S.C. Code Regs. § § 103-363

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 9, September 27, 2024

Section 103-363 - Adequacy of Service

1. Operation of Electrical Utility.

A. Standard Frequency--Each electrical utility supplying alternating current shall adopt a standard frequency of 60 Hertz, suitability of which has been determined by the commission, and shall maintain this frequency within 15 seconds plus or minus of standard at all times during which service is supplied; provided, however, that momentary variations of frequency of more than fifteen seconds which are clearly due to no lack of proper equipment or reasonable care on the part of the electrical utility, shall not be construed a violation of this rule.

B. Standard Voltage--Each electrical utility shall adopt standard average voltage for its different classes of constant voltage service. This voltage maintained at the electrical utility mains shall at all times be reasonably constant, and the variations in voltage from the average shall in no case exceed the limitations as prescribed below.

The voltage variations for service should not exceed 10% above or below the standard average voltage.

A greater variation of voltage than specified above may be allowed when service is supplied directly from the transmission line or in a limited or extended area where customers are widely scattered, and the business done does not justify close voltage regulation. In such cases, the best voltage regulation should be provided that is practicable under the circumstances.

Variations in the voltage in excess of those specified, caused by the operation of power apparatus on customers' premises which necessarily requires large starting current by the action of the elements, and by infrequent and unavoidable fluctuations of short duration due to station operation, shall not be construed a violation of this rule.

C. Special Equipment--Where a separate transformer or other additional electrical utility standard equipment or capacity is to be used to eliminate fluctuations or other effects detrimental to the quality of service to other customers the electrical utility may make a reasonable charge for the transformer, equipment and line capacity required. In lieu of the above, the electrical utility may require the customer to either discontinue the operation of the equipment causing the disturbance or install the necessary motor generator set or other apparatus to eliminate the disturbance detrimental to the service of other customers.

D. When only one set of overhead service wires (service drop) is required to connect a residential or small non-residential customers to electric service mains, the electrical utility shall provide such service drop including the attachments at the point where service drop wires are attached to customer's premises, which point shall be the point nearest the electrical utility's electric circuit to be used in supplying service to the customer. The customer shall provide "service entrance facilities" including meter loop, entrance switch or circuit breaker, and service entrance conductors complying with rules of the electrical utility from the point of attachment of the electrical utility's service drop on the customer's premises. The customer shall provide a substantial point of attachment for service drop wires. This provision does not apply to large non-residential or industrial customers' connections as they vary so greatly that each requires special consideration. When service to the customer requires individual electrical utility company facilities (such as oil circuit breakers, transformers, etc.), to be located on customer's premises on the ground or in a vault, the customer shall provide a suitable, adequate and readily accessible space for such facilities and shall insure access at all times. Electrical utility property installed on a customer's premises shall remain property of the electrical utility and may be removed for testing, repairs, changes in service or other conditions justifying change or removal.

E. For substations erected to serve an individual customer, the electrical utility shall provide either suitable supports on the substation structure or a suitable structure outside and immediately adjacent to its substation property line to which the customer shall extend his facilities. The customer in addition shall install, or cause to be installed, all facilities beyond the point of delivery thus established. When required by the electrical utility, the customer shall install one set of main disconnecting switches which shall control all of the customer's load other than a fire pump circuit, if any.

F. The meter installation of the electrical utility may include enclosures that may be locked by the electrical utility and not accessible to the customer.

2. Voltage Surveys and Records.

A. Each electrical utility shall provide itself with suitable indicating and/or recording voltmeters, and shall make a sufficient number of voltage tests periodically so as to insure compliance with the voltage requirements cited above. These tests shall be made at appropriate points upon the electrical utility's distribution lines.

B. Each electrical utility shall have installed at its generating stations suitable instruments to indicate the frequency and voltage of the service rendered from that station, together with the load or loads demanded in each such station. Each electrical utility shall keep a station record at attended stations which shall show: (1) the time of starting and shutting down the generating units; (2) readings of such instruments as necessary; and (3) all interruptions to service affecting bus bars or distribution systems, with the time, duration, and the cause (when known) of the interruption.

S.C. Code Regs. § 103-363

Amended by State Register Volume 32, Issue No. 5, eff May 23, 2008.