Commercial Service Manual - Flathead Electric Cooperative
Contents
1. Removing and installing meters FEC places seals on meters and associated equipment to prevent injury and or tampering Only authorized and qualified FEC personnel shall cut seals or remove and install meters Qualified electricians with prior approval from FEC may remove a meter to disconnect the service under abnormal or emergency conditions Please note that with some types of meter bases removal of the meter does not de energize the member s system The purpose of FEC placing seals on meters and associated service equipment is to prevent injury and or tampering Equipment Instrument transformer CT and PT enclosures pull sections switchgear gutters that contain unmetered conductors and metering equipment must have provisions for sealing FEC will furnish install and maintain the following equipment e Revenue meters e Instrument current and or voltage transformers e CT meter wiring e Test Switch You are responsible for furnishing installing and maintaining the following equipment beyond the point of delivery e Meter bases All necessary wiring connectors and lugs except CT meter wiring Instrument transformer mounting frames Switches Enclosures Conduit Protection equipment Available Fault Current It will be your responsibility to ensure that any fault current interrupting devices installed meet the requirements of NEC Article 110 regarding equipment interrupting ratings FEC can provide information on available fa2. and 8 feet if the building has combustible walls See figure 3a below Work space around a padmount transformer is shown in figure 3d Landscaping or other structures must not encroach upon these clearances Other clearance requirements are shown in figure 3b and 3c When padmount transformers are placed in areas that subject them to possible damage by vehicular traffic FEC may require the installation of protective bollards 266 ool Figure 3c Minimum of 10 ia required working space CHAPTER 8 UNDERGROUND SPECIFICATIONS 17 The purpose of this Chapter is to clearly outline the requirements for the installation of vaults and conduits used in the FEC electrical distribution system FEC requires all new underground line extensions to be placed in a vault and conduit system All guidelines must be followed Any deviations from these requirements must be approved by FEC prior to construction Failure to do so may result in a rejection of the installation If there are any questions or if you need direction regarding the installation of a vault and conduit system please contact FEC s New Services Department Member Responsibilities The member is responsible for the following when installing underground services Contact U dig prior to digging In
3. The Staking Engineer will provide you with an estimate based upon your service requirements How long will you honor the cost estimate Estimates provided by the staking engineer are good for 90 days Will you install the conduit Flathead Electric does not provide the trench conduit or vaults necessary to provide service to your project You will be required to arrange to have the conduit and vault system installed to FEC specifications FEC will then install the wire equipment and terminations necessary to energize your service What size conduit should install Conduit sizes are based on the type and number of wires that FEC will install for your service The Staking Engineer assigned to your project will provide you with conduit specifications What size service should install FEC does not have the resources available to determine your service requirements Please consult with a licensed electrician or engineering firm for assistance in calculating the load requirements for your project When will my service be connected Work order scheduling is based upon the date the job is released from the engineering department Your job will be released for construction once you have provided an electrical permit paid the line extension fees and pass the final inspection conducted by the Staking Engineer Simple service connections are typically energized by a serviceman within a week Major line extensions large commercial projects and su
4. socket In addition the high leg shall be identified in orange at the point of termination in the meter socket This is done in addition to the grounded conductor required by NEC See figure 2d a ous c k 2c ol 1e0 240V 1 phase 120 240V i phase 120 208VY i phase 120 208V 3 phase Form 28 Form 2S Form 12S 4 wire form 16 up to 200 anps up to 400 amps up to 200 amps 120 240V 3 phase manual bypass required J ire form 16S 4p to 200 amps Figur Self Contained Meter Base 12 Meter Base Main Disconnect Combinations Meter base and circuit breaker combinations are preferred for single phase services of less than 400 amps and three phase services 200 amps or less All self contained service equipment must be metered ahead of the main disconnect Under special conditions permission may be granted to modify this sequence provided all equipment ahead of the meter is sealed by FEC Service Conductors for Self Contained Metering Line side conductors must always be connected to the top terminals of the meter safety socket Service conductors must be arranged in the meter base to avoid interfering with the meter installation or operation of the bypass blocks You are responsible for ensuring that the connection of the service entrance conduc
5. INTRODUCTION This booklet was developed to help you acquire electrical power to your property or business It presents information and general specification about the supply and use of electricity from Flathead Electric Cooperative For a complete and detailed explanation of our construction standards please contact our New Services Department Adherence to these procedures and standards will promote safe electrical installations and reliable service This handbook is based on utility standards to guide you through the basic requirements for installing a new service For questions regarding availability of power or service locations please contact our New Services Department at 406 751 4495 One of our Engineering Coordinators will direct you to the engineer that services your area The Non Residential Electric Service Handbook is not meant as a design tool Rather it is a reference guide for construction and metering standards recognized by Flathead Electric Cooperative You should also consult other sources such as the National Electric Code NEC Electric Utility Service Equipment Requirements EUSERC your electrical inspector and other standards governing electrical equipment and installations Installing new electrical service is a joint project between you and Flathead Electric Cooperative FEC FEC desires to provide a safe and reliable electric service in a courteous and efficient manner Cooperation between members their contractors
6. and the Cooperative is imperative in the development of plans leading to new or upgraded service to your facility We look forward to assisting you in planning electrical service to your project Chapter 1 General Information Chapter 2 Applying for New Service Chapter 3 General Requirements Chapter 4 Overhead Service Chapter 5 Underground Service Chapter 6 Metering General Requirements Meter Clearances Multiple Meter Installations Labeling Grounding Single Phase Services Three Phase Services 11 11 11 12 Contents Instrument Transformer Metering Switchboard Metering Chapter 7 Safety Clearances Chapter 8 Underground Specifications Trench Conduit Vaults Secondary Pedestals Light Bases Chapter 9 Subdivisions Frequently Asked Questions Appendix A Addresses 13 14 17 18 18 20 20 22 23 23 26 27 CHAPTER 1 GENERAL INFORMATION CODES This handbook supplements the current version of the National Electric Code and any city or county codes in effect within the service territory of FEC RESPONSIBILITIES Members are responsible for maintaining their wiring and equipment in a safe operating condition FEC will not repair or work on any wiring or equipment located on the member s side of the meter ELECTRICAL PERMITS Before any electrical work may be installed altered or repaired an electrical permit must be obtained from the appropriate agency The FEC New Servic
7. ault FEC retains the right to reject all vaults that are not properly installed or are damaged 21 EXTEND PVC 2 INSIDE PROVIDED KNOCKOUT PLEASE COVER OPENING IN LID CONDUIT SHALL BE STRAIGHT SWEEPS OR BENDS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED SEAM BETWEEN VAULT amp LID 2 ABOVE FINISH GRADE 3 SCHEDULE 40 PVC YR X 7 FRR SINGLE PHASE 48 x48 VAULT THREE PHASE 56 x84 VAULT CONTRACTOR SUPPLIED SET VAULT LEVEL ON 4 BED 0008 OF PEA GRAVEL 12 MIN FIGURE 5 COMMUNICATIONS SINGLE PHASE VAULT AND GAS LINES FIGURE 6 L THREE PHASE VAULT Secondary Pedestals Secondary Pedestals are provided by FEC and installed by the member They are primarily used to feed multiple services from the same transformer in subdivisions Please refer to Figure 7 for specifications on how to install secondary pedestals 22 SECONDARY PEDESTAL INSTALLED BY MEMBER 8 COMMUNICATIONS CONDUIT COMMUNICATIONS einai FINISH GRADE rn BURY LINE COMPACTED FILL N WIDE RADIUS SWEEP FIGURE 7 3 SCHUDLE 40 CONDUIT Light Bases FEC does not install or provide bases for aluminum street light poles The bases are manufactured to FEC specifications by one of the following manufacturers Flathead Concrete Products 406 752 4259 Glacier Pre Cast Concrete 406 752 7163 Light bases are to be installed by the me
8. bdivisions are assigned to crews based on FEC workload These projects could take as long as six weeks to energize during a busy construction season Can I connect a fire suppression pump before the main disconnect Yes fire suppression systems may be connected between the meter and the main disconnect Please contact our metering department for requirements regarding connection of these systems inside CT cabinets or switch cabinets How do schedule an inspection Contact the Staking Engineer or Project Engineer assigned to your project prior to beginning any excavation work The engineer will discuss the inspection requirements with you at that time Will FEC arrange to have the other utilities installed No it is your responsibility to contact the other utilities that will be involved in your project The other utilities may be placed in the same trench using clearances specified in Figure 4 on page 19 Can the main disconnect be placed inside the building Flathead Electric prefers that the main disconnect be placed on the outside of the building in an accessible location However there are circumstances where the main disconnect may be placed inside Please consult with the Engineer assigned to your project for further guidance 26 APPENDIX A SERVICE OFFiCE INFORMATION Flathead Electric Cooperative Inc 2510 US Highway 2 East Kalispell MT 59901 2397 Mailing Address 2510 US Highway 2 East Kalispell MT 59901 2397 FEC Webs
9. ctors A maximum of four main service conductors may be served off the load side of each current transformer mounting bracket e Splicing of service conductors is not allowed in the enclosure 2 Installa CT mounting base that complies with the below reference drawings for services of 800 amps or less e Single phase EUSERC Drawing 328A e Three phase EUSERC Drawing 329A 3 Provide and install two bolt lugs on the line and load sides of each phase and the neutral bus of the CT mounting base 4 Provide and install the meter base The meter base must have provisions to accommodate a test switch 13 5 Provide and install a metering circuit conduit between the meter base and CT enclosure that meets the following specifications e The conduit must be rigid or EMT The conduit is to be as short as possible LB s are not permitted Flex conduit is not permitted Conduit diameter must be 1 1 4 inches No junction boxes are permitted The meter base must be within 15 feet walking distance to the CT enclosure The meter base and CT enclosure must be properly bonded Only FEC installed conductors are permitted in the conduit 6 Four wire delta services require the high leg power or wild leg to be connected to the right hand position in the CT compartment In addition the high leg shall be identified in orange at the point of termination in the CT compartment and at the weather head for overhead services 7 The member must terminate under
10. d to disconnect all ungrounded conductors connected to FEC s system prior to connecting the generator to the conductors supplying your project The transfer switch is to be designed and installed so that the generator cannot be connected to FEC s system in any mode of operation When the switch is in the position that disconnects FEC s service it must have a visible opening and be lockable in that position Compliance with these provisions is necessary to prevent serious or possible fatal accidents to FEC line personnel Portable generators shall not be connected through your house wiring system at any time unless the connection is made through a permanently installed transfer switch All transfer switches and or transfer operating schemes must meet applicable building codes and be inspected by the appropriate governmental electrical inspector FEC will require an inspection be made by FEC personnel prior to operation of the generator For more detailed information contact FEC and request our Safely Installing Your Standby Electric Generator pamphlet MEMBER EQUIPMENT DEVICES AND CHARACTER OF SERVICE Your electrical equipment and devices are to have characteristics such that FEC s distribution system is efficiently utilized and undue interference with FEC service to other members does not occur Your equipment shall be designed to perform satisfactorily within the standard voltage ranges and frequency provided on FEC s system FEC will end
11. eavor to maintain standard voltages and frequency on its distribution systems subject to variations within reasonable limits Three phase service may be required in lieu of single phase service where in FEC s judgment your connected load is of a size that three phase is necessary FEC reserves the right to inspect and test any equipment connected to its lines and to require any information necessary to determine the operational characteristics of the equipment MOTOR PROTECTION To assure adequate safety to personnel and equipment it is recommended that you provide and maintain code approved protective devices in each phase to protect all motors against overloading short circuits ground faults low voltage and to protect all three phase motors against single phase conditions MOTOR STARTING AND POWER CORRECTION FACTOR Unless prior approval is given by FEC reduced voltage starters are required on all motors rated 40 horsepower and larger and also on motors that are frequently started that are rated in excess of 10 horsepower A power factor correction of 3KVARS per 10 horsepower of motor capacity must be installed CHAPTER 4 OVERHEAD SERVICE 6 OVERHEAD SERVICE See the Residential Electric Service Handbook page 6 for overhead service requirements CHAPTER 5 UNDERGROUND SERVICE UNDERGROUND SERVICE See the Residential Electric Service Handbook page 12 for underground service requirements CHAPTER 6 METERING GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
12. ecifications are shown in Figure 6 The engineer will determine which will be used for your application These vaults are produced to FEC specifications and will not be accepted from manufacturers with out approval from FEC FEC s vault specifications are available upon request The manufacturers listed below are currently producing approved vaults Flathead Concrete Products 406 752 4259 Glacier Pre Cast Concrete 406 752 7163 Granite Concrete Libby 406 293 3777 Some applications may require specialty vaults The specifications for these vaults will be provided by FEC FEC reserves the right to reject any vault that does not comply with FEC specifications Vault Locations 20 Vaults will be placed according to the design provided by the FEC New Services department Any variation from the design MUST be approved by FEC prior to construction Failure to follow these steps may result in the rejection of the installation A minimum clear zone of 10 feet from the centerline of the vault must be maintained in order for FEC personnel to work on FEC equipment Access to vault locations must be maintained for maintenance and future line extensions All vault locations must be accessible by a boom truck at the time of installation and in the future Vaults will also need to be located to maintain the following minimum clearances as listed below 1 5 feet from noncombustible walls including brick concrete steel and stone 2 8 f
13. ed excavation Do not use any other colors to mark the area you want U dig to locate CHAPTER 2 APPLYING FOR NEW SERVICE If you are not currently a member of Flathead Electric Cooperative a written application for service must be completed and submitted before you can obtain power Contact the New Services Department and one of the Engineering Coordinators will assist you in completing the membership application YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES 1 Determine if you want overhead or underground service 2 Determine the size of service you want 200 amp 320 amp etc 3 Determine your voltage requirements 4 Obtain an Electrical Permit 5 Contact the FEC New Services Department 6 Notify other utilities of your project 7 Install your service entrance equipment 8 Call U Dig before you dig 9 Provide trench and conduit for underground services i Provide a clear path for your overhead service line Call FEC New Services Department when you are ready for us to install the service wire FLATHEAD ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE S RESPONSIBILITIES 1 Install and connect the service line to your underground meter base or overhead mast wiring 2 Install CT s if required 3 Install a meter 4 Energize your system SCHEDULING If only service wire and a meter installation are required services are typically energized within a week after you have completed the appropriate Your Responsibilities section above If additional work is req
14. eet from combustible walls 3 15 feet from the waters edge of a swimming pool 4 20 feet from facilities used to dispense or store hazardous liquids or gasses such as gas tanks propane tanks gas pumps etc 5 5 feet from fire hydrants Clearance between vaults and structures must be measured from the point of the vault nearest to the structure or building These clearances include any overhangs on buildings If you have any questions regarding the installation of your service equipment we suggest you consult the NEC call the inspecting agency for your area or contact an electrical contractor Remember Call U DIG before you dig Setting the Vault All vaults will be set level This is best accomplished by setting the vault on 4 of compacted gravel The gravel also aids in draining any water from the vault Vaults will be set ata depth where the vault without the lid is 2 above final grade This prevents water and dirt from entering the vault The orientation of the vault should be such that the copper wire that exits the concrete UFER Ground in the back The floor drain that is located in the bottom of the vault is to be knocked out except in areas with high water tables Holes that have been enlarged or knockouts that have been removed and not used need to be sealed with grout Minor damage may also be repaired with grout Clean out the inside of the vault after it is set Keep all dirt and construction debris out of the v
15. eplates or adhesive type labels at least one inch high Felt tip pens and label maker tape are not considered permanent marking Service will not be established until marking is complete Grounding All meter bases enclosures and conduit shall be bonded in accordance with Article 230 and 250 of the latest NEC When self contained meter bases are used the neutral conductor must be connected to the neutral terminal in the socket The ground may not be connected to the line side neutral The load side neutral must always be present Current Limiting Fuses Current limiting fuses to protect your electrical equipment from high fault current must not be installed in meter bases instrument transformer enclosures or FEC distribution transformers They may be installed in your service panel or a separate enclosure between the meter base and the panel Self Contained Metering All three phase self contained meter bases 200 amps or less will be Safety Socket Type All single phase self contained 200 amp meter bases used for non residential application will be of the safety socket or manual bypass type Single phase 100 amp and class 320 amp self contained meter bases used for non residential applications will need to have provisions for manual bypass blocks Single phase 100 amp manual bypass required Single phase 200 amp manual bypass or safety socket required Single phase 320 amp manual bypass required Three phase 100 amp safety socket required Th
16. es Department will assist you in determining which government agency or municipality is responsible for issuing permits for your project location Keep in mind that electrical permits will only be issued to licensed electricians for non residential projects State Electrical Permit application forms are available at the Cooperative You may also apply on line for a State Electrical Permit at https app mt gov permit Flathead Electric does not set administer or collect Electrical Permit fees These programs are administered by various governmental agencies INSPECTIONS In addition to inspections by the local electrical inspector FEC also has various inspection requirements Again the New Services Department can guide you through these inspection requirements FEES Permit Fees Permit fees are based on the type of electrical system the member is installing For commercial projects they are generally based on the value of the work being performed Please contact the appropriate governmental agency to determine the applicable fees Engineering and Connection Fees FEC charges fees based on the cost of engineering and construction of FEC facilities for your project The engineering and construction fees can be obtained from the New Services Department after you have applied for service and provided all the required information to the Engineer All fees must be paid before a crew or serviceman will connect your new service EASEMENTS In some ca
17. fore you dig so these lines can be located Remember that the locate marks are only accurate to within 18 General e The bottom of the trench must be smooth and level This prevents bridging of the conduit which can cause the conduit to flatten or pull apart once the trench is backfilled 18 The trench must be free of sharp rocks concrete waste and other construction debris In rocky soil sand bedding may be required The trench must be a minimum of 5 from septic tanks and a minimum of 10 from the drain field FEC requires the inspection of primary trenches and conduit installations prior to backfill Width and Depth There are two different trench specifications The first is the primary trench The primary is the main line that goes from vault to vault or pole to vault The proper dimension for a primary trench is a minimum of 16 to 18 wide and 36 to 40 deep The second is the secondary trench The secondary is the line that goes from the vault or pole to your meter The proper dimension of the secondary trench is 16 to 18 wide and 24 to 30 deep Joint trenches with other utilities should comply with the dimensions specified in Figure 4 COMPACTRD FILE Conduits 19 Installation All conduits will be installed in a trench with a level bottom to avoid a bridging effect Keep the inside of the conduit clean and
18. free of foreign materials The use of primer is recommended when gluing conduit Special care needs to be taken to insure that conduits do not block any other knockouts in the vault Conduits installed in vaults should only extend 2 to 4 into the vaults The conduit should enter the vault as straight as possible AAA nylon pull rope is required in all conduit runs Specifications Conduit size and number of conduits will be determined by the FEC New Services Department Be sure you know what size and how many conduits are required for your installation If you use too small or too few conduits your installation will be rejected Buried conduits must be Schedule 40 gray electrical PVC Any exposed conduits must be Schedule 80 gray electrical PVC Sweeps All sweeps must be wide radius sweeps In conduit runs of less that 200 feet and 270 degrees of bend PVC sweeps may be used On runs in excess of 200 feet you must use steel or burn proof fiberglass wide radius sweeps In no case may you exceed 270 degrees of bend in a single conduit run Heating and bending of conduits will be allowed but must be inspected by FEC before backfilling Be careful not to flatten the conduit when bending This deceases the ability to pull our lines through the conduit Vaults General There are two standard vault sizes that may be required for underground line extensions Specifications for Single Phase vaults are shown in Figure 5 Three Phase vault sp
19. ground services on the top lugs of the CT cabinet FEC s Responsibility FEC is responsible for providing and installing the following 1 Current Transformers 2 Meter 3 Test switch 4 Wiring for test switch SWITCHBOARD METERING A custom built switchboard constructed to EUSREC specifications is required for services over 800 amps You must submit one set of drawings to the FEC meter foreman for approval on all switchboard metering prior to shipment from the manufacturer See photo 4 5 and 6 on pages 15 and 16 14 ESR Se Eo Member terminates on top 4 x3 CT Enclosure Se ee DA lugs on underground services with hinged door eee ek ol eS AEEA E Main Disconnect PHOTO 3 GF Enclosure Installation ee ee la meter base mounted to cabinet 15 Photo 5 Pull Section and CT Section of Switchboard Cabinet EH JA Beet FEA HASTE E Photo 6 Switchboard Cabinet 16 tn Jl FEC will not allow A meters in this location FE FEC will not allow meters in this location CHAPTER 7 SAFETY CLEARANCES Clearances to Padmount Transformers Clearances from padmount transformers to structures are measured from the nearest metal portion of the transformer to the structure or overhang The clearance from the building must be a minimum of 4 feet if the building has non combustible walls brick concrete steel or stone
20. hat FEC will not accept recessed semi flush or flush mounted metering installations Also all metering installations must provide protection from ice snow and debris unloading from the roof Metering equipment includes meter base switchgear CT cabinet and main disconnect General Meter Base Requirements FEC s meter base requirements include the following e All meter bases must be equipped with a screw type ring Snap rings are not acceptable e Meter bases must not be jumpered to provide power e Any meter base containing energized equipment must be covered and sealed with a transparent cover plate when a meter is not installed e All unused openings Knockouts on the meter base enclosure must be closed with rain tight plugs that are locked tightly in place from the inside of the enclosure before a meter is installed e Meters will be installed only in bases which are level plumb and securely fastened to the structure e Meter bases and enclosures must be Underwriters Laboratories UL approved e Terminals must be marked with a conductor range for aluminum or copper conductors When aluminum conductors are used the base must be approved and clearly marked by the manufacturer for that use e All meter equipment exposed to weather must be rain tight according to the National Electrical Manufacturer s Association NEMA 3R minimum e Ringless socket meter bases are not acceptable unless they are specifically approved by the meter fore
21. he location of wells and septic systems We will also require that your civil engineer provide us with a profile of a typical road section showing elevation of ditches etc The civil engineer should also provide a plan view showing the location of sewer lines water lines storm drain lines and culverts The location of water and sewer service stops must be clearly marked on the drawings It is also helpful if the civil drawings show the location of any existing utilities in close proximity to your project Once this information is provided we will be able to complete a design for the installation of electric utilities We will provide you with a cost estimate specifications for the installation of conduits vaults secondary pedestals and street lights for your project We will also provide you with copies of the drawing that you may supply to your contractor and other utilities Street Lights Each municipality has specific requirements for the installation of street lights within their jurisdiction We will provide either 100W or 200W HPS cobra style light fixtures on 30 foot aluminum poles if you wish to use FEC supplied lights in your subdivision We will not provide design services for the location of street lights Please contact the governmental agency that has jurisdiction over your subdivision to determine their requirements Once you provide us with the location and type of light required we will determine how each light will be powered You wi
22. ined Metering Multiple Meter Installations Multiple meter packs shall comply with the equipment arrangement shown in Photos 1 amp 2 The maximum number of meters in a stack is three The pull section or termination compartment shall meet USEREC 343 size requirements You must supply any terminal blocks used Meter bases used as a house meter require a safety socket Factory Built Multiple Meter Panel Prior to ordering Factory Built Meter Panels for non residential use you must submit drawings to FEC s Metering Department for approval See Photo 1 below for minimum spacing on multifamily residential meter panels aa Bhi it a 6 3 max yet gt above final i f grade 3 0 min above final grade Pull Section Individual unit disconnects Permanent Unit labels Photo 1 Typical installation of a single phase multiple meter pack for a multifamily residential building or multi unit business complex Breaker 120 120 120 4 Wire Single Phase Meters 5 Jaw Single Phase Breakers 3 Phase Service Pull Section Photo 2 Typical installation of a three phase multiple meter pack for a multi family residential or business complex 10 Meter Base Labeling Meter bases must be permanently labeled to indicate the part of the premises they serve i e address unit number etc The customers name is not acceptable The labels must be either engraved phenolic nam
23. ite www flatheadelectric com Kalispell Headquarters 751 4483 or 1 800 735 8489 Fax 406 752 4283 Libby Service Center 121 West 4 Street Libby MT 59923 406 293 7122 Fax 406 293 3821 UDIG or Call Before UDIG 755 UDIG 8344 or 1 800 551 8344 MT Dept of Labor and Industry Building Codes Bureau Electrical Permits PO Box 200517 Helena MT 59620 0517 406 841 2056 buildingcodes mt gov Flathead County Plat Room 800 South Main Street Kalispell MT 59901 406 758 5510 http mg co flathead mt us 27
24. ll be required to provide us with a letter from the municipality stating that they have reviewed and approved your street light layout before we will incorporate your lighting scheme into our design Inspections Because of the complexity of many subdivisions we will require several inspections during the course of construction Please coordinate an inspection schedule with the FEC Project Engineer assigned to your project Under no circumstances should any of the dry utility installations be backfilled until they have been inspected and approved by the FEC engineer Typical utility layout Please refer to figure 8 for a typical subdivision utility layout 24 SURFACE ROAD URB lt 4 KOO VARD SIDEWALK UTILITY EASEMENT CATV AULT J IE E l ale 3 F 8 a 3 E E y gt ROPLINE NATURAL G gt HONE sewer WATERSTOP Lot 3 FIGURE SUBDIVISION 8 LAYOUT O waTerstop SEWER 25 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS What will it cost to get power to my property There are many variables involved in determining the cost of a line extension In order to get the most accurate estimate it will be necessary for you to pay the required non refundable engineering deposit and schedule an appointment with a Staking Engineer
25. man Meter Clearances The center of the meter socket is always the point of reference Meter base height shall be a minimum of 4 5 feet and a maximum of 6 feet above finished grade These heights are for single meter base installations For multiple meter pack installations see the section titled Multiple Meter Installations Working space in front of metering equipment including instrument transformer enclosures must be at least 36 inches wide and 36 inches deep Plants shrubs and trees must not be planted in this space Gas meters and related piping must be at least 36 inches horizontally from the center of the meter base enclosure The center of all self contained meter base enclosures must be a minimum of 10 inches from adjacent walls ceilings or other similar obstructions The minimum distance from the meter base to the wall increases to 36 if the instrument enclosure cabinet door opens toward the wall See figure 1b All service equipment must be a minimum of 10 inches from the meter s center In addition there must be at least 72 inches of clear headroom in front of the meter See figure 1a and 1b Whenever meter installations are placed in areas subject to roof shedding you will be required to make provisions to protect the meter from falling debris and snow Meter bases may not be enclosed inside of structures or cabinets that hide the meter 10 min 36 min Working Space 3 Min Figure la Self Conta
26. mber using the following FEC specification e The top ofthe concrete light base shall be 4 above finished grade Light bases shall be backfilled and compacted with suitable material in 12 lifts The installer shall insure that each mounting bolt is fitted with 2 washers and one nut Conduit runs feeding street light bases shall be 1 PVC All conduit runs shall have pull rope installed A maximum of 270 degrees of bends will be permitted in each conduit run CHAPTER 9 SUBDIVISIONS FEC has specific requirements for the placement of utilities in a subdivision These requirements are based upon the specifications provided to us by the various governmental agencies The county or city that has jurisdiction over your subdivision may request a letter from FEC indicating our ability to serve your subdivision Before we can provide that letter you will need to start a work order and provide us with some basic information such as location and number of lots This chapter outlines the basic steps necessary to secure an electric utility design from Flathead Electric 23 Engineering In order to prepare the engineering work on your project we will need a copy of the subdivision plat Your surveyor should be able to provide an electronic copy to us by email or provide you with a CD containing the drawings The plat should indicate all roads utility easements lot lines curbs and gutters sidewalks common areas and any special requirements such as t
27. ree phase 200 amp safety socket required SINGLE PHASE SERVICES Single phase Services 200 amps or less A self contained meter base shall be installed on all single phase services 120 240V or 120 208V where the current carrying capacity of the service entrance does not exceed 200 amps See figure 2a Single phase Services 201 to 400 amps A self contained 320 ampere meter base with a 320 class manual bypass is required on all single phase 120 240V services See figure 2b Automatic circuit closers or a lever are not acceptable 11 Single phase services 120 208V Under some circumstances FEC will allow the use of 120 208V single phase services as temporary services feed by 120 208V three phase transformers A five terminal meter socket is required on all single phase 120 208 volt services The fifth terminal must be in the nine o clock position connected to the socket neutral bus connector See figure 2c THREE PHASE SERVICES Three phase Services 200 amps or less A seven terminal meter base is required on all three phase 120 240 volt 120 208 volt and 277 480 volt services where the current carrying capacity of the service entrance conductors do not exceed 200 amps The meter socket must be a safety socket The neutral conductor must be connected to the third terminal from the left on the lower terminals Four wire delta services require a high leg power leg or wild leg to be connected through the right hand terminals of the
28. ses an easement will be required to allow FEC personnel and equipment to enter your property for the purpose of construction and maintenance of our facilities on your property The Staking Engineer will determine if an easement is required and will prepare the appropriate documents granting the easement to FEC Subdivision developers should provide the appropriate utility corridors on the subdivision plat ADDED LOADS If a change of an existing service involves an increase in load contact the New Services Department to see if the existing equipment has the capacity to service the increased load LOCATING UNDERGROUND FACILITIES The member or members agent must call U dig at 755 8344 at least two full working days 48 hours prior to doing any excavation work One call to the locating service notifies all of the utilities that locates are required U dig will not locate privately owned facilities Excavation must not begin until the locations of all underground wires cables and pipes have been marked or the utility has notified the member that they have no facilities in the area Any digging within 24 inches of either side of the location markings must be done by hand The color code for marking underground facilities is Color Underground Service Red Electric Yellow Gas Oil Steam Orange Telephone Cable TV Blue Water Green Sewer Pink Temporary survey marks White Proposed Excavation Please note that the color White is used for propos
29. stallation of trench conduit vaults and light bases if required Installation of FEC supplied secondary pedestals Calling for a pre backfill trench inspection Installing metering equipment Calling for a final inspection when project is ready for FEC crew Obtaining an electrical inspection Pay fees and supply electrical permit Flathead Electric Responsibilities Once you have provided an electrical permit paid fees and passed final inspection FEC will e Schedule a serviceman or crew to complete your job e Install transformers and pull wire e Install meter in your meter base e Energize your service Trench Preparation e Know whose property you are on Be sure you have the legal right to dig on the property FEC will not install lines on property where we do not have an easement FEC may have an easement on the property but that does not give you the right to dig without the owner s permission e f you are digging in the Montana Department of Transportation MDOT right of way you must have a copy of the MDOT 131 permit obtained by FEC for your job You must have a copy of this permit on site while trenching is being done Failure to have the permit or comply with the terms of the permit may result in the State taking action against you e After the trench route has been determined you must have all underground utility lines located In the FEC service area please call 755 UDIG 755 8344 two working days 48 hours be
30. tor You or your electrician must submit to FEC a state or local electrical permit There will be a separate charge for temporary services Your temporary service should only be located adjacent to a transformer and have enough wire stubbed out to connect directly to our facilities If an existing transformer is not in the area temporary service may not be available at your location Consult FEC for other options e The costs for permanent services replacing a temporary service will be treated as new services INSPECTIONS AND CODES This handbook should be used only as a guide It does not cover all federal state and local code requirements It is your responsibility to ensure that your project complies with the most recent issues of the NEC and any other federal state or local codes that may apply Once your service equipment is installed the state or the city with jurisdiction requires that the installation pass an electrical inspection before we can connect you to our system You are responsible for requesting and passing this inspection You are also required to contact the FEC New Services department to arrange for a final inspection of your meter installation EMERGENCY OR STANDBY GENERATORS You may elect to install an emergency or standby generator when you build Permanently installed generators are to be connected to your wiring system by a permanently installed transfer switch intended for that purpose The transfer switch is use
31. tors in the meter base are inspected and tightened before the service is energized Where safety sockets are used circuit connecting nuts must be tightened to the proper torque Meters will not be installed unless these connections are tight and wired correctly Meters will not be installed if conductors place undo strain on the meter base terminals Terminal blocks must be provided by the electrician and must be rated for the size of the conductor used Strands may not be removed to make conductors fit under sized terminals INSTRUMENT TRANSFORMER METERING Provisions for instrument transformers current and voltage transformers must be made when the current carrying capacity of the service entrance conductors exceeds 320 amps single phase or 200 amps three phase See photo 3 on page 15 Member s Responsibility You are responsible to do the following 1 Provide and install a current transformer CT enclosure ahead of the main disconnect on the outside of your building All CT enclosures require a minimum front clearance of 36 inches Enclosures must be hinged Enclosure doors must not block a safe exit while open The top of the CT enclosure shall be a maximum of 6 feet above finished floor grade The bottom of the enclosure shall be a minimum of 2 feet above finished floor grade Enclosures may not be mounted in any confined space CT enclosure dimensions are 48 H x 36 W x 11 D The CT enclosure may only contain the main service condu
32. uired it may take longer SERVICE TYPES FEC offers the following standard types of services for non residential applications Single Phase 120 240V 3wire V Phase 120 240V 4 wire Three Phase 120 240V 4 wire 120 208V 4 wire 277 480V 4 wire Available for underground or overhead service applications of 40KW or less Maximum motor loads of 30HP Available for overhead service application only If you have a requirement for other voltages or types of service FEC must approve your request prior to construction CONTACTING OTHER UTILITIES New construction typically involves the installation of water sewer telephone cable TV and natural gas lines as well as power cables It is your responsibility to notify each of the utilities that you wish to provide service to your project You should get the name and phone number for a contact at each utility and let each of them know which other utilities will be providing new service CHAPTER 3 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS TEMPORARY SERVICE Most service installations can be coordinated to provide your permanent service early on in the construction process This will eliminate the need for a temporary service This in turn eliminates an additional visit to your construction site and additional costs to you However if temporary service is required for your project FEC will connect it under the following conditions Temporary meter loops or pedestals will be provided by you or your contrac
33. ult current at the point of delivery However system changes can cause the available fault current to increase You may want to consider installing current limiting devices to ensure that the installations continue to meet the intent of NEC Article 110 Meter Location You must install your service entrance equipment where it will be accessible to FEC at all times All locations are subject to approval by an FEC representative FEC requires putting the metering equipment on the quadrant of your building closest to the FEC transformer or secondary pedestal The requirements for properly locating your metering equipment Metering equipment includes meter base switchgear or CT cabinet are e It must be outside e lt must be located in an area that is not subject to being fenced or blocked e It must be located on a structure that is owned by you 7 The reasons for these requirements are So FEC meter personnel can obtain periodic meter readings in a cost effective manner So FEC can efficiently maintain the meter So our employees can stay out of your facilities If there is a fire or other disaster we can disconnect your service Metering equipment may not be installed in any of the following locations Above or below the first story level On poles owned by FEC or other utilities except for a meter pole provided by FEC In commercial occupancies they do not serve Any place where safety may be compromised It should be pointed out t
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