North San Jose Project

Work began on this project in 1999, completed in 2001 Work began on this project in 1999, completed in 2001 The transmission line installed called the Nortech- Trimble 115 kV line is 4.6 miles long and runs between PG&Es Trimble Substation and a new PG&E Substation called Nortech Substation. The transmission line installed called the Nortech- Trimble 115 kV line is 4.6 miles long and runs between PG&Es Trimble Substation and a new PG&E Substation called Nortech Substation. The conductor is 795 kcmil ACSS/Condor (54/7) 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 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 Benefits of using a post insulator (no insulator swing from wind) with longer span lengths No insulator swing means less right of way had to be acquired for the transmission line No insulator swing means less right of way had to be acquired for the transmission line During construction, area land costs were $1Million/acre During construction, area land costs were $1Million/acre Swivel post insulators used also provide tension relief between uneven spans Swivel post insulators used also provide tension relief between uneven spans

Construction Issues with Horizontal Vee Insulators Swivel post provided benefits noted previously but created a temporary problem for Construction Swivel post provided benefits noted previously but created a temporary problem for Construction Insulator assemblies provided by Sediver (MacLean Power Systems) had a pin which prevented swinging of the swivel post during installation of stringing blocks and during conductor pulling Insulator assemblies provided by Sediver (MacLean 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 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 Line crews prefer removable pins on the swivel post type insulators If pins are not present, crews can improvise methods to keep the insulator assembly from swinging during conductor installation If pins are not present, crews can improvise methods to keep the insulator assembly from swinging during conductor installation Pins, if provided, need to be removed prior to line being placed into service Pins, if provided, need to be removed prior to line being placed into service

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

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

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

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 Steel pole prior to installation of insulator assembly Steel pole prior to installation of insulator assembly

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

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

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