[Ord. No. 1162, 4-13-2020]
A.
Residential
Electric Meters. Only one (1) electric meter per customer or living
unit will be permitted. SJMU will no longer add an additional meter
to provide services to detached garages or other accessory structures.
Any customer wishing to extend electrical services to a detached garage
or other accessory structure must install their own service line coming
from the customer side of the meter (so additional services will be
metered) and must also be installed utilizing a breaker. Residential
services are typically limited to one (1) service that is limited
to two hundred (200) amps. Should a customer request more than one
(1) service, the customer will be charged for any additional service
equipment required to meet their request. Any customer requesting
over two hundred (200) amps must hire a certified electrical professional
to engineer the service for correct metering.
B.
Secondary
Lines. Property owners are responsible for keeping the secondary (service)
lines that supply electric to their structure free of any debris,
tree and/or shrub limbs. Nothing is to be anchored, tied, tethered
or connected in any way to the secondary line. If such an issue is
found, SJMU reserves the right to remove and abate any unpermitted
connections to the secondary line. If a secondary line fails due to
a failure to maintain line clearance from trees, limbs, or shrubs
by the property owner, the property owner will be billed for labor
and equipment needed to repair the line.
C.
Discontinuance
Of Service. When a customer's electric service is found in need of
repair, upgrading, updating or is deemed to be dangerous and a threat
to life, property, or infrastructure, the service will be disconnected
by the Electric Department. SJMU reserves the right to terminate electrical
services to a customer's system that is in question and will not reconnect
electric service until all repairs have been made and approved by
the Electric Department Supervisor, Code Official and/or the Public
Works Director. Examples of such needed repairs or upgrades include
but are not limited to: Old "A" Style meter bases, meter base covers
that cannot be closed and tagged, non-insulated attachments to the
mast or structure, damaged meter sockets (Hot Sockets), any exposed
wires on the customer's side that needs to be replaced or installed
in appropriate conduit. SJMU does not own or maintain the meter base
or any parts thereof other than the electric meter itself.
D.
Utility
Poles. Any utility pole owned and maintained by SJMU shall not be
disturbed. Nothing is to be affixed, stapled, nailed or anchored to
any utility pole without the consent of SJMU. Examples include but
are not limited to: Yard/garage sale signs, for sale signs, missing
or lost notices, advertisements of any kind, campaign signs, clothes
lines, dog leads, fences, bird houses, lights or cameras. SJMU reserves
the right to remove any unpermitted item without the owner's consent.
E.
Temporary
Electric Service. SJMU offers temporary electric services. Applications
for temporary service can be found at the Municipal Center or online
at www.stjamesmo.org. Applications must be filled out and turned into
the utility office at least three (3) weeks prior to the date required.
All temporary services are limited to single phase at one hundred
twenty (120) volts. SJMU does not supply two hundred forty (240) volt
receptacles, if needed, must be supplied be the contractor.
F.
Construction
Projects. Customers with projects that require new or upgraded electrical
services must complete and submit SJMU's electric services (load)
sheet to the utility office to be reviewed. It is the customer's responsibility,
and that of the electrical contractor, to properly select the appropriate
service equipment, size of equipment and to locate and install as
appropriate to me SJMU's service requirements. Some installations
may require drawings to be submitted as well to help coordinate and
specify the work.
G.
Generators.
Customers wanting to install a backup generator service to their system
must contact SJMU before any installation work can commence. Generators
must have a manual disconnect switch/lever that can be locked and
must be installed an easily accessible location in order to ensure
the safety of SJMU employees that may be working on system lines during
an outage.
H.
Objectionable
Customer Load Characteristics. All equipment installed by a customer
shall have operating characteristics which enable SJMU to maintain
a satisfactory standard of service to both the customer being served
and all other customers in the immediate area. In cases of high motor
starting current, customer loads resulting in harmonic distortions
or significant loads with wide and/or frequent fluctuations, etc.,
customer shall install, on its side of the meter, all corrective equipment
necessary to enable SJMU to maintain the integrity of its electric
distribution system. For customers not voluntarily complying with
this requirement, SJMU, where practical, may install corrective equipment
on its side of the meter and charge customer a lump sum amount for
the current cost of such equipment and the cost of any subsequent
additions to or replacement of such equipment, whenever such future
installations occur. Failure of customer to install such corrective
equipment or to pay for that installed by SJMU currently, or in the
future, shall be grounds for the disconnection of electric service.
I.
Increase
Or Reduction In Customer Load. When making application for service,
customer shall specify the electrical load to be connected to SJMU
lines so SJMU can provide sufficient electrical capacity for the operation
of the equipment specified. Customer connected load is not to be increased
until customer has given SJMU notice, and additional capacity has
been provided by SJMU, if necessary. Otherwise, customers will be
liable for any damage to SJMU equipment resulting from the increase
in load. If customer load is permanently reduced on a service metered
with current transformers and the reduction from the rated service
ampacity is more than fifty percent (50%), SJMU should be notified.
A meter revision or rewiring may be necessary.
J.
Power
Factor Requirements. SJMU rates applicable to all customers are based
upon a required average power factor of not less than ninety-five
percent (95%) lagging during all periods of normal operation. Customers
shall install corrective equipment necessary to meet this requirement
on its side of the meter. Such equipment shall be controlled and maintained
by the customer, in order to avoid a leading power factor at any time
and to avoid high voltage conditions during periods of light load.
To enforce this power factor requirement, SJMU will install appropriate
metering equipment for the monthly billing of a kilovar reactive charge
as applicable for all primary service rate and interruptible power
rate customers. For all customers receiving service under other rate
schedules, not voluntarily complying with this power factor requirement,
SJMU may, where practical, install corrective equipment on its side
of the meter and charge the customer a lump sum amount for the current
cost of such equipment and the cost of any subsequent additions to
or replacement of such equipment whenever said future installations
occur. Failure of customer to install such corrective equipment or
to pay for that installed by SJMU currently, or in the future, shall
be grounds for the disconnection of electric service.
K.
Disturbances,
Failures, And Interference. Standard electrical supply is subject
to disturbances on the electrical lines such as impulses, momentary
outages, voltage sags and surges, which may cause sensitive electronic
devices to malfunction. The origin of the disturbances is usually
close to the affected equipment and often there is little SJMU can
do to correct these problems. However, customers have the ability
to reduce the impact of such disturbances on their equipment through
the installation of devices such as surge suppressors, isolation transformers
and uninterruptible power supplies to filter transients, and ride
through momentary outages. All these devices are commercially available,
and each of them are specific to customer needs. Modern power distribution
networks are complex systems. Equipment failures, environmental factors,
normal operation, and other events can produce short duration voltage
anomalies that may interfere with the consistent operation of sensitive
electronic equipment. A customer may need special power conditioning
devices to ensure reliable operation of equipment of this type. These
protective devices are to be specified and provided by the customer.
Power systems are equipped with circuit breakers and reclosers that
serve to automatically restore electric service within several seconds
after a temporary fault condition. Customers are encouraged to select
electronic appliances that have short-term power outage carryover
features. Radio and television interference reports are promptly investigated
to determine if the interference is originating in SJMU lines or equipment.
Common causes of radio and television interference are defective house
wiring, loose connections in the switch boxes, heaters for fish tanks
or furnaces, electric blankets and heating pads, adjustable light
switches, door bells, garage door openers, ungrounded refrigerator
motors, medical diathermy machines, fluorescent lights, welding equipment
and electrified fences. Customer should be sure that the interference
is not due to a defective radio or TV set before reporting interference.
If other sets in the house do not have the same noise, the trouble
is probably in the radio or television itself. It is in the mutual
best interest of SJMU and its customers to provide highly reliable
electric and water service. Customers that experience frequent outages
should contact SJMU.
[Ord. No. 1162, 4-13-2020]
A.
Overhead
Electric Service.
1.
SJMU will provide two hundred (200) amp meter bases and 2-inch hubs
for new single-family or two-family structures only. Meter gang boxes
are to be supplied by the customer or developer for construction requiring
more than two (2) meters. SJMU will not supply meter bases for customers
performing upgrades to existing services.
2.
Customer to install meter base in a location approved by SJMU.
3.
Customer to provide and install wire and conduit from the top of
the meter base to the service riser.
4.
SJMU will provide overhead wire from utility pole to service riser
and the attachment to the customer installed service riser.
5.
Service riser is to be a minimum or three (3) feet above the roof
or higher depending on the route. Risers that extend more than three
(3) feet above the roof must have guy wire support.
6.
Customer provided and installed service riser conduit must be of
2-inch rigid galvanized or steel material.
7.
Maximum service line span not to exceed one hundred twenty (120)
feet. Any length beyond one hundred twenty (120) feet will be at
the developer's/customer's cost.
8.
Minimum service/feeder wire size for two hundred (200) amp service
must be 2/0 AWG Copper or 4/0 AWG Aluminum.
9.
SJMU will repair and maintain the secondary wire from the utility
pole to service riser unless damage was caused by a tree or tree limb
on private property in which case, SJMU will bill the customer for
repairs due to negligence of tree maintenance (tree trimming, dead
or damaged trees.)
10.
Electric service components must be installed based on SJMU's specifications.
B.
Underground
Electric Service.
1.
SJMU will provide two hundred (200) amp meter bases and 2-inch hubs
for new single-family or two-family structures. Meter gang boxes are
to be supplied by the customer/developer for construction requiring
more than two (2) meters. SJMU will not supply meter bases for customers
performing upgrades to existing services.
2.
Customer to install meter base on primary structure. If customer
wishes not to install meter base on the primary structure, customer
must install base on a pedestal in a location approved by SJMU.
3.
Customer must have all trenches dug and all wire pulled in conduit
before SJMU will make the connection to supply power. Conduit must
be of approved material and at a minimum depth of twenty-four (24)
inches per SJMU specifications.
4.
Customer to provide all wire, service riser, weather head and conduit,
including wire and conduit from meter base to transformer. SJMU to
complete installation on the utility pole.
5.
Minimum service/feeder wire size for two hundred (200) amp service
must be 2/0 AWG Copper or 4/0 AWG Aluminum or a size agreed upon by
SJMU and the customer's certified electrician.
6.
SJMU will not repair or maintain any underground electric components.
7.
Electric service components must be installed based on SJMU's specifications.
[Ord. No. 1162, 4-13-2020]
A.
General
Application. By making application for electric service from SJMU,
the customer agrees to grant or arrange for an easement on the customer's
property for the installation, operation, and maintenance of electric
and/or water lines and other equipment owned by SJMU necessary to
render service to the customer. When requested by SJMU, the customer
shall, at their own expense, make or procure a conveyance to SJMU
of satisfactory easements across the property owned or controlled
by the customer for SJMU electric lines or extensions thereof necessary
or incidental to the furnishing of service to the customer. If such
installation must be made on or under the property of a third party,
it shall be the responsibility of the customer to obtain an easement
for SJMU from the third party before the installation can be made
and service rendered. If, after service is originally rendered, the
customer's property is divided in such a manner that part of the property
no longer has access to the right-of-way of SJMU's distribution system,
the customer shall reserve an easement for the benefit of SJMU so
that it may render electric and/or water service to such isolated
parcel.
B.
Types
Of Easements. SJMU generally uses three (3) types of easements. Following
is a brief description of each easement type as it pertains to SJMU
and the typical use of that type of easement.
1.
Street Right-Of-Way: The street right-of-way is generally considered
the area that contains the roadway, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, and
open areas up to the property line. Most water mains and distribution
lines are installed in the street right-of-way.
2.
Platted/Dedicated Easements: Platted/dedicated easements are provided
to SJMU by virtue of dedication statement on the recorded plat.
3.
Customer Granted Easements: These easements are granted to SJMU by
the customer. This is generally used for distribution in areas that
do not have easements platted.
C.
General
Restrictions Of Easements/Rights-Of-Way. For safety reasons, it is
necessary that easements and rights-of-way grades not be changed by
excavation or filling without prior written approval of SJMU and the
City of St. James. Full cost of any alteration or relocation will
be the responsibility of the customer requesting the change. It is
permissible to install fences and landscaping on easements, except
where such fences will prevent access to electric and/or water lines,
or conflict with SJMU equipment. Other permanent structures and buildings
cannot be placed in easements. In the event SJMU removes a fence to
gain access to SJMU equipment, it shall be the customer's responsibility
to replace/repair the fence.
D.
Aesthetics.
Permanent structures cannot be constructed on easements. Trees should
be planted far enough away from SJMU equipment so at maturity, root
systems and tree canopies will not obstruct the operation of the electric
and/or the water and gas system. Responsibility for upkeep and any
landscaping maintenance in an easement is the responsibility of the
customer.
