This 2 day NESC review course that provides a general overview of the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) was developed primarily for electric utility personnel and contractors responsible for the design, construction, and maintenance of distribution power lines and systems. The course provides attendees with a brief history of the NESC, its purpose, as well as the structure of the organization, roles of committees and the process for determining rules. The course focuses on rules associated with installation and maintenance of overhead and underground electric supply and communication lines, work rules associated with the same, and with particular attention given to changes introduced in the latest 2023 edition of the NESC. Worksheet exercises allow participants to apply NESC rules as they calculate load, clearance and sag for sample designs. A course guide is provided. Attendees need to bring a copy of the current (2023) edition of the NESC (not provided in class).*     

*The 2023 NESC may be purchased from IEEE (http://www.ieee.com).

This 2 day course (2 weeks, if online) introduces students to the basics of engineering design for underground distribution. The course presents some of the common reasons for designing underground power distribution, advantages and disadvantages of underground vs. overhead distribution and major factors to consider when designing for underground power. Students look at underground cable types, installation, equipment options and applications, and NESC requirements for preparing underground distribution layouts. Students review single and 3-phase transformer sizing and voltage drop calculations. Instruction also includes an overview of protection devices and maintenance issues unique to underground systems. Course handbook provided.    
 

Focus: System Protection in relation to Power Line Design & Maintenance - For Field Technicians & Stakers

Students will get a general overview of distribution power system protection planning and design. This 2-day course will then shift focus to major causes of equipment failure and the function and application of various protective devices used on the distribution system. Students will learn about protective relays, current transformers, voltage regulators, instrumentation, circuit breakers, reclosers, and fuses. They will learn types of equipment each device is designed to protect, as well as the purpose and importance of protective device (or system) coordination. Course guide provided.    
 

Focus: Distribution Transformers in relation to Power Line Design & Maintenance - For Field Technicians & Stakers

During this 2-day course, students will learn the fundamentals of distribution transformer operation and application in relation to power system design. The class will include an introduction to induction theory and transformer types and construction. Students will get an overview of transformer sizing method and will use engineering formulas to properly size transformers for residential and commercial load requirements. They will learn about common transformer connections, winding configurations and major criteria to consider in evaluating field design options. The course will include an overview of basic protective devices and their functions, capacitors and power factor correction, and brief look at transformer maintenance issues and inspection. Course handbook provided.
 

One of the most challenging aspects of a highway relocation project is the coordination of communication and planning between the state department of transportation (D.O.T.) and Electric Utilities. Each state D.O.T. - as well as each Electric Utility - follows its own processes and procedures for relocations, creating much room for miscommunication and costly project delays. This 2-day overview and workshop focuses on highway relocations and unique issues electric utility personnel face working with their state department of transportation. Attendees will be shown how to read a set of D.O.T. plans and will discuss the D.O.T. process in general (some of the similarities and differences from state to state). Attendees will get an overview of typical Electric Utility and D.O.T. responsibilities. Tips will be given on how to avoid some of the more common "pitfalls" when working with the State D.O.T. on these projects. Attendees will also review actual sets of D.O.T. plans and will be given opportunity to work through various stages of a highway widening project and propose solutions for several challenges presented along the way. Course handbook provided.