Handbook 1

Electrical Service &Wiring Installation

Handbook

South Plains ElectricCooperative, Inc.

(806) 775-7732 Lubbock(806) 271-3311 Spur

(940) 937-2565 Childress

Revised 4/03

2 Handbook

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(806) 741-0111 for Lubbock local(888) 741-0111 toll free

Information required for prompt service:

1. Name on your SPEC account

____________________________________________

2. Meter Number

____________________________________________

3. Account Number

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FOR NEW SERVICE/BILLING INQUIRIESM-F 8am to 5pm • (806) 775-7766

FOR NEW SERVICE/BILLING INQUIRIESAfter 5pm and on weekends • (806) 775-7732

AUTOMATED ACCOUNT INQUIRY(806) 775-7811

www.SPEC.coopOur Web site contains member-specific information on a

variety of topics. Go online for more details.

Handbook 3

ELECTRIC SERVICE AND WIRINGINSTALLATION HANDBOOK

Foreword:This handbook has been prepared for the conve-

nience of our members, electrical contractors, buildersand any others engaged in providing electrical wiringservice in order to acquaint the reader with South PlainsElectric Cooperative’s requirements for electric meterinstallations. This handbook will establish theCooperative’s requirements for new electric service andmeter installations, for relocating or modifying meterinstallations and upgrading the service capacity. Thehandbook contains specifications for both overhead andunderground delivery.

The information presented in this handbook is notintended to conflict in any way with the NationalElectrical Code, any city or county ordinances, or anystate rules. Some of the service requirements, as pre-sented, are the result of past experience and deemednecessary to insure safe, adequate and reliable service forthe member. If this handbook does not cover a particularmetering situation, please contact one of our officeslisted below before proceeding with your work.

Additional copies of this booklet may be obtained atany of the Cooperative’s offices.

Northern District, 110 N I-27, LubbockSouthern District, 7210 82nd St., Lubbock

(806) 775-SPEC (7732)Dickens Division, FM 836, Spur

(806) 271-3311Gate City Division, 1900 C NW, Childress

(940) 937-2565

4 Handbook

INDEX

A. General Information ............................................ 6

B. Think Safety! ....................................................... 6

C. Number of Services .............................................. 7

D. Grounding ........................................................... 7

E. Equipment Requiring Individual Consideration .. 8

F. Inspection.............................................................. 8

G. Meter Tampering ................................................. 9

H. Types of Service ................................................... 91. Single Phase

a. 120-volt, 2-wire service............................. 9b. 120/240-volt, 3-wire service ................... 10c. 240/480-volt, 3-wire service .................... 10

2. Three Phase Servicea. 120/240-volt, 4-wire, delta service .......... 11b. 480-volt, 4-wire service .......................... 11c. 120/208-volt or 277/480-volt, 4-wire, wyeconnected service ....................................... 12d. 240 or 480-volt, 3-wire service, deltaconnected service ....................................... 13

Table 1-AConductor Sizing ............................................... 14

Table 1-BConduit Service Entrance Specifications .......... 15

Handbook 5

I. Building a Meter Loop ........................................ 161. Irrigation Service

a. Pedestal to submersible pump ................. 16b. Pedestal to above ground pump.............. 17c. Pedestal to towable pivot ........................ 18d. Pedestal to stationary pivot .................... 19e. Service to above ground pump orsubmersible ................................................. 20

2. Overhead Servicea. Typical single phase temporary meter ..... 21b. Underground group metering ................. 22c. Overhead group metering ....................... 23d. Minimum clearances ......................... 24-25e. Meter remote–under eaves ..................... 26f. Meter remote–through eaves .................. 27g. Meter base on building–through eaves ... 28h. Meter base on building–under eaves ...... 29i. To mobile home or meter pole withunderground ............................................... 30

3. Underground Servicea. Meter base on building ........................... 31b. Metered remote ...................................... 32

4. Overhead Servicea. 2-way (in and out) loop .......................... 33b. 2-way (in and out) loop .......................... 34

6 Handbook

A. GENERAL INFORMATIONThe following information has been assembled so

those engaged in electrical wiring or the installation ofmetering equipment might comply with the servicerequirements of South Plains Electric Cooperative.Members and/or contractors planning new construc-tion, altering, or rewiring existing facilities shouldbecome familiar with the handbooks requirements. Ifyou determine after reading the handbook that yoursituation is not covered, please contact the Coopera-tive for better direction before proceeding.

South Plains Electric Cooperative will make everyreasonable effort to provide our members with safe,reliable, adequate electric service. To accomplish thisgoal, the Cooperative should be contacted in advanceof your required service date. Service availability mayvary within our service area. It is always best to conferwith the local office before beginning your work. It isthe Cooperative’s recommendation that additionalcapacity be provided whenever possible for future use.Permanent residential services shall have a minimuminstalled capacity of 100 amperes at 120/240 volts,single phase.

The information in this handbook refers to servicerequirements for lighting and power installations atsecondary voltages. Services requiring primary volt-ages are subject to contractual agreement between themember and the Cooperative and the meteringrequirements will be determined at that time.

B. THINK SAFETY!Before you dig — Call (800)344-8377. Texas

state law requires that you call before you dig ordisturb the ground. With 48-hour advance notice,each involved utility will mark the location of theirfacilities for your safety.

Handbook 7

Warning — It is unlawful for you to operateany equipment within ten (10) feet of a highvoltage line. If you must work close to any of theCooperative’s electrical lines, please contact your localoffice. Your Cooperative will assist you in performingyour needed work safely.

Look Up! We further recommend that you donot stack any irrigation pipe under electric lines andcertainly be aware of power lines when erecting orworking on antenna towers. Many of our membersoperate farming equipment near or under our lines,please be mindful of the clearance requirements forthis equipment as you perform various functions in thefield and travel into and out of the fields.

C. NUMBER OF SERVICESThe Cooperative will normally connect only one

set of service conductors to a home or building. Themember will provide for metering in a locationacceptable to the Cooperative.

Large apartment buildings, shopping centers andindustrial complexes may require special applicationsof the National Electrical Code. The Cooperativeshould be contacted during the design stage for theseprojects to obtain guidance and agreement on theinterpretations of these special metering consider-ations.

D. GROUNDINGAll service systems operating below 600 volts shall

contain a grounded neutral or a grounded phaseconductor used as a circuit conductor in the system.The neutral or grounded phase conductor shall begrounded at the supply transformer and shall beconnected to the grounding terminal in the serviceentrance equipment provided by the member. The

8 Handbook

NEC requires an adequate grounding system as part ofthe wiring with a grounding conductor tied to theservice entrance raceway and to the neutral terminalin the disconnecting means. All of these connectionsto the grounding conductor shall be accessible forinspection by Cooperative personnel.

Members requiring an ungrounded service foroperation of a ground detection system shall maketheir request in writing. If supplying an ungroundedservice results in additional costs to the Cooperative,the additional cost may be passed on to the member.

E. EQUIPMENT REQUIRINGINDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATIONProviding service for power consuming equipment

such as welders, large motors, high frequency induc-tion furnaces, or sensitive electronic equipment mayrequire individual consideration and agreement by theCooperative. By design, the Cooperative can minimizethe emission or distortions on the electrical system.One member will not be permitted to affect theservice quality of another member. By understandingthe equipment’s power requirements in these specialsituations, the Cooperative can make certain thateach member can coexist with their neighbor.

Sometimes, the equipment may require very stablevoltage, system isolation, or uninterrupted continuityof service. The Cooperative, by agreement, may beable to supply service level requirements that areabove the normally acceptable levels. The Coopera-tive desires to assist its members with any specialequipment problems especially during the planningand design stages of the projects.

F. INSPECTIONThe wiring shall be installed in accordance with

Handbook 9

the latest requirements of the National ElectricalCode (NEC) and any state or county or municipalinspection requirements as may be in force at the timethe installation is completed.

All wiring and other electrical equipment will beinstalled, operated, and maintained by the member atall times in conformity with good electrical practiceand the requirements of the regional regulatoryauthority. The inspecting authority will leave aninspection tag on the member’s service entranceequipment to notify the Cooperative that the wiring isapproved for service connection. In areas where thereis no inspection authority, the Cooperative’s personnelwill inspect the service entrance for compliance to theNEC. The Cooperative does not assume any responsi-bility for the design, operation, or condition of themember’s wiring past the service entrance equipment.

G. METER TAMPERINGThe metering equipment belongs to the Coopera-

tive and must not be disconnected, removed orrelocated except by authorized Cooperative personnel.The Cooperative shall seal all meters and meterinstallation equipment. Law forbids tampering withthe meter or with conductors carrying meteredcurrent. If it is necessary to gain access to any meter-ing equipment that has been sealed by the Coopera-tive, the member or his contractor shall contact theservice department for inspection and resealing of themeter after the work has been completed.

H. TYPES OF SERVICE1. Single Phase

a. 120-volt, 2-wire serviceThis type of service may be used to serve a small

electrical load not having any 240-volt requirements

10 Handbook

such as a sign, fence charger, or fireworks stand. Themaximum meter capacity is 60 amperes.

b. 120/240-volt, 3-wire serviceThis type of service is the most typical electrical

service and may be used to serve loads such as aresidence, ranch or farming operation, mobile home,hunting cabin, domestic well, or small commercialoffice building. Normally, the service capacity is 100 or200 amperes. If the service requirements are 400amperes or greater, contact your local office for specialmetering instructions.

c. 240/480-volt, 3-wire serviceThis is a special service normally used by the

Texas Highway Department for highway lighting.

Handbook 11

2. Three Phase Servicea. 120/240-volt, 4-wire, delta serviceThis is the most common three phase electric

service and is used for commercial, home, and someirrigation loads. Members use this voltage for smallthree phase loads with some lighting requirements.This service voltage works well in overhead distribu-tion systems; however, it is not available in under-ground distribution applications.

120/240-volt, 3-phase,4-wire

Domestic Service

b. 480-volt, 4-wire serviceIt is common on irrigation and oil field applica-

tions. This is a common electric service for irrigationpivot system with wells and/or booster pumps. It is alsoavailable for oil wells and industrial loads.

Irrigation Service

480-volt, 3-phase, 4-wire*

12 Handbook

c. 120/208-volt or 277/480-volt, 4-wire, wyeconnected service

This wye connected electrical system is usedwhere there is large lighting load and three phasemotor load. This system permits the balancing of thelighting load across all three phases of the system. Thistype of service is used in schools, churches, commer-cial complexes and industrial parks. This is thepreferred service for underground applications.

Handbook 13

d. 240 or 480-volt, 3-wire service, deltaconnected service

This is a common electric service for irrigationpivot system with wells and/or booster pumps. It is alsoavailable for oil wells and industrial loads. This is arestricted use service.

*All New Installations Shall Be 4 Wire

*

14 Handbook

Minimum Size Conductors

Copper Aluminum

Line Neut.

Main Fuse orCircuit Breaker

Amp Rating Line Neut.

60

100

150

200

6

2

1/0

3/0

6

4

2

1/0

4

1/0

2/0

4/0

6

2

2

1/0

NOTE: Table 1-A is intended as a guide only andrepresents only minimum capacities. It is not conclusivefor all installations.

Table 1-AConductor Sizing

Handbook 15

*RHW insulation is also acceptable.

Overhead Rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit,electrical metallic tubing, service entrancecables.

Underground Rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit,non-metallic electrical conduit, minimumschedule 40 PVC.

Table 1-BConduit Service Entrance Specifications(Applicable to service entrances on dwellings or otherbuildings and to service entrances on poles supplyingoverhead or underground feeders.)

MaximumSize Fuse

or Breaker

InsulatedWire Size

Copper Alum.

MinimumConduit

Size

InsulationType

Number ofInsulated

Wires

60

100

150

200

66——

22——

1/01/0——

3/03/0——

——44

——

1/01/0

——

2/02/0

——

4/04/0

¾”1”1”

1¼”

1¼”1¼”1¼”2”

1½”2”

1½”2”

1½”2”2”

2½”

TW

THW*

THW*

THW*

THW*

2424

2224

2424

2424

16 Handbook

Irrigation ServicePedestal to Submersible Pump

I. BUILDING A METER LOOP

Handbook 17

Irrigation ServicePedestal to Above Ground Pump

18 Handbook

Irrigation ServicePedestal to Towable Pivot

Handbook 19

Irrigation ServicePedestal to Stationary Pivot

20 Handbook

Irrigation ServiceService to Above Ground Pump or Submersible

Handbook 21

Overhead ServiceTypical Single Phase Temporary Meter

22 Handbook

Underground ServiceUnderground Group Metering

Handbook 23

Overhead ServiceOverhead Group Metering

24 Handbook

Overhead ServiceMinimum Clearances

Handbook 25

Overhead ServiceMinimum Clearances

26 Handbook

Overhead ServiceMeter Remote–Under Eaves

Handbook 27

Overhead ServiceMeter Remote–Through Eaves

28 Handbook

Overhead ServiceMeter Base on Building–Through Eaves

Handbook 29

Overhead ServiceMeter Base on Building–Under Eaves

30 Handbook

Overhead ServiceTo Mobile Home or Meter Pole with Underground

Handbook 31

Underground ServiceMeter Base on Building

32 Handbook

Underground ServiceMetered Remote

Handbook 33

Overhead Service2-Way (in and out) Loop

34 Handbook

Overhead Service2-Way (in and out) Loop

Handbook 35

Notes

36 Handbook

Pay YourElectric

BillOnline!

Online bill paying is a fast, convenient andsafe way to pay your electric bill. No checks

to write. No invoices to mail. Just a fewclicks is all it takes. You can also see your

billing history and other information.

Ask your local South Plains ElectricCooperative customer service

representative for details or go towww.SPEC.coop.

Service offices located at:82nd St. & Upland Ave., Lubbock

Municipal Drive above MacKenzie Park, LubbockFarm Road 836, Spur

1900 Ave. C NW, Childress