Billing

Customers must pay for the cost of maintenance and special installation necessary to meet their particular requirements for service outside of the HPUC’s standard voltage and phase. Customers must pay for the supply of closer voltage regulation than furnished under the HPUC’s standard policies.

Motor Service

Information as to the availability of service must be obtained from the HPUC Engineering Department.

The HPUC is not responsible for the voltage regulation for mixed light and power installations to a greater extent than required for power installation.

Motor Requirements

Motors frequently started or motors arranged for automatic control must be of a type to give maximum starting torque with minimum current, and must be equipped with controlling devices approved by the HPUC.

Maintenance of Electrical Equipment

All wiring and other electrical equipment on the premises and furnished by the customer must be maintained by the customer at all times in accordance with the requirements of the Minnesota Electrical Safety Code, the National Electric Code, and HPUC regulations.

Interference

A customer’s electrical apparatus that is used in conjunction with and operated by energy furnished by the HPUC must be designed, constructed, installed, and operated so as not to interfere unreasonably with the HPUC’s service to other customers. The HPUC may discontinue service to the customer until the conditions causing the interference are corrected. (back to top)

Electrical Contractors

To ensure that the electrical systems of customers are adequately supplied with high reliability by the HPUC, electrical contractors are requested to adhere to the following guidelines:

1) Request for Electrical Inspection form:

In accordance with the State Board of Electricity, electrical contractors are required to submit the photo copy of the Request for Electrical Inspection form to the HPUC before power can be connected or reconnected. A faxed copy is acceptable. Without the photo or a faxed copy on file, the HPUC Line Crew is not authorized to connect or reconnect power for a contractor.

2) Metering:

a. Commercial customers are allowed one electrical meter for a service voltage class.

b. Up to two electrical services with one meter per service are allowed for a commercial building provided the services are not the same voltage class.

c. In buildings with both residential and commercial space, there may be more than one meter to separate the residential and commercial customers. At minimum, 1 commercial meter will be installed.

d. Electrical meters must be located in one accessible location near the electrical service entrance panel.

3) Communication with the HPUC:

Electrical contractors are asked to contact the HPUC prior to bidding or construction when installing new electrical load for a customer if the HPUC metering, service conductor size, or transformer loading could require modification.

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Electrical Inspection

The HPUC can not do any electrical work for a customer except to connect or reconnect electrical power. Residential electrical work can be done by customers themselves or by a licensed electrical contractor. Upon completion of the electrical work, the customer must have the work inspected.

Electrical Inspection Procedure:

1. Upon completion of the electrical work, the customer or contractor contacts the State Electrical Inspector to come and inspect the work. The work is inspected for compliance with the National Electric Code.

2. The customer or contractor purchases the Request for Electrical Inspection form from the HPUC for $1.00. The HPUC also provides an informational brochure on residential electrical work to the customer or contractor.

3. The customer or contractor completes the Request for Electrical Inspection form and the State Electrical Inspector signs it following the inspection.

4. The photo/faxed copy of the form is submitted to the HPUC Service Department. In accordance with Minnesota Statute 326.244 INSPECTION, the photo copy or faxed copy must be on file or the HPUC Line Crew is not authorized to connect or reconnect power for a customer or contractor.

5. The customer or contractor mails the Request for Electrical Inspection form to the State. All customer questions about the electrical work should then be directed to the State Electrical Inspector.

6. For electrical work done by a customer and not an electrical contractor, the HPUC Line Crew will verify inspection of the work by identifying the yellow “Rough-in” sticker signed by the State Electrical Inspector and affixed to the new service panel. The HPUC Line Crew will not connect or reconnect power unless a “Rough-in” sticker is present. (back to top)

Electrical Load Emergency Control

A load emergency situation exists when:

1) The demand for power on all or part of the HPUC’s system exceeds or threatens to exceed the generation available to supply such demands.

2) System instability or cascading outages could result from overloads of the transmission system in the Midwest area of the United States.

3) Conditions in the system of another public utility or the M.A.P.P. power pool with which the HPUC system is interconnected could cause reduction in the capacity available to the HPUC from the source, or threaten the integrity of the HPUC’s existing system.

During a load emergency, the HPUC will take reasonable steps to bring the demands within the available capacity. Such steps will include, but are not limited to, a reduction or interruption of electric service to one or more customers, in accordance with HPUC procedures for controlling load. The HPUC will not be held liable for any resulting damages that occur as a result of the capacity shortage and interruption of service. (back to top)

Electric Meters

Ownership of Meters

The HPUC owns the electric meter and plastic wire seal. Customers pay a deposit for the electric meter based on property ownership and other stipulations.

Customers are not permitted to remove the meter or the seal.

Number of Meters Allowed

1) Residential:

One single meter is allowed for residential electric service. The meter can be in the garage or in the house. The HPUC does not allow a separate meter for the garage unless it is a business where a demand meter is required.

2) Commercial:

a. Up to two meters are allowed for a commercial building if the electrical services are not the same voltage class.

b. A commercial building with 5 or more individual apartments can be metered by one meter for block billing, or by multiple meters to bill each apartment separately

c. A commercial building with both business and residential space may have more than one meter to separate the business and residential billing. At minimum, 1 commercial meter will be installed.

d. A commercial building with one commercial meter may add a residential meter if that part of the building is wired separately and inspected by the State Electrical Inspector.

e. Meters for commercial buildings must be located in one accessible location near the electrical service entrance panel.

Outside Installation

1) The HPUC requires that the electric meter and meter base be installed outside for all new homes and existing homes that are installing new electrical service.

2) The meter must be mounted five feet above the ground on the house or garage or yard pole. (back to top)

Electric Meter Bases

Ownership of Meter Base

The customer owns the meter base. Customers can purchase a meter base from the HPUC or from elsewhere provided the meter base meets HPUC specifications. The HPUC sells meter bases for use in its own service territory only.

Meter Base Specifications

Meter bases must meet HPUC specifications as listed below. Meters will not be installed in meter bases that do not meet HPUC specifications.

1) Residential:

Rated for 200 Amps

Manufactured by Millbank or HPUC approved equal

U.L. Approved

Ringless Style

Note: An underground meter base has knockouts on the bottom with no openings or covers on the top. An overhead meter base has a hub opening on the top of the base. The appropriate sized hub must also be provided with the meter base. The hub connects the conduit mast to the meter base.

2) Commercial:

Rated for 20 Amps Rated for 200 Amps

Manufacturer – Landis & Gyr or Manufacturer – Millbank or HPUC

Millbank or HPUC approved equal approved equal

U.L. Approved U.L. Approved

Ringless Style Ringless Style

Fully rated bypass lever required Bypass lever required

Meter Base Installation

1) Prior to installation of a meter base, a completed (blue) copy of the Request for Electrical Inspection form must be on file at the HPUC. To arrange for installation, the customer is to make an appointment with the HPUC Service Department to meet with the Line Crew Foreman. The Foreman will approve the planned meter base location.
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Electric Meter Installations

1. The HPUC owns and installs all meters. Customers are responsible for the expense, installation, and maintenance of all meter wiring and conduits, with the exception that the HPUC is responsible for it’s wiring in current transformer installations.

2. Only one meter will be installed for each type of service as determined by voltage and phase. When more than one meter is installed on the same type of service for the convenience of the HPUC, the sum of registrations will be taken as the total registration.

3. Meter boxes and cabinets must be placed so that the meter is five feet from the ground line unless a different location is specifically authorized by the HPUC. The location of the meter must be accessible at all times to the customer and to the HPUC. The customer is responsible for keeping the meter accessible – i.e. snow removal, obstruction removal, etc.

4. The customer may have the meter placed on or in their switchboard with prior approval of the HPUC.

5. Grouped meter installations will be in compliance with the rules in the National Electrical Code.

6. Meters, service entrance switches, and current transformer cabinets are sealed by the HPUC, and the seals must not be tampered with or broken without the written approval of the HPUC. (back to top)

Electric Rates

Rate Schedules are available at the HPUC offices. They are based upon the HPUC’s production and distribution facilities that are sufficient for safe, proper, and adequate service.

Rates apply only to Standard Service, namely, alternating current of 60 hertz frequency at designated standard nominal voltages. The HPUC may require agreements for longer terms than specified in the Rate Schedule, may require contributions toward the investment, and may establish minimum charges and facilities charges in the following circumstances:

1) When large or special investment is necessary for the supply of electrical service.

2) When oversized transformers, feeders, or other special facilities are installed to serve a customer using equipment in such manner that use of electric service is intermittent or subject to violent fluctuations.

3) When the capacity required to serve a customer’s equipment is out of proportion to the use of electric service for occasional, intermittent, momentary, short duration, or low load factor purposes. (back to top)

Electrical Reconnection after a Building Fire

Unsafe and hazardous conditions exist following a building fire due to exposed wiring and water damage. To avoid liability, ensure safety, and prevent another potential fire upon electrical reconnection, the HPUC will act in accordance with Minnesota Statute 326.244 INSPECTION by following these guidelines:

1) The HPUC will reconnect temporary or permanent electrical power only if the electrical system has been inspected by the State Electrical Inspector, and the blue copy of the Request for Electrical Inspection form has been submitted to the HPUC Service Clerk.

2) If a licensed electrical contractor does the work, the contractor can approve a power reconnection prior to inspection by the State Electrical Inspector, however, the contractor assumes all liability involved with the reconnection. In this situation, the blue copy of the Request for Electrical Inspection form must also be submitted to the HPUC Service Clerk at the time of reconnection. (back to top)

Electrical Service Installations

All electric service installations must be in accordance with the National Electric Code, except as modified by the HPUC’s policies, procedures, and regulations for electric service and meter installations. Electric installations must adhere to the following requirements:

1) Service entrance equipment must comply with the National Electric Code.

2) Conductors must extend at least 2 feet beyond the service head. A white braid covering or other approved means of identification must identify the grounded conductor.

3) The HPUC will make all service connections to the service entrance conductors.

4) All service wiring and conduit on the customer’s side of the point of delivery must be installed by and at the expense of the customer.

5) Electric meters will be provided by the HPUC, and meter bases (sockets) will be provided by the customer.

6) After electric service has been established, any change in location of the service drop attachment that requires a change in HPUC facilities and is requested by the customer, will be at the customer’s expense. (back to top)

Electric Service Lines

Overhead Service Lines

The HPUC owns, constructs, and maintains overhead service lines located on highways or rights of way acquired by the HPUC as part of the HPUC distribution system.

In an overhead area, customers requesting 120/240V single-phase underground service will have a yard pole installed by the HPUC. The HPUC will install overhead wires from the nearest pole to the new yard pole and then underground to the customer’s meter base.

The HPUC will construct an overhead service line of a single span of normally 150 feet to the first suitable support provided by the customer. The span must be free of obstruction and satisfactorily supported at the point as required by its size and weight.
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Underground Service Lines

The HPUC is responsible for the costs of installing underground electrical service lines in areas designated as underground network areas as warranted by customer or load densities. The only exception to this is for the installation of three-phase, padmounted transformers. The customer is responsible for installation of the conduit, transformer pad, and grounding according to HPUC specifications.

The HPUC will install underground service lines at the request of a customer if the underground lines are appropriate to the HPUC system and general plan of development. The customer is responsible for all costs associated with the installation of underground service lines. Charges vary based on whether the customer resides in an overhead or underground service area. The HPUC will dig the trench for the underground lines. The customer is responsible for earthwork restoration on the private property following an underground electrical service installation. (back to top)

Electrical Service Lines Repair

Overhead Repairs

The HPUC is responsible for the maintenance and repair of all overhead service drop conductors up to the customer’s service entrance conductors.

Underground Repairs

The HPUC is responsible for underground service repairs up to the customer’s point of service or the meter base. This includes 400 amp secondary services from a pole to a CT cabinet. The only customer-responsible exception to this is the secondary that was installed by the customer from a pad mounted transformer (examples: Hibbing Super 8 Motel and Hibbing High School football field).

The HPUC is responsible for the unique meter bases located in front yards and underground repairs to the residences in Jewel Addition.

Customers are responsible for restoring the ground after underground repairs are made by the HPUC. (back to top)

Electrical Service Territory

The electrical service territory of the HPUC consists of approximately 22 square miles in the southwest portion of St. Louis County. It includes the cities, towns, and areas of Hibbing, Burton Townsite, Mitchell, Kitzville, and portions of Balkan Township. The territory is bordered on the north by the Mahoning-Hull Rust Mine. The western boundary starts on the western edge of the South Agnew Mine and south to a point one-quarter of a mile north of Highway 169, and south to the Maple Hill Road. The boundary then heads east to a point one-eighth a mile east of Highway 73 and south at a south-southwesterly direction up to the south side of Townline Road. The boundary heads east on Townline Road for one-quarter of a mile then south for three-quarters of a mile, east to the DM&IR railroad tracks, one-quarter of a mile east of Bunker Road. The eastern boundary follows the DM&IR railroad tracks in a north-northeasterly direction across the intersection of Wegner Road and O’;Rourke Road to a point one-half of a mile east of First Avenue Road. The boundary then heads north-northeasterly to a point one-quarter of a mile north of Highway 169 and east one-quarter of a mile It then heads in a northerly direction to a point three-quarters of a mile north of the Mitchell Bridge. The boundary heads west on Township line 57, one-quarter of a mile, north one-eighth of a mile, then west across the south edge of the Pillsbury Mine. (back to top)

Electrical System Extensions

The HPUC will extend its electric distribution system to serve a new customer or group of customers at their request. The following primary and/or secondary extensions will be provided at no cost to the customer(s):

1. Up to two poles and two spans of standard construction.

2. Up to four spans when the poles are already in place.

The HPUC will extend it’s system in excess of two poles and two spans or four spans at no cost to the customer or group of customers provided the following stipulation is met:

The estimated cost of construction and installation of the extension is not greater than a reasonable multiplier of the estimated annual revenue to be derived from the extension.

If the above stipulation is not met, the HPUC requires that the customer or group of customers make a deposit to the HPUC equal to the difference between the estimated cost of construction and installation of the extension and three times the estimated annual revenue. If the actual cost of the construction and installation is less than the estimated cost, the customer’s deposit will be adjusted according to the actual cost. If an additional customer is connected to the same extension during the first five years of service, the HPUC will refund the original customer(s) an amount equal to the difference between three times the estimated annual revenue of the additional customer and the actual cost of construction and installation of the extension to serve him/her. This amount will never be more than the deposit of the original customer(s).

The HPUC bases all estimates of construction and installation costs and estimated annual revenues on past experience with similar installations.

The title to every electrical extension is held by the HPUC. The HPUC has the right to add additional customers to an extension and to make new extensions to an existing extension without the consent of any customer or group of customers, even if the customer(s) contributed to the original construction and installation costs of the original extension.

Other Electrical Extensions

All other extensions not described above, including single-phase lines over 13,000V and three-phase lines, will be made free of charge and inclusive of local equipment, if the cost is up to four times the estimated annual revenue to be received from the extension. Customers may be required to guarantee the revenue from the extension in a reasonable amount of time.

Deposit for Extension of Service

The HPUC may require a deposit from the customer for an extension of service when the permanency of the service is in question. The deposit will be an amount equal to the total cost to the HPUC of the extension necessary to render service. The deposit will bear no interest and will be refunded to the customer through credits equal to 10% of the customer’s monthly service statements during the term of the service contract. If there is any deposit balance at the termination of the service contract, the balance will be retained by the HPUC, less any adjustment for salvage. (back to top)

Hanging Banners for Community Groups

The HPUC Line Crew will not hang banners as requested by community and school groups. Any requests for hanging banners should be referred to local private companies or contractors. Light poles cannot be used to hang banners unless they are specifically designed and built to hold a banner. (back to top)

House Screw Pins

House screw pins anchor the HPUC overhead electrical service to the exterior of a customer’s home. The HPUC will provide a house screw pin if needed. It is the responsibility of the customer to install the house screw pin on the exterior of the house where the HPUC overhead service line from the pole will be attached. The HPUC is not responsible for loosened or damaged siding, pulled-down masts, or any other damage or problem caused by house screw pins. (back to top)

Moving an Electrial Wood Pole

Customers may request that a wood power pole be moved by the HPUC (example: when a customer is building a garage). The HPUC will move the wood power pole if it is feasible. A fee will be charged to the customer. An Application to Move a Wood Pole form must first be completed by the Service Clerk and approved by the Director of Electrical Systems prior to moving the wood pole. (back to top)

Note: HPUC wood power poles have an “A” letter after the 4-digit pole number. Telephone company poles have a “B” letter after the four-digit pole number. The local telephone company is responsible for moving these poles. A customer who requests that a “B” pole be moved will be directed to contact the local telephone company. (back to top)

Street Lighting - New Development

The HPUC charges a fee per lot for installation of street lights in a new development. An Application for Street Lighting must be submitted to the HPUC offices by a developer at least six weeks prior to the date that the street lighting is needed. Work will not begin on the street lighting until the application and fee are received by the HPUC.

The HPUC will typically begin installation within six weeks of receipt of the completed application and fee. The HPUC may be unable to begin installation of new street lighting within the designated six weeks due to unforeseen circumstances. Every good faith effort will be made to begin installation as soon as possible.

Completion of new street lighting installation will depend on the size and scope of the development project. (back to top)

Use of 240V Outlets - Howard Street

1) The 240V outlets are located at the bottom of the tree guards at three locations on Howard Street:

1. 2^nd Avenue – SW corner

2. 4^th Avenue – SW corner

3. 6^th Avenue – SE corner

2) Required Male Plug:

3 pole, 4 wire, grounding, rated 50 amps, 125/250 volts, NEMA 14-50 P.

3) Vendors who need electrical service from the HPUC must do the following:

1. Pay a non-refundable flat charge to cover connection and disconnection of electric service.

2. The flat charge will be for service up to 48 hours and the user will not be billed for consumption.

4) Vendors are required to have their service equipment checked by a State Electrical Inspector prior to use. Wiring is to comply with National Electrical Code Article 525 - carnivals, circus', fairs, and similar events. Commonly asked questions are addressed in the State of Minnesota Board of Electricity "Notice to Exhibitors and Concessionaires Concerning Electrical Wiring".

5) The NEMA 14-50P plug is a 50 amp grounding stove plug available at Hardware stores for a nominal price.

6) The user should not connect an electrical load that uses more than 40 amps at any one time (excluding starting surges), i.e. 80% of the 50 amp circuit rating. (back to top)

Use of Other Electric Services

Customers are not allowed to use any other external source of electric service in conjunction with the HPUC’s electric service.

Exceptions:

1) The use of emergency generators or sources of supply maintained solely for use in case of interruption of service are allowed. Such emergency sources of power must not be connected to the HPUC’s service lines or create a condition where the emergency source of power backfeeds into HPUC facilities.

2) The use of a small power production facility and/or cogeneration plant that qualifies under the Public Utilities Regulatory Policy Act of 1978 is allowed.
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Use of Tree Guard 120V Outlets - Howard Street and First Avenue

In order to prevent electrical circuit problems, follow these guidelines:

1) Circuits (i.e. fuses blow or breakers trip) are rated 20 amps. Do not connect more than 16 ampS of load to any one outlet, i.e. 80% of the circuit rating.

2) If a user has more than 16 amps of load, it should be fed from the user’s generator and not fed from the 120V receptacles.

3) Users should check out the operability of their equipment prior to plugging into the outlets.

4) A. HPUC electricians have installed several black enclosures that have two outlets each. These have two 20-amp circuit breakers that can be reset by the user if it trips open. Do not reset the breaker more than once if a breaker trips. If this happens, there is too much user load, or the user has wiring problems. The breaker trips at connected loads of 20 amps and above, or if a short circuit exists in connected loads or in the wiring to it.

B. The other tree guard outlets (in gray enclosures) are supplied from 20-amp fused circuits. If the circuit if overloaded by the user and the fuse blows, the outlet is not usable until a later date. Therefore, do not overload these circuits.

5) If an outlet does not have power, first try pressing the "reset" button on the outlet. If a 20-amp breaker in a box is "off", turn it "on". The user’s equipment could be overloading the circuit causing the 20-amp circuit to trip. User should not try more than one additional outlet to get power.

6) Concession stands, bands, rides, etc. must have their portable equipment inspected by the State Electrical Inspector before use at the 120V outlets per the National Electrical Code, Article 525.

7) When the user unplugs from the outlet, please close the cover! Users leaving covers open have caused many problems with the circuits.

8) Outlet power is turned on and off daily by the setting of a timer.

NOTE: Do not use the outlets located at the top of the streetlights. These circuits are only for Christmas decorations and do not have power during the summer, and are not ground fault-protected devices that can be used by the public. (back to top)

Voltages Available

Secondary Service Voltages

The following is a list of available secondary service voltages:

120/240V, single-phase

240V Delta, three-phase, four-wire

120/208Y, three-phase, four-wire

480/277Y, three-phase, four-wire

Primary Service Voltages

Primary voltages will be delivered at three-phase, 60-cycle, alternating current at nominal voltages of 4,160 or 13,800 volts, selected at the option of the HPUC. (back to top)