Additional Information

9.1 Cable Faults

In accordance with Section 8 of EDTI's Terms and Conditions, customers or property owners are responsible for installing and maintaining all electrical service connections located on their property. This responsibility includes all civil work, such as excavation, trenching, backfilling, and landscaping, as well as duct or service conduit repair.

Service Cable on Public and Private Property

If the service disruption to the customer's property was likely caused by a failure of the service cable (if the cable route is on both public and private property), EDTI will assess the location of the disruption and provide that information at no cost.
If the location of the disruption is determined to be on public lands or in a utility right-of-way, EDTI will ensure that repairs are completed as soon as possible at EDTI's cost.
If the location of the disruption is on private property, the property owner will be responsible for all civil work, as described above. EDTI will complete all electrical connections and cable repairs (e.g., cable splicing, including short lengths of cable) at no cost to the property owner, provided that the original installation meets EDTI standards.
If the faulted cable is in a common trench with high-voltage conductors, EDTI will complete the necessary civil work and charge the customer for the service. There will be no charge for cable repairs.
If it's evident that the service disruption was caused by third-party damage (e.g., fence posts, piles, non-standard material, or workmanship), all splicing costs to repair the service cable will be the customer's responsibility.

Secondary Cable Wholly on Private Property

If the service disruption to the customer's property was caused by the failure of a low-voltage cable (secondary cable up to 750 V) wholly on private property, the property owner is responsible for locating the disruption and all civil work described above. The customer may ask EDTI to locate the disruption at their expense or hire a private contractor. EDTI will complete all electrical connections and cable repairs (including short lengths of cable) at no cost to the property owner, provided that the original installation meets EDTI's standards.
If the faulted cable is in a common trench with high-voltage conductors, EDTI will complete the necessary civil work and charge the customer for the service. There will be no charge for cable repairs.
If it's evident that the service disruption was caused by third-party damage (e.g., fence posts, piles, non-standard material, or workmanship), all splicing costs to repair the service cable will be the customer's responsibility.

Primary Cable on Private Property

If the service disruption to the customer's property was caused by the failure of a high-voltage cable (primary cable over 750 V) wholly on private property, EDTI will make service repairs for safety reasons and to maintain system reliability. This includes locating the disruption, excavation, cable repair, and rough backfill to grade. EDTI will complete all electrical connections and cable repairs (including short lengths of cable) at no cost to the property owner.
The property owner will be responsible for the costs of locating the disruption and all civil work described above to repair the cable. It is the property owner's responsibility to complete the final restoration at the owner's own cost.
Note that final restoration may include, but is not limited to, final compaction of the soil, landscaping, and restoring concrete or other surfaces, such as patio surfaces, driveways, and paving stones.
If it's evident that the service disruption was caused by third-party damage (e.g., fence posts, piles, non-standard material, or workmanship), all splicing costs to repair the service cable will be the customer's responsibility.

9.2 Checklists

These handy checklists will help you plan your new connection. The checklists are for New Connections and Existing Service Upgrades and the Pre-inspection period.

9.3 Co-generation

Note: Co-generation is not allowed for services fed from EDTI's network system. More information about micro-generation and distributed generation can be found in the Generating Your Own Energy section of epcor.com.

Micro-Generation

In Alberta, micro-generation is defined as the generation of electrical energy from a generating unit that has a total capacity of 1 MW or less and is connected to the distribution system.
Albertans are able to generate their own environmentally friendly electricity and receive credit for any unused power that goes to the electricity grid. To apply for interconnection with EDTI, follow the Alberta Utilities Commission's Micro-generator Application Guideline, complete the micro-generation application form, and submit it to EDTI.
If you have questions related to micro-generation, please email us at distgen@epcor.ca.

Distributed Generation

Distributed generation usually refers to small-scale electric generators (typically 1 kW to 50 MW) that produce electricity at a site close to the customer.
If you want to interconnect on-site generating equipment but don't qualify as a micro- generator, your installation must comply with the Canadian Electrical Code, Part 1, and EDTI's Technical Guideline for Interconnection of Generators to the Distribution System.
If you have questions related to distributed generation, please email us at distgen@epcor.ca.

9.4 Demolition

Before the demolition of any building can begin, it's important for electricity and other utilities to be properly disconnected. Electrical services can pose a severe hazard if still active when the demolition takes place.

If you plan to demolish a building, you must contact your electrical retailer well in advance of the demolition date. Here are some important points to remember when dealing with different types of projects:

Residential – When you contact your retailer, request Remove Meter and Service for Demolition.
Small Commercial – If no EDTI infrastructure, such as padmount transformers, needs to be removed, request Remove Meter and Service for Demolition when you contact your retailer.
Commercial/Industrial – Request Remove Meter and Service for Demolition when you contact your retailer. You must also contact us at (780) 412-3128 to arrange for infrastructure removal, which could include padmount transformers, primary cables, aerial transformers, poles, and conductors.

Here are some other important things to know before any demolition:

EDTI will not remove the meter until EDTI receives confirmation that the site has been de-energized.
Once EDTI receives notification, EDTI will check voltages and remove all current and potential transformers from the site, along with the meter.
The customer must not begin demolition until we have provided written confirmation of de-energization (a guarantee of isolation) and all EDTI assets have been removed.

9.5 Easement Agreement

The following are some examples of situations when we may require an easement to be registered on your property:

A switching cubicle installation on your property
The necessity to cross properties and facilities that aren't owned by the customer
A lot that is being subdivided
A multi-family site

EDTI will require that a blanket easement be registered on title for most multi-family installations. A blanket easement covers the entire parcel of land.

In most cases, EDTI will prepare the documentation for the customer's signature.

See Drawings 25, 26, 27, and 28 for examples of different easements that may be required.

9.6 Hydro Excavating Procedure (Hydrovac) Over Primary or Secondary Cables on Private Property

Always follow updated EDTI hydro excavating standards (i.e., water temperature, water pressure limits, and neoprene oscillating head). The hydro excavating operator must be familiar with this specific standard before starting work to avoid damage to the cable or exposure to an electrical hazard. A copy of the updated standard must be on-site and made available to EDTI upon request. Contact EDTI Customer Engineering Services for updated standards.
EDTI will allow a contractor to over trench up to 5.0 m from energized facilities by hand or hydro excavating. Follow Alberta One-Call procedures and call us before starting work.
Exposed energized cables cannot be left unattended. If the excavation is narrow or small, the primary cable must be covered with soil bags or secured with another suitable temporary method. Contact us for more details.
Under no circumstances must energized primary cables be moved or handled in any way, unless under the direct supervision of an EDTI Underground Tradesperson.

9.7 Operations

The customer must provide EDTI with ample notice of any substantial load increases on its service.
The customer must supply a 24-hour contact number for a customer representative qualified to operate the customer circuit breakers. EDTI personnel will not operate customer circuit breakers or main disconnects.
The customer must allow EDTI's employees, agents, and other representatives access at all reasonable times to electrical facilities owned by EDTI and located on the customer's property. Access is necessary for installing, replacing, repairing, testing, monitoring, maintaining, inspecting, removing, and any other purpose related to the provision of a service connection that is deemed necessary by EDTI. The customer must not prevent or hinder such entry.
EDTI will try to provide reasonable notice to the customer when EDTI requires entry.
The customer must also notify EDTI when harmonic loads are added to an existing utility transformer.
The customer must maintain a minimum power factor of 90% on the service.
The customer will make any required repairs (other than temporary emergency repairs to restore service that may be made by EDTI) to equipment they own.
At the customer's request, EDTI will perform power factor checks and load surveys on our side of the service connection point.
EDTI has the right to require the customer to install additional equipment that will reduce or correct flicker resulting from high-surge equipment connected to the service connection. If this is the case, EDTI will notify the customer.
The electrical service may be subject to voltage fluctuations and other similar issues. Customers should consider installing voltage regulation and surge protection equipment.
The customer is responsible for the maintenance of all civil work on private property, including maintaining the level of equipment. Civil work typically includes trenching, ducting, transformer or cubicle pads, ground grids, guardrails, pull boxes, and intermediate service poles.

9.8 Privacy Policy

EDTI's priority is to protect customer information, so EDTI's Privacy Policy complies with the applicable legislation. This policy applies to EDTI Utilities Inc. and all of its subsidiaries.

Some key points in our privacy policy are as follows:

EDTI treats all customer information as strictly confidential.
EDTI will never disclose, sell, lease, or trade the information of any customer unless they authorize us to do so or it is required or permitted by law.
To efficiently provide customers with our services, EDTI will share information with other EDTI businesses or suppliers who perform services on our behalf.

See the full Privacy Policy.

9.9 Relocation of EDTI Equipment

Requests to relocate EDTI's electrical facilities (poles, transformers, switching cubicles, and pedestals) should be made to EDTI Customer Engineering Services.
In most cases, the customer is responsible for all costs associated with relocation of electrical facilities.
On request, EDTI will provide an estimate of the costs the customer will be required to pay.
If requested by EDTI, the customer will pay the estimated cost of relocation in advance.
The customer must also make arrangements for the relocation of all other utilities that may jointly use electrical facilities, such as telephones and cable television, before relocation.

9.10 Splicing Primary and Secondary Cables on Private Property

When the customer installs EDTI-approved material on private property, EDTI will provide primary and secondary splicing or cable repair.
Primary cable splice pits must be 3.0 m long (parallel to the trench), 2.0 m wide, and 150 mm deeper than the cable trench.
For secondary cable repair, the splice pit must measure 1.5 m long by 1.2 m wide. It must be a minimum of 900 mm and a maximum of 1,200 mm deep, or as deep as the bottom of the stub-outs, whichever is less.
For larger secondary connections, the splice pit may need to be longer.
The customer is responsible for all landscaping, concrete, paving repairs, and backfilling of materials after the electrical inspection has passed.
At the customer's cost, EDTI will perform temporary emergency repairs to restore service on customer-owned materials and equipment. The customer is responsible for performing all other repairs.
When cables are in duct, buried at a depth greater than 1.0 m, or under concrete walks, slabs, or driveways, fault location may not be accurate. EDTI takes no responsibility for inaccurate fault locating due to site conditions.
EDTI will not splice or repair facilities when the splice or repair would require items that EDTI does not stock. When cable or equipment failures on the customer's property are caused by third-party damage, EDTI will charge the customer the full cost for all repairs, including splicing. It will be the property owner's responsibility to collect from any third party. See the Cable Faults Section (9.1) for more information

9.11 Temporary Connections

Temporary services are electrical services required by the customer for less than 12 months.

Examples of temporary services are those for Christmas tree lots and electrical service requirements during construction. Contact us to see if your service requirements can be met with a temporary service.
The 12-month time limit may be extended by written request under special circumstances only.
The customer requesting the temporary service connection will be required to pay EDTI for the cost of any facilities required for the connection, along with the cost of their installation and removal, less the value of salvaged material. EDTI will provide an estimate for these services, and all costs must be paid in advance.
EDTI will provide a temporary connection for emergency purposes, if we believe it is practical, for a period of 30 days. The customer will be notified to complete the repairs within that period. At the end of the 30-day period, the temporary connection will be removed. If the end of the 30-day period occurs between November 15 and April 15, EDTI will not remove the temporary connection until after April 15 due to winter weather conditions.
When small, intermittent electrical loads for construction power are needed, an existing underground residential service stub, intended for permanent service, can be used for temporary power. Contact us for the location of the service stub. Note: This type of temporary arrangement is not suitable for electric heating.
Customers must contact EDTI for the location of the residential service stub. The customer is responsible for any additional cable, splicing, trenching, and temporary posts equipment, as well as for back-filling.
Special permission before construction approval is required from us for using armoured or metal-sheathed (TECK) cable for temporary installations. TECK cable is not allowed for permanent installations. The customer must supply all associated fittings, including connectors and grounding bushings.
The service-interrupting capacity of temporary service equipment must match the available fault current of the transformer size and type used, as per Table 3 or Table 9.
EDTI will not connect any permanent or temporary service to the City of Edmonton's streetlight system.
In aerial distribution areas, aerial temporary services must be mounted on a pole or solid 101 mm × 152 mm (4 in. × 6 in.) wood post on the customer's property. They should be mounted as close as practical, but no closer than the minimum design clearances specified in Table 7 of the Alberta Electrical Utility Code. The clearances allowed in the table may be 3.0 m to more than 7.0 m, depending on the circumstances, primary voltage, in-span swing, and sag of conductors. Installation must also comply with section 76 of the Canadian Electrical Code, Part I. For more details, contact us and see Drawing 24.
When the electricity provided to a Underground Residential Development (URD) site is to be used for construction purposes, the customer will limit electricity consumption at the site to a maximum continuous load of 30 A.
When continuous electricity consumption (such as electric heater loads used during construction) of greater than 30 A will be required at the URD site, the customer must notify EDTI and apply for the installation of a temporary service connection that's capable of handling the higher load. The customer will pay EDTI the cost of any required facilities plus the cost of installation and removal of such facilities necessary for the temporary service connection, less the value of the salvaged material. At our sole discretion, EDTI may require these costs to be paid in advance, in which case the costs will be based on estimates prepared by EDTI.
Should an outage occur on a service connection for a URD site where electricity is being used for construction purposes and EDTI determines, at our sole discretion, that the outage was caused by a maximum continuous load of greater than 30 A at the URD site, then the customer responsible for the site will be required to pay the URD site construction overload outage response fee set out in the Fee Schedule. EDTI will only fully re-energize the service connection if the customer confirms to our satisfaction that the consumption at the site will be reduced to a maximum continuous consumption of 30 A. If the customer fails to do so, or if EDTI is unable to contact the customer through reasonable efforts, EDTI will only reconnect and re-energize the service connection at 120 V.
If two or more outages occur at a URD site where electricity is being used for construction purposes and EDTI determines, at our sole discretion, that the outages were caused by a maximum continuous load of greater than 30 A, EDTI may take other actions in addition to those discussed above.

9.12 Tree Trimming

Tree limbs that fall into power lines cause many power outages and are a potential danger for you and your property. Routine tree trimming and avoiding planting trees under or near power lines can help prevent this.

For complete information on what needs to be done and who's responsible for the work, please see the Request Tree Trimming page.

Additional Information

Have questions about the
Customer Connection Guide?

Updated May 2017

Service Types

Other Information

Contact Us

Service Cable on Public and Private Property

Secondary Cable Wholly on Private Property

Primary Cable on Private Property

Micro-Generation

Distributed Generation

Section Links

Drawing 24

Drawing 25

Drawing 26

Drawing 27

Drawing 28

Table 3

Table 9

Additional Information

​Have questions about theCustomer Connection Guide?

Updated May 2017

Service Types

Other Information

Contact Us

Service Cable on Public and Private Property

Secondary Cable Wholly on Private Property

Primary Cable on Private Property

Micro-Generation

Distributed Generation

​Section Links

Drawing 24

Drawing 25

Drawing 26

Drawing 27

Drawing 28

Table 3

Table 9

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Have questions about the
Customer Connection Guide?

Section Links