TADP 540 Transmission Line Design Introduction

Transmission Line Design – Introduction:

Survey techniques, terrain modeling conductors, insulation, structures, NESC code requirements., computer-aided design. 

 Terrain Data  The use of online, Blackboard software allows students to interact with faculty and other students from anywhere in the world. 


Course Material:

This course is the first of two line design courses, and is intended to provide students with a basic knowledge and understanding of transmission and distribution line design. The course has been developed for students with a degree in electrical, mechanical or civil engineering and work experience in the utility (or related) industry.  The purpose of the course is to teach students the basic process for designing an overhead transmission (or distribution) line.  The course is divided into five modules.  The modules will be taught sequentially in the order needed to complete a line design.  Each module will contain multiple presentations that cover various topics. Modules also emphasize key elements (or steps) in the basic line design process.  These elements are:

  1. Terrain and Alignment
  2. Loading
  3. Conductors
  4. Structures
  5. Foundations
  6. Structure Spotting
  7. Line Design & Analysis
  8. Construction Package

Course assignments begin with fundamental exercises to establish a line route.  After the line route is established, an actual line design will be developed and loads based on design criteria, standards, wire tensions, and weather inputs will be applied.  Structure and foundation evaluations will then be performed from the load data.  Once the structures and the foundations are evaluated, students will then spot (or locate) structures along the alignment. 

Finally, clearance analysis and other verifications of an acceptable line design will be performed and the resulting design artifacts will be produced to complete a simple construction package.  Course assignments will involve the use of survey data, drawings, mathematical formulas, and manufacturers’ data, as well as some simple computer software.

The Transmission Line Design- Introduction course will be taught by practicing engineers from the T&D industry.   TLine Introduction