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Chapter 115

CHAPTER 115


ELECTRIC SERVICE POLICIES

115.01 Service Characteristics
115.02 Engineering Practices
115.03 Special Condition of Service
115.04 Requirements of Electric Motors
115.05 Corrective Equipment
115.06 Arc Welding Installations
115.07 Security Lighting
115.08 Large Power Contracts

115.01 SERVICE CHARACTERISTICS. The electric utilities shall make available throughout its service area electric service of a character determined by the utility to meet the needs of the customer. The standard service available to meet this obligation is 120/240 nominal voltage, 60Hz alternation current, single phase, 400 amps or less, supplies via either overhead conductor or underground conductor as the utility chooses. In supplying this service, the utilities shall construct, own and maintain all facilities up to the premises. Where the utility chooses to install underground conductor in supplying standard electric service, the utility shall construct, own and maintain all facilities up to and including the meter socket and meter. In all standard service extensions the utilities shall furnish, own and maintain the meter socket and meter. Other service connections, including three phase service and service at primary voltages, are available at the option of the Utility and may require a contribution in aid of construction or an advance for construction cost. Terms and conditions of customers’ participation may be established by the Council. The Council may waive the costs if in the public interest. Such waivers, when entered in the minutes of the Council, shall not be considered a discriminatory practice.

115.02 ENGINEERING PRACTICES. Facilities of the Utility shall be constructed, installed, maintained, and operated in accordance with acceptable good engineering practices in the electric industry to assure, as far as reasonably possible, continuity of service and safety of persons and property. However, the utility shall not be held liable in actions arising from interruption or filtration in service. The utility shall use and shall require compliance with applicable provisions of the publications listed below as standards of accepted good practice, unless otherwise ordered by the utility division.

  1. Iowa Electric Safety Code, as defined in IAC, Chapter 25 (476, 476A, 478).
  2. National Electric Code, NFPA No. 70.
  3. American Standard Code Of Electric Metering, ANSI C12.
  4. Operation and Maintenance of Turbine Generators – ANSI Standard c50.30 -1972
  5. Power Piping -ANSI Standard B31.1 1998.
  6. U.S.A. Standard Requirements For Instrument Transformers, ANSI C57.13.
  7. American National Standard Requirements For Electric Analogue Indicating Instruments, ANSI C39.1.
  8. American National Standard Requirements For Direct-Acting Electrical Recording Instruments (switchboard and portable types), ANSI C39.2.
  9. American National Standard Voltage Ratings For Electric Power Systems And Equipment (60 Hz), ANSI C84.1.
  10. Grounding of Industrial and Commercial Power Systems, ANSI C114.1. Reference to the publications listed above shall be deemed to be the latest addition or revision as the accepted version of the utility division as a standard of good practice.

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115.03 SPECIAL CONDITION OF SERVICE. Except for facilities defined in Section 112.03 as a responsibility of the utility, the customer shall be responsible for all wiring and electrical equipment on his or her premises. The installation and maintenance of the customer’s facilities shall be consistent with the standards imposed by Chapter 112 of this Code of Ordinances, the special conditions of this section, and any other applicable statute and administrative law. No inspection or approval of the customer’s compliance with this section by the Utility or other agents of the City shall be construed to impose any duty or liability on the Utility but shall be considered solely for the purpose of insuring protection of the Utilities’ property and continuity of service to the customers of the Utility.

115.04 REQUIREMENTS OF ELECTRIC MOTORS. All installation of power loads on Utility systems shall conform to the safety rules set forth in the Iowa Electric Safety Code and National Electric Code. It is the customer’s responsibility to follow these rules.

  1. Customers are required to provide suitable protective device so that the motors and equipment will be protected from damage and from improper or dangerous operation in case of overload, loss of voltage, low voltage, singe phasing of poly-phase motors, or re-establishment of nominal service after any of the above. The utility is not responsible for motor damage caused by any of the above conditions.
  2. No motor in excess of 7½ horsepower shall be installed without application by the customer and the express approval of the utility. All motors 10 horsepower or larger must have capacitors installed. All motors 50 horsepower or larger must have low voltage or split-wound motor starters.

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115.05 CORRECTIVE EQUIPMENT. Welders, hoists, corn dryers and other equipment which use electric intermittently or which cause rapid load fluctuations shall be installed and used in such a matter as to not adversely affect voltage relation or impair the Utility service to other customers. When such equipment creates dementia to the service of other customers or to the Utilities’ use of its own equipment, the customer shall be required to install and maintain, at his or her own expense, suitable corrective equipment to eliminate the dementia effects.

115.06 ARC WELDING INSTALLATIONS. In 60-amp meter loops, the Utility shall approve for use on its lines only the welders meeting N.E.M.A. standards, with power factor correction, operating at 230 volts, and a nominal of 180 output current. On meter loops with capacity in excess of 60 amps, higher rated welders may be installed by obtaining special permission from the Utility.

115.07 SECURITY LIGHTING. Security lighting is available to all customers receiving normal electric service at a cost established in the rate table in Chapter 113. The rate shall include materials, installation, maintenance, and electricity.

115.08 LARGE POWER CONTRACTS. The Utility may supply large power service users, greater than 1500kWh, pursuant to provisions of a written contract.

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Editor’s Note: For definitions of terms used in this chapter, see Chapter 110. For Customer Service Policies, see Chapter 111. For additional General Service Policies, see Chapter 112. For Electric Service Rates, see Chapter 113.