610 N. Whitney Way, Suite 160 Madison, WI 53705, U.S.A. Phone: (608) 238-2171, Fax: (608) 238-9241 Email: info@powline.com
Home Search News Products

Power Line Systems March 2006 Newsletter

In this issue:

1. Introduction
2. Recent Progress
3. Upcoming Training Sessions and Trade Shows
4. Web Site Additions and Revisions
5. Current Versions

Introduction

With this newsletter we are releasing version 7.60 of PLS-CADD, PLS-POLE and TOWER. 7.60 is a milestone on the way to a mature suite of programs. While we have added some new features, like the laminated wood pole element, most of our effort has gone into improving what is already there. This work has taken the form of more comprehensive model checking and clearer warnings and errors, reorganized menus for more efficient and logical navigation and numerous small changes in response to your emails. Taken together all of this adds up to provide smoother and more reliable operation.

During 2005 Microsoft released and PLS promptly supported Windows XP Professional x64 Edition. Later this year Microsoft will release the next generation of Windows: Windows Vista in both 32 and 64 bit editions. As we plan our support for Windows Vista as well as 64 bit versions of our software, we also need to reevaluate our support for older versions of Windows. As part of this process we are considering discontinuing Window NT 4 support on July 1st of this year (Microsoft discontinued support for it on December 31, 2004). We may also discontinue support for Windows 98 and ME at the same time or continue it through 2007 if demand warrants (Microsoft will discontinue support on July 11, 2006). If you use one of these older versions of Windows please send us email to share your timeline for moving to a more modern version of Windows (Windows XP recommended).

Recent Progress

Version 7.60 of PLS-CADD, PLS-POLE, and TOWER has been released. Some of the improvements include:

• PLS-POLE now features a laminated wood pole element (requires version 7.60 with the LW+Mast option). The laminated wood pole can be used anywhere you can use a wood, steel or concrete pole in PLS-POLE and PLS-CADD.
• PLS-CADD’s Isoclearance line feature is now available in non beta versions. Isoclearance lines are similar to elevation contour lines with one important difference. Where elevation contour lines are made up of points on the ground with a constant elevation, an isoclearance line is made up of points on the ground having a constant distance to the closest wire. Isoclearance contour lines make it easy to identify areas with insufficient ground clearance and areas needing special vegetation management. T&D World recently published an article describing the use of the isoclearance line feature at British Columbia Transmission Corporation.
• The Structure Usage report in PLS-CADD now provides a "Detailed Angle Member Uprating Report" when you check TOWER models. This report allows you to quickly estimate the weight and total length of the various angle sizes that need to be replaced when uprating a line.
• TOWER now has the Polish PN-90/B-03200 strength check option.
• We continue to make improvements to the ANSI/TIA 222-G implementation in TOWER and PLS-POLE. Everyone who makes use of this code should immediately upgrade to version 7.60.

Training Sessions and Trade Shows

The TOWER class for 2006 has been scheduled for May 16-18. This class has always filled to capacity in the past, so please register early.

We are planning an open training in Europe during the second half of the year. Please send email if you are interested in participating.

A full list of upcoming classes and events is given below:

• Full, accepting wait list only Computerized Transmission Line Design: PLS-CADD Hands-On Training March 20-24, 2006 in Las Vegas, Nevada
• PLS-CADD Hands-On Training April 24-28, 2006 in Springfield, Missouri.
• Analysis and Design of Transmission Towers Using TOWER May 16-18, 2006 in Madison, Wisconsin
• Please visit our booth (#2040) at the 2005-2006 IEEE/PES Transmission & Distribution Conference and Exposition in Dallas, May 21-26, 2005.
• Mark your calendar for the Structural Engineering Institute ASCE Electrical Transmission Conference October 15-19, 2006, in Birmingham, Alabama. You'll not want to miss this outstanding technical conference. Power Line Systems will be attending and exhibiting at this conference.
• As we have for the last fifteen years, we will have a booth at the CIGRE Exposition in Paris, France starting August 28, 2006

Web Site Revisions and Additions

• Technical Note: Using ANSI/TIA 222-G in TOWER and PLS-POLE has been updated.
• Laminated Wood Systems E-LAM laminated wood pole library is available for download.
• The April 2006 edition of the PLS-CADD manual can be downloaded using the Help/Check for Updated Manual command in PLS-CADD.

Current Versions

The current shipping versions of our software are listed below.

We strongly encourage you to upgrade to the current release of all the applications you own. To do so please send us email at info@powline.com or use the Help/Download Upgrade command. This would also be a good time to use the Help/Check for Updated Manual command to make sure you have the latest version of the manuals. As always, we welcome your suggestions and comments on our software.

Staff of Power Line Systems, Inc.