Class Relations

Class relations determine which classes can be related to each other, which in turn determines the objects and design parts that another object can be connected to. Class relations, in a large part, determine the from/to navigational structure of a design object and can be configured to display the countless variations that may exist within a plant. For example, relations for the MOTOR class can be set up to show each motor's attached cables (Leaving and Arriving), the room the motor is located in (e.g., Location: 10), and its junction box connection (e.g., 10-JB-001).

Class relations simplify the registration process by limiting the number of relations that appear in the List of Values, which ensures that only appropriate relations can be made. For example, when registering a transmitter, the only possible functional parent relation to select from would be an instrument loop. Class relations are defined for both design parts and object classes.

The Class Relations tab of the Class page is used to configure relations. All relations are configured on a per-class basis; that is, all pumps in the PUMP Class share the same relations. Customized relations can be created using the default relations as templates. Ordinarily, classes are created and their relations are configured afterwards. However, the required class relations may influence a class more than the class's technical data or ID designation.

Object Connection Types

Objects are the focal point for the main relations to other objects, design parts and documents, among others. Each of the relations below can be applied bi-directionally. The object classes listed in the table below are examples; they illustrate how an actual relation might read.

N An Object of Class Class Relation Description Object(s) of Class N
1 CIRCUIT can have free functional children TRANSMITTER n
n TRANSMITTER can have a free functional parent CIRCUIT 1
1 BUILDING can have free locational children ROOM n
n ROOM can have a free locational parent BUILDING 1
1 PS_DATA can be process data for VALVE n
n VALVE can have process data PS_DATA 1
1 CIRCUIT can use signals from SIGNAL n
n SIGNAL can be a signal for CIRCUITS 1
1 MCC (Motor Control Central) can have leaving CABLE n
n CABLE can leave from MCC 1
1 MOTOR can have arriving  CABLE n
n CABLE can arrive at MOTOR 1

Dynamic Object Relations

Relations are bi-directional - defining the relation in one direction also defines it in the other direction. The following object relations can be modified as necessary. The object classes are examples used to illustrate the connection types.

N An Object of Class Class Relation Description Object(s) of Class N
1 MCC_COMPARTMENT can supply MOTOR 1
1 MOTOR can be supplied by MCC_COMPARTMENT 1
         
n RELIEF_VALVE can affect PRESSURE_VESSEL 1
1 PRESSURE_VESSEL can be affected by RELIEF_VALVE n
         
n SIGNAL can assign CHANNEL 1
1 CHANNEL can be assigned to SIGNAL n
         
1 MCC can preliminarily supply MOTOR n
n MOTOR can preliminarily be supplied by MCC 1
         
1 MOTOR can drive PUMP 1
1 PUMP can be driven by MOTOR 1
         
n CIRCUIT can preliminarily assign DCS 1
1 DCS can preliminarily be assigned by CIRCUIT n
         
n TRANSMITTER can be located next to PIPE 1
1 PIPE can have closely located TRANSMITTER n
         
1 MCC_COMPARTMENT can supply as spare MOTOR 1
1 MOTOR can be supplied by spare MCC_COMPARTMENT 1
         
1 MCC can supply as spare MOTOR n
n MOTOR can be supplied by spare MCC 1
         
1 PIPE SYSTEM can have pipe parts VALVE BALL n
n VALVE BALL can have a pipe parent PIPE SYSTEM 1
         
n PUMP can have an additional part IMPELLER n

Design Parts Connection Types

There are three, bi-directional default design part connection types that can be applied. Each design parts class listed below is an example: they exist only to illustrate the connection type.

N A Design Part of Class Class Relation Description Object(s) of Class N
1 MOTOR can be a design part for MOTOR n
         
n IMPELLER can be an additional  part for PUMP n
         
  A Design Part of Class   Design Parts of Class  
n PUMP can consist of IMPELLER n
n IMPELLER can belong to PUMP n

Design Objects and Parts Related to Objects

The definition of design objects and parts related to an object on Design Object pages is governed by the object relations defined for a particular class. When connecting the relation to the object, each relation may receive just one value. One or more of the following relations may be added: