Construction Requirements

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Underground

Underground Trench Installation Requirements

Customer Checklist for Inspection Compliance

To ensure a successful inspection and smooth progress of your project, the following requirements must be met before scheduling an underground trench inspection. Failure to meet any of these standards may result in delays and additional costs.

Pre-Installation Requirements

• You must Call Before You Dig (811) – it is the customer’s responsibility to comply with local dig notification regulations.  All utility locates must be completed and visible.
• Trench must be within the previously flagged or staked right-of-way.  Survey staking may be required for verification.
• Excavated material (spoils) must be placed at least 2 feet away from the trench and transformer locations.
• You must schedule a trench and conduit inspection with UEC 24 hours before backfill.
• For questions or scheduling an inspection, please contact our office.

Trench Specifications

• Primary Conduit Depth: 42–48 inches below final grade to top of conduit
• Secondary Conduit Depth: 24–36 inches below final grade to top of conduit
• Trench Width: Must accommodate all required utilities with appropriate clearances
• Marking Tape: Must be installed 18 inches below grade during backfill

Conduit Installation Standards

• Conduit must be bedded with select backfill (no rocks or debris)
• Use 3″ SCH40 PVC conduit for anything below ground
• Use 3” SCH80 PVC conduit for anything above ground
• 36” radius sweeps are required
• 3” schedule 80 expansion couplers must be used at the service disconnect
• Conduit must be straight, glued, and correctly positioned in the trench
• Maintain a 12-inch minimum separation from communication lines
• Maintain a 24-inch minimum separation from gas lines
• All other utilities (i.e. water, sewer, storm, etc) must be pre-authorized.
• Maximum secondary conduit length is 250 feet
• Customers must measure and verify this length before inspection
• Install stub sweeps for all future service points
• Conduit markers must be in place
• If load is less than 100 amps 2” conduit can be used if pre approval is granted by UEC

Overhead

Overhead Minimum Wire Size in Overhead Service Riser

• Any overhead service riser shall have a minimum wire size of #8AWG.
• Minimum National Electric Safety Code (NESC) clearances shall be maintained.  Refer to Overhead Service Diagram.

Meter Guidelines

United Electric provides and installs all meters. United Electric will install current transformers and metering for services exceeding 400 amperes single phase and 200 amperes for three phase.

Location:

• Must be installed 5 to 6 ft. from the finished grade to the center of the meter socket. Meter base and conduit must be placed on the outside wall or pole. There shall be a minimum of 3 feet of un-obstructed space in front of the meter.
• The preferred meter base location is on the transformer or splice box side of the house/ building. Meters must also be protected from physical damage. A post mounted meter or manufactured home pedestal shall be located facing the road for meter access.
• Meter equipment attached to member owned equipment shall be a minimum of 6’ from United Electric owned equipment.
• Irrigation pump meters shall be installed so that the meter is not sprayed by sprinklers or chemicals.
• Metering equipment will not be installed in a manner that limits the access or causes damage to the meter. It is the member’s responsibility to provide and maintain adequate work space and clearances, obstructions including shrubbery and landscaping must be kept clear from the meter location.

Meter Installations:

• All installations must conform to the National Electric Code and United Electric Co-op, Inc. Service Requirements. Meter base must be plumb and level and securely mounted to a rigid surface. All conductors must be securely fastened and must not interfere with the meter.
• Wiring should be in accordance with United Electric’s wiring diagram and color codes.
• The meter shall be installed on the supply side of the service equipment.
• Meter base must be readily accessible, free from vibration, corrosive atmosphere and abnormal temperatures. If a meter is required to be made accessible for any reason, the member must, at their expense, move the meter socket to an accessible location.
• When two or more meters are installed at a building, each meter mounting shall be permanently and legibly marked to indicate the service being metered.
• United Electric meter seals shall not be broken without authorization.

Ownership of equipment

• The member owns all metering equipment except for the meter and instrument transformers.

Note the diagrams below this: