In the past, while upgrading overhead services, we have always built the new service and split bolted the drop to the new service and called for inspection. We would pull the meter and stick it in the new can also. Then the inspector would come the next day or two and clear it and the POCO would come 3 to 5 days later and bring in the new drop.
Now we have received a letter from the POCO as follows:
" NOTICE TO ALL LICENSED
ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS:
Effective August 1, 2004 Tucson Electric Power Company will no longer allow a licensed electrical contractor to have an electrical service re-energized or cause an electrical service to become energized when work has been done to the service entrance equipment without an electrical clearance from the local governmental inspection agency having jouristiction.
It is also the policy of TEP that no customer or a customer's agent is authorized to cut any seals or access any equipment that is under control of TEP. Access to this equipment at a time and day convienent to both the Company and the requesting party must be scheduled by calling -------."
If we are to adhere to this policy I can see we will have to leave the old service in place till the new one passes. This generally makes for more work and in some cases there is just no other suitable location for the new service but where the old one is. It will also mean more trips out to the job, one to build the new service, and at least one more to transfer the loads to the new service, which will have to be done at the same time the POCO is there to avoid extended down time for the customer.
Does anyone else have to deal with this type of policy? I am looking for some ideas that will simplify the process.
Brian
