Can H. O. Install new UG Main service?

calstonx

I plan to replace the old overhead electrical main service wires with underground wiring. Can I purchase the wire myself, dig the trench and install it myself (except for connecting the wires at the transf.) Power company says only THEIR subcontractors are allowed to do the work.

chris75

This cleary depends on where you live and what your POCO will allow.

Around here we (electricians) supply and install the conduit from the meter to the transformer, and the poco supplies and installs the wire from the transformer to the meter, the rest is up to the electrician, before any of that happens, the meter and panel install must be inspected and the CSR # released by the town. But most likely you can DIY. Why you would want to is beyond me.

nap

in my area (SW Mi, AEP poco), they control this and they install any underground or they can allow others to do it but the only time I have seen that is in commercial/industrial situations. The work is still spec;d and controlled by AEP.

In the OP's situation, it is definitely not allowed. The POCO will simply not hook up to the install if they do not approve of it. The wire to the meter (with the exception of the service drop only in an overhead service) is theirs and their responsibility so they can control it anyway they want.

rgsgww

Over here, Mid American energy (poco) will let electricians put the conduit in, pull the wire. Or they will pull the wire.

Scuba_Dave

Here I dug the trench, possibly could run the pipe
Inspector wanted an electrician to run the wire, leaving enough slack for the Poco to connect at the pole
I also back-filled the trench, sand is required under & above the conduit

I could have done a better job in the panel then the electrician
Inspector agreed, but for liability they require a licensed electrician

nap

so, it looks like the answer to the OP is; since the POCO stated the customer is not allowed to run the conduit or wire, the customer cannot run the conduit or wire.

unless his, or anybodies state has regulations that require a POCO to allow this, the POCO rules, especially since it is their wire and responsibility and liability after installation is complete.

apparently this is not a countrywide situation though.

chris75

Nope, the utilities own all the laterials around here, funny thing is though on all UG's a contractor or homeowner supplies and installs the conduit, but after that the utility now maintains that conduit. go figure.

The thing that pisses me off is that the building department wants inspections on these conduits which is not even NEC related.

rgsgww

Doesn't make sense does it?

chris75

Not at all.

rgsgww

Whats going to happen, the electrician is going to use pvc sewer pipe or what? I highly doubt that.

chris75

Looking at depth is my guess, but it still does not matter since its not an NEC issue at that point.

rgsgww

Probably. Don't you guys have to keep it around 4 ft?

chris75

No, 24" of coverage is all that is required.

rgsgww

All of the trenches around here seem to be about 4 ft (for SE)

nap

code doesn't require that though. It doesn't hurt but just not required.