2025 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION AND MATERIALS CATEGORY 800 TRAFFIC SECTION 820 — GENERAL ELECTRICAL WORK AND TESTING
820.01 Description
Test all electrical items referred to in Category 800.
820.02 Materials
All materials and equipment installed as part of the permanent installation shall be new, UL listed or labeled, and meet NEC, NESC, NEMA, IES, and local codes applicable to the area of installation.
820.03 Construction
820.03.01 General. All installations shall meet NEC, NESC, local utility company requirements,
and State and local laws and ordinances governing the work. All electrical work shall be under the direct supervision of a master electrician licensed in the State of Maryland or in the county where the work is performed. All work done under Section 804, Section 805, Section 806, Section 807, Section 810 (except loop wire), Section 811, Section 814, Section 816, Section 817, and Section 820 shall be performed by a journeyman electrician. Obtain and pay for all permits, licenses, and inspection fees.
820.03.02 Testing. Supply all personnel and equipment required to perform the following tests.
Furnish four certified copies of the complete test reports to the Engineer. At least 30 days prior to the commencement of each test, submit the types, styles, or catalog numbers of all required testing equipment. Include a written certification stating when the testing equipment was last calibrated by an Administration approved testing agency. The calibration date shall be within 180 days of the date when the tests are to be performed. Perform all tests in the presence of the Engineer. Immediately repair or replace any defects found in the completed installation.
a.Ground Resistance Testing. Use a megger ground tester, using the null balance fall of potential method. Corrected readings greater than 25 ohms will not be accepted.
b.Circuit Testing. Determine the insulation resistance on all cables of every circuit except those installed in lighting structures. Cable insulation resistance shall be at least 10 megohms at 500 volts D.C., except loop detector wire and loop detector lead in shall be at least 100 megohms at 500 volts D.C. Demonstrate to the Engineer that all conductors are continuous, free from short circuits and unspecified grounds, and that all circuits are properly connected.
c.Performance Testing. Conduct a performance test using the design power source. Operate the electrical system, including automatic control equipment, for 30 consecutive days. If any component fails, replace it immediately and continue the test. Record each fault, the method and date of correction of each, and the beginning and end of the 30-day test period. If more than 5 percent of any component fails during the test, replace the component and restart the 30-day test cycle for the entire system.
d.Illumination Testing. Conduct an illumination test, conforming to procedures approved by the Administration, to determine the illumination characteristics of the roadway lighting installation.
820.03.03 Traffic Signal Testing. Conduct testing without causing a hazard to the traveling
public. Maintain all new materials until satisfactorily tested and their operation is accepted by the Engineer. Signal heads and signs that are in place, but not in use, shall be entirely covered with opaque burlap. After completion, testing, and acceptance, place new traffic signals on flashing operation for a 72 hour period prior to placing the signals on full color operation. Existing full color and flashing signals shall not flash but shall be kept in operation until the new signal is completed, satisfactorily tested, and approved. Remove STOP signs at new full color signals at the end of the 72 hour flashing period. Provide a log of the date and time of removal to the Engineer. Upon acceptance and placement of the new traffic control device into operation, remove unnecessary signal heads, signs, spans, and mast arms. New traffic signals, exclusive of signal system interconnect installation, may be placed into operation when testing is completed and upon acceptance by the Engineer. Upon completion of the signal system interconnect installation, the signal system interconnect shall also be satisfactorily tested and approved by the Engineer.
820.04 Measurement and Payment
General electrical work and testing and the as-built drawings will not be measured but the cost will be incidental to the other pertinent items specified in the Contract Documents. 2025 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION AND MATERIALS 821 — BREAKAWAY BASE SUPPORT SYSTEMS CATEGORY 800 TRAFFIC SECTION 821 — BREAKAWAY BASE SUPPORT SYSTEMS
821.01 Description
Furnish and install breakaway base support systems or install Administration furnished breakaway base support systems if applicable.
821.02 Materials
Breakaway base support systems shall conform to the breakaway requirements specified in AASHTO Specification for Structural Supports for Highway Signs, Luminaires, and Traffic Signals. Breakaway Base Support Systems Refer to Contract Documents
821.03 Construction
Install breakaway base support systems for signals, lighting, and signing, including post hinge assembly units for sign structures, as specified in the Contract Documents and in conformance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. Grade the ground adjacent to the breakaway base as specified in the Contract Documents.
821.04 Measurement and Payment
The payment will be full compensation for all excavation, backfill, grading, and for all material, labor, equipment, tools, and incidentals necessary to complete the work. Breakaway Base Support Systems will be measured and paid for at the Contract unit price per each for breakaway support systems furnished and installed as specified in the Contract Documents. Pick up, delivery, and installation of Administration supplied breakaway base support systems will be measured and paid for at the Contract unit price per each for the pertinent Install Breakaway Base item. 2025 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION AND MATERIALS
Source: Maryland Standard Specifications for Construction and Materials, 2025 Edition. Pages 907–908 of 1,113.