Concrete-encased ductbank is where data center electrical scope lives or dies on schedule. The runs are long, the conduit configurations are tight, and the inspections are exhaustive. Backwell self-performs ductbank construction across Central New York data center projects, from the substation interconnect through MV collector, internal distribution, and emergency power feeders.
Ductbank Scope We Handle
Voltage Tiers
- 230 kV , utility interconnect ductbank for hyperscaler-class projects
- 115 kV , substation feeders, primary distribution
- 34.5 kV , MV collector to inverter pads, transformer feeds
- 15 kV , internal distribution
- 600 V , secondary distribution to equipment yards
- Low voltage and control , co-located with primary feeders per spec
Configuration
- Standard 4-, 6-, 8-, and 12-way conduit configurations
- PVC schedule 40 / 80, fiberglass, RTRC per spec
- Concrete encasement to spec (red dye for HV, standard for MV/LV)
- Pull boxes, hand holes, and manhole vaults on standard data center spacing
Excavation, Bedding, Backfill
- Trench depth 36 in to 84 in based on voltage tier
- Stone bedding to spec
- Concrete encasement with vibrators and air entrainment per spec
- Native or engineered backfill above encasement
- Compaction testing every lift, ASTM D698
Why Ductbank Is Critical Schedule
Ductbank installation on a data center project is on the critical path between:
- Utility interconnect approval (substation feeder ductbank must be inspected and accepted before utility energizes)
- Pad foundation pours (ductbank stub-ups have to be set before slab is placed)
- Inverter / transformer set (electrical equipment can't be set until the feeder ductbank is in)
- Commissioning (every ductbank section is megger-tested; failures kick rework into the schedule)
Backwell crews routinely run two ductbank teams in parallel on large projects to stay on schedule.
Counties We Serve
Our ductbank crews work across Central NY counties within 90 minutes of Syracuse:
Equipment & Crew
- Excavators sized for ductbank trench (Cat 320, 336)
- Concrete pumps (rented per project)
- Vibrators and screeds
- Conduit racks and spacing chairs
- Megger / hi-pot test equipment for QA prior to backfill
- Trench boxes for safety compliance
Coordination with Electrical Sub
We sequence ductbank against the electrical contractor's pull schedule:
- Backwell excavates trench
- Backwell sets conduit (or coordinates with electrical sub if cable handling is in their scope)
- Backwell pours concrete encasement
- Electrical pulls cable
- Megger / hi-pot testing
- Backwell backfills, compacts, and tests
When the electrical sub handles conduit set, we sequence to match their pull schedule and minimize rework.
QA/QC
- Concrete cylinder testing per ASTM C31 / C39 every pour
- Conduit alignment verification before encasement
- Megger testing before backfill
- As-built survey of every pull box, hand hole, and ductbank elbow
- Full QA documentation package delivered to EPC at scope completion
Why Backwell
- Self-perform , ductbank done by Backwell crews
- Bonded , performance and payment bonding capacity
- Davis-Bacon / NY prevailing wage compliant
- Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) , federal designation
- SAM.gov registered , UEI XY4KWNPR6ES5
- Local , Syracuse equipment yard, crews live in CNY
Unit Pricing for Reference
| Configuration |
Rate |
| 4-way concrete-encased ductbank |
by LF, project-specific |
| 6-way concrete-encased ductbank |
by LF, project-specific |
| Concrete (in-place) |
$1,100 / CY |
| Pull boxes and hand holes |
unit price by size |
| Megger testing |
by run |
FAQ
Do you provide the conduit, or is that the electrical sub's responsibility?
Either configuration. On many data center projects the electrical sub furnishes conduit and we install it within our trench scope. On smaller projects we furnish-and-install. Project-specific.
Can you handle 230 kV ductbank?
Yes. We've installed concrete-encased ductbank up to 230 kV transmission spec, with the trench depth, encasement, and isolation requirements that voltage tier requires.
What's your typical ductbank production rate?
80–120 LF per crew per day for standard 6-way configurations in good ground conditions. Rock and dewatering reduce production; multi-shift operations increase it. Project-specific.
Do you handle the megger / hi-pot testing?
Megger testing is part of our QA/QC. Hi-pot testing is typically the electrical sub's responsibility, but we coordinate timing so backfill doesn't get ahead of testing.
Are you set up for federal Davis-Bacon ductbank work?
Yes. SAM.gov registered, federal WOSB designation, certified payroll capable.
Schema Markup
Related Pages