For underground services, you will need to supply the trench and conduit according to SUB specification from SUB’s transformer or secondary junction box to your service entrance equipment. (Click for a list of Electrician Developer Resources.)
Service wire: The number and size of service wires will be determined by SUB.
Meter Requirements:
For requirements that pertain to meter location, clearances, multiple meter installations, self-contained metering, and instrument transformer metering, see Form #14: Customer Requirements for Meters. Only qualified SUB staff are authorized to cut seals, and to remove or install SUB meters.
It is the building/developer’s responsibility to:
Provide a SUB approved meter location
Provide specification details/drawing for meter base/switchgear for SUB approval
Install required service equipment (contact the SUB meter shop for any services involving CTs)
Design facilities to comply with both SUB’s standards, and National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) requirements.
Provide inspections of trenching before backfill.
Install SUB’s facilities.
Supply and install the service conductor from SUB's transformer or secondary junction box to the customer's meter base, make the line side terminations, and install the meter.
Energize the system to provide power to your project.
By following these steps and working closely with SUB, you can ensure a smooth and compliant process for your electric service.
Contact SUB’s Electric Service Center at 541-726-2395 to speak with an Engineering Technician and to confirm the service location. If you are a new SUB electric customer, you will be referred to our main office to create an account.
Install the correct temporary meter base, following SUB’s specifications.
Schedule and pass an electrical inspection for the temporary installation with the City of Springfield or Lane County, as applicable.
After receiving a green tag (which indicates the inspection was passed), contact SUB to set the meter and connect the service.
To initiate permanent electric service for your project:
2. Pay the Advance Engineering Fee.
This fee must be paid before SUB can start the design process.
Note: During the design process, SUB may request necessary easements for SUB electric facilities.
3. Provide Required Plans.
The following plans are required and are listed on the service request form:
Electrical Plans: Show the breakdown of load types, motor/welder/HVAC sizes, and the total connected load for each service. Include an electrical one-line diagram.
Note: When 120/208 three-phase transformers provide single-phase service, it is the customer’s responsibility to identify the conductors and balance the load on the transformer. The customer is responsible for providing protection for their equipment against single-phasing.
Site Plans: Provide details on phasing, contours, grades, and landscaping. Also indicate your preferred locations for ground-level service and meters.
Paving, Stormwater and Wastewater Plans: If your project involves paving or wastewater work, include these plans as well.
Note: You may combine details into one drawing. Once SUB’s engineering technician has accepted your service request and plans, SUB’s engineering technician can begin designing your service and will calculate associated development/redevelopment charges (DRCs). The preferred format for drawings is AutoCAD.
4. Pay the fee shown in the cost estimate, provide requested easements, and sign construction agreement. The fee in the cost estimate is determined based on the following factors, which may include but are not limited to:
Meter cost (credit applied for any existing meters)
Construction cost (credit applied for any existing transformers)
Advance engineering credit
Trench credit for installing SUB electric infrastructureto SUB’s specifications (equipment includes concrete vaults, conduit, junction boxes, etc.)
Deferred costs
5. Notify other utilities of your project.
New construction typically involves the installation of water, sewer, telephone cables, cable television cables, and natural gas lines, as well as power cables. It is your responsibility to notify each of the utilities, including SUB’s water department (541-726-2396), that you want the utilities to provide service to your project.
6. Verify that your service entrance equipment meets SUB’s requirements. (Read more about important information on service wire, meter base and underground service.) Your assigned Electric Engineering Technician will identify where the underground service will connect to SUB’s system; however, it is the developer’s responsibility to ensure the service entrance design also meets the National Electrical Code and all applicable local codes.
7. Call 811 to use the one-call utility locating system before digging. If your project requires trenching or excavation work, you must call for underground utility locates two working days before you begin digging, per state law. The 811 system will inform other utilities, or a locating service, that locates are required. There is no charge.
8. Install your service entrance equipment, including service conduit, and meter base, according to SUB’s underground service specifications.
9. Request a trench inspection and backfill only after SUB has approved the trench. Contact SUB’s Electric Service Center at 541-726-2395.
10. Schedule and pass an electrical inspection with the appropriate agency, and ensure your work meets code.
Inspections are handled by different agencies based on your location. For City of Springfield inspections, call 541-726-3753
It is your responsibility to ensure your project meets the most recent versions of:
The National Electrical Code (NEC)
Any other applicable federal, state, or local codes
11. Once you have passed the inspection, contact SUB’s Electric Service Center (541-726-2395) to provide billing information and schedule the connection of your service.
