Electrical Feeder Upgrade Study

Project Overview

The campus has a number of main electrical feeders that supply power to the college.  The existing primary Con Edison feeders are the original campus electrical feeders, installed back in the 1970’s. They are approaching the end of their useful life. One feeder is directly buried, and not encased in a concrete duct bank. Past repairs have been needed due to collapsed duct banks. The network of underground manholes for the primary and distribution feeders experience frequent flooding and consequently feeders are submerged in water. Additionally, distribution feeders #2 and #3 have had sections replaced in the past due to failure. This has resulted in power disruptions and in some cases can pose safety hazards to the Facilities staff who need to work on or maintain these systems. In the majority of the buildings this equipment is also original and past its useful life. All feeders, duct banks, manholes, conduits, building transformers and switchgear should be evaluated for structural integrity, safety, code compliance and either upgrade and/or replaced.

A study was commissioned to review the existing conditions of the system. The underground network of feeders, duct banks, and manholes were evaluated for replacement due to age, structural integrity, and code compliance. The study documented what is currently in the field, outlined what is not code compliant, and made recommendations on how to correct discovered issues and/or what needs to be either upgraded or replaced. The study also provided corrective measures budgets and establish a prioritization list for the needed upgrades or replacements.

This has become the basis for a new rehabilitation project.

Agency:  State University Construction Fund

Design:  RMF Engineering

Budget:  $95,529