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Recent Developments

• MacLean Power Systems/Reliable Insulator Library containing the APEX Family of strain, suspension and post insulators is now available for download.
• Technical note: Linear Elastic Cable Model With Creep Proportional to Tension describes an improved linear model for conductors.
• Additional AFL Telecommunications OPGW PLS-CADD cable models are available for download.
• ANSI O5.1.2008 PLS-POLE component files are now available for download from the online library.
• Version 10.35 available: adds GPS integration and reprojection of project, survey data, raster and vector attachments.
• A Spanish edition of the PLS-POLE manual is now available for download using the Help/Check For Updated Manual command.
• Version 10.20 supports Windows 7 upon it's release
• Version 10.20 of PLS-CADD, PLS-POLE, TOWER, SAPS, SAGSEC and CAISSON has completed testing and been released as a production version.
  You may obtain 10.20 by using the Help/Download Upgrade command in your PLS software.
• The handouts from the 2009 Advanced Training and User Group Meeting are now available for download
• A Spanish edition of the version 10 PLS-CADD manual is now available for download using the Help/Check For Updated Manual command in PLS-CADD.
• Sabre Tubular Structures wood pole equivalent steel pole library has been updated for 2009.
• Resin Systems' RStandard Fiber Reinfored Polymer pole library for PLS-POLE is now available for download.
• Technical note: PLS-CADD Google Earth Integration Tips has been updated with version 10 features
• PLS-CADD, PLS-POLE and TOWER version 10 released - including the x64 Edition!
• Southwire's cable models have been updated and now include HS285 models.
• The Hughes Brothers Brace Library has been updated and now includes laminated wood braces.
• FWT's pre-engineered designs steel pole library is now available for download.
• A PLS-POLE RUS structure model library may now be downloaded from the Online Library
• Technical note: Memory Management of XYZ points in PLS-CADD
• Technical note: Transmission Line Vegetation Management in PLS-CADD
• Version 9 released!
• Lapp Insulator Library containing Lapp's Rodurflex^® composite strain, suspension, post and braced post insulators is now available for download.
• 3M™ Aluminum Conductor Composite Reinforced (ACCR) PLS-CADD conductor models are now available for download.
• Review many other recent program improvements

Classes

Click here if you would like to be notified when new classes become available.

• Design of Overhead Transmission Lines using PLS-CADD (includes 32 PDHs), Sep. 27-Oct. 1, 2010 in Madison, WI (Space still available)
• Design and Optimization of Overhead Transmission Lines using PLS-CADD and TOWER, Oct. 18-22, 2010 in Montreal, Canada (Space still available)
• Design of Transmission Line Structures and Foundations November 8-12, 2010 in Madison, WI (Check availability)
• Design of Overhead Transmission Lines using PLS-CADD (Organized by the University of Wisconsin) December 6-10, 2010 in Orlando, FL (Check availability)
• Design and Optimization of Overhead Transmission Lines using PLS-CADD and TOWER, PLS-CADD: Dec 11-14, TOWER: Dec. 15-16, 2010 in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (Space still available)

PLS in the News

English

• "Airborne Surveying Aids in Vegetation Management", by Thomas Wells, British Columbia Transmission Corp., Transmission & Distribution World, November 2005
• "Aerial Surveys Calculate Vegetation Growth", by Bryan Hooper and Tom Bailey, British Columbia Hydro, Transmission & Distribution World, October 2004
• "Use of Probabilistic Temperatures in the Calculation of Transmission Line Ratings using PLS-CADD" by Milind Khot, Transpower New Zealand, Presentated at EEA Annual Conference & Trade Exhibition, June 17-19 2004, Christchurch, NZ
• Press Release: Composite Technology Announces Ten Sizes of its ACCC Cable Now Available in PLS-CADD Software
• "California Bulks Up to Provide More Transmission Capacity", by Tom Boyko, Transmission & Distribution World, Jun 1, 2004.
• "DVP Refurbishes Guyed Transmission Towers", Transmission & Distribution World, Feb 1, 2004
• Press Release: Composite Technology's ACCC Cable to be Featured in Power Line Systems' CADD Design Tools
• "Vegetation Management Takes to the Air", by Bryan Hooper, British Columbia Hydro, Transmission & Distribution World, September 2003
• "KCP&L Reconductors Energized 345-kV Line", by John E. White, Quanta Services, and Paul S. Beaulieu and Rick Albertson, Kansas City Power & Light, Transmission & Distribution World, September 2003 Link to September issue with graphics
• See how Transpower New Zealand Ltd. saved 34% of total project cost using PLS-CADD's FE options by reading "Design Tool Reduces Line-Uprating Costs" by Trevor E. Jacobs and Robert Lake in the April 2003 edition of Transmission & Distribution World.
• "Technology Enhances Joint-Use Planning Process" by Matt Brungardt, Brungardt Honomichl & Co., P.A.,Transmission & Distribution World, March 2003
• "Finding 'Hidden Capacity' In Transmission Lines" by Blake Forbes, Public Service Company of New Mexico, and Dale Bradshaw and Fisher Campbell, Tennes, Transmission & Distribution World, September 2002
• "Line Design Goes Airborne" by John E. Lionberger and Leslie Duke of Burns & McDonnell Engineering, Transmission & Distribution World, September 2001
• "3-D modeling boosts transmission capacity" by John E. Lionberger and Leslie Duke of Burns & McDonnell Engineering, Electric Light & Power, July 2001

Newsletters

Technical Notes

Recently Added or Updated
• Linear Elastic Cable Model With Creep Proportional to Tension
• Memory Management of XYZ points in PLS-CADD
• Transmission Line Vegetation Management in PLS-CADD
• Windows Vista and Windows 7 support in PLS software

PLS-CADD

Terrain and Other Data
• Memory Management of XYZ points
• PLS-CADD Google Earth Integration Tips
• Coordinate Systems in PLS-CADD Version 8
• Tips for Working With Image Attachments in PLS-CADD
• Importing USGS DRGs and DEMs into PLS-CADD (Updated January 2002)
• A sample survey specification to obtain data for use with PLS-CADD
• Migrating TLCADD Projects to PLS-CADD

Engineering Calculations
• Transmission Line Vegetation Management in PLS-CADD
• Line Optimization in PLS-CADD
• Pole Deflection Check in PLS-POLE and PLS-CADD
• Using the Automatic Pole Selector in PLS-CADD
• Loading Methods in PLS-CADD
• Design Codes, Standards, and Manuals Used in Power Line Systems' Software
• Application of NESC Insulator Requirements in PLS-CADD, PLS-POLE and TOWER
• Allowable Wind & Weight Spans vs. Real Structure Models
• Understanding the Use of Weight Spans
• Description of the wire and structure clearances functions
• Clearance to a crossing wire in PLS-CADD

Sag-Tension and Conductors
• Linear Elastic Cable Model With Creep Proportional to Tension
• Why is Creep ALWAYS a Factor?
• Correlating Alcoa SAG10® Cable Data with PLS-CADD Cable Data
• Making PLS-CADD and PLS-CADD/Lite Results Match Alcoa SAG10®
• Generating Ruling Span Sag-Tension Runs in PLS-CADD/Lite
• Modeling T2 and VR (Vibration Resistant) Conductors in PLS-CADD and PLS-CADD/Lite
• Modeling ADSS Cables in PLS-CADD and PLS-CADD/Lite
• How to correctly model bundles in PLS-CADD

Finite Element Sag-Tension
• Working With Finite Element Multi-Span Sag-Tension in PLS-CADD
• Making the Wire System Match "As-Built" Survey Points
• Why Structure Flexibility Matters, Load Transfer Between Wires
• Modifying Lines Without Changing Existing Wire Lengths

Drafting and Materials
• Making PLS-CADD your final Plan & Profile drawing producer using Portable Document Format (PDF) from Adobe
• How to Digitize Existing Plan and Profile Drawings (includes a video demonstrating the process)
• PLS-CADD integration with TAMIS® GIS and asset management system.
• Quick Help on PLS-CADD Materials and Labor Management
• PLS-CADD Database and GIS integration techniques

TOWER and PLS-POLE

• Using ANSI/TIA 222-G in TOWER and PLS-POLE Updated with Addendum 1
• Using CSA S37-01 in TOWER and PLS-POLE
• Loading Methods in TOWER and PLS-POLE
• Design Codes, Standards, and Manuals Used in Power Line Systems' Software
• Application of NESC Insulator Requirements in PLS-CADD, PLS-POLE and TOWER
• The Structural Advantage of Using V-String Insulators
• Understanding the Use of Weight Spans
• Localization and Customization features available in PLS-POLE and TOWER

TOWER

• Crossing Diagonal Check in TOWER
• Stabilizing Mechanisms and Planar Joints in TOWER
• How to rapidly generate large TOWER models

PLS-POLE

• Modeling a PhaseRaiser® in PLS-POLE
• Checking Post Insulators with Multiple Interaction Curves
• Pole Deflection Check in PLS-POLE and PLS-CADD
• Safety Factor For Poles Controlled by Buckling
• Modeling REA Crossarms in PLS-POLE

Miscellaneous

• Windows Vista support in PLS software
• Importing and Exporting Data to and from PLS Software
• Installing the Sentinel Hardware Key Driver (direct download link).

User Contributed

• CTC ACCC/TW high temperature, low sag conductor model development and usage contributed by Composite Technology Corporation
• Cable Tensions in PLS-CADD contributed by Greg Chapman of Ergon Energy
• Efficient Transmission Tower Modeling contributed by George T. Watson PE of CenterPoint Energy

Videos

• Video showing flyby of PLS-CADD model exported to Google Earth
• Video demonstrating the new TerraServer Image Download command
• Video showing how to Digitize Plan and Profile Drawings
• Video showing check of clearances between wires for an entire line at once.
• Video showing check of clearances in a roll from a horizontal substation structure to a vertical transmission structure.
• Video showing check of structure and guy clearances to wires.
• Video showing how to use USGS data with PLS-CADD. Also helpful for those using data obtained via LIDAR or photogrammetry.
• Video showing PLS-CADD/PLS-POLE import of information from field populated database.
• Video of joint use example in PLS-CADD/Lite and PLS-POLE (demonstrates new wizard interface).
• Video of PLS-CADD customize structure command for moving structure attachments and guy anchors.
• Video showing import of pictures and staking list from a spreadsheet.

User Group Meetings & Trade Shows where we will be Exhibiting

• Please visit with us in booth 12 at Cigre in Paris, August 22-27, 2010.
• Summary of recent user group meetings and trade shows

Miscellaneous

• Recent Program Improvements
• "Comparison of Advanced Analysis Techniques to Traditional Methods" presented at the ASCE Structural Engineering Institute conference in Omaha, Nebraska, September 2002
• A New Approach to Real-Time Line Thermal Limit Monitoring
• Unequal Ice Loading:A Real Life Example
• View a downloadable tour of PLS-CADD
• View a online tour of PLS-POLE that provides a good introduction to the program and includes a step by step walkthrough of creating a new structure.
• PLS-CADD User Testimonials

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