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Best Practices in
Overhead Distribution
Line Design
Learn all about structural design principles, along with hands-on design exercises, including the practical application of a design program. This course builds on content presented in the Overhead Distribution Principles and Applications virtual course.
Learning Environment
All sessions incorporate real-time presentations from industry experts, Q&A, group interaction, and hands-on exercises.
Timing
Participate in a 60-minute orientation session on January 17, followed by six (6) live sessions from Noon – 4 p.m. Eastern on January 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30. 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. 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 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.
Who Should Attend
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
Course Topics
Overhead Line Design Accountabilities and Process
- Overhead line design protocols and processes
- NESC general requirements for overhead lines
- Joint use, rights-of-way, aesthetics, 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 in 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.
Line Design Software
You will use the Utility Line Design Client program to perform some basic line design calculations in class, which will require you to download the computer in advance of the course. We'll provide detailed instructions on how to do so and be available to answer questions and troubleshoot as needed. You’ll receive complimentary software access to for 30 days (from the start of the course).
Additional Requirements
- NESC: Participants are requested to have a copy of the 2023 National Electric Safety Code® on hand (print or digital version) 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.
- Download Kahoot app: Prior to the course, go to the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android) and download the Kahoot app on your cell phone (or you can use the web-based version). We will be using Kahoot for in-class quizzes. We will provide you with the game PIN number needed for the quiz.
- Have a basic engineering calculator or app on hand to work through line design application exercises.
Timed Agenda/Learning Outcomes
Coming soon!
Course Level
Intermediate (Lvel 2): No prerequisites, though it is recommended that attendees have foundational knowledge of overhead distribution systems, their components, and basic design principles, either through work experience or by attending the Level 1 course: Overhead Distribution Principles and Applications. Foundational topics in the course include:
- Introduction to overhead distribution
- Introduction to the NESC
- Overhead line conductors and cable types and characteristics
- Supporting structure loading application examples and exercises
- NESC overhead line clearance requirements and compliance
- Overhead line structure types and functions including guying
- Basic concepts of structure loading
- Introduction to NESC Loading/strength requirements and compliance
- Overhead distribution grounding, insulation coordination and over voltage protection
Accreditation
The following continuing education credits will be provided, after successfully completing the session (click here to review requirements).
Recommended CEUs 2.4 / PDHs 21
Field of Study: Specialized Knowledge
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, Inc., of Austin and San Antonio, 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.
 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.
 M. Thomas Black, P.E., is an accomplished executive manager, consultant and course instructor with more than 30 years of experience in the electric and gas utility industries. In addition to working with Collaborative Learning, Tom’s experience includes employment with both municipal and investor owned utilities across multiple jurisdictions in Colorado, North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida. He teaches a variety of courses on technical topics and also has extensive executive level experience in managing electric and gas utility systems, 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).
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