1

Underground
Service
Specifications
of the

Middle Tennessee Electric

Membership Corporation
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Revised 12/1/02

Table of contents
Description Page Drawing
Duct specifications

Duct system installation 3-7

Primary
Joint-use ditch 8 1F
Conduits in concrete 9-12 2C-6C
Conduits in gravel 13 2G

Secondary
Conduit details 14-15 1S, 2S
Secondary box installations
Overhead primary, underground service 16-17 SBP-1
Underground primary, underground service 18-19 SBP-2
20 SBP-3
Enclosures

12’ x 6’ x 7’ utility manhole 21 MH-1

8’ x 4’ x 7’ utility manhole
Construction specification 22 MH-2
Large manhole setting detail 23 PM-2L

Octagonal manhole
Construction specification 24 OMH-1 (sheet 1)
Setting detail 25 OMH-1 (sheet 2)

Primary pull box 26 PB-1

Equipment accessories
Bollard detail 27 BD-1
Cable lug for 3-phase transformer 28 LUG NO. 1
Underground fault current indicator 29 UMFCI3-6
30 UMFCI3-10
Equipment foundations

3-phase transformer pad 75-2,000 kVA 31 PAD NO. 1

3-phase transformer pad (basement) 32 PAD NO. 2
Switch pads
RTE MOST 15 33 PAD NO. 3
RTE MOST 9 34 PAD NO. 4
PMH 35 PAD NO. 5
Secondary pedestal
Construction specification 36 PAD NO. 6
Setting detail 37 SPF-1
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Description Page Drawing

Sector and pad detail 38 S-1

1-phase transformer box pad 39 BP-1

Metering

Labeling for multi-dwelling meter bases 40 8

Current transformer enclosure specification 41 CTE-1

Temporary service from sector and pad 42 TS-1

Multiple metering requirements 43-45 COM-6 (sheets 1-3)

Cable television power supply
Overhead feed 46 CATV-1
Underground feed 47 CATV-2

Risers

Riser pole (typical) 48 RP-1

Riser pole to transformer pad 49 RP-2

Riser pole to conduit encased in concrete 50 RP-3

Commercial underground secondary 51 COM-7

Appendix

A. Single family log underground residential 52

service in subdivisions

B. MTEMC underground duct system approved 53

materials

C. Request for locations of MTEMC underground 57

facilities
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Revised 1-10-06

Duct system installation specifications

SCOPE
The project consists of the installation of the complete underground duct system for both primary
and secondary voltages, including conduit, pull boxes, sectors ground sleeves, equipment pads,
riser poles, etc., necessary for the installation of MTEMC's underground primary and secondary
cables and other associated MTEMC equipment and apparatus.

1. The developer shall be responsible for furnishing all labor, materials, and equipment necessary
for:
A. Excavation, backfill, concrete and/or gravel encasement required for all ditches.
B. Duct banks and conduit installation.
C. Pad mounted equipment concrete pads.
D. Secondary junction boxes
E. Manholes
F. Transformer Box Pads
G. Sector Ground Sleeves
H. Primary pull boxes

2. MTEMC shall furnish and the developer shall be responsible for installing:
A. Grounding inserts for casting in the manholes (two per manhole). MTEMC
will furnish these inserts for the developer to supply to the manhole
manufacturer prior to the casting of the manholes.

3. In addition to the above, the developer shall be responsible for all surveying for the placement
of MTEMC's lines and equipment, and for all electrical easements required at no cost to
MTEMC.

4. MTEMC shall furnish drawings showing specific locations, quantities, sizes, encasement,
and/or other requirements. Said drawings are a part of these specifications and are equally
important to the success of the project.

5. Specific Material/Equipment Specifications:

A. Manholes:

a. Manhole excavation and backfill requirements are shown on drawing "PM-2L". Strict
adherence to these requirements is critical.
b. The developer should give MTEMC a minimum of 24-hours notice prior to setting man holes
in order for MTEMC to schedule a crew to install manhole grounding and sump wells prior to
backfill and to schedule an inspector to be present during the setting of the manholes.
c. Elevations for manholes are critical. The maximum throat allowed is 24". The minimum is 6".
See throat detail on drawing PM-2L.
d. The developer shall follow manufacturer's recommendations when setting manholes. Proper
slings and attachments are vital to the integrity of the manhole. Damaged manholes will not be
accepted.
e. See drawing "MH-1" or "MH-2" for manufacturing details on manholes.
f. Care shall be taken when placing manholes to align parallel to the street, thereby facilitating
conduit installation.
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Revised 1-10-06

B. Duct Banks:
a. Primary duct bank details are included in the drawings. See Primary Ditch Details "2C", "4C",
“5C”, "1F" or "2G" for ditch details. All No. 1 aluminum primary cable in conduit serving single
phase transformers in residential developments shall be encased in gravels per Ditch Detail
drawing "2G". All other primary cable in conduit, including primary lines to apartment buildings
served by three-phase transformers, all commercial installations (whether single-phase or three-
phase), and all feeders larger than No. 1 aluminum, shall be encased in concrete per Ditch Details
2C, 4C or 5C (whichever applies). Any exceptions to this policy must be approved by the Vice
President of Engineering. Detail 1F is used where a communications conduit is in the same ditch
with MTEMC's primary cable.
b. The secondary conduit ditch details are shown on Secondary Ditch Details "1S" and "2S".
Cover required is shown on details.
c. The duct bank must be inspected by MTEMC prior to concrete or gravel encasement and also
prior to backfill. Call the local area office operations supervisor at least 24 hours prior to needing
inspection.
d. Conduit shall be as follows: All completely underground primary conduit may be schedule 40
if encased in gravel, or either schedule 40 or type "EB" if encased in concrete. See drawings for
size conduit and encasement requirements. See Secondary Ditch Details for secondary conduit
requirements.
e. The primary duct bank should be straight and as level as practical. No sharp bends or dips will
be allowed. Conduit banks shall be supported a minimum of every seven (7) feet. Ducts should
drain into manholes.
f. Caps of the proper size and type shall be installed on all conduit not terminating in manholes,
switches, or other such equipment. Conduit shall be clean, dirt and rock free.
g. In some instances, excavation at specific apparatus must be deeper than the typical ditch detail
drawings show. In such cases, the developer should begin sloping the ditch deeper a minimum
distance of 20' away from the apparatus in question. No sharp bends will be accepted.
h. Conduit bank should enter manholes at bottom half on street side (at the four knock-outs
provided).
i. Conduit must be installed to enter manhole perpendicular to manhole. (Note that manhole may
not be parallel with the street in all cases; therefore, care must be taken to align conduit for
perpendicular entrance to manholes.) Misaligned conduit banks will not be accepted.
j. Secondary or service lateral conduit ditch details are shown on Secondary Ditch Detail "1S"or
"2S". No sharp bends will be allowed. Horizontal bending radius must be no less than 6' and
limited to one (1) per run. Conduit road crossings must be planned to avoid sharp bends for
conduit serving building sites. MTEMC inspectors will disapprove road crossings not taking this
into account.

C. Concrete Equipment Pads:

a. Concrete equipment pads (such as switch, transformer, etc.) must be inspected by MTEMC
prior to concrete pouring.
b. Concrete pads shall rest on undisturbed earth or on gravels installed on undisturbed earth
according to the details found elsewhere in the drawings.
c. Detailed drawings of required concrete pads will be furnished by MTEMC to the developer as
a part of the plans and specifications. (See "PAD NO. 3" and "PAD NO. 4" for switch pad details
and "PAD NO. 1" for transformer pad details.)

D. Riser Poles
a. At riser poles (see drawing RP-1),the developer shall furnish and install all conduit,
conduit els, and conduit mounting brackets required from the ditch up to and including
the first stick of conduit. In addition, the developer shall furnish and MTEMC shall
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install, two (2) (and in some cases three (3)) additional 10' conduit sections and necessary
mounting brackets for each riser required. In addition, prior to any digging within three (3)
feet of MTEMC's poles, MTEMC shall be contacted 24 hours in advance to arrange for an
MTEMC inspector to be present during excavation and backfill closer than three (3) feet from
poles.
b. Where only 2" or 3" risers and els are required, the developer may elect to have MTEMC
furnish and install said risers and els. In this case, the developer shall pay $125.00 to
MTEMC for each 2" riser and el required and $185.00 for each 3" riser and el required.
c. Where customer or MTEMC owned secondary cables are contained in schedule 80 PVC
conduit (non-metallic rigid), conduit supports shall be as shown on Table 1, on drawing RP-1.
E. Secondary Box Pedestals:
a. Overhead primary/underground secondary developments:
(i) When required by MTEMC engineers, one (1) secondary box pedestal shall be installed
near the base of each transformer pole and one (1) pedestal shall be installed across the street
at the nearest lot line intersection (See drawing SBP-1,-2). These two pedestals shall have
schedule 40 PVC conduits (number and size as required by MTEMC) running under the
street between them, with 90 degree, 24" radius PVC elbows turning up into the pedestals.
The developer shall install one (1) 90 degree, 24" radius PVC elbow for each lot to be served
from the appropriate pedestal. The elbows shall be connected to a 10' section of schedule 40
PVC and turned in the direction of their respective building sites. Secondary box size will be
designated by the MTEMC engineer. A list of approved boxes is found in Appendix "B".
(ii) Refer to section 5D for riser installations.
b. Completely underground developments:
(i) In developments with padmounted transformers (PMT), one (1) secondary box pedestal
shall be installed across the street from the PMT at the nearest lot line intersection (See
drawings SBP-2,-3). Schedule 40 PVC conduits (number and size as required by MTEMC
engineers) shall extend from the PMT secondary compartment area to the pedestal. In
addition, the developer shall install one (1) 90 degree, 24" radius schedule 40 PVC elbow for
each lot to be served from the PMT secondary compartment or the pedestal. These elbows
shall be turned in the direction of their respective building sites. Secondary box size will be
designated by the MTEMC engineer. A list of approved boxes is found in Appendix "B".
6. Miscellaneous Requirements:
A. Any changes to these plans and specifications must have the approval of MTEMC's Development
Engineer.
B. Inspections by MTEMC are vital to the acceptability of the duct system by MTEMC prior to
MTEMC's installation of cable and other electrical apparatus. MTEMC operations' inspectors must be
assured that the duct system is installed to MTEMC's Duct specifications before such apparatus can
be installed. It is therefore, extremely important for all installations to be inspected in a timely
manner, as outlined elsewhere in these specifications.
C. Particular attention should be given (for safety reasons) to the sloping of banks in ditches or other
excavation deeper than five feet. Detailed drawings may not show OSHA and/or other local, state
and/or federal regulations due to variations in soil types, etc.; however, the developer is responsible
for compliance with such requirements. The fact that MTEMC inspectors may fail to point out code
or regulation violations does not relieve the developer or owner from compliance with applicable
codes and regulations, and in no way places blame on MTEMC for failing to point out such viola-
tions.
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Revised 1-3-97

Current transformer enclosure specifications

SCOPE:
The developer shall be responsible for supplying a NEMA 3R enclosure that adheres to the following specifi-
cations.

MATERIAL:
The enclosure shall be constructed of aluminum. The aluminum shall be a minimum thickness of nine
hundredth (0.090) inches. All bolts, nuts, and washers shall be stainless steel, or aluminum. The backboard
shall be 3/4 inch treated, exterior, BB grade plywood.

DESIGN:
All joining edges shall have a minimum of one (1) inch overlap. The front of the enclosure shall have a
minimum of one (1) inch flange on all sides. The door panel shall be removable with a minimum of one (1)
inch flanges on the sides and bottom. The door shall be fastened with two (2) locking hasps. The plywood
backboard shall be mounted on the inside back of the unit with four stainless steel bolts, nuts, and washers
and maintain a minimum of 1/4 inch spacing between the board and cabinet. The enclosure shall be provided
with one (1) ground lug.

SIZE:
The minimum dimensional requirements for the enclosure are given in the following table.

DIMENSIONS FOR CURRENT TRANSFORMER ENCLOSURES

TABLE 1

SERVICE LENGTH WIDTH DEPTH

3 phase 32 inches 32 inches 12 inches
1 phase 24 inches 24 inches 10 inches

If these measurements can not be met, the length and width may be altered provided the volume of the
enclosure is maintained. In no way is the depth of the enclosure to be less than twelve (12) inches for three
phase and ten (10) inches for single phase.
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Revised 12/7/99

APPENDIX A of the MTEMC Underground Duct System Installation

Specifications

Single Family Lot Underground Residential Service

Specifications in Developed Subdivisions

The following specifications pertain to underground services to single family homes built in developed
subdivisions with average lot size of _ acre (32,670 sq. ft.) or less. In subdivisions with the average lot size
larger than _ acre, conduit will be required where the ground could be paved or otherwise covered so as to
restrict maintenance of direct buried cable, and/or where other physical conditions preclude the use of direct
buried cable (such as rock, etc.)

1. The electrical service ditch must run from the MTEMC designated meter location to the MTEMC desig-
nated power source. The ditch must be between 24” and 30” deep, with the bottom of the ditch level or
sloping at a consistent angle such that the conduit will be supported well with little or no vertical bending in
the ditch. The contractor or owner will be responsible for backfilling the ditch with rock-free dirt or sand.

2. The contractor shall provide and install a continuous (unbroken) 3” rigid metal or PVC (electrical
grade, schedule 40 below final grade or schedule 80 above final grade) conduit in the ditch from the MTEMC
source to the MTEMC meter base location, with no horizontal elbows in the run (not counting riser and meter
base location vertical elbows). The conduit must be permanently connected and have a minimum 200 lb.
tensile pull string installed from the MTEMC source to the meter location. A minimum of one-foot separation
from other utilities shall be maintained. No portion of elbow or conduit above finished grade will be permit-
ted to be Schedule 40 PVC; however, Schedule 80 electrical grade PVC will be permitted if well protected
form physical damage (such as by vehicles and/or other heavy equipment). A plastic bushing must be installed
on the exposed end of rigid steel conduit terminating in the meter base.

3. Under certain loading and/or density conditions, an alternate sized conduit may be used with the approval
of MTEMC District Engineering.

4. Before the ditch is backfilled and before wire is installed, the meter base must be installed complete with
owner’s service entrance conductors. The ditch and conduit must be inspected by the MTEMC inspector at
this time (prior to MTEMC pulling the service lateral conductors).

5. Where services cross streets, the ditch must be backfilled with crusher-run gravel. Where streets are paved,
contractors should take out proper permits and repave according to local authority instructions.

6. In the process of backfilling, the contractor or owner shall install marking tape supplied by MTEMC in the
ditch 12” below final grade.

7. The contractor or owner will be responsible for any damage to the conduit or cable occurring during
backfilling, and any additional cost to MTEMC will be billed to the contractor.

8. In cases that require one or more horizontal bends, are more than 300 feet from meter base location to
MTEMC source, or service entrance is larger than 200 amps, contact the MTEMC District Engineering office
for further requirements.
 53

Revised 1/13/06

APPENDIX B of the MTEMC Underground Duct System Installation

Specifications

MTEMC Underground Duct System Materials Approved List

The following material items used in the construction of underground duct systems
compatible with MTEMC's duct specifications may be purchased from local electrical
supply companies or from out-of-town suppliers as noted:

ITEM MTEMC MANUFACTURER OUT-OF-TOWN SUPPLIERS

DRAWING CATALOG NUMBER
NUMBER
Manholes MH-1 --------------- Cloud Concrete Company
MH-2 --------------- P. O. Box 1189
LaVergne, TN 37086 Phone
No.: 793-1920

Sherman Dixie Concrete Co.

P. O. Box 140199
Nashville, TN 37214

DeKalb Concrete Products

P. O. Box 1185
Toccoa, GA 30577
Attention: Tommy Whitfield
Phone No.: (706) 779-3366
Fax No.: (706) 779-3515

Old Castle Precast, Inc.

5900 East Division

Lebanon, TN 37090
Phone No.: (615) 453-6111
Fax: (615) 453-6080

John Bouchard No. John Bouchard Company

Manhole covers PM-2L 1133 1024 Harrison Street

(ELECTRIC) Nashville, TN 37203 Phone

No.: 256-0112

Neenah Foundry Company

Neenah No. R-1640-C1 Phone No. (404) 972-3221
(ELECTRIC) Attention: Joe Mann
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ITEM MTEMC MANUFACTURER OUT-OF-TOWN SUPPLIERS

DRAWING CATALOG NUMBER
NUMBER

Secondary Boxes SBP-1 CDR PA10-1324-18- TN Valley Electric Supply Co.

SBP-2 0299 1188 Antioch Pike 37211
Attention: Jim Corbitt
Phone No.: 1-800-877-8837

Strongwell/Quazite Power Supply Company, LLC

PG1324Z553 2501 North Orchard Knob
Chattanooga, TN 37406
Attention: Rob Jenkins
423-624-7330

Highline Harris Electric Supply

PHA132418SE1-32 656 Wedgewood Avenue
Nashville, TN 37203
615-255-4161

(Note: If a larger secondary box is required than that shown on the previous page,
MTEMC requires one of the following is used:)
CDR TN Valley Electric Supply Co.
PA10-2436-18-0346 1188 Antioch Pike 37211
Attention: Jim Corbitt
Phone No.: 1-800-877-8837

Strongwell/Quazite Power Supply Company, LLC

PG2436Z510MT 2501 North Orchard Knob
Chattanooga, TN 37406
Attention: Rob Jenkins
423-624-7330

Highline Harris Electric Supply

PHA243618SE1-32 656 Wedgewood Avenue
Nashville, TN 37203
615-255-4161
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MTEMC
DRAWING MANUFACTURER OUT-OF-TOWN
ITEM NUMBER CATALOG NUMBER SUPPLIERS
Schedule 40 Carlon or others meeting Harris Electric Supply
Conduit (with long the following 656 Wedgewood Avenue
couplings) specifications: UL 651 Nashville, TN 37203
NEMA TC2-1978 Attention: Wayne Hardy
Fed Spec No. WC1094A Phone: 255-4161
Or
WESCO
1400 Fort Negley Blvd
Nashville, TN 37203
Phone: 615-248-9712

Schedule 80 RP-1 Carlon or Sedco (with Harris Electric Supply

Conduit (with long long couplings) 656 Wedgewood Avenue
couplings) Nashville, TN 37203
Attention: Wayne Hardy
Phone: 255-4161
Or
WESCO
1400 Fort Negley Blvd
Nashville, TN 37203
Phone: 615-248-9712

TN Valley Electric Supply

1188 Antioch Pike 37211
Attention: Jim Corbitt
Phone No.: 1-800-877-8837

Conduit-to-Pole RP-1 Nehrwess “NWA” Series TN Valley Electric Supply

Stand-off Brackets
(Spec. No. & Size 1188 Antioch Pike 37211
Conduit) Attention: Jim Corbitt
Phone No.: 1-800-877-8837
Or
Alumaform No.: A-CSO Stuart Irby Company
Series (Spec. No. & Size P.O. Box 110628
Conduit) Nashville, TN 37222-0628
Phone: 615-833-2484
 56

ITEM MTEMC MANUFACTURER OUT-OF-TOWN

DRAWING CATALOG NUMBER SUPPLIERS
NUMBER
Primary Pull Box PB-1 CDR TN Valley Electric Supply
PA10-3048-36W-0594 1188 Antioch Pike 37211
Attention: Jim Corbitt
Phone No.: 1-800-877-8837
Strongwell/Quazite Power Supply Company, LLC
PG3048Z740MT 2501 North Orchard Knob
Chattanooga, TN 37406
Attention: Rob Jenkins
423-624-7330

Transformer Box BP-1 CDR TN Valley Electric Supply

Pad (small) BP30-384332-2632-0722 1188 Antioch Pike 37211
Attention: Jim Corbitt
Phone No.: 1-800-877-8837
Highline Harris Electric Supply
HL-48-M-MTEMC 656 Wedgewood Avenue
Nashville, TN 37203
Attention: Wayne Hardy
Phone: 255-4161
Or
TN Valley Electric Supply
1188 Antioch Pike 37211
Attention: Jim Corbitt
Phone No.: 1-800-877-8837

Transformer Box BP-1 CDR TN Valley Electric Supply

Pad (large) BP30-424832-2632-0724 1188 Antioch Pike 37211
Attention: Jim Corbitt
Phone No.: 1-800-877-8837

Ground sleeve for 1 S-1 1P-GS-MTEMC Old Castle Precast, Inc.

phase sectionalizing 5900 East Division Lebanon,
pedestal (sector TN 37090
cabinet) Contact: Mikel Broadnak
Precast concrete Phone No.: (615) 453-6111
only Fax: (615) 453-6080

Ground sleeve for 3 S-1 3P-GS-MTEMC Old Castle Precast, Inc.

phase sectionalizing 5900 East Division Lebanon,
pedestal (sector TN 37090
cabinet) Contact: Mikel Broadnak
Precast concrete Phone No.: (615) 453-6111
only Fax: (615) 453-6080
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Revised 12/11/02

APPENDIX C of the MTEMC Underground Duct System Installation

Specifications

Request for Location of MTEMC Underground Facilities

Before beginning any excavation operation, each person responsible for such excavation shall serve written or
telephonic notice of intent to excavate to Tennessee One Call (800-351-1111) at least three (3) working days
prior to the actual date of excavation, but not more than ten (10) full working days prior to such time.

Should a period of time of ten (10) working days from the actual date specified to start excavation expire
without the excavation begin completed, the person responsible for such excavation shall notify Tennessee
One Call of intent for additional excavation. Such notification must take place three (3) working days prior to
the expiration of original ten- (10) working-day period.

The written or telephone notice required shall contain the name, address, and telephone number of the person
responsible for excavation; and the starting date, anticipated duration of excavation, type of excavation to be
done, specific location of excavation, and whether or not explosives are to be sued.

The location of proposed area of excavation should be designated by marking such area with “Safety White”
color-coded stakes or other marking devices.

The appropriate location of MTEMC underground facilities does not include a designation of location as to
depth below the surface of the ground. Excavators must use reasonable care to ascertain for themselves the
exact depth of the underground facilities. If after so ascertaining, the excavator learns that the excavation is
likely to interfere with the operation of MTEMC facilities, he/she must contact MTEMC to make other
arrangements.

In the event of an emergency, MTEMC may be contacted at any time. “Emergency” means an imminent
danger to life, health, or property.

MTEMC will use “Safety Red” to make its facilities.