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Transmission Line Design Software: A Comparison of Different Tools and Platforms



Power Line Systems is software for the design of overhead electric power transmission, distribution, and communication lines and their structures. The software automates the calculation of design loads and the checking of strength according to international standards.


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Transmission Line Design Software



QuickField packages that can be applied to the various aspects of transmission line design:AC magnetics. Electromagnetic field and current distribution. Calculation of inductances of transmission line.Transient magnetics. Switching on and shutting down analysis. Calculation of line parameters with non-sinusoidal currents.Electrostatics. Electric field and voltage distribution. Calculation of capacitance matrix of transmission line.Video: Power transmission lines simulation with QuickField (webinar page) + More videos...Examples of transmission line modeling: slideShowRun(); + More examples...


With aging infrastructure, electrification, extreme weather and climate impacts, microgrids, unpredictable load demands, load growth and more, the need for power line utility and design software to modernize the grid for the future is evident.


Several classroom exercises in both transmission line design and foundation design will be computer-based. For this purpose, we ask that participants bring their own laptop computers. It is not required but having a laptop will be helpful in participating in our short computer-based exercises.


The transmission design concepts presented in this course will be illustrated through design examples using the line design program PLS-CADD, developed by Power Line Systems, Inc. You will receive a copy of PLS-CADD/LITE (a sub-set of PLS-CADD), its instructions, and a free six-month license to use the PLS-CADD/LITE program that calculates sags, tensions, loading trees, and thermal rating of overhead conductors.


This in-depth course provides you with the latest criteria and practical techniques used in the design of transmission lines, structures, and foundations. You will learn transmission design concepts that use traditional methods and modern software and participate in class design exercises.


Important: However, several classroom exercises in both transmission line design and foundation design will be computer-based. We recommend you bring your own laptop which must comply with the course laptop requirements. Computer rental is available for a $300 weekly fee. If you prefer to rent a computer, please indicate that choice when enrolling in the course.


Otto J. Lynch, PE, is the President and CEO of Power Line Systems and an internationally known expert in transmission line design and the PLS-CADD computer program. He has conducted numerous seminars and training sessions in its use and applications. Prior to joining Power Line Systems in 2000, Mr. Lynch was with Black & Veatch for over 12 years doing civil/structural design for substations and transmission lines. He has designed several families of lattice steel transmission towers and has worked on transmission projects ranging from 69kV to 500kV utilizing wood, tapered tubular steel, lattice steel, concrete, and laminated wood structures throughout the world. Mr. Lynch is a pioneer in integrating LiDAR (Light Distance and Ranging) aerial survey data into the PLS-CADD program for transmission line rerating and reconductoring projects. Mr. Lynch is an expert in all the computer programs that will be used throughout the course.


Vicki Schneider, PE, PMP, is Director of Engineering Services for Mortenson Engineering Services, Inc. in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She has over 20 years of structural/foundation engineering experience in projects for electric utilities, fabricators and EPC (engineer-procure-construct) projects. Over the years, she has also worked as a design team member on hospitals, banks, hotels and event centers for above grade and foundation designs. Mrs. Schneider has significant experience as the Engineer of Record on substation and transmission line projects. Her substation structural design and transmission line experience ranges from 34.5kV to 500kV for all aspects of design including, but not limited to, shallow foundations, spread footings, direct embedded poles and drilled piers.


The design of underground transmission lines is a complex process that has different challenges than overhead transmission. This course delves into the processes and information used to design underground lines and provides a strong foundation for continued learning in underground transmission. As an attendee, you will receive an in-depth overview of underground system design, technology, construction, and installation. This is the ideal course for engineers new to underground transmission projects needing an in-depth look at the specific design tools and information required and used in the successful design of underground lines.


Mr. Scott is an associate project engineer with over 17 years of transmission and distribution engineering experience. His primary responsibilities include project management, scope definition, project estimating, site evaluation, route analysis, feasibility studies, detailed design and engineering, cable sizing ampacity calculations, pulling calculations, construction drawings and specifications, and construction sequencing. Mr. Scott also has experience in both procurement and construction support, including field inspection during both civil installation as well as cable and accessory installation. In addition, he provides support for public involvement activities, including attending Open Houses. Mr. Scott has also served as an expert witness.


Mr. Riegel is a associate project engineer at Burns and McDonnell. His duties include providing civil engineering support as well as a lead transmission engineer for the planning and design of high voltage underground transmission lines. Mr. Riegel began his career as a civil engineer in January, 2003. Prior to employment with Burns & McDonnell, Mr. Riegel was employed as a civil engineer in Kansas City, MO as a design engineer for formwork, shoring, and scaffolding for various projects in the Midwest.


Tyler is a civil/structural engineer in the underground transmission group at Burns & McDonnell. His responsibilities include duct bank design, underground routing analysis, cable pulling tension calculations, duct bank construction estimates, and underground transmission line construction support. His work includes use of cable pull 3D design/analysis software packages and several in-house design and cost estimating programs. Besides working in the underground transmission group, Tyler has experience working in both the overhead transmission group and substation group. His design and field experience in these departments include foundation design, overhead transmission line modeling, oil containment design, stub angle retrofit design, reviewing tower fabrication drawings, and onsite drilled shaft inspection. His work includes use of PLS CADD software packages along with multiple structural software programs.


Jonathan is an electrical engineer specializing in the design of underground transmission lines and electrical power substations. Jonathan has been involved in the design of underground transmission projects ranging from 15-kV through 500-kV and substation projects ranging from 12-kV through 500-kV. His responsibilities include major equipment specification, cable ampacity calculations, physical design, grounding design, one-line diagram, equipment layout, relay and control schematics and wiring diagram, and coordination with contractors, material suppliers and clients.


The MWI-2010 software allows an operator to enter parameters pertinent to a specific application, such as operating frequency and RF power level. Once a user has selected the desired transmission-line type, dielectric material, material thickness, conductor width, thickness of the conductive metal cladding, etc., a calculation will provide results in term of such transmission-line parameters as conductor width and conductor spacing for a selected impedance. The software can generate insertion loss tables of data that can be used to create plots of loss versus frequency, and these plots can then be compared to actual measured results from a microwave vector network analyzer (VNA). 2ff7e9595c


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