Grade-level access system in underground enclosures

A system for testing components below-grade, comprising:

• an underground enclosure, comprising:
• a box including a rim that defines an opening, wherein one or more sidewalls of the box define an internal cavity of the box;
• and
• a lid that is positionable within the opening defined by the rim of the box;
• and
• a grade-level access system, comprising:
• a mount assembly, comprising:
• a base installed within the internal cavity defined within the box;
• an actuator coupled to the base;
• and
• a mount to which a test component is coupled;
• and
• wherein the test component are actuatable via the actuator relative to the base between a first position within the internal cavity of the box and a second position exterior to the lid through an aperture in the lid.

A method operating a hatch, comprising:

• removing a hatch of a grade-level access system installed within an aperture in a lid of an underground enclosure, wherein the hatch is removable from the lid to provide access to an internal cavity defined within a box of the underground enclosure;
• actuating a test component on a mount assembly of the grade-level access system from a first position within the internal cavity of the box to a second position exterior to the lid through the aperture in the lid, wherein the mount assembly comprises a base installed within the internal cavity defined within the box, an actuator coupled to the base, and a mount to which the test component is coupled;
• performing maintenance on a utility line using the test component;
• actuating the test component from the second position to the first position;
• and
• installing the hatch into the lid.