Planning ahead is the best way to ensure your electric service is ready when you need it. Electric service installation requires engineering review, right-of-way access, equipment scheduling, and city and/or county inspection approval. Starting early helps prevent delays in your project.
When To Apply for Service
If you are building a new home or structure, contact Union Power as soon as the footers are installed or construction plans are finalized.
Our Engineering & Operations Support team will review your request and schedule an appointment for an Engineering team member to meet with you onsite to discuss your project and determine the service requirements.
Meter Location Requirements
Proper placement ensures safe installation and reliable access for maintenance and meter reading.
Electric meters must be installed:
On the outside of the structure
On the corner of the building closest to where service enters the property
In a location accessible to Union Power personnel at all times
Meters cannot be located:
Behind locked gates or fences
Inside garages or enclosed structures
In areas where access is restricted
New Construction Right-of-Way Access
Your request for electric service is considered permission for Union Power personnel to enter the property to install and maintain electric lines and equipment.
After facilities are installed, grade levels should not be changed. If Union Power equipment must be relocated due to grading changes, the property owner may be responsible for associated costs.
For underground service installations:
A 15-foot-wide clear path must be available
The area must be free of obstruction
The ground should be within 6 inches of the final grade
Private Underground Utilities
All private underground facilities must be identified before installation, including:
Water lines
Sewer lines
Irrigation systems
Septic systems
Private electrical or communication lines
Multiple Meters on One Building
If a building has 2 or more meter bases, such as apartment complexes, each meter must be permanently labeled.
Labels must clearly identify the unit or portion of the building served by that meter.
Required markings include:
Exterior of meter base: Address and unit number
This labeling helps ensure accurate service identification and meter readings.
Requesting a Scheduled Power Outage
If electrical service must be temporarily disconnected to safely perform construction or electrical work, or other work such as pruning of vegetation, you may request a scheduled service outage. For any work performed on the meter base, an approved inspection through the respective city and/or county inspection office is required before service reconnection.
Requests should be made in advance through our customer service team to allow proper coordination and scheduling.
Commercial Service or Residential Developments
Developers and commercial customers must submit detailed project information so Union Power can properly design electric infrastructure.
This may include:
Site plans
Load requirements
Electrical service specifications
Development timelines
Contact Union Power early in the planning process to begin coordination with our Engineering team.
Service Connection Timeline
Your electric service installation will proceed when:
Customer responsibilities are completed
Required payments are received
Infrastructure requirements are met
Once these steps are complete, service connection will be scheduled.
Payment for Service Installation
Any required service installation charges must be paid before construction of electric facilities begins.
Union Power will provide an invoice once the engineering design is complete.
Electrical Inspection Requirement
Before electric service can be energized, the building wiring must be approved by the respective city and/or county-approved electrical inspectors. This inspection is required for safety and compliance with state regulations.
Customer Conduit Responsibilities
For certain commercial or large service installations, the customer may be responsible for installing conduit both before and after the transformer location.
Union Power will provide specifications during the engineering design phase.
Driveways, Pavement, & Future Obstructions
If electric lines must cross areas where a driveway, sidewalk, or pavement will be installed later, Union Power may install protective conduit beneath those areas. The property owner may be responsible for the cost of the conduit and installation.
If structures, fencing, or pavement are later installed within Union Power’s right-of-way, any required relocation of electric facilities may be charged to the property owner.
Large Residential Services (400 Amp or Greater)
Residential services requiring 400 amps or more may require additional engineering review and documentation.
Union Power staff will provide the required forms and technical specifications during the service request process.
Contact Union Power
For new service requests or questions regarding installation requirements, please contact:
Union Power Cooperative Customer Service