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Recent Developments

• The preliminary agenda for the 2013 PLS-CADD Advanced Training and User Group Meeting July 16-18, 2013 has been posted. You may register online.
• DIS-TRAN Wood Products' Brace component library is now available for download
• ArcelorMittal's Angle and Steel Material Properties component libraries for TOWER are now available for download
• McFarland Cascade Laminated Wood Pole component library is now available for download
• Version 12.30 released with support for Windows 8!
• Creative Pultrusions Fiber Reinforced Polymer pole component library is available for download.
• Updated Thomas & Betts Steel Pole and Tubular Davit Arm component libraries are now available for download.
• Webinar Using ikeGPS Solutions and PLS-POLE for Pole Audits, Joint Use, and Storm Hardening
  Join us Wednesday, August 8 at 2 PM EDT for an exclusive webinar. Please join Richard Taylor, VP Sales ikeGPS America's and Otto Lynch VP Power Line Systems as they discuss how ikeGPS solutions can be easily used by your field crews to quickly gather your pole data and demonstrate how the return on investment makes these solutions a critical part of your field operation programs.
• New and revised PLS-CADD cable models from CTC Global are now available for download.
• An updated Hubbell Power Systems / Ohio Brass Quadri-Sil^® insulator library is now available for download.
• An updated PUPI Fiberglass Crossarm library is now available for download.
• Version 12.10 Released: see the Spring 2012 newsletter for more information.
• PLS-CADD NESC 2012 Criteria Files have been posted in the Online Library.
• DIS-TRAN's pre-engineered steel pole library for PLS-POLE is now available for download.
• Introducing ikeAnnotate, a hardware and software combination that enables rapid and accurate PLS-POLE model creation from field measurements of poles.
• Review many other recent program improvements

Training Classes

Click here if you would like to be notified when new classes become available.

• Design of Overhead Transmission Lines using PLS-CADD (includes 32 PDHs), June 10-14, 2013 in Madison, WI (Space still available)
• Design of Transmission Lines, Structures and Foundations (Organized by the University of Wisconsin) November 11-15, 2013 in Madison, WI (Check availability)
• Computerized Transmission Line Design: PLS-CADD Hands-On Training (Organized by the University of Wisconsin) December 9-13, 2013 in Orlando, FL (Check availability)

Classes organized by authorized PLS agents:

• PLS-CADD & PLS-POLE Training Course, May 14-16, 2013 in Johannesburg, South Africa by Trans-Africa Projects
• Increasing utilisation and improved reliability, through LiDAR and PLS-CADD, June 17-20, 2013 in Knaresborough, UK by Network Mapping
• PLS-CADD & PLS-POLE Training Course, July 16-18, 2013 in Cape Town, South Africa by Trans-Africa Projects
• PLS-CADD & PLS-POLE Training Course, Nov. 5-7, 2013 in Johannesburg, South Africa by Trans-Africa Projects
• Design and Optimization of Overhead Transmission Lines using PLS-CADD and TOWER, Nov. 24-29, 2013 in Sharjah, UAE (E. Ghannoum)

PLS in the News

• Otto Lynch is quoted in the Washington Post after the blackout in India
• Otto Lynch discussing the State of America's Grid after the San Diego blackout on the September 9th, 2011 NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams
• NERC Facility Ratings Methodology Alert mentions PLS-CADD as a tool for utilities to "more easily assess their lines"
• "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

Newsletters

Technical Notes

Recently Added or Updated
• Wind Loading: Uncertainties and Honesty Suggest Simplification A discussion by Dr. Alain H. Peyrot
• Linear Elastic Cable Model With Creep Proportional to Tension
• Memory Management of XYZ points in PLS-CADD
• Transmission Line Vegetation Management in PLS-CADD
• Windows Vista and Windows 7 support in PLS software

PLS-CADD

Terrain and Other Data
• Memory Management of XYZ points
• PLS-CADD Google Earth Integration Tips
• Coordinate Systems in PLS-CADD Version 8
• 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
• Linear Elastic Cable Model With Creep Proportional to Tension
• 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: Introduction to the QuickSearch Toolbar
• Video showing flyby of PLS-CADD model exported to Google Earth
• Video demonstrating the TerraServer (now MSR-Maps) 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 (in French).
• Video showing import of pictures and staking list from a spreadsheet.

User Contributed Videos

• Norway A beautiful flight across fjords made by Norconsult starting with PLS-CADD's KML export

User Group Meetings & Trade Shows where we will be Exhibiting

• Summary of recent user group meetings and trade shows
• The 2013 PLS-CADD Advanced Training and User Group Meeting will be held in Madison, Wisconsin July 16-18, 2013. You may register online.

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
• 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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