View source for HEX Energy Network

'''HEX Energy Network''' is a system of connecting machines and devices in the mod [[HEXCraft]] to provide them with energy.

== What It Is ==
Any system where [[HEXCraft]] machines are linked together using [[Hexorium Cable|Hexorium Cables]], [[Pylon Base|Pylon Bases]] and/or [[Energy Pylon|Energy Pylons]] can be considered a HEX Energy Network. The energy network is a completely lossless system, and bandwidth is infinite. The machines will regulate energy as they see fit and energy can flow in all directions. Below is a list of machines and network components currently added by the mod.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
!Machine
!Type
!Energy
!Description
|-
|[[Hexorium Generator]]
|Generator
|32 HEX/t
|Generates energy out of [[Fuel]].
|-
|[[Hexorium Furnace]]
|Consumer
|32 HEX/t
|Smelts items in same way as [[Furnace]] does.
|-
|[[Crystal Separator]]
|Consumer
|32 HEX/t
|Extracts [[Hexorium (Lore)|Hexorium]] crystals out of ore.
|-
|[[Matrix Reconstructor]]
|Consumer
|64 HEX/t
|Converts [[Energized Hexorium]] to [[Energized Hexorium Monolith|Energized Hexorium Monoliths]].
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
!Network Device
!Description
|-
|[[Hexorium Cable]]
|Allows physical connectivity between machines.
|-
|[[Pylon Base]]
|Bridge between [[Hexorium Cable|Hexorium Cables]] and [[Energy Pylon|Energy Pylons]].
|-
|[[Energy Pylon]]
|Allows for remote connectivity between networks.
|}

== Behavior ==
To use the network to its maximum potential, it is important to understand exactly how it works. 

It is easy to tell if a consumer is receiving any energy by looking at its front panel. If three small RGB lights are lit up, it means that the consumer is correctly connected to a generator. Likewise, the same lights will light up on the generator if the very same generator has energy in storage and is able to output this energy.

All generators have a certain built in energy storage. This storage is consumed by consumer machines and replenished by the generator depending on the generator's mechanism. This storage can vary in size depending on the fuel used and the generator itself. The generators cannot output more energy than the maximum they are rated for. If machines are requesting more energy than can be provided, they will work, but not reliably. The machines will work way slower, and there is a possibility for machines to randomly turn off. To make the whole network as optimized as possible, it is important to have big enough number of generators to satisfy all of the machines. All machines in [[HEXCraft]] pull energy that is power of two based. This means that for instance, one [[Hexorium Furnace]] can be powered with one [[Hexorium Generator]], or that one [[Matrix Reconstructor]] can be powered with two [[Hexorium Generator|Hexorium Generators]].

== Examples ==
=== Simple Cable Network ===
{|
|{{Screenshot |link=SS_HEX_Energy_Network_01.png |desc=A network made up only of some cable and two machines.}}
|}
In this example, we have a simple network that is made up of a [[Hexorium Generator]] and a [[Hexorium Furnace]]. The two machines are connected with each other using some [[Hexorium Cable (Purple)]].
=== Complex Cable Network ===
{|
|{{Screenshot |link=SS_HEX_Energy_Network_02.png |desc=A network made up only of some cable and multiple different machines.}}
|}
In this example, we have a bit more complex network that is made up of three [[Hexorium Generator|Hexorium Generators]], [[Hexorium Furnace]] and a [[Matrix Reconstructor]]. The machines are connected with a larger amount of [[Hexorium Cable (Purple)]].
=== Complex Multicolor Cable Network ===
{|
|{{Screenshot |link=SS_HEX_Energy_Network_03.png |desc=A network made up multiple different machines and many different cable colors including rainbow (appearing green in this shot).}}
|}
In this example, we have a complex network that is made up of same machines from the previous example and of [[Hexorium Cable]] of multiple different colors. The different colors don't interconnect, but can be connected using a [[Hexorium Cable (Rainbow)]], as shown in the screnshot.
=== Network Using A Pylon Base ===
{|
|{{Screenshot |link=SS_HEX_Energy_Network_04.png |desc=A network made up of two machines, some differently colored cable and a [[Pylon Base]].}}
|}
In this example, we are using a [[Pylon Base|5-to-1 Pylon Base]] as a replacement for the [[Hexorium Cable (Rainbow)]], showing that it has similar properties.
=== Simple Network Using Energy Pylons ===
{|
|{{Screenshot |link=SS_HEX_Energy_Network_05.png |desc=A network made up of two machines, some cable, [[Pylon Base|Pylon Bases]] and two linked [[Energy Pylon|Energy Pylons]].}}
|}
In this example, we are connecting the two machines using [[Energy Pylon|Energy Pylons]]. To learn how to link the pylons, please visit the [[Energy Pylon]] page. The energy now exits the [[Hexorium Egenerator]], goes though the [[Hexorium Cable (Purple)]], is sent to the [[Energy Pylon]] through a [[Pylon Base]], travels though the beam, and then back through the pylon, base and cable into the [[Hexorium Furnace]].

=== Complex Network Using Energy Pylons ===
{|
|{{Screenshot |link=SS_HEX_Energy_Network_06.png |desc=A network made up of multiple machines, cable, [[Pylon Base|Pylon Bases]] and three linked [[Energy Pylon|Energy Pylons]].}}
|}
In this example, we are connecting all of the machines together using three [[Energy Pylon|Energy Pylons]]. In a setup like this, each machine can still interact with each other, as they are essentially still on the same network. If one of the three links were broken, the machines would still work, as a path for the energy still exists.
=== Complex Network Using Multicolor Energy Pylons ===
{|
|{{Screenshot |link=SS_HEX_Energy_Network_07.png |desc=A network made up of multiple machines, multicolored cable, [[Pylon Base|Pylon Bases]] and three linked [[Energy Pylon|Energy Pylons]], out of which one is rainbow.}}
|}
In this example, we are connecting all of the machines together using three [[Energy Pylon|Energy Pylons]], but one of them is rainbow colored. Rainbow pylons can connect with any other color. This setup also demonstrates that [[Pylon Base|Pylon Bases]] act as rainbow cable, as we are connecting differently colored [[Hexorium Cable]] with pylons.
=== Long Distance Pylon Network ===
{|
|{{Screenshot |link=SS_HEX_Energy_Network_08.png |desc=A network made up of many [[Energy Pylon|Energy Pylons]], bringing energy from a far away place.}}
|}
In this example, we are connecting a [[Hexorium Furnace]] with a [[Hexorium Generator]] that is on a far remote location. We do this using multiple [[Energy Pylon|Energy Pylons]], omitting the [[Pylon Base]] where it is not required.
=== Insanity Network ===
{|
|{{Screenshot |link=SS_HEX_Energy_Network_09.png |desc=An unnecessarily complicated network for the sake of being complicated.}}
|{{Screenshot |link=SS_HEX_Energy_Network_10.png |desc=Glow-in-dark of the same network.}}
|}
In this example, we are using all possible pieces of the network to connect the machines in all kinds of crazy and unnecessary ways. This kind of network is not really required in practice, but can look interesting.

== Lore ==
'''HEX Energy Network''' is a complex system of devices and machines devised by [[CelesTek Technologies (Lore)|CelesTek Technologies]] with purpose of allowing people to do things easier and to transfer energy via long distances.

{{HEXCraft}}

[[Category:HEXCraft]]
[[Category:Mechanics]]