Electric – Commercial

Commercial Deposit Requirements

Milan Public Utilities (MPU) policy for commercial and industrial accounts requires a cash deposit for electrical usage based upon two times the customer’s peak monthly bill. In lieu of a cash deposit, commercial and industrial customers may apply for acceptance into the TVA or TVPPA security deposit program. A bank irrevocable letter of credit, surety bond, or certificate of deposit is also acceptable. 

New customers must provide the following to establish an account with MPU: 

• Closing papers or Lease Agreement.  
• Provide one form of identification: photo ID, birth certificate, valid driver’s license, social security card or other document validating your social security number. 
• Federal Employment Identification Number (FEIN) 

Commercial Construction Policy

Information Required for Establishing Service to a New Residence 

• Contact the Engineering and Operations Department to discuss electrical, water and sewer requirements by calling 731-686-1537.  
• Pay all applicable service fees.
• Have all electrical installations approved by the state electrical inspector.
• Visit Electric Service Installations for more specific information. 

General Information

• Three-Phase Power Contract 
  A power contract outlining conditions of service must be executed for all over 50 kW commercial and industrial three-phase services. The contract has an initial term of one or five years, automatically renewable annually thereafter. 

• Motor Starting 
  In order to avoid system disturbances to neighboring customers, MPU policy does not allow motors in excess of 30 kW to start directly across line. Therefore, the customer must install suitable current-limiting motor starting devices for motors exceeding 30 horsepower (or a group of motors exceeding a total of 30 horsepower designed to start simultaneously). A method of reducing surges or disturbance on power lines shall be employed regardless of cause (motors, resistive loads, arc welders, etc.). MPU shall be notified in writing prior to the installation of such equipment and the above provisions shall apply unless specifically waived in writing by MPU. Waiver of these provisions shall not relieve the customer of the obligation to comply with these provisions if later required by MPU, whose judgment shall be final. 

• Protection From Single-Phasing 
  MPU does not offer protection against single-phasing. Should single-phase protection be required by customer, then customer must provide and install the needed equipment. MPU will install fused disconnects on the dead-end pole to isolate any faults beyond the metering point from MPU lines. Fused disconnects will be sized to allow faults beyond the metering point to first be isolated by customer-owned protective devices. 

• Electrical Wiring and Inspections 
  All electrical wiring must meet the minimum standards set forth by the National Electrical Code, as well as any requirements set forth by the City of Milan or MPU. Electrical permits may be purchased via the State of Tennessee online at http://core.tn.gov or at Ace Hardware in Jackson, Tennessee by calling 731-300-3222. 

MPU will not connect electrical service lines or install metering on any service equipment until such has been inspected and approved by the Deputy Electrical Inspector (an employee of the State of Tennessee, Department of Commerce and Insurance, Division of Fire Prevention). However, should existing services be upgraded, or should repairs be required due to storm damage, MPU will reconnect said service following the purchase of the appropriate electrical permit by the homeowner/electrician. A grace period of seven days is allowed in which to have the upgraded/repaired service inspected. Should an inspection not be completed within the seven-day grace period, MPU will disconnect the service until all inspections are complete and approved. MPU will not reconnect electrical service to a building if disconnected due to a fire or at the request of the fire department until the building and its service has passed inspection by the ruling authority. A safety inspection will be required for facilities not having service for the previous 12-month period.

TEMPORARY SERVICE FOR CONSTRUCTION POWER 

MPU must specify the physical location of all temporary and permanent service equipment. 

Temporary Service – Commercial or Industrial Construction

• MPU does not provide temporary service poles normally used during the construction of a new business. Such equipment must be provided by the contractor. MPU will install one service drop from existing electrical facilities at no cost to the customer. 
• If temporary service for commercial or industrial construction requires the construction of new electrical facilities in excess of one service drop, MPU will charge the up and down labor costs and associated overheads for all primary lines installed to provide service to customer-owned temporary construction poles. There will be no charge for materials if normal types of temporary service lines are utilized and if said lines are retired within a reasonable time (normally one year). 
• Multiple services will be C.T. metered at one central point (transformer pole) if possible. 
• Temporary service lines will be installed using overhead conductors from MPU as long as voltage drop and code clearances are observed. Consideration must be given to maintaining a clear travel way and operating room for large construction equipment (dozers, cranes, etc.), with a minimum vertical clearance of 18 feet required over roads, travel ways, and the construction zone. 
• The customer may elect to bring customer-owned individual underground service conductors from each load back to a central switch gear point, with MPU providing one metered service drop to the switch gear. All customer-owned wiring must be approved by the Deputy Electrical Inspector, including underground conduit and service conductors. 

PERMANENT SINGLE-PHASE SERVICE

• Overhead Primary and/or Service 
  If no existing electrical facilities are available, MPU will install up to two spans of overhead single-phase primary, one span of overhead secondary, and one span of service at no cost to the customer. MPU will specify the routing of all new lines, following the shortest and most direct path. Primary and/or service extensions in excess of the above described must be paid for at full installed cost by the customer. 
   
• Underground Primary and/or Service 
  If single-phase underground facilities are desired by the customer and approved by MPU, the customer must pay the difference in cost (including transformer and labor costs) between the overhead and the underground construction. All circuit lengths in excess of the overhead allotment must be paid in full. 
  MPU will provide an underground service conductor from existing overhead or pad mount transformers to the nearest point of attachment for free. An additional “per foot” service fee must be paid for underground services in excess of the nearest point of attachment. 
  The underground primary and service lines and conduits must be installed in compliance with MPU underground installation specifications. Please contact MPU Engineering and Operations Department for current underground installation specifications. 

PERMANENT SINGLE-PHASE SERVICE

• Overhead Primary and/or Service 
  If no existing electrical facilities are available, MPU will provide overhead three-phase service for loads less than 75 kW for one-half the installed cost. For loads between 75 and 300 kW, MPU will provide up to 2 spans of overhead primary, transformer and service. Customer will pay one-half cost of any excess of the above. For loads over 300 kW, if the economic merit is warranted then the entire overhead service will be provided at no cost. 

• Underground Primary and/or Service 
  If three-phase underground facilities are desired by customer, customer must pay the difference in cost between overhead primary and underground construction. MPU will specify the routing of all new lines, following the shortest and most direct path. 
  At no charge, MPU will provide to the nearest point of attachment, up to 150 feet of underground low-voltage service conductors to three-phase loads of 400 amps or less. An additional “per foot” service fee must be paid for underground services in excess of nearest point of attachment. 
  For three-phase services exceeding 400 amps, customer shall provide and install all low-voltage service conductors from their facility switch gear to the pad mount transformer secondary bushings. 
  The pad mount transformer will be sized to match customer’s load. If MPU is required by customer to install a transformer with capacity greater than customer’s load, then customer will be billed up front for excess capacity charges. 
  The underground primary and service lines and conduits must be installed in compliance with MPU underground installation specifications. Please contact MPU Engineering and Operations Department for current underground installation specifications.