Fundamentals of Overhead Distribution Systems

Live Streaming Online April 3-5 | Online

An EUCI Program

If you are unable to attend at the scheduled date and time, we make recordings available to all registrants for three business days after the event

This course will introduce and provide non-technical people with the basics of the overhead distribution system and all the general components that make up the system. Topics that are involved in the design, construction, operation, reliability, protection and maintenance of overhead distribution, as well as safety awareness will be discussed in detail.

Register now for this course which allows people who are not distribution engineers to know enough to oversee projects or simply have a better understanding of the system.

Learning Outcomes

Review the power system from generator to customer and where distribution fits in
Discover how a distribution system works and system configurations
Expand on the functions of the system of reliability, power quality, protection and voltage regulation
List the various equipment components that make up the system in the design sections
Explain the purpose of downguys and their components
Review the what, the why, and the how of overhead system construction in three sections
Discuss the operation considerations of protection and reliability
Explore challenges in system operation
Review utility approaches to improving reliability
Discuss methods and practices for modernizing the overhead distribution system
Expand on the importance and methods of safety and operating a safe system

Agenda

MONDAY, APRIL 3, 2023

8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Central Time

Distribution – What is it?

The power system from generator to customer
Major types of distribution systems
- Overhead
- Underground
- Network
Typical distribution system configurations
- Feeders
- Branch lines
- Descending hierarchy

Electrical Concepts Part 1

Voltages
Amps
Resistance
Single-phase and three-phase
Impedance

Electrical Concepts Part 2

Power quality
- Voltage drop
- Flicker
- Harmonics
- Power factor
Voltage regulation

Electrical Concepts Part 3

Transformers
- What they are – how they work
- Three-phase configurations
- Photo quiz

TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2023

8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Central Time

Design Considerations – Codes and Standards

Codes and regulations
- National Electrical Safety Code (NESC)
- Other regulatory agencies
Standards
Crew considerations

Construction – Major Materials

Poles
Crossarms
Conductors
Insulators
Equipment

Construction – Smaller Line Hardware

Pole Hardware
- Nuts
- Bolts
- Washers
- Additional hardware
Connectors
Ties

Construction – Pole Top Assemblies

Horizontal
Vertical configurations

Construction – Alternate Configurations

Narrow
Alley arm
Underbuild
Tree wire
Birds

Design Considerations – Conductors

Mechanical and electrical
- Equipment sizing
- Sag
- Tensions
- Clearances

Design Considerations – Guying

Downguys
- Guy attachments
- Guy wire
- Anchors

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2023

8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Central Time

Design Considerations – Planning Perspective

System analysis
- Load flow and power quality
- Line and equipment loading
System planning
- Projecting future new loads
- Modeling the future system
Other considerations

Operating Considerations – System Protection

System protection
- What line faults are
- Devices used to handle fault conditions
- System protection schemes
Special situations
- Distributed generation
- Disruptive loads
Public perceptions and pressures

Operating Considerations – Improving Reliability

Switching and protective devices
Automated switching and reconfigurations
Automated outage reporting
Storm hardening

Modernizing the System

Resilience
Sensors
Meters
R&D programs

Operating Considerations – Safety

Electrical considerations
- Public safety
- Employee safety
- Stray voltage

Instructors

Wes Spencer, Senior Project Engineer, POWER Engineers, Inc.

Wes is a Senior Project Engineer for POWER Engineers, St. Petersburg, FL and holds a BSEE from Georgia Institute of Technology and an MBA from Florida Institute of Technology.

Wes has over 40 years of experience with distribution systems including over 20 years with a Florida utility, private consulting, and working with POWER Engineers. He has developed standards, taught distribution design, directed line crews, and led multiple complex design projects. He has served in leadership positions on numerous technical committees. He is currently technical lead for major distribution projects with POWER Engineers.

Rod Ratcliff PE, Consultant, POWER Engineers, Inc.

Rod is a Project Engineer for POWER Engineers, Fort Worth, TX and holds a BS in Electrical Engineering from Texas A&M University, College Station, TX.

During his 10-year career as a consultant in the Power Systems Utility industry, Rod has served in a wide variety of power systems engineering design fields including: Low Voltage Electrical System Design, Arc Flash Studies, Substation Design and Ground Testing, Transmission Line Design, Transmission Line SCADA Control and Metering, Overhead and Underground Distribution Line Design, Distribution System Studies and Planning, as well as Reports and Studies for Need, Placement, and Planning of New Substations and New Transmission Lines as required by the Public Utility Commission (PUC). Presently, Rod works in the field of Distribution Design and is also involved in corporate internal training.