Redding Municipal Code Ch. 14.22 Electric Utility

Unless otherwise specified in this chapter, approval of the city shall mean approval of the director of electric utility or his or her authorized representatives or designees.

(Ord. 2246 § 1 (part), 1999)

All main services exceeding two hundred amperes shall be installed underground, unless, in consideration of the particular circumstances of the installation, the distribution system manager of the electrical department and the building official consent to an alternate installation. Such consent shall be at the absolute discretion of such officials.

(Ord. 2246 § 1 (part), 1999)

A. All electrical utility meters shall be installed on the premises to be served at a place approved by the city. The location shall be accessible for inspection, reading, and testing.

B. The city shall not approve an electrical meter installation within a hazardous area, as defined in the latest edition of the California Electric Code adopted by the city. The master control equipment shall also be installed away from hazardous areas.

(Ord. 2246 § 1 (part), 1999)

Meter sockets shall be installed on an exterior wall of the building to be served. The meter socket may be installed in a recess on the exterior wall; but in such case, it shall be installed in the center of a space not less than fourteen inches square. In all cases, the meter socket rim shall project out from the exterior wall surface not less than three-fourths inch.

A. If the main switch of the service is two hundred amperes or more in capacity, but not in excess of two hundred forty volts, a heavy-duty meter socket shall be installed.

B. If the main switch is in excess of two hundred amperes and two hundred forty volts, but less than six hundred volts, the electrical energy provided shall be measured by a current transformer. The current transformer shall be connected ahead of the service switch in a metal cabinet approved by the city which is free of all incidental wiring.

C. If the service applied for requires a socket-type meter, the service applicant shall furnish and install sockets with approved sealing rings.

D. If more than one electrical service meter is installed at a service location, each meter position and main switch shall be clearly and permanently marked by the service applicant to indicate the location or locations serviced by the meter. The city shall not provide permanent service to the location until the identification has been approved by the city.

E. The city shall furnish and install meters and testing equipment. The city shall install secondary wiring for current transformers to the meter with continuous runs of coded wires located in conduit or raceway, furnished and installed by the service applicant.

F. All electrical service meters installed without current transformers shall be located not more than seventy-five inches, and not less than forty-eight inches, above the ground on the exterior installations. If, however, the meter is installed in an approved metal cabinet in a meter room, the minimum height location above the floor or ground may be reduced to thirty-six inches. All meter installation heights shall be measured from the meter's axis.

(Ord. 2246 § 1 (part), 1999)

The entrance switch or master service switch shall be located on the load side and in close proximity to the electrical service meter and in all cases shall be in a readily accessible location.

A. In multiple-occupancy structures an entrance switch or master switch shall be installed on the load side of each meter at the meter location, in a common, readily accessible location with all other entrance switches or master switches.

B. In all commercial or industrial electrical service installations, a master disconnect switch or circuit breaker shall be installed on the load side of the electrical service meter.

(Ord. 2246 § 1 (part), 1999)

All electric motors operated within the city shall have adequate running over-current protection. Three-phase motors shall have over-current protection on all three phases.

A. All electric motors of less than seven and one-half hp may be served by single-phase two hundred forty volts supply, except that electric motors of one-half hp or smaller may be served by one hundred twenty volts supply. Motors larger than seven and one half hp shall be served by three-phase two hundred eight, two hundred forty, or four hundred eighty volt supply.

B. If existing three-phase facilities are available at the service location, electric motors shall be served at the existing three-phase supply voltage.

C. The maximum size allowable for any one motor at two hundred eight volts is thirty hp. The maximum size allowable for any one motor at two hundred forty volts, three- phase is fifty hp. The capacity of any motor or other device may be determined by test; or if the original name plate has not been removed or altered, the manufacturer's catalog rating may be used.

The city reserves the right to refuse to supply electrical loads of a character that, in the sole opinion of the city, may seriously impair service to any customer. In case of hoists or elevator motors, welders, furnaces, compressors and other installations of like character where the use of electricity is intermittent or subject to violent fluctuations, the city may require the customer to provide, at his own expense, suitable equipment to reasonably limit such fluctuations.

The starting currents drawn from lines of each rated size of alternating current motors (such currents to be determined by tests or based on published data by manufacturers) shall not exceed the allowable locked-rotor current values for alternating current motors shown in the following tables, correction being allowed to compensate for difference between the voltage supply at the motor terminals and its rated voltage.

Table 1 Alternating Current — Single Phase Motors

Table 2 Alternating Current — Polyphase Motors

The city may limit the maximum size and type of any motor that may be operated at any specific location on the city's electric system that, in the city's sole discretion, could be detrimental to the city's electric system operation or any customers' operations.

If the current of the motor exceeds the value given in the table, a reduced voltage starter or other means shall be used to limit the current value to the value specified in the table. Maximum permissible current values in the preceding tables apply to an installation of a single motor. Reduced voltage starters may be omitted on the smaller motors of a group installation when their omission will not result in a current in excess of the allowable current of the largest motor of the group.

(Ord. 2246 § 1 (part), 1999)

A. On all three-phase four hundred eighty volt installations, the service applicant or installing electrical contractor shall provide a metal cabinet to house the instrument transformers and electrical service meters ahead of the service disconnection switch.

B. If the installation provides for a socket-type meter for use in conjunction with a current transformer, the service applicant shall supply a one inch or one and one-quarter inch type S-5 polyphase socket or its equivalent. The opening of the socket is to be closed by a plug and sealing screw.

(Ord. 2246 § 1 (part), 1999)

The term "four-wire delta circuit" as used in this section is defined to mean a circuit in which a three-wire; three-phase circuit; and a three-wire, single-phase circuit are combined and are served through a single electrical service meter. If the service applicant wishes to install a four-wire delta circuit at an electrical service location within the city, applicant shall notify the city in advance of the commencement of electrical work preparatory to such an installation. The city shall determine the availability of this type of service at the proposed location.

A. The city shall furnish self-contained, socket-type meters for a four-wire delta installation if the main switch does not exceed two hundred amperes or two hundred forty volts.

B. A socket-type meter shall be used in all four-wire delta circuits larger than two hundred amperes, and the service applicant shall provide a standard four-wire, three-phase cabinet as approved by the city.

C. All current transformer cabinets provided by the service applicant shall be equipped with a removable current transformer pan.

D. If the service applicant intends to install a four-wire delta circuit service in excess of two hundred amperes capacity, the city shall approve the installation and the location and size of the current transformer and meter cabinet prior to installation.

(Ord. 2246 § 1 (part), 1999)

The location of point of service shall be on that portion of the building facing the nearest street, alley, electric utility easement or public way on which the nearest city electrical utility facilities are located, unless, in consideration of special location conditions, the city consents to an alternate location.

A. The service applicant shall provide a suitable and substantial point of contact for the service conductor. If the structure to be served does not provide such a point, the service applicant shall provide and erect a suitable pole or timber.

B. In relation to the height above the ground of power lines running to the point of service on the structure or pole for which an application for service has been made:

1. Service conductors shall contact a building at one point of attachment only, and the customer's service head shall be no greater than four feet from this point of attachment. The customer shall leave leads at least four feet long extending from the service head.

2. If the service drop conductor will be required to pass over a building roof, the city shall approve the location of point of service.

(Ord. 2246 § 1 (part), 1999)

Where a city electrical utility service entrance is underground, it shall not be closed until inspected and approved by the city electric utility system inspector. The city shall not provide electrical service nor install the electrical utility meter unless the city has approved the underground electrical service.

(Ord. 2246 § 1 (part), 1999)

Electrical customers shall pay a service charge established by resolution of the city council for a recording voltage check if the customer requests the voltage check and the results of the check establish that the voltage is within the allowable limits of fluctuation. Voltage checks will be made only at the main line service switch or service entrance heads.

(Ord. 2246 § 1 (part), 1999)

The city shall supply a temporary service connection to a general contractor or subcontractor at a construction site if, in the sole discretion of the city, adequate city electric utility service facilities are available at the requested location.

A. The service applicant shall provide temporary underground service connectors and shall comply with the provisions of this chapter and Chapter 16.05.

B. All temporary service pedestals shall be erected as near to the closest city electrical service facilities as practicable and in accordance with the city's instructions.

(Ord. 2246 § 1 (part), 1999)

If proposed residential, commercial, or industrial construction requires relocation of the existing city utility power poles, service lines, service wires, or light standards, person(s) responsible for the new construction shall pay the total cost of the relocation.

(Ord. 2246 § 1 (part), 1999)

No trees may be removed within the city limits through the branches of which pass electric power lines without first obtaining the approval of the city electrical utility for such removal. The person causing the tree to be removed shall be solely responsible for the city's cost to remove a power line if the city determines that because of the size or nature of the power line it is necessary for the city to remove the line so that the tree may be safety removed.

(Ord. 2246 § 1 (part), 1999)

The city shall not furnish electrical service to any new construction, additions, or alterations of the structure, unless and until all required easements or rights-of-way have been recorded and fees and charges due from the service applicant to the city have been paid in full and written notice has been received by the city electrical utility from the city building inspector that the structure complies with all of the provisions of the city code and is approved.

(Ord. 2246 § 1 (part), 1999)

The city shall not be liable for damage resulting from interruptions in electric service from causes beyond the control of the city. In addition, as a condition precedent to service, the city reserves the right to make temporary shutdowns without liability in order to make improvements and repairs. Whenever possible and as time permits, all customers affected will be notified prior to making shutdowns.

(Ord. 2246 § 1 (part), 1999)

A. The city shall not supply electric service through the same meter to separate premises even if the premises are owned by the same customer. Notwithstanding the preceding, the city may, in its sole discretion, permit in writing such shared service upon a showing of good cause.

B. An electric customer of the city shall not furnish or use electricity received from the city upon premises for purposes other than those specified in an approved application for service.

C. An electric customer of the city shall not furnish or resell electricity received from the city to any person except where all of the following are met:

1. The customer is the owner or master lessee of the whole of a single building or structure containing more than one residential, commercial or professional unit;

2. The customer applies to the city in writing for consent to assume and pay the total electric utility charges for the total building or structure; and

3. Any charge to the individual tenants or subleases is included in the rental for the premises or space occupied as a fixed or unvarying charge, and, except in mobile home parks, rates may not exceed the rates the individual tenant, sublessee, or customer would pay if he were on direct city service.

D. As an alternative to the provisions of subsection (C), an electric customer may furnish or resell electricity received from the city to any person when the electric customer is the owner, operator or manager of a facility that supplies electricity to the public only for the use of charging plug-in electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.

E. In addition to all other remedies provided by law for violation of the provisions of this section, the city may discontinue service to the electric customer and charge a fee for reconnection of service following correction and elimination of the violation.

(Ord. 2246 § 1 (part), 1999)

(Ord. No. 2561, § 1, 1-17-2017)

A. The city council shall by resolution establish electrical utility rates for all electrical utility subscribers. In the establishment of rates, the city council may provide different rates for various categories of use, quantities of power used, and types of service furnished. In fixing and establishing electrical utility rates for service within the corporate limits of the city, the council shall be guided by the standards set out in this section.

B. Electrical utility rates shall be sufficient to discharge and pay all the costs of operation and maintenance of the electrical utility department and the electrical utility system, including reasonable provision for general administrative services, and to discharge and pay all costs in connection with additions and betterments to the electrical utility system, and to provide for the amortization of all depreciation and obsolescence within the system, and to discharge and pay any and all bonded indebtedness incurred in the construction or extension of the electrical utility system, including principal and interest thereof, and to establish and maintain a reasonable reserve fund to provide for unforeseen contingencies and the acquisition of facilities in newly annexed areas as well as extensions and betterments of the existing system. Electrical utility rates shall not be charged in excess of the amounts necessary to raise the costs, expenses and appropriate reserves set out in this section.

C. Copies of any resolution adopted by the city council pursuant to this section shall be maintained in the offices of the city clerk and the finance director for inspection by the public and shall be made available to any person or persons upon request.

(Ord. 2246 § 1 (part), 1999)