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Cooperative’s Service Obligations

Availability of Service

Service shall be supplied only at such Point of Common Coupling located adjacent to facilities of TCEC which, in TCEC’s opinion, are adequate and suitable as to capacity and voltage for the desired service. If TCEC facilities are not adequate, Member shall be required to make a Member Contribution to Construction.

Character of Service

Electric service shall be provided at 60 hertz alternating current. Voltage supplied and the choice of singlephase or three-phase service shall be at the sole discretion of TCEC.

One Meter per Service

TCEC shall normally provide service to a service location under one tariff and for only one standard type of service. The Member shall arrange his/her/its wiring so that TCEC can measure usage with one meter. Where the Member requires more than one type of service or his/her/its wiring is arranged in a manner that TCEC cannot measure usage with one meter, the service as measured by each meter shall be billed separately. Multiple meters shall not be combined for a single bill.

The single bill referred to above is not an invoice where several accounts are grouped together for the convenience of the Member.

Point of Common Coupling

The Point of Common Coupling (PCC) of electric service shall be the point at which the Member connects to the wires and/or apparatus of TCEC.

Single phase installations:

  • Single phase 100amp to 225amp overhead secondary service on a pole where the PCC is at the bottom of the TCEC provided breaker.
  • Single phase 100amp to 225amp overhead secondary service on a structure where the PCC is at the Member’s weather head conductors.
  • Single phase 100amp to 225amp underground secondary service on a structure where the PCC is at the bottom of the TCEC provided breaker.
  • Single phase 320amp meter overhead or underground on a pole or structure from an overhead transformer where the PCC is at the Members weather head conductors.
  • Single phase secondary service from a pad mounted transformer (PMT) no current transformers (CT) required where the PCC is at the bottom of the breaker of the TCEC provided meter pedestal.
  • Single phase secondary service from a PMT CT’s required where the PCC is at the spades of the PMT.

Three-phase installations:

  • Three phase secondary service on a pole no CT’s required where the PCC is at the load side of the meter.
  • Three phase secondary service on a structure no CT’s required where the PCC is at the Members weather head conductors.
  • Three phase secondary service on a pole or structure overhead or underground with CT’s required where the PCC is at the load side of the CT meters.
  • Three phase secondary service 320amp meter overhead or underground on a structure from an overhead transformer where the PCC is at the Members weather head conductors.
  • Three phase secondary service from a PMT where the PCC is at the spades of the PMT.

Primary Metered installations:

  • Primary metered service from an overhead installation where the PCC is at the load side of the TCEC provided disconnects.
  • Primary metered service from an underground installation where the PCC is at the load side of the TCEC provided primary meter cabinet.

Before the electrical installation work of the Member commences, an authorized employee of TCEC shall determine the physical location of the PCC i.e. structure, pole or pedestal etc., a TCEC service installation drawing will be provided.

Meter Base

TCEC may elect (at its sole discretion) to install the meter base on the exterior of a structure. TCEC shall determine the point of common coupling for attachment to the service entrance wires of the Member. The meter base shall be supplied by and remain the property of TCEC. Meter equipment attached to the building shall be in accordance with the procedures for the installation of meter loops, and related appurtenances as established by TCEC. All service entrance wires and appurtenances beyond this point of common coupling shall be supplied and maintained by the Member.

The electrical size (ampacity rating) of the meter base shall be based on the load of the Member and shall comply with the most recent edition of the National Electric Safety Code.

Meter Loop Size

The meter loop, except when mounted on a structure, shall be supplied and maintained by TCEC.

For those meter loops mounted on a structure, TCEC shall only supply the meter base.

The electrical size (ampacity rating) of the meter loop shall be based on the load of the Member and shall comply with the most recent edition of the National Electric Safety Code.

Service Disconnect

For all 120/240 volt, single-phase meter installations on a pole or pedestal, TCEC shall provide and be responsible for a disconnect device from a minimum of 100 amperes up to a maximum of 225 amperes below the meter base. For all other voltages, higher or lower amperages and all three-phase services, the Member shall be responsible for providing a disconnect device that complies with the National Electric Code and/or the National Electric Safety Code.

Adequate Clearance for Service

If a service connection cannot be made with adequate clearance, such connection will not be made until adequate clearance is obtained.

If a service connection cannot be maintained with adequate clearance, TCEC will give notice to Member to clear the obstruction or establish proper clearance in those areas of Member’s responsibility.

TCEC will take steps to remedy the lack of clearance or remove an obstruction in its areas of responsibility. The Member will provide easements and access to TCEC to trim or remove trees, vegetation, and/or other obstruction on Member’s property that is within the area of responsibility of TCEC.

If TCEC deems the lack of clearance or the presence of an obstruction an immediate danger, service in such area of concern will be terminated until proper clearance is established and/or the obstruction is removed.

Energizing of Facilities - Cooperative Only

Only authorized employees or agents of TCEC shall be permitted to energize the facilities of TCEC. Violation of this provision of the Rules and Regulations of Service shall be cause for immediate disconnection of the service of the Member.

Exception

The Member may operate the low voltage breaker located below the meter.

Delivery of Electric Service

The obligation and responsibility of TCEC to supply electric service shall be completed and fulfilled by supplying such electric service at the point of common coupling. The responsibility of TCEC for the quality of service and operation of its facilities ends at the point of common coupling.

TCEC shall not be liable for any loss, damage, or injury caused by leakage, escape, or loss of electric energy after it has passed the point of common coupling. TCEC shall not be liable for any loss, damage, or injury caused by any defects in the wiring, appliances, or equipment of the Member.

TCEC shall install, and maintain:

  • 1 connection from TCEC’s facilities to the point of common coupling; and
  • 1 meter to measure electric usage to the Member for each class of service unless approved by TCEC and authorized by the most recent edition of the National Electric Code.

TCEC shall not be obligated to supply electric service for a portion of the electrical requirements of the Member.

Primary Metered Service

Overview

This section outlines the general requirements and procedures for TCEC to provide primary metered services to members.

A primary metered Member service is defined as an account that is metered at TCEC’s distribution voltage, also known as primary voltage (4160/2400 volts, 12,470/7,200 volts, 25,000/14,400 volts, or 34,500/19,900 volts) grounded‐wye primary distribution system, whichever is applicable for the location, and meets all applicable power quality requirements. TCEC may install primary metering for Members with a service capacity requirement of 1 MW or greater in accordance with the following requirements:

General TCEC and Member Requirements

  • TCEC shall install, own, operate and maintain all electric distribution facilities on the source (or line) side of the primary meter.
  • The Member shall be responsible for the incremental cost of the primary metering equipment in excess of the standard secondary metering equipment as determined by the cooperative. The incremental cost shall be paid by the Member as a non-refundable contribution.
  • TCEC personnel shall not perform work on Member facilities.
  • The Member shall install, own or lease, operate and maintain all electric distribution facilities downstream (Member Side) of the primary meter. Ownership includes the responsibilities of design, permitting, procurement, installation, future replacement, and ongoing maintenance. The Member will be responsible for hiring, or contracting with, qualified electrical line personnel and/or electricians to install, operate and maintain their equipment.
  • The Member may be responsible for costs associated as Member’s Contribution to Construction with construction power or line extension costs upstream of the primary meter, if needed.
  • The location of the primary metering equipment and all associated distribution equipment required for establishing a primary metered service shall be coordinated with TCEC.

Design Standards

The Member’s electric distribution system must be designed to prohibit 'feedback' into the TCEC electrical system. Any operation of the Member's primary system must be coordinated with TCEC Dispatch Center.

Operational Procedures

Terminations

The Member will be responsible for terminating their primary voltage conductors on the load‐side of the primary metering cabinet (required only for pad‐mounted primary meter enclosures). The primary metering cabinet shall contain a current transformer and two bushings per phase (one for TCEC and one for the Member to terminate their respective conductors). The lugs on the termination should be NEMA tariffd. This work must be performed by a licensed electrical contractor.

Member‐owned Generation

TCEC requires the use of an open‐transition (non‐paralleled operation) design, if the Member elects to install generating facilities for standby or back‐up purposes. An Interconnection Agreement between the Member and TCEC is required, if the Member and TCEC elects a closed‐transition (grid‐tied or paralleled operation) system. This agreement must be executed before parallel operation of the generating facilities can commence.

Energizing Equipment

Before energizing the primary metered service, the following shall be required:

  • Establish an account, the Member shall contact TCEC.
  • Provide TCEC with adequate time to order and receive any material necessary for the service, perform any construction needed for the service and obtain any right-of-way requirements that may be needed.

Property of TCEC

All facilities installed by TCEC on the premises of the Member shall be and remain the exclusive property of TCEC. All of TCEC’s equipment and facilities located on the premises of the Member shall be operated and maintained by and at the expense of TCEC. Facilities may be replaced by TCEC at any time. Facilities may be removed by TCEC upon disconnection of electric service.

Curtailment, Interruption or Suspension of Service

TCEC shall have the right to curtail (including voltage reduction), interrupt, or suspend electric service to the Member as may be necessary. Curtailment can occur for the inspection, maintenance, alteration, change, replacement and/or repair of electric facilities; for the preservation or restoration of its system operations or of operations on the part of the interconnected electric systems; or as directed by any federal, state, local authority or independent agency created and approved to carry out such actions.

In all cases of curtailment, irregularity, interruption, or suspension of service, TCEC shall make every reasonable effort to restore service as soon as possible.

TCEC shall not be considered in default nor shall it otherwise be liable for any damage when occasioned by any curtailment, irregularity, interruption, or suspension of electric service. The Member shall not be relieved from charges because of curtailment, irregularity, interruption, or suspension of electric service.

Operating Tolerances and Available Voltages

TCEC will endeavor to maintain voltages within the operating tolerances as established in ANSI C84.1- 2006.

TCEC provides service with the following characteristics:

  • Single-phase, 3-wire, 120/240 volts.
  • Single-phase, 3-wire, 240/480 volts.
  • Three-phase, 4-wire, 120/208 volts “Wye”.
  • Three-phase, 4-wire, 277/480 volts “Wye”.
  • Distribution voltages.
  • Transmission voltages (with agreement from the transmission owner).

TCEC does not provide new secondary Delta transformer connections unless required by existing voltage. The Delta Transformer connections existing at the time of adoption of this change are grandfathered. If a grandfathered delta transformer service is disconnected, or modified by the member in anyway, the Delta connection will be converted to a Wye connection.

Member Protective Control Equipment

The Member should install and maintain the devices necessary to adequately protect the equipment of the Member during periods of abnormal service conditions or the failure of part or all of the service supply. Reverse phase relays, loss of phase relays, circuit breakers, or similar devices, are required for all multiphase services to protect the installation in case of phase reversal or loss of phase.

Intermittent Power Loads

Because of their intermittent or disturbing influence to the service of other Members, hoists, elevators, furnaces, welding machines, variable speed motors, X-ray machines and other equipment may be served separately.

TCEC reserves the right to have the Member install, at the Member’s expense, a fly-wheel motor generator, or other suitable equipment to reasonably limit such fluctuations.