TRANSMISSION & DISTRIBUTION LINE DESIGN

ICPE can provide a complete range of overhead and underground transmission and distribution line engineering and design services from feasibility studies and conceptual planning through design, material control services and construction management.  ICPE’s extensive design experience ranges from single pole 4.16 kV distribution lines to single or double pole 345 kV transmission lines in remote deserts or along crowded urban streets.  Project scopes vary widely and require ICPE engineers to understand overhead and underground transmission and distribution line design from the earliest siting and public involvement through the final phases of line construction and energized testing, including project management, design, and construction management.

ICPE’s years of experience have included every type of wood, steel and concrete structure design and solid dielectric and HPFF underground cable system design. Engineering has included, lightning analysis to improve system reliability, conductor selection studies, structure spotting methods to balance costs with customer sensitivity and the environment and critical transmission structures to overcome difficult terrain, foundation, or design loading conditions. ICPE provides transmission and distribution line design services for new installations, upgrading of existing facilities, re-conductoring and line re-rating. ICPE’s creative, team-oriented approach to design enables its engineers to meet project challenges and exceed Owner expectations.

ICPE’s transmission and distribution line design efforts utilize the latest software and technical tools for the generation of conductor and line design, sag and tension (SAG10), galloping analysis, foundation and structure loading, modeling and spotting (PLSCADD), anchor design, insulator swing and detailed drawing development. ICPE’s thorough technical line design procedures assure that excessive safety factors are avoided resulting in the lowest cost facility to meet site conditions and satisfy Owner needs.

ICPE has a complete set of transmission and distribution specifications for procuring materials and for constructing transmission and distribution lines. The specifications have proven successful on many projects but remain flexible and are adaptable to the needs and special circumstances of each project.

Key transmission and distribution line assistance that ICPE can provide could include, but not be limited to:

Transmission Line Services

Route Selection and Permitting

• Route selection to minimize natural and cultural resource impact

• Participation in public informational meetings

• Prepare applications for permits, licenses, or other approvals

Conceptual Design Studies

• Design Criteria Studies – prepare design criteria for use in economic studies based on mechanical loading criteria, safety codes and meteorological and environmental conditions

• Economic Conductor or Cable Studies – evaluate alternate conductor or cable types, sizes and phase bundle configurations for electrical and mechanical loads

• Electrical Environmental Effects – evaluate electrical and magnetic fields and audible and radio noise effects

• – evaluate alternate structure types for cost and constructability

• – evaluate alternate foundation types for structures, based on access, constructability cost, and general soils data

• Shield Wire Coordination – evaluate alternate shield wires to select optimum size and type, including the use of grounded, insulated, or optical ground wires

• All Dielectric Self-Supporting Fiber Optic Cable Coordination

• Insulation and Hardware – provide recommendations for support systems, configuration, strengths, and maintenance for normal and emergency conditions

• – evaluate alternate grounding systems based on soil resistivity data

• Final Design Summary – summarize design criteria and conceptual design studies

• Underground Transmission – study feasibility and cost of special cable applications

Detailed Engineering

• Engineering and Design Services

• Coordinate surveys and prepare plan and profile drawings

• Provide assistance in right-of-way procurement

• Design right-of-way drainage and access roads

• Prepare structure application charts

• Locate structures on centerline with PLS-CADD

• Prepare plan and profile drawings in AutoCAD

• Determine cable sizing, and calculate losses and heat dissipation

• Prepare conduit fill and cable pulling calculations

• Prepare environmental management and construction plans

• Prepare structure concept and loading drawings in AutoCAD format

• Prepare structure analysis, member sizing, and design drawings

• Design ducts, vaults, manholes and tunnels

• Prepare structure material lists

• Determine soil design parameters from boring data

• Design structure foundations

• Prepare crossing permit drawings

• Design river, highway or railroad crossings

• Design optical ground wire and ADSS installations or replacements

• Coordinate transmission line design with distribution

• Analyze existing transmission line structures for installation of fiber optic cable

Drawings and Related Services for the Purchase of Line Materials

• Prepare specifications for shop detailing and fabrication of structures

• Develop structure, foundation, and electrical load test programs and witness tests

• Prepare purchase specifications for all line material

• Provide pre-bid drawings, schedules, and evaluations

• Provide review of manufacturers’ drawings

• Perform purchasing and expediting services

Line Construction Services

• Prepare construction drawings

• Prepare stringing sag-tension data and conductor offset clipping data

• Prepare construction specifications and bid packages

• Conduct pre-bid meetings to review specifications and drawings

• Prepare project cost estimates

• Develop cash flows and schedules

• Evaluate construction bids

• Provide engineering liaison with construction management

Distribution Line Services

Overhead Distribution

• Conductor selection

• Structure design and detailing

• System layout and structure spotting

• Structure application

• Conductor sag charts

• Bills of material

• Construction drawings

Underground Distribution

• Cable sizing and losses

• Heat dissipation considerations

• Induced voltage on cable shield

• Voltage regulation

• Conduit fill and jam ratio calculations

• Cable pulling calculations

• Economic comparisons

• Cable selection

• Underground equipment selection

• Duct and manhole design

• Vault location and design

• Tunnel design

• Plan and profile drawings

• Distribution standards

• Equipment Specifications

• Procurement / Bid Services

High-Voltage Insulated Cable Systems Design

• Cable system selection (HPFF, LPFF, HPGF, LPGF, XLPE, EPR)

• Specifications for and coordination of surveying, geotechnical services, and thermal resistivity testing

• Engineering calculations, including:

  • Economic analysis and application

  • Conductor ampacity

  • Induced shield currents and voltages

  • Cable pulling tension

  • Electrical and magnetic fields

• Procurement specifications and bid evaluation

• Plan and profile

• Manhole layout and design

• Design of termination facilities and structures

• Specifications for installation and testing