Dan Leighton DL Consulting Andrea Bell GS122-2L A growing number of utilities are adapting Autodesk Utility Design (AUD) as their primary design tool for electrical utilities. You will learn the basics of the AUD design process by completing a design workflow covering underground residential and commercial design. The focus will be on using AUD to quickly design distribution facilities, and then to calculate voltage drop and flicker, design sweeps, analyze pulling tensions, and estimate material requirements and costs. The session will also include a brief look under the hood to illustrate what needs to be configured prior to deploying AUD. This class will benefit utility design professionals considering AUD by providing an understanding of the potential advantages, what users will need to know to effectively use the technology, and some of the practical deployment considerations. About the speakers: Dan has spent over 25 years doing CAD, GIS, and utility design and analysis work. His work experience ranges from consulting engineering doing advanced system modeling and master planning, product management for GIS and civil engineering design software, database work, and training implementation. For the past three years, Dan has been providing customized consulting, training, and implementation services to organizations using AutoCAD, Civil 3D, AutoCAD Map 3D, Revit MEP, Autodesk Utility Design, and other Autodesk products. Prior to this, Dan worked at Autodesk (twice!) doing GIS and Civil product management, as well as at Informix and Sun Microsystems working with enterprise database technologies. Andrea is a geospatial professional with extensive experience providing consulting, training, implementation & migration services using AutoCAD Map 3D, Autodesk MapGuide and Autodesk Utility Design. Andrea has worked with a variety of organizations over the past 10 years including K-TEK Solutions, Pacific Data Resources, Oracle, and California CAD Solutions. Andrea has also worked for Agilent Technologies and Autodesk where she gained real-world Autodesk product experience performing technical support.
Introduction What is Autodesk Utility Design? Autodesk Utility Design (AUD) provides a utility with the capability to quickly perform design work for electric and gas distribution and transmission systems. AUD focuses on design speed and efficiency, to reduce the time to complete a design by providing power tools for the designers. These tools can automatically perform engineering analysis calculations, and automatically generate material orders based upon an organization s compatible units. The result is a set of construction sketches and plots, as well as reports that provide detailed material and cost estimates. Some organizations use AUD in a stand-alone environment, while others have tied AUD into work and material management systems such as SAP. Note that AUD is based on AutoCAD Map 3D, and can take advantage of all the underlying Map functionality to bring in and manage base map information, to complement the design. Autodesk Utility Design Process The specific Design process within AUD has three main components: Layout: AUD can be configured to incorporate a utility s drafting, design and construction standards so that the layout of the work sketch is quick, intuitive, accurate and consistent. All of a utility s symbology, linetypes and other drafting requirements can be supported. At this point, we don t worry about sizing transformers, lines, and other components; this will be done during the engineering phase. Design Engineering: AUD can also be configured to include a utility s design engineering standards. For instance voltage drop, pulling tensions, wind and pole loading and guying utilize the data on the work sketch to complete the calculations accurately based on the sketch created by the designer. Here s where we determine specifically wire and transformer sizes, as well as other engineering values. Material Ordering: Based on both the layout and design engineering, AUD prepares a complete material take-off applying the business rules required by the utility. At this stage, we look at exactly what materials are required, the associated labor, and the total estimated cost of the project.
What will the labs cover? This lab includes four parts, which reflect the four major functional areas within AUD: Part 1: Managing Work Orders with Project Explorer This is a short section that looks at the AUD Project Explorer. AUD is a project-based design tool, and this is the user s interface to create and manage a new project. Part 2: Underground Design In this section, we ll use a variety of AUD s design functions to extend a residential underground design, as well as design underground facilities for a commercial development. Part 3: Engineering Analysis In this section, we ll perform a voltage drop analysis, and learn how AUD can automatically select the right components to ensure that a design meets an organization s engineering standards. This is followed by an analysis of pulling tension for underground cable, to ensure that the designed cable runs can be completed without the need for additional pull boxes. Part 4: Material Ordering In the final section, we ll order the required materials for a portion of our design
Part 1. Getting Started 1.1. Open an existing work order using Project Explorer In this first part of the session, we ll open an existing work order using the AUD Project Explorer. Step 1: Start AUD. Step 2: Open the Project Explorer by selecting the Open Design button from the Standard Toolbar. Step 3: The Project Explorer will be displayed. Step 4: Click on the AU Training Project shown on the left. Step 5: Details on the AU Training Project work order will be displayed. Step 6: Select Open to open the AU Training Project work order. Step 7: Note at this point you will get the following dialog asking you to save the AUD.dwg file. Select No. Step 8: A map with some existing design elements will appear. 1.2. Exploring how AUD handles connectivity AUD is intended for fast layout and engineering design of distributed utility infrastructure. Unlike architectural or mechanical design, where graphical accuracy is paramount, the location of objects in AUD is less critical because field crews will always adapt to local conditions when performing the actual installation. AUD therefore allows a designer to draft fast, and does not require precision snapping to ensure connectivity.
Step 1: Zoom in on the transformer indicated in the drawing to the right. Step 2: Note that the connecting conductors do not exactly snap to the transformer. In AUD, it is important that conductors that connect to objects like transformers or pedestals intersect those objects, but accurate snapping is not required. Step 3: On the Layer toolbar, click on the arrow as shown to pull down the layer selections. Step 4: Click on the gray light bulb next to the NO-SHOW layer. This the bulb will become yellow, turning on the layer. Step 5: Now click back on the drawing. Usually you leave the NO-SHOW layer off, so it is invisible. We are only turning it on here to help explain how AUD connectivity works.
Step 6: Observe the same transformer now that you have turned on the NO-SHOW layer. Observe that all of the green and red conductor lines are within the black polygon. These conductors are therefore connected to the transformer. Step 7: Use the Layer toolbar to turn off the NO- SHOW layer for the rest of the class. This slide shows additional detail on how AUD handles connectivity. In brief: All facilities and structures have a boundary that defines their connectivity extents. This is on the NO-SHOW layer. A configuration parameter determines the size of a box (called the end look region) at the end of every line. So long as the end look region intersects or is within the no-show boundary, the objects are considered connected.
Part 2. Underground Design 2.1. Turn on the Underground Tool Palette We are going to select our facilities to create from the Underground tool palette. The Underground tool palette is accessed from the Tasks toolbar. Step 1: Verify the Tasks toolbar is displayed as shown to the right. If the Tasks toolbar it is not already displayed, right-click in the Menu area, select AUD and then Tasks in the context menu. Be sure that Tasks is checked! Step 2: Click on the Underground icon to display the Underground tool palette. Step 3: Select the UG Layout tab on the palette. Note that palettes are always customized for every AUD installation. This palette has been created for training purposes.
2.2. Place a transformer The following steps outline the process of placing a transformer. Step 1: Zoom and pan until you see the cul-de-sac on the drawing as shown. Step 2: Click on Insert Single Phase Transformer from the tool palette. The command line will say Insertion point: Step 3: Click where you want the Transformer on the drawing, as shown to the right. Note the insertion point for the transformer should be placed right on the curb line. Step 4: Move the mouse to achieve the rotation you want, then click to specify the rotation angle. Step 5: You re done! The image should look like what you see on the right. Note that this is a continuous command, so you will be prompted to place another transformer. Step 6: Since you are only adding one transformer, you now exit the command. Press the ESC key to close the display. Step 7: Select the View Facility Information icon from the Tasks toolbar. Step 8: Click on the transformer to view the underlying information. It will appear as shown on the right. Step 9: Press the ESC key to close the display.
It s fair to ask at this point why the information on the transformer says that what has been placed is a transformer pad. This is because we haven t yet done the engineering to determine what size and type of transformer should be used. We re only at the first part of an AUD design, doing the layout. 2.3. Create service locations Next we will add some house corners. These points will ultimately serve as loads for our design. Step 1: Select Insert House Corners from the Underground tool palette. Step 2: Click at any one of the locations shown to place the first house corner. Note for the sake of this exercise, place the pairs of house corners fairly close together. Step 3: Rotate the mouse to set the appropriate orientation as shown and click again to complete the placement. Step 4: The command is continuous, asking for another insertion point. Place four more House Corners as shown. Step 5: Press Esc to end placing house corners. Step 6: Select the View Facility Information icon on the Tasks toolbar. Step 7: Click on one of the house corners to view the underlying information. Step 8: Press the ESC key to close the display.
2.4. Add a basic underground service Of course the purpose of an electric distribution system is to provide power to commercial and residential users. In this step, we ll connect the transformer to one of the houses in our design area. Note it is not necessary to actually connect the service to the corner we instead will point to the corner and imply the connection. Step 1: Select Draw UG Service from the Underground tool palette. Step 2: Draw a service as shown. Click for the first point, which designates the Service location in the lot. Then click where the bend will be placed, and finally click on the transformer. Step 3: Press Enter to complete drawing this service. Step 4: Press Esc to end the command. Note in AUD you always draw from the served point to the transformer! Step 5: Select the View Facility Information icon from the Tasks toolbar. Step 6: Click on the underground service to view the underlying information. Your display may be slightly different because the calculation is based on the length of the service you just drew. Step 7: Before closing the display, note that a temporary line has been drawn from the service to the house corner. This indicates that the connection is correctly established. The temporary line will disappear if you zoom or pan. Step 8: Press the ESC key to close the display.
2.5. How are services associated with loads? This slide shows a brief summary of how service connections are associated with loads such as house corners or meter boxes. If a secondary cable is drawn directly from the load to the transformer, then a connection is established. If the services are drawn as arrows pointing to the load object, a box of a defined width and length is specified within the configuration. If this box intersects the no-show layer for the load, a connection is established. If neither of the above conditions are met, default values for the loads (again, set in the configuration) are used.
2.6. Add a secondary pedestal with services In this section we will use a time-saving AUD command that combines inserting a component, in this case a secondary pedestal, with two services. Step 1: Select Insert Sec. Pedestal & Services from the Underground tool palette. Step 2: Click just outside the property line for one of the pedestals to identify the insertion point. Step 3: Rotate the mouse so that the service arrows are pointing toward the pair of house corners, then click. Step 4: This is a continuous command, so you can immediately place and rotate the second pedestal. Step 5: Complete the placement of the UG Service by pressing Esc on the keyboard. Step 6: Select the View Facility Information icon. Step 7: Click on one of the secondary pedestals to view the underlying information. Step 8: Press the ESC key to close the display.
2.7. Connect service pedestals to the transformer Now that we ve inserted the two pedestals, they need to be connected to our new transformer. We ll do this by adding some secondary cable. Step 1: Select 1/0 Triplex with 2" Sch 40 PVC from the Underground tool palette. Step 2: Click on the left side of the upper pedestal to establish a starting point for the cable. Step 3: Press the down arrow and select Offset from the Dynamic Input context menu or type O at the command line. This allows you to draw the cable offset from an existing object. Step 4: Click on the arc that forms the culde-sac. Step 5: Now move the cursor toward the other pedestal. The line should follow the curve of the cul-de-sac. Step 6: Click on the left side of the second pedestal. Step 7: Press Enter to complete the command. Step 8: Press Enter again to reissue the command to add the secondary cable. Step 9: Click on the right side of the lower pedestal to establish a starting point for the cable. Step 10: Again, press the down arrow and select Offset from the Dynamic Input context menu or type O at the command line. Step 11: Click on the cul-de-sac arc to the right of the pedestal. Step 12: Now move the cursor toward the transformer. The line will follow the curve of the cul-de-sac. Step 13: Click on the transformer. Step 14: Press Enter to complete the command.
2.8. Create primary cable and conduit We will complete the layout of our workflow by creating an underground single phase primary extension from our new transformer to an existing transformer. Step 1: Select 1 - #2 AL with 2 Sch 40 PVC from the tool palette. Step 2: Place first point on the right side of the new transformer. Step 3: Press the down arrow and select Offset from the Dynamic Input context menu or type O at the command line to enter offset mode. Step 4: Select the polyline as shown to create a cable offset from the property line. Step 5: Move the mouse down and to the right. A line will exactly track along the curbline. Step 6: Click when you reach the existing transformer. Step 7: Press Enter to end the command. 2.9. Review transformer information Now that we have connected services and a primary line to our new transformer, let s again check the information status. Step 1: Select the View Facility Information icon. Step 2: Click on the transformer you added earlier. You ll see a display similar to what is shown on the right. Note that now the display shows not only the transformer pad, but information on the connections to the transformer. Step 3: Press the ESC key to close the display.
2.10. Add transformers and a pull box for a commercial development Next we will add two new transformers to service the commercial development. Step 1: Zoom and pan your view to focus on the commercial development (which is to the right of the residential development). Step 2: Select Insert Three Phase Transformer from the Layout tab of the Underground tool palette. Step 3: Place two transformers at the location as shown. For each transformer, click on the location, then type 0 for the rotation. Press Esc to exit the command. Step 4: Select Insert Primary Pull Box from the Underground tool palette. Step 5: Place the Pull Box at the location shown. Set the rotation to 90 degrees by typing 90 at the prompt. Press Esc to exit the command.
2.11. Add primary connections In this next part, we add three phase conductor from the pole to the new Pull Box, and from the pull box to the transformers. Step 1: Select 3-2/0 AL with 4" Sch 40 PVC from the tool palette. Step 2: Click on the existing pole as shown to determine the starting point. Step 3: Click where you want the bend to occur. Step 4: Click just on the lower edge of the pull box. Step 5: Press Enter to indicate that this is the end of the line. Note that a 3 foot radius sweep was automatically added by default. Step 6: Press Enter again to reissue the previous command to add the 3-2/0 AL line. Step 7: Add the left line by clicking first on the edge of the pull box, then where you want the corner, and finally on the edge of the transformer. Step 8: Press Enter to indicate this is the end of the line. Step 9: Repeat steps 6, 7, and 8 to draw the second line on the right.
2.12. Add a 25 foot radius sweeps In the process of adding the conductors in the last few steps, 3 foot radius sweeps were automatically created for every bend. We are going to replace these 3ft. Radius sweeps with 25 ft. Radius sweeps. Step 1: Select Create 25 Ft. Radius from the Underground tool palette. Step 2: In response to the prompt, Select first line/arc, select the horizontal segment of the Primary Cable. Step 3: In response to the prompt, Select second line/arc, select the vertical segment of the Primary Cable. The radius of the bend will change to be 25. Step 4: Press Enter to reissue the command. Step 5: Repeat steps 1-4 to add two more 25 sweeps for the two cables that go from the pull box to the two transformers. Step 6: Select the View Facility Information icon. Step 7: Click on one of the primary cables with a new 25 sweep, and review the information shown. Step 8: Note that four 25 foot radius 22.5 degree sweeps are now included in the design. Step 9: Press the ESC key to close the display.
Here are some notes and a slide explaining more about how sweeps work. When doing the design, you don t actually place sweeps. Instead, simply creating a bend of the correct radius in the line implies that sweeps will be used. Regardless of the actual angle swept out by the line, AUD will order a whole number of sweeps. So in the example shown, even through the bend only covers about 75, four sweeps are ordered because each sweeps out 22.5, and three sweeps would be insufficient (yielding a bend of only 67.5.) Bends and sweeps are selected from the list of valid choices in the material tables, which are set up during configuration.
2.13. Complete the design And finally, we will create six UG Services. Step 10: Select 1/0 Triplex with 2" Sch 40 PVC from the Underground tool palette. This raises the question of why are we specifying single-phase wire for these services? If we use the Adjust Wire Sizes function in the However, when AUD performs the voltage drop engineering, it will recognize that this wire is wrong and replace it with a more suitable type and gauge wire. Step 11: Click on a meter box, then click on an intermediate point, and finally click on the transformer for the first cable as shown to the right. Step 12: Press Enter Step 13: Draw five additional services from each meter to the transformers as shown. Step 14: Note that normally, you would use AutoCAD s precision drafting tools, such as Objects Snaps to do a better job here, but for the sake of the class we will create a design that is close enough. So long as our new lines intersect the transformers and meter boxes, the connectivity will be valid. Part 3. Engineering Analysis 3.1. Configure voltage drop settings Now we ll get ready to perform a voltage drop analysis. First we need to configure voltage drop for our layout and specify the loads for each of the services that we added.
Step 1: Select the UG Engineering tab on the Underground palette. Step 2: Select Edit Voltage Drop/Flicker. This dialog box determines the details of the analysis to be done. Step 3: We ll be doing the residential analysis first, so set the Voltage Drop configuration parameters as shown. Step 4: Select OK What you are doing here is determining what type and voltage transformer will be acceptable in the analysis that follows. Recall that you have not actually specified a transformer yet. The transformer to be used will be selected from the available transformers that match the type and voltage specified here. 3.2. Perform voltage drop analysis for the new residential services Now we are ready to run Voltage Drop and create the engineering report. Note that the voltage drop function actually does several things: Performs analysis, calculating the estimated voltage drop and flicker Identifies and selects the minimum required transformer (KW) Changes conductors (if option is selected) to ensure sufficient line ampacity Step 1: Select Calculate Voltage Drop/Flicker from the palette. Step 2: The Engineering palette will appear as shown on the right. First, set the Transformer to force field to none. Step 3: Check the Adjust wire sizes checkbox.
Step 4: AUD prompts to Select transformer. Select the transformer that you added earlier on the cul-desac. (Move the Engineering palette if needed to one side before you do this selection.) Be sure you select the transformer, and not one of the services or something on the base map! Step 5: Note that the command line will say Press Enter to continue ; please WAIT don t do this yet. This ends the command, and we re not done yet. Step 6: AUD will trace the services and display the report. Step 7: Notice that numbers are added to the drawing next to each conductor and service. These refer to numbers on the report (see image below). Review the report. Step 8: Note in particular the transformer assembly unit (a 50KW unit) and the demand (25.1 KW)
Step 9: Now you can note that AUD prompts Press ENTER to continue. At this point we re ready to continue, so press Enter to end the voltage drop command. You ll note at this point that some of the wires have a different color. This indicates that the voltage drop function has resized the cables to handle the required load. Recall the three main things that AUD does. We completed the design layout in Part 2. Now we have done some engineering to size components, which means we know the specific transformer and line sizes.
3.3. Adjust residential power load So far we ve used the default values for the residential power loads. Now let s make a change to the load, and see the effect on the voltage drop analysis. Step 1: Be sure you have selected the UG Engineering tab on the palette, and click on the Edit Building Electric Loads icon. Step 2: When prompted to Select Block Reference, click on the house corner as indicated. Step 3: Change the house load to be 25KW, and then click OK Step 4: Repeat Steps 1-3 to make this change to the house next door (to the left). Step 5: Now rerun the voltage drop analysis by performing the steps in section 3.2 again. Once complete, note the changes on the report (in particular, the transformer should now be a 75KVA unit). Because of the higher load in each house, a larger transformer (75 KW) has been specified and the new total load (50.1 KW) is shown.
3.4. Review facility information Now that we ve completed a simple voltage drop analysis, let s look again at the facility information for our transformer. Step 1: Select the View Facility Information icon. Step 2: Click on the new transformer in the residential development. Step 3: Note that the details of the selected transformer are now available. This data will be used in the material ordering. 3.5. Configure three-phase voltage drop settings The next step in our engineering design is to perform voltage drop analysis for our commercial project. Step 1: On the UG Engineering tab on the Underground palette, select Edit Voltage Drop/Flicker. Step 2: Select Three Phase. Step 3: Set the secondary voltage and transformer type as shown. Step 4: Select OK
3.6. Perform Voltage Drop for the new commercial services Now we are ready to run Voltage Drop and create the engineering report. Step 1: On the UG Engineering tab on the Underground palette, select Calculate Voltage Drop/Flicker. Step 2: Be sure that the Adjust wire sizes check box is checked. By enabling the Adjust wire sizes option, the single phase secondary wires we drew will be replaced with appropriately sized 3 phase wires. Step 3: Select the three-phase transformer you inserted on the right side of the development as shown. Step 4: The voltage drop analysis will be performed. Once completed, review the report. Step 5: Once you ve finished reviewing the report, press Enter to complete the command. Step 6: If you like, select the View Facility Information icon to see the information underlying the transformer and the conductors. 3.7. Calculate pulling tension The final bit of engineering will be to ensure that the primary cables can be pulled without difficulty. For this, we ll use the pulling tension analysis. Step 1: On the UG Engineering tab on the Underground palette, select Calculate Pulling Tension. Step 2: You will see the prompt Select Cable/Conduit:. Click on the cable shown to the right that connects the right transformer to the pull box.
Step 3: The Pulling Tension report is displayed, as shown on the right. Step 4: Note that a directional arrow is added to the drawing showing the recommended pull direction. Step 5: Repeat steps 1 & 2 to calculate pulling tension for the other two primaries that were added. Step 6: Click on the Close button on the Engineering palette Pulling Tension report to clear it from the screen.
Part 4. Material Ordering 4.1. Ordering material for a transformer When you order material in AUD, the order includes not only the design component for example the transformer but all sub-elements associated with the transformer such as the pad, bends, and elbows, as well as the required labor. Here we will order the components for the commercial side of the development. Note you need to have run voltage drop for both transformers before you can proceed! Step 1: Select the Material tab on the Underground palette. Step 2: Select Automated Material Ordering Step 3: You will be prompted to Select facility or Location block. Select the transformer that you added earlier. Be sure you ran voltage drop first! Step 4: The following dialog will be displayed showing the size of transformer that AUD has selected. Select No to accept the AUD recommended transformer.
Step 5: Next you will be prompted to enter the label attributes on the AUD dynamic input (or command line). These attributes provide descriptive information for the design drawing, and are also used in the material ordering process. For this exercise, press Enter to accept the default values. Note there will be six attribute values to specify in total, so you will need to press Enter six times to accept each of the six default values. Step 6: You will be prompted to enter the location number. Press Enter to accept the default location number. Step 7: Specify the insertion point for the Location block as shown. Step 8: The location block is placed as shown. 4.2. Order remaining material Complete the Material Ordering for the two services attached to this transformer, the primary cable to those services, the pull box, and the primary cable to the lower pullbox. Step 1: From the Material tab on the Underground palette, select Automated Material Ordering. Step 2: Click on the pullbox. A dialog box appears as shown to the right. Click OK. Step 3: Again, a series of prompts appear with the pullbox parameters. Press Enter at each prompt to accept the defaults. Step 4: You will be prompted to enter the location number. Press Enter to accept the default location number.
Step 5: Click where you want the location block for the pull box to be located. Step 6: Now order materials for the two services, and the primary line as shown to the right. Note that when you order for lines, you will be asked to confirm the amount of trench for each conduit. Note we could order everything at this point, but to save time we re only doing a subset of the design. Also note it is possible with AUD to group items under one location block, but for simplicity we re placing a location block for every item. Step 7: After completion your drawing should resemble the image to the right.
Step 8: From the Material tab on the Underground palette, select Edit Material Location. This will display the Edit Locations dialog which will show all the locations that have been added. Step 9: You can explore what actual materials are assigned to each of these by selecting different locations on the left. Step 10: Click Cancel after you have finished reviewing the locations. Recall the three main things that AUD does. We re now performing the third function of material ordering. Finally, we get all the detail on specific parts and assembly units, as well as the associated labor and costs linked to the design.
4.3. Create job report Now we are going to review the material that was ordered and create a report. Step 1: From the Material tab on the Underground palette, select Update Material. This will export the material locations and associated data in an XML format for reporting purposes. Note that nothing will appear to happen when you do this, unless you watch the command line closely. Step 2: Select Job Reports on the Tasks tool bar. Step 3: From the Select Report to View list, choose Job Estimate. Step 4: Select the AU Training Project (the project we ve been working on). Step 5: Click on the View button. Note that Internet Explorer needs to be your default browser. AUD does not currently support other browsers.
Step 6: The job estimate report is displayed. Step 7: Explore the report. Note that all of the locations you identified are listed, and all of the assembly components associated with each location are shown in detail.