From overhead electric services to optimal service panel placement, you have a lot to consider when building a new project and we look forward to working with you to make your project a success.
Services
Facilities and Requirements
Service Panel Placement
TID must give final approval on meter and service panel location. Some locations are prohibited. In general, the meter must be in an outside location that is readily accessible and readable by our personnel without opening gates, climbing fences, or encountering dogs.
Contact our Standards and Line Engineering Department at LineEngineering@TID.org or (209) 883-8415 to discuss your specific project so we can help determine where to place your service panel. Refer to the booklets available in this section for more information on service panel placement.
Underground Electric Facilities
Developers and their contractors should consult our Developer Information Book for Installing Underground Electric Facilities for assistance in underground electric service projects.
Individual Underground Facilities
Instructions for installing individual underground electric facilities can be found in our detailed book by clicking the link.
Processes & Requirements
Our professionals will help you navigate the processes and requirements mandated by any new project. They not only help make your project a success, they keep our employees and others safe.
When launching a new construction project, you must take into account requirements for generator installation and service installation as well as selecting conductor materials. We are happy to help you coordinate these requirements.
Generator Installation Requirements
If you are considering the installation of an emergency back-up generator, please contact us for a complete list of requirements. In general, the generator must be connected to a “break-before-make” transfer switch, also known as an open-transition transfer switch. The connection must be made in a fail-safe manner to prevent parallel connection of the generator to the TID system. The life of our employees and others depends on safely connecting such generators.
Service Installation Requirements
If you have an overhead service, you will have to install the riser conduit and conductors in accordance with the local inspection authorities’ requirements (usually the National Electrical Code and building codes). You will also need to provide a place for us to “land” the service wire — usually a spot on the electric service riser that is high enough to meet code and allow us to have proper clearances.
If you are taking service via underground conductors, you will need to install all of the underground trenching, conduit system, pads for any transformers, splice/pull boxes, and service conductor to TID’s specified design. Contact our Standards and Line Engineering Department at LineEngineering@TID.org or (209) 883-8415 to discuss specifics for your project before you lock in your design and order materials.
Selecting Conductor Materials
Like most utilities, we require the use of aluminum conductors for small- to medium-sized services. Aluminum is lighter, more flexible, and less expensive than copper. When you use aluminum conductors, costs are kept as low as possible by keeping our inventory of spare materials at a minimum. Properly installed aluminum conductors are safe and effective. Your overhead service riser is governed by the local inspection authority, not TID, and copper conductors are permitted and frequently used in this riser conduit.
For overhead service installations, TID will specify and install the conductors to your riser. For underground service installations, TID will specify the conductors you will install.
Refer to the Customer Information Book for Installing Individual Underground Electric Facilities for information on service installation requirements, underground conductors, acceptable conductors and a list of local electric supply companies.
If you have questions in any of these areas or would like to discuss your project further, contact our Standards and Line Engineering Department at (209) 883-8415.
Line Extensions
TID must give final approval on meter and service panel location. Some locations are prohibited. In general, the meter must be in an outside location that is readily accessible and readable by our personnel without opening gates, climbing fences, or encountering dogs.
Contact our Standards and Line Engineering Department at LineEngineering@TID.org or (209) 883-8415 to discuss your specific project so we can help determine where to place your service panel. Refer to the booklets available in this section for more information on service panel placement.