Cable Pulling Analysis

Presented by Matt Shellenberger, P.E.

Cable pulling overview
» Existing method involve hand calcs or experience
» Know the field practices
» Research the required data
» Understand and verify the calculations
» Test, test, test
» Train the user community
 Field practices
» Pulling eye vs. mesh grips.
» PVC elbow burn through (pulling rope vs. pulling tape)
» Starting pulling tension?
 Data Required
» Maximum allowable pulling tension
» Maximum allowable side wall pressure
» Required conduit bend radii
» Jam Ratios
» Fill percentages
» Co-efficient of friction values
» Allow cable pushing?
» Cables weights, diameters
» Configurations cradled or triangular
 Calculations – Ugh!!
Straight Section - Tout = wμWL + Tin
Horizontal Bend Section - Tout = Tin(CoshwμΦ) + (SinhwμΦ) * (Tin2 +
(WR)2)1/2
Vertical Concave Up - Tout = TinewμΦ - (WR)/(1+ (wμ)2)* [2wμSinΦ - (1-
(wμ)2) * (ewμΦ - CosΦ)]
And on and on……

» Modeled the equations in Excel to

help test the output from LD-Pro.

» Worked with Itron in Spokane for a

week to resolve calculation issues.
 Test, test, test, test
Pass of
Test performed Fail Details Tester Initials Date

Pull straight single-primary zero incline P MCS 6/28/2010

Pull straight single-primary incline P MCS 6/28/2010

Pull straight single-primary decline P MCS 6/28/2010

Pull straight two-primary zero incline P MCS 6/28/2010

» Total of 110 different test cases

» Tried to test most common situations that would occur.
 Training the user community
» Training using a combination of written, live web cast, and recorded video.
» Begin with terminology and concepts
» Review of the calculations and the origin of calculations
» Review the software and try to use example that have come from the field not
just office examples.
Questions?
2012 NESC UPDATE

Presented by Patrick O’Connor

2012 NESC Quick Summary
» Mostly clarification of confusing rules
» No significant impacts to LD-Pro
» New clearance and loading zone (warm islands)
» Small changes to clearances
» Update to tables for warm island loadings
» Combining of construction grade tables
» Elimination of old loading safety factors
 Section 23 – Clearances
» Now four general degrees of loading. Same three that
match up with Loading Zones and a new Zone 4
» Zone 4 applies to latitudes below 25 degrees (Vacation
Zone?)
» No impact
Section 23 – Clearances
Section 23 – Clearances
 Section 23 – Clearances
» Table 232-2 changed to add more detail (FYI)
• “Other areas traversed by vehicles such as cultivated, grazing,
forest, and orchard lands, industrial areas, commercial areas,
etc…”
• New footnote for this item states “When designing a line to
accommodate oversized vehicles, these clearance values shall
be increased by the difference between the known height of
the oversized vehicle and 14 ft.”
• For example, for 750V to 22kV 18 ft minimum clearance
required. If there is a 20 ft truck to accommodate then the
minimum clearance would be 20 - 14 + 18 = 24 ft.
 Section 24 – Grades of Construction
» Table 242-1 and 242-2 combined into one table. New
table defines grades of construction for conductors and
cables rather than having them be individually defined.
 Section 25 – Loadings for Grades B and C

» Now Four general degrees of district loading

• Heavy
• Medium
• Light
• Warm island
» Clarifications on Extreme Wind Loading
» Updated table 250-1 to define warm island loading
» Updated table 251-1 to define temperature and
constants for warm island loadings
 Section 25 – Loadings for Grades B and C
» Updated table 253-1 clarifying load factors for Extreme
Wind load condition (0.87 applies only to wind loads)
» Removal of 253-2 alternate method for load factors
 Section 26 – Strength Requirements
» Rule 261 Note: “When determining required strength for
axial loads, buckling needs to be considered”
» Rule 261-H-1 (Tensions) an addition to rule states “If
Rules 250C and 250D are applicable, the supply
conductor and overhead shield wire tensions for these
loading cases shall not be stressed beyond 80% of their
rated breaking strength under the loads of Rules 250C
and 250D in Rule 251 multiplied by a factor of 1.0.”
» Removal of Table 261-1B that corresponds to Table 253-
2 that was also removed
 Section 27 – Line Insulation
» Table 277-1 updated to add clarity to the allowed
percentages of strength ratings for insulators
Questions?