Raceway

"Raceway"

During the course of this section you can assume that the word "raceway" is being used to summarise DUCT, TRAY, TRENCH and CONDUIT. A single piece of raceway is also known as a segment.

Introduction

Raceway networks are created by constructing a series of intelligent, connected route lines. These route lines contain all of the information required for Paneldes to fully create your plant raceway in 3D. Paneldes uses route lines as they are faster to draw and easier to manage at the design stage than the fully modelled 3D components. This section describes the process of constructing raceway networks, and connecting your components, into the 3D space representing your plant layout model.

Raceway Location

Limits / structures defined by other disciplines can partially define your electrical plant layout. This can be advantageous if you have access to the plant models of other disciplines.

Raceway location discussion.

Design Methods

Raceway network design can be done in many ways from a structured approach to a random approach. Certain criteria for your design will always be defined for you due to availability of space and the structural layout in your plant. Other disciplines may create obstructions that you must "engineer" around but in most cases they will also provide structural objects which can support and house your raceway.

Paneldes [and Electrical distribution, DCS /PLC cabling systems] is well suited to a structured approach. i.e.

Start at a central distribution point (e.g. a control room or substation).
Using an ARTERIAL system branching out from the start.
Place your main arterial routes in the model.
Branch off arterial routes with "capillary" routes to feed field devices, instruments and JB's.
Wherever you have placed TEE's or X's you can branch easily. You can connect capillary routes to arterial routes without TEE's or X's [unless the artery is a conduit].

The key to easy use of Paneldes is to design the larger MAIN routes first then BRANCH off these routes to smaller routes.

If you cannot use an arterial route system in your model (or in any part of your model) you will be faced with the task of calculating and aligning 3d polyline endpoints to ensure route connection. This is possible but is much harder work.

Raceway Route construction

Raceway Preparation.

3D Visualisation of Raceway Network

Raceway ENVELOPE construction can be done at any time for visualisation and plotting etc.

3D Envelope Create /Delete.