Section 6 - Customer Utilization Equipment

1. Fluctuating Loads and Unusual Applications

The Cooperative may refuse to supply electric service to electric loads which have unusual characteristics, or which adversely affect the quality of electric service supplied to other members. In some cases, however, unusual fluctuations or disturbances can be mitigated or eliminated by specifying the type of device which is appropriate for the particular service location or by equipping it with proper controls. In other cases, it may be necessary to substantially upgrade the Cooperatives distribution system to accommodate the device, often at the member's expense. Customers contemplating the installation of large motors, large welders, X-ray machines, induction furnaces, or other special equipment should contact the Cooperative before purchasing and installing this type of equipment.

2. Unbalanced Loads

In general, the Cooperative shall require members to balance load among phases such that at any instance in time the load on each individual phase shall not deviate more than 10% from the average loading of all phases. This is particularly important during peak load periods where substantial unbalance may cause an overload to the Cooperative's service equipment, and reduce the efficiency of its delivery system.

Exceptions to this rule may be permitted where the Cooperative determines it is necessary to install (at the member's expense) special equipment to accommodate unbalanced loads, or where the load levels are incidental to the capacity of the Cooperative's service equipment.

3. Power Factor

Service equipment installed to supply commercial and industrial accounts is designed to provide adequate capacity and operate efficiently at power factors between 90% leading and 90% lagging. Where customer power factor falls outside of this range, the customer is urged to install appropriate power factor corrective equipment to avoid unsatisfactory service performance and billing penalties.

The Cooperative's Engineering Dept. can provide guidance to customers seeking to remedy low power energy consumption.

4. Electric Motor Specifications

Single Phase Motors - In general, the maximum size single phase motor (or polyphase motor supplied from a single phase service by use of a converter device) which may be utilized on the Cooperative's distribution system is 7.5 horsepower. Larger sizes may be permitted at the discretion of the Cooperative where adequate facilities exist to minimize the impact of motor starting on the Cooperative's other members.

Poly-phase Motors - The maximum size poly-phase motor that the Cooperative will permit on its system varies with each location. The Cooperative reserves the right to require poly-phase motors in excess of 20 horse power to be equipped with a device to limit the maximum starting current to a designated value. The need to impose operating limitations, or to require motor starting equipment will depend on the frequency of motor starting and the amount and duration of starting current. The Cooperative's Engineering Dept. will review each application to ascertain any restrictions that might apply.

5. Electric Space Heating

In accordance with the Cooperative's filed tariff, permanent electric space heating installations in excess of 4.8 KW, shall be metered separately from the remainder of a member's electricity consumption.