Overhead Distribution Principles and Applications

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Two-Part Overhead Distribution Systems

This is the first in a two-part series on Overhead Distribution Systems. The second course, "Best Practices in Overhead Line Design," will take place in-person at APPA's Fall Education Institute, Sept. 30 – Oct. 4, in Seattle, Washington.

Learning Environment

Join us as we hold this popular course as a series of five (5) interactive virtual sessions on Zoom. It’s a convenient way to attend the course, while still having the opportunity to interact with the instructors, your industry peers, and earn 17.5 PDH credits.

This course is applications-oriented, including real-time presentations, breakout sessions, in-class examples, quizzes, live polling, Q&A sessions, group discussions, and is focused on learning by doing.

Timing

Participate in a 60-minute orientation session on Monday, September 3, followed by five (5), real-time sessions from Noon – 4 pm Eastern on September 4, 5, 10, 11 and 12. There will be two 15-minute breaks incorporated into each session.

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. Learn about the characteristics and functions of the various components that comprise the overhead distribution system as well as the legal/regulatory and business requirements that drive today’s overhead distribution practices.

Explore specific requirements and practices associated with overhead line conductors and cables, structural components, grounding, and lightning protection. Learn how to review and improve your utility’s overhead line design criteria and construction standards, make better design decisions, and enhance safety and service reliability.

Recommended for

Those who work at all levels of overhead distribution 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 Best Practices in Overhead Distribution Line Design being held in-person at our Fall Institute on Sept. 30 – Oct. 3.

Those who are relatively inexperienced in the industry or to overhead distribution, as well as those with experience who want to “refresh and update” their understanding of overhead distribution systems will also benefit from participating.

Course Schedule and Topics

Orientation Session: September 3 (1-2 pm Eastern)
We request that all participants attend this session, though a recording will also be made available. The session will cover:

Instructor and participant introductions
Course overview, materials, and expectations
Technology and logistics (the APPA document portal and homework/exercises)
Zoom functionality (breakout rooms, webcams/audio, best practices, etc.)
Completion requirements for continuing education credits

Each subsequent session will be held from Noon – 4 pm Eastern.

Session 1: Introduction to Overhead Distribution
September 4

The overhead distribution system: purpose, characteristics, components and equipment
The legal, regulatory and business environment for overhead distribution design, construction and operation
Introduction to NESC requirements for overhead lines

Session 2: Overhead Line Conductors, Cables, and NESC Clearances
September 5

Overhead line conductor/cable types, properties and applications
Basic concepts of sag-tension design and its impact on clearances
Introduction to NESC clearance requirements and compliance

Session 3: Overhead Line Physical Loading and Structures (Part 1)
September 10

Overhead line structure types and applications
Basic concepts of structure loading and strength
Introduction to NESC loading/strength requirements and compliance

Session 4: Overhead Line Conductors, Cables, and Structures (Part 2)
September 11

Overhead line guying and anchoring
Overhead line materials (wood and manufactured components)
Basic line design application examples and assigned exercises

Session 5: Overhead Line Electrical Considerations
September 12

Overhead line grounding
Overhead line insulation and lightning protection

Course Level

Basic/Intermediate: No prerequisites, though some advance preparation is requested, including attending an orientation session on September 3 (1-2 pm Eastern – this will be recorded).

For those looking for more comprehensive training, it is highly recommended that you attend this course in conjunction with the Best Practices in Overhead Distribution Line Design being held in-person at our Fall Institute on Sept. 30 – Oct. 3.

Accreditation

The following continuing education credits will be provided, after successfully completing 90% of all five live sessions. Certificates will be available by Oct. 3. These sessions will be recorded, though certificates can only be awarded to those who participate in the live events. Click "Accreditation" tab below to review requirements.

Recommended: CEUs 2/PDHs 17.5/CPEs 21
Field of Study: Specialized Knowledge

Application Exercises/Homework

Following each live session, participants are expected to either complete a quiz (to test your knowledge on key concepts) or work independently on design application exercises (some exercises will be conducted during the live sessions).
Further instructions will be provided at the beginning of Session One. The estimated time for completing these items is up to 1 hour per class day.

Additional Requirement

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.

Instructors

miner 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, Inc., of Austin, Texas, and 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 for the Austin, Texas, Electric Utility Department, Rochester Public Utilities in Minnesota, and as an assistant professor for the University of Houston. 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. He is also the author of the first three editions of APPA’s Electric Utility Basics manual.

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 Ted Dimberio, P.E., is 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.

eric 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.

Questions?

Registration/Billing: [email protected]
Schedule/Content/Accreditation: [email protected]

Held in partnership with:

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

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Registration

Register now!

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

Contact [email protected] with questions.

*Non-member pricing is double the member rate.

Group Discounts

Save money on each registration when your organization registers five or more people for the same class or the bundled series. The larger your group, the more you save! Registrations must be submitted on the same order (at the same time) to qualify for the group discount; discounts cannot be retroactively applied to previous orders.

If you need assistance, contact [email protected].

Number of registrants	Discount (per person)
1-4	n/a
5-9	$50
10-14	$100
15-24	$150
25+	$200

Cancellations/No-Show/Refunds/Substitutions

Registrants who cancel in writing at least 7 days before the first day of a course are entitled to a refund of their registration fee, minus a $100 cancellation fee. Registrants who cancel after that will not receive a refund, but attendee substitutions will be allowed for this event only. Registrants and no-shows who do not cancel at least 7 days before the course start date are responsible for the full registration fee and are not entitled to a refund.

Email your cancellation request to: [email protected]

Cancellation deadlines:

Overhead Distribution Principles and Applications (virtual): Cancellations must be received on/before Aug. 28
- This course will be recorded and attendees will automatically receive a copy of the recordings, in case you can't attend live.
Best Practices in Overhead Distribution Line Design (in-person): Cancellations must be received on/before Sept. 23

Cancellation requests should be made through your My.PublicPower portal, or addressed to: [email protected]

Questions?

Registration/Billing: [email protected]
Schedule/Content/Accreditation: [email protected]

Additional Information

Format and Log-In Information

The virtual Overhead Distribution Principles & Applications class (Sept. 4 – 12) will be offered on the Zoom meeting platform.

Communication

24 hours after registering: You’ll receive a confirmation email within 24 hours of registering, which contains some preliminary information.
1 week out: You’ll receive a more comprehensive logistics/prep email a week out from the start of the first session.
24 hours before (virtual class):
- You’ll receive your Zoom log in links the day before the first class (sent from the APPA Academy’s Zoom account [email protected])
- You’ll also receive a final logistics email 24 hours in advance of the first class.
If you don’t receive this correspondence, email [email protected].

Technology Requirements

Zoom Meeting Application: Attendees are required to have strong internet access, in order to run the Zoom meeting platform. Please see below for more information on downloading the Zoom Web Client.
Audio/Webcam: You will need to enable computer audio to listen and speak (alternatively a call-in number will be provided) and you will also need a webcam, so you can fully engage in the small group breakout sessions and group discussions.

Course Access and Materials

Zoom links: Zoom log in credentials will be sent out 24 hours before the start of Session 1.
Course materials: Attendees will receive access to APPA’s secure online document portal a week before the course, where the manuals and other course materials will be made available, allowing you to work with them before, during and after the online sessions.
Recordings: The sessions will be recorded and can also be accessed through APPA’s document portal (within a week of the last class in the program), in case you can’t attend the live versions. Recordings will be accessible for 90 days after the last course session. Note: Continuing education credits can only be issued for attending live sessions.

New to Zoom?

If you haven't participated in a Zoom meeting before, please download the Zoom web client from the Zoom Download Center. This will enable you to access all of the Zoom tools and functionality vs. using the web version. Then, visit Zoom.us/test to ensure you are able to join a meeting.

If you are not able to download the Zoom web client, you can still participate via your Internet browser. We recommend using Chrome for the best results.

Questions?

Registration/Billing: [email protected]
Schedule/Content/Accreditation: [email protected]

Accreditation

The following continuing education credits will be provided, after successfully completing 90% of each live course. The virtual sessions will be recorded, though certificates can only be awarded to those who meet the attendance requirements for attending each live session.

Overhead Distribution Systems Principles & Applications (virtual): Sept. 4 – 12
- CEUs 2/PDHs 17.5/CPEs 21; Field of Study: Specialized Knowledge
Best Practices in Overhead Distribution Line Design (in-person): Sept. 30 – Oct. 3
- CEUs 2.4/PDHs 24/CPEs 28; Field of Study: Specialized Knowledge

Earn While You Learn!

Participate in virtual programs to earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs), Professional Development Hours (PDHs) and Continuing Professional Education credits (CPEs).

What educational credits are available?

You can earn the following kinds of continuing education credits for attending live sessions during this event—provided the following requirements are met:

Requirements for Successful Completion: In-person

Attendees must sign in each day, attend (and participate) in the entire course and complete an evaluation form at the end of class
Partial credit cannot be given for partial attendance
Attendance is monitored by an APPA staff member and the instructor
Completion certificates will be added within two weeks to member profiles on the APPA website (for those who meet the requirements)

Requirements for Successful Completion: Virtual

Registration is for individual access, so each person participating must register. If you have multiple people interested in attending, group discounts are available.
Individuals are required to attend and actively participate in 90% of each live session and complete an online evaluation after the last session in a course.
- Attendance: Individuals must attend at least 90% of each live session (based on electronic timestamps in Zoom).
- Participation: Active participation in class will include engagement activities such as: polling/check-in questions, Kahoot quizzes, group discussions, breakout sessions, and in-class exercises.
- Activities vary by class: Information on participation will be provided the day before (and during) class. Participation is tracked electronically.
- Online evaluation: Each person must complete an online evaluation after the course concludes.
Partial credit cannot be given for partial attendance.
Attendance is monitored by an APPA staff member during the event, through an online report log, and upon review of the post-event evaluation data
Completion certificates will be available within two weeks of the last session in a live event (for those who meet the requirements) through your APPA member portal (access instructions will be provided).
Virtual sessions are recorded (attendees automatically receive access to recordings within a week of the last session), though continuing education credits can only be given for attending live events. Recordings will be accessible for 90 days after the last session.

Guidelines for group participation in virtual events

If a group is participating in a conference room together, we recommend each person still logs in individually from a laptop to ensure attendance and participation requirements are met (as noted above).
If individual log in is not possible, the organization must designate one person as the main point of contact. Email [email protected] in advance of the virtual event noting this information
- This person will record attendance in the room in the room (we can provide a sample attendance tracker) and ensure attendance and participation from the group throughout.
- Submit the attendance record to APPA within 2 business days of the conclusion of a virtual event.
- Ensure each person fills out the required online evaluation.

Continuing Education Units (CEUs): The American Public Power Association is accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and is authorized to issue the IACET CEU. For information regarding certification status, attendance requirements and obtaining attendee transcripts, contact [email protected].

CPE logo Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Credits: The American Public Power Association is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.learningmarket.org. Unless noted, there are no prerequisites for the courses offered and no advance preparation is required. Courses are group-internet based offerings at the basic program level (unless otherwise noted). Credit hours and areas of study for the courses are listed on the individual course pages. For more information regarding administrative policies, such as clarification of requirements, complaints, and refunds, please contact [email protected].

Professional Development Hours (PDHs): The American Public Power Association’s educational practices are consistent with the criteria for awarding Professional Development Hours (PDHs) as established by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). Course eligibility and number of PDHs may vary by state.