top of page

Power Line Design & Staking Certification Courses 

Course 101: Power Line Design & Staking, Level 1 (onsite, online, virtual)             
Pre-requisite: None     Hours: 21    CEUs: 2.1(PDHs: 21)         

 

In Level 1 Power Line Design and Staking, students will gain a strong foundation necessary to help them advance in the field of line design and staking. This class will include the basic engineering of overhead single-phase lines typically expected of beginning line design personnel. After completion of this course, participants will be able to complete overhead transformer and service conductor sizing, calculate accurate guy leads for both angle and dead end situations, interpret and implement sag charts in clearance design, and will be able to navigate the NESC in order to locate important rules and tables necessary for safe design. Course manual provided. Students need to bring a copy of the current NESC to class (not included in course materials). 

Power Line Design & Staking "kit"
Additional materials/supplies required for Levels 2-4 may be provided in the Level 1 class (including - but not limited to - a scientific calculator with trigonometric functions).  Items provided in the Level 1 course may be needed in Levels 2-4 of the Power Line Design Series. 

Course 201: Power Line Design & Staking, Level 2 (onsite, online, virtual)
Pre-requisite: Successful completion of Power Line Design & Staking - Level 1     Hours: 21    CEUs: 2.1(PDHs: 21)

 

In Level 2 of the Power Line Design and Staking series, students will build on the foundation created in the prerequisite course, Level 1. This class places emphasis on joint use remedy and make ready, as well as vertical and horizontal loading. After completion of Level 2, participants will be able to complete the layout and design of most overhead projects, understand and utilize NESC and sag chart criteria, evaluate and design make ready/remedy for joint use facilities, calculate the mechanical loading effects of line design, understand conductor blowout and design for/around grain bins, and will be able to design for crossing under transmission lines. Course manual provided. NOTE: Students need to bring a copy of the current NESC and “kit” items provided in Level 1 to class (not included in course materials). 

Course 301: Power Line Design & Staking, Level 3 (onsite, online, virtual)
Pre-requisite: Successful completion of Power Line Design & Staking, Levels 1 & 2     Hours: 21    CEUs: 2.1(PDHs: 21)

In Level 3 Power Line Design and Staking, students will build on the foundation created in the prerequisite courses, Levels 1 and 2 and are introduced to underground line design. Attention is given to understanding how to apply the theories of line design to solve special problems. After completion of this course, participants will be able complete the layout and design of most overhead and underground projects. Students will also understand the physical loads on the distribution system and the associated hardware, read DOT projects, class poles, design for special guying situations, calculate sag and create a stringing chart, and estimate sag on uneven terrain. Course manual provided. NOTE: Students need to bring a copy of the current NESC and “kit” items provided in Level 1 to class (not included in course materials). 

Course 401: Power Line Design & Staking, Level 4 (onsite, virtual)
Pre-requisite: Successful completion of Power Line Design & Staking, Levels 1, 2 & 3     Hours: 21    CEUs: 2.1(PDHs: 21)

In Level 4 of the Power Line Design series, students will be taken beyond the basics of power line design and staking and will focus on reliability and efficiency. They will discuss the aging power infrastructure and system reliability. Students will look at mechanical loading for multi-circuits, will learn about commercial load sizing and will be guided through the process of calculating loads on manufactured products. Students will review NESC and will learn when and how to apply Rule 250 C and D. Classroom discussion will include a brief look at how local requirements and/or RUS standards and bulletins incorporate (and compare to) NESC rules. They will spend time learning about system protection and balance, including proper protective equipment selection and placement. Students will also discuss storm preparation (hardening of the system) and recovery (getting the system back operational). NOTE: Students need to bring a copy of the current NESC and “kit” items provided in Level 1 to class (not included in course materials).
 

Power Line Design & Staking Certification Courses

Specialty Courses 

Specialty Courses

UTS’s Specialty Courses are designed for individuals desiring to increase skills or refine expertise in specific areas. Most of these courses are 2 days (14 hours). Worksheets and quizzes are incorporated into the classes for application practice and self-assessment. Certificate of attendance is awarded upon completion.

Whether the motivation for specialty training is skills maintenance or career planning, these courses challenge students to learn beyond the basic requirements in their professions. Specialty courses provide great opportunities for professional growth and skills development. 

Course 500: Understanding the NESC – for Distribution Utilities – 2 days
Who should attend: Staking/Field Technicians; Distribution Line Workers; System and Line Designers; Engineers; Utility Managers; Engineering Managers; System Engineers; Line Inspection personnel; and Electric Utility Contractors. 
Pre-requisite: Attendees need a basic understanding of distribution power systems & line design     Hours: 14     CEUs: 1.4 (PDHs: 14)

 

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).

Course 505: Underground Distribution Power Design (onsite, online, virtual) 
Who should attend: Staking/Field Technicians; Distribution Line Workers; System and Line Designers; Engineers; Utility Managers; Engineering Managers; System Engineers; Line Inspection personnel; and Electric Utility Contractors.
Pre-requisite: Attendees need a basic understanding of distribution power systems & line design     Hours: 14     CEUs: 1.4 (PDHs: 14)   

 

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.    
 

Course 301: Math Fundamentals for Line Design - Prep for PLDS (onsite, online, virtual) 
Pre-requisite: Attendees need a basic understanding of distribution power systems                     Hours: 7     CEUs: 7.0 (PDHs: 7) 

This 1-day course (1 week, if online) aims to instruct prospective students of the Power Line Design and Staking series in math and algebra operations skills needed for successful completion of the PLDS courses.  Many topics covered in the PLDS series will use equations and variables to solve for values that apply to line design

and staking and this often poses a challenge to students who lack skills in math or need a refresher in types of math operations that they may have not seen for some period of time. Seminar outline (and Calculator) provided.

 

  • Accuracy and Precision of Numbers in Line Design

  • Order of Operations (PEMDAS)

  • Algebraic Operations (formulas and variables)

  • Solving Equations (best practices from input variables to final solution)

  • Calculator Operations

  • Using Microsoft Excel to Solve Equations

Course 510: Surveying for Line Design (onsite, online, virtual) 
Pre-requisite: Attendees need a basic understanding of distribution power systems & line design     Hours: 7     CEUs: 7.0 (PDHs: 7)   

 

Who Should Attend: Appropriate for all personnel working in (or for) distribution electric utilities

Pre-requisite: Math Fundamentals for Line Design – or equivalent training or experience

 

Surveying for Line Design is intended to provide a foundation in surveying concepts for prospective students of the PLDS certification course (Levels 1 – 4).  Topics will include horizontal measurements and ranging, vertical measurements and grading, mapping and GIS, surveying and GPS equipment, aerial imagery and ground features, legal descriptions and ROW, precision and accuracy. Seminar outline (calculator, protractor and engineer’s scale) provided.

Course 520: Conductor Mechanics for Line Design (onsite, online, virtual)

Pre-requisite: Attendees need a basic understanding of distribution power systems & line design. UTS PLDS certification completion recommended.

Hours: 7    CEUs: 7.0 (PDHs: 7)         

 

This 1-day course (1 week if online) aims to instruct line designers and engineering support personnel on the process of evaluating the mechanical characteristics of overhead electric utility lines in order to formulate design guidelines and provide consolidated sag and tension data critical for safe and effective line design. 

Students should be prepared to preform basic and algebraic math operations, as well as, having a working knowledge of line design and electric utility operations. The course is intended as a follow up to the PLDS certification or as a stand-alone course for engineering staff tasked with providing designers with information needed to create designs consistent with the PLDS method. Seminar outline provided.

 

  • Principals of Conductor Mechanics

  • The PLDS Process (how conductor sag and tension data and construction practices affect the design and outcome)

  • Design Tension (calculations and decisions that rely on design tension, scale and precision, tensioning methods, uncontrollable variables)

  • Worst Case Sag, min/max (calculations and decisions that rely on worst case sag, scale and precision, tensioning methods, uncontrollable variables)

  • Data Tables (creation, formatting, publishing)

  • Rules of Thumb for Larger Conductors (traditional and antiquated rules, organization specifics, formulation of modern rules)

  • Joint Use Management Procedures (contractual requirements, NESC responsibilities, permitting processes)

Course 530: Structure Mechanics for Line Design (onsite, online, virtual)

Pre-requisite: Attendees need a basic understanding of distribution power systems & line design. UTS PLDS certification completion recommended.

Hours: 7    CEUs: 7.0 (PDHs: 7)         

 

This 1-day course (1 week, if online) aims to instruct line designers and engineering support personnel on the process of evaluating the mechanical characteristics of overhead electric utility lines in order to formulate design guidelines and provide consolidated pole, crossarm and pole top component data and tables.  Students

should be prepared to perform basic and algebraic math operations, as well as, having a working knowledge of line design and electric utility operations. The course is intended as a follow up to the PLDS certification or as a stand-alone course for engineering staff tasked with providing designers with information needed to create designs consistent with the PLDS method. Seminar outline provided.

 

  • Principals of Structure Mechanics

  • The PLDS Process (how poles, equipment, soil conditions and construction practices affect the design and outcome)

  • Critical Buckling Axial Ratings (PCR) (how pole class, construction grade, structure orientation type and unbraced column are accounted for in the PCR equation)

  • Ultimate Resisting Moment Ratings (URM) (how wood species, pole class and pole setting depth are accounted for in the URM equation)

  • Pole Wind Moment (MP) (how NESC Loading, equipment, pole size/class and setting depth affect wind loading on the pole)

  • Pole Framing and Adders (determining standards for pole attachments and calculations based on spacing)

  • Evaluating NESC strength of pole top components

Seminars & Workshops

Seminars and Workshops are generally one day (7 contact hours), and may be designed—or even customized—for organization-wide, departmental, or small focus group sessions. Industry code updates (NESC), new government regulations, various topic overviews, and task-specific “how to” sessions are just a few ways UTS has worked with clients to provide training through seminars and workshops.

Course 601: Introduction to Power Systems and Electric Utilities – 1 day
Who should attend: Anyone employed by or working for or with an electric utility.
Pre-requisite: None     Hours: 7    CEUs: 0.7 (PDHs: 7)

Attendees get a history and overview of the electric power system from generation to transmission to distribution. They learn the basics of electricity, common electric utility terminology and equipment. The will also learn about the types of electric utilities – their major functions and differences, and about the major regulatory agencies and other influential organizations in the industry. Students will come away from the course with a better understanding of their utilities’ purpose and goals and relationships that exists between the different power systems, governing agencies, local communities and electric utility customers. 

Course 605:  NESC 2023 Update Seminar for Distribution Utilities – 1 day
Who should attend: Staking/Field Technicians; Distribution Line Workers; Designers; Engineers; Utility Managers; Engineering Managers; System Engineers, Operations Managers; Safety Managers; Communication Line Workers; Electric Utility Contractors; and Line Inspection Personnel.
Pre-requisite: None     Hours: 7    CEUs: 0.7 (PDHs: 7) 

 

With each new update, the National Electric Safety Code (NESC) brings in new changes that affect many departments in your utility. Learning these changes is imperative to maintaining and operating a safe utility system, in turn, improving system reliability. UTS presents this NESC update seminar to address multi-functional groups across the entire utility and provides a forum to discuss all the important code issues  from safety, to design, to construction. Seminar guide provided.  

NOTE: A copy of the NESC is not required nor is it provided in this seminar. However, some students may find it helpful to follow along in the codebook. The 2023 NESC will be available August 1, 2022 and may be purchased from IEEE (http://www.ieee.com).

Course 610: Electric Utility Safety Seminar – 1 day
Who should attend: Anyone employed by or working for or with an electric utility.
Pre-requisite: None     Hours: 7    CEUs: 0.7 (PDHs: 7)

UTS’s Utility Safety Seminar provides a general overview of electric utility safety needs and responsibilities and facilitates group discussion on how to create a culture of safety in a utility. Participants will learn the importance of adherence to safety procedures in the utility industry, the importance of putting safety first and the individual’s role in creating a safe working environment. Seminar guide provided. CEUs: .7   

Course 630: Line Design & Staking Concepts for Non-Engineering – 1 day 
Who should attend: Distribution Line Workers; Communication Line Workers; Electric Utility Contractors; Line Designers; Line Inspection Personnel; Maintenance & Construction Supervisors; Operations Managers; Safety Managers; Engineering Administrative Personnel
Pre-requisite: Basic understanding of distribution power systems     Hours: 7    CEUs: 0.7

This one day line design and staking overview seminar is designed especially for non-engineering electric utility personnel who want to learn more about factors taken into consideration by engineers and field technicians when designing layout of, support structures and equipment to be used for distribution power delivery. Several basic requirements of the National Electric Safety Code are reviewed to illustrate their effect on engineering design decisions and the dangers associated with improperly modifying a design in the field. Non-code and non-construction factors such as easements, permitting, environmental issues, etc are discussed as well. After completing this seminar, participants will have a better understanding of the power line design process from system planning to construction as well as a better understanding of how their own jobs contribute to – and are affected by – the design process. Seminar guide provided.

Seminars & Workshops
Electric Utility Contractor - Certificate Courses
bottom of page