New Construction Specifications

This guide, and all linked material, should be read in its entirety to help minimize problems associated with service connections. The following short list is a summary of the major steps suggested:

Apply for service, and request a survey meeting with a Sumter EMC representative.
Meet on-site with the Sumter EMC representative to discuss details of the project, especially the location of the service entrance equipment.
Based on your meeting with the Sumter EMC representative, tell the electrician where the service entrance equipment needs to be installed.
Notify Sumter EMC at least 2 weeks in advance to allow time for service construction.
When construction is nearing completion, arrange an inspection (if required) with the local governmental authority.

This guide is a summary of the general requirements for membership and service. Sumter EMC's Articles of Incorporation, bylaws, service rules and regulations, rate schedules, and requirements set forth in the National Electrical Code and National Electrical Safety Code shall prevail in the event of a conflict with information provided herein.

Contact Sumter EMC Before Starting Any Construction!

Sumter EMC is a member-owned non-profit corporation. Our employees work hard to protect the interests of members. Sumter EMC representatives will discuss your construction plans with electricians and other contractors to help minimize costs associated with service connections. Communication between electricians and the Cooperative is vitally important to minimize expense to the member. Failure to properly plan the location of service equipment can cause costly changes in construction. The Surveys link below outlines some of the issues to be considered.

Call Before You Dig or Work Near Overhead Lines!

The Georgia Utilities Protection Center (UPC) provides a single point of contact for the prevention of damage to underground utility facilities, and to protect the public and construction contractors from contact with power and gas lines. Georgia law requires that anyone digging in Georgia must contact UPC three days before construction begins. Utilities are required to locate all underground facilities in the construction area by the end of the second business day after a locate request is made. The location of utilities will be marked to prevent accidental contact.

The Georgia UPC can be reached by calling 811, a federally mandated nationwide "Call Before You Dig" number. You may also contact UPC at the following Internet address: http://www.gaupc.com.

Sumter EMC will assist members in locating underground electrical facilities if construction will take place near the marked facilities.

Georgia law further requires that anyone performing any work within 10 feet of overhead high-voltage electric power lines notify the UPC during its regular business hours at least 72 hours, excluding weekends and holidays, prior to beginning such work. Notification allows the owner or operator of the power lines to take appropriate safety measures to prevent injury to persons and property and interruptions of utility service resulting from accidental or inadvertent contact with high-voltage electric lines.

For new construction or modification to an existing service, a non-refundable contribution in aid of construction may be required. All services requiring underground service lines will be billed a minimum of $400.00. The Cooperative will extend service to certain premises at no additional charge, depending on the cost of construction, type of electrical load, and expected future revenue from the account. The member must meet with a representative of the Cooperative at the construction site to discuss the method of service and type of electrical loads to be connected. All line extensions and service wire connections, no matter who pays or contributes toward paying the cost thereof, are to be made by and remain the property of the Cooperative.

All new construction or modification to existing services requires a meeting with a Sumter EMC representative at the construction site to determine the electric service equipment required and the installation location of the equipment. The following information must be provided by the member to ensure adequate service:

Location of buildings, water lines, gas lines (propane or natural gas), electrical wires and irrigation lines
Electrical blueprints, including the location of the main breakers
Type of service desired - overhead or underground
Voltage and number of phases required (normally 120/240 volt, single-phase)
Electrical loads to be connected, including but not limited to:
1. Heating and cooling equipment information (available from the heating and air conditioning dealer)
2. Air conditioner or heat pump size, in tons or BTU/hour
3. Heat pump heat strip rating, in kilowatts (kW)
4. Additional heating loads, such as baseboard or bathroom heating (kW)
Major electrical appliances, including:
1. Electric cooking equipment
2. Electric water heater
3. Electric clothes dryer, and other large electrical loads, including swimming pool or out-building
4. Motor size for motors larger than 1 horsepower
Outdoor lights to be installed by Sumter EMC - list the number and approximate location of each light
Location of septic tank and drain field
Water well and pump location
Driveway location, and present or future plans for paving or concrete
Locations of sidewalks, swimming pool, fence lines, out-buildings, and other potential obstructions to the construction, operation, and maintenance of service equipment and wires
Landscaping plans, including excavation and other elevation changes

Sumter EMC can help members get maximum future use of their property by assessing each site to identify the areas that must be kept accessible to cooperative personnel for construction, operation, and routine maintenance of the electric service equipment.

Important Guidelines for Landscaping Near Underground Electrical Equipment

To ensure safe and reliable electric service, it's important to keep underground equipment like pad-mounted transformers and switchgear easily accessible. Here's what you need to know:

Avoid planting ornamental trees or shrubs near electrical equipment. Linemen may need to disturb or remove vegetation during inspections, maintenance, or emergency repairs.
Do not install fences, sidewalks, or other permanent structures over underground power cables. These may need to be removed during a cable failure, and repairs or replacements can be costly and time-consuming.
Keep all vegetation at least 20 feet away from overhead power lines. Sumter EMC regularly trims or removes vegetation that could interfere with power lines. Low-growing plants or trees placed well away from lines are better choices.

By following these guidelines, you help protect your property and ensure faster, safer service restoration when needed.

Wired meter poles are available for purchase from Sumter EMC for installations requiring a meter pole. These wired meter poles are complete with meter socket, mast, and 200-amp main breaker (or, for irrigation pivots, 30 or 60 amp fused disconnects). On 200-amp, 240 volt models, the breaker box includes unused breaker positions suitable for connecting outdoor electrical equipment such as heat pumps and water pumps. Sumter EMC will also deliver and set the meter pole for an additional fee. Click here for a listing of available 200 Amp, 60 Amp, and 30 Amp meter and disconnect poles and pedestals, and additional installation guidelines.

A licensed electrician should install the wiring between the meter pole and the building. All permits required to receive service are the responsibility of the member.

Sumter EMC provides meter sockets to the member or the member's electrician at no charge. The electrician is responsible for installing and maintaining all equipment beyond the service point, including the meter socket. Meter sockets should not be installed in areas where add-on rooms are planned. Wall-mounted meter sockets must be accessible on an exterior wall to ensure access for meter reading or emergency maintenance.

The appropriate meter socket type should be determined by the member's electrician. The following common meter socket types are available for single-phase installations:

200 Amp, 4-Terminal for overhead service drops
200 Amp, 4-Terminal for underground service drops
400 Amp, 4-Terminal for overhead service drops
400 Amp, 4-Terminal for underground service drops

Meter Socket Location and Temporary Service

Before construction begins, the property owners should meet with a representative of Sumter EMC to determine the location of service equipment. The owner should then inform the electrician and other contractors of the agreed upon location of the service equipment. The electrician must install the meter socket and entrance cables at the location agreed upon by the member and Sumter EMC. Failure to install the meter socket and entrance cables at the proper location can result in costly changes for the member. If the electrician suggests a different location, before proceeding he must contact Sumter EMC to discuss options in order to minimize additional costs to the member.

During construction of a new building, temporary electrical service may be needed for new power tools and other uses. The member's electrician is responsible for installing a temporary meter pole. The temporary meter pole should be installed within a few feet of the permanent service connection point, or for locations where a pad-mounted transformer is installed, the temporary meter pole should be installed adjacent to the transformer.

The following three-phase voltages are readily available from Sumter EMC:

120/240 volt, three phase (available only from pole-top transformers if the total three-phase load is greater than 20 kW)
120/208 volt, three phase
277/480 volt, three phase
240/480 volt, three phase (available only from pole-top transformers if the total three-phase load is greater than 20 kW)

Other voltages may be available at special request.

Local Permits

Sumter EMC is required by local jurisdictions to adhere to their policies and regulations regarding connections of electrical service. Permits must be obtained before a service can be connected. The table below lists cities and counties that require permits. See the bottom of this page for an explanation of the footnotes indicated by an '*'.

Jurisdiction	Permit type	Contact #
Chattahoochee County/Cusseta	Building & Electrical	706-989-3422
City of Americus ****	Building & Mobile Home	229-924-4411
Dougherty ****	Electric	229-438-3901
Lee \|*	Electrical & Mobile Home	229-759-6003
Marion	Building & Electrical	229-649-5670
Randolph	Building, Mobile Home, and Electrical	229-732-5212
Schley	Building	229-937-9169
Stewart ****	Building & Electrical	229-838-6769
Sumter \|\|\|**	Electrical & Mobile Home	229-928-4547
Terrell	Building	229-995-5210
Webster****	Mobile Home & Building	229-828-3690 (Building Permits Only) 229-828-5775

Jurisdictional Permit Requirements

Please see your local governing authority for the latest available requirements.

The permit types listed above are required before the meter is set for permanent service.

Footnote Symbol	Special Conditions
*	Any mobile home moved onto an existing lot requires a permit before meter is set
**	For any electrical work where replacement of equipment or parts is performed, a permit is required before service can be hooked back up
*******	Temporary services require a permit before meter is set
********	All mobile homes, and new or existing rental units, require a permit before the meter is set

Call 811 Before You Dig

Line Extensions

Surveys

Landscaping Near Equipment

Meter Poles

Meter Sockets

Standard Voltages

Local Permits

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