Electrical
Source: https://www.cambridgema.gov/Departments/Electrical
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:10
Electrical
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Banner Application (PDF)
A Banner application must be summitted to install any banner on any City owned streetlight poles. Parks are excluded.
Learn More
Master Box Connection (PDF)
A Master Box application must be summitted anytime that a new master box is required to be installed on any new building or renovation project.
Learn More
Utility Permit Application (PDF)
A Utility Permit Application must be submitted to the Cambridge Electrical Department for any electrical and communications work in the City of Cambridge. If this work involves any excavation or trenching, an Excavation and Trench Permit must also be applied for at the Department of Public Works.
Learn More
LED Street Classification Map
LED Streetlight Conversion Fact Sheet
Fire Alarm System Permit
Electrical Permits
Pole and Conduit Permit
Street Light Level Map
SeeClickFix
Master Box Fees
The Electrical Department oversees street and park lighting, the City’s Fire Alarm System, and City fiber cable network. The department also oversees installation of cables, conduits and equipment by utilities and other contractors over and within all public ways.
Contacts
PHONE:
617-349-4925
Email Us
250 Fresh Pond Pkwy., 1st Floor
Cambridge, MA 02138
Tips and FAQs
What are the Master Box Fees?
All fees are based on a 7-day workweek, Sunday - Saturday.
During regular business hours, 7am – 3pm
First two disconnect/reconnects: no charge
Over two disconnects/reconnects: $25.00 per disconnect/reconnect
After hours, weekends, holidays, etc.
Monday - Friday
Request between 3pm and 4pm: $41.28
Request between 4pm and 5pm: $82.56
Request after 5pm and before 7am: $165.12
Weekends and Holidays
Request for disconnect/reconnect within a 4 hr. time frame: $165.12
Request for disconnect/reconnect exceeding 4 hrs.: $330.24
Fees current as of February 2017
Cambridge LED Streetlight Basics
Our LED streetlights make colors look bright and more "true' to the natural color. Trees look green instead of brown; a blue car looks blue instead of gray. Because of this improved color rendition, everything appears brighter and sharper under the new streetlights, even when the amount of light is less than the old lights.
The “color temperature” (warm-cool) of the streetlights is 4000K, which is in the middle of the warm-cool range. This color temperature closely matches moonlight. This color temperature of the new lights is the same or “warmer” than the quarter-of-a-million LED streetlights that have been or are being installed in Boston, New York, Los Angeles, Oakland and San Francisco. The color of the new streetlights is the “warmest” typically available for LED streetlights.
The City has selected a Cree LEDway Streetlight, 40LED, 80LED and 120LED. The new lights will reduce unwanted spill light into homes and properties.
How much savings will the City experience?
The new street lighting system will consume about 25% of the energy of the existing streetlights, saving the City an estimated $500,000 per year in electricity costs, and allowing us to meet the "carbon footprint" reduction goals that we have set for ourselves.
Can the light levels of the fixtures be adjusted?
A wireless control system has been installed. This allows dimming of the streetlights. When a new streetlight is installed, it will be much brighter than normal until it communicates with the dimming system. Most of the streetlights are already under the control of the dimming system which turns lights on to only 70% of their potential brightness, and later in the evening, dims them even further to about 35% of their brightness. By the time most of us are going to bed, the streetlights will be dimmed to about a third of their current brightness. This dimming system is unique among mid- to large-size cities in the U.S. and reflects the sophisticated approach Cambridge has taken.
What factors were considered in designing the new LED system?
Drawing from a pool of emerging and ongoing research into visibility, safety, and the effects of lighting on the environment, a system of street classifications was developed to determine appropriate light levels for various types of streets, from the smallest tree-lined residential street to the busiest urban intersection. Using detailed information from the City’s Geographic Information Systems (GIS) database, as well as on-site evaluations, streets were evaluated for width, light pole spacing, and vehicular and pedestrian activity.
Each street throughout the entire City was examined in person by a member of the project team. Test installations were conducted on Inman Street and Rindge Avenue in 2010, and on small sections of several others streets in 2013.
After comprehensive analysis, the streets were assigned to a range of categories, addressing lighting requirements for both roadways and sidewalks, and limiting glare and light trespass. These standards are in accordance with the most stringent established guidelines (used by the Federal Highway Administration, MassDOT and the Illuminating Engineering Society) while still aligning with the unique characteristics of Cambridge and its diverse neighborhoods.
LED streetlights will provide more consistent and appropriate illumination throughout the City. Improved color and uniformity, reduced glare, and greatly improved color rendition will increase visibility, security, and safety on our streets and sidewalks. Unwanted “spill light” into homes and onto properties will be reduced by specialized optical assemblies. A state-of-the-art wireless control and monitoring system will allow fine-tuning of light output, enhanced energy conservation, and energy usage tracking capabilities.
How many new lights were installed?
The City has replaced about 7,000 lights (4,900 on street, 2,100 specialty and park fixtures) with energy-efficient LED fixtures.
Contact Us
How can we help?
Please provide as much detail below as possible so City staff can respond to your inquiry:
Description:
*
Name:
Email:
As a governmental entity, the Massachusetts Public Records Law applies to records made or received by the City. Any information received through use of this site is subject to the same provisions as information provided on paper.
Read our complete privacy statement
Service Requests
Enter a service request via SeeClickFix
for things like missed trash pickups, potholes, etc., click here
Close
Skip to Navigation
Skip to Main Content
Skip to Footer
Official websites use .gov
A
.gov
website belongs to an official government
organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A
lock
(
) or
https://
means you’ve safely connected to
the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official,
secure websites.
Banner Application (PDF)
A Banner application must be summitted to install any banner on any City owned streetlight poles. Parks are excluded.
Learn More
Master Box Connection (PDF)
A Master Box application must be summitted anytime that a new master box is required to be installed on any new building or renovation project.
Learn More
Utility Permit Application (PDF)
A Utility Permit Application must be submitted to the Cambridge Electrical Department for any electrical and communications work in the City of Cambridge. If this work involves any excavation or trenching, an Excavation and Trench Permit must also be applied for at the Department of Public Works.
Learn More
LED Street Classification Map
LED Streetlight Conversion Fact Sheet
Fire Alarm System Permit
Electrical Permits
Pole and Conduit Permit
Street Light Level Map
SeeClickFix
Master Box Fees
The Electrical Department oversees street and park lighting, the City’s Fire Alarm System, and City fiber cable network. The department also oversees installation of cables, conduits and equipment by utilities and other contractors over and within all public ways.
Contacts
PHONE:
617-349-4925
Email Us
250 Fresh Pond Pkwy., 1st Floor
Cambridge, MA 02138
Tips and FAQs
What are the Master Box Fees?
All fees are based on a 7-day workweek, Sunday - Saturday.
During regular business hours, 7am – 3pm
First two disconnect/reconnects: no charge
Over two disconnects/reconnects: $25.00 per disconnect/reconnect
After hours, weekends, holidays, etc.
Monday - Friday
Request between 3pm and 4pm: $41.28
Request between 4pm and 5pm: $82.56
Request after 5pm and before 7am: $165.12
Weekends and Holidays
Request for disconnect/reconnect within a 4 hr. time frame: $165.12
Request for disconnect/reconnect exceeding 4 hrs.: $330.24
Fees current as of February 2017
Cambridge LED Streetlight Basics
Our LED streetlights make colors look bright and more "true' to the natural color. Trees look green instead of brown; a blue car looks blue instead of gray. Because of this improved color rendition, everything appears brighter and sharper under the new streetlights, even when the amount of light is less than the old lights.
The “color temperature” (warm-cool) of the streetlights is 4000K, which is in the middle of the warm-cool range. This color temperature closely matches moonlight. This color temperature of the new lights is the same or “warmer” than the quarter-of-a-million LED streetlights that have been or are being installed in Boston, New York, Los Angeles, Oakland and San Francisco. The color of the new streetlights is the “warmest” typically available for LED streetlights.
The City has selected a Cree LEDway Streetlight, 40LED, 80LED and 120LED. The new lights will reduce unwanted spill light into homes and properties.
How much savings will the City experience?
The new street lighting system will consume about 25% of the energy of the existing streetlights, saving the City an estimated $500,000 per year in electricity costs, and allowing us to meet the "carbon footprint" reduction goals that we have set for ourselves.
Can the light levels of the fixtures be adjusted?
A wireless control system has been installed. This allows dimming of the streetlights. When a new streetlight is installed, it will be much brighter than normal until it communicates with the dimming system. Most of the streetlights are already under the control of the dimming system which turns lights on to only 70% of their potential brightness, and later in the evening, dims them even further to about 35% of their brightness. By the time most of us are going to bed, the streetlights will be dimmed to about a third of their current brightness. This dimming system is unique among mid- to large-size cities in the U.S. and reflects the sophisticated approach Cambridge has taken.
What factors were considered in designing the new LED system?
Drawing from a pool of emerging and ongoing research into visibility, safety, and the effects of lighting on the environment, a system of street classifications was developed to determine appropriate light levels for various types of streets, from the smallest tree-lined residential street to the busiest urban intersection. Using detailed information from the City’s Geographic Information Systems (GIS) database, as well as on-site evaluations, streets were evaluated for width, light pole spacing, and vehicular and pedestrian activity.
Each street throughout the entire City was examined in person by a member of the project team. Test installations were conducted on Inman Street and Rindge Avenue in 2010, and on small sections of several others streets in 2013.
After comprehensive analysis, the streets were assigned to a range of categories, addressing lighting requirements for both roadways and sidewalks, and limiting glare and light trespass. These standards are in accordance with the most stringent established guidelines (used by the Federal Highway Administration, MassDOT and the Illuminating Engineering Society) while still aligning with the unique characteristics of Cambridge and its diverse neighborhoods.
LED streetlights will provide more consistent and appropriate illumination throughout the City. Improved color and uniformity, reduced glare, and greatly improved color rendition will increase visibility, security, and safety on our streets and sidewalks. Unwanted “spill light” into homes and onto properties will be reduced by specialized optical assemblies. A state-of-the-art wireless control and monitoring system will allow fine-tuning of light output, enhanced energy conservation, and energy usage tracking capabilities.
How many new lights were installed?
The City has replaced about 7,000 lights (4,900 on street, 2,100 specialty and park fixtures) with energy-efficient LED fixtures.
Contact Us
How can we help?
Please provide as much detail below as possible so City staff can respond to your inquiry:
Description:
*
Name:
Email:
As a governmental entity, the Massachusetts Public Records Law applies to records made or received by the City. Any information received through use of this site is subject to the same provisions as information provided on paper.
Read our complete privacy statement
Service Requests
Enter a service request via SeeClickFix
for things like missed trash pickups, potholes, etc., click here
Close