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Recent Developments

• Sabre Tubular Structures wood pole equivalent steel pole library has been updated for 2009.
• The agenda for the Advanced Training and User Group Meeting has been posted
• 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.
• AFL Telecommunications SlottedCore OPGW PLS-CADD cable models are now available for download in addition to the AlumaCore, CentraCore and HexaCore models.
• 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 manuals for PLS-CADD, PLS-POLE and TOWER are available via the Help/Check For Updated Manual command in those applications.
• 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.
• Brugg OPGW PLS-CADD cable models are now available for download.
• Technical note: Line Optimization in PLS-CADD
• Technical note: Modeling a PhaseRaiser® in PLS-POLE
• Selected handouts from the 2007 San Diego PLS User Group Meeting are now available online.
• Revised CTC ACCC/TW high temperature, low sag conductor models are available for download along with a technical note.
• 2007 NESC PLS-CADD Criteria files are now available in the Online Library.
• TOWER and PLS-POLE now feature support for the Canadian telecom code CSA S37-01. A Technical Note describing the implementation is available.
• 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 and TOWER (Spanish web site) (Portuguese web site), July 27-31, 2009 in Curitiba, Brazil
• Design of Overhead Transmission Lines using PLS-CADD (includes 32 PDHs), August 3-7, 2009 in Madison, WI (Space still available)
• Design of Transmission Line Structures and Foundations August 17-21, 2009 in Madison, WI (Check availability)
• Computerized Transmission Line Design: PLS-CADD Hands-On Training December 7-11, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada (Check availability)

PLS in the News

English

• ANSI/TIA STANDARD 222 – Structural Standard for Antenna Supporting Structures and Antennas: A Comparison of Revisions F and G, by Peter Moskal and Krishnamurthy Raghu, Bechtel Telecommunications Technical Journal, January 2006
• "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
• Power Line Systems is the undisputed leader in transmission line software with clients at over 750 organizations in 75 countries and new sales increasing these numbers every day (Southern Company selects PLS-CADD as its overhead line design software standard). We supply software to all of the top ten and to over 50% of the top 100 generating utilities on Electric Light & Power's November 2000 list. Our customers include international leaders like BC Hydro, Hydro Quebec, National Grid, Cemig, Power Link Queensland, Eskom, Comision Federal de Electricidad and Electricité de France.

Newsletters

Technical Notes

Recently Added or Updated
• Memory Management of XYZ points in PLS-CADD
• Transmission Line Vegetation Management in PLS-CADD
• Windows Vista support in PLS software
• Line Optimization in PLS-CADD
• Modeling a PhaseRaiser® in PLS-POLE
• PLS-CADD Google Earth Integration Tips

PLS-CADD

Terrain and Other Data
• Memory Management of XYZ points
• PLS-CADD Google Earth Integration Tips
• Coordinate Systems in PLS-CADD Version 8
• Using Coordinate Systems and Projections with PLS-CADD
• 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
• 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.

Note: videos may require the latest Windows Media Player available from http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia and are viewable with a 128k or faster connection (Modem users should consider downloading video before viewing).

User Group Meetings & Trade Shows where we will be Exhibiting

• Advanced Training and User Group Meeting, July 14-16, Madison, WI
• Please visit with us at the 2009 Electrical Transmission and Substation Structures Conference in Forth Worth, TX, Nov 8-12, 2009. We will be in booth #15.
• You can meet with us in booth 2421 at the IEEE PES Transmission and Distribution Conference and Exposition in New Orleans, April 20-22, 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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