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Best Practices in Overhead Distribution Line Design
May 4-7, 2026 • 8:30AM to 4:30PM CT
 
In-Person Training at
APPA Spring Education Institute
San Antonio, Texas
Timing
Participate in 4 in-person sessions from 8:30 am to 4:30 p.m. Central on May 4, 5, 6, and 7. 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.
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.
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 (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.
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 line workers
It is highly recommended that you attend this course in conjunction with the Overhead Distribution Principles and Applications virtual course (March 17-19 & 24-26). Discounts apply for attending both courses.
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
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 2.4 / PDHs 24 / CPEs 28.8
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.
Click here for details on registration and certificate requirements!
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What to Bring
- Computer: Participants are required to bring a laptop to work through in-class, line design application exercises and a basic engineering calculator or app.
- 2023 NESC: Participants are requested to have a copy of the 2023 National Electric Safety Code® (ANSI C2-2023) on hand to review during the course. Copies can be purchased from IEEE (www.ieee.org; 800/701-4333). A copy can be shared among attendees who are 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).
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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