MID Electric Service Guide 2007

SECTION 1: Introduction

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We designed this book to provide you - our customer - with the most complete, current, and accurate information available to help you plan for electric service in our service area.

• The Electric Service Guide is a tool for you to use to plan and build your project.
• The Electric Service Guide can save you money.

We furnish this Electric Service Guide to any District customer, upon request and to electrical contractors, architects, consulting engineers, developers, and land planners. A copy of this guide is available from the District's Electric Transmission and Distribution Division, 1231 Eleventh St., Modesto, California, 95354.

You may wish to download the complete Electric Service Guide document (PDF, 6,380 KB) or each section (see below) in PDF format and print for future reference.

The following procedures and requirements are necessary because they provide a structure that allows a complex process to be completed efficiently. We realize that any successful development requires cooperation and scheduling among many entities, which could include contractors, utilities, municipalities, counties, banks and others. By following this process, your project should be completed within your budget, on schedule, and meeting all city/state/county codes and requirements. This benefits everyone involved in the process.

Therefore, we provide this document to:

• Promote mutual planning and scheduling;
  
  
• Promote fair and consistent treatment for our customers and all contractors;
  
  
• Ensure compliance with the requirements of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) General Order 95 - Rules for Overhead Electric Line Construction, and General Order 128 - Construction of Underground Electric Supply and Communications Systems. Copies of the California General Orders 95 and 128 are available from the State of California Public Utilities Commission, 505 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, California, 94102.

Our process of providing you with electricity is governed by several policies, including the Rules and Regulations adopted by our Board of Directors. These Rules and Regulations ensure that all customers are treated fairly and consistently. Rules and Regulations are available on MID’s website, http://www.mid.org/services/tariffs/.

This Electric Service Guide provides you construction guidance for most situations, but it cannot address all circumstances. The general guidance provided by this book cannot take precedence over your specific requirements, company policies, and the contracts developed to serve your needs. The M.I.D. Electrical Engineering Technicians are available to help you in your goal to successfully meet the scheduled date to energize your electric service. Please be sure to discuss your requirements and schedule with an Engineering Technician.

How to Use the Electric Service Guide

This section of the guide outlines the structure and uses of this book. You will find sections of the book customized to specific types of information and construction requirements. General contractors, subcontractors, electricians, architects, and others will find useful information that applies to their specific disciplines. Also, in this section is general information on electric permits, Underground Service Alert, and important phone numbers and addresses.

Including this section, Section 1 (PDF, 125KB), there are eight sections devoted to your needs. These sections are:

• Section 2 - How to Get M.I.D. Electricity to Your Facility (PDF, 1,250KB)
  Included in this section are discussions on the District's design and application process, energy conservation programs, costs and agreements, construction process, District policies, and scheduling.
  
  
• Section 3 - Underground Residential Extensions (PDF, 1,470KB)
  In this section you will find requirements for preparing your home or residential subdivision for MID electric service. Requirements for underground service are discussed in this section.
  
  
• Section 4 – General Underground for All Types of Services (PDF, 1,250KB)
  In this section you will find requirements that apply to all underground services for constructing underground facilities from the District's distribution system to your project's service delivery point. Topics include conduit systems, mandrelling, transformer pads, vaults, easements, and approved materials.
  
  
• Section 5 – Underground Service Extensions for Commercial (PDF, 905KB)
  In this section you will find requirements for preparing your commercial project for MID electric service. Requirements for underground service are discussed in this section.
  
  
• Section 6 – Overhead Service Extensions (PDF, 1,010KB)
  In this section you will find requirements for preparing your commercial project for M.I.D. electric service. Requirements for underground service are discussed in this section.
  
  
• Section 7 - Metering Equipment Installations (PDF, 1,002KB)
  In this section you will find the requirements for the meter installation at your project. Topics include meter base requirements, switchboard panels, conductor routing, grounding, instrument transformers, meter locations, workspace, meter clip arrangements, and meter clearances.
  
  
• Section 8 - Metering Equipment Specifications (PDF, 1,970KB)
  This section is specific to metering equipment. The main topic throughout this section is the various dimensions required for the equipment specific to the needs of your project.

Electric Permits

For public safety, all electrical work requires a construction permit. Permits are issued by the local governing authority (city, county, or state). We cannot energize facilities that have not been authorized by permit nor fail inspection by the local governing authority. Please contact the local governing authority for your project to obtain a permit. A licensed electrical contractor can help you with this process. Telephone numbers for the local governing authorities are listed at the end of this section.

Underground Service Alert, (USA) "Call USA before you dig"

We are strong supporters of programs, which provide for the location of underground facilities. Excavators can be held liable for damages they cause to underground utilities. This is especially so if the utilities' location was not marked by the utility company. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that the excavator for your project request all utility locations marked. This can be done with one telephone call to Underground Service Alert (USA). The telephone number is located near the end of this section.

USA notifies all member utility companies at least two days before an excavation is to be done. Each utility company marks the location of their facilities on the surface of the surrounding terrain. Each type of utility has a color code as follows:

With USA you need to know:

• To call at least two working days before you need to excavate
• Markings are good for 14 days
• Excavator is liable if digging within 24" either side of the marking
• Excavator should use pothole methods when digging within 24" either side of the marking

Conversely, you must locate and mark the underground facilities on your project site for us. We
need to know where sewer, water and other utilities are before we excavate for our electrical work. We cannot be responsible for damages to any facilities that are improperly marked.

Important Phone Numbers

Throughout this guide you will find information and procedures that will require you to call or write M.I.D. or an outside agency for assistance.  The phone numbers and addresses you are most likely to need are: