Meter Loop Specifications

As required by Wood County Electric Cooperative (WCEC), Inc., P.O. Box 1827, Quitman, Texas 75783, 903-763-2203. Office hours:8:00AM to 5:00PM, Monday – Friday.

Notice: The following information is derived from various sections of the National Electric Code (NEC 2023) and the National Electric Safety Code (NESC 2023). This information does not portend to accurately portray all possible variations of service installations, nor is it an exhaustive report of the NEC and NESC latest standards. The meter loop specification guidelines given are intended to meet or exceed the minimum requirements of the NEC and NESC.

Although Texas state law allows electrical work to be performed in or on a dwelling by a person who owns or resides in the dwelling, WCEC strongly urges Members to seek qualified assistance from Texas state licensed electricians. It is the responsibility of, and incumbent on the part of the installer, to adhere to the requirements of the latest NEC and NESC releases.

All wiring shall be in accordance with Articles of the latest edition of the NEC and the NESC.

Minimum requirements are shown on the attached standard and are not intended to supersede local codes.

Minimum requirements are shown in this standard and are not intended to conflict with any national or local code which may require more than the minimum indicated by the drawings.

2.1 Clearance of Overhead Service Supply Cables

Services between 0 to 750 Volts must be of sufficient height to maintain the following standards (NESC Table 232-1).

16.5 foot minimum clearance above final grade for:

• Roads, streets, and other areas subject to truck traffic.
• Other areas traversed by such vehicles used for farm, forest, industrial, commercial sites, etc. (NESC Table 232-1).

2.1.1 Residential Exceptions: For gable or mast Type service entrance weatherhead mounting where the height of a residential building does not permit it’s service drop(s) to meet minimum clearances as outlined in 2.1 above, the clearances can be reduced to the following: (NESC Table 232-1 Notes 7,8).

2.1.1.1 Residential driveways

• 12 feet for service wire drop(s) (150V Line-Ground)
• 10 feet for the lower of drip-loop or point-of-attachment (150 V to Ground)

2.1.1.2 Other minimum clearance conditions may apply depending on the area crossed and/or the service voltage. The Cooperative may require a greater point of attachment height from the Member to facilitate clearance requirements mandated by specific conditions.

2.2 General Requirements

2.2.1 WCEC requires a minimum 2” schedule 40 rigid pipe, IMC, EMT, or electrical grade-PVC to be used where the service mast (roof jack) for overhead service is used as a support for the service-drop conductors.  This is required to improve the ability of bearing the tension of service-drop conductors (NEC 230.28).

2.2.2 The Member is responsible for the installation of the conduit and conductors between the weatherhead and the meter base.  Copper or equivalent aluminum conductors sized per NEC Table 310.12(A) and Article 310.15 shall be used.  All weatherhead conductors must be insulated and designed for use in conduit.  All connectors must be sized with a composition compatible for the type of conductor used and tightened per the meter base/panel instructions/NEC.  The Member’s installer shall allow 18-inch minimum conductor tails outside of weatherhead for service connections.

2.2.3 The 2023 NEC Article 230.85 establishes a specification that “For one- and two-family dwelling units, an emergency disconnecting means shall be installed”.  All service conductors shall terminate in disconnecting means having a short-circuit rating equal to or greater than the available fault current and installed in a readily accessible outdoor location on or in within sight of the dwelling unit.  The purpose of the emergency disconnect is to terminate service conductors before entrance into the distribution breaker panel.   

For wall-mounted meter bases, a rigid steel nipple is required between main disconnect breaker panel and the meter base using locknuts and plastic bushings.  No more than 18 inches of separation is allowed between meter base and main disconnect breaker panel.  Locations for main disconnect beaker panel shall follow NEC 230.70. See section 6. 

2.2.4 In order to limit voltage drop and ensure an adequate service voltage level, the maximum length of overhead secondary service conductors is 150 feet from WCEC’s pole-mounted transformer to the meter base.  A WCEC Field Service Representative will determine the service conductors’ minimum gauge based upon the service length.

Before beginning work within a meter base, the installer should ensure that the bottom lugs of the meter base are not energized by having the meter pulled or that the transformer is de-energized.  Please inform WCEC Member Service at 903-763-2203 that a meter will be pulled to eliminate an unnecessary service outage ticket.

2.2.5 All weather-head conductors and underground conductors from the overhead service meter base shall meet the requirements in Table 5.1 of this document.

2.2.6 The Member is responsible for the termination of the service conductors into the bottom lugs of the meter base and into the disconnect or breaker panel.

2.2.7 Attachments of any kind shall not be affixed to WCEC owned poles. This includes, but is not limited to, Member owned lights, fencing, antennas, etc.

2.2.8 Service Entrance conductors should be supported by straps within 12 inches of every service head, gooseneck, or connection to an enclosure not exceeding 24 inches. (NEC 230.51(A)).

2.2.9 All conduit shall be sized per Table 5.1 of this document.  The conduit shall be rigid Schedule 40 Gray PVC buried at a minimum depth of 24 inches using locknuts, plastic bushings and no less than 90-degree interior sweep angles. (NEC 352.46)

2.2.10 The specification for the grounding conductor is a continuous soft drawn #6 AWG (minimum) grounding electrode conductor that is free from exposure to physical damage.  If not exposed to physical damage, the grounding conductor shall be permitted to run along the surface of the building construction without metal covering/protection if it is securely fastened to the construction.  Otherwise, it shall be protected in ½ inch RMC, IMC, Sch 80-PVC, RTRC, or EMT type conduit (NEC 250.64 (B)) from meter base to the ground rod connection below grade.  Conduit shall have locknuts and plastic bushings and shall be secured to the structure wall (or other applicable support).  Conductor shall be installed in one continuous length without splice or joint.  (May see also NEC 250.62 & 250.64).

2.3 Permanent Buildings – OH Service Options

(Figures 1-5)

2.3.1 Member Owned Meter Poles shall not be installed under WCEC overhead electric lines. The weatherhead shall not extend above the pole top. The member owned pole shall meet the following criteria:

• 6 inch minimum diameter at the narrowest point for creosote-treated or commercially pressure treated wood
• 5 inch outside diameter for capped round steel poles
• 4 inch square and minimum 0.25 inch thickness for capped square steel poles

The pole shall meet NESC 232.1 Vertical Clearances. A taller pole may be required to obtain proper code clearances. The Member is responsible for the installation of the meter pole with weatherhead, conduit, and meter base. See Figures 1, 1A, 4, & 7.

2.3.2 Mast & Gable Weatherhead Installation Specifications (Figures 2 & 3): For overhead services with the service wire attachment made to a permanent building structure, there are two standard installation methods - mast & gable.  These installations are described in Figures 2&3, respectively.  Mast and Gable Weatherhead installations are not allowed on Mobile Home applications.

The Mast Weatherhead (Figure 2) installation requires that the weatherhead entrance be located not less than 2 feet and not more than 3 feet above the building roof line per the details given in Figure 2.

The Gable / Wall mounted weatherhead installation located below the soffit of a building is shown in Figure 3.

2.4 Mobile & Mfd Homes - OH Service Options

(Figures 1, 1A, 4, 7, 10)

For overhead service to mobile and manufactured homes the following is specified:

2.4.1 Standard 23 Ft Meter Pole - (Figures 1,1A, 4, 7,10):For overhead service a 23 Ft Member-Owned-Pole (MOP) is the standard and shall be equipped by the Member with the specified weatherhead, conduit, and WCEC available meter base. A disconnect panel shall be installed in accordance with NEC Article 230.85 and a feeder assembly in accordance with NEC 550.33.WCEC specifies that a minimum of a 23-foot MOP be used to meet NESC clearances.

The meter pole shall be located so that service wires to the weatherhead do not cross the roof of the mobile home.  

2.5 OH Service - UG Entrance Requirements

Reference Section 3 below outlining the WCEC specifications for the Member to install the underground conductors, conduit, mobile home disconnect panel, Mobile Home Feeder Assembly, etc.

3.1 General Requirements

3.1.1 WCEC will supply and install a meter base using either an M8-10 pole mounted assembly or using a pad mounted transformer assembly with an underground fed meter base pedestal (See 3.2, 3.3 below).

3.1.2 Underground service conductors shall be installed in the underground conduit.

3.1.3 All conduit shall be sized per Table 5.1 of this document.  This includes service conduit from the meter base to the main disconnect.  Conduit leaving the meter base and entering disconnect shall use locknuts and plastic bushings.  The service conduit between the meter base and main disconnect shall be rigid type Schedule 40 gray PVC buried at a minimum depth of 24 inches and shall use sweep transitions no less than a 90 degree interior angle.

3.1.4 The Member is responsible for the measurement, provision, installation and termination of the conduit and service conductor from the bottom lugs of the meter base to the member’s disconnect or breaker panel.

3.1.5 In order to limit excessive voltage drops and ensure an adequate service voltage level, the maximum overall length of underground secondary service conductors is 230 feet from the meter base to the disconnect or breaker panel.  A WCEC Field Service Representative (FSR) will determine the service conductor’s minimum gauge based upon the service length and construction type.  If the Member desires a larger conductor gauge than the gauge determined by the FSR, then the size must be compatible with the meter base lugs.

Before beginning work within a meter base, the installer should ensure that the bottom lugs of the meter base are not energized by having the meter pulled or the transformer is de-energized.  Please inform WCEC Member Services at 903-763-2203 that a meter will be pulled to eliminate an unnecessary service outage ticket.

3.1.6 Attachments of any kind shall not be affixed to WCEC owned poles or pedestal equipment.  This includes, but is not limited to, Member owned lights, fencing, antennas, etc.

3.1.7 The 2023 NEC Article 230.85 establishes a specification that “For one- and two-family dwelling units, an emergency disconnecting means shall be installed”.  All service conductors shall terminate in disconnecting means having a short-circuit rating equal to or greater than the available fault current and installed in a readily accessible outdoor location on or in within sight of the dwelling unit. This “emergency disconnect” is to terminate service conductors before service conductor entrance into the distribution breaker panel. 

3.2 Permanent Buildings – UG Service Options (Figures 5 and 6):

3.2.1 UG Service - Pole Mounted Transformer (M8-10 Assembly) (Figure 5): To provide Underground Service to a permanent building from a WCEC overhead line, the existing WCEC pole or an additional 30 foot lift-pole equipped with a weatherhead, conduit, and meter base (commonly referred to as an “M8-10” pole assembly) will be provided and installed by WCEC.  This requires the Member to install underground service conduit and conductor at a maximum of 250 feet overall length from the bottom of the meter base lugs to the Member’s main breaker panel.  Except for the Member’s underground conduit, no Member owned equipment is allowed to be mounted on or placed within 5 feet of any WCEC pole.  See Figure 5 for details.  For a Temporary Installation to be used during building construction, see Section 8.

3.2.2 UG Service - Pole Mounted Transformer (M8-10 Assembly) (Figure 5): UG Service – Meter Base Pedestal (Figure 6):  WCEC will install the conduit and conductor between a pad mounted transformer to a WCEC provided underground meter base pedestal.  The Member shall be responsible for trenching and installing the service conductor between the underground meter base pedestal and the Member’s breaker panel within gray PVC schedule 40 conduit buried at a depth of 24 inches.  The service conductor is not to exceed a maximum length of 250 feet.

3.3) Mobile and Manufactured Homes – UG Service Options (Figures 8, 9, 10):

3.3.1 UG Service - Pole Mounted Transformer  (M8-10 Assembly) (Figure 8, 10):  To provide Underground Service to a mobile or manufactured home from a WCEC overhead line, the existing WCEC pole or an additional 30 foot lift-pole, equipped with a weatherhead, conduit, and meter base (commonly referred to as an M8-10 Assembly) will be provided and installed by WCEC.

3.3.2 Underground Service - Pad Mounted Transformer (Figure 9 & 10):  WCEC will install underground conduit and conductor between the pad mounted transformer and a WCEC installed stub-mounted meter base pedestal.

3.3.3 An outside Mobile Home Service Equipment (Disconnect Panel, “Feed Through Panel”) must be located within sight and not more than 30 feet from the exterior wall of the mobile home it serves. The enclosure bottom of the Mobile Home Service Equipment containing the disconnecting means must not be less than 2 feet above finished grade or working platform.  The operating handle of the disconnecting means must not be higher than 6ft 7in in its highest position from finished grade or working platform.  The Mobile Home Service Equipment shall be rated at not less than 100 Amperes at 120/240 Volts, and provisions shall be made for connecting a Mobile Home Feeder Assembly by a permanent wiring method. (NEC 550.32).

3.3.4 Mobile Home Feeder Assembly conductors from the Service Equipment disconnect panel to the main breaker panel inside a mobile home must consist of a four (4) conductor feeder assembly color coded per NEC 550.33(A).  Conductors are permitted to be rated per NEC Table 310.12 as shown in Section 5 of this document and per NEC 550.33(B).  The equipment grounding conductor (this is not the grounded neutral conductor, but a 4^th wire for grounding the mobile home equipment) in this assembly shall be not less than an insulated #4 AWG stranded copper conductor or its insulated #2 AWG stranded aluminum equivalent.  WCEC allows an aluminum conductor for the equipment grounding conductor in the Mobile Home Feeder Assembly only.

3.3.5 The grounded neutral conductor shall be insulated from the grounding conductor and from grounded parts. The grounding conductor and grounded neutral conductor are bonded only at the service disconnecting equipment. Neither the frame of the mobile home nor the frame of any distribution panel or an appliance may be connected to the grounded neutral conductor in the mobile home. (NEC 250.142)

3.3.6 The Cooperative Member is responsible for the measurement, installation and termination of 2” gray schedule 40 PVC conduit and approved service conductors (Mobile Home Feeder Assembly).  The conductors in conduit shall be buried at a minimum depth of 24 inches with a maximum length not to exceed a total sum distance of 250 feet from the bottom lugs of the meter base, through the Mobile Home Disconnect and to the Main Distribution Panel inside the home.

Unless continuous underpin skirting is present along the outside perimeter of the mobile or manufactured home, the 2” Sch 40 PVC service conduit shall remain below ground until directly beneath the home entrance location.  No above ground conduit is permissible beneath the home without proper underpin skirting.

3.3.7 Apart from the Member’s underground conduit, no Member owned equipment including the Mobile Home Disconnect or other service equipment disconnect enclosures, are allowed to be mounted on or permanently placed within 5 feet of any WCEC pole or meter pedestal.

3.3.8 Temporary service to a mobile or manufactured home is prohibited.

3.3.9) WCEC does not support or provide electrical service to any electric meter base that is mounted on the side of a mobile or manufactured home.

3.4) Security Light – UG Service (Figure 12):

WCEC will power a non-metered security light directly from a pad mounted transformer if the security light pole is to be located 5 feet from the pad mounted transformer.   In this instance, WCEC will install the pole, conduit, and cabling.   The Member will be charged a non-metered flat rate for the security light service.

If the Member requests a security light to be located at distance of over 5 feet from the pad mounted transformer, WCEC will install the pole, light, and riser at the requested location; however, the Member shall be responsible for trenching and installing underground conduit and cabling from the Member’s breaker panel to the security light pole.  In this instance, the security light will be a metered security light.

4.1 Available Ratings & Installation

The Cooperative will supply the meter base and meter for a Member’s new service.  WCEC has available meter bases rated at 200 for overhead and underground services.  The maximum service entrance conductor size allowed is: 200A meter base – up to 350MCM; Hub sizes provided are 1”, 1.25”, 1.5”, 2”, 2.5”, and 3”. The Member shall install the meter base with lag screws.  No uncovered knockout holes or other openings are allowed in the meter base or main disconnect enclosure (NEC 230.62). Pole mounted meter bases should be mounted not less than 5 foot and not more than 6 foot above grade. 

WCEC will not serve any type of meter base to be mounted on the side of a mobile or manufactured home. 

Wire sizes and conduits shown on the associated drawings are minimums and shall be sized according to load and main size as recommended by the latest edition of the NEC.  Minimum wire and conduit sizes for residential services are as shown in Table 5.1 below.

Feeder wire sizes for mobile and manufactured homes also shall follow NEC guidelines and shall be rated at not less than 100 Amperes.  Feeder conductors for mobile and manufactured homes shall be permanently installed and consist of four insulated, color-coded conductors identified by the factory or field marking of the conductors in compliance with NEC Table 310.12.  Equipment grounding conductors shall not be identified by stripping the insulation. (NEC 250.119).

Conduit for all underground service wires shall be sized with Schedule 40 Gray PVC pipe per Table 5.1.

Table 5.1: Conductor Size for 120/240V, 3-Wire Dwelling Service, Single Phase, From NEC Table 310.15 (B)(7) and NEC Table 250.66

Table 5 Notes

• Note 1) WCEC requires a minimum 2” rigid steel conduit be used where the service mast (roof jack) is used as a support for the service-drop conductors. This is required to improve the ability of bearing the tension of service-drop conductors (NEC 230.28).
• Note 2) The minimum size ungrounded “hot” conductor shall be #4 AWG copper or #2 AWG aluminum equivalent. The 2023 NEC Table 310.14(A) may be used if no corrections or adjustments are required.
• Note 3) The minimum size for a grounded neutral conductor may be reduced to a size smaller than the ungrounded “hot” conductor under balanced load conditions, however caution should be used when using this reduction and NEC Article 220 should be consulted to calculate neutral currents for unbalanced or nonlinear load conditions. A grounded neutral shall never be reduced smaller than #8 AWG copper or #6 AWG aluminum equivalent.  In addition, the grounded neutral conductor shall never be smaller than the required grounding electrode conductor found in Table NEC 250.66. (Refer to NEC 250.122)
• Note 4) The Member is responsible for the installation of the conduit and conductors between the weatherhead and meter base. Copper or equivalent aluminum conductors sized per NEC 2023 Table 310.14(A) may be used in the overhead service conduit.  All overhead conduit conductors must be insulated and designed for use in conduit.  All connectors must be sized, tightened and have composition compatible for the type of conductor used per the meter base and breaker panel instructions and the NEC.  The Member’s installer shall allow 18 inch minimum conductor tails outside of weatherhead for service connections.
• Note 5) NEC 250.66(A) provides for an exception to grounding conductor size found in NEC Table 250.66 where the grounding electrode conductor is “connected to a single or multiple rod, pipe, or plate electrode(s)” as permitted in 250.52(A)(5) or (A)(7). The portion of the conductor that is the sole connection to the grounding electrode “shall not be required to be larger than #6 AWG copper wire…”. WCEC requires grounding conductors to be copper only.
• Note 6) WCEC allows a minimum #6 AWG copper grounding conductor when directly connected to ground rod; otherwise, see Table 5.1 above.

No more than six circuit breakers may be used within a circuit breaker panel enclosure without installing a main breaker (NEC 230.71, NEC 225.33).  A circuit breaker enclosure or main disconnect enclosure is required before the service will be connected.  Disconnect / breaker panels using board mountings between the panel and the meter pole must use treated lumber to be accepted.  The Member shall install the panel with lag screws.

For meter base installations on permanent residents or buildings, the main service disconnect must be at a readily accessible location either outside the building or structure, or inside nearest the point of entry of the service conductors (NEC 230.70). No more than 18 inches of separation is allowed between meter base and main disconnect breaker panel.

For services to mobile and manufactured homes, a Member’s Service Equipment Disconnect Panel is prohibited to be mounted on any WCEC owned pole and must be located no closer than 5 feet from the base of any WCEC pole.  The Mobile Home Service Equipment Disconnect Panel must be within sight and no greater distance than 30 feet from the mobile home it serves and rated for such, but no less than 100 Amperes. (NEC 550.32).

7 Grounding

The identified neutral conductor and metallic parts of the service equipment, including meter base enclosures, instrument transformer enclosures, etc., shall be effectively grounded. All grounding shall be bonded together. WCEC reserves the right to refuse installation of service contingent upon inspection and approval of the Member’s grounding connections.

7.1 Ground Rods

A driven ground rod is required by WCEC and shown in the Overhead and Underground Service drawings. Ground rod electrode shall be 5/8 inches in diameter and 8 feet minimum in length and shall be copper (copper weld) or zinc coated (galvanized) steel with an approved ground wire clamp. (NEC 250.52 (A5)).   Ground rod electrodes shall be installed per NEC 250.53 (1)(4).  “The upper end of the electrode shall be flush with or below ground level unless the aboveground end and the grounding electrode conductor attachment are protected against physical damage as specified in NEC 250.10.”  Since physical damage and a permanent moisture level to the upper end of a ground rod and grounding conductor attachment is likely, WCEC specifies that the upper end of the ground rod and grounding conductor attachment be installed 6 inches below finished grade with the lateral location being in undisturbed soil within 2.5 feet from a slab foundation or from a Member’s meter pole.

7.2 Grounding Conductors

Must be sized at a minimum #6 AWG soft-drawn copper and be continuous from the meter base ground connection to the ground rod connector.  A grounding conductor that is free from exposure to physical damage shall be permitted to be run along the surface of the building construction without metal covering or protection where it is securely fastened to the construction; otherwise, it shall be in conduit, electrical metallic tubing, or cable armor.

For 200 & 320 Amp meter base mains, Table 5.1 above specifies a #4 AWG & #2 AWG copper grounding conductor, respectively; however, Note 5 of the table provides an exception for a #6 AWG to be used in most common applications.

7.3 Equipment Grounding Conductors

For mobile home applications, the equipment grounding conductor (“4^th wire”) in the feeder assembly shall be at minimum an insulated #4 AWG stranded copper conductor or an insulated #2 AWG stranded aluminum conductor. (See Figure 10).  In this instance only, WCEC allows an aluminum equipment grounding conductor to be used in the Mobile Home Feeder Assembly.

All metal buildings, metal structures, and metal siding on buildings to which electric service is to be supplied shall be permanently bonded to the service entrance ground before service is connected.

The Member shall provide and maintain suitable protective devices on their equipment to prevent any loss, injury or damage that might result from single phasing conditions or any other fluctuation or irregularity in the supply of energy. To prevent possible equipment failure and data loss, computers, programmable controllers, and other voltage sensitive digital devices should be protected against abnormal system conditions by using commercially available AC line conditioners, surge suppressors or uninterruptible power supplies to provide a constant power source to these devices.

NEC (230.67) states that all dwelling units shall be provided with a surge-protective device.

All motor installations should be provided with devices that will protect the motor and motor circuit against overload and short circuit. In addition, three-phase motors should be protected against single-phase operation. All motors that cannot be safely subjected to full voltage at starting and are not equipped with automatic restarting means shall be provided with a device to ensure that, upon failure of supply voltage, the motor will be disconnected from the line or the starting device will return to the "off" position.

9.1) General: “Temporary electric power and lighting installations shall be permitted during the period of construction, remodeling, maintenance, repair, or demolition of buildings, structures, equipment, or similar activities.” (NEC 590.3 (A)) “Temporary wiring shall be removed immediately upon completion of construction or purpose for which the wiring was installed.” (NEC 590.3 (D)).

A temporary service shall have a time limit of six months from the time of installation.  An extension of time will require WCEC approval.

Temporary service to recreational vehicles, mobile homes, or manufactured homes is prohibited.

The temporary circuit breaker panel will be required to have adequate circuit protection.  At least one circuit breaker will be required for WCEC to set a service meter.

As noted in Section 6, no more than six circuit breakers are allowed in a circuit breaker panel without the installation of a main breaker.

9.2) Overhead Service – Temporary Member Owned Pole:  Temporary Overhead service will only be provided to structures that will have overhead service permanently. A temporary construction pole must be within 8 feet of a permanent WCEC pole to maintain clearance requirements under Section 2 of this document.

9.3) UG Service – Meter Base Pedestal – Temporary Post (Figures 11 and 11A): This is the same as in Section 3.2 above with the exception that a Member may install a temporary treated post for an underground service.  The Member shall have an option for temporary service.  The Member shall be responsible for the placement of temporary conductor between the meter base and the Member’s temporary breaker panel by either option of: 

 1) trenching and installing an underground conductor at a depth of 24 inches in 2” gray PVC schedule 40 conduit for a distance of 2 feet minimum to 200 feet maximum distance to the temporary breaker panel (Fig 11)     

 2) the placement of Flexible Conduit above ground for a 2 ft minimum to 3 ft maximum distance from the meter base to the temporary breaker panel (Fig 11A).  The temporary breaker panel must be designed for underground use.  WCEC will not connect the service where the breaker panel is not designed for an underground application. 

9.4) Overhead Transformer to Underground Service (M8-10) – (Figures 11B and 11C): This is the same as in Section 3.2 above with the exception that a Member may install a temporary treated post for an underground service.  The Member shall be responsible for the placement of temporary conductor between the meter base and the Member’s temporary breaker panel by either option of:  1) trenching and installing an underground conductor at a depth of 24 inches in 2” gray PVC schedule 40 conduit for a distance of 2 feet minimum to 200 feet maximum distance to the temporary breaker panel (Fig 11B) or 2) the placement of Flexible Conduit above ground for a 2 ft minimum to a 3 ft maximum distance from the meter base to the temporary breaker panel (Fig 11C).  The temporary breaker panel must be designed for underground use.  WCEC will not connect the service where the breaker panel is not designed for an underground application.

For Members that plan to permanently install a standby generator to be operated during a service outage, a double-pole / double-throw (DPDT) transfer switch must be installed to electrically isolate WCEC’s service meter from the standby generator to prevent any power flow onto WCEC’s service conductors at any time and especially during service restoration. The transfer switch operation may be of automatic or manual type. GenerLink transfer switches are acceptable for portable generators.

WCEC recommends that all standby generator installations be designed and implemented by a state of Texas licensed electrician.  Below are two configurations as examples only. 

Before beginning work within a meter base, the installer should ensure that the bottom lugs of the meter base are not energized by having the meter pulled.  Please inform WCEC Member Service at 903-763-2203 that a meter will be pulled to eliminate an unnecessary service outage ticket. 

Apart from the Member’s underground conduit, no Member owned equipment including the Mobile Home Disconnect or other service equipment disconnect enclosures, are allowed to be mounted on or permanently placed within 5 feet of any WCEC pole or meter pedestal.  

Standby Generator – All Loads Supplied – A Standby Generator that is intended to supply power to all loads of the member during a WCEC service outage. See Figure 13. 

Standby Generator – Critical Loads Supplied – A Standby Generator that is intended to supply only critical loads of the member during a WCEC service outage. See Figure 14. 

An Interconnection Application and Interconnection Agreement with the Cooperative is required before a Member can connect a Distributed Energy Resource (DER) for parallel operation of electrical generation with WCEC’s distribution system.  The Member shall consult WCEC early in the design phase by submitting an Interconnection Application and a subsequent executed Interconnection Agreement.

For complete information and guidelines regarding interconnecting to WCEC’s distribution system refer to the Wood County Electric Cooperative Distributed Generation Guideline documents or call WCEC at 903-763-2203.

• 30 Foot Lift-Pole – A WCEC pole installed to support a Member’s service drop so that proper above ground clearance can be maintained. A 30-foot lift pole is required if the Member’s MOP (meter pole) is less than the standard 23 foot MOP .
• Circuit Breaker – A device designed to open and close a circuit by non-automatic means and to open the circuit automatically on a predetermined overcurrent without damage to itself when properly applied within its rating. (NEC 70-27)
• Disconnect Panel (Disconnecting Means) – A device, or group of devices, or other means by which the conductors of a circuit can be disconnected from their source of supply (NEC 70-28). The disconnect panel provides fault protection for the conductors going from the meter base to the distribution panelboard.
• Distribution Panelboard – A panel including buses and automatic overcurrent devices, and equipped with or without switches for the control of light, heat, or power circuits; designed to be placed in a cabinet or cutout box placed in or against a wall, partition, or other support; and accessible only from the front (NEC 70-31).
• Electric Conduit – Pipe used as a raceway to route electric cables for services above and below ground. WCEC requires a minimum 2 inch, gray, schedule 40 thick, PVC conduit for underground services and a minimum 2 inch galvanized steel pipe for 200A, 320A overhead services.
• Equipment GroundING Conductor – The conductive path(s) installed to connect normally non-current-carrying metal parts of equipment together and the system grounded conductor or to the grounding electrode conductor, or both (NEC 70- 29). An equipment grounding conductor does not carry current except when there is an electrical fault. WCEC requires that a minimum insulated #4 AWG stranded copper conductor be used. For Mobile Home Feeder Assembly applications only, a minimum insulated #2 AWG stranded aluminum conductor equivalent may be used.
• Ground – The earth (NEC 70-29)
• Grounded (Grounding) – Connected (connecting) to ground or to a conductive body that extends the ground connection (NEC 70-29).
• GroundED Conductor – A circuit conductor that is intentionally grounded to an earth ground (NEC 70-29). It is commonly known as the “neutral” conductor and carries current back to the electrical source.
• Grounding Electrode – A conducting object through which a direct connection to earth is established (NEC 70-29). WCEC’s grounding electrode specification is a ⅝ inches by 8 feet copperweld or galvanized steel ground rod.
• Grounding Electrode Conductor – A conductor used to connect the system grounded conductor or the equipment, to a grounding electrode. WCEC requires that a minimum #6 AWG copper only grounding conductor be used.
• Manufactured Home – A structure, transportable in one or more sections, that, in
  the traveling mode, is 8 body-feet or more in width or 40 body-feet or more in
  length, or when erected on site, is 320 square feet or more and that is built on a
  permanent chassis and designed to be used as a dwelling, with or without a
  permanent foundation, when connected therein. (NEC 550.2)
• Mobile Home – A factory-assembled structure or structures transportable in one or more sections that are built on a permanent chassis and designed to be used as a dwelling without a permanent foundation where connected to the required utilities and that include the plumbing, heating, air-conditioning, and electrical systems contained therein. For the purpose of the NEC and unless otherwise indicated, the term mobile home includes manufactured homes. (NEC 550.2)
• Mobile Home Electrical Nameplate – A metal nameplate on the outside adjacent to the feeder assembly entrance shall read as follows: “This connection for 120/240-Volt, 3 pole, 4-wire, 60 Hertz, _____ Ampere Supply.” The correct ampere rating shall be marked in the blank space. (NEC 550.11 (D)).
• Mobile Home Feeder Assembly – The overhead or under-chassis feeder conductors, including the equipment grounding conductor, together with the necessary fittings and equipment or a power supply cord listed for mobile home use, designed for the purpose of delivering energy from the source of electrical supply to the distribution panelboard within the mobile home (NEC 550.2)
• Mobile Home Feeder Conductors – Mobile home feeder conductors shall consist of either a listed cord, factory installed in accordance with NEC 550.10 (B), or a permanently installed feeder consisting of four insulated, color-coded conductors that shall be identified by the factory or field marking of the conductors in compliance with NEC 310.110. Equipment grounding conductors shall not be identified by stripping the insulation (NEC 550.33). WCEC requires that a minimum insulated #4 AWG stranded copper conductor or its insulated #2 AWG stranded aluminum equivalent be used for the (“4th wire”) equipment grounding conductor.
• Mobile Home Service Equipment, (Disconnect Panel, “Feed Thru Panel”) – The equipment containing the disconnecting means, overcurrent protective devices, and receptacles or other means for connecting a mobile home feeder assembly (NEC 550.2). The mobile home service equipment shall be located adjacent to the mobile home and not mounted in or on the mobile home. The service equipment shall be located in sight from and not more than 30 feet from the exterior wall of the mobile home it serves. Grounding at the disconnecting means shall be in accordance with NEC 250.32. (NEC 550.32 (A)). The mobile home service equipment shall have an 8’ X 5/8”copperweld or galvanized steel ground rod. Per EC 550.32 (C) mobile home service equipment shall be rated at not less than 100 Amperes at 120/240 Volts, and provisions shall be made for connecting a mobile home feeder assembly by a permanent wiring method.
• MOP – Member-Owned-Pole installed by the Member to WCEC specifications and used to support the service wire and meter base for a Member’s electrical service.
• Service Drop – The conductors between the utility electric supply and the service point (NEC 70-32). For example, the conductors between the WCEC transformer to the weatherhead of a residential overhead service.
• Service Equipment – The necessary equipment, usually consisting of a circuit breaker(s) or switch(es) and fuse(s) and their accessories, connected to the load end of service conductors to a building or other structure, or an otherwise designated area, and intended to constitute the main control and cutoff of the supply (NEC 70-32). (See Mobile Home Service Equipment).
• Service Point – The point of connection between the facilities of the serving utility and the premises wiring. Note: The service point can be described as the point of demarcation between where the serving utility ends and the premises wiring begins. The serving utility generally specifies the location of the service point based on the conditions of service (NEC 70-32). For Members of WCEC, the service point for overhead service is located at the weatherhead. For underground service, the service point is located at the bottom terminals of the meter base.
• Ungrounded Circuit Conductor – The conductor with no connection to ground and energized to carry electrical power to the load. Commonly known as the “Hot” conductor.
• WCEC – Wood County Electric Cooperative, Inc. is a not-for-profit cooperative with the mission of providing members with reliable electric service at a reasonable rate since 1938.