Cxhapter 2 Cable Tray Design - Basic Concepts

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;
i.e. each cable tray element may own a number of branches. In turn, branches may own a number of tray
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 E3D cable trays encountered.
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All rights reserved.
AVEVA Everything3D (2.1)
Cable Tray Modelling TM-1816
2.1 Accessing the Cable Tray Application
A default screen layout will be displayed comprising the Microsoft® Office Fluent™–based user interface and
a Model Explorer showing all the objects from the current project databases.
Once the Model module has been started, it must be checked that the Cable Tray application is running. This
can be seen on the options list at top of the model framework; in the screenshot below it shows the General
application. This can be changed by selecting Cable Tray from the options list as shown.
Selecting the Cable Tray application will add the Cable Tray tab to the Microsoft®
Office Fluent™ based user interface.
2.2 Cable Tray Specifications
In the same way that design offices have standard cable tray specifications for different materials,
AVEVA E3D 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 including several from the
manufacturers Vantrunk and OgLaend.
2.3 Setting the Appropriate Specification
The first task when building a cable tray is to decide which specification to use. Having decided, the appropriate
specification is 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 the Cable Tray tab click the Defaults button located beneath the Settings group to access the Default
Specifications form.
Select VANTRUNK-SW5-SS from the Cable Tray list and click the OK button.
 To change default specification, reselect the Defaults button as above and select the new specification
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2.4 Creating the Cable Tray Hierarchy
Prior to creating a cable tray the correct hierarchy must be present in the Model Explorer.
Navigate to the SITE-CABLE-AREA03 in the Model Explorer. From the Home tab click the Zone button
located within the Create group to display the Create Zone form.
Set the Name to ZONE-CTRAY-POWER-AREA03 and

Purpose to CABL Cabling.
Click the OK button.
2.5 Cable Tray Creation Form
Selecting the ZONE just created, click the Cable Tray button located within the Create group under the Cable
Tray tab to display the Create Cable Tray Main form.
Set the Name to CTRAY-AREA03-POWER.
The form displays the current default specification. This can be

changed by clicking the Specifications… button to display the
Default Specifications form and selecting the required specification.
Clicking the Attributes… button displays

the Cable Tray Attributes form where
various Cable Tray attributes can be set.
Set the Tray Width to 600mm
Click the OK button.
Click the OK button on the Create Cable

Tray Main form. This creates the
administrative elements for the cable tray in
the model hierarchy. It will also display the
Create Cable Tray Branch form.
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The Create Cable Tray Branch form is automatically populated with

a branch name and specification inherited from the owning cable
tray.
Click the OK button. This will create a new branch in the cable tray
and automatically open the Branch at Explicit Position form.
 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 E3D, 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.
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.
The attributes for heads of branches are: -
HPOS The position in the zone where the branch starts.
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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).
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 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 the specific branch in the hierarchy and selecting the
Branch button from within the Modify group on the Cable Tray
tab.
The form can be used to:
 Set the Head / Tail option button to show the end of the branch to be positioned and orientated.
 Set the explicit Position co-ordinates for the selected Head/Tail.
 Set the Width of the Branch Head/Tail based upon the chosen specification.
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 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. If the option
is set to Open, the end will be left open for connection to another tray length (in another branch) or if set
to Boxing the end will be closed to terminate the tray length.
Setting the Cable Tray Branch CTRAY-AREA03-POWER/B1

Head and Tail.
Select Head
Position West 289250mm
North 311000mm
Up 104880mm
Width 600mm
Direction S
Connection Open
Click Apply
Select Tail
Position West 289250mm
North 289000mm
Up 104880mm
Width 300mm
Direction N
Connection Boxing
Click Apply
Close the form by clicking Cancel
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2.9 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 and have equal bore size. (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 components, 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 AVEVA E3D 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.
2.9.1 Creating Branch Components (Cable Tray Fittings)
With the new branch selected within Model Explorer click the Components button from within the Create
group on the Cable Tray tab to display the Cable Tray Components 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.
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Normally Branch Members are defined in Forwards 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.
Ticking the Auto Conn check box ensures that components are automatically connected to the previous
component in the design hierarchy.
Components are created by selecting the required fitting from the scrollable list and then clicking the Create
button.
Select Forwards mode, tick the Auto Conn checkbox and select
Tee.
Click the Create button.
On the CHOOSE TEE form Select 600.00 300.00 and click the OK
button.
The Choose form displays all available components for the

specification selected.
After selecting the initial component from the Choose form, the
Open Tray Direction form will be automatically displayed.
The user must set the tray direction by entering a valid direction.
Enter U in the text box and then click the OK button.
2.9.2 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 Options from the Tools
group beneath the Cable Tray tab
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This selection criteria setting will determine the amount of information

displayed. Auto Connect can also be set from this form.
Selection Criteria: Basic
Selection Criteria: Text
Selection Criteria: All
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2.9.3 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 Model Explorer window showing the components of a typical cable tray. The current element is
selected.
Any new item in the branch appears after the current element once Create is clicked. 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.
2.9.4 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.
2.9.5 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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2.10 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 AVEVA E3D, 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).
Reducer Bends
Elbows or Risers
Tees
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Exercise 1 - Create a Cable Tray
Prior to creating a cable tray the correct hierarchy must be present in the Model Explorer. Navigate to the
SITE-CABLE-AREA03 level and then create a new ZONE named ZONE-CTRAY-CONTROL-AREA03.
Add SITE-STRUCTURAL-AREA03 to the 3D view.
Create the Cable Tray Main CTRAY-AREA03-CONTROL and set the specification to VANTRUNK-SW5-SS.
Position the Head W 288500mm, N 311000mm, U 104310mm and the Tail W 288500.0mm, N 289000.0mm,
U 104310.0mm.
Set the width as 600mm for the Head and 450mm for the Tail and the direction to S for the Head and N for
the Tail.
Set the connection to Open for both Head and Tail.
Create a tee component by working forward from the Head position. Ensure the Auto Connect check box is
selected then add a 600.00mm bore 300.00mm bend radius Tee to the head of the branch. Set the tray
direction to U. The branch should look like this in ISO 1:
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CHAPTER 2

2 Cable Tray Design – Basic Concepts

Although a branch only has two ends, it may own components

These simple concepts enable any number of cable tray

2.1 Accessing the Cable Tray Application

2.2 Cable Tray Specifications

2.3 Setting the Appropriate Specification

2.4 Creating the Cable Tray Hierarchy

Set the Name to ZONE-CTRAY-POWER-AREA03 and

Click the OK button.

2.5 Cable Tray Creation Form

Set the Name to CTRAY-AREA03-POWER.

The form displays the current default specification. This can be

Clicking the Attributes… button displays

Set the Tray Width to 600mm

Click the OK button.

Click the OK button on the Create Cable

The Create Cable Tray Branch form is automatically populated with

 Setting branch head and tail positions is discussed in section

2.6 Cable Tray Branches

Branches serve two purposes:

2.7 Cable Tray Branch Heads and Tails

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).

HBOR The width of the cable tray.

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).

TBOR The width of the cable tray.

2.8 Cable Tray Branch Head / Tail Positioned Explicitly

When a branch is created, the Branch at Explicit Position form

The Branch at Explicit Position form may also be shown by

The form can be used to:

 Set the explicit Position co-ordinates for the selected Head/Tail.

 Enter the Direction in which the head / tail is to be orientated.

Setting the Cable Tray Branch CTRAY-AREA03-POWER/B1

Position West 289250mm

Position West 289250mm

Close the form by clicking Cancel

2.9 Cable Tray Branch Components (Fittings)

For all cable tray components the user must:

 Select the component from the cable tray specification.

 Position the component and set the orientation.

2.9.1 Creating Branch Components (Cable Tray Fittings)

It is possible to select components from an alternative specification

Click the Create button.

The Choose form displays all available components for the

2.9.2 Selecting the Component from the Specification

 Basic the least amount of information is displayed.

 Text description and material displayed.

 All all available data is shown.

This selection criteria setting will determine the amount of information

Selection Criteria: Basic

Selection Criteria: Text

Selection Criteria: All

2.9.3 Branch Component List Order

2.9.4 Automatic Positioning and Orientation of New Components

2.9.5 Positioning and Setting the Orientation of Components

2.10 Arrive and Leave Points

Exercise 1 - Create a Cable Tray

Add SITE-STRUCTURAL-AREA03 to the 3D view.

Set the connection to Open for both Head and Tail.