Electric Service Practices for New Houses
All customers must make an application to establish their account. This may be done by the buyer or it may be done by the builder, in which case the account will remain in his name until transferred to the buyer.
An application for service must be made in the same manner as any other City of Covington utility service. A deposit, refundable upon termination of service, may also be required.
Service locations must be approved by the Electric department prior to wiring by the electrician. The department will designate the location where the meter may be located.
All houses must have a final inspection by the City or County inspector having jurisdiction before power can be connected and a meter set.
Overhead service drops are usually run from the designated pole at the time the meter is set. Note that the service mast (stack) must be high enough to allow the service drop cable to maintain proper code clearance per section 230 of the National Electric Code above the ground, drive, street, etc. The mast must also be adequately secured and/or braced.
If an additional pole is required, work will be scheduled in accordance with the clearance from the Utilities Protection Center(One Call) to allow for legally required spotting of buried utilities. Also, the City may require payment for any extra pole required because of the location of the service entrance at the house.
Underground services should be requested well ahead of the date that services will be needed and ahead of any grass or shrubbery plantings. The meter base and conduit should be installed on the wall and the property should be at final grade before requesting a service dig-in. The conduit should extend 18" below grade. The City will request a one call location through the UPC for utility-owned lines, but the builder is responsible for any privately- owned lines such as the water line between the water meter and the house, sewer or septic lines and irrigation pipes and control wiring. Damage to landscaping that was installed ahead of the dig-in and equipment is the builder's responsibility. The cable route should be clear of debris, stacks of material and piles of dirt.
Underground services must be paid for, based upon distance, prior to installation. Please note that, in some subdivisions, the developer has paid for the services at the time that primary lines were installed along the street.
Electric Service Practices for New Subdivisions
City regulations require that underground residential electric facilities, including street lights, be paid for in full prior to installation. A contract and easement must be executed. An approved plat, with all changes included, must be provided to the City's electric department.
Additional charges will be made if property lines are mis-marked or change or if any City facility must be replaced or relocated.
The City will request a "one call" location through the UPC for utility-owned lines, but the developer / owner is responsible for any privately- owned lines such as the water mains or services, sewer or septic lines and irrigation pipes and control wiring that are not accepted and maintained by a utility. Damage to landscaping that was installed ahead of the installation is the responsibility of the developer / owner. The roadway shoulders shall be at final grade and shall provide adequate width and comply with maximum slope requirements of local utility placement ordinances and practices. The cable route should be clear of debris, stacks of material and piles of dirt.
The developer / owner may be required to install conduit for cable crossings under streets and parking areas prior to paving them.