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Power Line Systems November 2004 Newsletter

In this issue:

1. Introduction - Version 7 Released
2. Upcoming Training Sessions and Trade Shows
3. Web Site Additions and Revisions
4. Current Versions

Version 7 Released

Version 7 of PLS-CADD, PLS-POLE, and TOWER has been released. This substantial upgrade includes some of the most requested enhancements from user group meetings as well as a few surprise additions:

• Sections/Table for batch editing of section information that previously required multiple visits to Section/Modify.
• Structures/Automatic Spotting/Automatic Pole Selector command that makes PLS-POLE replace the pole shaft with the least expensive pole available that has the same height and can support the load. An option is provided to change the material type for quick comparisons of wood vs. steel vs. concrete (requires PLS-CADD with optimum spotting option).
• Criteria/Structure Loads redesigned for more flexibility and for support of loading calculations as per EN50341-1:2001 (CENELEC), EN50341-3-9:2001 (UK NNA), EN50341-3-17:2001 (Portugal NNA), REE-Spain, TPNZ (New Zealand) and IEC 60826:2003 .
• Sections/EMF Calculator calculates electric and magnetic fields for a profile cross section.
• Drafting/Attachments/TerraServer Image Download downloads, attaches and georeferences USGS DOQs and DRGs imagery (See a video demonstration).
• Improved support for multiple alignments
including taps, branches and parallel alignments.
• Numerous DXF attachment improvements including preservation of line style and thickness, support for new entities (ELLIPSE, ATTDEF and ATTRIB), as well as improved handling of MTEXT and entities using OCS coordinates.

With the release of PLS-CADD version 7, we are also introducing PLS-CADD/Survey, a special surveyor's edition of the program. The surveyor's edition includes the terrain modeling and drafting functions needed for survey data providers wanting to deliver data in a native PLS-CADD format. It is a simpler and less costly alternative for those who do not need the structure and wire related capabilities of the other PLS-CADD editions. See our products page for more information on the different editions of PLS-CADD.

• File/Analyze Multiple Models checks multiple structures at once. Model/Create Super Set can be used to create a condensed summary of the results.
• File/Batch Modify allows editing of properties for multiple structures at once.
• Loads/Vector Loads and Loads/Wire Loads redesigned with new options for loading as per ASCE 74-1991, NESC 2002, EN50341-1:2001 (CENELEC), EN50341-3-9:2001 (UK NNA), EN50341-3-17:2001 (Portugal NNA), REE-Spain, TPNZ (New Zealand) and IEC 60826:2003.
• All component libraries can now have detailed notes listing things such as the source, creation date and intended use for the data. These notes are stored inside the library itself.
• PLS-POLE now has a General/Annotation/Auto Add Dimension Lines command for adding dimension lines to a pole drawing.
• TOWER now has options for member capacity calculations as per AS3995 (Australia/New Zealand 1994), EN50341-1 (CENELEC-Conservative) and NGT-ECCS (National Grid UK) member capacity calculation.

Training Sessions and Trade Shows

• Design and Optimization of Overhead Transmission Lines using PLS-CADD and TOWER, Nov. 29 to Dec. 3, 2004 in Montreal, Canada
• Design and Optimization of Overhead Transmission Lines using PLS-CADD and TOWER, Dec. 11-15, 2004 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
• Computerized Transmission Line Design - PLS-CADD and TOWER Hands-On Training January 10-14, 2005 in Las Vegas, Nevada
• Design of Transmission Line Structures and Foundations January 24-28, 2005 in Las Vegas, Nevada
• Due to hurricane damage, the PLS-CADD User's Group Meeting scheduled for February in Pensacola has been rescheduled for April 20 and 21st in Atlanta.
• Workshop on recent program improvements, March 4th, 2005. This will be held in Sun Valley, Idaho following the Line Design 2005 conference hosted by Power Engineers.
• Please visit our booth (#1940) at the 2005 IEEE/PES Transmission & Distribution Conference and Exposition in New Orleans, October 10-12, 2005.

Web Site Revisions and Additions

• PLS-CADD related article: "Aerial Surveys Calculate Vegetation Growth", by Bryan Hooper and Tom Bailey, British Columbia Hydro, Transmission & Distribution World, October 2004
• Composite Technology's ACCC cable files have been updated
• Technical Note: Using the Automatic Pole Selector in PLS-CADD
• Technical Note: Loading Changes in Version 7 of PLS-CADD
• Technical Note: Loading Methods Introduced in Version 7 of TOWER and PLS-POLE
• The English PLS-CADD version 7 manual can be downloaded with Help/Check For Updated Manual
• The English PLS-POLE version 7 manual can be downloaded with Help/Check For Updated Manual
• The English TOWER version 7 manual can be downloaded with Help/Check For Updated Manual

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.