Clearances - The minimum distances that should be maintained from electric utility lines for safety purposes as determined by the National Electric Safety Code.
Contribution in aid of construction (CIAC) - A nonrefundable charge for providing electric service to a facility. All fees are approved by the Florida Public Service Commission (FPSC) and outlined in FPL’s Tariff.
Commercial service - Any electric service used for non-residential purposes, with the exception of the services outlined in FPL's "lighting" tariffs.
County or city permit - Permission from local authorities, such as the county or city, for work to be performed.
Customer - Any present or prospective user of FPL's electric service, or any person or entity representing that person (e.g. architect, engineer, electrical contractor, land developer, builder, etc.).
Downpipe - The portion of the exposed pipe that ties the meter can to the underground conduit. The customer owns the downpipe, which can be made of rigid galvanized pipe, intermediate pipe, or Schedule 80 PVC.
Drip loop - A U-shaped bend in the wires that allows water to drip off and hinder it from entering the service entrance. The drip loop is typically part of the service entrance and is the customer’s responsibility. It is located at or near the top of the weatherhead.
Easement - A legal, recorded document granting FPL permission to enter, install, and maintain its equipment that is located on private property.
Estimated completion date - The proposed date when the installation of your electric utilities will be completed.
Electrical conduit - A plastic pipe, usually made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is used to protect and route electrical wiring. It is typically used in underground systems.
Florida Administrative Code (FAC) - A compilation of the rules and regulations of Florida regulatory agencies filed with The Florida Department of State.
FPL - Florida Power and Light Company, or an employee properly qualified to represent Florida Power and Light Company.
Fault current - An abnormal flow of current in an electric circuit due to a fault. When wiring your project, the potential fault current helps determine protective equipment that may be required. Changes in the customer's load and other loads in the area may require changes in FPL's system and these changes may increase the available fault current. Please allow for this possible increase.
Feeder – A feeder, or main power line, carries electricity from an FPL substation to an FPL local or regional service area. These power lines are usually along major roads and thoroughfares.
Handhole – A handhole is a below-grade enclosure used to connect underground service cables. In nearly all cases, FPL owns the cables that connect residential customers to FPL service, while business customers own the cables that connect their facilities.
Inspection - Approval from the local authorities (city, county, etc.) that the electrical wiring meets all applicable regulations and codes. After receiving this approval, FPL may install the meter.
Local jurisdiction responsibilities - Upon application by the licensed electrician, issue the appropriate permit for the installation of customer wiring and equipment, if applicable. Inspect and approve customer’s wiring and equipment. Provide FPL with certificate of approval notification for customer’s wiring and equipment. Sometimes referred to as the “authority having jurisdiction,” or AHJ.
Electric meter - A device that tracks the amount of electricity used.
Meter socket - A meter socket is a device that connects an electric meter to a location. It has a wiring chamber, with provisions for conduit entrances and exits, and a means of securing the meter in place.
Multiple occupancy building - A unified structure containing five or more individual dwelling units.
Outstanding requirements – Pending requirements associated with a work request that need to be completed prior to the construction stage.
Point of delivery – A point of delivery is the location where FPL-owned conductors connected to customer-owned conductors. Typical points of delivery include weatherheads, meter sockets, service junction boxes, handholes, padmounted transformers and vaults. FPL will determine the point of delivery. For underground residential service, this is typically at the meter socket and for overhead service; this is typically at the weatherhead.
Primary - A primary, also known as a feeder, lateral, or main power line, carries electricity from an FPL substation to an FPL local or regional service area. These power lines are usually along major roads and thoroughfares.
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) – A thermoplastic polymer commonly used in construction applications.
Readily accessible - Capable of being reached quickly for operation, maintenance, or inspections, without requiring those for whom ready access is a requisite to climb over or remove obstacles or to resort to portable ladders, chairs, etc.
Related jobs – Service requests that are associated with the job in question. For example, an electric meter request and an electric service request are related jobs.
Residential service – Electric service supplied for domestic purposes in individually metered dwelling units as well as some services outlined in FPL's "lighting" tariffs. This can include service to garages, water pumps, etc.
Secondary – A wire that carries electricity from a transformer to multiple customers.
Service - The equipment that deliver electricity from FPL's electric system to the customer’s wiring system at the location being served. It can also refer to the voltage and frequency of electricity that FPL delivers to its customers.
Service drop - The electrical lines that run from FPL's overhead power lines to the point of connection at a customer’s location.
Service entrance - The customer's installation from the service drop or service lateral connection to and including the service equipment.
Service entrance conductors - The customer's conductors from point of connection at the service drop or service lateral.
Service equipment - The customer-owned equipment that controls the electric service and contains the switching and overcurrent protective devices, such as circuit breakers, switches and fuses. This equipment is usually located near the entry point of the service entrance conductors into the building.
Service lateral - The underground service conductors that connect FPL's electric system to the customer's point-of-service.
Site address – The location of the construction.
Site ready - The customer's site is prepared for FPL’s construction crews and equipment to be installed. The site-ready criteria addresses grade, installation of facilities (water, well, septic, sewer, storm drain), location of private underground facilities and property lines, removal of obstructions in the cable path, and installation of transformer pads and duct, if required.
Standard service - The minimum level of service, as determined by FPL, for the load requested by a customer. Typically, this is overhead service at the standard voltages specified in the Electric Service Standards (ESS), to the FPL-designated point of delivery. Generally, any service request that exceeds FPL's minimum level of service will require additional fees. All service is alternating current (AC) at 60 hertz (cycles per second).
Street light agreement – A contract between FPL and a customer to install lighting equipment that will illuminate a road or street. The customer promises to pay back the cost of installation by paying a fee to FPL for these facilities in addition to the electricity used. FPL is responsible for maintaining the facilities.
Tariff – A listing of FPL’s rates and charges as approved by the Florida Public Service Commission (FPSC).
Temporary electric service – Electric service intended to be used for a limited period, such as for construction or an exhibit. The temporary facility will be removed when it is no longer needed.
Transformer - Equipment that converts primary voltage to a lower secondary voltage that can be used by a customer. There are two types of transformers used. Aerial transformers typically hang on utility poles or are installed in vaults. Padmount transformers are green boxes that are installed on the ground.
Transformer vault - An isolated enclosure, with fire-resistant walls, ceilings and floor, in which transformers and related equipment are installed. This structure is provided and maintained by the customer and built to FPL’s specifications. It is usually housed inside the customer’s building.
Underground distribution - A distribution system where the conductors are buried with or without enclosing ducts. Newer systems are in conduit. Transformers, switches and other equipment are normally above ground, or enclosed in vaults or other enclosures.
Underground pedestal - A free-standing, customer-owned structure that accommodates a meter enclosure in cases where either the meter cannot be mounted directly on the facility wall (e.g. a mobile home), or when the meter needs to be positioned as close as possible to the FPL power source per the company’s standards.
Underground Residential Distribution (URD) - An underground distribution system, primarily supplying single phase, three wire service laterals to residential dwelling units. Most conductors are buried and new systems are in conduit. Transformers and primary switches are contained in above ground pad mounted enclosures.
Weatherhead – An entry point where overhead electrical wiring enters a building. It sits atop the pipe that extends out from the meter towards the roof. It is shaped like a hood, with the face pointing down at an angle of at least 45 degrees to shield it from rain. A rubberized gasket makes for a tight seal against the wires.
Work request number - An identification number to help identify and track the status of FPL projects.