Virtual Training Best Practices in Overhead Distribution Line Design
November 28, 29, 30, December 5 & 6, 2023 12:00-4:00 PM Eastern
Plus a required orientation session November 27, 1-1:45 PM.
Join us as we hold this popular course as a series of five interactive virtual sessions. It’s a convenient way to 'attend' the course, while still having the opportunity to interact with the instructors, your industry peers, and earn 14 PDH credits. This course is applications-oriented, including online lecture, interaction, and learning by doing.
Learn about the characteristics and functions of overhead distribution components and the legal/regulatory/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.
Learning Environment
All sessions incorporate real-time presentations from industry experts, Q&A, group interaction, and hands-on exercises.
Timing
Participate in a 45-minute orientation session on November 27, followed by five, real-time sessions from Noon – 4 p.m. Eastern on November 28, 29, 30, December 5 and 6, 2023. 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.
Note: Some of the exercises will require the use of line design software, which you’ll receive complimentary access to for a period of thirty (30) days from the start of the course.
Recommended For
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 underlying principles, practices, and the components and equipment that comprise today’s overhead distribution system will benefit from participating.
It is highly recommended that you attend this course in conjunction with the Overhead Distribution System Principles and Applications Online Course September 19, 20, 21, 26 & 27, 2023.
Course Schedule and Topics
Orientation Session: November 27 (1-1:45 PM Eastern)
We request that all participants attend this session, though a recording will also be made available. The session will cover:
Each subsequent session will be held from Noon – 4 p.m. Eastern.
Overhead Line Design Accountabilities and Process
November 28
Session 2: Conductor/Cable Sag, Tension, and Clearance November 29
Session 3: NESC Clearance Requirements November 30
Session 4: Overhead Line Structure Loading and Strength (Part 1) December 5
Session 5: Overhead Line Structure Loading and Strength (Part 2) December 6
Course Level
Intermediate/Advanced: No prerequisites; however, completion of the Overhead Distribution Principles and Applications (September 19, 20, 21, 26, 27) is highly recommended. Discounts apply for attending both.
Some advanced preparation is requested, including attending an orientation session on November 27 (1-1:45 p.m. Eastern – this will be recorded), completing a brief pre-course survey, and logging into the line design software platform.
Technology Requirements
Zoom Meeting Application: Attendees are required to have strong Internet access, in order to run the Zoom meeting platform. Click here to learn more about 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 session and group discussions.
Additional Requirements
2023 NESC: Participants are required to have a copy of the 2023 National Electric Safety Code® (ANSI C2-2023) on hand to review during the course. Hard copies and electronic version can be purchased from IEEE (www.ieee.org; 800/701-4333).
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 eManuals 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.
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 line 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.
Accreditation
The following continuing education credits will be provided, after successfully completing 90% of all five live sessions. These sessions will be recorded, though certificates can only be awarded to those who participate in the live events (click here to review requirements).
Recommended CEUs 1.4 / PDHs 17.5 / CPEs 16.8 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.
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).
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.
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 Fee:
REGISTER NOW!
WHEN REGISTERING, BE SURE TO USE PROMO CODE CL2023
Virtual Training
Underground Distribution Systems
January 23, 24, 25, 30, 31 and February 1, 2024 12:00-4:00 PM Eastern
REGISTER NOW USING CODE: CL2024
for member discount pricing, and save $200
by bundling both underground courses!
Join us as we hold this popular course as a series of six interactive virtual sessions using the Zoom meeting platform. It’s a convenient way to attend the course, while still having the opportunity to interact with the instructors, connect with your industry peers, and earn 21 PDH credits, 31.5 if you take the series. This course is applications-oriented, including real-time presentations, breakout sessions, in-class examples, quizzes, live polling, Q&A sessions, and group discussions.
Participate in a 45-minute orientation session on Monday, January 22, followed by six real-time sessions from Noon-4 p.m. ET on January 23, 24, 25, 30, and 31, and February 1. There will be two 15-minute breaks incorporated into each session. This is the first course in a two-part virtual series on Underground Distribution Systems.
Learn all about the effective design, construction, operation and maintenance of underground electric distribution systems. Review critical factors involved in the conversion of overhead systems to underground. Discuss operations, safety and regulatory requirements, and hear from an industry cable application engineer about underground cable reliability, failure modes, and testing methods. Also hear from an industry cable application engineer.
Designed for electric utility engineers, designers, technicians, and field personnel who are responsible for, or who make decisions concerning, distribution systems, as well as those involved in the management, construction, and operations aspects of distribution systems. This course is conducted at a practical level and is appropriate for degreed engineers and engineering technicians, as well as non-degreed high school graduates with a general knowledge of the electric utility system.
Course Level Basic/Intermediate: No prerequisites, though some advance preparation is requested, including attending an orientation session on January 22.
The following continuing education credits will be provided, after successfully completing 90% of all six live sessions. Certificates will be available by Feb. 15. These sessions will be recorded, though certificates can only be awarded to those who participate in the live events. Recommended CEUs 2.1/PDHs 21/CPEs 25.2
Communication
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.
WHEN REGISTERING, BE SURE TO USE PROMO CODE: CL2024
Advanced Underground Distribution Systems
February 27, 28, 29, 2024 12:00-4:00 PM Eastern
REGISTER NOW USING CODE: CL2024for member discount pricing, and save $200 by bundling both underground courses!
Join us as we hold this popular course as a series of six interactive virtual sessions using the Zoom meeting platform. It’s a convenient way to attend the course, while still having the opportunity to interact with the instructors, connect with your industry peers, and earn 10.5 PDH credits, 31.5 if you take the series. This course is applications-oriented, including real-time presentations, breakout sessions, in-class examples, quizzes, live polling, Q&A sessions, and group discussions.
Participate in three real-time sessions from Noon-4 p.m. ET on February 27, 28, and 29. There will be two 15-minute breaks incorporated into each session. This is the second course in a two-part virtual series on Underground Distribution Systems.
Underground distribution continues to be the installation method of choice in many applications on public power systems. Although the initial installation cost of underground distribution is almost always greater than equivalent overhead distribution, it offers a wide range of advantages including greater operating reliability, lower operating and maintenance costs, better public safety and, of course, reduced visibility and greater public acceptance. Learn how to improve your utility’s policies, standards, and practices for planning, designing, constructing, operating, and maintaining underground distribution and hear about current and emerging industry trends.
Designed for electric utility engineers, designers, technicians, and field personnel who are responsible for, or who make decisions concerning, distribution systems, as well as those involved in the management, construction, and operations aspects of distribution systems. This course is conducted at a practical level and is appropriate for degreed engineers and engineering technicians, as well as non-degreed high school graduates with a general knowledge of the electric utility system. It is highly recommended that you attend this course in conjunction with the Underground Distribution Systems online course (Jan. 23 - Feb.1). Discounts apply for attending both courses.
Intermediate: No prerequisites, no advance preparation. Some knowledge of underground distribution systems is helpful.
The following continuing education credits will be provided, after successfully completing 90% of all six live sessions. Certificates will be available by Mar. 15. These sessions will be recorded, though certificates can only be awarded to those who participate in the live events. Recommended CEUs 1/PDHs 10.5/CPEs 11.4
