Make Ready Clearance Rules Configuration Manual

Overview

Katapult Pro includes default Make Ready clearance rules that automatically calculate violations during the Make Ready engineering process. These rules can be based on NESC (National Electric Safety Code) or GO 95 (General Order 95) standards and can be customized to meet specific market requirements.

Accessing Clearance Rules

Navigate to the Model Editor and locate the Clearance Rules section nested under the Make Ready section. This interface displays a searchable list of wires and equipment with configured rulesets.

Basic Operations

Search Bar

At the top of the interface, use the search bar to quickly locate specific wires and equipment rulesets by name or type.

Creating New Rules

Click the blue plus sign (+) button to create a new clearance rule from scratch.

Editing Existing Rules

Left-click on any ruleset to open the Clearance Rules Details view and edit the rule configuration.

Additional Options

Right-clicking on any ruleset provides three options:

• Rename - Modify the ruleset name
• Copy - Duplicate an existing ruleset as a template
• Delete - Remove the ruleset from the configuration

Clearance Rules Structure

Each clearance ruleset contains three primary columns:

1. Rule Requirements - Defines what the rule applies to
2. Pole Clearances - Specifies clearance requirements at pole locations
3. Midspan Clearances - Specifies clearance requirements between poles (can be toggled on/off)

Rule Requirements Configuration

Marker Type

Specifies which annotation type the rule applies to. Common marker types include:

• Wire
• Equipment

Example: A Fiber ruleset would set Marker Type to "Wire"

Required Marker Attributes

Marker attributes are properties that exist on a specific marker within a job. These attributes affect only the individual marker being evaluated.

Common marker attributes:

• Diameter
• Mr Remove (for removed wire rules)
• Grounded (for grounded equipment/wire rules)

Example: A rule for removed wires would require the marker attribute "Mr Remove" to be checked.

Required Trace Attributes

Trace attributes are properties linked throughout a cable's entire trace. These attributes remain consistent across the cable's full length.

Common trace attributes:

• Cable Type (e.g., Fiber Optic Com, Neutral)
• Company
• Proposed (for proposed installations)

Example: A Fiber clearance rule would require the trace attribute "Cable Type" to be "Fiber Optic Com"

ALL vs ANY Logic

The blue toggle in the corner of attribute sections controls how multiple attributes are evaluated:

• ALL - Every listed attribute must be satisfied
• ANY - At least one listed attribute must be satisfied

Example: A Proposed Fiber rule might require:

• Cable Type = Fiber Optic Com AND
• Proposed = Checked
• Toggle set to "ALL" means both conditions must be met

Rule Exceptions

The Rule Exceptions section allows documentation of circumstances where standard clearances may be modified. When an exception is flagged, the explanation appears in the marker's info button (white 'i' icon).

Example: "Clearance can be changed to 3" if drip loop is guarded."

Pole Clearances Configuration

Pole clearances define required distances at pole locations using a table format with four columns:

Distance

Measured in inches. Specifies the required clearance value.

Direction

Defines the spatial relationship:

• Below - The clearance must be maintained below the reference point
• Above - The clearance must be maintained above the reference point
• From - The clearance must be maintained away from the reference point

Clearance Rule

Specifies what element the rule applies to in relation to the primary subject.

Example Rule Breakdown:

• Distance: 4 inches
• Direction: From
• Clearance Rule: "Streetlight grounded"

This means a fiber optic wire must maintain 4 inches of clearance from a grounded streetlight.

The streetlight clearance rule itself can have requirements:

• Marker Type: Equipment
• Equipment Type: street_light
• Grounded: Checked

Ignore Existing Violations

When this checkbox is enabled, pre-existing violations are not flagged. Only new Make Ready calls that create violations will be identified.

Adding New Pole Clearance Rules

To add a clearance rule to the table:

1. Click "Add a clearance rule" at the bottom of the list
2. Enter the distance value (or use arrows to adjust)
3. Select direction from the dropdown menu
4. Select the appropriate clearance rule from the dropdown
5. Check or uncheck "Ignore Existing Violations" as needed

Deleting Clearance Rules

Click the trash can icon at the end of any row to immediately delete that clearance rule.

Midspan Clearances Configuration

Midspan clearances function identically to pole clearances but apply to the span between poles rather than at pole locations. The table structure and input fields are identical to the Pole Clearances section.

Note: Some marker types do not require midspan clearances. Equipment clearances typically only need pole-based rules.

Creating Custom Clearance Rules: Step-by-Step Example

Example: Creating a Grounded Neutral Clearance Rule

Step 1: Copy Existing Rule

Rather than starting from scratch, copy a similar existing rule:

1. Locate the "Neutral" clearance rule
2. Right-click and select "Copy"
3. Rename to "Grounded Neutral"

Step 2: Configure Rule Requirements

• Marker Type: Wire (keep existing)
• Required Trace Attribute: Cable Type = Neutral (keep existing)
• Required Marker Attribute: Add "Grounded" and check the checkbox

Step 3: Adjust Midspan Clearances

Modify clearances as needed for grounded neutral specifications:

Step 4: Save the Rule

Click "Save" to preserve the new clearance rule configuration.

Clearance Rule Order Management

The sequence of clearance rules is critical for proper evaluation. The software evaluates rules from top to bottom, so more specific rules must be placed above more general rules of the same type.

Ordering Principle

Specific rules → General rules

A grounded neutral is more specific than a general neutral, so the grounded neutral rule should be evaluated first.

How to Reorder Rules

1. Click "Edit Clearance Rule Order" in the top right corner
2. Drag rules to the appropriate position
3. Place more specific rules above less specific ones
4. Click "Save Clearance Rule Order"

Example Hierarchy:

1. Grounded Neutral (more specific)
2. Neutral (more general)

This ensures that when a wire meets the criteria for "Grounded Neutral," those rules are applied instead of falling through to the more general "Neutral" rules.

Best Practices

1. Start with Defaults - Begin with NESC or GO 95 base standards before customizing
2. Copy Similar Rules - Use existing rulesets as templates to maintain consistency and reduce errors
3. Document Exceptions - Always provide clear explanations in the Rule Exceptions section for future reference
4. Test Rule Order - Verify that specific rules are positioned above general rules to ensure correct evaluation
5. Review Existing Violations - Carefully consider whether to ignore existing violations based on project requirements
6. Validate Midspan Requirements - Determine whether midspan clearances are necessary for each rule type
7. Use Consistent Naming - Maintain clear, descriptive names for clearance rules to facilitate management

Support and Additional Resources

For questions or assistance with clearance rule configuration, contact the Katapult Pro Support team.

To request additional documentation or training materials, provide feedback through the comment system or reach out directly to your support representative.