Although this thread appears to be more oriented towards Residential Services (which I do not have too much recent experience with, since the last one I did was the beginning of 2000!), I would like to toss in some Baloney anyways!
First things first:Try to find the "ESR Manual" for the Utility you are dealing with.
The "ESR Manual" (Electrical Service Requirements) manual describes - in detail - what the Utility Service Planners will want, along with what the Utility Inspectors will expect to see.
Most Utilities have their ESR's online in .PDF format. If not, contact them and request a Hard Copy version.
I hold ESRs for SCE, LA DWP, SDG&E, PG&E + Anaheim Public Utility ("APU"). These documents cover all Service related design data, and have contact information to verify with a Live Person!
I stongly suggest to anyone involved with anything Service Related, to obtain these documents, and back up the information with telephone calls / site meetings _PRIOR_ to any installations.
This applies to ECs, Designers, Project Mangagers, even Field personnel (Forepersons and "Upper" Journeypersons).
Next Chunk 'O Text:On the Commercial / Industrial Projects I deal with (past and present), if new Service Feeders &/or Transformers are to be installed, these items are common for Underground Installations:
*** In Anaheim:
* Drawings + Load Calcs submitted to Service Planner Engineer for approval,
* Install One (1) 4" PVC Schedule 40 (min) per "400 amps" of feeder, between the Transformer vault and the UGPS of the new Service
(example: if the Service is 1600 amps, then a minimum of Four feeder ducts to be installed),
* Install at least one "spare duct" if directed by the Service Engineer - spare duct(s) to contain pull rope,
* Install Four (4) 750 KCMIL Aluminum XHHW-2 Conductors per duct - if the Service is to be a 4 Wire Wye type; termination at UGPS by the EC, termiation at Transformer by APU,
* Install One (1) 4" PVC Schedule 40, between the Transformer Vault and the Pole - for Primary Feeders (Primary feeders provided, installed and terminated by APU) - installed per Service Planning Engineer's requests (typically per the ESR Manual),
* Transformer Vault to be Provided + Installed by the EC - according to specifications and listed types in the ESR Manual (verification by Service Planning Engineer is required),
* Concrete Encasement for Primary and Secondary Feeder Ducts, per the ESR Manual,
* Inspection of ducts + Transformer Vault prior to Concrete, then prior to backfill,
* Service Equipment to be EUSERC Compliant, and approved by Service Engineer + accepted by Utility Inspector,
* Building Department "related" items must be applied too (permits, city license, drawings / specifications / cutsheets / etc., inspections, etc.),
* Building Department Inspector "Signs Off" for the new Service Equipment,
* Utility Inspector "Signs Off" for all the new stuff,
* Meter Shop sends out KWh Meter to Utility Mechanics,
* New Meter is set on Service Section, New / Upgraded Transformer is set on Vault + Terminated, Primary Feeders installed and terminated,
* Utility performs "Smoke Test"
.
Everything is just about the same for "Other Than Anaheim" Utilities - except they (the Utility Company) provide, install and terminate all Primary + Secondary Feeders -
the EC only provides and installs the Ducts.
Footnote:
* 90° Elbows to be 60" radius sweeps, and Scedule 80 PVC,
* Ducts to be "Mandrelled" using a Mandrel provided by the Utility Inspector,
* Fees for Permits and such, are applied separately (Utility and DBS),
* "Meter Spotting" to be done by Utility Inspector / Service Planner - On-Site, unless otherwise agreed to,
* Only "Approved" Contractors may enter or penetrate a Utility Vault (one may become "Approved" for certain instances by the Utility),
* Unless $1,000.00 fines + heated nasty grams are "Fun Things" for you, _ALWAYS_ contact the Utility Company when a Meter is to be removed!!!
Just some fun facts from my side of town!
edited for pour spelieng