Electrical System

Description
- Projects in this scope area may include installing new electrical service switches, switchboard, distribution panels, panelboards, motor control system, transformers, risers, feeder conductors, conduits, and panels, installing new grounding system, panelboards, service switches, switchboards, disconnect switch, receptacles, over current protection devices (OCPD), Surge-protector (SPD) and motor control equipment, and installing dry type or liquid type transformers. The full, detailed scope of work for this project including any additional work areas will be updated here after alignment with project stakeholders through scoping and design activities.
Baseline
- Power Distribution
- Electric Service Description/Design Approach:
- A. General
- During the Schematic Design Phase, the design engineer needs to send a service request/load letter to the utility company. This request should ask about the available service voltage, utility short circuit current and impedance, charges, and any other requirements. The request should also specify the desired voltage and point of entry. Additionally, the architect should provide a copy of the site plan along with all available geotechnical, architectural, and structural information, including the following documentation. Drawings should be submitted in AutoCAD format, and when available, copies of the approved drawings by the Department of Buildings should also be included.
- a. Legal Survey of Property (and/or with sidewalk elevations in the area of proposed vaults)
- b. Builder’s Paving plan
- c. Environmental Study for the site
- d. Soils report with boring data
- e. Site Plan with all utilities
- f. Foundation drawings
- g. Architectural drawings for the building in the area of proposed vaults with floor elevations
- h. Structural drawings for the building in the area of the proposed vaults
- i. Details of any special construction at proposed vault location such as planting areas, sidewalk snow melting devise, street lights, hydrants, etc.
- The standard voltage is typically 120/208 volts, but in certain situations, 265/460 volts may be an option and is preferred for electrification projects. When the standard voltage is 120/208 volts, the engineer needs to assess whether it’s cost-effective to increase the voltage to 265/460 volts for lighting and motor loads. The 120/208 volts should be used for receptacles outlets and other systems.
- When the available voltage is 265/460 volts, the engineer must consider connecting the lighting and motor loads and stepping down the voltage to 120/208 volts for receptacles and other systems.
- In either case, the design engineer must conduct an economic analysis to justify the chosen service voltage and design option.
- If transformers (both step-up and step-down) are used in a project, the electrical engineer must coordinate with the mechanical discipline for the ventilation requirements.
- If a step-up transformer is provided, the switch on the primary side of the step-up transformer must be carefully selected and specified to accommodate the prevalent high in-rush currents. The transformer in-rush current shall be limited to 10 times rated current.
- During the Schematic Design Phase, the design engineer needs to send a service request/load letter to the utility company. This request should ask about the available service voltage, utility short circuit current and impedance, charges, and any other requirements. The request should also specify the desired voltage and point of entry. Additionally, the architect should provide a copy of the site plan along with all available geotechnical, architectural, and structural information, including the following documentation. Drawings should be submitted in AutoCAD format, and when available, copies of the approved drawings by the Department of Buildings should also be included.
- B. Electrification Projects that include demolition and new renovation work according to the project scope.
- All requirements shall apply as for a new service.
- The electrical designer is responsible for designing a new electrical service and determining the point of entry (POE) while considering existing conditions, constructability, and the phasing of the new service into the existing building. The designer should evaluate the existing electrical service by engaging electricians and switchgear experts/manufacturers during the design phase to determine existing conditions and how to reinforce the service based on utility company service regulations.
- Preference is to have developer agreements with utility company to control scheduling for the project.
- The utility company load letter shall indicate that developer agreement would be preferred if new vault is being ruled at the requested POE.
- C. NYCDOT Requirements
- As per Con Edison Transformer Vault Placement and Space Requirements, whether a new building will be constructed or adding electric load to an existing one, Con Edison shall be contacted early in the design process to discuss transformer vault requirements. Typical transformer vault space requirements depend on the number of transformers required to supply electricity to the building.
- When transformer vaults are installed within the sidewalk area, many aspects of the operation must be taken into consideration in order to ensure that adequate space and clearance are provided to meet all New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT) and Con Edison requirements.
- Design and install electrical systems so that, in case of emergency, their operation will not be grossly affected.
- Corridor and lobby assembly areas shall have non-switched, 20 amp, 125 volt specification-grade duplex receptacles, positioned for 50 foot extension cord access.
- Maintenance receptacles for roof-mounted HVAC equipment must be installed in the mechanical unit’s enclosure or on its dunnage, and all must be ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protected. Offices Receptacles for which the office computers and printers will be plugged into shall be switched 20 amp, 125 volt, specification grade, duplex receptacle.
- In apartments where the electrical panel is installed above the kitchen sinks, The scope of work must call for relocation of such electrical panels to comply with the requirements of the NYC Electrical Code and NFPA 70 National Electrical Code (NEC).
- Install arc-fault circuit-interrupter protection devices in all apartments, as per 2008 NEC 210.12 Arc-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection, for all 120 volt, single-phase, 15 and 20 ampere branch circuits supplying outlets or devices installed in dwelling unit kitchens, family rooms, dining rooms, living rooms, parlors, libraries, dens, bedrooms, sunrooms, recreation rooms, closets, hallways, laundry areas, or similar rooms.
- Evaluate electrical panel at each residential unit for spare capacity. Assume electrical upgrades to each residential unit electrical panel as necessary to support the electric heating/cooling, electric range, and other scope item upgrades indicated in this document, accommodating power requirements. [COMPMOD]
- Evaluate existing electrical service spare capacity. Assume electrical upgrades at building infrastructure level to accommodate the additional electrification related loads indicated in this document, including new electrical risers to each residential unit to accommodate the above. [COMPMOD]
- Confirm the condition of existing wiring. Replace any old, fabric-insulated cable with new PVC-insulated cable. [COMPMOD]
- Confirm the condition of existing receptacles. Add new dedicated receptacles for the new equipment. Add new receptacles outlets required in kitchen and rooms in accordance with general provisions specified by NEC. Replace old/damaged receptacles with new. Replace old 2-prong receptacles with 3-prong (equipment grounded) receptacles. [COMPMOD]
- Kitchen and bathrooms receptacles shall be 20 amp, 125 volt, ground fault circuit interrupting (GFCI) protected duplex outlets as per NEC article 210.8 (NYC 2011 EC). [COMPMOD]
- Replace existing branch circuits supplying outlets or devices installed in apartments with arc flash circuit interrupter (AFCI) means, as per NEC article 210.12. [COMPMOD]
Stretch
- Install submeters as part of substantial electric upgrades as NYCHA invests in energy conservation improvement.
- Most NYCHA buildings are master metered (i.e., utilities tracked by building), not individually metered. Residents in master metered buildings do not pay utility bills and they do not receive a utility allowance.
- Submeters shall be installed in all Community, Youth, Seniors Centers, etc.
- Upgrade electrical panels and branch circuit wiring to support at minimum all-electric appliances as well as heating & cooling system at each residential unit. [COMPMOD]
- Upgrade electrical distribution to support heating & cooling system , including service increase requests to the utility company (ConEd). [COMPMOD]
- Locate switchgear above the flood elevation. [FR]
RAD Conversions
- Assume electrical upgrades if necessary to support required rehabilitation scope, including electric or induction ranges and cooling in all residential units.
- Include electrification-ready infrastructure where a development is not electrifying mechanical systems at the time of construction.
- Electrical work should be run behind the wall; wire-mold should be avoided where feasible.
- Where electrical wiring and wall finishes are being replaced, convenience outlets should be added throughout apartments, even where not required by code.
- Existing electrical equipment and cables should be organized or removed where no longer in service.
Relevant Codes & Regulations
NYC Electrical Code
Local adoption of NEC requirements for electrical installations
NFPA 70 — National Electrical Code
Electrical safety and installation standards
NYC Energy Conservation Code
Lighting power density and electrical efficiency requirements
OSHA — Electrical Safety Standards
Worker safety requirements for electrical work
Strategies
Optimize Performance, Operation & Maintenance of Buildings, Systems & Assets
CompModRADCommercial BathroomsCommunity CentersCommercial KitchensEntrywaysFlood Resilience
Last Updated on June 29, 2026 at 2:46 pm
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