Best Practices in Overhead Distribution Line Design

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Two-Part Overhead Distribution Systems This is the second in a two-part series on Overhead Distribution Systems. The first course, "Overhead Distribution Principles and Applications," will be five (5) interactive virtual sessions in Zoom on September 4, 5, 10, 11, and 12

Timing

Monday, September 30 – Thursday, October 3
8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. each day

Course Overview

Overhead distribution continues to play an essential role for most utilities in delivering electric service to end-use customers either directly or as the source for underground line extensions. Overhead line design is an engineering discipline that requires the consistent and proper application of engineering principles and ethics to prepare quality designs and reduce liability exposure. 

Learn how to enhance your line design processes and prepare designs that are safe, reliable, and in compliance with the 2023 National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) requirements. Review industry best practices, engage with your peers, and complete over twenty-five (25) practical hands-on design exercises using line design software. 

Attendees will return to their work better prepared to help their organizations adopt design practices that comply with applicable professional engineering laws and regulations.  

Course Topics

• Overhead Line Design Accountabilities and Process
  • Overhead line design protocols and processes 
  • NESC general requirements for overhead lines
  • Joint use and other considerations in overhead line design 
• Conductor/Cable Sag, Tension, and Clearance
  • NESC requirements for maximum conductor/cable sag determination
  • NESC and practical requirements for maximum conductor/cable design tension 
  • Conductor/cable sag and tension calculations, sag-tension software, and application examples/exercises 
• NESC Clearance Requirements
  • Clearances to ground and water surfaces; buildings and other structures; and between conductors, cables and equipment
  • Selected special clearance conditions and application examples/exercises
• Overhead Line Structure Loading and Strength 
  • NESC requirements for supporting structure design 
  • Determination of mechanical forces on supporting structures 
  • Overhead line guying and anchoring design considerations
  • Supporting structure loading application examples and exercises
  • Wood poles (types, treatments, dimensions, strength classes, and specifications) and manufactured poles (types, characteristics, NESC equivalent designs, and specifications) 
  • Pole embedment designs
• Line Design Applications and Certification Exam
  • Line design exercises, software applications and discussion will be included each day of the course. The course will conclude with an examination for those wishing to receive an APPA certification credential in overhead distribution line design,

What to Bring 

• Participants are required to bring a laptop to work through in-class, line design application exercises and a basic engineering calculator or app.
• NESC: Participants are requested to have a copy of the 2023 National Electric Safety Code® on hand to review during the course. Copies can be purchased from IEEE (www.ieee.org) and a copy can be shared among attendees who may be participating together in the same location.

Line Design Software

You will use Utility Line Design software programs to perform line design calculations and application exercises in class. You’ll receive complimentary software access for 30 days (from the start of the course). 

Course Level

Basic/Intermediate: No prerequisites; no advance preparation.

It is highly recommended that you attend this course in conjunction with the Overhead Distribution Principles and Applications virtual training being held September 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 2024. Discounts apply for attending both courses.

Accreditation

The following continuing education credits will be provided, after successfully completing the session. Click "Accreditation" tab below to review requirements.

Recommended CEUs 2.4/PDHs 24/CPEs 28.8
Field of Study: Specialized Knowledge

Recommended for

Those who work at all levels of overhead distribution line design including:

• Engineering managers
• Design engineers 
• Design/staking supervisors and technicians
• Consulting engineers
• Crew supervisors and senior lineworkers 

It is highly recommended that you attend this course in conjunction with the Overhead Distribution Principles and Applications virtual course (September 4, 5, 10, 11, 12). Discounts apply for attending both courses.

Instructors

Lead Instructor: R. John Miner, P.E., is an accomplished executive manager and educator with over 45 years of experience in the electric utility industry. He is president of Collaborative Learning/Collaboration Unlimited of Austin, Texas. John has been an APPA instructor for more than 30 years and an instructor for the University of Wisconsin for 20 years. Before forming his own company, he worked as the Chief Operating Officer for the Austin, Texas, Electric Utility Department (now Austin Energy), as General Manager for Rochester Public Utilities in Minnesota, and as an assistant professor at the University of Houston. He is also the author of the first three editions of APPA’s Electric Utility Basics manual. John earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering (with honors), and a Master of Science degree in engineering science, both from the University of Toledo. John is a Senior Life Member of the IEEE and is a registered Professional Engineer in the states of Texas and Minnesota.

Thomas Black, P.E., is an independent consultant and educator in the electric and gas utility industry. His experience includes both municipal (Colorado Springs and City of Fountain, CO) and investor-owned utilities across multiple jurisdictions in Colorado, North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida. His range of experience in the utility industry covers 30 years and includes planning and engineering, standards, construction and maintenance manager, energy delivery general manager and chief energy officer responsible for all aspects of energy supply, electric transmission and distribution and gas distribution. He also has extensive executive level experience including serving as chief energy officer and energy delivery general manager. Tom has also served on the boards of RMEL and the Colorado Association of Municipal Utilities and is a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).

Ted Dimberio, P.E., in an accomplished engineer with over 40 years of experience in electric and telecommunication line design. He is currently President and CFO of Utility Line Design and President of Line Design University. Ted has worked in all capacities of line design including field staking, construction supervision, management, and consulting. He has been an industry leader in developing engineering software for electric distribution utilities that auto-generates profile drawings and required line design calculations to verify and document engineering decisions. Ted received his civil and structural engineering education from Mesabi State Junior College and the University of Minnesota. He is a registered Professional Engineer in the states of Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Erich Schoennagel, P.E., has cultivated over 45 years of experience in the electric industry. He is a former manager and engineer with CenterPoint Energy and managed the Transmission Project Engineering group. Erich served for 15 years as a member advisor and chairman of the Underground Transmission Task Force for the Electric Power Research Institute until his retirement from CenterPoint Energy. There he directed research related to underground transmission and superconductivity. He was a board member of the annual TSDOS symposium, and a former member of the American Concrete Institute 336 committee related to foundation design and construction.

Registration Fees

Save $300 when you register for both classes!

You will register for courses individually. The $300 discount is automatically deducted from the second course registration.

Overhead Distribution Systems Series	Members*
Overhead Distribution Systems Principles & Applications Virtual: Sept. 4, 5, 10, 11, 12	$1,495
Best Practices in Overhead Distribution Line Design In-person: Sept. 30-Oct. 3 (Seattle, WA)	$1,795
Both courses (save $300)	$2,990
*Non-member pricing is double the member rate.

Questions?

• Registration: [email protected]
• Hotel: [email protected]
• Program/Content: [email protected]
• Billing: [email protected]

Held in partnership with:

Collaborative Learning, Inc., and the Academy for Utility Line Design Professionals