How to depict Parallel or lines or circuits in Electric Utility Network

[LindseyStone]

In our Electric Utility network we have parallel lines running from the same feeder OR 2 Circuits running from the same feeder.  Meaning in the Substation we have one feeder or one circuit breaker with two lines coming out of it.  Then this runs out into the distribution system and both lines are feed into on individual switch for a customer.  It also runs tees into another direction where it hits an open switch on both lines that is connected to another feeder that is also two parallel lines out of the same feeder/circuit.  What is happening is because I have one device connecting two lines at one end and another device connecting the same two lines at the other end, I'm getting a loop.  How would I go about depicting this, keeping in mind that I have to export the JSON to our OMS system that is also reading the loop.  Below is a small diagram to hopefully better explain.

[RobertKrisher]

The utility network can export a network with loops without any problems, the only thing that would be an issue is an area is fed by two different subnetworks (i.e. feeders) at the same time. In the diagram above there is no way for you to energize the customer without for FDR 295 without also connecting them to FDR 273, my guess this is a problem with how the diagram is depicting the connectivity.

If you discuss the field configuration with an engineer or operator familiar with the area they should be able to show you how the switches/switchgear in the area are configured to allow the system to shift the customer from one feeder to the other without paralleling the system. My guess is that the switch in the top of the diagram is to the left of the tap, and the closed switch at the bottom is likely a switching cabinet / switchgear with switches for either feeder and a fuse on the customer side.

[LindseyStone]

@RobertKrisher 

I was told if they want to feed the customer from FDR 295 they close the circuit breaker in the Substation at FDR 273, which again is just one device with the two concurrent lines going into it.

The big problem I'm running into,  is not that it is causing issues in the GIS or it doesn't export,  is that when it is imported into the OMS system,  it shows loops as a different color in their system and they are reading this as a loop, even though the operators say technically it is isn't a loop because they are concurrent lines from the same feeder.

[RobertKrisher · Accepted solution]

I assume you mean they would open the breaker for FD273? If you were to do that, then close the other two open switches, these are the loops it would create:

If you opened the other breaker and closed just ONE of the switches that wouldn't create a loop.

From an engineering or operational perspective you may not want to configure your network this way, but from both an electrical and GIS perspective this is a correct and the circuit is looped. If your engineers/operators insist this area is not looped, send a crew out there to verify the status and location of all equipment.

[LindseyStone]

@RobertKrisher They will always have both Switch #1 & #2 OPEN or both CLOSED at the same time as they always want both concurrent lines from that feeder to the customer.  If it is running off 274 to the customer than you a loop between the substation and customer.  If they open the breaker at 273 and closed both switches then you have a loop on 295 to customer and technically 295 back to circuit breaker 273.

[RobertKrisher]

I guess I've lost the thread here. What is the problem you are trying to solve? Is there an error you are receiving in the utility network?

[LindseyStone]

I guess my question is what is an accurate advisable way of depicting parallel lines on the same feeder?  The problem is when we import it into our OMS system (the GIS gets exported as JSON) it reads it as a loop and not parallel lines.

[RobertKrisher]

If your OMS is saying the line is looped, then the line is looped. This means that either there is an open switch, fuse, elbow, etc somewhere that you haven't modeled in your GIS or that the situation is actually looped (which is fine). In the example above, there can't be 3 lines connected to a single switch.