Wires
Model transmission, distribution, and service wires with voltage levels
Wires represent the conductors that carry power, communications, or other services along your utility network. This guide covers how to add and manage different wire types.
Wire Types
Aura supports several wire types, each with a specific purpose:
| Type | Typical Use | Color (Default) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary | Main distribution voltage | Red |
| Secondary | Lower voltage to customers | Orange |
| Telecom | Communication cables | Blue |
| Underbuilt | Lower cables sharing the structure | Gray |
| Guy Wire | Structural support cables | Brown |
| Service Wire | Customer connections | Green |
Adding Span Wires
Span wires run between poles along a span. They're the main conductors on your network.
Activate Add Span Wire Tool
Select Digital Grid → Wires → Add Span Wire or press Cmd/Ctrl + W.
Configure Wire Settings
In the settings panel, set:
- Voltage Level - Primary, Secondary, Telecom, or Underbuilt
- Wire Position - Height and offset on the structure
Select the Span
Click on the span where you want to add the wire (the line between two poles).
Define Wire Geometry
Click points on the span to define:
- Attachment point on the "from" pole
- Attachment point on the "to" pole
- Wire sag is calculated automatically
Confirm Placement
The wire appears along the span with calculated sag geometry.
Automatic Sag: Worker calculates wire sag based on span length and wire parameters. The wire curves downward in the middle of the span, matching real-world physics.
Wire Settings
Access wire settings with Cmd/Ctrl + V or Digital Grid → Wires → Wire Settings:
Voltage Levels
Configure the voltage designation for each wire type:
- Primary - High voltage (distribution primary)
- Secondary - Low voltage (to customers)
- Telecom - Communication lines
- Underbuilt - Additional lower circuits
Voltage Labels
Toggle visibility of voltage labels:
- Open Wire Settings
- Check Show Voltage Labels
- Labels appear near wires showing their voltage type
Wire Colors
Customize wire colors in the left sidebar:
- Click the color swatch next to each wire type
- Select a new color
- All wires of that type update
Adding Guy Wires
Guy wires provide structural support, running from the pole to the ground:
Activate Add Guy Wire Tool
Select Digital Grid → Wires → Add Guy Wire or press Cmd/Ctrl + G.
Click on the Pole
Click on the pole where the guy wire attaches.
Click the Anchor Point
Click on the ground where the guy wire is anchored.
Verify Placement
The guy wire appears as a diagonal line from pole to ground.
Adding Service Wires
Service wires connect from the main line to customer locations:
Activate Add Service Wire Tool
Select Digital Grid → Wires → Add Service Wire.
Click the Pole
Click on the pole where the service wire originates.
Click the Service Point
Click on the customer's service entrance location.
Wire is Created
The service wire appears connecting the two points.
Removing Wires
Activate Remove Wire Tool
Select Digital Grid → Wires → Remove Wire or press Shift + W.
Click on the Wire
Click on the wire you want to remove.
Wire is Deleted
The selected wire is removed. Other wires on the same span remain.
Wire Visibility
Control wire visibility in the left sidebar:
- Primary Wires - Toggle/color
- Secondary Wires - Toggle/color
- Telecom Wires - Toggle/color
- Underbuilt Wires - Toggle/color
- Guy Wires - Toggle/color
- Service Wires - Toggle/color
- Voltage Labels - Toggle
Wire Properties
Each wire has these properties:
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Voltage Level | Primary, Secondary, Telecom, Underbuilt |
| From Point | Attachment coordinates on start pole |
| To Point | Attachment coordinates on end pole |
| Sag | Calculated wire droop at midspan |
| Span | Reference to parent span |
Understanding Wire Sag
Wire sag is the vertical droop in the middle of a span:
Pole A Pole B
| |
|---__ __---| ← Attachment points
| --__ __-- |
| --__ __-- |
| -⌣- | ← Maximum sag point
| |Factors affecting sag:
- Span length - Longer spans have more sag
- Wire weight - Heavier wires sag more
- Temperature - Wires expand in heat, increasing sag
- Ice/wind - Loading increases sag
Best Practices
Add Wires in Order
For each span, add wires from top to bottom:
- Primary wires (highest)
- Secondary wires
- Telecom wires
- Underbuilt wires (lowest)
Consistent Voltage Assignment
- Use consistent voltage levels across your project
- Document your voltage color scheme
- Verify assignments with voltage labels
Multiple Phases
For three-phase circuits:
- Add each phase as a separate wire
- Use the same voltage level for all
- Position at appropriate heights/offsets
Verify Against Point Cloud
After adding wires:
- Check alignment with visible wires in point cloud
- Verify sag looks reasonable
- Confirm attachment heights match reality
Wire Clearances
Wire clearances are critical for safety:
Minimum Ground Clearance
Required clearance depends on:
- Voltage level
- Crossing type (road, walkway, rail)
- Regulatory jurisdiction
Wire-to-Wire Clearance
Vertical separation between wires:
- Between different voltage levels
- Between different utilities
- At attachment points
Use Analysis tools to calculate clearances.
Troubleshooting
Wire Not Appearing
If wire doesn't show after creation:
- Check wire visibility is enabled
- Verify the span exists
- Zoom in to the span location
- Try recreating the wire
Wire Position Wrong
If wire attachment points are incorrect:
- Remove the wire
- Verify pole positions are accurate
- Re-add the wire with correct clicks
Sag Looks Incorrect
If wire sag seems wrong:
- Check span length is reasonable
- Verify pole heights are accurate
- Sag increases with longer spans
Next Steps
After adding wires:
- Add crossarms for attachment details
- Run analysis to check clearances
- Review wire positions against point cloud data

