Glossary
Utility distributiondesign, defined.
Plain-language definitions of the terms behind distribution design and drafting — make-ready, joint-use, pole loading, landbase and the standards that govern them.
- Anchor LeadThe anchor lead is the horizontal distance from a pole to its guy anchor, which sets the guy's effectiveness.
- As-BuiltAn as-built is a record drawing updated to show what was actually constructed in the field.
- ClearanceClearance is the minimum required separation between conductors, attachments, the ground and other objects.
- ConductorA conductor is the wire that carries electrical current along an overhead or underground distribution line.
- Coordinate SystemA coordinate system defines how positions on the earth are mapped to coordinates in a drawing or GIS.
- CrossarmA crossarm is the horizontal member on a pole that supports insulators and spaces the conductors.
- CSA C22.3CSA C22.3 is the Canadian standard for overhead and underground electrical distribution systems.
- Dead-End PoleA dead-end pole terminates conductors and carries the full one-sided tension, requiring guying or heavier structure.
- DGNDGN is the native drawing format of Bentley MicroStation, used by some utilities instead of DWG.
- DWGDWG is the native drawing file format of AutoCAD, the standard for utility CAD deliverables.
- EasementAn easement is a legal right to use part of another party's land, such as for a utility line.
- FramingFraming is the arrangement of crossarms, insulators and hardware that positions conductors on a pole.
- GeodatabaseA geodatabase is a structured database that stores GIS features, attributes and relationships.
- GIS (Geographic Information System)GIS is software for capturing, storing and analysing spatial data such as utility assets and parcels.
- GIS-to-CAD ConversionGIS-to-CAD conversion turns spatial GIS data into coordinate-true CAD drawings while preserving attributes.
- GuyingGuying uses tensioned guy wires and anchors to balance the loads on a pole and keep it stable.
- InsulatorAn insulator isolates an energised conductor from the pole and hardware while supporting it mechanically.
- Joint-UseJoint-use is when a single pole carries both power and communication attachments owned by different parties.
- LandbaseA landbase is the survey-accurate base map of parcels, roads and assets that a distribution drawing is built on.
- Load CaseA load case is a defined combination of wind, ice and tension used to check a structure against code.
- Make-ReadyMake-ready is the work needed to prepare a pole so a new attachment can be added safely.
- Mid-Span SagMid-span sag is how far a conductor droops between two poles, which affects clearance to the ground and other lines.
- NESCThe NESC is the US National Electrical Safety Code governing the design and loading of overhead and underground lines.
- Overhead DistributionOverhead distribution carries power on poles and conductors above ground.
- Plan-and-ProfilePlan-and-profile drawings show a distribution line in both overhead (plan) and side (profile) views on one sheet.
- Pole Loading AnalysisPole loading analysis checks whether a utility pole can structurally carry its attachments under code load cases.
- RedlineA redline is a markup showing corrections or field changes to be incorporated into a drawing.
- Right-of-Way (ROW)A right-of-way is the legal corridor of land a utility has the right to use for its lines.
- Safety FactorA safety factor is the margin by which a structure's capacity must exceed its expected load.
- Sheet SetA sheet set is the complete, indexed collection of drawings that make up a construction package.
- SpanA span is the length of line between two adjacent support poles.
- SPIDAcalcSPIDAcalc is a Bentley software tool used to model and analyse the structural loading of distribution poles.
- Tangent PoleA tangent pole is a straight-line pole carrying conductors with no significant change in direction.
- Title BlockA title block is the standardized border and information panel on every drawing sheet.
- TransmittalA transmittal is the formal record of what drawings and documents were delivered, and when.
- Underground DistributionUnderground distribution carries power through buried cables, ducts and vaults.
- Xref (External Reference)An xref is a drawing referenced into another so shared content stays consistent across sheets.