NEW SERVICE HANDBOOK

Owned By Those We ServeMISSOULA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC.

1700 W. Broadway Missoula, MT 59808 406-541-4433 1-800-352-5200 Fax 406-541-6318www.missoulaelectric.com

LOCATING UNDERGROUND UTILITIES CHECK SHEET

Will you be Working Within ten feet of any overhead poWer lines? yes no

type of Work

Work being done for

County nearest City

address or road Where upon Work Will take plaCe

nearest interseCting road

distanCe and direCtion from interseCting road

loCation of Work (Where digging Will take plaCe) mark With White paint

Comments

toWnship range seCtion seCtion

toWnship range seCtion seCtion

Copy of tiCket reCeived from utilities underground loCation Center (uulC)? yes no

to the best of your knoWledge, is the information provided above CorreCt? yes no

signature of approvalmissoula eleCtriC Cooperative, inC.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

forWard, aCknoWledgements, notiCe..................................................................

introduCtion.......................................................................................................

temporary serviCe ..................................................................................

residential serviCe .................................................................................

small CommerCial serviCe .......................................................................

primary voltage serviCe .........................................................................

large CommerCial serviCe ......................................................................

industrial................................................................................................

overhead serviCes............................................................................................

seCondary overhead line ClearanCes.....................................................

CheCklist for installing overhead serviCes.............................................

underground serviCes.....................................................................................

trenChing..............................................................................................

Conduit...................................................................................................

meter installations.........................................................................................

general requirements for meter soCkets...........................................

Current transformer metering...........................................................

irrigation serviCes..........................................................................................

glossary.........................................................................................................

Owned By Those We Serve

1 2 2 3 3 3 4 4

4-7

5

6

8-14

9-11

11

15-24

18-19

20-24

25-26

27-28

MISSOULA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC.1700 W. Broadway Missoula, MT 59808 406-541-4433 1-800-352-5200 Fax 406-541-6318

www.missoulaelectric.com

FOREWORD Missoula Electric Cooperatives New Service Handbook aims to provide line workers, meter installers, customer service representatives, contractors and customers with a clear description of the respective responsibilities of Missoula Electric Cooperative and the customer in the new installation of new temporary, residential, irrigation or commercial electric services. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSThis handbook is largely based on the model handbook provided by Richard Alexander which in turn draws from materials in the National Electric Code by the National Fire Protection Association and the National Electrical Safety Code by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

In addition, Richard Alexanders model was developed in consultation with regional and local references including standards written by the Electric Utility Service Equipment Requirements Committee (EUSERC), PacifiCorp, Puget Sound Energy, Florida Power Corporation, Pennsylvania Power and Light, and Tacoma Public Utilities.

We gratefully acknowledge the contribution of each of these sources.

NOTICEMissoula Electric Cooperative, Inc. does not assume any liability with respect to the use of any information in this publication.

MISSOulA ElECtRIC COOpERAtIVEpAgE 4 NEW SERVICE HANDBOOK

INTRODUCTIONInstalling a new electric service is a joint project between the customer and Missoula Electric Cooperative (MEC). To insure a smooth installation of new service, it is necessary to recognize which tasks and equipment procurement are the responsibility of the customer and the ones that are the responsibility of MEC. This handbook describes in detail these two areas of responsibility as they apply to various types of electric service and installation configurations. With this information, the customer and electrical contractor, as well as MEC personnel will be better equipped to facilitate new service installations.

MEC constructs, operates, maintains, and owns all power lines and equipment up to the point where the power the customer uses is metered. MEC also supplies the power and owns the meter. MEC owned or maintained equipment shall be outside and readily available to MEC employees without entering a structure. MEC normally applies for special permits needed from such agencies as state and county government, the U.S. Forest Service, and railroads. MEC will also provide assistance in obtaining private easements.

After the required right-of-way has been secured, the consumer will need to cut and trim trees in order to allow MEC to complete the initial installation of new power lines. Overhead lines generally require a minimum of ten feet clearance around the wires. Underground lines require five feet clearance on either side of the wire path. Once the line has been installed, MEC reserves the right to maintain the right of way. This includes removing dead, weak, or leaning trees that may endanger the power lines or other MEC property.

The customer is responsible for all wiring and needed electrical permits on the load side from metering. The customer is normally required to obtain whatever easements are needed to cross private ground and is responsible for the restoration of driveways and lawns that have been disturbed in conjunction with the installation of new electric service. For the safety of our crews and the public, attachments such as basketball hoops, clotheslines, customer lighting and similar items are not allowed on MEC-owned poles, transformers, or any other MEC-owned structure.

TEMPORARY SERVICETemporary service is defined as electric service provided to a site for less than one year. Typically, temporary service will be required during the construction phase of a project. When the project is complete, the temporary service is replaced by a permanent service. The total cost of installing and removing the temporary service must be paid in advance. (FIg. 1)

MISSOulA ElECtRIC COOpERAtIVE pAgE 5NEW SERVICE HANDBOOK

temporary serviCe fed from overhead temporary serviCe fed from underground

FIg. 1

RESIDENTIAL SERVICEResidential service is defined as service to a single-family residence, recreational cabin, stock water pump, or to an individually metered multi-family residence such as an apartment or condominium.

Each residential service must have an external disconnect.

An easement shall be provided for placement of all MEC-owned facilities. Full use of the property by the owner is per-mitted so long as it does not conflict with the maintenance and operation of the power lines. For example, buildings and tall trees are not allowed in an overhead right-of-way; fences, gardens and roads are allowed. Please contact the MEC engineering department for details in any specific case.

Voltage for residential service is 120/240 volts. The minimum residential service installed by MEC is 200 amps.

SMALL COMMERCIAL SERVICE Small commercial service is defined as electric service to a commercial or business site. Typical examples of business sites are stores, offices, garages, taverns, hotels, motels or small industries who require installation of 50 KVA demand and/or have the following metering requirements:

Single phase, 240 volt, 400 amps and lessSingle phase, 480 volt, 200 amps and lessMulti phase, 208/240/480 volt, 100 amps or less

NOTE: Each small commercial service is required to have an external main disconnect.

MEC prohibits the reselling of power. It is prohibited to place a customer-owned meter or meters on the load side of any MEC-owned meter for the purpose of reselling power.

PRIMARY VOLTAGE SERVICE MEC can provide primary voltage service (over 600 volts) to qualified customers directly at the high voltage or primary distribution system standard for the location at which service is requested. Primary service is available subject to the following conditions:

In the opinion of MEC, the service will not adversely affect service to other customers or to MECs distribution system. MEC power shall not be resold. Customers receiving service at primary voltage may own poles, conductors, cables, transformers, and protective devices, but

all such equipment and materials are subject to approval by MEC.

Customer-owned equipment shall be of the same type or specifications as equipment used by MEC. This will help to assure timely restoration of service in case of failure.