in a network. In a structural attachment association, structures are features in the structure network and attachments are associated network features. For example, you can view which electrical switch (attachment) is structurally attached to an electrical pole (structure) that requires maintenance.
Each type of association has its own type of network rules that can be created to ensure data quality by restricting the types of network features that can be associated.
Note:
You must author a form with an associations element to view the Associations group in the Attributes pane. Use Map Viewer to configure forms and add association elements.
View associations
The View associations tool allows you to view connectivity and structural attachment associations between utility network features.
Note:
Containment associations are not currently visible in ArcGIS Web Editor.
To view associations, complete the following steps:
- Open a map with a utility network in Web Editor.
- Click Utility Network Tools
.The map must contain a utility network to access Utility Network Tools.
The Utility Network toolbar appears in the map.
- Click View associations
. - Click the Associations toggle button to turn on associations.
Connectivity associations and Structural attachment associations are also turned on by default.
You can now pan and zoom the map to view associations.
Note:
If the map extent contains associations that exceed the maximum allowable associations limit, you will see a warning prompting you to zoom into a smaller extent.
- Optionally, expand Associations and turn on or off Connectivity associations and Structural attachment associations.