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Virtual Training
Best Practices in Overhead Distribution Line Design
August 26, 27, 28, September 2, 3, 4, 2025
12:00-4:00 PM Eastern
Plus a required orientation session August 25, Noon-1:00 PM.
Timing
Participate in a 60-minute orientation session on August 25 from Noon – 1 p.m., followed by six, real-time sessions from Noon – 4 p.m. Eastern on August 26, 27, 28, September 2, 3 and 4. There will be two 15-minute breaks incorporated into each session.
Delivery Method/ Learning Environment
This course is a Group Internet based offering (via Zoom). The class is applications-oriented, including real-time presentations, breakout sessions, in-class examples, line design software practice problems, quizzes, live polling, Q&A sessions, group discussions, and is focused on learning bydoing. It’s a convenient way to attend the course, while still having the opportunity to interact with the instructors, your industry peers, and earn 22 PDH credits.
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.
Course participants 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.
Course Topics
Orientation Session: August 25 (Noon-1:00 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
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Each subsequent session will be held from Noon – 4 p.m. Eastern.
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 (loading conditions and strength requirements)
- Determination of mechanical forces on supporting structures
- Overhead line guying and anchoring design considerations
- Supporting structure loading application examples and assigned exercises
- Wood poles (types, treatments, dimensions, strength classes, and specifications) and manufactured poles (types, characteristics, NESC equivalent designs, and specifications
Line Design Applications
- Line design exercises, software applications and discussion will be included in each day of the course.
Timed Agenda and Learning Outcomes
Access a sample PDF agenda from the January ’25 offering.
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 Level
Intermediate/Advanced: No prerequisites; tough it is recommended that participants have foundational knowledge of overhead distribution systems, their components, and basic design principles, either through attending our Overhead Distribution Principles and Applications (Level 1) course or through work experience. Level 1 foundational topics include:
- Introduction to overhead distribution
- Introduction to the NESC
- Overhead line conductors and cable types and characteristics
- 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 overvoltage protection
A $200 discounts applies for attending both.
Some advance preparation is requested, including attending an orientation session on August 25 (Noon to 1 p.m. Eastern – this will be recorded), and logging into the line design software platform.
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. Recommended: CEUs 2.2 / PDHs 22
NEW! Overhead Distribution Line Design Certificate:
After completing both courses, enroll in the Certificate Program for a fee of $295. You can then qualify for a credential that showcases your professional expertise by successfully passing an online examination and by submitting evidence of a completed line design project. Watch for more details on registration and certificate requirements!
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Technology Requirements/ What to Bring
- Computer: Each attendee needs to work from their own computer, to fully participate in the discussions and exercises. Contact EducationInfo@PublicPower.org if you are participating as a group in a conference room.
- Zoom: You’ll need strong Internet access to run the Zoom meeting platform.
- 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.
- Download the Kahoot! App: The instructors will be using Kahoot during (and after) live sessions and will provide you with the game PIN number needed for each quiz. Go to the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android) and download the free Kahoot! app on your phone.
- 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 our secure online document portal 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 the 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 complete an online quiz to test their knowledge (required to receive a completion certificate).
- Participants will also be asked to work independently on line design exercises related to the topics presented (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.
Line Design Software
You will use Utility Line Design software programs to perform line design calculations and application exercises, which will require you to download the program to your 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 for 30 days (from the start of the course).
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).
 Tom DeBell, P.E., is an independent consultant and course developer and instructor for Collaborative Learning with experience in the electric, water, telecommunications, and gas utility industries. Tom recently concluded a successful 34-year career with Riviera Utilities, a municipal utility in Foley, Alabama. Transitioning from this extensive career in November 2023, Tom founded an executive and leadership coaching company. During his tenure at Riviera Utilities, Tom held various pivotal roles, including engineering and management positions, culminating in his role as President/CEO. In his engineering roles, Tom developed line construction specifications, designed transmission and distribution lines, including both overhead and underground distribution, and collaborated closely with construction crews on major line projects. Tom also specialized in the design and construction of electric transmission and distribution substations, conducted system coordination studies and implemented cascading protection schemes.
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.
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