An electric pole, often called a utility pole, extends the electrical distribution network from the main grid to a property boundary or meter location. Obtaining a new installation is a regulated process requiring coordination with the local utility company or electrical cooperative. This process ensures the structure meets specific engineering and safety standards before delivering power. The path involves several distinct steps, beginning with the initial request for service.
Initiating the Service Request and Site Assessment
The first action is to contact the local electric service provider to formally request new service. Property owners must provide specific details, including the exact physical address, a site plan, and the intended electrical service load. This load calculation determines if a standard 200-amp service or a higher capacity is needed. Indicating whether the request is for new construction or an extension to an existing service is necessary for the utility’s initial planning.
Following the request, the utility company schedules an engineering survey or site assessment to determine the extension’s feasibility. Engineers evaluate the existing distribution network and calculate the distance from the nearest suitable power source to the proposed pole location. This assessment determines the necessary electrical capacity and the required pole specifications, such as height and strength class, to safely support the conductor lines.
The utility’s engineering team ensures the pole’s placement adheres to strict safety clearance standards. These standards dictate minimum distances from buildings, roads, and other structures, often following the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC). The assessment confirms the optimal route for the overhead lines, which helps determine the project’s complexity and cost.
Navigating Permits, Easements, and Cost Determination
Permits
Local municipal or county permits are required before any ground-disturbing work can commence, even though the utility performs the installation. The specific permit is usually designated as a utility or electrical distribution permit, confirming compliance with local land use regulations. Responsibility for securing these permits varies; sometimes the utility handles the process, and sometimes the property owner or their contractor must submit the applications.
Easements
A legal requirement for pole placement is establishing or verifying a utility easement. This easement grants the utility a permanent right-of-way to access and maintain the equipment on private property. Installation cannot proceed until this legal documentation is finalized and recorded, defining the exact location and width of the utility corridor. If an existing easement does not cover the proposed route, the property owner must execute a new agreement, which can add significant time to the timeline.
Cost Determination
The financial structure for a new pole installation often employs a cost-sharing model. Many utilities offer a standard extension allowance, covering the cost of extending the line up to a predetermined distance from existing infrastructure. The property owner is then responsible for the cost of “excess facilities.” This includes any distance beyond the allowance or the cost of specialized equipment, such as transformers needed for specific load requirements.
After the site assessment, the utility finalizes the cost structure by presenting a formal cost estimate, often referred to as a service agreement. This document itemizes the total project cost and the specific amount the customer must pay, sometimes requiring a non-refundable engineering fee upfront. Physical work cannot be scheduled until the property owner formally approves the estimate and remits the required payment.
The Installation and Connection Process
Once administrative hurdles, including permitting and cost payment, are complete, the utility schedules the physical installation. Lead time can range from several weeks to a few months, depending on the utility’s backlog and equipment availability. During this period, the property owner should prepare the site by clearing brush or obstacles and ensuring clear vehicle access for the heavy auger trucks.
The physical installation involves the utility crew using specialized equipment to bore a deep hole and set the new pole into the ground. Following this, crews install necessary hardware, including cross-arms, insulators, and grounding components. They then string and tension the high-voltage primary conductor lines. The utility’s work concludes with running the primary service line to the top of the newly installed pole.
A common point of confusion is the distinction between the utility’s work and the property owner’s responsibility for the final connection. The utility is responsible for the pole and the primary line. However, the property owner must hire a licensed electrician to install the service mast, weatherhead, and meter base on the structure. The service mast is necessary to safely transition the power from the pole to the building’s electrical panel.
The utility will not energize the line until the local electrical inspector has performed a final inspection and approved the installed service equipment. The electrician must secure this final approval tag, often called a “permission to energize,” and submit it to the utility. Only then will the service crew return to make the final, permanent connection and deliver power to the property.