INTRODUCTION TO
TEMPORARY SERVICES
Where poles with transformers are adjacent to or near your project, you
should request temporary overhead service (see Figure B-1).
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. Refer
to SECTION C for more information on 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, refer to SECTION C.
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 B-3 and B-4).
Other installations are more complicated. All installations are reviewed by
Central Lincoln. Please speak with one of our engineering technicians if you
have any questions.
There is a processing fee to connect a temporary service. If any
engineering is required, additional costs may be incurred.
OVERHEAD METER LOCATION
Your temporary meter post should be located on your property. Install the
meter post as close as 6 (preferred) to the Central Lincoln 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 SECTION E for service line clearance requirements.
Meters should face the road or driveway to facilitate drive-by
readings.
If you have any questions, please contact us.
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 6 inches above the ground. The bottom of the drip loop must be a
minimum of 10 feet 6 inches above the ground (see Figure B-2). NOTE:
Clearance over any driveway must be at least 18 feet.
Figure E-2 (Section E - Existing Overhead Service)
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 Central Lincoln 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 SECTION A
- General Information).
OVERHEAD SERVICE
INSTALLATION
The following items must be completed before we can energize your service:
Contact a Central Lincoln 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 SECTION A - General Information).
Install a meter post and meter base.
Obtain an electrical inspection
("green tag").
After these items are completed, call our service office. Inform our
representative that your installation has been inspected
and passed, and state that youre ready for temporary
service.
Figure B-2 is a drawing of the standard temporary overhead service
installation recommended by Central Lincoln. The specifications given are the minimum
acceptable.
Items owned/installed by the customer (Figure B-2)
1.
A 6" x 6" x 16 minimum, continuous, single structure, pressure
treated, firmly set and drilled with an 11/16" hole 6" below top of pole in
line with service drop.
2. Meter base with ground wire from the meter base to service neutral
and an electrical permit ("green tag") attached.
3. Ground wire (per NEC) with ground wire connected to the meter base
or switchbox lug and grounded to ground rod with approved cast clamp.
4. Ground rod (per NEC) 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 (Figure B-2)
Contact a Central Lincoln 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
SECTION A - General Information).
Obtain underground locates
(811).
Install a meter post and meter base in the appropriate location.
Provide the appropriately sized conductor from your meter base to
Central Lincolns 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 "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.
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 B-3. 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 install conduit or elbows inside the transformer or
transformer substructure without Central Lincoln direct supervision and assistance.
REMINDER: You are required to call the "One Call" system
(811) and request buried utility locations at least
2 business days before digging.
Any trenching within 24" of existing underground facilities must be done by
hand.
Figure B-4 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/installed by the customer (Figs. B-3,
B-4)
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").
3. Ground wire
(per NEC) with ground wire connected to the meter
base or switchbox lug and grounded to ground rod with approved cast clamp.
4. Ground rod
(per NEC) 8 long.
5. Service wire - enough to reach the base of the Central
Lincoln 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. B-3,
B-4)
7. Meter
8. Service Line
