North San Jose Project North San Jose Project

North San Jose Project

North San Jose Project n n Work began on this project in 1999, completed in 2001 The transmission line installed called the Nortech. Trimble 115 k. V line is 4. 6 miles long and runs between PG&E’s Trimble Substation and a new PG&E Substation called Nortech Substation. The conductor is 795 kcmil ACSS/Condor (54/7) This project added new distribution capacity in the North San Jose area to remedy the area deficiency caused by increased new construction

Why Horizontal Vee Insulators Were Chosen? Benefits of using a post insulator (no insulator swing from wind) with longer span lengths n No insulator swing means less right of way had to be acquired for the transmission line n During construction, area land costs were $1 Million/acre n Swivel post insulators used also provide tension relief between uneven spans n

Construction Issues with Horizontal Vee Insulators n n n Swivel post provided benefits noted previously but created a temporary problem for Construction Insulator assemblies provided by Sediver (Mac. Lean Power Systems) had a pin which prevented swinging of the swivel post during installation of stringing blocks and during conductor pulling Disadvantage listed by some manufacturers include concerns over pins not being removed during clipping and prior to the line being placed into service

Other thoughts Line crews prefer removable pins on the swivel post type insulators n If pins are not present, crews can improvise methods to keep the insulator assembly from swinging during conductor installation n Pins, if provided, need to be removed prior to line being placed into service n

North San Jose Project Existing conductor transferred to new steel poles to be used as a sock line n Travelers installed in preparation for sock line for new second circuit n

North San Jose Project Top and remove wood pole n Note existing dual OPGW fiber optic system will remain on wood poles to be transferred after 115 k. V T/Line is built n

North San Jose Project Dot com boom occurred during the permitting process n Horizontal Vee insulators reduced the number of structures, while reducing right of way needs for new T/Line n

n n Project had permitting challenges due to its location in close proximity to high tech building campuses Route was selected and permitting process began prior to the existence of many of the office buildings

North San Jose Project n Steel pole prior to installation of insulator assembly

n n n Close up view of horizontal vee with swivel post insulators Sediver assembly used pins to limit insulator movement during stringing Pins were removed after clipping was completed

North San Jose Project n n Line in service Close up view of swivel posts

North San Jose Project Questions/Comments