Specifications and Installation Guide

1 Specifications and Installation Guide for Underground Service to Residential Developments June 2010 Western Massachusetts Electric TABLE OF CONTENTS I. II. General a. , 5 b. Code c. Environmental d. Customer III. Division Responsibility a. The b. WMECO IV. Construction V. Construction Requirements a. Layout and b. , 7 c. VI. VII. VIII. Single-Phase mounted Transformer IX. Secondary Vault (Hand hole)..9, 10 X. Riser XI. XII. Street XIII. Other Reviewed and Updated June 2010 2 Required Lead Times The following lead times should be adhered to in order to facilitate timely completion of your proposed project Design lead time: 8 weeks After the Company receives all required materials (town approved plot plan, loads, easement information, street light layout, etc.)

2 Inspection: 3 working days This is the time required to schedule a company inspector to check the construction. In no case shall any trench, conduit, silos vaults or other parts of the conduit distribution system be backfilled prior to the Company inspector s approval. Installation of WMECO equipment will be scheduled when all requirements have been met. Note: Any changes during engineering or construction, will affect the agreed upon Installation schedule and the revised project completion date must be communicated in a timely manner. 3 Requirements and Division of Responsibilities between the Customer and Western Massachusetts Electric Company For Underground Residential Distribution Systems I.

3 Scope a. This document has been prepared as a Guide in the Installation of Underground Residential Distribution conduit systems within residential developments. b. The terms of the Western Massachusetts Electric Company s New Business Policy NB-21M (Electrical Distribution to New Residential Developments) apply and are incorporated in this document. c. The Company reserves the right to modify or amend this document and its Specifications as it deems necessary. II. General Requirements a. Plans and documents must be submitted along with name, address and phone number for: Developer Surveyor (creating easement maps) Attorney (recording easement) The customer will provide, in advance and at no cost to the Company, the following: Town approved site plan.

4 The company cannot begin design work prior to receipt of this plan. A minimum of two copies of the approved planning and Zoning development map showing property lines only, total number of house lots proposed, their locations and footprint, lot numbers and associated 911 address numbers. One set of detailed development plans showing proposed location and footprint of houses, driveways, septic systems, water lines, gas lines, sewers, etc. A copy of all permits and approvals that have been obtained for constructing the development. Easements (in accordance of appendix a) for all facilities required to serve the residential development.

5 A copy of a street light proposal for the development, approved by the municipality, or written notice from the municipality that street lighting will not be required; if Installation is requested after construction is complete, additional costs, including the Company s tax liabilities, may be borne by the municipality and /or Customer if the tariff does not collect all costs of construction. 4 A schedule of Customer s best estimate for the timeframe of construction of homes in the development. Such other reasonable information that may be deemed necessary for our design of the project.

6 B. Code Compliance All construction must be in accordance with the Company s Construction Standards, WMECO Information and Requirements for Electric Supply Below 600 Volts booklet as published by the Company, the Company s New Business Policy NB-21M, and shall comply with all applicable codes and requirements. c. Environmental Permits The Customer will obtain any required environmental permits prior to the start of construction. In addition the customer will certify to the Company, that work areas in which the Company is to perform Installation or maintenance , are free of preexisting contamination by hazardous wastes or materials as defined in the Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 21E, and will indemnify the Company for any claims, costs, expenses, suits, demands, citations, fines or damages of any kind arising form the presence of any such contamination.

7 D. Customer Payment Materials will not be ordered and the WMECO portion of the construction project shall not begin until after the Customer makes all required payments. III. Division of Responsibility a. The Customer, at no cost to the Company, shall: Prior to the start of the Company s construction, provide all applicable documents required by the Company including easements. Install conduit for Company-owned street lights. Provide and install all other required foundations, transformer pads, hand holes, vaults, grounding systems, and conduit including glue, warning tape, 1/4 diameter nylon pull line and conduit plugs, etc.

8 , as indicated on the Company s plan and related construction documents. Supply Company-approved equipment only; equipment that is not approved shall not be used without the prior written consent of the Company. Install all primary, secondary and service conduits, from the proposed Company equipment locations, to each meter location or temporary dead-end as designated by the Company. Ownership and responsibility of the primary and secondary conduit system will revert to the Company upon inspection and acceptance of the conduit system by the Company. Ownership and responsibility of the service conduit reverts to the future home owner.

9 5 b. WMECO will: Develop the conduit plan to provide underground electric service. Furnish a list of materials, approved manufacturers and their equipment part numbers, to be supplied by the Customer. Designate the location of all Company owned equipment and service entrance and meter location(s). Provide Company owned street light foundations as applicable for street light installations. Provide, install, own and maintain all transformers, Company owned street lights, primary and secondary cable, and services up to meter. Make all connections to Company equipment.

10 Inspect the underground conduit system and equipment foundations installed by the Customer, prior to backfilling. IV. Construction Schedule a. The Company may, at its discretion, construct the distribution line in segments, rather than all at once. b. The roadway binder coat shall be installed prior to the start of Installation of company facilities. V. Construction Requirements a. Layout and Grading Final grades shall be established with easement boundaries, street, lot, and trench lines staked by the Customer before any trenching is started b.