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V. Electric Meters & Metering Equipment

  1. When deemed feasible by District Representative for underground service installations, the meter shall be installed on a Customer provided remote meter pedestal adjacent to the pad-mounted transformer or secondary pedestal located on the Customer's property or another location that provides safe and unrestricted access at all times; such as at the end of or along their driveway; or along their property line adjoining an alley or street.
  2. When remote meter pedestal installation is not feasible, or when overhead service is required, the meter may be installed on a service pole; attached on the outside surface of the Customer's house or other building in a location pre-approved by a District Representative in accordance with current District Requirements that allow safe and unrestricted access at all times.
  3. All electric meters, Residential and Commercial, installed on the outside of a building or on a remote meter pedestal shall be located at the closest point feasible to the service drop or lateral termination, or shall be installed as close to the nearest and most convenient point of access to the Customer's property as possible. (See Electrical Service Requirements Drawing - # 12).
  4. The District shall determine the location of the remote metering pedestal, service entrance, service pole, or other metering equipment prior to installation. Customers who install wiring or equipment without an approved location from a District Representative shall be at risk of having to change the service location to conform to the requirements of the District. This requirement applies to all new installations and future modifications or repair work where the meter and/or service equipment is involved.
  5. Meters shall not be located at the rear of houses or buildings without pre-approval from a District Representative and safe and unrestricted access is provided at all times from an alley or street along the property line directly behind or on either side of the house or building. (See Electrical Requirements Drawing - #12).
  6. Meters shall not be enclosed or the installation modified in such a way so as to impede safe and convenient access to the meter and associated equipment. Nothing shall hinder or prevent the inspection, removal or installation of meters and other metering equipment, meter rings, meter seals or other locking devices.
  7. Meters shall not be enclosed in garages, carports, breezeways, porches, or in locations where subsequent additions, rewiring, or remodeling could enclose the meter.
  8. A remote meter pedestal shall be installed with the center of the meter between 3' and 4' above grade with a minimum clearance of 6' in front and 3' from both sides and back of the remote meter pedestal. No obstruction that restricts access to the meter pedestal shall be allowed within 8' above grade. (See Electrical Service Requirements Drawings - # 14, 15, 16, & 17)
  9. Meters and metering equipment installed on buildings must be surface - or flush - mounted and not recessed; the center of the meter shall be between 5' and 6' above grade with no obstructions allowed within 3' above the top of the meter base or metering equipment; and have a minimum clearance of:6' in front and 2' on either side of the meter base or metering equipment to telephone or CATV equipment, satellite dishes, down spouts, doors, steps, decks, chimneys, shutters, or other building projections. (See Electrical Service Requirements Drawing - # 11).
  10. Metering equipment installed on a District service pole shall utilize standoff brackets with between 5' and 6' above grade to the center of the meter and with a minimum clearance of 6' in front and 2' on the side and back of the meter. When feasible, a minimum clearance of 6' around the entire pole shall be maintained free of obstructing vegetation, trash, debris, vehicles, etc. (See Electrical Service Requirements Drawings - # 7 & 8).
  11. The access distance requirements for remote meter pedestals, meters on buildings or service poles and other metering equipment prohibits the installation of fences, propane tanks, decks, air conditioning equipment, buildings, posts, drums, storage shelves, piping, steps, pumps, etc. within the required access distances.
  12. Obstructive landscaping, brush, and trees shall not be planted or allowed to encroach within the required access areas. Garbage, lumber, wood, debris, vehicles, RVs, and other obstructions must be kept clear of the required access distances.
  13. Fuel storage tanks, including propane tanks, shall not be installed within 6' of any District metering equipment.
  14. All pathways providing access to any meter shall be a minimum of 3' in width and shall be kept clear of all obstacles and safety hazards, including, but not limited to, landscaping, brush, debris, obstructions, holes, aggressive or dangerous animals, etc.
  15. Any pathway on the Customer's property that encounters an open ditch of any type over 2' wide shall have a flat, solid, and structurally stable walkway, 2' wide with a skid-free surface spanning the entire width of the ditch.
  16. Any walkway on the Customer's property constructed over an open ditch with a width and/or depth of 3' or more shall have a structurally sound handrail along the entire length of the walkway that will not flex more than 1/2" when subjected to a side load of 40 pounds per square foot along the entire length of the handrail.
  17. All walkways over ditches must provide a minimum of I' clearance above any water or hazard in the ditch and must not sag more than 1" the entire length of the walkway when subjected to a weight of 300 pounds per square foot.
  18. When a meter becomes more than 6' above grade, a permanent meter access platform and steps with a skid-free surface must be installed by the Customer that meets or exceeds the current local Uniform Building Code (UBC) and must be pre-approved by a District Representative, and maintained at the Customer's expense. After construction, the center of the meter must be between 5' and 6 above the surface of the platform. (See Electrical Service Requirements – Drawing # 13).
  19. If, as a result of an action of the Customer that causes the meter to become more than 6' above grade and in the opinion of the District it is feasible and preferable to lower the metering equipment to a location between 5' and 6' above grade, the metering equipment shall be lowered at the Customer's expense to comply with District Electrical Service Requirements and Facility Access Policy.
  20. In flood areas, the bottom of the meter device must be raised a minimum of 3' above the highest water line on record. If necessary to raise a meter more than 6' above grade, a permanent platform and steps with a skid-free surface shall be installed by the Customer that meets or exceeds the current local UBC and maintained at the Customer's expense. A platform constructed 3' or more above grade must have a secure 3' high handrail installed on the steps and platform that meets or exceeds the local UBC. After the platform is constructed, the center of the meter must be between 5' and 6' above the platform surface. A District Representative must be consulted for approval prior to construction. (See Electrical Service Requirements - Drawing# 13).