CLPUD - Service Book - Res.

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RESIDENTIAL SERVICE REQUIREMENTS

CHAPTER 2 - TEMPORARY SERVICES

Where poles with transformers are adjacent to or near your project, you should request temporary overhead service (see Figure 4). FIGR4.GIF (2830 bytes) If the electrical facilities in your area are underground, you will need to install a temporary underground meter pedestal to obtain temporary power. If there is power in your area but the power lines are not visible, it is likely to be underground. In an underground area you should see items shown in Figure 2. Refer to "Underground" headings in this chapter for more information on temporary underground service.

The process and cost of obtaining your temporary overhead service can vary depending upon the location of our existing facilities. The least complicated and cheapest way a service can be installed is if a transformer is located on a pole on or along your property.

If you are in an overhead area, but will have a permanent underground meter base and you want to install the conduit and trench now, you may refer to Chapter 4. In this case your temporary underground meter base must be installed within two feet of the service hand-hole.

If you are in an underground area, you must have an underground temporary service (see Figures 6 & 7).

Other installations are more complicated. All installations are reviewed by CLPUD. Please speak with one of our engineering technicians if you have any questions.

Currently, the cost to connect a temporary service with no additional engineering required is $15.00. If more engineering is required, additional costs may be incurred.

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OVERHEAD METER LOCATION
Your temporary meter post should be located on your property. Install the meter post as close as 6’ (preferred) to the CLPUD pole, but no more than 100’ from the pole that will serve you. The reason for this limitation is ensuring that your temporary service pole can withstand the weight of the conductor. If a distance greater than 100’ is required, please contact your local service office and ask an engineering technician for approval prior to construction. A taller, stouter post with additional bracing could be required.

In addition to the distance limitation mentioned above, please consider the following:

The path that the service will take should not cross property belonging to other individuals.

If the service line will pass through trees or brush, a three foot path must be cleared and maintained to allow our service personnel to access the line, and to allow the lines to hang without contacting trees or limbs. Maintaining this clear path is your responsibility.

The service line path should avoid areas where vehicular traffic will occur, unless your temporary post height is increased to provide adequate clearance. See Chapter 3, Figure 9 for service line clearance requirements.

If you have any questions, please contact us.

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OVERHEAD CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS
The National Electric Code (NEC) and the National Electric Safety Code (NESC) have established minimum clearance requirements to maintain safe height distance for electrical conductors over various terrain.

The NEC and NESC require the lowest point of a service conductor to be at least 12 feet above the ground. The bottom of the drip loop must be a minimum of 10 feet above the ground (see Figure 5).

Figure 9 (in Chapter 3) shows the clearance requirements for the types of terrain most commonly encountered. These clearances apply to both permanent and temporary weatherheads.

It is not your responsibility to provide and install the conductor, but you are required to provide a point of attachment at your service post that will allow CLPUD to meet the clearance requirements.

If you need further detail, please consult the current issue of the NEC or contact the local electrical inspection agency (see Inspection & Codes - Chapter 1).

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OVERHEAD SERVICE INSTALLATION
The following items must be completed before we can energize your service:

Contact a CLPUD representative and request a temporary service.

The engineer will call for an appointment at the site

Obtain an electrical work permit from the electric inspection agency (see list).

Install a meter post and meter base.

Obtain an electrical inspection ("green tag"), or a supervising electrician letter.

After these items are completed, call our service office. Inform our representative that your installation has been inspected, give the distance from the meter post to the pole, and state that you’re ready for temporary service.

Figure 5 is a drawing of the standard temporary overhead service installation recommended by CLPUD. The specifications given are the minimum acceptable.

Items owned and installed by the customer (Figure 5)

1. A 6" x 6" x 16’ minimum, continuous, single structure, pressure treated, firmly set and drilled with a 11/16" hole 6" below top of pole in line with service drop. (For longer poles, see "Meter Post Depth".)

2. Meter base with ground wire from the meter base to service neutral and an electrical permit ("green tag") or supervising electrician’s letter attached.

3. Ground wire (per NEC) with ground wire connected to the meter base or switchbox lug and grounded to both ground rods with approved cast clamp.

4. Ground rods (per NEC, 2 required) 8’ long.

5. Service entrance conductors (18" out of weatherhead for connection drops).

6. Switch Box with polarized receptacle for 240 V., 1 phase motors with grounding terminal. It must be a receptacle with grounding terminal that is connected to an approved grounding electrode (service conductor is not approved grounding).

Items owned and installed by CLPUD.

7. Meter.

8. Service Line.

9. Insulated clevis.

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UNDERGROUND METER LOCATION
The following items are required to properly locate your meter pedestal:

Set the meter pedestal on your property.

Install the meter pedestal at the CLPUD approved meter location. You will need confirmation from a CLPUD engineering technician.

Face meter to vehicular traffic.

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UNDERGROUND SERVICE INSTALLATION
The following items must be completed prior to energizing your service:

Contact a CLPUD representative and request a temporary service.

An engineer will call you to arrange an appointment at the site.

Obtain an electrical work permit from the inspection agency (see list).

Obtain underground locates (1-800-332-2344).

Install a meter post and meter base in the appropriate location.

Provide the appropriately sized conductor from your meter base to CLPUD’s connection point. Please leave 5 feet of extra wire at a hand-hole or locator pin, and 10 feet at a transformer pad. Consult the NEC for the appropriate wire sizes.

Obtain a supervising electrician letter, or "green tag".

Cover your wire except where our personnel will be installing and connecting your wire to ours.

After these items are completed, call our service office and inform a representative that your installation has been inspected.

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UNDERGROUND METER BASE REQUIREMENTS
It is your responsibility to provide a buried cable from your meter base to our transformer or hand-hole.

The requirements to connect to an overhead converted to underground meter pedestal are shown in Figure 6. The cable you install should be sized per the NEC and should have a minimum cover of 24".

If our connection point is a hand-hole or transformer, trench to our nearest service location and leave your wires exposed. If you discover any other conductors while digging your trench, please leave them covered. Remember, do not enter a transformer, without CLPUD direct supervision and assistance.

REMINDER: You are required to call the "One Call" system (1-800-332-2344) and request buried utility locations at least 48 hours before digging. Any trenching within 24" of existing underground facilities must be done by hand.

Figure 7 illustrates an underground temporary meter pedestal installation. Please note the dimensions shown. Deviations from these recommended standards could result in a delay in receiving your service and/or your service being denied. Please contact us if you have any questions.

Items owned and installed by the customer (Figs. 6 & 7)

1. A 6" x 6", continuous, single structure, firmly set.

2. Meter base with ground wire from the meter base to service neutral and an electrical permit ("green tag") or supervising electrician’s letter attached.

3. Ground wire (per NEC) with ground wire connected to the meter base or switchbox lug and grounded to both ground rods with approved cast clamp.

4. Ground rods (per NEC, 2 required) 8’ long.

5. Service wire - enough to reach the base of the CLPUD ground structure, plus 5’ of wire to make connections.

6. Switch Box with polarized receptacle for 240 V., 1-phase motors, with grounding terminal. It must be a receptacle with grounding terminal that is connected to an approved grounding electrode (service conductor is not approved grounding).

Items owned and installed by CLPUD (Figs. 6 & 7)

7. Meter

8. Service Line

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