the right
connection is just a phone call away
getting
hooked up
for electricity
Whether you’re about to purchase a
building lot, already have new
construction underway or want to
upgrade your existing electrical service,
it’s important to get in touch with us
first.
We’ve put together this guide to help
you make some key decisions about
your service… explain some of the costs and scheduling
involved… and outline where the responsibilities lie for key
stages of the project.
Once you’ve read through this guide, simply contact our
Customer Communications Centre at 1-888-664-9376 from
7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Friday and one of our
customer service representatives will be pleased to help you.
getting your
connection is as easy as...
for your
1request a service layout
2 phone
Application for Inspection
To begin the process of getting a service layout for your new
building, you’ll need to call our Customer Communications
Centre to request a service layout for your property. Be sure
to have this information on hand:
how to reach us...
call:
Customer Communications Centre
7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST
• detailed directions to your property, including the lot
1-888-664-9376
mail:
web:
number, concession, township, registered plan number,
and the 911 address
Hydro One Networks Inc.
P.O. Box 5700, 185 Clegg Rd.
Markham, Ontario • L3R 1C8
• your contractor or electrician’s name and telephone
www.HydroOne.com
• your preference for incoming power lines (they can
number, if applicable
• your proposed service size and the type of heating system planned
be either overhead or underground)
• your current address, phone number, and personal
identification (such as a driver’s licence)
inside you’ll find valuable
information on getting a new
electrical hook-up or upgrading
your current electrical service.
Partners in Powerful Communities
FPO
Printed on recycled paper
11/09 10KE
© Copyright of Hydro One Networks Inc. 2009
Partners in Powerful Communities
Based on this information, one of our field service representatives
will call you to discuss your service layout. The layout will
identify the location and type of service, as well as any work
and materials required to construct your new connection.
A copy of your service layout will be sent to you or your
contractor. If you’d like to make changes, remember, any
changes will need to be approved by our field service representative and may result in a charge or a delay in your hook-up.
You’ll be sent a contract that you must sign and return to us.
The contract will outline decisions you must make about the
kind of electrical service you require, and obligations you must
complete before we’ll do any work on your property.
Before you begin any electrical installation work, you must
obtain an Application for Inspection from the Electrical Safety
Authority (ESA). The ESA is a not-for-profit organization,
responsible for ensuring compliance with the Ontario Electrical
Safety Code, the regulation that keeps the public safe from
electrical hazards. To apply for an application for inspection by
phone, simply call the number of the ESA at 1-877-372-7233.
You may also download a copy of the inspection form and fax
it to the ESA. For more information check the ESA website
at www.esainspection.net. All electrical installations will be
inspected by the ESA to ensure Ontario Electrical Safety Code
requirements have been met before we can connect your service.
3 get connected
Once inspected and approved, the ESA inspector will issue a
connection authorization and send it to us. Shortly afterwards,
your connection will be scheduled and, provided all
connection obligations have been met, electricity will be
made available to your new building.
important: You must complete the following tasks before
any connection can be made.
• Call the ESA at 1-877-372-7233 and obtain ESA approval
• Call our Customer Communications Centre at
1-888-664-9376 to let us know all of your obligations
have been met
the
type of service
things
require
you’ll
Example of a typical New Line Expansion
new line expansion
if there is currently no electricity adjacent to your lot or property,
then our nearest available distribution line will have to be extended to your property. When our field service representative
contacts you, you can discuss the work and costs involved.
Road
Road
allowance
Closest existing
hydro pole
Road
Transformer
Property
line
Meter
base
Building
the next decision
• the Ontario Electrical Safety Code
• Hydro One Distribution Standards
• the site location and building conditions
Example of Primar y
Overhead Ser vice
Anchor
Road
allowance
Road
Road
Private
primary
line
Transformer
Private
secondary
wires
Anchor
Primary service has our transformer located on your pole,
on your property, close to your building. Whereas, secondary
service usually has our transformer located on the road
allowance. The type of service depends on the distance
between the meter base and our distribution line, as well
as the amount of power you need.
next
Road
allowance
Anchor
Road
Transformer
Pole
Distance usually
less than
75 metres
Secondary
wires
Meter
base Building
Property
lines
Property
lines
Example of Primar y
Under ground Ser vice
Road
allowance
Pole
Private
primary
underground
cable
Distance usually
greater than
75 metres
Property
lines
Example of Secondar y
Under ground Ser vice
Road
Pad-mounted
transformer
Private secondary
underground
cable
Road
Transformer
Pole
Distance usually
less than
75 metres
Whenever you’re planning to dig, trench or excavate
around your home, be sure to contact us before work
begins. You can avoid any unnecessary damage and
cost by having one of our field service representatives
visit your property to locate and mark our underground cables free of charge, from the property line to
your meter. However, if there are any buried cables, wires or
lines belonging to you or other utilities such as telephone, water,
sewer and natural gas, then it is your responsibility to notify
those companies to mark and locate their services for you.
Road
Meter
base Building
Road
It’s important to note that we provide, install
and maintain standard overhead conductor,
standard underground conductor, standard
metering and overhead transformer
equipment. And if your new connection work
requires any non-standard metering or
equipment, then you’ll be responsible for the
cost and installation of that equipment.
Example of Secondar y
Overhead Ser vice
Road
allowance
Pole
Distance usually
greater than
75 metres
you’ll need to decide on overhead power lines or underground
cables. Underground cables are usually the preferred choice
because the visual appeal of your property is maintained and
the cables are protected from weather damage. Of course, underground cables are generally more expensive and the conditions
of the ground may pose some limitations on trenching.
remember about getting
connected
underground cable locates
first and foremost,
to be made about your service is whether or not you’ll need
primary or secondary service. This will be determined in consultation with our field service representative and is based on:
to
Road
Secondary
underground
cable
Meter
base Building
Depending on your requirements, more detailed
information is available on each type of service,
including where our responsibilities for the work
end and yours begin. One of our field service
representatives would be happy to explain your
options and help you decide which is the best
choice for you.
Working near or on power lines can be extremely dangerous…
so please hire only qualified people to do the work for you.
the location of your meter
Your service layout will confirm where your meter will
be located. For most residential buildings, we’ll install the
meter on the outside wall facing the road or on the side
of your building within 3 metres (10 feet) of the
front corner. The driveway side of the building
is usually preferred.
upgrading your existing service
Once your meter is installed, please be sure that the area around
it, and the route to it, stay clear of vegetation and debris. This
helps ensure our meter readers’ work area is safe.
If you’re planning to upgrade your current service, you
may not need a service layout. However, if you’re
relocating a pole or changing the place where the
service wire enters your home or building, you’ll
need a new service layout. An administration fee
will be charged for the new service layout and
you’ll also need an application for inspection from
the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA). Remember that if
you’re going to reposition or move – even temporarily – any
of the electrical service equipment in order to complete your
work, the changes must be inspected by the ESA before we
can reconnect your service.
maintaining power lines
Should any of your upgrades require a change to our distribution lines, you’ll be responsible for the cost of those changes.
Hydro One Networks is responsible for all line maintenance
and repairs for all of our power lines, which make up the
transmission and distribution system. This includes tree and
vegetation trimming and/or removal, and emergency repairs
along the power lines.
getting qualified electrical
workmanship is important
Apartment buildings, condominiums and larger
commercial buildings will usually have their meters
installed in a dedicated meter room.
Meter
base Building
Property
lines
On privately-owned lines, however, the owner is
responsible for all maintenance, including tree
trimming and tree and brush removal. We
recommend that you hire qualified contractors to
complete the line and vegetation maintenance on
privately-owned lines, and that you also contact
us so that we can temporarily disconnect your
electrical service during maintenance. If requested,
we’ll disconnect and reconnect your electrical service
without charge once a year during normal business hours.
As you know, working with electricity can be extremely
dangerous. This is precisely why we strongly recommend
using qualified, licensed and insured electrical contractors
for any electrical work you require. You also have the
option of hiring us for many of your projects.