Power Line Systems, Inc. Fall 2017 Newsletter

Fall 2017 Newsletter

In this issue:

Version 15.00 Released!

Version 15.00 is now shipping. Several of the more significant changes are highlighted below.

PLS-CADD Improvements

Jumper modeling, both rigid and flexible:
Watch jumper demonstration video.
Read the Jumpers presentation from the 2017 ATUG.
Added Create Bundled Cable File tool for creating twisted pair, lashed bundle or spacer cable models
Added "EN50341-2-22:2016 Poland NNA", "IS 802:2015", "IEC 60826:2017" wind loading options.
Free PLS-CADD/Ultralite online edition:
If you do not already have access to PLS-CADD/Ultralite through an existing PLS-CADD installation, you can download the free Internet licensed version.
Enhanced Windows experience with improved high DPI support and Jump Lists

Lightning Protection using the Electrogeometric Method aka "Rolling Sphere" (see the video to the right).
Read the Lightning Protection presentation from the 2017 ATUG.
Thermal rating calculations using "CIGRE Brochure 601 December 2014" methodology.
Numerous enhancements to XY located structures including significantly better drafting support.
Many more improvements described in the detailed change list accompanying upgrades.

PLS-POLE Improvements

Override PLS-CADD Insulator Link information for insulators in Framings
Model Through-Boring Strength Reduction for wood poles
Select texture for each pole or arm from galvanized steel, weathering steel, ductile iron, wood, laminated wood, FRP, etc.

TOWER Improvements

Family Manager improvements: faster analysis, batch XML and .TOW export, faster and more robust family optimization
Added or improved numerous European strength checks including: EN50341-2-9:2015-EN1993, EN50341-2-22:2016, EN50341-1:2012 (EN93) and EN50341-1:2012 (ECCS)

Improvements Shared by TOWER and PLS-POLE

Panel and Connection cuts and Ghost Mode graphics (see the video to the right)
Improved insulator modeling including hardware capacity, control over drawing of weather sheds, and a notes field
Added EN50341-2-22:2016 (Poland NNA), EN50341-3-2:2001 (Belgium NNA), IS802:2015, AS/NZS 7000:2016 and IEC 60826:2017 wind loading options to Loads/Vector Loads and Loads/Wire Loads.
More control over STL Export including making it compatible with Windows 10's 3D Builder
Many more improvements described in the detailed change list accompanying upgrades.

We are developing an "Optimum Body and Leg Extension Selection" command for the next PLS-CADD release. This feature finds the best combination of body and leg extensions for each lattice tower location in a line. The TOWER Family Manager can automatically create the various combinations that PLS-CADD considers. If you are spotting a lattice tower line with structures from the Family Manager and are interested in trying this new feature then please send us an email

You can use Help/Download Upgrade to upgrade to version 15.00 today.

Classes and Events

We have scheduled the following classes:

Design of Transmission Lines, Structures and Foundations (Organized by the University of Wisconsin) November 6-10, 2017 Madison, WI (Check web site for availability)
Computerized Transmission Line Design: PLS-CADD Hands-On Training (This is identical to our "Design of Overhead T&D Lines using PLS-CADD" course except organized by the University of Wisconsin) December 4-8, 2017 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida (Check web site for availability)
Design of Overhead Transmission and Distribution Lines using PLS-CADD (includes 32 PDHs), January 15-19, 2018 in Madison, Wisconsin (Space still available)

Other authorized classes organized by PLS agents and consultants:

Design and Optimization of Overhead Transmission Lines using PLS-CADD and TOWER, Dec. 9-12 for PLS-CADD and Dec. 13-14 for TOWER and PLS-POLE, 2017 in Sharjah, UAE by Elias Ghannoum

New classes are added throughout the year based on demand. You may subscribe to a mailing list to be notified whenever a new class is scheduled.

Web Site Additions

Updated PLS-CADD NESC 2017 criteria files that demonstrate use of new Insulator Hardware Strength Factor
PLS-CADD Jumper Modeling demonstration video
Rolling Sphere Lightning Protection method in PLS-CADD video
Panel cut and ghost mode in PLS-POLE and TOWER video

Current Versions

The current shipping versions of our software are listed below. These versions support Windows Vista, 7, 8 and 10 (both 32 and 64 bit). We recommend you run a 64 bit edition of Windows so that you may take advantage of the enormous investment we have made in the x64 Edition.

PLS-CADD	15.00	32 bit and x64 Editions
PLS-POLE	15.00	32 bit and x64 Editions
TOWER	15.00	32 bit and x64 Editions
SAPS	15.00	32 bit and x64 Editions
CAISSON	15.00	32 bit Edition Only

We strongly encourage you to upgrade to the current release of all the applications you own. To do so please use the Help/Download Upgrade command built into your PLS software and select the option "I need to request an upgrade code". This would also be a good time to use the Help/Check for Updated Manual command to obtain the version 15.00 edition of the manuals. As always, we welcome your suggestions and comments on our software.

Staff of Power Line Systems, Inc.