Power Line Systems October 2001 Newsletter:

In this issue:

1. Power Line Systems Exhibits at IEEE/PES T&D
2. PLS-CADD Progress
3. PLS-POLE and TOWER Improvements
4. Training Opportunities
5. Recent Additions To Web Site
6. Current Versions
7. Closing Remarks

Power Line Systems will be in booth #1859 at the upcoming IEEE/PES T&D Expo in Atlanta. Please stop by to meet us and see demonstrations of all of the latest features in PLS-CADD as well as our new integration with TAMIS® GIS and asset management system. In addition to our booth at the T&D Expo, we will conduct an INFO-SESSION in Room 161 at 3:30 on Wednesday, October 31st. TAMIS information including a live demo can also be found at the TAMIS booth, #1429, sponsored by POWER Engineers, Inc.

• The program now has the ability to reoptimize sections where the original assumed ruling span doesn't match the actual. When optimizing with frames or towers the program can also now make adjustments to account for structure legs intersecting ground at a different elevation than centerline.
• Working with aerial photography has been made much faster by loading images during idle computer time so you don't need to wait for them during a File/Open. Further, images are dynamically resampled so that only the necessary resolution is kept in memory. This makes it possible to efficiently work with projects that require more memory than your computer has. For example, we loaded a project with 2 GB of aerial imagery on a machine with only 256MB of memory.
• PLS-CADD now has commands that allow you to move guy anchors and arms on PLS-POLE or TOWER structures without leaving PLS-CADD. This allows you to make structures fit surveyed points or bring guys inline with conductors with just a click of the mouse as shown in this video.
• We added a structure clearances function that allows you to check clearances between wires and structures (including guys) for your entire line with one command.
• PLS-CADD Lite has a new wizard interface that integrates with PLS-POLE. You can see a demonstration of the wizard in this video. This wizard can be used in conjunction with PLS-POLE models generated from a database as shown in this video.
• For additional information see Recent Additions To Web Site below.

PLS-POLE and TOWER have also made considerable progress. We have been busy working on TIA/EIA 222 revision G and are shipping a version of PLS-POLE with our preliminary implementation (including earthquake loading). Revision G involves considerable change and we recommend you investigate it thoroughly prior to its ratification this winter. We will start beta testing a version of TOWER with Revision G later this fall, please contact us if you are interested in testing it. Guy, crossarm and Thomas & Betts LD pole and arm libraries are now available for download from our online library. Finally, both programs now have a calculator that automatically determines the allowable swing angles for suspension insulators based on your required electrical clearances.

We have four upcoming weeklong training opportunities. First, hands on PLS-CADD and TOWER training here in Madison Wisconsin, November 5-9. This is followed by three sessions of Advanced Structural Analysis and Design Methods For Electric Power Lines, December 3-7, 2001 and March 25-29, September 16-20, 2002 at the EPRI Haslet, Texas facility.

• Sample survey specification for survey data, base maps, and aerial photography for use in PLS-CADD.
• The PLS Online Library (new cross-arm, guy, steel pole, and sample drawing files).
• PLS-CADD integration with TAMIS® GIS and asset management system.
• Technote: Making PLS-CADD your final Plan & Profile drawing producer using Portable Document Format (PDF) from Adobe.
• Technote: Localization and Customization features available in PLS-POLE and TOWER.
• Technote: How to correctly model bundles in PLS-CADD (in PDF format).
• Technote: Wind modeling in TOWER 5 (in PDF format).
• Structure customization command video - demonstrates guy anchor and arm movement.
• PLS-CADD Lite wizard interface joint-use demonstration video.
• PLS-CADD and PLS-POLE database integration video.

We strongly encourage you to upgrade to the current shipping release of all the applications you own. To do so please send us email at info@powline.com. 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 your manuals. As always, we welcome your suggestions and comments on our software.

Best Regards,

Staff of Power Line Systems, Inc.

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