Within recent years, St. Vincent Electricity Services has promoted the construction and use of Meter Column structures for customers who want to have the electricity meter located at a point other than on their buildings.

CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITY

The structure of the meter column shall be constructed with reinforced steel bars and shall conform to the size and layout as outlined in the foundation detail and Section A-A.

The trench shall be a minimum depth of 48" to accommodate standard cover and backfill for the customer's main cable duct.

Care shall be exercised to avoid damage to the duct during backfilling. Prior to backfilling, a thin layer of concrete must cover the duct.

A suitable pulling string, capable of 200 pounds of pull must be installed in the duct before VINLEC is notified to execute the installation of the service line. Service line from pole to meter column is through a 3" steel pipe with six feet enclosed in the structure and an additional six feet free standing outside. Refer to front view.

The meter column's minimum height from ground level to top of steel pipe is 18 feet. All duct cable installation must conform to Electrical Supply Act, Electrical Regulation and requirement of Government Electrical Inspectorate.

NOTES

(a) Meter Column shall be: i. built on the owner's property; ii. within 100ft from the nearest VINLEC low voltage pole; iii. erected at the front of the property

(b) Meter position must be 6ft from ground level and seen from the roadway; i.e face outward on entry to the property.

 (c) VINLEC's service line must not pass over or through a neighbour's property.

(d) Customer's main conductor must be colour coded in conformity to Electrical Wiring Regulations applicable in the state of St Vincent and the Grenadines.

(e) To make clarifications or clear doubts, contact VINLEC prior to construction of meter column.

You may experience a delay in connection if meter connection standards are not met.

The following may be considered as non-compliance to VINLEC's Meter Connection Standard:

Meter column does not conform to VINLEC's standard specifications:

 i . Column is too high

i i . Column is too low

 i i i . Galvanize pipe is too small

iv. Column does not conform to shape and/or size of the meter column. Service line duct requires a pulling string.

Pulling string is inadequate and/or insufficient.

Areas on column require plastering.

Service line will pass over building and/or open parcel of land.

Applicants require the following: i . Proof of property ownership eg: deed i i . Survey or plan Service line will pass through vegetation; tree cutting/trimming is required