Steam Networks (Flaxbeard's Steam Power)

In Flaxbeard's Steam Power, a Steam Network, also referred to as the SteamNet, is a combination of pressure, steam amounts, and various functionality relating to the way steam works in the mod.

Most blocks in the mod require a steam network in order to function. As such, they will attempt to join an existing steam network through their adjacent blocks, or, if that is impossible, create a new one.

Each Steam Network has a unique identifier, which is never relevant to the user, a set steam capacity, and a set pressure capacity. The steam and pressure capacities can, if exceeded, result in catastrophic system meltdowns, which are essentially explosions. These can be prevented by using the wimp mode configuration option, or taking proper precautions such as using Steam Whistles, Rupture Discs, Steam Gauges, and redstone contraptions.

The steam capacity increases each time a new storage device is added to the network, such as a new Steam Tank or Pipe. Likewise, it decreases when devices are removed from the network. The steam in the mod represents a gas, so it expands throughout the network almost immediately. The network's pressure also expands with it. Machines all require a certain amount of steam and pressure in order to operate.

Pressure and steam are both dependent on the size of the network, and the amount of steam being fed in/out of it. When a network is large, the amount of steam being fed into it also needs to be large, otherwise, the network's global pressure will not be high enough for most machines to operate. Likewise, when the size of a network is too small compared to how much steam being fed into it, the network may enter a meltdown.

The network refreshes each time a new device is added, or the steam amount is increased. If neither of these things are happening, it will refresh every 40 ticks, or 2 seconds.