2008 Testing and Inspection Programs Final

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. . . . . . . . . .
Distribution Engineering
SecondarySystem
Analysis
2008 Stray Voltage Detection and Electric
Facility Inspection Report
Edward D. Naylor Jr.
4 Irving Place – Room 1138
New York, NY 10003

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ConEdison
2008 Stray Voltage Detection and Electric Facility
Inspection Report
Table of contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS ...............................................................................................................2
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY..............................................................................................................9
OVERVIEW OF CON EDISON’S ELECTRIC SYSTEM.............................................................10
Distribution...........................................................................................................................................10
Underground.....................................................................................................................................10
Overhead ..........................................................................................................................................10
Streetlights........................................................................................................................................10
Transmission........................................................................................................................................11
Underground.....................................................................................................................................11
Overhead ..........................................................................................................................................11
Substations ..........................................................................................................................................11
Unit Substations ..................................................................................................................................11
PART ONE – 2008 STRAY VOLTAGE TESTING PROGRAM..................................................13
INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................14
Distribution...........................................................................................................................................14
Substations and Transmission ..........................................................................................................14
Repairs..................................................................................................................................................14
Quality Assurance ...............................................................................................................................14
STRAY VOLTAGE TESTING OF UNDERGROUND DISTRIBUTION STRUCTURES.............16
Scope ....................................................................................................................................................16
Overall Program...................................................................................................................................16
Stray Voltage Test Procedure.............................................................................................................16
EO-5100 (Low Voltage Detectors - Stray Voltage)...........................................................................17
EO-100175 (Purchase Recommendation - Low Voltage Detectors for Stray Voltage)....................17
EO-10129 (Operation and Maintenance of Low Voltage Detector for Stray Voltage)......................17

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EO-10322 (Stray Voltage Testing Of Company Structures and Streetlights) ..................................17
EO-10358 (Annual Contractor Stray Voltage Inspection Procedure)...............................................17
Training.................................................................................................................................................17
Company Employees........................................................................................................................17
Contractors .......................................................................................................................................17
Results ..................................................................................................................................................18
Quality Assurance Measures Instituted ............................................................................................18
Additional Quality Assurance Measures Instituted..........................................................................19
Work-in-Progress..............................................................................................................................19
Structures with No Access................................................................................................................19
Stray Voltage Repairs..........................................................................................................................20
STRAY VOLTAGE TESTING OF OVERHEAD DISTRIBUTION STRUCTURES .....................21
Scope ....................................................................................................................................................21
Overall Program...................................................................................................................................21
Training.................................................................................................................................................22
Contractors .......................................................................................................................................22
Results ..................................................................................................................................................23
Work-in-Progress..............................................................................................................................24
Fringe Plates.....................................................................................................................................24
No Access Poles...............................................................................................................................24
Not Found Poles...............................................................................................................................25
STRAY VOLTAGE TESTING OF MUNICIPALITY OWNED STREETLIGHTS .........................26
Scope ....................................................................................................................................................26
Overall Program...................................................................................................................................27
EO-10360 (Troubleshooting of Streetlights).....................................................................................27
Training.................................................................................................................................................28

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Contractors .......................................................................................................................................28
Results ..................................................................................................................................................29
Work-in-Progress..............................................................................................................................30
Streetlights with No Access ..............................................................................................................30
Verification of Streetlight Plates Tested............................................................................................30
Zero Streetlight Plates ......................................................................................................................31
STRAY VOLTAGE TESTING OF OVERHEAD TRANSMISSION FACILITIES ........................32
Scope ....................................................................................................................................................32
Overall Program...................................................................................................................................32
Test Procedure.....................................................................................................................................32
Shunt Resistor ..................................................................................................................................32
Training.................................................................................................................................................32
Results ..................................................................................................................................................32
The QA checks performed confirmed the accuracy of the results from the stray voltage-testing
program. ...........................................................................................................................................33
No Access Tower..............................................................................................................................33
STRAY VOLTAGE TESTING OF UNDERGROUND TRANSMISSION FACILITIES................34
Scope ....................................................................................................................................................34
Overall Program...................................................................................................................................34
Test Procedure.....................................................................................................................................34
Training.................................................................................................................................................34
Contractors .......................................................................................................................................35
Results ..................................................................................................................................................35
Quality Assurance Measures..............................................................................................................35
No Access – Private Property...........................................................................................................35
No Access – Buried ..........................................................................................................................35
No Access – Highway.......................................................................................................................35
No Access – Con Ed Property..........................................................................................................36
STRAY VOLTAGE TESTING OF SUBSTATION FACILITIES..................................................37
Scope ....................................................................................................................................................37

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Overall Program...................................................................................................................................37
Test Procedure.....................................................................................................................................37
Training.................................................................................................................................................38
Results ..................................................................................................................................................38
STRAY VOLTAGE TESTING OF UNIT SUBSTATION FACILITIES.........................................39
Scope ....................................................................................................................................................39
Overall Program...................................................................................................................................39
Test Procedure.....................................................................................................................................39
Training.................................................................................................................................................39
Results ..................................................................................................................................................39
PART TWO – ADDITIONAL STRAY VOLTAGE DETECTION .................................................42
ADDITIONAL STRAY VOLTAGE DETECTION.........................................................................43
Mobile Stray Voltage Detector............................................................................................................43
Routine Work Stray Voltage Testing..................................................................................................44
Reports from the Public ......................................................................................................................45
Support from City Agencies ...............................................................................................................45
PART THREE – 2008 FACILITY INSPECTION PROGRAM .....................................................46
FACILITY INSPECTION PROCEDURES ..................................................................................47
Introduction..........................................................................................................................................47
FACILITY INSPECTIONS OF UNDERGROUND DISTRIBUTION STRUCTURES INCLUDING
URD ............................................................................................................................................48
Scope ....................................................................................................................................................48
Procedure .............................................................................................................................................48
Deficiencies..........................................................................................................................................48
Results ..................................................................................................................................................49
Random Quality Assurance – Underground Inspections .................................................................51
Work in Progress – Underground Inspections..................................................................................51

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Training.................................................................................................................................................51
FACILITY INSPECTIONS OF OVERHEAD DISTRIBUTION STRUCTURES...........................53
Scope ....................................................................................................................................................53
Procedure .............................................................................................................................................53
Results ..................................................................................................................................................53
FACILITY INSPECTIONS OF OVERHEAD TRANSMISSION STRUCTURES.........................55
Scope ....................................................................................................................................................55
Procedure .............................................................................................................................................55
Results ..................................................................................................................................................55
Emergency Classification .................................................................................................................55
Prompt Classification........................................................................................................................55
Routine Classification .......................................................................................................................55
FACILITY INSPECTIONS OF UNDERGROUND TRANSMISSION STRUCTURES.................57
Scope ....................................................................................................................................................57
Procedure .............................................................................................................................................57
Results ..................................................................................................................................................57
Tracking Inspections.........................................................................................................................57
Repairs..............................................................................................................................................58
Training.................................................................................................................................................58
FACILITY INSPECTIONS OF SUBSTATIONS..........................................................................59
Scope ....................................................................................................................................................59
Procedure .............................................................................................................................................59
Results ..................................................................................................................................................59
Tracking Inspections.........................................................................................................................59
Repairs..............................................................................................................................................60
Training.................................................................................................................................................60
FACILITY INSPECTIONS OF UNIT SUBSTATIONS ................................................................61
Scope ....................................................................................................................................................61
Procedure .............................................................................................................................................61
Results ..................................................................................................................................................61
PART FOUR – PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION PERFORMANCE MECHANISM................63
PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION PERFORMANCE MECHANISM.........................................64
Stray Voltage Testing ..........................................................................................................................64

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Facility Inspections..............................................................................................................................64
PART FIVE – CERTIFICATION OF STRAY VOLTAGE TESTING AND FACILITY
INSPECTION PROGRAMS........................................................................................................67
CERTIFICATION OF STRAY VOLTAGE TESTING AND FACILITY INSPECTION
PROGRAMS...............................................................................................................................68
PART SIX – ANALYSIS OF STRAY VOLTAGE TESTING RESULTS .....................................69
ANALYSIS OF STRAY VOLTAGE TESTING RESULTS..........................................................70
Mitigation through Detection..............................................................................................................70
PART SEVEN – STRAY VOLTAGE INITIATIVES.....................................................................75
STRAY VOLTAGE INITIATIVES................................................................................................76
Research and Development................................................................................................................76
Mobile Stray Voltage Detector..........................................................................................................76
Vented Composite Covers................................................................................................................77
Arcing Signature ...............................................................................................................................77
“Stray Voltage, Manhole Events and Secondary System Machine Learning Project, Phase 1- 4”
(Columbia University) .......................................................................................................................78
PART EIGHT – FUTURE RECOMMENDATIONS .....................................................................79
FUTURE RECOMMENDATIONS...............................................................................................80
Transmission and Substation Testing...............................................................................................80
APPENDIX..................................................................................................................................82
A: EO-5100 (Low Voltage Detectors - Stray Voltage) .................................................................83
B: EO100175 (Purchase Recommendation – Low Voltage Detectors for Stray Voltage).............89
C: EO-10129 (Operation and Maintenance of Low Voltage Detector for Stray Voltage).........93
D: EO-10322 (Stray Voltage Testing Of Company Structures and Streetlights)....................105
E: EO-10358 (Annual Contractor Stray Voltage Inspection Procedure).......................................122
F: EO-10360 (Troubleshooting of Streetlights)...............................................................................178
G: Shunt Resistor Brochure........................................................................................................188
H: Overhead Transmission Stray Voltage Testing Specification............................................191
I: Overhead Transmission Facility Inspection Specification .................................................197
J: Substations Stray Voltage Testing and Inspection Procedure...........................................207
K: EO-10790 (Insp. & Maint. Schedule for 4 kV Unit & Multi-Bank SS Transf. & Switchgear)
215
L: HD Test Reports ......................................................................................................................225
M: Corporate Safety Procedure 17.01.........................................................................................241
N: EO-10359 (Periodic Underground Distribution Structure Inspections).............................257

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O: EO-10315 (Quality Assurance of the Stray Voltage and Periodic Distribution Structure
Safety Inspection Programs) ............................................................................................................281
P: Certification of Stray Voltage Testing ...................................................................................299
Q: Certification of Inspections ....................................................................................................301

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Executive Summary
On January 5, 2005, the New York Public Service Commission (PSC) issued its “Order Instituting Safety
Standards” in Case No 04-M-0159. The Safety Standards require that electric utilities annually test for
stray voltage all of their publicly accessible transmission and distribution facilities and metallic pole
streetlights and traffic signals (collectively “streetlights”) located on public thoroughfares. The Safety
Standards also require that all electric facilities shall be inspected at least once every five years. The
Safety Standards establish annual stray voltage testing, inspection targets and include a performance
mechanism to promote compliance with these targets.
In 2008, Consolidated Edison of
New York, Inc. (“Con Edison” or
“the Company”) completed a fourth
round of annual stray voltage
testing and continued with facility
inspections in accordance with the
Safety Standards. Beyond annual
testing and inspection, Con Edison
is mitigating stray voltage through
improved detection techniques,
equipment upgrades, and
technological innovation. Mobile
testing is at the core of the
improved stray voltage mitigation
efforts. This multifaceted strategy
to protect the public has resulted in
a 94% decline in reported electric
shocks associated with company
equipment since 2004. See Table
1.
Table 1 – Company related electric shocks 2004-2008
This report describes Con Edison’s stray voltage detection program and electric facility inspection
program conducted in 2008 and addresses the following:
1. Results of the stray voltage testing program
2. Additional stray voltage detection programs
3. Results of the electric facility inspection program
4. Adherence to PSC performance mechanism
5. Certification of stray voltage and inspection program
6. Analysis of results
7. Additional stray voltage related initiatives
8. Future improvements

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Overview of Con Edison’s Electric System
Con Edison provides electricity in a 604-square mile area encompassing New York City and most of
Westchester County. Con Edison’s transmission and distribution systems provide a high level of reliability
in a very dense urban environment. The transmission system is comprised of overhead and underground
transmission feeders that transmit power from generating stations and transmission ties with neighboring
utility systems to the Company’s substations. The distribution system is comprised of overhead and
underground cables and transformers that deliver power from the Company’s substations to
approximately 3.2 million of the Company’s electric customers.
Distribution
The Con Edison electric distribution system, which is located in the five boroughs of New York City and
most of Westchester County, covers 604 square miles. As of December 31, 2007, Con Edison served
3,244,797 electric customers: 2,361,145 network and 883,652 non-network. Approximately 86 percent of
the 25,633,287 - kVA-distribution transformer capacity is underground, and 14 percent is overhead.
The distribution system is divided into four regions: Bronx/Westchester, Brooklyn/Queens, Manhattan,
and Staten Island. There are 60 substations supplying 80 secondary networked and non-networked load
areas. Stations are supplied through 267 miles of radial transmission feeders operating at 345 kV, 138
kV, or 69 kV. 2,177 distribution feeders, including 27 - 33 kV feeders, 325 - 27 kV feeders, 1,053 – 13 kV
feeders, and 772 - 4 kV feeders (supply non-network and network load).
Underground
Con Edison’s underground electric distribution system serves approximately 2.4 million of Con
Edison’s 3.2 million electric customers via 60 secondary, alternating current (“AC”) networks. Each
network is supplied by primary 27kV or 13.8 kV distribution feeders that connect to network
transformers that reduce the voltage to 120/208 volts. Each of the 60 networks is laid out in a grid of
underground, low voltage, insulated secondary cables. The insulation on the cables is rated at 600
volts and provides insulation protection that is several times greater than the operating 120/208
voltage of the secondary cables.
These low-voltage insulated cables travel, for the most part, through concrete or metal underground
ducts beneath roadways and eventually enter manholes and service boxes. From there, low-voltage,
insulated service cables run underground to the individual buildings and homes served by Con
Edison. The underground system has approximately 280,000 manholes, service boxes, and
transformer vaults; 23,669 conduit miles of underground duct; 35,134 underground transformers; and
97,268 miles of underground cable including primary, secondary, and service cables (service cables
run from service boxes or manholes to customer facilities). As of November 15, 2007, the distributed
direct current (DC) network system previously providing service in Manhattan has been eliminated.
Overhead
The overhead distribution system includes: 147 autoloops, seven 4 kV multi-bank substations and
230 - 4 kV unit substations, approximately 286,000 Con Edison or Verizon-owned poles, and 33,533
miles of overhead wires, including primary, secondary, and services. Cables operating at primary
voltages of 33 kV, 27 kV, 13.8 kV, and 4 kV supply 46,773 overhead transformers that step the
primary voltages down to 120/208/240 V distribution voltages that are used by customers.
Streetlights
Con Edison does not own, install, or maintain streetlights within its service territory. The New York
City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT) and the local Westchester municipalities primarily own
the streetlights in New York City and Westchester respectively. There are approximately 185,000
publicly accessible metal pole streetlights in the Company’s service territory. Con Edison cables and
structures directly supply electricity to approximately 125,000 of these streetlights. Municipally owned
cables supply the remainder of the streetlights.

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Transmission
The transmission system is comprised of overhead and underground transmission feeders that deliver
power from generating stations and transmission ties with neighboring utilities to the Company’s
substations.
Underground
Con Edison’s underground transmission system is located in all five boroughs of New York City and
in Westchester County, delivering power at 69 kV, 138 kV, and 345 kV to various switching
substations and area substations. The system consists of approximately 1,700 manholes and 600
circuit miles of cable. The cable system includes pipe-type cable, where cable is installed in steel
pipes containing dielectric fluid and pressurized to a nominal value of 200 psig, low and medium
pressure cable and solid dielectric cable, which is installed in concrete or fiberglass ducts or direct
buried.
Overhead
The overhead transmission system consists of 138 kV and 345 kV high voltage cable supported on
towers and poles on approximately 115 miles of right-of-way located for the most part north of New
York City and terminating in Westchester County where the underground transmission system
begins.
Substations
Con Edison has 19 – 345kV switching substations that provide interconnection points for:
• The 345kV transmission system within Con Edison
• The 345kV inter-ties with other utilities
• Ties to major generating facilities
• Ties to the 138kV transmission system
Con Edison has 19 – 138kV switching substations, and 1 - 69 kV substation which provide
interconnection points for:
• The 138kV transmission system within Con Edison
• The 138kV inter-ties with other utilities
• Ties to major generating facilities
• Ties to supply power to area substations
Con Edison has 60 area substations each of which directly supplies one or two distribution load areas.
The primary voltages at these stations are 69 kV, 138 kV or 345 kV. The distribution level voltages are
13.8 kV, 27 kV or 33 kV, depending on the region. In addition, there are a total of 15 Public Utility
Regulating Stations (PURS) of which 4 are located inside existing substations (Dunwoodie, Sprain Brook,
W.49th
Street, Mott Haven.) These stations provide cooling/heat exchange for the pressurized dielectric
fluid for selected 345 kV underground transmission pipe-type feeders. In summary, there are 39
transmission stations and 60 area stations, located at 65 sites. Some sites have more than one
substation.
Unit Substations
There are 230 unit substations located throughout the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island and
Westchester (in the Con Edison system). The unit substation power transformer, steps down primary 33
kV, 27 kV, and 13.8 kV to 4.33 kV. The 4 kV feeders that emanate from a unit station tie to 4 kV feeders

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from other unit substations to create a 4 kV grid system. The 4 kV grid system supplies approximately
10% of Con Edison’s total load.

Part One – 2008 Stray Voltage Testing
Program

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Introduction
The bulk of the Con Edison electrical facilities are components of the distribution system. There are
approximately 280,000 underground and 286,000 overhead distribution structures. In comparison, there
are approximately 3,200 transmission and substation facilities – including substations, PURS facilities,
transmission towers, and transmission manholes.
Con Edison divided the stray voltage testing and facility inspection programs into five components –
underground distribution, overhead distribution, streetlights, transmission, and substation facilities.
In 2004, Con Edison created a new department, Secondary System Analysis (SSA), within its Distribution
Engineering (DE) organization to manage the distribution facility stray voltage testing and facility
inspection programs required by the Safety Standards. SSA manages the stray voltage testing and
inspections for underground distribution, overhead distribution, and streetlights. Substations and
Transmission Operations personnel, in conjunction with SSA, manage the stray voltage testing and
inspections of substation and transmission facilities, respectively.
Distribution
Beginning in 2004, Distribution Engineering developed test devices and procedures for stray voltage
testing and facility inspection programs. SSA managed the overhead distribution and underground
distribution stray voltage testing and inspection programs from databases of the Company’s electric
structures extracted from the corporate mapping system. SSA hired contractors to perform the stray
voltage testing of all publicly accessible overhead and underground structures and streetlights. All
publicly accessible underground and overhead distribution structures and streetlights were tested for
stray voltage during February 2008 to November 2008.
Con Edison does not own, install, or maintain streetlights within its service territory. The New York City
Department of Transportation (NYCDOT) or Westchester municipalities primarily own these streetlights.
To manage stray voltage testing of streetlights, Con Edison directs its contractors to survey every street in
the service territory and test all publicly accessible metallic streetlights.
Substations and Transmission
The departments responsible for maintaining substation and transmission facilities managed the stray
voltage testing of these facilities. Substations Operations utilized substation personnel to conduct the
stray voltage testing of the perimeters of switching stations, substations, and PURS facilities. Substation
Operations used its existing work management system, MAXIMO, to manage its testing program.
Underground Transmission utilized contractors to perform the stray voltage testing of underground
transmission manholes and utilized a separate database to manage the stray voltage testing.
Transmission Line Maintenance (TLM) (Overhead Transmission) used transmission personnel and
qualified electrical contractors working directly for TLM to perform stray voltage testing of overhead
transmission structures during routine spring inspections of those facilities. Con Edison personnel
conducted stray voltage testing of unit substation perimeters as part of the Company’s existing bi-monthly
inspection program and maintained a spreadsheet log of the stray voltage tests.
Repairs
SSA tracked all stray voltage conditions to ensure that all equipment was immediately made safe and
permanently repaired within 45 days. SSA maintains a database to track each of the stray voltage
conditions for which Con Edison was responsible and maintained ongoing communication with the
Company organizations responsible for repairing these conditions.
Quality Assurance
The Safety Standards require electric companies to develop a quality assurance program to “ensure
timely and proper compliance with these safety standards.” Con Edison has developed a comprehensive

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quality assurance program to address the stray voltage testing and facility inspections requirements. The
quality assurance program includes:
1. Stray voltage testing of underground distribution structures including Underground
Residential Distribution (URD),
2. Stray voltage testing of overhead distribution structures,
3. Stray voltage testing of municipality owned streetlights,
4. Stray voltage testing of transmission and substation facilities,
5. Facility inspections of underground distribution structures including URD,
6. Facility inspections of overhead distribution structures and
7. Facility inspections of transmission and substation facilities.
This report addresses Con Edison’s quality assurance program in the report section covering each of
these activities.

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Stray Voltage Testing of Underground Distribution Structures
Scope
The Public Service Commission’s Safety Standards require that electric utilities test for stray voltage “all
electric facilities that are capable of conducting electricity and are publicly accessible.” There are
approximately 266,600 publicly accessible underground distribution structures on Con Edison’s system.
Underground distribution structures are considered publicly accessible except for underground structures
that are:
1. On private property and behind a locked fence or gate,
2. On Con Edison property and behind a locked fence or gate,
3. Buried,
4. Inaccessible due to long term construction,
5. Inside a building in a restricted area, or
6. On a highway.
Con Edison’s stray voltage testing procedure EO-10358 requires stray voltage testing of all publicly
accessible underground Con Edison distribution structures through an annual testing program. In
addition, procedure EO-10322 requires that underground structures be tested before working in an
underground structure and again once the work for the day is completed.
The underground stray voltage testing program is managed in a SQL Server Application. The application
was created from an extract of the electric distribution structures recorded in the corporate mapping and
asset repository systems and the 2007 stray voltage testing results. The database was segregated by
region and provided to the contractors responsible for stray voltage testing. The contractors would test
the structure, update the database to reflect the date of the stray voltage test and result, and upload the
database to a Con Edison server. From the stray voltage testing database, reports can be prepared,
including:
1. Structures pending,
2. Structures complete,
3. Structures found with stray voltage and
4. Publicly inaccessible structures not tested.
Overall Program
The 2008 underground distribution stray voltage-testing program began in February and ended in
November. The bulk of the testing was completed before the summer. Reconciliation of test data and
quality assurance were conducted during the summer and fall. The contractors utilized handheld
computers to record the date of the stray voltage test result and inventory information. The inventory
included gathering data on cover shape and type for all structures and collecting GPS coordinates on new
underground structures.
Two contractors, directly supervised by Con Edison’s Construction Management organization, performed
the stray voltage testing. SSA assigned a project manager and staff to manage the testing and data
reconciliation for the entire program. The project manager was responsible for tracking contractor
progress in accordance with Con Edison and contractor-agreed milestones.
Stray Voltage Test Procedure
Con Edison developed a variety of specifications and procedures for the stray voltage testing program.
EO-5100, EO-100175, and EO-10129 govern the manufacture, purchase and operation of low voltage

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detectors. EO-10322 establishes the stray voltage testing procedure used by Con Edison personnel.
EO-10358 covers the annual stray voltage testing program that is conducted by contractors. The
procedures described below are included in the Appendix.
EO-5100 (Low Voltage Detectors - Stray Voltage)
This specification details the requirements for the manufacture of low voltage detectors and
associated test devices that are to be used for stray voltage testing, including materials, impact
resistance, operating temperature range, voltage detection capabilities, and labeling.
EO-100175 (Purchase Recommendation - Low Voltage Detectors for Stray Voltage)
This purchase recommendation covers low voltage detectors and test devices for stray voltage
testing. The specification currently identifies only the HD-LV-S-5 as an approved detector for AC
stray voltage detection by Con Edison personnel or contractors.
EO-10129 (Operation and Maintenance of Low Voltage Detector for Stray Voltage)
This specification describes the step-by-step operation of the HD-LV-S-5 stray voltage detector. The
specification includes pre-operational checks and prohibits using rubber gloves during testing.
EO-10322 (Stray Voltage Testing Of Company Structures and Streetlights)
This specification describes the procedure for routine stray voltage testing of distribution structures
(overhead, underground, and URD systems) and streetlights during routine work. The specification
requires Con Edison personnel to test a structure and streetlight before working in/on the structure
and again when work is completed for the day. Additionally, the specification addresses the voltmeter
verification of a stray voltage indication from the HD device, the use of the shunt resistor, stray
voltage reporting, and guarding of any structure or streetlight found with stray voltage.
EO-10358 (Annual Contractor Stray Voltage Inspection Procedure)
This specification describes the annual stray voltage testing that is performed by contractors. It
describes how to test a Con Edison structure or streetlight, when to test a streetlight, what pole
attachments need to be tested, data transfer requirements, and notification procedures in case a
stray voltage is identified, and guarding of any facility or streetlight found with stray voltage.
Training
Con Edison developed training for both company employees and contractors on how to conduct stray
voltage testing. All contractors and company employees were trained on map reading, conducting stray
voltage tests, reporting of stray voltages, and guarding structures found with stray voltage.
Company Employees
Company employees received on-the-job training (OJT) covering the pre-operational check of the HD
stray voltage tester, voltmeter verification, reporting mechanisms, and guarding of structures or
streetlights found with stray voltages. These employees conducted post-work and work-in-progress
quality assurance of the contractors performing the stray voltage testing.
Contractors
The training of the contractors was conducted by means of a train-the-trainer format. The training
included personal protective equipment, map reading, pre-operational check of the HD stray voltage
tester, voltmeter verification, reporting mechanisms, use of the shunt resistor, and guarding of
structures or streetlights found with stray voltage.
The contractor managers then trained their field personnel in personal protective equipment, map
reading, pre-operational check of the HD stray voltage tester, voltmeter verification, reporting
mechanisms, and guarding of structures or streetlights found with stray voltage. During the course of
the program, Company forces regularly met with the contractors for training to address any required
corrections.

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Results
Con Edison identified a total of 266,653 underground distribution structures that were accessible to the
public, and required testing. The Company tested these structures for stray voltage and found a total of 5
stray voltage conditions were found. Table 2 displays the 5 underground stray voltages by Con Edison
operating region.
Borough Stray Voltages Found Detection Rate
Brooklyn 1 0.001%
Queens 1 0.001%
Manhattan 1 0.002%
Bronx 0 0.000%
Westchester 2 0.010%
Staten Island 0 0.000%
Total 5 0.002%
Table 2 – Underground Distribution Stray Voltages by Region
Table 3 displays the 5 underground distribution stray voltages by voltage level.
Voltage Level Count Percent
0-8 1 20%
9-20 1 20%
21-50 1 20%
51+ 2 40%
Total 5 100%
Table 3 – Underground Distribution Stray Voltages by Voltage Level
In each of the 5 stray voltage cases, the contractor reported the condition to Con Edison, guarded the
site, and waited on location until relieved by Con Edison. Con Edison made each location safe before
leaving the location. Each of the 5 conditions was permanently repaired within 45 days.
There are 13,461 underground distribution structures that are not accessible to the public because they
are located within fenced Con Edison property, blocked by long-term construction, buried, located behind
locked fences/gates, inside buildings, or located on highways. Con Edison performed extensive quality
assurance on these “No-access” categories. The details of the quality assurance are included in the next
section of this report.
Quality Assurance Measures Instituted
Con Edison developed a quality assurance plan to ensure that stray voltage testing was performed as
specified. The reliability and error design parameters used were:
95% reliability within a ±10% relative precision level and satisfy established
industry sample design criteria.
400 quality assurance checks are required to achieve a 95% confidence rate with a ±10% overall error
that the stray voltage tests were conducted in accordance with Company specifications.

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Stray voltage was not found during any of these quality assurance reviews.
S Specification EO-10315 (Quality Assurance of the Stray Voltage and Periodic Distribution Structure
Safety Inspection Programs) calls for 400 quality assurance checks to be performed on the contractor
stray voltage testing. The quality assurance checks are randomly selected from a database of all stray
voltage tests. The audit includes a field test for stray voltage. Con Edison performed 400 quality
assurance checks and no stray voltage was found during this quality assurance. A passing rate of 99%
resulted from the quality assurance checks performed by Con Edison. One percent of the structures
checked had incorrect address, structure cover type, etc, but no stray voltages were identified during the
quality assurance process.
Additional Quality Assurance Measures Instituted
In addition to the 400 quality assurance checks discussed above, Con Edison also conducted Random
Quality Assurance reviews of work in progress, Con Edison also identified several types of “no-access
conditions” for further investigation to ensure compliance with the Safety Standards. These are called “No
Access – Construction/Dumpster,” “No Access – Private Property (Locked Fence or Gate),” “No Access –
Highway,” “No Access – Con Ed Property,” “No Access – Inside Building,” and “No Access – Buried Box.”
The scope and results of each of this quality assurance is discussed below.
Work-in-Progress
Con Edison performed 1,285 work-in-progress quality assurance reviews to ensure the contractor
was able to read the Company’s Mains and Services (“M&S”) plates (on which the Company’s
structures are identified and mapped), identify the underground structures in the field, and test the
structure in accordance with EO-10129 (Operation of Low Voltage Detectors), including the pre-
operational checks. These work-in-progress checks did not find any deficiencies.
Structures with No Access
Contractors make either one or two attempts to locate and test all structures depending on type of
access description as detailed below. The contractors categorize each of the “No Access” structures
based on the field conditions such as long-term construction, dumpster on structure, behind a locked
fence or gate, etc. If after the attempt, the structure can not be tested, the contractors label the
structure as inaccessible. Con Edison personnel made a third and sometimes fourth attempt to locate
and test the structure. There are several types of “No Access” structures. Each condition and the
quality assurance efforts involved are described below. There are a total of 13,441 structures in these
categories.
No Access – Construction/Dumpster
The contractors make two attempts to access and test all structures that are found not
accessible due to construction activity or dumpsters. If a structure is inaccessible due to
Construction Activity or Dumpster, then the name of construction Company, contact person,
phone number and duration of construction activity or dumpster removal schedule (as
denoted on the permit or posting) is required so as to facilitate a re-field of the structure.
Company forces fielded any structure that could not be verified via the 2007 stray voltage
testing results. There are 447 structures in this category.
No Access – Private Property (Locked Fence or Gate)
The contractors make one attempt to access and test all structures that are found not
accessible due to the structure being on private property and behind a locked fence or gate.
Con Edison personnel then examined Company records to verify that each structure is
located on private property and is publicly inaccessible due to restricted access. Company
forces fielded any structure that could not be verified via Company records and the 2007
stray voltage testing results. Company forces then obtained the address and the name of the
building owner for the Company’s records. There are 755 structures in this category.

20
No Access – Highway
accessible due to a location on a major city/state/national highway and require a special
permit for access. The structure was not tested if the structure is located on a major
city/state/national highway and requires a special permit for access. Contractors record these
structures as a No Access due to NA-Highway, and record the name of the highway. Con
Edison personnel verified against Company mapping records and the prior years’ stray
voltage testing results that the structures are considered to be “Not Accessible to the Public”.
Once verified, the structure is removed from the testing population in the testing database.
There were 519 structures in this category in 2008.
No Access – Con Ed Property
Contractors are not required to test structures on Con Edison property that are behind locked
fences or gates. Any structure that was tested in 2007 but is now inaccessible due to being
on Con Ed property is verified. In each case, the name of the Company facility was recorded.
Once verified, the structure is removed from the testing population in the testing database.
There were 1,473 structures in this category in 2008.
No Access – Inside Building
Transformer vaults can be located inside a building. Contractors make one attempt to access
and test transformers that are found not accessible due to their location in a restricted area
inside a building. Company personnel verified that the transformer was within a building. In
each case, the address was recorded. Once verified, the structure is removed from the
testing population in the testing database. There were 1,408 transformers in this category in
2008.
No Access – Buried Box
A buried box is a structure that is below grade and requires excavation to access the
structure. These buried boxes are not publicly accessible and do not require a stray voltage
test. Contractors made two attempts to access and test these structures. There were 8,839
structures in this category in 2008.
Stray Voltage Repairs
In each of the 5 cases of underground stray voltage, the contractor reported the condition to Con Edison,
guarded the site, and waited on location until relieved by Con Edison. All 5 stray voltages were
permanently repaired by Con Edison personnel within 45 days.

21
Stray Voltage Testing of Overhead Distribution Structures
Scope
The Safety Standards require that electric utilities must test “all electric facilities that are capable of
conducting electricity and are publicly accessible.” There are approximately 276,800 publicly accessible
wooden poles on Con Edison’s distribution system. Conductive metallic attachments seven feet or less
above grade on wooden poles are considered publicly accessible except for poles that are:
1. On private property and behind a locked fence or gate,1
2. On a railroad,
3. On Con Edison property and behind a locked fence or gate, or
4. Inaccessible due to long-term construction.
Con Edison’s stray voltage testing procedures, EO-10358 and EO-10322, require stray voltage testing of
all publicly accessible metallic attachments (≤7ft from grade) to a wood distribution pole with Con Edison
facilities. A publicly accessible metallic attachment can belong to any party using the pole for
attachments, such as Con Edison, Verizon, fire departments, local departments of transportation, cable
television companies, etc. These attachments include ground wires, riser pipes, anchor guys, pedestrian
walk/don’t walk signals, fire call boxes, etc.
The overhead distribution structure stray voltage testing program is managed in a SQL Server
Application. The application was created from an extract of the wooden poles contained in the Company’s
corporate mapping and asset repository systems and the 2007 overhead stray voltage testing program.
The database was segregated by region and provided to the contractors responsible for stray voltage
testing. To ensure that all poles were included in the database, the contractors were instructed to follow a
pole line even when the corporate map indicated that the line ended. The contractors would test the pole
attachments, update the database to reflect the date of the stray voltage test and result, and upload the
database to a Con Edison server. From the stray voltage testing database, reports can be prepared,
including:
3. Structures found with stray voltage, and
4. Publicly inaccessible structures.
Overall Program
The 2008 overhead distribution structure stray voltage testing began in March and was completed in
November. Con Edison’s contractors visited every Con Edison-owned pole, every Verizon-owned pole
with Con Edison attachments, and third-party-owned poles with Con Edison attachments. The contractors
utilized handheld computers to record the date of the stray voltage test result, and inventory information.
The contractors were directed to follow the pole lines to the end, including secondary cables. When a
pole was found in the field with Con Edison facilities, and not in the database, the contractors performed a
stray voltage test and collected GPS and inventory information.
1
This does not include rear yard poles. These poles are considered publicly accessible.

22
Con Edison developed a variety of specifications and procedures for its stray voltage testing program.
EO-5100, EO-100175, and EO-10129 govern the manufacture, purchase and operation of low voltage
detectors. EO-10322 establishes the stray voltage testing procedure used by Con Edison personnel.
EO-10358 covers the annual stray voltage testing program that is conducted by contractors. The
procedures described below are included in the Appendix.
testing. The specification currently identifies only the HD-LV-S-5 as an approved detector for AC stray
voltage detection by Con Edison personnel or contractors.
specification includes pre-operational checks.
This specification describes the procedure for routine stray voltage test on distribution structures
(overhead, underground, and URD systems) and streetlights. The specification requires Con Edison
personnel to test a structure and streetlight before working in/on the structure and again when work is
completed for the day. Additionally, this specification addresses voltmeter verification of a stray
voltage indication from the HD device, the use of the shunt resistor, stray voltage reporting, and
guarding of any structure or streetlight found with stray voltage.
describes how to test a Con Edison distribution structure or streetlight, what pole attachments need to
be tested, data transfer requirements, notification procedures, and guarding of any distribution
structure or streetlight found with stray voltage.
Training
Con Edison developed training for both Company employees and contractors on how to conduct stray
voltage testing. All contractors and employees were trained on map reading, conducting stray voltage
tests, reporting of stray voltages, and guarding structures found with stray voltage.
Company Employees
Company employees received on-the-job training (OJT) covering map reading, the pre-operational
check of the HD stray voltage tester, voltmeter verification, reporting mechanisms, and guarding of
structures or streetlights found with stray voltage. These employees conducted post-work and work-
in-progress quality assurance of the contractors stray voltage testing.
Contractors
The training of the contractors was conducted using a train-the-trainer format. The training included
personal protective equipment, map reading, data recording, pre-operational check of the HD stray
voltage tester, voltmeter verification, reporting mechanisms, use of the shunt resistor, and guarding of
structures or streetlights found with stray voltage. In the case of the overhead stray voltage testing,
the training also included identification of metallic pole attachments such as guy wires, riser pipes,
ground rods, traffic signal equipment, etc.

23
reading, data recording, pre-operational check of the HD stray voltage tester, voltmeter verification,
reporting mechanisms, use of the shunt resistor, and guarding of structures or streetlights found with
stray voltage. During the course of the program, Company forces regularly met with the contractors
for training to address any required corrections.
Results
Con Edison identified a total of 276,861 overhead distribution poles that were accessible to the public and
required fielding. Not all of these poles had a publicly accessible metallic attachment that required a stray
voltage test. Of the poles visited, 7 had an attachment with a stray voltage. Table 4 displays the 7
overhead stray voltages by Con Edison operating region.
Brooklyn 1 0.003 %
Queens 0 0.000 %
Bronx 2 0.009 %
Westchester 4 0.003 %
Staten Island 0 0.000 %
Total 7 0.002 %
Table 4 – Overhead Stray Voltages by Region
Table 5 displays the 7 overhead stray voltages by voltage level.
Table 5 – Overhead Stray Voltages by Voltage Level
There are 1.460 overhead poles that are inaccessible to the public due to their location on railroads, on
private limited-access property such as factories, and in construction zones. Con Edison’s contractor
made at least two attempts to access each of these locations. In addition, Con Edison performed
extensive quality assurance on these no-access categories. The details of this quality assurance are
included in the next section of this report.
Con Edison developed a quality assurance plan to ensure that stray voltage testing was performed as
0-8 4 57.1%
9-20 1 14.3%
21-50 1 14.3%
51+ 1 14.3%
Total 7 100%

24
400 randomly selected quality assurance checks are required to achieve a 95% confidence rate with a
±10% overall error that the stray voltage tests were conducted in accordance with Company
specifications. In total Con Edison performed 400 randomly selected Quality Assurance checks of the
overhead distribution structure testing program.
Specification EO-10315 (Quality Assurance of the Stray Voltage and Periodic Distribution Structure
voltage tests. The audit includes a field test for stray voltage. These 400 random quality assurance
checks had a passing rate of 97%. Three percent of the quality assurance checks identified deficiencies
unrelated to stray voltage findings such as test status misclassifications, incorrect attachments, incorrect
address, and structure not found. No stray voltages were identified during the quality assurance process.
Con Edison also conducted “Work-in-Progress” reviews to ensure that the contractor was following the
correct procedures for stray voltage testing. In addition, Con Edison identified several areas in which
there was potential for an overhead structure to be missed during the annual stray voltage testing
program. These are called “Fringe Plates,” “No Access Poles,” and “Not Found Poles. The scope and
results of each of these quality assurance reviews are discussed below.
Work-in-Progress
Con Edison personnel performed 496 work-in-progress checks to ensure the contractor was able
read the M&S plate and identify the poles with Con Edison attachments. The contractor was required
to identify the pole attachments and state which attachments required testing. The contractor then
tested the attachments with the approved device and in accordance with EO-10129 (Operation of
Low Voltage Detectors), including the pre-operational checks. These work-in-progress checks did not
find any deficiencies.
Fringe Plates
A fringe plate is an M&S plate covering a border of one of Con Edison’s six geographic operating
areas (the five boroughs of New York City and Westchester County). The border could abut another
utility’s service territory or a body of water or could be the border between operating areas. These
border areas may have very few poles that possibly could be missed by the Company forces
responsible for mapping or by the contractor conducting the stray voltage testing. There are 1,885
fringe plates on the Con Edison system.
Con Edison performed a quality assurance audit of 30 of the 1,885 M&S plates selected on a random
basis. The scope of work included field inspecting the entire plate and marking on the plate with a
highlighter, to indicate all the wood poles found in the field. Quality assurance personnel then
compared the marked up plate to the data submittal by the contractor to ensure all poles were tested.
No Access Poles
The contractors make one or two attempts to locate and test all the poles. After the second attempt,
Con Edison quality assurance personnel field verify all of the No Access conditions. There are several
types of “No Access” structures. Each condition and the quality assurance efforts involved are
described below. There are a total of 1,460 publicly inaccessible poles in these categories.
No Access – Private Property and Behind a Locked Fence or Gate
The contractors made two attempts to access and test all poles that were found not
accessible. If a structure is located on private property and is inaccessible due to a locked
fence or gate, the name of customer and address is obtained so as to facilitate a re-field of

25
the structure. Company forces then attempted to access the structure by displaying their
Company identification. There are 382 poles that remain inaccessible in this category.
No Access – Con Edison Property
Contractors made one attempt to access and test all poles that were found not accessible to
the public because they are located on Con Edison’s property. In each case, the name of the
Company facility was recorded to facilitate any further verification. Once verified, the pole is
removed from the testing population in the testing database. There are 472 poles in this
category.
No Access – Railroad
The contractors made one attempt to access and test the poles that were found not
accessible due to location on railroad property. There are 565 poles in this category.
accessible due to a location on a major city/state/national highway and/or require a special
permit for access. The structure is not tested and is recorded as NA-HWY; contractor records
the name of the highway. There are 36 structures in this category.
No Access – Construction
The contractors made two attempts to access and test all poles that were found not
accessible due to construction. The name of the Construction Company, customer, and
address is obtained so as to facilitate a re-field of the structure. Company forces then
attempted to access the pole by displaying their Company identification. There are 5 poles in
this category.
Not Found Poles
Poles that are in the database and/or on the corporate map, but cannot be located in the field require
two attempts by the contractor. After the second attempt by contractors, Company forces conducted a
quality assurance check of these poles. The not-found poles were compared against the 2007
database, and if they matched, were flagged as a confirmed data error. If the poles didn’t match, Con
Edison performed field visit verification. Once verified, the pole is removed from the testing population
in the testing database. A total of 7,840 Not Found poles were audited and verified to be no longer
present on the system.
In each of the 7 cases where stray voltage was found the contractor reported the condition to Con
Edison, guarded the site, and waited on location until relieved by Con Edison. Con Edison made each
location safe before leaving the location. Each of the conditions, where the Company was
responsible, was permanently repaired within 45 days.

26
Stray Voltage Testing of Municipality Owned Streetlights
Scope
The Safety Standards require that electric utilities test all publicly accessible metallic pole streetlights and
traffic signals (“streetlights”). Con Edison does not own or maintain the streetlights in its service territory
(New York City and the County of Westchester). There are approximately 184,300 publicly accessible
metallic pole streetlights in the Company’s service area. Metal pole streetlights are considered publicly
accessible as long as the pole is located on a public thoroughfare (roadway) and is not:
1. On private property,
2. On a highway,
3. On a pier,
4. Inside a park,
5. Inside a parking lot,
6. On Con Ed property, or
7. Inaccessible due to long term construction
Con Edison’s stray voltage testing procedure EO-10358 requires stray voltage testing of all publicly
accessible metal pole streetlights through an annual testing program. The scope of work does not require
stray voltage testing of streetlights located on highways and piers, on private property such as parking
lots, or inside parks. Metal streetlights located on the perimeter of the park adjacent to a roadway were
tested. The stray voltage testing on all streetlights was performed at night. In addition, procedure EO-
10322 requires that metal pole streetlights be tested before performing work in a streetlight base and
again once the work for the day is completed.
The streetlight stray voltage testing program data is maintained in an SQL Server Application. Con
Edison maps only the streetlights that are directly fed by Con Edison structures. In many cases,
however, the NYCDOT and the Westchester municipalities supply multiple streetlights or traffic signals
from a common Con Edison service point. Approximately 33% of all publicly accessible streetlights that
require stray voltage testing are not on Con Edison maps.
Con Edison does not own, install, or maintain streetlights within its service territory. The New York City
Department of Transportation (NYCDOT) or Westchester municipalities primarily own these streetlights.
To manage stray voltage testing of streetlights, Con Edison directs its contractors to walk every street in
the service territory and test all metallic streetlights. In addition, in 2005, Con Edison instituted a system-
wide inventory of all publicly accessible streetlights in combination with a stray voltage testing program.
The inventory included capturing the Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates and installing a
barcode tag on each of the publicly accessible streetlights. The system-wide inventory created in 2005
was utilized to develop the SQL Server application that was used in the 2006, 2007, and 2008 stray
voltage testing programs. The contractors would test the structure, update the database to reflect the date
of the stray voltage test and result, and upload the database to a Con Edison server. From the stray
voltage testing database, reports can be prepared, including:
3. Structures found with stray voltage, and
4. Publicly inaccessible structures not tested.

27
Overall Program
The 2008 streetlight stray voltage testing program began in February and was completed in November.
Con Edison hired contractors to test all streetlights for stray voltage and scan the barcode of all publicly
accessible streetlights. The contractors utilized handheld computers to record the date and time of the
stray voltage test result and inventory information for all new metal poles. The inventory included
gathering data on address information, metallic attachments, and collecting GPS coordinates. The
contractors would also install a metal barcode badge on new streetlights.
Con Edison developed a variety of specifications and procedures for its stray voltage testing program.
Specifications EO-5100, EO-100175, and EO-10129 govern the manufacture, purchase and operation of
low voltage detectors. EO-10322 contains the stray voltage testing procedure used by Con Edison
personnel. EO-10358 addresses the annual stray voltage testing program that is conducted by
contractors. In addition, EO-10360 was developed to troubleshoot streetlights correctly. The procedures
described below are included in the Appendix.
testing. The specification currently identifies only the HD-LV-S-5 as an approved detector for AC
stray voltage detection by Con Edison personnel or contractors.
specification includes pre-operational checks.
This specification describes the procedure for stray voltage testing of distribution structures
(overhead, underground, and URD systems) and streetlights during routine work. The specification
requires Con Edison personnel to test a structure and streetlight before working in/on the structure
and again when work is completed for the day. Additionally, this specification addresses voltmeter
verification of a stray voltage indication from the HD device, the use of the shunt resistor, stray
voltage reporting, and guarding of any structure or streetlight found with stray voltage.
describes how to test a Con Edison structure or streetlight, when to test a streetlight, what pole
attachments need to be tested, data transfer requirements, and notification procedures in case a
stray voltage is identified, and guarding of any facility or streetlight found with stray voltage.
EO-10360 (Troubleshooting of Streetlights)
This step-by-step procedure governs troubleshooting of underground streetlight services. The
specification requires load testing of the Con Edison supply cables of all streetlights worked on by
Con Edison. The load test is necessary to check the continuity of the Con Edison cables.

28
Training
voltage testing. All contractors and employees were trained on map reading, conducting stray voltage
tests, reporting of stray voltages, and guarding structures found with stray voltage.
Company Employees
Company employees received on-the-job training (OJT) covering map reading, the pre-operational
check of the HD stray voltage tester, voltmeter verification, reporting mechanisms, and guarding of
structures or streetlights found with stray voltage. These employees conducted post-work and work-
in-progress quality assurance of the contractors stray voltage testing.
Contractors
The training of the contractors was conducted using a train-the-trainer format. The training included
personal protective equipment, map reading, data recording, pre-operational check of the HD stray
voltage tester, voltmeter verification, reporting mechanisms, use of the shunt resistor, and guarding of
structures or streetlights found with stray voltage. In the case of metal pole stray voltage testing, the
training also included identification of streetlight types and attachments, such as traffic signal
equipment, fire alarm boxes, light wattage numbers, etc.
reading, data recording, pre-operational check of the HD stray voltage tester, voltmeter verification,
reporting mechanisms, use of the shunt resistor, and guarding of structures or streetlights found with
stray voltage. During the course of the program, Company forces regularly met with the contractors
for training to address any required corrections.

29
Results
Con Edison identified a total of 184,281 publicly accessible NYC-DOT and local municipally-owned,
metallic streetlights that required a stray voltage test. The Company tested these streetlights for stray
voltage and found a total of 495 stray voltage conditions. Table 6 displays the 495 streetlights with stray
voltage by Con Edison operating area.
Brooklyn 206 0.38%
Queens 87 0.16%
Manhattan 31 0.11%
Bronx 46 0.20%
Westchester 19 0.10%
Staten Island 106 1.31%
Total 495 0.27%
Table 6 – Streetlight Stray Voltages by Region
Table 7 displays the 495 streetlights with stray voltage by voltage level.
0-8 255 51.5%
9-20 128 25.9%
21-50 73 14.7%
51+ 39 7.9%
Total 495 100%
Table 7 – Streetlight Stray Voltages by Voltage Level
In each of the 495 cases of stray voltage, the contractor reported the condition to Con Edison, guarded
the site, and waited on location until relieved by Con Edison, a licensed electrician contractor, or the DOT.
The responsible party made each location safe before leaving the location.
There are 369 streetlights that are inaccessible to the public due to location in long-term construction
zones or restricted access security zones such as areas with active public improvement efforts or the
World Trade Center. Con Edison made at least two attempts to access each of these locations. In
addition, Con Edison performed extensive quality assurance on No-Access categories. The details of this
quality assurance are included in the next section of this report.
Con Edison developed a quality assurance plan to ensure the stray voltage testing was performed as
that the stray voltage tests were conducted in accordance with Company specifications. In total Con
Edison performed 400 randomly selected Quality Assurance checks of the streetlight testing program.

30
Specification EO-10315 (Quality Assurance of the Stray Voltage and Periodic Distribution Structure
voltage tests. Con Edison performed 400 quality assurance checks and no stray voltage was found during
these quality assurance reviews. A passing rate of 99% resulted from the quality assurance check
performed by Con Edison. One percent of the quality assurance checks identified items such as
incorrectly marking if a badge was present or destroyed or not reporting that GPS coordinate corrections
were required.
Con Edison conducted “Work-in-Progress” reviews to ensure that the contractor was following the correct
procedures for stray voltage testing. In addition, Con Edison identified several areas in which there was
potential for a streetlight to be missed during the annual stray voltage-testing program. These are called
“No Access Streetlights”, “Plates with Mapped Streetlights” and “Zero Streetlight Plates.” The scope and
results of each of these quality assurance reviews is discussed below.
Work-in-Progress
Con Edison conducted 623 work in progress checks to ensure the stray voltage contractor was
testing the streetlights at night and in accordance with EO-10129 (Operation of Low Voltage
Detectors), including the pre-operational checks. Streetlights must be tested at night when the entire
streetlight circuit is energized. Nighttime testing exposes neutral problems on the utility side of the
streetlight circuit that would not be apparent during daytime testing when the circuit is not on. In all
cases, the contractor was found to be using the appropriate test device and testing after dark. No
deficiencies were found.
Streetlights with No Access
Contractors make either one or two attempts to locate and test all streetlights depending on type of
access description as detailed below. The contractors categorize each of the “No Access” streetlights
based on the field conditions such as long-term construction or restricted access. If after the attempt
the streetlight can not be tested, the contractors label the streetlight as “NA”. Con Edison personnel
made a third and sometimes, fourth attempt to locate and test the streetlight. There are two types of
“No Access” streetlights. Each condition and the quality assurance efforts involved are described
below. There are a total of 368 streetlights in these categories.
No Access - Construction
The contractors made two attempts to access and test all streetlights that were found not
accessible due to construction activity. Con Edison performed a quality assurance audit on
100% of these no access streetlights to verify the streetlights were inaccessible due to
construction. There are 283 streetlights in this category.
No Access – Restricted Access
The contractors made one attempt to access and test all streetlights that are found not
accessible due to restricted access, such areas with active public improvement efforts or the
World Trade Center. Con Edison performed a quality assurance audit on 100% of these
streetlights to ensure the streetlights were inaccessible due to restricted access zones.
There are 85 streetlights in this category.
Verification of Streetlight Plates Tested
The stray voltage-testing contractor is required to test the streetlights on every street in Con Edison’s
service territory. Con Edison does not map approximately 30% of the streetlights because Con
Edison does not directly supply electricity to these streetlights. Con Edison randomly selected 30

31
completed M&S plates to ensure the contractor tested all streetlights on the streets identified on the
plates.
Zero Streetlight Plates
The stray voltage-testing contractor is required to drive 100% of all M&S Plates that had no metal
pole streetlights mapped on the M&S Plate to ensure that no streetlights had been installed on the
street since the previous year's testing program. Con Edison randomly selected 30 M&S Plates
designated as 'Zero-Pole Plates' to verify the accuracy of the reporting by the contractor.
In each of the 495 cases of streetlight stray voltage, the contractor reported the condition to Con Edison,
guarded the site, and waited on location until relieved by Con Edison. Con Edison made each location
safe before leaving the location. All but 29 of the 495 stray voltages were permanently repaired within 45
days. Repairs of 24 of the 29 were made within 46 to 72 days. One streetlight required 105 days. The
repair of these 29 streetlights was delayed because of permit issues, third party involvement
environmental issues, construction delays and communications issues. Four streetlights are pending
repairs as of December 31, 2008 due to third party involvement, permits issues and restricted access.

32
Stray Voltage Testing of Overhead Transmission Facilities
Scope
electric facilities that are capable of conducting electricity and are publicly accessible.” There are 1,211
publicly accessible, overhead transmission, lattice steel towers and steel poles located on right-of-way
(ROW) that is either owned by Con Edison or on easements granted to Con Edison. Con Edison
personnel and qualified electrical contractors working directly for the Transmission Line Maintenance
section of the Transmission Operations Department (“TLM”) conducted stray voltage testing at publicly
accessible structures in conjunction with the periodic ground patrol of the overhead transmission system.
Overall Program
Stray voltage testing began in March 2008 and was completed in May 2008. Trained Con Edison TLM
personnel and qualified electrical contractors working directly for TLM tested all towers for stray voltage.
The stray voltage tests were documented in a database where the structure number, date tested,
employee name/number, and the test result were recorded.
Test Procedure
Con Edison developed a stray voltage testing procedure CE-ES-1043 (Procedure to Measure Stray
Voltage of Overhead Transmission Structures) (see Appendix) to address stray voltage testing of
overhead transmission facilities. This specification stipulates that all transmission towers, any guy wires
connected to transmission towers or poles, and fences that enclose any tower or pole shall be tested for
stray voltage every year. In addition, Company personnel and qualified electrical contractors working
directly for TLM will conduct stray voltage testing on each day that transmission structures are actively
worked. Each stray voltage test shall be recorded on the daily work record (Daily Crew Activity Report).
This data will be transferred to an electronic database. Voltmeters are used for all stray voltage testing.
Shunt Resistor
Overhead lines are not shielded and can induce voltages on metallic surfaces. These voltages are
normally not harmful, and they do not involve a failed component of the distribution system.
A digital voltmeter’s very high input impedance is designed not to affect the circuit being tested. The
design has the disadvantage of being unable to distinguish a stray voltage capable of delivering a
harmful electric shock from an induced voltage with no current carrying capacity. A shunt resistor can
be used in conjunction with the voltmeter to determine whether the voltage is produced by current
(presenting the possibility for harm) or is induced (harmless).
We have developed a shunt resistor to be used in combination with the Fluke voltmeter when a
potential stray voltage has been identified on the overhead system. The step-by-step procedure is
described in the Appendix.
Training
Company employees assigned to TLM and qualified electrical contractors working directly for TLM
perform the testing of overhead transmission structures. These employees have significant knowledge of
the overhead transmission system and normally work on the transmission right-of-way (ROW), performing
inspections and maintenance work. They are also experienced in the use of voltmeters, which were used
to perform stray voltage testing on the ROW. They also reviewed OP-420-3, Con Edison’s Overhead
Transmission Line Ground Patrol Standard.
Results
Con Edison tested 1,211 overhead transmission structures and associated guy wires using voltmeters in
accordance with Con Edison specification CE-ES-1043. There were 12 steel structures where
measurements yielded greater than 1 volt. Measurements at these locations ranged between 1.0 volts

33
and 4.0 volts and are considered to be induction consistent with the normal operation of the high voltage
overhead transmission system.
In accordance with CE-ES-1043, a planner in TLM, who has knowledge and expertise in overhead
transmission, but who did not perform or directly supervise the stray voltage testing, conducted fifty QA
inspections at locations on various transmission lines.
The QA checks performed confirmed the accuracy of the results from the stray voltage-testing program.
No Access Tower
Of the 1,212 overhead transmission structures, one tower is located in a major wetland and remained
inaccessible after multiple attempts. This tower is considered inaccessible to the public and was not
tested.

34
Stray Voltage Testing of Underground Transmission Facilities
Scope
electric facilities that are capable of conducting electricity and are publicly accessible.” There are 1,240
publicly accessible underground transmission facilities (manhole covers) throughout the Con Edison
service territory. Qualified contractors performed the stray voltage testing on these publicly accessible
transmission manhole covers in the five boroughs of New York City and Westchester County. Publicly
inaccessible structures, defined as being behind a locked gate/fence or inside a substation, were not
tested for stray voltage.
Overall Program
The underground transmission stray voltage testing began in May 2008 and was completed in November
2008. The testing was performed primarily by qualified contractors, with Company personnel performing
the stray voltage testing on those facilities that could not be located by the contractor. The contractors
were provided with a list of all underground transmission structures. The list was generated by extracting
data from Transmission Operations’ work management system (MAXIMO). The contractor fielded the
structure location, tested the location for stray voltage, and documented the results of the test on the list
for submission to Con Edison.
Test Procedure
Con Edison developed three specifications that govern the manufacture, purchase and operation of low
voltage detectors – EO-5100, EO-100175, and EO-10129. EO-10322 was developed to address the
stray voltage testing procedure by Con Edison personnel. EO-10358 covers the annual stray voltage-
testing program that is conducted by contractors. The procedures described below are included in the
Appendix.
associated test devices that are to be used for stray voltage testing.
testing. The specification approves only the HD-LV-S-5 as the approved detector for AC stray
voltage detection.
This specification describes the step-by-step operation of the HD-LV-S-5 stray voltage detector.
This specification describes the equipment that must be tested in on the overhead, underground, and
URD systems.
This specification describes the annual stray voltage testing performed by qualified contractors.
Training
voltage testing. Training topics included map reading, conducting stray voltage tests, reporting of stray
voltage, and guarding of structures if stray voltage found.

35
Company Employees
Company employees received on the job training (OJT) developed by Transmission Operations.
They received training in the pre-operational check of the HD stray voltage tester, voltmeter
verification, reporting mechanisms, and guarding of structures found with stray voltages.
Contractors
The management of the contractors were trained in a train-the-trainer format by SSA and the EH&S
section of Construction Management. The training included personal protective equipment, map
reading, pre-operational check of the HD stray voltage tester, voltmeter verification, reporting
mechanisms, and guarding of structures or streetlights found with stray voltages. The contractor
managers then trained their field personnel in personal protective equipment, map reading, pre-
operational check of the HD stray voltage tester, voltmeter verification, reporting mechanisms, and
guarding of structures or streetlights found with stray voltages.
Results
Con Edison tested 1,240 underground transmission facilities throughout the Con Edison territory. The
test results did not indicate any presence of stray voltage on any of the underground transmission
structures.
Quality Assurance Measures
Con Edison performed several types of quality assurance on the underground transmission stray voltage-
testing program. Contractors, who also performed testing on underground distribution structures,
performed the stray voltage testing of underground transmission facilities. Following this stray voltage
testing, Con Edison Construction Management personnel performed audits at 82 locations. The QA
checks confirmed the accuracy of the results from the stray voltage-testing program.
These contractors, were also subject to 67 field checks by Underground Transmission personnel to
ensure the contractor was able to read the Company’s maps (on which the Company’s structures are
identified), identify the underground structures in the field, and test the structure in accordance with EO-
10129 (Operation of Low Voltage Detectors), including the pre-operational checks. These work-in-
progress checks found no deficiencies.
Stray voltage was not found during any of this quality assurance.
If necessary, contractors make two separate attempts to locate and test all underground structures. If the
contractor could not find the structure after the initial two attempts, Con Edison Construction Management
personnel would then make a third attempt to locate that structure. Listed below are the categories for
structures inaccessible to the public.
No Access – Private Property
There are a total of 10 structures in this category. These structures are considered inaccessible to
the public.
No Access – Buried
There are a total of 12 structures in this category. These structures are considered inaccessible to
the public.
There are a total of 9 structures in this category. These structures are considered inaccessible to the
public.

36
No Access – Con Ed Property
There are a total of 386 structures in this category. While most of the structures are located on Con
Edison property, some are located adjacent to Con Edison properties on streets that have been
closed to the public for security reasons. All of these structures are secured from the public via
fencing or other barriers and are inaccessible to the public.
No Access – Construction
There are a total of 7 structures in this category. These structures are considered to inaccessible to
the public.

37
Stray Voltage Testing of Substation Facilities
Scope
The Safety Standards require that electric utilities test “all electric facilities that are capable of conducting
electricity and are publicly accessible.” The PSC’s “Order Issuing Safety Standards,” issued January 5,
2005, requires that substation fences be tested for stray voltage. There are 99 transmission switching
and area substations on 65 separate sites that require perimeter stray voltage testing. There are 11
Public Utility Regulating Stations (PURS) that are publicly accessible. The perimeters of all 76 of these
sites were tested for stray voltage. This section describes the stray voltage testing, quality assurance,
and training for testing these facilities.
Overall Program
Perimeter fencing including other electrical conductive materials accessible to the public, of seventy-six
(76) substation sites in the five boroughs of New York City and Westchester were tested for stray voltages
during the months of February through September 2008. Qualified substation mechanics and supervisors
performed the stray voltage testing. All stray voltage tests were recorded in MAXIMO, the work
management system that is used by Substation Operations to track tests, inspections and required
repairs. Table 8 shows the count of substation and PURS facility sites by region. Some sites contain more
than one substation.
Brooklyn Queens Manhattan Bronx Westchester Staten Island PURS Total
9 7 21 5 17 6 11 76
Table 8 – Substations Count by Region
Test Procedure
Substations Operations Procedure 0800-0038/00 (Substations Stray Voltage Testing And Station
Inspection) requires testing for electric potential (voltage testing) on steel, aluminum or other electrical
conducting materials on substation perimeters where such materials are accessible to the general public.
These materials include but are not limited to fences, doors, roll-up gates, metallic delivery boxes,
dielectric fluid delivery ports, and Siamese connections that may become energized as a result of stray
voltage.
Stray voltage testing is performed on perimeter fencing and other electrical conductive materials of
substations where such materials are accessible to the general public. The surface of electrical
conductive materials on all station perimeters will be tested annually using an approved tester (i.e., glow,
no glow). The direct contact low voltage tester (HD LV-S-5) detects voltages above 5 volts (indicated by
a glow of the device). If the device glows, a fluke meter will be used to obtain a numerical reading. If
there is any voltage reading (above 1 volt), then the location shall be guarded until the voltage is
eliminated (temporary grounding may be used). Permanent repairs will be made within 45 days. All
fence lines, entrance doors, transformer vault enclosures and any metal exterior trimmings, which have
the potential to conduct electricity and are accessible to the public, must be tested once during each 12-
month period ending November 30. Qualified Con Edison personnel perform all stray voltage testing.
voltage detectors – EO-5100, EO-100175, and EO-10129. EO-10322 was developed to address the
stray voltage testing procedure by Con Edison personnel. The procedures described below are included
in the Appendix.
associated test devices that are to be used for stray voltage testing, such as materials, impact

38
testing. The specification approves only the HD-LV-S-5 as the approved detector for AC stray voltage
detection by Con Edison personnel or contractors.
specification includes pre-operational checks and not using rubber gloves during testing.
This specification describes the equipment that must be tested in on the overhead, underground, and
URD systems.
Training
Employees are trained and demonstrate the ability to perform Stray Voltage Testing following Company
specifications and safety procedures through training module CSG0020 (Stray Voltage Training & Testing
SSO). The training includes the reasons for stray voltage tests, PSC Case 04-M-0159 information, safety
concerns and conditions, personnel protective equipment, stray voltage testing, and program
administration.
Results
Con Edison tested the perimeters of 76 substations for stray voltage. There were no stray voltages on
any of the 76 site perimeters.
Substations Operations Methods and Procedures group performed quality assurance for the substation
stray voltage-testing program. The quality assurance consisted of a documents search, records review,
as well as physical stray voltage testing. Separate records were created for each quality assurance audit.
Stray voltage testing quality assurance was performed at 8 sites, consisting of two locations in Brooklyn,
two in Manhattan, one in Queens, one in Staten Island and two in Westchester.

39
Stray Voltage Testing of Unit Substation Facilities
Scope
The PSC’s Safety Standards require that electric utilities must test “all electric facilities that are capable of
conducting electricity and are publicly accessible.” There are 230 multi bank and unit substations in the
Con Edison service territory. The perimeters of all of these stations were tested for stray voltage. This
section describes the stray voltage testing, quality assurance, and training for unit-substation facilities.
Overall Program
Metal fence and gates of 230 publicly accessible unit substations in the five boroughs of New York City (less
Manhattan) and Westchester were tested for stray voltages during the months between August and October
2008. The test results did not indicate any presence of stray voltages. Qualified Con Edison personnel
performed all stray voltage testing. The stay voltage test date, result and employee number of the person who
performed the test was recorded in an Access database.
Test Procedure
Every other fence post and the entire gates were tested with a HD Electric LV-S-5 direct contact low voltage
detector. The tester makes contact with the fence posts and gates to determine if stray voltage is present. If
the tester light glows, indicating the presence of stray voltage, the stray voltage should be measured utilizing a
Fluke 77/177 or equivalent multi-meter. The voltage reading is recorded in the database.
voltage detectors – EO-5100, EO-100175, and EO-10129. The procedures described below are included
in the Appendix.
associated test devices that are to be used for stray voltage testing, such as materials, impact
testing. The specification approves only the HD-LV-S-5 as the approved detector for AC stray
voltage detection by Con Edison personnel or contractors.
specification includes pre-operational checks and not using rubber gloves during testing.
Training
Con Edison developed on the job (OJT) training for Company employees on how to conduct stray voltage
testing. Company employees received training in map reading, the pre-operational check of the HD stray
voltage tester, voltmeter verification, reporting mechanisms, and guarding of structures found with stray
voltages.
Results
Con Edison tested the perimeters of 230 unit substations for stray voltage. No stray voltage was
identified.
Quality Assurance performed a quality review on a randomly selected sample of 30 of the unit
substations.

40
These quality assurance checks were performed as post work.

41
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Part Two – Additional Stray Voltage
Detection

43
Additional Stray Voltage Detection
Mobile Stray Voltage Detector
The Mobile Stray Voltage Detector (SVD) is a former Research and Development project that has
recently completed its second year of full implementation. The SVD is a truck mounted device that
employs a three dimensional
antenna to sense un-shielded
sources of electricity from an
approximate distance of 25 feet at
25 miles per hour (See Figure 1).
The SVD system produces an
audible alarm, a graphical display
of the detection and a video
image of the location, which the
operator accesses via the
onboard laptop. The operator can
then identify potential stray
voltage sources by comparing the
video to the level of the alarm.
Once the area of interest has
been identified, the operator then
performs manual testing on all
objects in the vicinity of the
potential stray voltage source to
pinpoint the object with stray voltage. The SVD can effectively detect stray voltage in the Company’s
underground network system. The SVD is not effective in areas containing overhead electric facilities.
Since 2005, Con Edison has tripled its fleet to 15 SVD vehicles and planned to perform multiple system
scans per year. The Public Service Commission’s Rate Order in Case 07-5-0523 requires that the
Company conduct 12 system scans between April 1, 2008 and March 31, 2009. In 2007, 5 system scans
were completed (as well as other partial scans). With the increase in the number of scans to be
performed, the operational needs of the program also increased and the Company had to deploy more
vehicles per shift than in past years. Below are the stray voltage SVD findings from 12/1/2007 through
11/30/2008 categorized by location and responsibility. As shown in Table 9, the SVD detects
occurrences of stray voltage without consideration to structure type or responsible party.
Stray Voltage Location Count Con Ed Non-Con Ed
Streetlight 2,109 859 1,250
Sidewalk 585 482 103
Traffic Light 455 82 373
Gate/Fence/Awning 442 217 225
Customer Equipment 341 114 227
Con Ed Cover 347 323 24
Scaffolding 139 18 121
Fire Hydrant 72 58 14
Bus Shelter 50 9 41
Figure 1 Mobile detection vehicle

44
Phone Booth 39 12 27
Traffic Sign 21 3 18
Water Pipe 18 11 7
Traffic Control Box 12 1 11
Non-Con Ed Cover 9 7 2
Pole 5 2 3
Parking/Municipal Meter 4 4 0
Trench 1 1 0
Total 4,649 2,203 2,446
Table 9 – SVD Stray Voltage Findings
During the period of 12/1/2007 through 11/30/2008, 9 system scans have been completed with the SVD.
In addition, partial scans were conducted as well as scans of special event areas, including the Times
Square New Year’s Eve Celebration, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade route, the Greenwich Village
Halloween Parade route, and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade route. By the end of 2008, the
Company expects to complete 10 system scans. The detection of stray voltage conditions with the SVD
has significantly contributed to the reduction of electric shocks and the increase in public safety.
Routine Work Stray Voltage Testing
Con Edison developed EO-10322 and revised Corporate Safety Procedure (CSP) 17.01 to establish a
stray voltage testing procedure for use by Con Edison personnel. EO-10322 describes the equipment
that must be tested on the overhead, underground, and URD systems. The specification also includes
testing of streetlights. The specification requires Con Edison personnel to test a structure and streetlight
before working in/on the structure and again when work is completed for the day. The specification
addresses voltmeter verification of a stray voltage indication from the HD device, stray voltage reporting,
and guarding of any facility or streetlight found with stray voltage. EO-10322 and CSP 17.01 are included
in the Appendix.
The stray voltage testing during routine work in an underground structure is entered onto the employee’s
Daily Crew Activity Report. Con Edison clerical personnel then enter this information into the Electric
Distribution Inspection System (EDIS), a web-based inspection application. From 12/1/07 until 11/30/08,
Con Edison personnel have performed 160,620 routine entry stray voltage tests, in addition to the annual
testing program. Con Edison employees identified 109 stray voltages. These stray voltages are
associated with routine entry and exit from a Con Edison structure or work on streetlights. Table shows
responsibility breakdown of each of the 109 energized equipment reports by Con Edison personnel. Con
Edison does not electronically capture routine stray voltage tests of overhead distribution, overhead
transmission, and substations at this time. This inspection system can capture routine stray voltage tests
of overhead distribution facilities.
Responsibility Count %
Con Ed 91 83.48%
Non-Con Ed 18 16.52%
Total 109 100%

45
Table 10 – Stray Voltage Reports by Con Edison Personnel
Reports from the Public
During the period of 12/1/07 through 11/30/08 Con Edison received 141 calls from the public of confirmed
energized equipment and electric shocks. The breakdown appears in Table 11.
Responsibility Count %
Con Ed 36 25.53%
Non-Con Ed 105 74.47%
Total 141 100%
Table 11 – Stray Voltage Reports by the Public
Support from City Agencies
During 2008, the New York City Department of Transportation Electrical Inspection Unit randomly
surveyed locations for stray voltage. These locations were at or around Con Edison equipment. The
devices used were the Extech Instruments voltage detector model DVA30. 355 locations were surveyed
across the five boroughs and one location was found to have stray voltage. This location was reported to
Con Edison for repair.
In addition to support given by the Department of Transportation, Con Edison has also developed a
relationship with the New York City Department of Buildings (NYCDOB) to address the issue of customer-
owned defective equipment causing stray voltage. Con Edison reports to the NYCDOB for a follow-up
inspection the locations where the Company has determined that a stray voltage condition was caused by
a customer’s defective equipment. The number of customer-responsible stray voltage occurrences has
declined by 17% from 2007.

Part Three – 2008 Facility Inspection
Program

47
Facility Inspection Procedures
Introduction
On January 5, 2005, the Public Service Commission (PSC) issued its “Order Instituting Safety Standards”
in Case 04-M-0159. The Safety Standards require that electric utilities develop a program to inspect all of
their electric facilities once every five years.
To comply with the Safety Standards, Con Edison developed and implemented an inspection program for
each of six systems that encompass all its electric distribution, transmission, and substation facilities. The
six systems are underground distribution, overhead distribution, underground transmission, overhead
transmission, unit substations, and large substations/PURS facilities. Each inspection program is
described in detail in the following pages.
The Safety Standards require that electric utilities inspect all electric facilities over a five-year cycle. To
achieve this goal, the Safety Standards provide for a ramp up of inspections over the five-year period
from 2005 through 2009. The fourth year (12 months ended November 30, 2008) cumulative inspection
performance target is 95% of 4/5 of all electric structures. The Company has completed inspections of
100% of overhead distribution, 71% of underground distribution, 100% of overhead transmission, 65% of
underground transmission, 84% of substations and PURS facilities, and 100% of unit substations.
Overall, Con Edison has inspected 85.5% of its transmission, distribution, and substation facilities as of
November 30, 2008. Table 12 displays the population and inspection status of each of the facility
inspection programs.
Facility Inspection Program Facilities Completed Percent Complete
Distribution – Underground 282,464 200,064 71%
Distribution – Overhead 284,865
2
284,865 100% - Completed in 2005
Transmission - Underground 1,660 1,091 65%
Transmission - Overhead 1,212 1,212 100% - Completed in 2008
Substations 99 83
PURS facilities (see SS) 11 9
84% SS and PURS
Unit Substations 230 230 100% - Completed in 2008
Total 570,541 487,554 85.5%
Table 12 – All Facility Inspection Programs (through November 30, 2008)
2
2005 structure count

48
Facility Inspections of Underground Distribution Structures Including URD
Scope
Company specification EO-10359 (see Appendix) outlines the scope of the inspection, inspection cycle,
reporting and repairs associated with the underground inspection program. Underground distribution
structures include manholes, service boxes, and transformer vaults associated with the network system.
Underground distribution structures also include the pad mount transformers, and silo transformers of the
underground residential distribution (“URD”) system, and any manholes, service boxes and transformer
vaults that are fed from the overhead system. There are approximately 282,000 underground distribution
structures on the Con Edison system.
Inspections may be completed as a scheduled or targeted inspection in conjunction with the 5-year
Underground Inspection Program or may be incorporated into routine utility work. All employees entering
underground structures, with the exception of emergency response crews, must complete an inspection
each time he/she enters a structure.
Procedure
Facility inspections are performed by qualified Con Edison field personnel that have been trained to
perform inspections and have the operating experience required to make necessary repairs that are
identified during the inspection. In 2008, the Company contracted a supplemental workforce to conduct
inspections. The additional contractor resources have been trained at Con Edison training facilities to
qualify them to perform inspections and make repairs.
Specification EO-10359 requires that the inspector examine the outside of the structure for tripping
hazards, such as, cover damage and variance from street grade. The inspector then tests the cover for
stray voltage, removes the cover3
, enters the structure, and visually inspects all cables and connections.
The inspector tests all lead sheath secondary and service conductors and all accessible metallic ducts for
stray voltage. The results of the underground inspection are entered into a database to track the status of
the inspections over the five-year cycle and to track the repairs that are identified.
Deficiencies
An underground structure is inspected for 11 different types of deficiencies. Deficiencies are grouped into
three categories: Tier 1A, Tier 1B and Tier 2. A stray voltage touch potential test is performed prior to
opening a structure and before leaving the location. In addition, all metallic surfaces within the structure
including, lead sheaths, rack arms, stanchions and metal ducts, are tested during the inspection. If stray
voltage is found, repairs are made before leaving the location.
Tier 1A defects must be repaired before leaving the location. Tier 1A defects are stray voltage, improperly
sealed secondary, cable in contact with the frame or cover of the structure and unsealed ducts.
Tier 1B defects include structure or equipment damage, cover damage, re-grade required (for structures
not at street or sidewalk grade), inoperable or ungrounded sump pump, exposed conductors, damaged or
missing neutral connections and damaged secondary mains services crabs or splices. Tier 1B defects not
repaired on location are referred to construction and emergency crews for repair through the B-ticket
system. B-tickets are prioritized based on trouble type.
Tier 2 items are for future rebuild and do not impact public safety or system reliability. Such items include
recommendations for structure enlargement or re-racking of cable, main upgrade or service upgrade. Tier
2 items are referred to engineering for prioritization based on the overall performance of all structures on
the associated Mains & Service (M&S) plate. M&S plate performance is determined using a targeting
3
Atmospheric testing is required for any entry into a subsurface structure.

49
model which reviews eight risk factors representing both actual hazard due to system failure and
indicators of congestion, overload, and age, which have been shown to lead to future failure.
Contractors performing inspections are also trained to make all Tier 1A repairs. Any Tier 1B or Tier 2
items found by a contractor performing inspections is documented and referred to Con Edison personnel
for repair.
Results
There are approximately 282,000 underground distribution structures, including URD, in Con Edison’s
distribution system. Through November 30, 2008, Con Edison has performed over 372,095 gross
inspections of 200,064 unique underground structures.
Company inspectors fill out an inspection form that is then entered into the Company’s new Electric
Distribution Inspection System (EDIS)4
, a web-based inspection application used to track the findings of
underground inspections. Below are the results of the program to date:
Program Year Gross Inspections Unique Inspections
2005 62,649 39,472
2006 76,219 41,896
2007 73,664 36,193
2008 159,563 82,503
Total 372,095 200,064
Table 13 – Completed Inspections December 1, 2004 - November 30, 2008
Program Year 2005 Tier 1A Tier 1B
Found 13,302 4,412
Repaired 13,302 3,264
Pending (11/30/2005) - 1,148
Table 14 – Program findings December 1, 2004 - November 30, 2005
Pending (11/30/2005) - 1,148
Found 25,181 6,791
Repaired 25,181 4,242
4
The EDIS replaced the Voltage Log in April 2007 for tracking inspection and routine stray voltage
testing data.

50
Pending (11/30/2006) - 3,697
Pending (11/30/2006) - 3,697
Found 34,778 8,783
Repaired 34,778 5,907
Pending (11/30/2007) - 6,573
Pending (11/30/2007) - 6,573
Found 115,339 14,618
Repaired 115,339 11,358
Pending (11/30/2008) - 9,833
Table 17– Program findings December 1, 2007 - November 30, 2008
Program Year 2008 Tier 1A Tier 1B Total
Found 115,339 14,618 129,957
Repaired 115,339 11,358 126,697
Total Repair Percentage - - 97.5%
Table 18 – Percentage of Tier1A and Tier 1B defects repaired
In 2008, the Company substantially increased its targeted inspection program and as a result the number
of identified deficiencies increased. Of the 129,957 combined Tier 1A and Tier1B defects identified,
126,697 were repaired at a rate of 97.5%.
Tier 2 items are rebuild related and do not impact public safety or system reliability. These items are
referred to engineering for analysis. During the first four years of the underground inspection program,
approximately 45,000 Tier 2 items have been referred to engineering; over 7,000 mains have been
replaced, over 700 services have been upgraded and over 400 structures have been completely
revamped.
A Central Quality Assurance group (QA) was established to oversee work done on the underground
electrical system. QA observes work-in-progress and post-work splicing activities in addition to
overseeing specification compliance of underground inspection program. EO-10315 (Quality Assurance
of the Stray Voltage and Periodic Distribution Structure Safety Inspection Programs) establishes
standards for the QA program in order to ensure that the underground structure inspections are

51
performed in accordance with the Safety Standards and Con Edison’s specifications. The reliability and
error design parameters used were:
that the inspections were conducted in accordance with Company specifications. In total, Con Edison
performed 1051 quality assurance checks of the underground inspections program, well above the 400
required for a 95% confidence rate.
Random Quality Assurance – Underground Inspections
Con Edison employees from the centralized quality assurance department conduct the quality
assurance for each of the Company’s operating regions. These employees are experienced cable
splicers and mechanics that have been trained in the facility inspection and the quality assurance
specifications.
For “Random Quality Assurance – Underground Inspections,” 1051 randomly selected, completed
inspections were chosen for audit. The quality assurance personnel performed a complete re-
inspection of the selected facilities and compared the results to the previous inspection. Deficiencies
identified during quality assurance reviews have been communicated to field crews, supervisors,
planners, and managers who have been required to reinforce inspection procedures with field crews.
A passing rate of 84% resulted from the quality assurance checks performed by Con Edison. Sixteen
percent of the structures checked had Tier 1A or Tier 1B defects.
Work in Progress – Underground Inspections
In addition to the 1051 post-work checks, quality assurance personnel performed 320 work-in-
progress quality assurance inspections for the underground structure inspection program. The scope
of the audit includes meeting a field crew on location, having the crew demonstrate its understanding
of the inspection requirements by performing the inspection and completing the inspection form (see
Appendix N Exhibit A) The quality assurance personnel then give feedback to the employees on their
performance and record keeping. Each of these work-in-progress checks is recorded as an on-the-
job training session.
Training
Training for the underground structure inspection program began in December of 2004. The managers of
the Secondary System Analysis section of Distribution Engineering conducted train-the-trainer sessions in
each of the major workout locations. The participants included the managers, planners, and supervisors
of the crews that would be performing the inspections. UG Inspection training continued through the 2008
UG Inspection program. The Secondary System Analysis Team conducted various training seminars at
all of the major work out locations which included the following topics:
The January 2004 stray voltage fatality
The PSC Safety Standards
Scope of the inspection
Completing the inspection form
Data entry process
Status of inspections to annual goal
Repairs pending
Accounting of the inspection
Performance mechanism

52
Secondary rebuild program
Visual Secondary Targeting (VST)
Laptop program (increases data entry efficiency)
Ongoing training presentations have included quality assurance inspection findings.

53
Facility Inspections of Overhead Distribution Structures
Scope
Overhead distribution structures, i.e., poles and pole-mounted equipment, are associated with both the
non-network and network system. Con Edison or Verizon generally owns the poles, with a small subset
owned by cable television companies and individual customers. In 2005, Con Edison conducted a
complete inventory of all poles and their corresponding attachments to facilitate stray voltage testing and
facility inspections. 284,865 poles on the Con Edison system were inspected and inventoried. We have
restructured and implemented a new overhead inspection program that will be inline with a 5-year
inspection cycle, inspecting 20% of the structures per year. Repairs found as a result of the new
inspection program will be maintained through the Electric Distribution Information System (EDIS), a new
web-based inspection application. Starting in 2009 all the repairs will be tracked independent of routine
work and a reporting mechanism is in place.
Procedure
The inspection of overhead distribution structures is detailed in the contractor request for proposal (RFP)
and specification EO-10358. The RFP outlines the scope of the inspection, the five-year inspection cycle,
reporting and repairs associated with the inspection.
Contractors performed the overhead facility inspections. The facility inspection is a visual inspection that
is performed from the ground. The inspection entails observing the pole for obvious structural defects
such as large cracks or splits. The contractor then observes the pole guys, the aerial cable and joints, and
the pole equipment (cross-arms, pin insulators, braces, transformers, re-closers, regulators, capacitor
banks, sectionalizers, surge arresters and their connections, switches, tie wires, secondary racks, wildlife
protectors, riser cable straps, tree molding, ground wire connections) for defects. The contractor also
observes if there is limited vegetation clearance.
Results
The results of the overhead inspections were recorded in a database to maintain the status of the
inspections. Con Edison inspected 100% of its overhead distribution facilities in 2005. Defects found as a
result of an overhead inspection were grouped into three categories Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3. Immediate
repairs such as stray voltage and oil leaks were classified as Tier 1 and the field forces safeguarded the
poles until all repairs were complete and the condition was made safe. Tier 2 repairs were related to
system reliability such as broken cross arms. Tier 3 repairs included all repairs related to pole
attachments.
Table 19 below shows the number of defects found as a result of overhead inspections by category.
Priority Count
Tier 1 117
Tier 2 613
Tier 3 7,346
Total 8,076
Table 19 – Overhead Inspection defects found

54
All Tier 1 repairs were immediately completed. Tier 2 and Tier 3 items reported during the overhead
inspections were referred to regional construction departments for repair. These repairs were not tracked
individually and were included in the routine work by the regional construction departments. Table 20
shows the number of repairs that have been made system wide as a part of routine and emergency work
grouped by Tier 2 and Tier 3 categories of repairs.
Category 2006 Repairs Made 2007 Repairs Made 2008 Repairs Made
CE Primary Riser 1,521 1,613 1,762
Secondary Rack 1,131 907 988
Repair Associated Pole
Hardware (Cross Arms,
Insulators, Tie Wires,
Head Guy Wire, Ground
Wire, Ground Rod)
16,128 17,685 18,102
Anchor Guy Wire/ Arm
Guy Wire
585 660 586
Messenger Guy Wire 1,155 750 710
Total 20,520 21,615 22,148
Table 20 – Overhead repairs made by category 2006, 2007 and 2008.

55
Facility Inspections of Overhead Transmission Structures
Scope
Con Edison personnel from its Transmission Line Maintenance (“TLM”) organization and qualified
electrical contractors working directly for TLM conducted inspections of the Company’s population of
1,212 overhead transmission towers and poles in accordance with Con Edison procedure OP-420-3, Con
Edison’s Overhead Transmission Line Ground Patrol Standard (see Appendix). OP-420-3 defines the
requirements of the ground patrol inspection. All major components of the overhead transmission system
including right-of-way, structures, and conductors/shield wires were inspected during the ground patrol
inspections. The towers and poles and their surrounding fences were tested for stray voltage during the
ground patrols. Reported conditions are maintained in a database and addressed in accordance with
Con Edison’s established maintenance programs.
Procedure
Con Edison procedure OP-420-3 was revised to meet the requirements of the Safety Standards.
Overhead transmission towers are ordinarily inspected by ground patrol twice a year – once in the spring
and a second time in the fall. The spring patrol assesses damage to facilities, rights-of-way, and access
roads caused during the winter and spring runoff. The fall patrol ensures the lines are in proper condition
to withstand winter storms. Con Edison TLM employees and qualified electrical contractors working
directly for TLM perform these inspections.
The inspection consists of a visual evaluation from the ground to evaluate encroachment of the right-of-
way, access roads damage, structural damage to the tower such as bent or broken supporting members,
bird nests, defective grounding, damaged conductors, damaged insulators, vegetation clearance, etc.
Results
The results of the overhead transmission inspections are entered into a database to track the status of
the inspections and required repairs. There are 1,212 overhead transmission facilities. Con Edison
inspected 100% of its overhead transmission facilities in 2008. Items found during inspection are
prioritized based on the classifications below:
Emergency Classification – A condition where a component of a transmission line is in imminent
danger of failure which would result in a hazard to personnel, the public, or equipment. In this case,
steps shall be taken to remove the equipment immediately. This category requires immediate
attention and correction as soon as possible.
Prompt Classification – A condition where a defect or deficiency exists on a component of a
transmission line and does not pose an immediate threat to personnel, the public, or equipment, but if
not corrected, has the potential to develop into an emergency classification or a condition that would
affect line reliability or safety. Conditions under this category shall be corrected within 60 days if
system conditions, labor resources, workload and weather allow. Conditions that are not corrected
within this time frame shall be reviewed with Engineering and monitored monthly until repaired.
Routine Classification – A condition that should be corrected when time or situation permits. The
condition should be evaluated monthly to determine if there has been any change in classification.
Broken insulators carrying a routine classification shall be corrected within 36 months following
observation of damage.

56
TLM began tracking repairs in June 2006. Below are the 2006, 2007 and 2008 findings for the overhead
transmission inspection program by classification:
Priority Found Repaired Pending
Emergency 1 1 -
Prompt 3 3 -
Routine 981 194 787
Total 985 198 787
Table 21 – Overhead Transmission findings June 2006 through December2006
Priority Pending 2006 Found Repaired Pending
Emergency - - - -
Prompt - 1 1 -
Routine 787 466 351 902
Total 787 467 352 902
Table 22 – Overhead Transmission Inspection findings 2007
Priority Pending 2007 Found Repaired Pending
Emergency - 1 1 -
Prompt - 1 1 -
Routine 905 427 297 1035
Total 905 429 299 1035
Table 23– Overhead Transmission Inspection findings 2008

57
Facility Inspections of Underground Transmission Structures
Scope
The 1,660 underground transmission manholes are inspected by Con Edison personnel in accordance
with Company specification CE-SS-6830 (Low and Medium Feeder Pressure Periodic Inspection
Procedure) and CE-SS-6045 (Inspection and Preventive Maintenance and Stray Voltage Testing of Pipe
Type Cable Systems) depending on the type of facility being inspected. This specification outlines the
scope of the inspection, inspection cycle, reporting and repairs associated with the inspection. Con
Edison inspected 488 of the 1,660 underground transmission manholes during the year ending November
30, 2008.
Procedure
Facilities associated with the pipe type cable system are inspected in accordance with Con Edison
specification CE-SS-6045. This specification states the inspection criteria applicable to such facilities,
and provides a summary of the inspection process. These inspections include, but are not limited to, the
following facilities:
• Manholes (Splice, Diffusion Chamber and Clean Out etc.)
• Joints (Normal Joint, Semi-Stop joint, Full Stop Joint (including circulation line valve))
• Potheads
• Risers and exposed pipe sections on bridges
• Risers and exposed pipe sections in tunnels
• Valve Boxes, Vent Chambers, Freeze Pits and Thermal Probe Pits
Facilities associated with low and medium pressure fluid filled cable system are inspected in accordance
with Con Edison specification CE-SS-6830. This specification states the inspection criteria applicable to
such facilities, and provides a summary of the inspection process. These inspections include, but are not
limited to, the following facilities:
• Manholes
• Joints
• Potheads
• Reservoirs
• Reservoir alarm relays
• Bonds
Results
Con Edison inspected 488 of the 1,660 underground transmission manholes during the year ending
November 30, 2008. The results of the underground transmission inspection are entered into the work
management system (MAXIMO) to track the status of the inspections and required repairs.
Tracking Inspections
Inspection results are recorded on a form detailed in the referenced specifications, and entered into
the work management system (MAXIMO). Each MAXIMO record includes the date of the inspection,
defects identified, and the inspector’s name. This database is also used to track the required repairs.

58
Repairs
The repair work is prioritized and corrective maintenance is performed accordingly. For example,
emergency work (e.g. leaking pipe) is performed immediately, and low priority work (e.g. missing
feeder tag) is performed on a routine basis. Below is a summary of the program findings for the
underground transmission inspection program 2005 through 2008
Program Year Gross Inspections Completed
2005 685
2006 512
2007 775
2008 488
Total 2,460
Table 24– Gross underground transmission inspections completed through November30, 2008
2005 2006 2007 2008
Found 342 326 507 767
Repaired 333 303 440 640
Pending 9 23 67 127
Table 25– Underground transmission inspection program findings 2005 – 2008
Company specifications CE-SS-6830 (Low and Medium Feeder Pressure Periodic Inspection Procedure)
and CE-SS-6045 (Inspection and Preventive Maintenance and Stray Voltage Testing of Pipe Type Cable
Systems) require that quality assurance inspections of randomly selected transmission manholes be
performed. These randomly selected manholes are re-inspected or re-tested by trained and
knowledgeable employees who did not perform or directly supervise this work. In accordance with these
specifications, 5 low/medium pressure cable system transmission manholes and twelve pipe-type cable
system transmission manholes were re-inspected in 2008, with results entered into the work management
system (MAXIMO).
The quality assurance inspections yielded results indicating that the original inspections were performed
in accordance with the applicable specifications.
Training
All Transmission Operations personnel who perform these inspections are familiar with the infrastructure
and regularly perform tasks to install, maintain, and repair the underground transmission system. They
are trained in the inspection protocols through career path training. This training is refreshed as required.

59
Facility Inspections of Substations
Scope
Inspections of Con Edison’s 99 substations and 11 public utility regulatory station (PURS) facilities are
performed in accordance with the Company’s Substations Operations (SSO) procedure 0800-0038/00,
Substations Stray Voltage Testing and Station Inspection (see Appendix). This procedure defines the
requirements for substation and PURS facility inspections (A PURS facility regulates the temperature of
fluids used for cooling pipe-type transmission feeders).
Procedure
The procedure entails a careful visual safety and reliability examination of substation and PURS cooling
plant equipment for conditions that have the potential to cause or lead to safety hazards or failure of the
equipment. Qualified substation personnel perform these inspections. All equipment in a substation or
PURS cooling plant will be inspected by visual examination once every five years, and at least 20% of the
substations and PURS cooling stations will be inspected each year. These inspections are separate and
in addition to the periodic visual and/or maintenance functions that SSO performs on a periodic basis
through compliance inspections such as battery room inspections, deluge room inspections, quarterly
pump house, circulation plant and PURS inspections, pothead inspections, overhead tower inspections,
and load board inspections.
Inspections are conducted according to inspection rounds for the “equipment categories” at each
substation station or PURS cooling plant as established in MAXIMO, SSO’s work management system.
The equipment categories to be visually inspected are battery room, deluge room, pump house,
circulation plant, PURS, pothead, overhead tower, load board, control rooms, relay cubicles (interior and
exterior), alarm panels, circuit breaker cabinets (transmission and distribution voltage levels),
transformers, station yards and interior switch rooms.
The individual equipment within each equipment category at each station will be visually inspected for any
condition that has the potential to cause or lead to safety hazards or failure of the equipment. For
example, all equipment within a relay cubicle will be visually inspected. Among the conditions to be
identified are exposed conductors, corrosion, frayed/damaged insulation, foreign material intrusion, water
leaks, and grounding connections.
Structures containing equipment, whether locked or not, must be opened and the equipment visually
inspected. Disassembly of panels and cubicles is not required, only doors and openings normally
designed to be accessible and operated during operations or maintenance are required to be opened.
Sealed structures will not be opened.
Results
Con Edison inspected 83 substations of its 99 substations and 9 of its 11 PURS cooling facilities in 2005,
2006, 2007 and 2008. In total 84% of the substations and PURS facilities have been inspected.
Tracking Inspections
The results of the inspection of each equipment category at a substation or PURS cooling plant are
recorded in MAXIMO and each equipment deficiency is recorded. An associated Auto Tour round
(job plan) is completed, identifying the inspection results.
All environmental or safety problems are immediately reported to the station operator who notifies the
Control Center Shift Manager. All other items found during the inspection are recorded in MAXIMO.
A new MAXIMO work order is generated to make the appropriate repairs.

60
Repairs
The inspection of the 83 substations of the 99 substations and 9 of the 11 PURS cooling facilities
included 3,318 separate inspection groups. The required repairs include items such as replacing
lighting, replacing covers on electrical junction boxes, and general station cleanup.
Substation Operations’ quality assurance program consists of periodic document reviews and field
observations to ensure that 100% of the required stray voltage tests and a minimum of 20% of the Safety
and Reliability Inspections will be completed by November 30 of each year and that the testing and
inspections are properly conducted.
The quality assurance was performed by members of the SSO Methods and Procedures group and
consisted of a documents search, records review, as well as physical critical visual inspection. Critical
visual inspection quality assurance was performed at three substation facilities in Westchester and at two
PURS locations. Separate inspection records were created for each quality assurance audit. The checks
found three deficiencies in two stations in the original inspections. The three deficiencies found pertained
to tripping hazards. In addition, all inspection and follow-up work order documentation was reviewed. All
required follow-up work orders that were entered into the work management system. The audit indicated
that there were four stations that have open work orders to make repairs that were identified during the
visual inspections. These work orders were entered into our work management system and processed
by appropriate personnel. These work orders will be tracked closely until all repairs have been
completed. In the remaining stations, work orders for repairs identified during the inspections have been
completed. All personnel were retrained on proper reporting and referral of repairs identified during
facility inspections.
Training
Employee’s are trained and demonstrate the ability to perform facility Inspections following Company
specifications and safety procedures through training module CSG0020 (Stray Voltage Testing and
Critical Visual Safety Inspections). The training includes the reasons for facility inspections, PSC Case
04-M-0159 Safety Standards requirements, safety concerns and conditions, personnel protective
equipment, facility inspection criteria, and reporting.

61
Facility Inspections of Unit Substations
Scope
Existing Con Edison procedure EO-10790 (Inspection and Maintenance Schedule For 4kV Unit and Multi-
Bank Substation Transformers and Switchgear) complies with the Safety Standards’ inspection
requirements. The specification is a guide for 4 kV Unit Substation maintenance personnel who operate
and maintain the 230 Multi-Bank and Unit Substations. It is formulated from industry standards, current
Company practices, and equipment manufacturers’ recommendations with the objective of optimizing
equipment operation.
Procedure
Qualified substation maintenance and operational personnel perform the facility inspections pursuant
specification EO-10790. The inspections are performed every two months – more frequently than
required by the Safety Standards. The inspection includes a visual inspection of circuit breakers,
transformer and feeder circuit breakers, low voltage circuit breakers, tap changers, primary (de-energized
tap changer), reactors, voltage regulators, cooling equipment, gauges and meters, control batteries,
battery charger, nitrogen equipment and supply, transformer silica gel breathers, thermostat and heaters,
station light and power, control wiring and circuits, protective relays, unit substation automation (USA),
ground and test device, and environmental systems.
Results
In 2008, Con Edison inspected 100% of its 230 unit substations.

62
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Part Four – Public Service Commission
Performance Mechanism

64
Public Service Commission Performance Mechanism
The Safety Standards provide for a 75 basis point revenue adjustment if the Company does not test
100% of its publicly accessible electrical structures and streetlights for stray voltage during the 12 months
that ended on November 30, 2008. The Safety Standards also provide for a 75 basis point revenue
adjustment if the Company does not inspect at least 76%9
of its electrical facilities over the four-year
period that ended November 30, 2008.
Stray Voltage Testing
By November 30, 2008, Con Edison completed the stray voltage testing of all its publicly accessible
electric structures and streetlights as described previously in this report. Accordingly, a revenue
adjustment is not applicable for 2008 stray voltage testing performance. Table 26 displays the results of
Con Edison stray voltage testing programs.
Stray Voltage Testing
Program
Publicly Accessible
Facilities Tested for
Sray Voltage
Percent of
Accessible
Facilities Tested
Stray
Voltages
Detection
Rate
Distribution –
Underground
266,653 100% 5 0.002%
Distribution – Overhead 276,861 100% 7 0.002%
Streetlights 184,281 100% 495 0.267%
Transmission -
Underground
1,240 100% 0 0%
Transmission -
Overhead
1,211 100% 0 0%
Substations & PURS
Facilities
76
Site Perimeters
100% 0 0%
Unit Substations 230
Site Perimeters
100% 0 0%
Total 730,552 100% 507 0.067%
Table 26 – All Stray Voltage Testing Programs
Facility Inspections
Con Edison has inspected 85.3% of its overall transmission, distribution, and substation facilities over the
four-year period ended November 30, 2008. The Company has completed inspections of 100% of
overhead distribution, 71% of underground distribution, 100% of overhead transmission, 65% of
underground transmission, 84% of substations and PURS facilities, and 100% of unit substations.
Accordingly, a revenue adjustment is not applicable for 2008 inspection performance. Table 27
summarizes the status of Con Edison’s facility inspection program.
Facility Inspection Program Facilities Completed Percent Complete
Distribution – Underground 282,464 200,064 71%
Distribution – Overhead 284,865
10
284,865 100% - Completed in 2005
Transmission - Underground 1,660 1091 65%
9
76% is the cumulative total for 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008.
10
2005 structure count

65
Transmission - Overhead 1,212 1,212 100% - Completed in 2008
Substations 99 83
PURS facilities (see SS) 11 9
84% SS and PURS
Unit Substations 230 230 100% - Completed in 2008
Total 570,541 486,951 85.3%
Table 27 – All Facility Inspection Programs

66

Part Five – Certification of Stray Voltage
Testing and Facility Inspection Programs

68
Certification of Stray Voltage Testing and Facility Inspection Programs
The due diligence and test-completion certification of Con Edison’s officer responsible for overseeing the
Company’s Stray Voltage Testing Program is provided in the Appendix.
The due diligence and inspection-completion certification of Con Edison’s officer responsible for
overseeing the Company’s Facility Inspection Program is provided in the Appendix.

Part Six – Analysis of Stray Voltage
Testing Results

70
Analysis of Stray Voltage Testing Results
Mitigation through Detection
The occurrence of electric shocks, referred to here as Electric Shock Reports (ESRs), is fundamentally
dependent on four components. The number of energized structures (ENEs), the duration or completion
time required to complete a system scan, the voltage levels associated with the ENEs, and the population
density all factor into the likelihood that a member of the public could experience a shock.
Since the likelihood of an ESR will increase or decrease in proportion to the total number of energized
structures the detection and repair of identified sources of stray voltage is the principal mitigation effort
behind the reduction of ESRs. Further, the elimination of energized sources has a cumulative effect on
the reduction of ESRs as each completed repair effectively represents a permanent mitigation of possible
ESRs. As these repairs accumulate over time the potential ESRs decrease accordingly.
Additionally, increasing the number of annual system scans has the effect of decreasing the potential time
during which an energized structure can come into contact with a member of the public. Thus, reducing
system-scan duration thereby reduces potential for an ESR to occur.
Although both ENE voltage levels and population density are recognized as contributory factors in ESRs
occurrence there is no indication at this time that either of these two quantities have changed to the
degree that they can be meaningfully incorporated into an ESR or Generation Rate analyses.
Based on these considerations the following analyses demonstrate the reduction in ESRs realized
through continued ENE elimination and the contraction of scan durations. A separate analysis is carried
out for each of the three major system elements that could contribute to an ESR: Con Edison, DOT, and
Customer Equipment (Public Access).
For each system element attention was restricted to ESRs occurring across system scans “2007 Scan 4”
through “2008 Scan 708-A”. These scans correspond to the time period June 12, 2007 through October
30, 2008 inclusive. Since there was no significant weather events within this date range the exacerbating
effects of rain and/or snow on the manifestation of ESRs have been minimized. Finally, each of the
analyses is based on the association among ESRs, cumulative detected ENEs, and scan durations.

71
The reduction of ESRs associated with Con Edison appears on Chart 1. At the current (2008) scan
duration levels expected ESRs should fall below 1 per month early in 2009.
Reducing the scan duration to 35 days (10 scans in 2009) should result in a total of 4 ESRs across the 12
months of 2009.
Chart 1
Con Edison
ESRs by Scan
Initial Estimate vs. 35 Day Scan Duration
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
0 5 10 15 20
ESRsbyScan
2007 Scan 4
2007 Scan 5
2008 #108
2008 #208/308
2008 #108 -A 2008 #208- A
2008 #308 - A
2008 #408 - A
2008 #508 - A
2008 #608 - A
2008 #708 - A
ESRs = -2.33*ln(Σ ENEs) + .041*(Scan Duration) + 18.13
Scans after # 708-A
reduced to 35 days each

72
The reduction of ESRs associated with the DOT appears on Chart 2. At current (2008) scan durations
expected ESRs should fall below 1 per month by mid 2009. Reducing scan duration to 35 days (10 scans
in 2009) should result in a total of approximately 10 ESRs across the 12 months of 2009
Chart 2
DOT
ESRs by Scan
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
0 5 10 15 20
ESRsbyScan
2007 Scan 5
2007 Scan 4
2008 #108
2008 #208/308
2008 #108 -A 2008 #208- A
2008 #308 - A
2008 #408 - A
2008 #508 - A
2008 #608 - A
2008 #708 - A
Scans after # 708-A

73
The reduction of ESRs associated with Customer Equipment (Public Access) appears on Chart 3. At
current (2008) scan durations expected ESRs will approach 2 per month by the end of 2009. These ESRs
appear essentially insensitive to changes in scan duration at this point in time and we expect
approximately 23 Public Access ESRs across the 12 months of 2009
Chart 3
Customer (Public Access)
ESRs by Scan
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
0 5 10 15 20
ESRsbyScan
2007 Scan 4
2007 Scan 5
2008 #108
2008 #208/308
2008 #108 -A
2008 #208- A
2008 #308 - A
2008 #408 - A
2008 #508 - A
2008 #608 - A
2008 #708 - A
Scans after # 708-A
(no appreciable change)

74
Analysis of Generation Rate
A means to estimate the generation rate (i.e., creation rate) of new ENEs on the system has been
derived. The resulting calculation is based on the number of ENEs detected within scans, the time
required for scan completion, and the approximate overall composite detection rate of the various
Company detection programs. The resulting generation rate calculation is:
G = { D23 – ( 1- R)* D12 } / {R*(T2 + T1)/2}
where:
Dij = stray voltages detected by scans between times i and j
Ti = duration of scan i
R = overall scan detection rate
Applying this calculation to scan data across scans “2007 Scan 4” through “2008 Scan 708-A” results in
the following comparisons:
Con Edison
Average generation rate = 4.71/day; Coefficient of Variation = .36
Duration = 506 days
Stray voltages calculated = 2,385
Stray voltages detected = 3,094
DOT
Duration = 506 days
Stray voltages calculated = 1,993
Stray voltages detected = 2,484
Customer
Duration = 506 days
Stray voltages calculated = 687
Stray voltages detected = 804
In all cases, the calculated number of ENEs generated within the scan period is lower than the actual
number detected. This suggests that the Company’s mitigation efforts are keeping ahead of the
generation of new ENEs and are beginning to erode the appearance of any short term intermittent
energized sources.
Finally, a comparison of the three Coefficients of Variation (lower being a more stable process) indicates
that the ENE generation process within the Con Edison system component is the least volatile one.

Part Seven – Stray Voltage Initiatives

76
Stray Voltage Initiatives
Research and Development
Con Edison’s Research and Development (R&D) department is involved in initiatives that may lead to a
reduction in stray voltage or better detection techniques. This section describes several of the more
promising programs.
Mobile Stray Voltage Detector
The project has developed a vehicular sensor/system for detecting the presence of stray voltages on
manhole covers, gratings, service boxes, light poles and other structures while driving over roadways.
The development includes a three-axis version, optimization of detector sensitivity for field conditions,
improved design of the capture, analysis and alarm electronics and prototype testing in field
conditions. Con Edison has procured 15 mobile stray voltage detection (SVD) systems from Sarnoff
Corporation. These SVDs employ three-dimensional electric field sensors to detect stray voltages or
unshielded electric cables. The Company has moved to full scale implementation of the Mobile Stray
Voltage Detector.
Con Edison has tripled its fleet and intends to perform multiple testing cycles per year with the SVD.
Con Edison has evaluated the effectiveness of the mobile SVD testing as it relates to manual stray
voltage testing which resulted in SVD testing replacing 20% of the manual testing program in 2009.
The SVD has the distinct advantage of not having to make direct contact with something to test it for
stray voltage; therefore, the SVD has identified stray voltage on objects such as scaffolds that would
not be tested in the manual testing program. Table 28 displays the number of stray voltage
occurrences identified on objects that are not part of the manual testing program for the period of
January 1, 2008 thru November 30, 2008.
Stray Voltage Location Count
Sidewalk 556
Fence/Gate/Awning 437
Customer Equipment 340
Scaffolding 134
Bus Shelter 50
Fire Hydrant 71
Phone Booth 39
Non-Con Ed Cover 9
Standpipe/Water Pipe 17
Other 5
Total 1,157
Table 28 – SVD Stray Voltage Reports on Non Con Ed Equipment from January 1, 2008 thru November 30, 2008

77
In 2008, the SVD detected 87% of energized equipment found on the system, both Con Ed and Non-Con
Ed. Figure 2 shows the number of items found energized by reporting medium.
Vented Composite Covers
The sidewalk installation of 1,000 vented Composite Covers is one of the Company’s latest
innovations within the mitigation efforts portfolio to enhance public safety. The non-metallic cover
provides two types of protection; first it mitigates the possibility of stray voltage and second it reduces
the buildup of combustible gases associated with secondary events.
As a result of extensive research, development, testing and the 2008 pilot installation program, there
are several sizes of composite covers available to the Company. A program of 1,000 covers will be
launched in January 2009.
Arcing Signature
Arcing faults can cause the formation of combustible gases which lead to manhole explosions.
Electrification events may also be associated with arcing faults on the secondary network mains
and/or services. In 2005, approximately fifty (50) arc detection units were installed in the Fashion
Network in Manhattan.
In this project, a research partner was employed to review the data collected. They determined that
the characteristics of the waveforms exhibit qualitative similarities to those seen in the research
partner’s past work on arcing faults on MV systems. However, the efforts thus far and the data in
hand do not make it possible to verify whether the observed signatures were coincident with known
system problems. The existing recorders only captured about one second of data per event. It was
unclear whether there may be a significant number of these bursts over a substantial period of time
before leading to a final fault, failure or manhole event.
In their final report, the research partner recommended the installation of monitoring and recording
equipment with fault anticipation capabilities to enable detailed study of operations during normal and
abnormal operation. In this project, high-fidelity, high capacity monitoring and recording equipment
will be installed on 26 network feeders and 30 network secondary locations in the Cooper Square
Figure 2– Stray Voltage findings by reporting medium
1%2%
10%
87%
Mobile Testing Manual Testing Routine Testing Reports of Energized Equipment

78
Network. Broadband communications will be provided for all the recording devices for efficient
continuous monitoring. We have a contract with the research partner to provide for data retrieval,
management and analysis services over a nominal period of two years. This project will evaluate the
feasibility of designing a system for arcing fault detection to mitigate manhole events. Installation of
the monitoring and recording equipment will start in the spring of 2009. If proven successful, a
plausible deployment methodology might be to have an arc-fault detection algorithm implemented on
new RMS transmitters and alert the presence and location of an arc-fault via the VDAMS system.
Benefits include potential for increased safety as a result of advanced warning and thus prevention of
manhole events and electric shocks.
“Stray Voltage, Manhole Events and Secondary System Machine Learning Project, Phase 1- 4”
(Columbia University)
The overall goal is to identify the most vulnerable secondary structures and to rank the structures
according to vulnerability to manhole events and stray voltage. Machine Learning techniques will be
used to identify factors that are related to manhole and stray voltage events and used to derive
structure rankings. Several databases have been extensively cleaned, processed, and consolidated
for use in machine learning model. A method to rank the structures based on machine learning and
other techniques has been designed and tested. A visualization interface that allows ECS tickets,
structures colored by rank, and main cables to be viewed on Google Earth has also been designed.
This work has been completed in Manhattan and will be extended to other boroughs. The general aim
is to help Con Edison prioritize repairs and inspections.

79
Part Eight – Future Recommendations

80
Future Recommendations
Transmission and Substation Testing
Con Edison has completed four annual testing cycles of overhead transmission, underground transmission,
and substations. No stray voltage was found on these facilities. Con Edison proposes that the Safety
Standards be modified to eliminate the requirement for annual stray voltage testing of transmission and
substation facilities and to require stray voltage testing of these facilities at the time of the five-year inspection
of these facilities.

81

82
Appendix

83
A: EO-5100 (Low Voltage Detectors - Stray Voltage)

88

89
B: EO100175 (Purchase Recommendation – Low Voltage Detectors for Stray Voltage)

92
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.

93
C: EO-10129 (Operation and Maintenance of Low Voltage Detector for Stray Voltage)

104

105
D: EO-10322 (Stray Voltage Testing Of Company Structures and Streetlights)

122
E: EO-10358 (Annual Contractor Stray Voltage Inspection Procedure)

177

178
F: EO-10360 (Troubleshooting of Streetlights)

187

188
G: Shunt Resistor Brochure

190
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191
H: Overhead Transmission Stray Voltage Testing Specification

197
I: Overhead Transmission Facility Inspection Specification

207
J: Substations Stray Voltage Testing and Inspection Procedure

215
K: EO-10790 (Insp. & Maint. Schedule for 4 kV Unit & Multi-Bank SS Transf. & Switchgear)

224

240

241
M: Corporate Safety Procedure 17.01

256

257
N: EO-10359 (Periodic Underground Distribution Structure Inspections)

280

281
O: EO-10315 (Quality Assurance of the Stray Voltage and Periodic Distribution
Structure Safety Inspection Programs)

299
P: Certification of Stray Voltage Testing
John Mucci, on this ___ day of January 2009 certifies as follows:
1. I am Vice President of Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. (“Con Edison” or “the
Company”).
2. I am responsible for overseeing Con Edison’s stray voltage testing program, and in that capacity I
have monitored the Company’s stray voltage testing program during the twelve months ended
November 30, 2008 (“the twelve month period”). During the twelve-month period, Con Edison
instituted and diligently carried out a program designed to meet the stray voltage testing requirements
of the Public Service Commission’s Safety Standards, issued and effective January 5, 2005 as modified
by Order issued July 21, 2005 in Case 04-M-0159, Proceeding Instituting Safety Standards.
3. To the best of my knowledge, information, and belief, during the twelve month period, Con
Edison identified and tested for stray voltage (i) all publicly accessible electric facilities owned by the
Company, and (ii) all streetlights located in public thoroughfares in the Company’s service territory as
identified through a good faith effort by the Company, except for such facilities that are identified in
the Company’s Annual Report, submitted herewith.
________________________
John Mucci

300

301
Q: Certification of Inspections
John Mucci, on this ___ day of January 2009, certifies as follows:
1. I am Vice President of Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. (“Con Edison” or “the
Company”).
2. I am responsible for overseeing Con Edison’s electric facility inspection program, and in that
capacity I have monitored the Company’s inspection program during the twelve months ended
November 30, 2008 (“the twelve-month period”). During the twelve-month period, Con Edison
instituted and diligently carried out a program designed to meet the inspection requirements
established by the Public Service Commission’s Safety Standards, issued and effective January 5, 2005
as modified by Order issued July 21, 2005 in Case 04-M-0159, Proceeding Instituting Safety
Standards.
3. To the best of my knowledge, information, and belief, Con Edison has visually inspected the
requisite number of electric facilities during the twelve-month period, including the requirement to
have conducted a visual inspection of at least 76% of its electric facilities through November 30, 2008.
________________________
John Mucci

302

2008 Testing and Inspection Programs Final

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