Preparing your site for connection services

Some factors that are difficult to anticipate can prevent our crews from being able to safely connect electricity as planned. Start with this at-a-glance guide, and then ensure that you have met our Requirements for Overhead and Underground Connections.

Wires

• Service wires provide sufficient clearance over a house, garage, shed or balcony
• Wires do not create an aerial trespass over a neighbour's property
• Trees do not interfere with the service wire
• For technical reference on wire clearances, see our Engineering Standards 43 B1 – Distribution Pole Attachment
  

Meters

• The meter base is not more than 1 metre (3 feet) from the corner of the building
• If the site has more than one meter base, the meters are clearly marked (i.e. House & Suite, A & B)

Point of attachment

Safety and ladder use

If crews need a ladder to reach the service entrance:

• The ladder ratio (4 metres high to 1 metre across) is met when the ladder is up against the building, without creating an aerial trespass over a neighbour's property
• The roof mast is located within 45 centimetres (18 inches) from the edge of the roof within reach of the installer’s ladder
• Stairs do not interfere with ladder use

BC Hydro & Technical Safety BC Information Sharing Agreement

In May 2017, BC Hydro and Technical Safety BC (TSBC) entered an information sharing agreement endorsed by the Office of the Information and Privacy Commission for B.C. Read more.

Common obstructions preventing crews from doing their work

• Service address is occupied or appears to be occupied when a removal of service has been requested
  
• BC Hydro crews do not have clear access to the property (locked gates, dogs, etc.)
• The service box or meter base is not exposed and not accessible
• Asbestos abatement is in progress

Please note that if crews can't proceed with the request, callback charges will be applied.