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A comprehensive online program for electric utility and consulting engineers and designers
This course will be presented in six (6) “live” half-day sessions. All sessions incorporate quality presentations by highly skilled industry professionals, Q&A, group interaction, check-up quizzes, and hands-on exercises. You will receive digital copies of the presentation materials in advance, allowing you to work with them before, during and after the online sessions. Some exercises will be included during the program sessions; but participants are also expected to complete other online exercises on their own time as they progress through the course. The scheduled online sessions will also be recorded and available for a period of 30 days, enabling participants to review any of the sessions at their own pace. Participants completing this program will receive twenty-two (22) Professional Development Hours (PDH).
The registration fee for Introduction to Overhead Distribution Line Design is: $1,795. The registration fee for three (3) or more participants from the same organization is $1,695.
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.
Program developers and instructors R. John Miner, Erich Schoennagel, P.E. Tom Black, P.E. and Tom DeBell. P.E. have over 150 years of combined experience in distribution line design and the electric utility industry. Participants in this program will be better able to prepare designs that are safe, reliable, and in compliance with the requirements of the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC). Participants will also return to their work better prepared to help their organizations adopt design practices that comply with applicable professional engineering laws and regulations.
A key part of this program is the in-depth presentation and understanding of engineering principles and their practical application using line design engineering software as a learning tool.
LEARNING METHODS:
This program is applications-oriented, including online lecture, interaction, and learning by doing. All sessions incorporate high-quality presentations by qualified instructors, Q&A, group interaction, and hands-on exercises. Participants will be provided the opportunity to perform more than twenty-five (25) line design practice problems using engineering software that is provided as a learning tool.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
This workshop has value for those who work at all levels of overhead distribution line design and should be attended by:
- Engineering managers
- Design engineers
- Design/staking supervisors
- Design/staking technicians
- Resident engineers
- Consulting engineers
| COURSE AND SESSION SCHEDULES: |
Dates and Times:
Course Orientation (1 hour) May 12th
10:00 to 11:00 am MDT
Six (6) Course Sessions: May 13-14, May 20-21, June 3-4, 2026
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. MDT (each Session)
Session Schedule:
The planned schedule for each of the six course sessions is approximately as follows, subject to some variation based on the level of participant engagement that impacts the pace of presentation. All times are Mountain Daylight Time (MDT).
09:45 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Platform ready for participant log-in
10:00 a.m. to 11:10 a.m. Session
11: 10 a.m. to 11:20 a.m. Break
11:20 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Session
12:30 p.m. to 12:40 p.m. Break
12:40 p.m. to 01:50 p.m. Wrap-up
02:00 p.m. End of Session
PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Obtain a print or digital copy of the 2023 National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) and have it available during all sessions.
- Attend and actively participate in 90% of all live events
- Complete in-class and after-class Kahoot quizzes
- Complete in-class and after-class Practice Problems
- Complete an evaluation at the end of Session 3 and at the end of the program
| SESSION TOPICS & LEARNING OUTCOMES |
This program will be presented in six (6) “live” half-day sessions. Following each session, participants are expected to work independently on-line design exercises related to the topics presented.
Session 1 Topics:
- Overhead distribution fundamentals (function, design voltages, structural components, equipment types, safety considerations, risks, and terminology)
- Overhead line legal, regulatory, and business accountabilities
- Overhead line design criteria and construction standards
- Overhead line design process, documentation, and best practices
- NESC Part 2: General Requirements applied to overhead lines
- Overhead joint use
Session 1 Learning Outcomes:
Participants who complete this session will be able to explain and apply basic principles underlying:
- The function, design voltages, structural components, equipment types, safety, risks, and terminology of overhead distribution lines.
- The legal, regulatory and business accountabilities associated with overhead line design, construction, and operation.
- Line design criteria and construction standards development and updating
- Typical phases and steps in the overhead line design process, design documentation and standards of practice
- Application of NESC general requirements for overhead lines (Sections 1, 20, 21 & 22)
- Benefits and challenges with joint use overhead electric and telecommunications lines
Session 2 Topics:
- Maximum tension determination
- Sag and tension design
- Engineering specifications
- Overview and demo of conductor/cable sag-tension software
- Conductor/cable sag-tension application examples and assigned practice problems
Session 2 Learning Outcomes:
Participants who complete this session will be able to explain and apply basic principles underlying:
- Compliance with NESC requirements and accepted good practice for overhead line conductor/cable design and design documentation
- Conductor/cable sag and tension characteristics and their impacts on overhead line design
- Demonstrate knowledge of conductor sag and tension calculations
- Complete a variety of conductor sag and tension calculations using provided software
- Conductor/cable sag and tension characteristics and their impacts on overhead line design
- Demonstrate knowledge of conductor sag and tension calculations
- Complete a variety of conductor sag and tension calculations using provided software
Session 3 Topics:
- Overhead line clearances (NESC Sections 220-239)
- Overhead line clearances – practice problems
Session 3 Learning Outcomes:
Participants who complete this session will be able to explain and apply basic principles underlying:
- The concept of relative levels on overhead lines and basic application of NESC rules in Section 22
- The concept of relative levels on overhead lines and basic application of NESC rules in Section 22NESC Section 231 clearance requirements and practical considerations for the location of overhead line structuresThe NESC Uniform System of ClearancesNESC clearances for overhead line conductors and cables in a variety of commonly encountered installation conditions
Session 4 Topics:
- 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 practice problems
Session 4 Learning Outcomes:
Participants who complete this session will be able to explain and apply basic principles underlying:
- NESC Structure Loading Requirements for Overhead Lines
- NESC Structure Strength Requirements for Overhead Lines
- Overhead Line Loading and Strength Calculations
- Overhead Line Guying and Guying Calculations
- Use of overhead Line Design Software
Session 5 & 6 Topics:
- Wood poles (types, treatments, dimensions, strength classes, and specifications)
- Manufactured poles (types, characteristics, NESC equivalent designs, and specifications
- Pole embedment designs
- Supporting structure loading application examples and assigned practice problems
- Pole sizing example.
- Supporting structure loading application examples and assigned practice problems
Session 5 & 6 Learning Outcomes:
Participants who complete this session will be able to explain and apply basic principles underlying:
- Overhead line structure types and materials
- Pole embedment in various soil types
R. John Miner, P.E.
President and Principal Consultant
Collaborative Learning Inc.
John is an accomplished executive manager, engineer and educator with over 50 years of experience in the electric utility industry. He is President of Collaborative Learning, Inc. of Austin Texas, a firm that presents management and technical education programs and, through Collaboration Unlimited, provides management consulting services to the electric utility industry.
Before forming his own company in 1995, John worked as a management consultant with two nationally recognized consulting/engineering firms, served as Chief Operating Officer for the Austin, Texas, Electric Utility Department, as General Manager of the Rochester, Minnesota Public Utilities, as an Assistant Professor on the faculty of the University of Houston’s College of Technology, and as a Senior Engineer at the Toledo Edison Company.
John has conducted educational programs for utility organizations in thirty-five states, the District of Columbia, Canada, and six overseas locations. His technical seminars and workshops for utilities have covered such topics as application of the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC), overhead and underground distribution systems, electric system planning, construction, operations and maintenance. He has also served as an expert witness on litigation involving electrical accidents and compliance with the NESC and OSHA regulations.
During his career, John has been responsible for transmission and distribution projects ranging in voltage from 2.4 kV to 500 kV and for the operation of transmission and distribution systems totaling more than five hundred miles of transmission and ten thousand miles of distribution lines.
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. He is a member of Tau Beta Pi and Eta Kappa Nu engineering honorary societies. John is a Senior Life Member of the IEEE.
Erich F. Schoennagel, P.E.
Consultant/Educator
Collaborative Learning Inc.
Erich is an accomplished management and technical consultant, continuing education program developer and instructor for Collaboration Unlimited/ Collaborative Learning with over 45 years of experience and extensive knowledge in the electric utility industry. Before joining Collaborative Learning, Erich was an engineer and manager with CenterPoint Energy. He managed the Transmission Project Engineering group, which served the company’s needs for transmission system design, substation and telecom site improvement, and civil engineering for transmission, substation, distribution, and telecom structures. Erich received his bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M University. He is a registered Professional Engineer in the state of Texas.
M. Thomas Black, P.E.
Consultant/Educator
Collaborative Learning Inc.
Tom is an experienced management and technical consultant, continuing education program developer and instructor for Collaboration Unlimited/Collaborative Learning with extensive knowledge in the electric and gas utility industries.
His experience includes both municipal (Colorado Springs and City of Fountain, CO) and Investor owned (Progress Energy) utilities across multiple jurisdictions in Colorado, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida.
Tom’s range of experience in the utility industry covers 40 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 acquisition including renewables, peaking and base load supply, electric transmission and distribution and gas distribution.
Tom is a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. He received his bachelor’s degree from Washington University in St. Louis with honors and is a registered professional engineer in Colorado and Arizona.
Tom DeBell, P.E.
Consultant/Educator
Collaborative Learning Inc.
Tom DeBell is an independent consultant and course developer and instructor for Collaborative Learning with 35 years of experience in the electric, water, telecommunications, and gas utility industries. I
n his capacity with Collaborative Learning, he prepares educational materials and teaches a variety of programs including overhead and underground electrical transmission and distribution, NESC compliance, safety, and system performance and improvement.
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 holds a Bachelor's degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Clarkson University in Potsdam, New York, and is a registered professional engineer in Alabama.
Registration Fees Include:
Instructors, electronic handouts (if applicable), and upon completion, a continuing education certificate for 22.0 professional development hours (PDHs).
Individual: $1,795
Group of 3 or more: $1,695 per person.
If you are already a member of Alltricity, please register through Alltricity's website. If you are not a member, you are receiving the same price through Collaborative Learning / Academy for Utility Line Design Professionals. Register here and now to reserve your spot!
Cancellation & Refund Policy:
100% of fees are refundable if cancellation is received 29 days or more before the event date. If cancellation is received by 12:00 p.m. MDT on April 28, 2026, 50% of the registration fee will be refunded. No refunds will be issued for cancellations received after this date and time. Substitutions are welcome and preferred if the original registrant can no longer attend. To transfer a registration, please notify us no later than May 7.
If you have any questions regarding your registration or need assistance with any steps in the process, please contact Jillian.Wolfe@cl-cu.com, or call Collaborative Learning at at 512.657-7314.
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