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Getting Connected to Service
Non-Commercial Electric Service Guidelines
Codes and Rules
Planning and Zoning Department Phone Numbers
State Electrical Inspectors
Wisconsin State Code
Service Drops and Entrances
Ownership and Location
Attachment of Service Drops
Capacity and Disconnects
Meter Sockets
Grounding
Pulling or Tampering with Meters
Amperes Interrupting Capacity
Emergency Generation Installations
Adams-Columbia Electric Cooperative Phone and Addresses
Doing a Service Upgrade?
Non-Commercial Electric Service Guidelines
The following guidelines for non-commercial services sized 200 amps or less are provided to Adams-Columbia Electric Cooperative (ACEC) members and their electricians in an effort to provide safe and efficient electric service that is in accordance with national, state and local codes and Cooperative rules. These guidelines do not cover every possible circumstance that may arise. Therefore, it is recommended that the electrical contractor become familiar with the policies, practices, rules and regulations of the Cooperative before proceeding with the installation. ACEC disclaims responsibility for any member-owned wiring installation. To this end, ACEC refers wiring questions to licensed and qualified electricians and building inspectors.
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Codes and Rules
Wiring installations must conform to federal, state and local codes and ACEC Service Rules and Regulations. Note: Before energizing the service, state law requires that the Cooperative must receive an authorized electrical inspector's certificate of approval or, if inspection is not required, the wireman's compliance form stating that the wiring complies with the state electrical code (Wis. Statutes 101.865). The Cooperative does not have the authority to inspect member wiring installations, but the Cooperative does reserve the right to refuse to connect a service, or may disconnect service to any installation, which does not comply with ACEC Service Rules and Regulations or which is found to be dangerous to persons or property. (Please see the Universal Dwelling Code information on page nine.)
Code Questions—If you have questions about your electrical wiring you should contact the following resources in this order: 1. an electrician; 2. your local planning/zoning authority; or 3. the State of Wisconsin Electrical Inspector.
Electricians—If you wish to hire an electrician to perform your work, please consult your local phone directory/yellow pages or call us for a list of electricians in your area. While we can provide you with a list, we cannot recommend a specific electrical contractor. ACEC does recommend that a licensed and/or State Certified electrician be used whenever possible.
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Planning and Zoning Department Phone Numbers
| Adams County |
608-339-4222 |
| Rome Township |
715-325-8012 |
| Columbia County |
608-742-9660 |
| Dane County |
608-266-4266 |
| Dodge County |
920-386-3700 |
| Green Lake County |
920-294-4026 |
| Jefferson County |
920-674-7130 |
| Marquette County |
608-297-9159 |
| Sauk County |
608-355-3285 |
| Portage County |
715-346-1334 |
| Waupaca County |
715-258-6255 |
| Waushara County |
920-787-0453 |
| Wood County |
715-421-8466 |
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State Electrical Inspectors
If you have specific code questions that cannot be answered by the above resources, you may also contact a State Electrical Inspector.
| Counties of Adams, Marquette, Sauk, Columbia and Dane |
608-225-3416 |
| Counties of Waushara, Green Lake, Dodge and Jefferson |
414-852-3696 |
| Counties of Wood, Portage and Waupaca |
715-571-1609 |
The Safety and Buildings Division staff provides electrical consultation to owners, builders, inspectors, electricians and designers. Electrical inspections are made upon special request. For contact information, visit their website at www.commerce.state.wi.us.
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Wisconsin State Code
Wisconsin's State codes are also available on the web at www.legis.state.wi.us (in PDF format). This is chapter 16 of the Wisconsin Electrical Code. ACEC recommends that you hire a licensed and/or State Certified electrician.
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Service Drops and Entrances
Service drops are defined as utility-owned wires that connect to consumer-owned facilities.
The Cooperative will either install an underground service wire to an acceptable underground metering point or install overhead service wires to an acceptable point of support on the member's premises. Cooperative personnel will determine whether the service will be installed overhead or underground depending on the circumstances present.
Note: For overhead service installations installed by the cooperative, member-owned facilities will not be allowed to be installed on cooperative owned poles.
Existing locations where member-owned facilities are installed on a cooperative-owned pole will be allowed to remain until the cooperative pole is retired. If the cooperative pole has to be replaced, it is the responsibility of the member to move member-owned facilities to the new pole or install an underground meter pedestal at the base of the new pole.
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Ownership and Location
In all cases the member furnishes and installs the meter socket and service entrance and is responsible for its upkeep and repair. The Cooperative, after consulting with the member, designates the location of the service entrance and meter. Meter sockets, enclosures, or cabinets shall be installed on a substantial building, treated post or freestanding meter pedestal. In no case may they be installed on insecure supports or where they will be liable to mechanical injury or vibrations. All service meters, meter sockets and meter loops shall be accessible outdoor installations and shall be kept readily accessible for meter readings and testing.
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Attachment of Service Drops
For overhead services, the member shall furnish and install a support strong enough to withstand severe ice and wind loading and which will assure the required ground clearance. The Cooperative will connect the service entrance wires to the service drops. No one else is permitted to make these connections.
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Capacity and Disconnects
All wiring, including entrance conductors and switches, shall be of ample capacity for any load that may reasonably be expected to develop, and in all cases shall be of sufficient capacity to meet NEC (National Electrical Code) and/or Wisconsin State Electrical Code Vol. 2 requirements.
- The Cooperative needs to know the size of the service entrance prior to installation of Cooperative facilities. A minimum of 100 ampere three wire service shall be installed for all residential dwellings (200 amp. for underground service).
- Mobile home services require a fourth wire for equipment ground.
- A single disconnecting means is required by ACEC on all services up to and including 200 amp capacity.
- Pole top disconnect installations requiring current transformer metering must have prior approval by the Cooperative.
- Contact Cooperative for service less than 100 amp capacity (such as outdoor signs.)
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Meter Sockets
- Wiring must not interfere with mounting and sealing the meter.
- The Cooperative's service wires shall be installed on the top lugs of the meter base.
- Used sockets must have sealing rings, unused hubs, and all openings must be closed with plugs.
- Meter sockets shall be mounted plumb and located approximately 5 feet 6 inches above ground.
- 200 amp minimum size for underground service (to accommodate 4/0 stranded AI wire.) Use Milbank #U1773 or equivalent, minimum of 14" tall X 11" wide.
- The member shall furnish and install a suitable conduit or raceway from the fuse/breaker panel to the meter socket.
- A meter will be installed after all paperwork has been completed, fees paid, and the service has passed electrical inspection.
- Meter sockets shall be equipped with meter by-pass capabilities.
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Grounding
All disconnects and load boxes must be properly grounded. Although the grounding electrode conductor may pass through the meter socket it shall NOT be connected inside the socket.
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Pulling or Tampering with Meters
Meters and meter equipment are sealed by the Cooperative for the purpose of protecting the metering equipment and the member consumer. Removing and replacing meters can be dangerous and should be done only by authorized personnel. Property owners will be held responsible for metering errors, damage to the equipment and any personal injuries resulting from unauthorized and/or improper handling of said equipment. If you must have the power disconnected, contact the Cooperative for assistance.
Note of Caution: Not all meters disconnect the power source. Many installations use instrument transformers, and pulling a meter in such a case will not disconnect the power source and could result in the instrument transformer burning out, of which the property owner will be held responsible.
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Amperes Interrupting Capacity
All main disconnecting means shall have a minimum rating of 10,000 Amperes Interrupting Capacity (AIC). The Cooperative may direct that a larger capacity be required at time of installation for services rated over 200 amps.
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Emergency Generation Installations
Member-owned emergency standby generators connected to a residential wiring system MUST be connected through a properly installed double-pole, double-throw switch by a qualified electrician. Failure to do so could result in unintended connection (back feeding) to the Cooperative system, which presents a hazard to Cooperative line technicians and to the member.
As always, if you have any questions, please give us a call at the telephone numbers shown in the next column. While we cannot advise you on code requirements or how to wire your facilities, we can help explain our requirements and provide you with names of local electricians to assist you in your wiring needs.
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Adams-Columbia Electric Cooperative Phone and Addresses
1-800-831-8629
Friendship Service Center
401 East Lake Street
Friendship, WI 53934
Pardeeville Service Center
W6290 Highway 33
Pardeeville, WI 53954
Wautoma Service Center
N1519 Highway 22
Wautoma, WI 54982
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Doing a Service Upgrade?
Contact Adams-Columbia Electric Cooperative with details regarding your service upgrade request. An ACEC representative will conduct a field check to determine costs to provide this upgrade, and send you the necessary paperwork. Generally speaking, an upgrade request will be fulfilled within three weeks of receiving completed forms, fees and wiring compliance card or Certificate of Compliance, depending on the zoning requirements in your specific area. ACEC recommends that a licensed and/or state certified electrician be used whenever possible.
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