Effective with the December 2018 Letting 475 2019 Standard Spec ifications Section 655 Electrical Wiring
655.1 Description
1.This section describes providing electrical wire and cable for traffic signal, highway/roadway lighting, and other underground installations.
655.2 Materials
655.2.1 Cable In Duct
1.Furnish conductors conforming to electrical wire, lighting spe cified in 655.2.6 .
2.Furnish conductors enclosed in a red, or black with a red stripe, coilable polyethylene duct, suitable for direct earth burial, and manufac tured from high density polyeth ylene conforming to the applicable requirements of ASTM D3350 .
3.Use UL or NRTL listed Cable in Duct (CID) conforming to the WSEC specifications for nonmetallic underground conduit with conductors, type NUCC. 655.2.2 Traffic Signal Cable
1.Furnish solid copper conductor traffic signal cables conformin g to IMSA Specification Number 20-1. Provide wire size and number o f conductors as the plans show.
2.For wiring that extends from the terminal strip in each signal head to the mounting base, use an IMSA, 20-1 cable, 14 AWG 4, 5, or 7 conductor as required.
655.2.3 Type UF Cable
1.Furnish type UF cable with ground including the number and siz e of conductors as the plans show. Use cable conforming to ANSI/UL 493.
655.2.4 Communication Cable
1.Furnish communication cable conforming to IMSA Specification 2 0-6. Use 6 pairs of 18 AWG in each cable. Twist conductors 12 turns per foot by the individual pai r.
655.2.5 Grounded Conductor and E quipment Grounding Conductor f or Traffic Signals
1.Use green insulation or green insulation with a yellow tracer applied by thermoset method.
2.Furnish 10 AWG or 8 AWG, or bot h, XLP, USE rated, 600 volt AC, single conductor, stranded copper for conductors. 655.2.6 Electrical Wire for Lighting
1.For underground networks, unless the contract specifies a mult i-conductor cable, furnish single conductor, stranded copper, XLP i nsulated, USE rated wire sized as the plans show.
2.For underground network to lum inaire connections, furnish single conductor, stranded copper, XLP insulated, USE rated wire. Use 12 AWG unless plans show otherwi se.
3.Identify insulated conductors by covering the insulation surface with a tough, strongly adhered color coating conforming to Method I, o r by surface printing conformi ng to Method III of IPCEA (Insulated Power Cable Engineers Association)-NEMA Standard S-19-81. Do no t use white coatings on ungrounded conductors.
4.Color code as required by WSEC using the insulation color the plans show.
5.When there is more than one circuit, bundle the circuit conduc tors with nylon cable ties or engineer- approved electrical tape at all ac cess points. At each hand-hol e, identify the line side of each circuit with a tape colored as the plans specify. 655.2.7 Loop Detector Lead In Cable
1.Furnish shielded, 14 AWG, 2 conductor, polyethylene insulated, with 16 AWG drain wire, conforming to IMSA Specification Number 50- 2 for loop detector lead-in cab le.
655.2.8 Loop Detector Wire
1.Furnish black 12 AWG, XLP insulated, USE rated, single conduct or, stranded copper wire with 7 or more strands for loop detector wire.
655.2.9 Emergency Vehicle Preemption Detector Cable for Traffi c Signals
1.Furnish 3-conductor shielded, 600 volt, type B control cable c onforming to IPCEA-5-61-402/NEMA WC5 with a foil shield, 20 AWG st randed conductors and ground w ire, and rated for 75 degrees C. Ensure that the conductors are co lor coded with 1 blue, 1 orang e, and 1 yellow conductor. Effective with the December 2018 Letting 476 2019 Standard Spec ifications 655.3 Construction
655.3.1 General
1.Do not splice underground in pull boxes or conduit, except tha t the contractor may splice underground loop detector lead-in cable to loop wire. Do not leave wire or cable ends uncover ed or submerged in water. If the engineer observes this condition, the engineer may reject the entire length of cable or wire. Make electrical connection s and splices with a UL or NRTL approved mechanical type connector.
2.Cover tape with a liberal coati ng of an engineer-approved elec trical varnish or sealant providing flexible protection from oil, moi sture, and corrosion. Make ele ctrical connections in the traffic signal base with spring wound wire nuts , insulated with a soft flexibl e covering or as detailed on the plans. Extend wire for termination 18 inches beyond the pole or traffi c signal standard access point. Provide 60 inches of cable wire to be pu lled into cabinets and left for terminations.
3.For cables entering each pull box, except loop detector lead i n cables, provide an extra loop, approximately 16 feet long, to rem ain in each pull box. This lo op of cable is in addition to the quantity needed to reach from the entrance conduit raceway end to the op ening in the exiting conduit raceway.
4.Install conductors in continuou s lengths without splices from termination to termination. The contractor may splice only at hand-holes in the bases of the traffic signa l standards or poles. At locations where no transformer bases exist, splice at the hand-holes in poles.
655.3.2 Cable In Duct
1.Under the Cable In Duct bid items, provide underground cable i n duct of the specified quantity and wire size of conductors.
2.Locate the cable as the plans show. Locate underground cable t o preclude damage resulting from other construction operations.
3.Install cable in duct at least 30 inches below the finished grade or within the protection of conduit as the plans show. Should physical c onditions at the cable locatio n preclude placing to this depth, the contractor may modify the depth requirement as the WSEC allows. Place the cable in rigid steel conduit conforming to 652.2.2 for metallic conduit.
4.Set the underground cable in duc t assembly 3 feet above the to p of each light base or finished grade. Cap or seal the duct until comp letion of the electrical connect ions.
5.Continue the polyethylene duct to within 6 inches of a terminal connection.
6.If the size of the cable in duct prevents insertion through th e conduit in a concrete base, the contractor may cut the duct off the assembly to allow for wire installatio n. In this case, after placing the wire, ensure at least one foot of intac t duct remains in the conduit to protect the wires at the conduit entrance.
7.It is the intent of this specification that the cable duct wil l form a usable raceway as well as protection for the cable. Unreel the cabl e in duct, do not take off the si de of the reel. Install the duct so it is free of kinks, sharp radii, and unnecess ary wiggles. At the engineer's request, demonstrate free movement of the conductors within the duct after installation, and demonstr ate the easy removal and replacement of the conductors within the duct.
8.If installing cable in duct by plowing, use round duct free of kinks or constrictions while fed into the plowing mechanism. At t he engineer's request, excavate the cable in duct to check for depth violations. Correct depth va riations as specified in 105.3.2 . Do not splice the cabl e in duct; replace it to the previous termination point.
9.Before installing cable in duct b y trenching, remove rocks, stones, and concrete chunks from the trench, and place a layer of foundation backfill conforming to 520.2 from 6 inches below to 12 inches above the duct. Use select backf ill material, with 100 percent passing a one-inch sieve.
10.Install ungrounded conductors or grounded circuit conductors i n continuous lengths without splices from terminal to terminal. Splice only in hand-holes of poles, transformer bases, sign bridge columns, or junction boxes as the plans s how. Do not splice in pull boxe s.
655.3.3 Traffic Signal Cable
1.Under the Traffic Signal Cable bi d item, provide multi-conduct or cable for traffic signals and make all connections.
2.Numbers of conductors , in excess of those required are for future use.
3.Wrap back the conductors from s pare multi-conductor cables along the multi-conductor cable and tape to the cable. Effective with the December 2018 Letting 477 2019 Standard Spec ifications (4) Effectively ground spare or unused conductors in the signal co ntrol cabinet to the equipment grounding terminal strip.
5.Group and identify sets of condu ctors in signal cables, per si gnal phase, whether insulated with red, yellow, green, or other colors a t each pertinent termination. U nless the plans show otherwise, use conductors colored to match lens colors.
6.Tag traffic signal cables terminating in the signal control ca binet with waterproof tape and mark with indelible ink. Tape a plastic co ated copy of the cable routing diagrams to the inside cabinet wall. Ensure markings indicate the geographical location. Indicate NW quadrant, S median, etc. The engineer will approve the method of identification.
7.Ensure that the grounded conduc tor in feeder cables is 12 inch es longer than the ungrounded conductors. Also ensure that the pole cable from the signal hea ds to the signal base extends 24 inches beyond the access door.
8.If mounting more than one signal head on a standard or pole, w ire each head with a separate cable from the mounting base to the appropriate terminal strips.
655.3.4 Type UF Cable
1.Under the Cable Type UF bid ite ms, provide the underground cab le network for highway lighting at traffic signal installations.
2.If installing lighting in conjunc tion with traffic signals, use type UF, 2 conductor with ground, solid or stranded copper conductor cable, sized a s the plans show, from the traffic signal control cabinet to the pertinent light pole base or bases.
3.Strip the minimum length of jacket necessary to make terminati ons in a neat and technically proficient manner.
655.3.5 Communication Cable
1.Under the Communicati on Cable Plowed bid item, furnish communi cation cable for interconnecting traffic signals, and install the cable by plowing.
2.If installing communication cabl e by plowing, install at least 32 inches below finished grade.
3.Under the Communicati on Cable Trenched bid item, furnish commu nication cable for interconnecting traffic signals, construct a trench, and install the cable in t he trench.
4.Install trenched communication cable as specified in 652.3.1.2 for underground installation except do not install less than 32 inches below finished grade.
5.During installation, prevent damage to the communication cable .
6.Under the Communication Cable Installed in Conduit bid item, f urnish communication cable for interconnecting traffic signals , and install the cable in new o r in existing, in place traffic signal conduit.
7.If installing communication cable in conduit, do not damage or disturb existing cable within the conduit. Use wire lube on the full length of installed communication cab le, if wire or cables exist in conduit.
8.Install communication cable without splices between traffic si gnal control cabinets. Extend cable into each signal control cabinet for 6 feet. Provide an extra loop, approximately 4 feet in length, to remain in each pull box.
9.Test the communication cable following installation. Use a meg ger to perform ground resistance testing of conductors including the shield, and conductor-to-co nductor, including individual conductors to the shield. Ensure that all c onductor tests, including the shield, read greater than 500 mega ohms to ground, and from conductor to conductor and individual conducto rs to the shield, read greater than 500 mega ohms. Replace cable with one or more failing tests.
655.3.6 Grounded Conductor and E quipment Grounding Conductor f or Traffic Signals
1.Connect the white 14 AWG wire s in the signal head mounting base to the white grounded conductor in the feeder cable.
2.Terminate grounded conductors on a bus mounted in the cabinet and isolated from the cabinet and equipment grounding conductor. Terminate the grounded conductor bus at the grounding lug in the electrical service meter pedestal or meter socket.
3.Terminate equipment grounding conductors on the equipment grou nding bus that is isolated from the grounded conductor bus. Terminate the equipment grounding bus a t the grounding lug in the electrical service meter breaker pedestal se rvice disconnect, or meter soc ket, or terminate at the grounding lug of the breaker enclosure if t he service is unmetered.
4.Make the equipment grounding connection in the signal pedestal base, or in a pole transformer base, with a pigtail and wire nut or split bolt to an equipment groun ding conductor. Extend the equipment Effective with the December 2018 Letting 478 2019 Standard Spec ifications grounding conductor from the equipment grounding bus in the tra ffic signal cabinet, from base to base around the intersection in a complete closed circuit. Ensure th at the pull box is bonded to the frame and the cover is bonded to the frame with a jumper from the nea rest signal base.
5.Under the Electrical Wire Traffic Signals bid items, provide electrical wire for traffic signals and make all connections.
6.Make electrical connections in the traffic signal base with spring wound wire nuts, insulated with a soft flexible covering.
7.For the pigtail, use 10 AWG, bar e copper wire or green XLP ins ulated, a minimum 16 inches in length. Attach one end of the pigtail to an engineer-approved mechanical connector, lug, and place the connector inside the base under the head of a 1/4” -20 x 3/4” h ex-head stainless steel cap screw tapped into the base.
655.3.7 Electrical Wiring for Lighting
1.Under the Electrical Wire Lighting bid items, provide electric al wire of the specified conductor size for lighting, and make all connections.
2.Provide an 18 inch length of wire in each hand-hole for termin ation. For all wires entering each pull box, provide an extra loop, approx imately 6 feet in length, to remain in each pull box. This loop of wire is in addition to the quantity needed to reach from the entrance conduit raceway end to the opening in the exiting conduit raceway.
3.Install conductors in continuou s lengths without splices from the cabinet terminal to pole hand-hole or transformer base. Do no t splice in pull boxes.
4.Install conductors from the lumi naire to the fuse assembly usi ng a continuous length of 12 AWG, XLP wire without splices. Provide sufficient length in the pole sha ft to allow easy removal and subsequent servicing of the fuse assembly through the pole hand-hole.
655.3.8 Loop Detector Lead In Cable
1.Under the Loop Detector Lead In Cable bid item, provide loop detector lead in cable as well as splice loop and lead in cable together in the pull box. Connect the le ad in cable to proper terminals in the control cabinet.
2.Install the loop detector lead in cable in electrical conduit furnished under other bid items. For lead in cable from the pull box to the co ntrol cabinet, install lead in cable in conduit either with or without other cables. Do not provide an extra length of loop lead in cable in pull boxes. For each loop, use a separate lead in cable to the c ontrol cabinet. Cut the drain wi re flush with the lead in cable jacket.
3.Splice cables using cast in plac e splice kits from an engineer -approved manufacturer. Make splices as soon as possible after installing loop detector lead in cable.
4.If unable to splice to the lead in cable the day installing th e wire, seal the cable ends with tar or electrical sealant to keep water out of the insulating jacket o f the cable. If water does enter the insulating jacket, remove the ca ble and replace with new cable at no expense to the department.
5.A splice consists of a non-ins ulated butt connector connecting one loop wire to one loop lead-in cable wire. Crimp and solder this connection with electrical multi-fl ux core. Crimp and solder the second 2 wires in the same manner. Half lap tape the solder connections with an engineer-approved rubber high voltage tape. Half lap tape each co nnection with an engineer-approved vinyl electrical tape and insulate connections from each other before placing in the spli ce kit. Coat each connection with an engineer-approved electrical varnish and allow the coating to d ry. After drying, install the splice capsule conforming to the m anufacturer's instructions.
6.If the engineer directs, open one randomly selected loop detec tor splice and inspect it for compliance with installation specific ations. If the engineer determines th e splice is non-compliant with the specifications, replace all loop detector splices on the project at no expense to the department.
7.After splicing the loop wire t o the loop lead in cable, measur e inductance, ground resistance, and wire resistance at the cabinet end of the lead in cable. Furnish a c opy of the readings to the engineer for evaluation. 655.3.9 Loop Detector Wire
1.Under the Loop Detector Wire bi d item, provide loop detector w ire.
2.Install the loop detector wire in one-inch loop detector PVC c onduit furnished under another bid item. The contractor may install loop wi re before placing the conduit .
3.Do not provide an extra length of loop detector wire in the pull boxes. Effective with the December 2018 Letting 479 2019 Standard Spec ifications (4) Install the loop wire from th e pull box at the side of the roa d, around the loop in the number of turns the plans show, and back to the pull box at the side of the road, in one continuous non-spliced length.
5.If unable to splice to the lead in cable the day installing the wire, seal the wire ends with tar or electrical sealant to keep water out of the insulating jacket o f the wire. If water does get into the insulating jacket, remove the wire and replace with new wire at no expense to the department.
6.Measure the loop inductance, g round resistance, and loop wire resistance at the pull box end of the loop wire immediately after installation. Furnish a copy of the readings to the engineer for evaluation.
7.Measure ground resistance using a megger. Replace loop wire no t attaining greater than 500 mega ohms to ground.
655.3.10 Emergency Vehicle Preem ption (EVP) Detector Cable for Traffic Signals
1.Under the Traffic Signal EVP Detector Cable bid item, provide the EVP cable and mount department- furnished brackets. The departm ent will determine the exact loc ation to ensure that the installation does not create a sight obstruction. The department will mount the heads, terminat e the ends, and install the discriminators a nd card rack in the cabinet.
2.Ensure that the cable runs cont inuously without splicing from the pull box closest to the cabinet including the specified extra cable. Do not splice EVP cable fr om the detector assembly to the controller terminations. Provide 8.5 feet of extra cable at the mounting bracket with 6 feet at the bracket and 2.5 feet extending out of the mounting bracket. Pro vide 6 feet of extra cable in each pull box plus an additional 20 feet a t the nearest pull box to signa l base where the EVP detector head is mounted.
3.Mark each end of the lead as the plans show. Notify the depart ment to gain access to the control cabinet. The department will only provide access while a depart ment electrician is present.
4.Notify the engineer upon completion of the installation at each intersection.
655.4 Measurement
1.The department will measure the C able In Duct bid items by the linear foot acceptably completed. This measurement includes conductors that had the duct cut away.
2.The department will measure the Cable Traffic Signal bid items , the Cable Type UF bid items, Communication Cable Plowed, Communication Cable Trenched, Commu nication Cable Installed in Conduit, and Traffic Signal EVP Detector Cable by the linear fo ot acceptably completed.
3.The department will measure the Electrical Wire Traffic Signal s and Electrical Wire Lighting bid items by the linear foot acceptably completed, measured separately fo r each conductor.
4.The department will measure Loop Detector Lead In Cable by the linear foot acceptably completed, measured from the splice with t he loop lead in wire along the c enterline of the condui t to its connection with terminals in the control cabinet.
5.The department will measure Loop Detector Wire by the linear foot acceptably completed, measured around the loop, inclu ding the number of turn s and its lead to and from the splice with the lead in cable. 655.5 Payment
1.The department will pay for measured quantities at the contrac t unit price under the following bid items: ITEM NUMBER DESCRIPTION UNIT 655.0100 - 0199 Cable In Duct ( # of conductors) (AWG) LF 655.0200 - 0299 Cable Traffic Si gnal (# of conductors) (AWG) LF 655.0300 - 0399 Cable Type UF (# of conductors) (AWG) LF 655.0400 Communication Cable Plowed LF 655.0405 Communication Cable Trenched LF 655.0410 Communication Cable Installed in Conduit LF 655.0500 - 0599 Electrical Wire Traffic Signals (AWG) LF 655.0600 - 0699 Electrical Wire Lighting (AWG) LF 655.0700 Loop Detector Lead In Cable LF 655.0800 Loop Detector Wire LF 655.0900 Traffic Signal EVP Detector Cable LF
2.Payment for the Cable In Duct b id items is full compensation for providing materials, including cables and duct; for excavating trenches ; for placing cable in duct; for providing rigid steel conduit as needed; Effective with the December 2018 Letting 480 2019 Standard Spec ifications for backfilling; for restoring di sturbed or damaged areas, incl uding seeding and sodding; for making connections and testing installed cable system; and for disposing of surplus material.
3.Payment for the Cable Traffic Signal bid items, is full compen sation for providi ng cable; for making connections; for providing connectors, including wire nuts; and for testing the circ uits. The department will pay for wiring from the signal head terminal strip to the mounting base under the Cable Traffic Signal bid items appropriate for the conductor number and wire size the plans show.
4.Payment for the Cable Type UF bid items is full compensation f or providing the cable; for making connections; for providing connectors, including wire nuts, spl ices, tape, insulating varnish, or sealant; and for testing the circuits.
5.Payment for Communica tion Cable Plowed is full compensation fo r providing materials including cable; for plowing in the cable; for making connections; for te sting the installed cable; for restoring damaged or disturbed areas, including seeding or sodding; and f or disposing of surplus material.
6.Payment for Communica tion Cable Trenched is full compensation for providing materials including cable and backfill material; for constructing the trench, insta lling the cable in the trench, and backfilling; for making connections; for testi ng the installed cable; for re storing disturbed or damaged areas, including seeding or sodding; and for disposal of surplus mater ial.
7.Payment for Communica tion Cable Installed in Conduit is full c ompensation for providing materials including cable; for installing the cable in exi sting conduit; for making connections; and for testing the installed cable.
8.Payment for the Electrical Wire Traffic Signals bid items is f ull compensation for providing electrical wire; for making connections; for providing conne ctors, includi ng wire nuts and lugs; and for testing the circuits.
9.Payment for the Electrical Wire Lighting bid items is full compensation for providi ng electrical wire; for making connections; for providi ng connectors, including wire nu ts, fuses, fuse hol ders, splices, tape, insulating varnish or sealant; and for testing the circuits. Th e department will pay for wiring from the underground feeder system to the luminaire under the Electrical Wire Lighting bid item appropriate for the wire size the plans show.
10.Payment for Loop Detector Lead In Cable is full compensation for providing the lead-in cable; for making necessary cabinet connections; and for furnishing splice kits and splicing to the loop detector wire.
11.Payment for Loop Detector Wire is full compensation for provid ing loop detector wire.
12.Payment for Traffic Signal EVP Detector Cable is full compensation for providing emergency vehicle preemption detector cable for traffic signals.
13.The department will not pay for r eplacing cable or wire not attaining a required resistance greater than 500 mega ohms.
14.Pedestrian push button wiring is incidental to the Pedestrian Push Buttons bid item under 658. Effective with the December 2018 Letting 481 2019 Standard Spec ifications Section 656 Electrical Service
656.1 Description
1.This section describes providi ng an electrical service, of the specified type.
656.2 Materials
656.2.1 General
1.Install the electrical service conforming to local utility req uirements. Furnish the utility with a wiring affidavit certifying that the service conforms to the WSEC and then verbally notify the engineer that the utility received the wiring affidavit.
2.For grounding electrodes for t he electrical service, use engin eer-approved 5/8-inch diameter copper clad grounding electrodes. Furni sh the number and length of gro unding electrodes as required to install the service conforming to the WSEC and the local utilit y.
3.If required by the local utility , provide a manual bypass mete r socket. Obtain the local utility's approval of the manual bypass meter socket.
4.If an overhead service is requir ed, provide the riser, weather head, wiring, and necessary fittings as incidental to the electrical service bid item.
656.2.2 Meter Socket Service
1.Furnish an engineer-approved service ha ving a meter socket, NE MA 3R breaker enclosure, 22,000- AIC circuit breakers unless the local utility requires otherwis e, grounding electrodes and connections, conduit and fittings, and necessary conductors and equipment re quired by the WSEC and the utility for a service connection. Use circuit breakers with an amperage cap acity of 50 A, unless specified otherwise in the contract.
656.2.3 Meter Breaker Pedestal Service
1.Furnish an engineer-approved se rvice having a meter breaker pe destal, 22,000-AIC circuit breakers unless the local utility require s otherwise, grounding electrod es and connections, conduit and fittings, and necessary conductors and equi pment required by the WSEC and the utility for a service connection. Use circuit breakers with an amperage capacity 50 A , unless specified otherwise in the contract. When the meter breaker pedestal is energized, install an engineer-approved meter seal at access points on the meter trough. 656.2.4 Unmetered Service
1.Furnish an engineer-approv ed service conforming to 656.2.2 , except do not supply a meter socket.
656.2.5 Main Lugs Only Meter Pedestal Service
1.Furnish an engineer-approved se rvice having grounding electrodes and connections, conduit and fittings, and necessary conductors and equipment required by the WSEC and the utility for a service connection. Provide a lug amper age capacity, and the number of phases, and service voltage rating as the plans show.
656.2.6 Breaker Disconnect Box Service
1.Furnish a 100 A outside rated br eaker box with space for 6 circuits, but no main breaker; to 50 A single circuit breaker (22, 000 AIC or larger as required by po wer companies), conduit fittings, grounding electrodes, and conne ctions and necess ary conductors and equipment required to provide power to the cabinet.
656.3 Construction 656.3.1 General
1.Install the electrical service conforming to local utility req uirements. Furnish the utility with a wiring affidavit, certifying that the se rvice was installed conforming to the WSEC.
2.All above ground electrical ser vice conduit and fittings shall be rigid metal conduit.
656.3.2 Service Lateral
1.The local utility will provide a 100 A, 120/240 volt AC, singl e phase, 3-wire underground electrical service lateral, unless specified otherwise in the contract doc uments. Arrange and assume responsibility for the timely i nstallation of the service later al by the utility. Terminate the lateral at a meter socket, meter breaker pedes tal, a NEMA 3R Breaker Enclosu re, or a main lugs only meter pedestal, as the plans show. 656.3.3 Meter Socket Service
1.If 2 or more grounding electrodes ar e required, space them at least 6 feet apart and drive them near the termination point. Run a gr ounding conductor, from groundin g electrode to grounding electrode if
Referenced in this section
Sections that cite this one
Get an email when 655 changes
Wisconsin revises spec sections through supplementals and new editions. We check this one every week and email you the day it changes. Free, no account.
Source: Wisconsin Standard Specifications for Highway and Structure Construction, 2019 Edition. Pages 484–489 of 601. View official source ↗