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Trenching For Underground Cables PDF
Trenching For Underground Cables PDF
ETSA
Utilities
Copyright 2004
1.0
TS - 085
DEFINITIONS
The term "ETSA Utilities" means :ETSA Utilities, ABN 13 332 330 749, a partnership of:
CKI Utilities Development Limited, ABN 65 090 718 880.
HEI Utilities Development Limited, ABN 82 090 718 951.
CKI Utilities Holdings Limited, ABN 54 091 142 380.
HEI Utilities Holdings Limited, ABN 50 091 142 362.
CKI/HEI Utilities Distribution Limited, ABN 19 091 143 038.
each incorporated in The Bahamas
1 Anzac Highway, Keswick, South Australia, 5035.
2.0
BACKGROUND
The responsibility for the installation of a trench for the installation of ETSA Utilities
infrastructure can be:
The developer for land developments or a customer for network extensions and
alterations to the ETSA electrical network.
Council for Power Line Environment Committee (PLEC) projects.
ETSA for capital works and, under specific arrangements, some customer works.
ETSA Utilities may agree to provide a quotation for the installation of a trench on
behalf of a customer or a developer. For access to the list of Civil Contractors utilised
by ETSA Utilities refer to section 15.0.
This Technical Standard is based on the Electricity (General) Regulations 1997. For
any situation that is not covered by this Technical Standard, the requirements of
AS/NZS 3000-2000 shall apply.
Trenching needs to be undertaken in a workman-like manner and must meet the
requirements in TS 085 and any other relevant specification. A Civil Works
Compliance form is required prior to any Network connection. Refer to section 14.0
for further information.
Section 5.0 of the ETSA Utilities Terms and Conditions for External Contractor
Construction (refer to sect 15.0 for access) details the customer/developers
obligations.
The trench is a critical and integral part of the electrical installation. ETSA cables are
covered in a soft layer of polyethylene which is very easily damaged.
A contractor should not work near any live electrical cables. Dial Before You Dig
should be contacted on telephone number 1100 to verify the location of ETSA and
other infrastructure prior to the commencement of any civil works. An access permit
may be required if any electrical cables are in close proximity. A contractor can
contact the Network Access Officer on 84044119 for further information.
Issued: April 05
TS -085
Page:1 of 23
TS - 085
A contractor should not work in the area where there is electrical infrastructure, even
if the asset is de-energised without a high degree of due care as the cables can be
easily damaged.
To reduce the severity of damage to the outer sheath, all contractors who have to
work in the area of the electrical infrastructure MUST utilise a safe edge (blunt
nosed) shovel.
This style shovel minimises cable damage if a contractor inadvertently comes in
contact with a cable. Any damage to ETSA infrastructure will be at the cost of the
responsible party. If any party is aware of any damage to the electrical infrastructure,
ETSA or the electrical contractor undertaking an installation should be notified at the
earliest opportunity. Early notice may reduce future repair costs.
The trench containing the electrical works is a component of the asset inspection
process and it is the responsibility of the developer/customer to ensure that the trench
meets the specification. An ETSA Asset Compliance Officer may inspect the trench
and any requirement for remedial work to a trench to ensure it satisfies this Technical
Standard and any associated specification will be at the developer/customers cost.
If there are any queries on this Technical Standard (TS 085) the Project Officer
responsible for your project should be contacted.
3.0
RETAINING WALLS
A transformer can weigh from 2.0 tonnes for a 150 kVA transformer up to 6.2 tonnes
for a 2000 kVA transformer. There may be a requirement to establish a retaining wall
to ensure the transformer has a stable footing. The involvement of a Certified
Engineer may be required to verify the adequacy of any retaining wall installation.
Council approval may also be required. ETSA Utilities reserves the right to request
engineering calculations for any retaining wall.
A retaining wall for a Padmounted Transformer or a Switching Cubicle will normally
be installed in any location where there is a change in the natural (unchanged) ground
level of 300 mm or more within two metres of the standard easement boundary for the
electrical equipment.
Any retaining wall above 1.0 metre in height will require engineering confirmation of
the design and Council approval.
A Retaining wall must be completed prior to the installation of a padmounted
transformer and a switching cubicle.
The retaining wall should ideally be positioned at the extremity of the ETSA Utilities
easement and should not encroach into the area occupied by the transformer or
switching cubicle. The easement shall be of such a size that the retaining wall is
constructed entirely within the easement (see Figure 1). Where the wall is placed
beyond the standard easement, the easement must be extended to include the area
occupied by the retaining wall.
In situations where a retaining wall is required for the retainment of fill material, the
easement boundary is to be extended by 1.0 metre to allow the retaining wall to be
constructed 1.0 metre inside the easement boundary.
Issued: April 05
TS -085
Page:2 of 23
TS - 085
The retaining wall and backfill must be designed to drain the area behind the wall
completely and to continue to do so indefinitely without blockage, so that hydrostatic
pressure is not exerted on the wall at any time.
Retaining walls shall be constructed of concrete masonry materials. If interlocking
style blocks are utilised, they must be of a pinned or socket and nib type. The two top
courses shall pinned and glued with an epoxy style resin and the top course shall
consist of a glued top capping
Open style interlocking blocks may be acceptable provided the soil is retained. The
use of Geo cloth type material may also be acceptable. To ensure the material to be
utilised for a retaining wall will be acceptable to ETSA Utilities, please contact your
ETSA Utilities Project Officer prior to installation. This style of retaining wall
construction has the potential to require an easement larger than standard.
ETSA Utilities will consider a submission from a certified engineer to a variation to
the construction material utilised for a retaining wall as described in this section.
Material to be retained shall be classified in one of the 3 types listed below:
Coarse grained soil without admixture of fine soil particles. Very
permeable (clean sand or gravel)
Coarse grained soil of low permeability due to admixture of particles of
silt size.
Residual soil with stones, fine silty sand and granular materials with
conspicuous clay content.
Materials not acceptable include very soft or soft clay, organic silt or silty clays, and
medium or stiff clay.
Weep holes shall be provided in the retaining wall at the lowest points. An open drain
shall be provided to remove water from the area of the toe of the wall. A more
effective system of drainage consists of a continuous agricultural pipe located at the
base of all retaining walls and be surrounded by gravel or crushed stone with a
continuous vertical layer of granule material at least 300 mm thick covering the rear
face of the wall area.
Retaining W all
Easement to be
extended to
include the area
occupied by the
retaining wall if
required.
RETAINING WALL
Issued: April 05
TRANSFORMER
OR
SW ITCHING CUBICLE
Figure 1
TS -085
Boundary of Public
Area if appropriate.
Operating area
Refer to TS - 102
Page:3 of 23
Note
Retaining wall to be
built up to the height
of the base
ETSA
Transformer/
switching cubicle
Granulated material
behind all retaining
wall sections
Ground level
Suitable retaining
fill
Continuous agricultural
pipe the length all retaining
wall sections plus external
weep holes on the lowest
section of the retaining
ll
RETAINING WALL - FILL
ETSA
Transformer/
switching cubicle
Weep hole
300mm
minm
Retaining
wall
Retaining W all
W ith 100mm lip
above ground
level
W eep hole
RETAINING WALL - CUT
Ground level
Figure 2
Ground
level
TS - 085
Figure 3
Ground level
Continuous agricultural
pipe the length all retaining
wall sections plus external
weep holes on the lowest
section of the retaining
ll
Preferred
Easement
300mm
Dispensation for the installation of a retaining wall can be granted by the relevant regional
Network Manager when the following can be verified;
4.0
The short and long term stability of the transformer will not be compromised.
The easement site will not be impacted by erosion run off, i.e. it can be
demonstrated that the site adjacent to the easement is well consolidated and
/or there is other means of retainment or removal of any run off material.
TRENCHING
4.1
General
When conduits or cables are to be installed, the trench shall be as straight as possible
with a firm and smooth base.
The installation of multiple conduits requires a minimum separation of 25mm in all
directions between ETSA conduits and ETSA cables to ensure the bedding sand fully
encompasses the conduit at the time of back filling. This will reduce future
compaction issues.
Issued: April 05
TS -085
Page:4 of 23
TS - 085
There shall be a minimum separation of 50mm between direct laid ETSA cable
circuits. The greater the cable circuit separation, the greater the current carrying
capacity of the electrical cable. If the trench width is such that the minimum
separation can be increased and the 50mm clearance to the trench wall is met, then the
separation should be increased. From time to time there may be a requirement for a
specific separation that is greater then the minimum.
Separation from a trench wall to any ETSA infrastructure will normally be a minimum
of 50mm. This is to reduce any damage to electrical infrastructure from sharp edges,
stones, etc. Under some circumstances ETSA may approve a lesser dimension if it can
be verified the trench edge is such that it will not damage the installed cables or if the
installed conduit is medium or heavy duty.
Conduit
25mm
50mm
25mm
Bedding Sand
Bottom of trench
Dimensions for ETSA infrastructure in this standard are the minimum except where
shown.
The maximum depth of any length of trench or conduit should not be greater then 1.5
metres unless ETSA has approved a section of trench/ conduit installation at a greater
a depth. Any depth beyond this will be labelled an excavation and may require
shoring to be installed. Refer to the Occupational Health, Safety & Welfare
Regulations 1995.
The Trench shall be located, when practicable, in accordance the publication A Code
for the Placement of Infrastructure Services in New and Existing Streets (Services in
Streets Code) prepared by the Public Utilities Advisory Committee (PUACC) and
available from the Local Government Association.
All variations to the Construction drawing must be noted by the installation contractor
and included on the As Constructed ETSA drawing.
4.2
The minimum cover under a carriageway shall be 750mm. A Transport SA road has
specific requirements and these are detailed in section 4.3
All cables under carriageways shall be installed in conduit. Any variation to this must
be under the direction of ETSA. Spare conduit installation under a carriageway is to
be as per section 5.2. and 5.4 of this standard.
For a primary cable network that is buried direct in the primary trench in a road
reserve such as a single customer network extension and a common service trench for
Issued: April 05
TS -085
Authorised: J Ali 11/04/05
Page:5 of 23
TS - 085
Transport SA have very specific requirements for any work being undertaken on a
Transport SA (TSA) controlled road. The requirements include both excavation and
traffic management and apply to overhead and underground works.
The Transport SA specification for the Excavation and Reinstatement of Road
Pavement is available from TSA on (tel 82268222). ETSA Utilities recommends that
any contractor involved with the installation of either underground or overhead
electrical works on a TSA road obtain the latest TSA Standard Specification and be
fully conversant with all of the requirements.
Roadside Significant Sites of an environmental or cultural significance must be
considered by both the designer and the contractor. In country regions TSA have
highlighted most TSA controlled roadside sites with a distinctive but discreet marker.
Information and a list of Roadside Significant sites is available from the Land
Development Account Manager at Keswick on 84045439.
Some of the relevant sections of the specification dated February 2003 are detailed
below.
4.3.1.
Open trenching
Most trenching involves work on medium or heavily trafficked roads with an
asphalt surface. There is a requirement that all services must be at a
minimum depth of 1 metre cover. Any trenching involving an ETSA Utilities
installation and other authorities may require a wider trench to ensure that
appropriate separations are achieve without shoring requirements.
Reinstatement needs to be as per the TSA standard specification. Excavated
material can not normally be reused.
Issued: April 05
TS -085
Page:6 of 23
TS - 085
Trenchless method
Multiple conduits can be passed through a single bore or tunnel. There is a
requirement though for multiple bores to have a minimum spacing of 10D
between individual bores.
where D = the diameter of the largest conduit.
The minimum depth of a trenchless bore is 1.5 metres.
Ground level
Bore 1
100mm conduit
Minimum
1.5 metres
10 X 125mm =
1.25m minimum
Bore 2
125mm conduit
4.3.3.
TSA Notification
The designer
The electrical designer should submit any design to TSA for comment where
any ETSA infrastructure, ie, poles, cable or conduit, will be running parallel
to the kerb for some distance. This is to ensure any installation takes into
account any future road widening.
The Constructor
An electrical or civil contractor will need to submit a Notification of Works
Impacting SA Roads form NICC-251 (refer to sect 15.0 for access) 5
working days prior to the commencement of works. Any civil works that will
be undertaken on a TSA road over a period greater then one day requires 4
weeks notice.
The notice is required for the following:
Any work that requires traffic management
This includes work on overhead mains
An open trench and trenchless boring
Any cable pulling through installed conduits.
4.3.4
Issued: April 05
TS -085
Page:7 of 23
TS - 085
Emergency Work
TSA requires verbal notification to the appropriate TSA representative at the
earliest opportunity. This must be followed with the submission of the
Notification of Works Impacting SA Roads form within 24 hours of the
emergency.
Trans Adelaide
Transport SA
Confirmation that any conduit to be installed satisfies the design load for the railway
loading may be required. Confirmation from the railway authority that the electrical
design has approval will be required prior to ETSA Utilities issuing a Specification
Compliance.
Issued: April 05
TS -085
Page:8 of 23
TS - 085
An electrical conduit should be a minimum of 2metres deep under any rail line and for
a 3metre distance beyond the outer rails. Conduits in other locations in a railway
property must have 1 metre minimum cover. A railway authority may approve a
lesser depth, but the depth must not be less then the ETSA Utilities standard.
4.5
Comms
plant pipe
Comms
plant pits
Gas pipes
ETSA LV
power
ETSA HV
power
Comms
plant pipe
150
Comms
plant pits
150
Gas pipes
200
ETSA LV
power
100
ETSA HV
power
300
150
1000
200
100
100
200
100
200
100
X
200
200
X
200
X
300
100
200
Note: These clearances are applicable for the full circumference of the service (360)
These are minimum separations. For any other authority a minimum separation of
150mm is required. Greater separation may be requested in the ETSA specification
from time to time.
To achieve these clearances it may be necessary to increase the cover on ETSA cables
and/or conduit or increase the trench width.
4.6
The depth of any conduit installation in the carriageway should match that of any
conduit installation on the road verge (footpath). If this is not achievable the cover at
the end of a conduit at a road crossing should be at the same level as the conduit in the
verge. Conduit bends may need to be installed to achieve this.
Straight lengths of the standard 80 and 100mm very light duty / class 4.5 conduit can
be subjected to a minor degree of bending (approximately 10 - 15 degrees over the
length of the conduit) Any deviation greater then 15 degrees will require the
installation of appropriate bends.
Conduit is not to be installed with a kink in its length under any circumstances. Any
section that is damaged will need to be repaired prior to ETSA accepting the asset.
Any major variation to the depth of a conduit will have an impact on the ease the
electrical installer will have installing a cable in a conduit. A gradient rise or fall
should be limited to 100mm per metre for the primary run of ETSA cables and
Issued: April 05
TS -085
Page:9 of 23
TS - 085
INCORRECT
G.L.
X Sharp bends
PREFERRED
`Y
ETSA
conduit
X Coupling
location is not
appropriate if there is
any tension. This
creates a lip which
can damage cables
Preferred
gradient rise/fall
of conduit
100mm per
1metre
G.L.
Alternative
Conduit
route
150mm
minimum
under service.
The example shows an in-appropriate conduit coupling with tension applies to both a
straight length of conduit and a bend.
It is important that the developer and electrical contractor establish appropriate ground
levels at the time of the installation of the electrical works to ensure that there is no
requirement to alter ground levels by a third party after installation. Under the
Electricity Corporations Act 1999 the SA Independent Regulator can impose a fine for
any breach.
Part 6 of this Act states the following:
38. (1) A person must not, without the written authority of the electricity
infrastructure operator
cut away, excavate or remove, or cause to be cut away excavated or removed, earth or
material supporting electricity infrastructure so as to endanger the stability of the
infrastructure.
4.7 Common Service Trench
A Common Service Trench is normally installed as part of a greenfield housing
project. The trench is the responsibility of the Developer and contains electrical and
other infrastructure providers.
Issued: April 05
TS -085
Page:10 of 23
TS - 085
A trench will normally be 600 mm wide but could be up to 1200 mm wide depending
on soil type and footpath location. With consultation with the electrical contractor, a
width of 450 mm may be acceptable. The design drawings should specify any nontypical width.
Reference should be made to the Services in Streets Code for any trench location in
a road reserve.
The depth of the trench shall be such as to achieve a minimum cover of 750 mm above
conduits and 1000 mm above all direct buried cables to finished ground level. A
typical cross section of trench occupied by the underground mains, Telstra and Gas is
shown below
COMMON SERVICE TRENCH
main Side
FOOTPATH
Property
line
KERB
450mm
600mm
Top of
bedding sand
TELSTRA
GAS
750 mm
1000 mm
LV
HV
P/L
50mm
Spare conduit
Cables buried direct
(Refer to Services
in Streets Code)
1600mm
50mm
Typical
width
600 mm
Notes
BEDDING
SAND
450mm
Notes
Refer section
4.1
600mm
TELSTRA
GAS
BEDDING SAND
50mm
SPARE CONDUIT
Note
Cover slabs or warning tape is
to be placed 75 mm above
ETSA plant if ETSA is the
only occupant of the road
crossing
LV
HV
P/L
50mm
750 mm
minm at the
finished
road service
level at the
kerb invert
For a TSA
road refer to
sect 4.3
600 mm
Typical width
TS -085
Page:11 of 23
TS - 085
should be installed for any future cable installations. This method of installation
minimises disruption to footpath and vehicular traffic and business premises.
Property line
Footpath
600mm
Kerb
450 mm
Warning
tape
50mm
750mm
200mm
maxm
Bedding sand
Notes
Refer to
section4.1
50mm
LV HV P/L
Footpath
Property line
Kerb
W arning tape
750 mm
200mm
maxm
50mm
Additional conduit
Refer to 5.2.
Bedding sand
LV HV P/L
50mm
Notes
Refer
section 4.1
Issued: April 05
TS -085
Page:12 of 23
TS - 085
Extended P5 pit
(1 Standard body plus one
shortened body or collar)
at preferred 985mm invert
5.0
Conduit to finish
25mm - 50mm inside pit
CONDUIT REQUIREMENTS
5.1
General
Road crossings
Spare conduits are required to be included in the design and installed for the
following;
5.2.1
Issued: April 05
TS -085
Page:13 of 23
TS - 085
5.2.3.
Road crossings
There is a requirement for spare conduits as well as the conduits that are to be
utilised at the time of the cable installation at road crossings. Refer to section
4.2 of this standard for details.
5.3
Where spare conduits are required (refer to section 5.0), the extent of the installation
should satisfy the following table:
Situation
Common trench T intersections
Transformer vaults - general
Transformer vault for a future stage
Trench direction changes greater than 90 deg
Trench direction changes less than 90 deg
Road crossing - primary cable run
Road crossing tee off/non continuous
Issued: April 05
TS -085
Requirement
no bend requirement
no bend requirement
bends required
no bend requirement
Bends required
Continuous
nil
Page:14 of 23
TS - 085
The requirement for bends will need to be assessed at the time of installation as well
as at the time of trench design layout.
5.4
Conduit Sizes
While the chart specifies minimum conduit sizes, a larger conduit may be installed on
the proviso that the conduit can be made continuous with any existing or future
continuous conduit installation.
A conduit of a higher classification can be utilised then those specified.
The minimum size of a conduit for a specific cable size are as follows:
Cable Circuit
LV Main & Service
bundled
HV 35mm2
HV 95mm2
HV
300mm2
and
630mm2
Public Lighting
CBD installation
Conduit Size
1 x 80mm VLD
Conduit Bend
1800 radius, Light duty
1 x 80mm VLD
1 x 100mm VLD
3 x 80mm VLD
1 x 32mm HD
No x 125mm VLD
The ETSA standard class 4.5 is equivalent to very light duty (VLD)
The ETSA standard class 6.0 is equivalent to light duty (LD)
Care must be taken in joining conduits. Different grades have different internal
diameters and the resultant raised internal edge has the potential to damage the outer
layer of cable during cable pulling.
5.5
Conduits and couplings shall be uPVC material and meet the requirements of AS/NZS
2053 Parts 1 and 2 for Rigid Plain designation. The conduit will be marked with the
word electrical, the conduit size and class, eg ELECTRICAL DUCTING 100 mm
4.5 class. No other form of rigid conduit is permitted without the approval of the
Network Standards Manager .
Conduits shall also meet the requirements of AS/NZS 1477 - 1996 for the Test for
Impact at 20 degrees C.
5.6
Colour of Conduit
TS -085
Page:15 of 23
TS - 085
c) be light orange in colour. Black conduit with orange stripes may be utilised
with the approval of the project officer if orange conduit is not available.
d) be of size and characteristics to allow the cable to achieve its current rating.
e) Be anchored at conduit entry/exit appropriately to maintain its horizontal
profile. The polyethelyne material has a memory and will attempt to coil
up. This will introduce stress at conduit transition locations and at the
start/end of a directional boring conduit installation.
Edge of
entry/exit
hole
Directional
boring conduit
End of polyethylene
pipe to be concrete
encased or
sandbagged
Conduit designs shall be prepared to ensure that pulling tensions do not exceed the
maximum permissible as required by the Construction Standard TS 087.
Installation details and techniques for cable pulling through conduits are in E1906.
Reference to an indication of cable pulling tensions is listed in E1910 sheet 4.2
5.9
Conduit Installation
Conduits shall be laid on an evenly bedded 50mm thick layer of well-graded sand
substantially free from lumps and particles having a dimension in excess of 6mm.
After the laying of each length, bedding material shall be placed and tamped to hold
the conduit securely in position and provide a cover of 50mm when compacted.
A minimum of one hour should be allowed between any conduit gluing and the
installation a draw rope. The gluing of conduits should be carried out to the
manufacturers recommendations.
Draw rope with a 6mm minimum diameter and made from a material approved by
ETSA Utilities may be required for some projects.
The exposed ends of all conduits shall be cleanly and squarely cut and fitted with PVC
caps to prevent the entry of water, dirt or other foreign matter.
Issued: April 05
TS -085
Authorised: J Ali 11/04/05 Page:16 of 23
TS - 085
For spare conduits in a group, the position of the ends shall not vary by more than
300mm. Where conduits are installed in layers, the ends shall be positioned
horizontally.
Conduits between new and existing subdivisions must be joined together.
Cable markers are required wherever ETSA conduits/ cables pass through private
property. Refer to E1979 for installation details.
5.10 Sealing of Conduits
For a cable Installation
Where cables have been installed in conduits, a conduit end shall be adequately sealed
to prevent the entrance of dirt, stones, white ants and moisture into the conduit by the
use of polyethylene expanded foam applied in accordance with the manufacturer's
instructions.
The expanding foam should not encroach into the conduit any further then 75mm.
This will ensure that the foam/cable can be easily removed if the need arises.
Cable
Scrunched plastic or
newspaper
Expanding foam
Approx 75mm
Stock Item No
NC 6462
NC 6470
NC 6501
Issued: April 05
TS -085
Page:17 of 23
TS - 085
Diagram C
The general trench configuration shall be in accordance with the following diagrams.
WARNING
TAPE
POLYMERIC
COVER SLAB
1000mm
75mm
maxm
200 mm
maxm
50mm
BEDDING
SAND
PL LV Spare HV
Diagram A
BEDDING
SAND
50mm
50mm
P/L LV Spare HV
Diagram C
750 mm
minm
75mm
maxm
Spare conduits
BEDDING
SAND
Diagram B
50mm
1000 mm
POLYMERIC
COVER SLAB
5mm thick
7.0
750 mm
minm.
50mm
Notes
P/L LV
HV
50mm
(Option)
TS -085
Page:18 of 23
BEDDING
SAND
1000 mm
Spare conduit
Cables buried direct
Public lighting can be
in conduit or buried
direct
TS - 085
750mm
50mm
50mm
Notes
Refer section 4.1
Any ETSA cable system that needs to be located under a road needs to satisfy either the
requirements detailed in section 4.5. for common service trenches or section 4.3 if it is a
Transport SA road
In situations where public lighting circuits within conduits are to be located in a trench
alone, (eg no adjacent power circuits or spare conduits), the minimum cover shall be
600mm with warning tape installed at 400 mm.
Any public lighting network that is a Customer Lantern Energy Rate (CLER) or is fed
from a metered supply point requires a minimum separation of 150mm from any
ETSA infrastructure.
8.0
(b)
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
Issued: April 05
TS -085
Page:19 of 23
TS - 085
Some common sand types are designated as DS4B and PM64. The specification for these
types differs from the ETSA standard. It is the contractors responsibility to ensure the
installed sand meets the ETSA specification.
TEST METHOD
TEST
PERMITTED
TEST VALUES
Percent Passing
Grading
AS1141.11
AS1289 C3.1
Sieve Sizes
mm
AS1152
4.75
2.36
1.18
0.6
0.425
0.3
0.15
0.075
Plasticity Index
100
98 - 100
94 - 100
85 - 100
55 - 100
25 - 100
5 - 40
0 - 10
Maximum
(non plastic)
The stock item for the 5mm polymeric cable cover is RN 0202 which is supplied as a
15 metre long roll, 300mm wide. To satisfy AS/NZS 3000 the strip must be placed no
more than 75mm above ETSA infrastructure and must overlap the ETSA
infrastructure by 40mm per side.
Marker tape is a requirement for PLEC projects. For any other installation, if the
conduits installed for electrical infrastructure are not a light orange in colour, marker
tape will be required to be installed not more then 200mm above the conduits. If
polymeric cable covers have been installed marker tape is not a requirement
11.0 BACKFILLING and CONSOLIDATION
The backfilling of trenches and excavations will be carried out as soon as practicable
after cable and conduit laying is completed.
Before backfilling operations of any trench excavation commence, surplus jointing
materials, any waste materials and all rubbish including timber and foreign material
will be removed from the trench.
Backfill material will not be placed in any excavation containing free water or slurry.
Issued: April 05
TS -085
Page:20 of 23
TS - 085
Backfilling material must be clean and completely free from all fibrous and vegetable
matter and other material which may attract or be attacked by termites.
Excavated material from the trench may be used as backfill above the bedding sand
provided that this material is predominantly soil. If the material does contain any
metal or rocks, then it may only be used if :
the amount of metal and rocks is less than 20% of the material (by volume)
the metal and rocks pass through a 50 mm screen.
Where conduits are laid beneath other buried services, the backfill beneath such
services is adequately compacted such that :
(a) no voids between conduit layers, and
(b) the other buried service(s) is adequately supported to prevent damage.
Consolidation of the backfilled excavations will be in accordance with the local
Council or Transport SA specifications as appropriate.
12.0
CIVIL WORKS
TS -085
Page:21 of 23
TS - 085
CONTAMINATED SOIL
Where ETSA Utilities constructs the Works, it is the Applicant's responsibility to
ensure that the soil is free from any contaminants that may be a risk to the health of
ETSA Utilities distribution workers. Written assurance may be required to
demonstrate that the soil is free from contamination and if necessary a report detailing
known contamination and steps taken to alleviate the health risks. Further testing may
be required before ETSA Utilities agrees to work on the site.
14.0
15.0
FURTHER INFORMATION
A comprehensive listing of information bulletins and forms that are of interest to a
customer and a contractor can be found on the ETSA Utilities web page
Issued: April 05
TS -085
Page:22 of 23
TS - 085
Some of the information that is relevant to this technical standard include the
following;
Issued: April 05
TS -085
Page:23 of 23
Technical Standard
TS - 085
CPO
(major projects only)
Customer (when
responsible for
trenching)
Civil Contractor
Customer to forward
form to the contracted
civil contractor
1. Fill in B:
Contract Supervisor
/ TSW8
2. Issue to customer
1. Fill in B:
Contract Supervisor
/ TSW8
2. Issue to civil
contractor
CaMS / Contract
Svisor (minor &
major project)
1. Insert name of
Contract Supervisor
/ TSW8
2. Issue to customer
1. Customer to insert
electrical contractor
details
2. Forward form to
civil contractor
1. Fill in ETSA
Contract Supervsor
/ TSW8
2. Issue to civil
contractor
Note: The Civil Works Compliance form must be completed for all projects with a trenching component as
Issued: April 05
TS -085
Authorised: J Ali
11/04/05
Appendix A