I. Objective:
To set forth various guidelines/responsibilities for PEC's members in establishing electric service.
II. Policy Content:
To establish both wiring and equipment requirements for the member, their responsibilities to oversee PEC's property, and to notify PEC of any significant changes in electric load.
III. Provisions:
A. Member’s Wiring
All electric wiring and equipment installed on the member’s side of the “point of delivery” shall be at the member’s expense and shall be installed and maintained in accordance with requirements of the National Electrical Code as adopted by PEC in its Terms and Conditions of Service, and with all requirements prescribed by governmental authority having jurisdiction thereof. PEC reserves the right to refuse to connect to any wiring or apparatus which does not meet these requirements, and PEC may, without further notice, discontinue service to any member when a defective condition of wiring or equipment upon the premises of the member is discovered.
PEC will not be responsible for any loss, injury or damage which may result from defects in electric wiring or equipment on the member’s premises. In addition, PEC may refuse to make a connection when it has information or cause to believe that any installations on the member’s premises are unsafe.
B. Member Distribution Pole
If a member served by PEC requires a distribution pole as his/her point of service and is unable to obtain it elsewhere, PEC will, upon request, provide and install a distribution pole. However, all costs chargeable to the member must be paid in advance at PEC’s office prior to release of the job to install or sell the distribution pole to the member. At point of installation, pole becomes member’s responsibility.
C. Number of Services to a Building
In general, a building or other premises shall be served through only one set of service conductors.
At the option of PEC, more than one service to a single member at one location will be permitted when the physical or electrical characteristics of the facilities served require more than one service in the interest of good engineering and operating practices.
D. Point of Attachment to Building or Pole
The point of attachment of a service drop to a building shall not be less than ten feet (10') from the ground. For structures of more than one story, the point of attachment of the service drop shall not be less than fifteen feet (15') or more than twenty-five feet (25') above the ground. All attachments shall be at a height to permit a minimum clearance for conductors as required by the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC).
E. Support for Service Drop Attachment
When service wires are attached to a building or pole, a substantial means of support and attachment is to be provided by the member or his/her contractor. The type and location of the support shall be coordinated with an authorized representative of PEC.
In case the building or pole is not of sufficient height for conductors to be at least ten feet (10') from the ground, the member shall furnish, install and maintain an adequate fixture to which the service wires may be attached.
F. Service Entrance Wiring
Service entrance wiring raceways are to be terminated on the exterior of the building at a point six inches (6") or more above the service drop attachments to prevent the entrance of moisture. The service entrance and the service drop conductor connections are to be made at a point below the level of the rain-tight service head.
The member's service entrance conductors shall extend not less than thirty inches (30") outside the service head to permit proper attachment to the service drop wires.
Service entrance conductors shall be carried in approved metal raceways, and the distance to the main switch shall be as short as possible. The size of the raceway and ampacity of the conductors shall be maintained between the service head and the main disconnect device.
The size, capacity and installation of the electric service entrance and related equipment shall be in conformity with the requirements of the National Electrical Code, PEC's rules and regulations and any applicable local codes.
G. Type of Service Connection
All lighting and power installations shall be either three (3) wire or four (4) wire connections, and the member's wiring shall be arranged so that all single-phase and three-phase service shall be taken through one meter.
H. Location of Meters
In general, all meters will be located outdoors, whether on a building or a pole. Exact locations will be coordinated with the member by PEC’s personnel. A
meter, when installed, shall be readily accessible to authorized PEC personnel for meter reading, testing and maintenance and shall not be subject to severe
vibration, dust, vapors, or corrosive liquids. A meter shall not be placed in a location where it may be damaged or where it will cause inconvenience to either the member or PEC personnel.
All meters shall be installed so that the center of the meter cover will not be more than five and one-half feet (5 ½’) nor less than four and one-half (4 ½’) above the ground at final grade following any construction being done. Meters installed on a pedestal, designed for underground service or installed on a pad mounted transformer may be at no less than two and one-half feet (2 ½’) above final grade if construction and installation conditions so require. Under no circumstances shall any meter be moved or relocated except by authorized PEC personnel.
All meters and associated equipment will be maintained by PEC and remain its property.
I. Instrument Transformer Metering Installation
At the discretion of PEC, service may be metered with instrument transformers. In every case, the type of metering to be installed and the location of the meter shall be determined by PEC.
J. Inspection of Member's Electric System
PEC shall have the right, but does not assume the duty nor liability, to inspect the member's electrical facilities from time to time, and to refuse to commence or continue service if an installation fails to meet code requirements, is defective or hazardous or for any other reason considered to be an unsafe operating condition.
K. Load Balance
In every instance, where possible, the member's wiring installation shall have a sufficient number of branch circuits, and be so connected that the load is as balanced as is practical.
L. Grounding
The member's wiring system shall be effectively grounded as required by the National Electrical Code and by means and methods specified therein.
M. PEC's Equipment
The member shall not permit anyone who is not an agent of PEC to remove or tamper with PEC's property.
N. Changes in Member's Electrical Equipment
In the event a member shall add to the size of his/her electrical equipment, he shall notify PEC so that its transformer, meter and other related equipment may be enlarged sufficiently to care for the increased load. The cost of any such modifications shall be the member’s responsibility and be paid upfront.
IV. Responsibility
It will be the responsibility of the Sr. Manager of Engineering and Power Delivery, Director of New Construction, and Director of Construction Engineering to properly administer these provisions.
Approved by the Board of Trustees
- Effective Date: January 1, 1994
- Revised Date: August 28, 2009
- Revised Date: May 28, 2020