What are orphan assets?

Orphan assets are elements in your model's database that are "orphaned" or disconnected from the main, continuous network.

• Orphan junction: A junction that is not defined as the start or end point of any pipe. It's just a point floating in space, unconnected to the system.
• Orphan pump: A pump that is not connected to any pipes either upstream or downstream.
• Orphan valve: A valve that is not connected to any pipes either upstream or downstream.

These errors often occur when importing data from other sources, like a GIS, where data connectivity might not be perfect.

Why are these warnings a problem?

Orphan assets prevent the hydraulic model from running correctly. The software's calculation engine relies on a fully connected network to solve the equations for flow and pressure.

The result is that you will get one or more errors that will not allow the simulation to run.

How are they handled?

If you get an unnconected node error you can open the left sidebar to find the Network review set of tools, then choose Orphan assets.

A list of all the detected orphan assets will appear. You can click on each one to zoom to it in the map. There you can assess the situation and decide what to do with it. The usual options are:

• Deleting the orphan asset if it was a data entry mistake.
• Connecting the asset to the correct pipe or node by drag and dropping it in place.

Related articles

Proximity check

Crossing pipes

Connectivity trace