Excess Flow Valve
An Excess Flow Valve (EFV) is a mechanical device installed inside a natural gas distribution service line between the street and meter.
EFVs are designed to shut off the flow of natural gas automatically if the service pipe breaks between the main in the street and the gas meter. EFVs do not stop the flow of gas for any leaks or faulty equipment on the customer’s side of the gas meter, and are designed so that general usage, such as turning on appliances, will not trip the valve.
Recent changes in federal regulations require natural gas system operators to provide notification to all of their customers of their right to have an EFV installed on their service if one does not already exist, and if the service allows for the proper installation of this device. These devices are installed on all new gas services lines, and many existing services are already equipped with them. EFVs are not installed on service lines that operate at pressures less than 10 psig, or large service lines with high gas flow rates. Certain other conditions may also prohibit the installation of an EFV.
Where are Excess Flow Valves used?
EFVs are only for services with an operating pressure greater than 10 psig and a total service load of 1,000 SCFH or less. Customer services where an EFV may be installed must be free of contaminants that could interfere with the operation of the device and where the device will not interfere with operation and maintenance activities of customer equipment and appliances. If these conditions are present, an EFV may be installed on your natural gas service line.
If an existing service line is not already equipped with an EFV, we will install an EFV on an existing eligible gas service line upon request by the customer at a mutually agreed date. To install the excess flow valve, we will excavate the service line at its connection to the gas mainline piping that runs down your street. We will then turn off your gas service line, install the excess flow valve, backfill the excavation and relight your appliances. Typically, within a few months our restoration contractor will return to restore the excavation to a permanent condition. Under certain conditions we may need to replace your entire gas service at no additional cost.
Since an excess flow valve must be sized to operate properly under current load conditions, any significant load changes that would require a larger meter, such as installing an emergency generator or pool heater, may also require the replacement of the EFV at an additional cost.
For those customers who do not have an EFV installed on their service line and would like to have one installed, there is a customer cost for the installation. The Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) approved the customer installation costs below, which outline the cost for SCG to install an EFV. Customers who desire an EFV will be responsible for the installation costs and any future replacement costs associated with new gas utilization equipment additions that would cause the gas flow capacity to exceed the capacity of the existing EFV.
- Category 1 - $2,300 each for a simple residential installation not on an arterial street, state highway or concrete-based road.
- Category 2 - $3,400 each for an installation on an arterial street (commercial or residential).
- Category 3 - $6,200 each for installation on a state road or concrete-based street (commercial or residential).
For more information, or to place your name on the contact list, please call 203.795.7712.