Watched several Youtube videos to learn how to install temporary electrical power pole. They were helpful but always missing some parts of the installation. I thought it would be helpful if I can record entire process from the start to finish.
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PROCEDURE
DESIGN PHASE (July. 2022)
(1) Contact your local electric service provider. In my case, it is PEPCO. I filled out and submitted an application.
(2) Pepco assigned an outside engineer to coordinate with me on the location and design of the pole with the Service Entrance. It seemed like I was his first client.
(3) The engineer asked for a site plan to show where I planned to set up the Service Entrance pole. I marked it on my site plan and gave it to him.
(4) He then asked for the Service Entrance Design. I asked if he could send me a sample drawing that Pepco suggests to homeowners. He said there was none. I Googled it, and there was very little information available. What little information I found was fragmented and not user-friendly for a DIYer like myself.
(5) After reading several manuals, I drew a plan (above) and sent it to him. That’s when he sent me Pepco’s version of the drawings for me to use as a reference. F$%$#@.
(6) About 60 days later, he drove by my lot with a Pepco engineer and suggested placing my Service Entrance Pole in a different location. If he was going to suggest it, why on earth didn’t he suggest that from the beginning and save us all this time? F#$%$.
(7) Since the time limit ran out, he asked me to submit a new application with a new site plan indicating a new location for the pole. I had to start the whole procedure all over again from Day 1. F@#$. But you know, we have to pretend to be calm and cool with a friendly voice when dealing with people, right?
(8) After about 6 months, the engineer agreed on the location of the temporary pole and approved it.
SHOPPING PHASE (Jan. 2023)
(1) I made a shopping list, as shown above, based on my Service Entrance Structure Drawing.
(2) I visited two local electrical suppliers. It was surprising to find out that none of the staff knew about electrical code requirements. They only provided locating services based on what electricians (customers) were asking for. It would be easy for them to ask their customers (electricians) why they were buying what they were buying and learn the basics of code regulations.
(3) The Eye Bolt was a problem for me. The manual said it must be drilled through the pole (in my case, it was a 6-inch lumber) and secured with a 2-inch washer and a nut. But nobody sells an eye bolt with porcelain that is longer than 3 inches. I tried asking the engineer if I could ignore the code and use a 3-inch eye bolt that the shop sells, but he didn’t have the answer. I called the county, and they didn’t have the answer either. And they all call themselves professionals. Hmm.
(4) I searched online and ordered a 7-inch long eye bolt without a porcelain cover, only the closed-loop eye.
TOTAL COST:
PERMIT PHASE (Feb. 2023)
(1) After completing all the necessary ground work (as shown in my YouTube video Part 1 of 2), I hired a licensed master electrician to apply for a permit.
(2) Normally, electrical permits are approved within a day, but mine was rejected. So I called the county to inquire about the reason for rejection or objection. A person who identified herself as “Mrs.” stated that I must have a building permit in order to apply for a temporary electrical permit. F@#$#. I politely informed her that this was not true and requested her to review the county code regarding this matter. She was upset that I challenged her decision and remained firm in her “No.”
(2) In desperation, I asked her to provide me with the county code number that indicates such a policy. However, she didn’t even know the code but still insisted on saying “No.” Now this individual, who considers herself a goddess, is really upset that I am challenging her.
(3) Side Note: We really need a law that allows citizens to challenge local government employees when we believe or know that they are abusing their given authority. Without it, our taxes pay their salary, and we, the citizens, become innocent victims.
(4) I called a couple of other people in the county office, including the Engineer of the Day, and asked if there are any regulations or codes stating that one must have a building permit in order to obtain a temporary electrical service permit. Nobody had a clear answer and didn’t want to contradict their associates in the office. However, an elderly Caucasian lady suggested that I ask this question in an email and cc multiple people I had spoken with.
(5) What a great idea! I sent a group email regarding the matter and demanded that my permit be approved.
(6) After about a month with no response, the elderly Caucasian lady called and said, “There is no regulation that prevents you from obtaining the permit without a building permit. I don’t want to see you suffer needlessly. So, please follow my instructions and reapply. I will guide you through the process.” OMG! There is a God, and God sent me a guardian angel.
I finally obtained my permit and asked her for an address to send her a basket of flowers. She politely refused. Instead, I made a small donation to a charity organization in her name. She truly is an angel. Thank you.
CONSTRUCTION PHASE (May 2023)
(1) The construction part of the project was the easiest and only took a couple of days.
(2) I did all the work myself except for making connections to two breakers. It was an easy task, and I could have done it without any difficulties, but this particular work is required to be done by a licensed electrician. So, I called my electrician.
(3) He came over on Sunday, on his way to church, and spent about 5 minutes connecting 6 wires. I had to pay $500 for his service since he wasted so much time due to the permitting process. I don’t blame him, but I do blame the county office woman who calls herself “Mrs.” somebody.
CONNECTION PHASE
(1) The inspector was super nice. He appreciated my work and passed the inspection.
(2) I called the Pepco Engineer to inform him that the inspection was done and everything was ready to be connected.
(3) I am now waiting for Pepco to email me a Cost Acceptance Letter that I need to sign. It has been 10 months since my application. I don’t know how many more months I will have to wait to receive that email.
WE REALLY HAVE A PROBLEM, AND WE MUST FIX IT.
