Connection Compatibility Table

The table in the previous section can be used to construct an AVEVA E3D Design Connection Compatibility Table (CCTA) which sets out all the permissible connection pairs.

If an attempt is made to connect two pipework components in Model, then a check is made to see if the p-leave PCON attribute of the first component and the p-arrive PCON attribute of the second component appear as a matching pair in the connection table. If there is such a matching pair then the components are connected, otherwise a similar check is made on the p-leave PCON attributes of each component. If a matching pair is now found, the second component is ‘flipped’ and connected to the first. If no matching pair is found then an ‘incompatible connection type’ error message is output and the second component is left in its original position and orientation.

The following sample connection table uses the connection list given in the previous section:

NEW CCTAB

NEW COCO /FGDGGD

CTYPE FGD GGD

NEW COCO /TUBBWD

CTYPE TUB BWD

NEW COCO /GGDWGD

CTYPE GGD WGD

NEW COCO /TUBSWF

CTYPE TUB SWF

NEW COCO /SCMSWF

CTYPE SCM SWF

NEW COCO /SCFTUB

CTYPE SCF TUB

The Connection Compatibility (COCO) elements are named so that the allowable connections are easily queried.

The above table shows, for example, that tube can be connected to a screwed female connection but not to a screwed male connection.

Different ratings of flanges and gaskets should have different connection attributes to make sure that different pressure fittings cannot be connected without a warning message being issued. This principle also applies to different flange face characteristics, for example, flat face and raised face: however, there are some exceptions. On some jobs a flat-faced flange on a piece of equipment may be butted up to a raised-face flange. If this is a common occurrence, it may be worth inputting a new COCO to allow the connection.