Underground Residential Distribution (URD)

PROJECT SCOPE

A customer applied to a local utility for new gas and electric service for a large subdivision being built.  The utility hired Wagner Technical to design this project in a short period of time.

PRELIMINARY PLANNING

The first step Wagner Technical took was to meet with the developer/builder of the proposed subdivision to understand the layout. The following items were discussed:

  • The developer provided Wagner Technical with AutoCAD drawings of the proposed site plan. 
  • Load estimates for both gas and electric were provided by the developer.
  • Primary wire and gas main locations were determined
  • Padmount transformer locations were determined.   
  • Secondary wire, splice box, and electric meter locations were determined.
  • Gas service and gas meter locations were agreed upon.

LAYOUT / PLANNING

With the information gathered at the preliminary meeting Wagner Technical proceeded to design the project. This included the following steps:

  • Adding a layer to the AutoCAD drawings for electrical wire, padmount transformers, secondary splice boxes, and meters.
  • Adding a layer for gas main locations, gas services, and gas meters.
  • Sizing the transformers according to the load calculations and making recommendations for appropriate primary and secondary wire sizes.
  • Calculating the gas main size needed, as well as the sizes for the gas services.
  • Determining road crossing locations, conduit size requirements, trench specifications, digging information, and total trench footage. 
  • Obtaining easements from the appropriate property owners, and applying for the specific permits that were needed (County, State etc.).
  • Collaborating with other utilities in the area, such as phone and cable, to ensure that all companies were in agreement with the project layout.
  • Identification of changes and problems with the site plan and re-design of the project as needed
  • Entry of equipment and materials into Wagner Technical’s proprietary work management system
  • Upload of data into the utility company’s work order system.

DELIVERABLES

Wagner Technical supplied a cost estimate for the job, as well as a Work Order Package. This package included a set of AutoCAD Prints, Bill of Materials, Cost Estimate, Material Requirements, Completed Easements, and Permit Information.  The job was then released to the utility client to be completed in the field.