HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 3722
City of Palo Alto (ID # 3722)
City Council Staff Report
Report Type: Consent Calendar Meeting Date: 5/13/2013
City of Palo Alto Page 1
Summary Title: Resolution to Amend Utilities Rule and Regulation 3, 5, 18,
and 20
Title: Adoption of a Resolution Amending Utility Rule and Regulation 3
(Description of Utility Services), 5 (Service Contracts), 18 (Utility Service
Connections and Facilities on Customers' Premises), and 20 (Special Electric
Utility Regulations)
From: City Manager
Lead Department: Utilities
Recommendation
Staff recommends that Council adopt a resolution amending Utilities Rule and Regulation 3, 5,
18, and 20, as attached.
Executive Summary
Utilities Rules and Regulations are updated based on required modifications to City of Palo Alto
Utilities (CPAU) business operations. The recommended amendments add practices and
procedures for the definition, installation, location, and payment of utility “Special Facilities”
services (facilities contracted in addition to, or in substitution for, the standard facilities
normally provided).
Background
Rule and Regulation 3 (Description of Utility Services) establishes the basis for providing utility
service, including a listing of available services, location of Points of Service, delivery capacity,
and load limitations, for the electric, fiber, water, gas, and wastewater utilities.
Rule and Regulation 5 (Service Contracts) lists the types of utility services requiring a contract
with the customer.
City of Palo Alto Page 2
Rule and Regulation 18 (Utility Service Connections and Facilities on Customers’ Premises)
outlines utility service and facility connections, installations, and ownership responsibilities.
Rule and Regulation 20 (Special Electric Utility Regulations) describes requirements for service
connections; utility facilities; utility and customer equipment; service configuration; system
restrictions, operations and protection; special services; and Special Facilities.
Discussion
Rule and Regulation 3 (Description of Utility Services).
The proposed changes to Rule and Regulation 3 include grammatical and typographic
corrections, add language for alternative locations of utility equipment, create an additional
category under “Special Facilities,” clarifies Applicant costs, and removes three-phase
residential service from “Special Facilities.”
Rule and Regulation 5 (Service Contracts).
The proposed changes to Rule and Regulation 5 include grammatical and typographic
corrections, add categories of utility services which may require a customer contract such as
utility equipment in limited access locations, power quality, and power factor improvements,
add Reserve Electric Capacity, and clarifies the contract Application language and procedures.
Rule and Regulation 18 (Utility Service Connections and Facilities on Customers’ Premises).
The proposed change to Rule and Regulation 18 replaces “Utility Load Sheets” with “Utility
Service Application.”
Rule and Regulation 20 (Special Electric Utility Regulations).
The proposed change to Rule and Regulation 20 adds language to Section J, “Special Facilities,”
that permits either up-front or fixed-term payments in customer contracts (“These costs will be
calculated by CPAU based on the net present value, and shall be paid by the Applicant in
advance of installation unless alternative payment arrangements are approved by the Director
of Utilities”).
Resource Impact
Approval of changes to Utilities Rule and Regulation 3, 5, 18 and 20 will not result in a
significant change in operating revenues or expenses.
City of Palo Alto Page 3
Policy Implications
This recommendation does not represent a change to current City policies.
Environmental Review
These changes in Utility Rules and Regulations and Utility Rate Schedules are not subject to the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), pursuant to California Public Resources Code
Section 21080(b)(8) and Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations Section 15273(a)(1)
and (3).
Attachments:
Attachment A - RESO Amendment to Rules and Regs 3, 5, 18, 20 (PDF)
Attachment B - Amended Rule 03 effective May 13 2013 (PDF)
Attachment C - Amended Rule 05 effective May 13 2013 (PDF)
Attachment D - Amended Rule 18 effective May 13 2013 (PDF)
Attachment E - Amended Rule 20 effective May 13 2013 (PDF)
*NOT YET APPROVED*
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1
Resolution No. _____
Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Approving Amendments to
Utilities Rule and Regulation 3 (Description of Utility Services), Utilities Rule
and Regulation 5 (Service Contracts), Utilities Rule and Regulation 18 (Utility
Service Connections and Facilities on Customers’ Premises), and Utilities
Rule and Regulation 20 (Special Electric Utility Regulations)
The City of Palo Alto RESOLVES as follows:
SECTION 1. Pursuant to Section 12.20.010 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code, Utilities
Rule and Regulation 3 (Description of Utility Services) is hereby amended as attached and
incorporated. Utility Rule and Regulation 3, as amended, shall become effective May 13, 2013.
SECTION 2. Pursuant to Section 12.20.010 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code, Utilities
Rule and Regulation 5 (Service Contracts) is hereby amended as attached and incorporated.
Utility Rule and Regulation 5, as amended, shall become effective May 13, 2013.
SECTION 3. Pursuant to Section 12.20.010 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code, Utilities
Rule and Regulation 18 (Utility Service Connections and Facilities on Customers’ Premises) is
hereby amended as attached and incorporated. Utility Rule and Regulation 18, as amended,
shall become effective May 13, 2013.
SECTION 4. Pursuant to Section 12.20.010 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code, Utilities
Rule and Regulation 20 (Special Electric Utility Regulations) is hereby amended as attached and
incorporated. Utility Rule and Regulation 20, as amended, shall become effective May 13,
2013.
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*NOT YET APPROVED*
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SECTION 5. The Council hereby finds that this ordinance is exempt from the
provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the
California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines, because it can be seen with certainty that
there is no possibility of significant environmental effects occurring as a result of the adoption
of this ordinance.
INTRODUCED:
PASSED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTENTIONS:
ABSENT:
ATTEST:
_____________________________ _____________________________
City Clerk Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM: APPROVED:
_____________________________ ______________________________
Senior Asst. City Attorney City Manager
______________________________
Director of Administrative Services
______________________________
Director of Utilities
DESCRIPTION OF UTILITY SERVICES
RULE AND REGULATION 3
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 75-13-20132
Sheet No 1
A. GENERAL
Rule and Regulation 3 describes Services that are offered within the jurisdictional boundaries of the
City of Palo Alto. For Rules specific to each type of Service, please refer to the following Rules and
Regulations:
Rule and Regulation 20 – Special Electric Utility Regulations
Rule and Regulation 21 – Special Water Utility Regulations
Rule and Regulation 22 – Special Gas Utility Regulations
Rule and Regulation 23 – Special Wastewater Utility Regulations
Rule and Regulation 24 – Special Refuse and Recycling Utility Regulations
Rule and Regulation 25 – Special Storm and Surface Water Drainage Utility Regulations
Rule and Regulation 26 – Special Fiber Optics Utility Regulations
B. ELECTRIC SERVICE
1. BASIS OF SERVICE
a. Unless otherwise provided in a Rate Schedule or contract, CPAU’s Electric rates are
based upon the furnishing of Electric Service to Customer Premises at a single Point
of Delivery at a single voltage and phase classification. Unless specified otherwise,
each Point of Delivery shall be metered and billed separately under the appropriate
Rate Schedule. Any additional Service supplied to the same Customer at other
Points of Delivery or at a different voltage or phase classification shall be separately
metered and billed.
b. The type of distribution Service (voltage, Secondary, Primary) available at any
particular location may be determined by inquiry to a CPAU Engineering
representative.
c. If the Customer, for his or her convenience, requests Secondary or Primary Services
at an alternate Point of Delivery other than the normal Point of Delivery as
determined by CPAU, the Customer is responsible for all cost of providing
Secondary or Primary Services at such alternate location.
d. CPAU assumes no duty or liability for inspecting, validating or approving the safe
operating condition of the Customer’s Service, appliances, or equipment downstream
DESCRIPTION OF UTILITY SERVICES
RULE AND REGULATION 3
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 75-13-20132
Sheet No 2
of the Utility Meter.
e. See Rule and Regulation 20. "Special Electric Utility Regulations" regarding special
Service requirements.
2. LOCATION OF POINT OF SERVICE
a. SECONDARY SERVICE
1. OVERHEAD SERVICE AT SECONDARY VOLTAGES
The Point of Service for Overhead Service at secondary voltages will normally be
located at a power pole on the perimeter of the parcel to be served, which is, in
CPAU’s judgment, most conveniently located and in compliance with CPAU
standards and specifications and applicable building and electrical codes.
2. UNDERGROUND SERVICE AT SECONDARY VOLTAGE
The Point of Service for Underground Service at secondary voltages will normally be
located at the Secondary connectors of the transformer serving the Customer’s Load,
or in the Secondary hand hole, if available.
b. PRIMARY SERVICE
The Point of Service for Primary Service will normally be at the point near the
property line of the premises to be served which is, in CPAU’s judgment, most
conveniently located with respect to CPAU’s transmission or distribution facilities.
c. EXCEPTIONS
If several buildings are occupied and used by one Customer in a single business or
other activity, CPAU may, at its discretion, furnish Service for the entire group of
buildings through one Service connection at one Point of Service.
3. EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS
DESCRIPTION OF UTILITY SERVICES
RULE AND REGULATION 3
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 75-13-20132
Sheet No 3
All new equipment in underground areas required to provide electric service to a Customer
shall be pad-mounted..
In addition, any three-Phase electric service connection and any electric service connection
rated at 400 Amps or greater which is located either in an underground or overhead area
must be served from a pad-mounted transformer.
The Utilities Director, or his/her designee, may authorize: 1) an exception to the above
provisions when, in his/her opinion, a pad-mounted equipment installation in any particular
instance would not be feasible or practical or 2) installation of electric service equipment in
locations with limited access by utility installation equipment. Such pad-mounted equipment
installations may will be considered “Special Facilities” as defined in Rule and Regulation
20, and the Applicant will be responsible for the costs described such in that rule and
outlined in the Service Contract as described in Rule and Regulation 5.
If the Applicant wants a Point of Delivery other than at the location determined by the
CPAU, the CPAU will work with the Applicant to assist in the selection of the alternate
Point of Delivery location for the electric service equipment within the boundaries of the
Applicant’s property. When the Applicant chooses a Point of Delivery location other than
the location which has been determined by the CPAU, the Applicant must acknowledge that
such an alternate Point of Delivery location will cause CPAU personnel to incur delays when
performing repairs or service restoration during emergencies. In addition to being
responsible to pay for the initial cost of installation of such electric service equipment in an
alternate location, the Applicant shall also be responsible to pay for any future additional
labor, equipment, and materials costs incurred by the CPAU related to providing any special
equipment necessary to facilitate replacement, removeremoval, or relocate relocation of any
electric service equipment which has been installed in an alternate Point of Delivery location
at the Applicant’s request.
Any installation intended to assist in “screening” of electric service equipment by
landscaping or structures must be constructed in a manner which meets all of the CPAU’s
clearance standards. The plans for such screening must be approved by the City of Palo Alto
and CPAU prior to beginning work on the screening installation.
When requested by CPAU, theThe Applicant shall provide a Public Utility Easement in
recordable form for installation of such facilities within the boundaries of the property. All
pad-mounted equipment will be subject to CPAU’s aesthetic guidelines.
DESCRIPTION OF UTILITY SERVICES
RULE AND REGULATION 3
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 75-13-20132
Sheet No 4
4. EMERGENCY AND STANDBY SERVICES
CPAU may provide back up Emergency, and other Standby Service to Customers as Special
Facilities. . See Rule and Regulation 20 "Special Electric Utility Regulations" regarding
special Service requirements.
5. SERVICE DELIVERY VOLTAGE
The following are the standard Service voltages normally available. Not all standard
Service voltages are available at each Point of Delivery. These Service voltages are
available in locations that already have this Service voltage and have sufficient capacity, as
determined by CPAU, to serve the new Load. Any equipment installed on 120/240, 3 wire or
240/120, 4-wire Services shall have the capability of converting to a 120/208, 3 wire or 208
Y/120, 4-Wire Service.
a. DISTRIBUTION OF VOLTAGE
Alternating-current Service will be regularly supplied at a nominal frequency of
approximately 60-Hertz (cycles per second).
Single-Phase Three-Phase Three-Phase
Secondary Secondary Primary
120/240, 3 -wire 240/120, 4-wire* 12,470, 3-wire
120/208, 3-wire 240, 3-wire*
208 Y/120, 4-wire
480 Y/277, 4-wire
*Only available in special conditions as determined by the Electric Engineering
Manager.
b. All voltages referred to in this Rule and appearing in some Rate Schedules are
nominal Service voltages at the Point of Delivery. CPAU’s facilities are designed
and operated to provide sustained Service voltage at the Point of Delivery, but the
voltage at a particular Point of Delivery will vary within satisfactory operating range
limits.
DESCRIPTION OF UTILITY SERVICES
RULE AND REGULATION 3
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 75-13-20132
Sheet No 5
c. In areas where a certain standard Secondary voltage is being delivered to one or
more Customers, CPAU may require an Applicant for new Service in such areas to
receive the same standard voltage supplied to existing Customers.
d. CPAU may change the voltage at which Service is delivered, including converting
existing 4160 volt Primary Service to 12,470 volt Service. If CPAU notifies the
Customer that a Service voltage change is necessary, the Customer will be required
to provide Service equipment capable of accepting the new voltage and meeting
other CPAU requirements. . Costs to provide suitable Customer’s Service entrance
equipment and any other associated equipment to receive Service at the new voltage
shall be borne by the Customer.
6. VOLTAGE AND FREQUENCY CONTROL
a. Under normal Load conditions, CPAU’s distribution circuits will be operated so as to
maintain Service voltage levels to Customers within plus or minus 5 percent of the
nominal Service voltage at the Point of Delivery. Subject to the limitations above,
CPAU will maintain the voltage balance between phases as close as practicable to
2.5% maximum deviation from the average voltage between the three phases.
b. Voltages may be outside the limits specified above when the variations:
1. arise from Service interruptions;
2. arise from temporary separation of parts of the system from the main system;
3. are minor momentary fluctuations and transient voltage excursions of short
duration which may occur in the normal operation of CPAU system;
4. are beyond CPAU’s control.
c. Due to conditions beyond the control of CPAU, the Customer, or both, there will be
infrequent and limited periods when voltages will occur outside of the nominal
Service voltage ranges. Utilization equipment may not operate satisfactorily under
these conditions, and protective devices in the equipment may operate to protect the
equipment.
d. Where the operation of the Customer’s equipment requires stable voltage regulation
DESCRIPTION OF UTILITY SERVICES
RULE AND REGULATION 3
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 75-13-20132
Sheet No 6
or other stringent voltage control beyond that supplied by CPAU in the normal
operation of its system, the Customer, at its own expense, is responsible for
installing, owning, operating, and maintaining any special or auxiliary equipment on
the Load side of the Service delivery point as deemed necessary by the Customer.
e. The Customer shall be responsible for designing and operating its Service facilities
between the Point of Delivery and the utilization equipment to maintain proper
utilization voltage at the line terminals of the utilization equipment.
f. The Customer shall not impose a Load on CPAU’s system that will cause the voltage
limits in this section to be exceeded for an adjacent Service delivery point.
g. When there is reasonable indication of a problem, CPAU shall test for excessive
fluctuations at its own expense. Voltage checks requested by the Customer more
than once in any twelve month period shall be paid by the Customer, unless CPAU
determines that excessive voltage fluctuation exists.
h. CPAU may institute measures to prevent the continuous operation of equipment
detrimental to Service to other Customers or may discontinue Electric Service to the
offending Customer. (See Rule and Regulation 20, Special Electric Utility
Regulations).
i. Customers are responsible for protecting their connected Loads, audio, video, and
electronic equipment, including computers, from sudden voltage or frequency
fluctuations outside nominal Service and frequency ranges. Such protection may
include, but is not limited to, surge protectors.
7. GENERAL LOAD LIMITATIONS
a. SINGLE-PHASE SERVICE
1. Single-phase Service normally will be 3-wire, 120/240 volts (or 3-wire,
120/208 volts at certain locations as now or hereafter established by CPAU)
where the size of any single motor does not exceed 7-1/2 horsepower (10
horsepower at the option of CPAU). For any single-phase Service, the
maximum Service size shall be 400 ampere. If the Load exceeds the
capability of a 400 ampere single phase Service the Service shall be three-
DESCRIPTION OF UTILITY SERVICES
RULE AND REGULATION 3
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 75-13-20132
Sheet No 7
phase.
2. In locations where CPAU maintains a 120/208 volt secondary system, 3-wire
single-phase Service normally shall be limited to that which can be supplied
by a main switch or Service entrance rating of 200 amperes. Single-phase
Loads in these locations in excess of that which can be supplied by a 200
ampere main switch or Service entrance rating normally will be supplied with
a 208Y/120 volt, three-phase, 4-wire Service. b. THREE-PHASE SERVICE (480 VOLTS OR LESS) Minimum Load Maximum Demand Normal Voltage Requirements Load Permitted
240/120 5 hp, 3-phase connected 400 Amperes
240 5 hp, 3-phase connected 400 Amperes
208Y/120 Demand Load 75 kVA 500 kVA 480Y/277 Demand Load 112 kVA 2,500 kVA (See Note 1)
Note 1. Applicants or existing Customers with a planned or existing single or
multiple building development having a maximum Demand in excess of 2500 kVA,
as determined by CPAU, will be required to take delivery at the available primary
voltage and are required to provide their own primary switchgear and transformer(s).
Determination of maximum Demand and Service voltage will be made by CPAU and
the decision of the Electric Engineering Manager will be final.
1. Where three-phase Service is supplied, CPAU reserves the right to use
single-phase transformers, connected open-delta or closed-delta, or three-
phase transformers.
2. Three-phase Service will be supplied on request for installations aggregating
less than the minimum listed above, but not less than 3 horsepower (hp),
three-phase Service, where existing transformer capacity is available. If
three-phase Service is not readily available, or for Service to Loads less than
3 hp, Service shall be provided in accordance with CPAU’s applicable Rule
20 on Special Power Service requirements.
3. Residential customers requesting three-phase service shall be responsible for
all labor and material costs required to provide service, including the cost of
the transformer. These installations are not considered “Special Facilities” as
DESCRIPTION OF UTILITY SERVICES
RULE AND REGULATION 3
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 75-13-20132
Sheet No 8
described in Rule and Regulation 20.
34. An Applicant or existing Customer requiring Service with a maximum
Demand in excess of 1000 kVA, as determined by CPAU, shall be served by
a padmount transformer. No submersible or vault-installed transformers in
excess of 1000 kVA will be installed by CPAU. Where an existing
underground Service must be upgraded beyond 1000 kVA, the Customer
shall be required to provide adequate space for installation of the padmount
transformer. In the event the Customer is unable to provide adequate space
for the padmount transformer, then the Customer shall make arrangements at
his or her expense to receive Service at primary voltage.
c. THREE-PHASE SERVICE (OVER 2,000 VOLTS)
The following three-phase primary voltage may be available as an isolated Service
for a single Applicant; and where that Applicant’s Demand Load justifies such
voltage. The determination will be made by CPAU.
Minimum Demand Maximum Demand
Normal Voltage Bank Installed Load Permitted
4,160 500 kVA 3,600 kVA
12,470 1,000 kVA 11,000 kVA
Note: 4,160 volt Services will not be furnished for new Services.
8. TEMPORARY SERVICE
Temporary Service is Electric Service which, in CPAU’s opinion, is of an indefinite duration
at the same location, or for operations of a speculative character or of questionable
permanency, or any other Service which is estimated to last less than one year. CPAU will
furnish Temporary Service if the furnishing of such Service will not create undue hardship
for CPAU, or its Customers, and the following conditions are met:
a. The Applicant for such Temporary Service shall apply for Service on an Application
form provided by CPAU Engineering and shall pay to CPAU in advance the cost of
installing and removing any facilities necessary in connection with the furnishing of
such Service by CPAU.
b. Each Applicant for Temporary Service shall prepay a Temporary Service Fee in
DESCRIPTION OF UTILITY SERVICES
RULE AND REGULATION 3
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 75-13-20132
Sheet No 9
accordance with Electric Service Connection Fees Rate Schedule E-15.
c. Nothing in this Rule and Regulation shall be construed as limiting or in any way
affecting the right of CPAU to collect from the Customer an additional sum of
money by reason of the Temporary Service furnished or to be furnished or removed
hereunder.
d. If the Temporary Service connection time exceeds one-year, the Applicant shall
apply for an extension of the Temporary Service. The Director of Utilities or his/her
designee will determine if the Service should be reclassified as a permanent Service.
9. SERVICE DOWNSTREAM OF METER
CPAU assumes no duty or liability for inspecting, validating or approving the safe operating
condition of the Customer’s Service, appliances, or equipment downstream of the Utility
Meter.
C. FIBER OPTIC SERVICE
Fiber Optic Service includes the custom construction and licensing of single mode Fiber routes
between points within the City of Palo Alto. It is the Customer’s responsibility to establish all
electronic devices and networks required to pass data over their licensed CPAU Dark Fiber routes.
1. LICENSING SERVICES
All Dark Fiber routes are licensed in accordance with the currently approved Dark Fiber
Rate Schedules, and in compliance with the Utilities Rules and Regulations. See Rule and
Regulation 26, “Special Fiber Optic Utility Regulation,” regarding special Service
requirements. All CPAU fibers terminate within the jurisdictional boundaries of the City of
Palo Alto.
2. OTHER SERVICES
CPAU offers custom Dark Fiber construction and ancillary Services such as Fiber Optic
cable splicing, engineering feasibility studies, and when specifically requested by the
Customer, multimode Fiber cable installations.
DESCRIPTION OF UTILITY SERVICES
RULE AND REGULATION 3
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 75-13-20132
Sheet No 10
3. QUALITY
Dark Fiber routes in the City of Palo Alto comprised of single mode Fiber comply with
generally accepted industrial standards and specifications. All construction is done using
industry accepted techniques and procedures. All constructed routes are Performance
Tested to assure the industry quality standards are met.
D. WATER SERVICE
1. SOURCE OF SUPPLY
CPAU’s primary source of Water is the Hetch Hetchy aqueduct system, managed by the San
Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC). CPAU wells also provide Emergency
supply. See Rule and Regulation 21, “Special Water Utility Regulation” regarding special
Service requirements.
2. QUALITY
Hardness generally varies between 1 and 4 grains per gallon depending on the source. An
analysis of the mineral content of the Water is available upon request from CPAU
Engineering.
3. PRESSURE
Water pressure varies from 30 to 125 pounds per square inch. CPAU maintains an average of
50 pounds per square inch, with the maximum and minimum pressures being experienced at
the lower and higher elevations of the Distribution System. CPAU assumes no responsibility
for loss or damage due to lack of Water pressure but agrees to furnish such pressures as are
available in its general Distribution System. If low Water pressure occurs due to additional
on-site development, it shall be the responsibility of the property owner to replace the
existing Water Service with a new Water Service designed for the current site. All costs of
the required new Service upgrade shall be borne by the property owner.
4. TREATMENT
CPAU currently does not treat Water supplied by the SFPUC. The pH of the Water supplied
is adjusted by the SFPUC to reduce its corrosive action.
DESCRIPTION OF UTILITY SERVICES
RULE AND REGULATION 3
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 75-13-20132
Sheet No 11
5. SERVICE DOWNSTREAM OF METER
CPAU assumes no duty or liability for inspecting, validating or approving the safe operating
condition of the Customer’s Service, appliances, or equipment downstream of the Utility
Meter.
E. GAS
1. TYPES OF SERVICES
CPAU offers two general types of Gas Service: Full Service and Gas Direct Access Service.
Full Service includes Gas supply, transport, and Distribution Services. Gas Direct Access
Service is an unbundled Service where CPAU provides Distribution Services and outside
Gas Service Providers supply Gas-commodity and transport. In order to initiate Gas Direct
Access Service, Customers must complete a Gas Direct Access Service Request form. Gas
Service Providers will be required to execute a Gas Service Provider Agreement (GSPA).
Operational requirements as well as delivery specifications, administrative fees, security
deposits, Metering requirements and other requirements will be addressed in the GSPA.
2. KIND AND HEATING VALUE
CPAU purchases natural Gas from several/various natural Gas suppliers. The heating value
of natural Gas supplied varies depending upon the Gas fields being drawn upon. At times of
insufficient supply, some artificial Gas may be supplied or mixed with the natural Gas. The
average monthly heating value in British Thermal Units (Btu)-dry basis per cubic foot of the
natural Gas served may vary within the limits of 750 to 1150 Btu. This average heating
value is converted to a Therm factor for use as one of the factors used in calculating a
composite multiplier for billing purposes. The Therm factor will be based upon the heat
factor used by CPAU’s supplier of natural Gas for the preceding month.
Gas is supplied by CPAU either at standard “low pressure” or at “medium pressure”. Low
pressure Service is available at all points where Gas is supplied. Where available from
existing high pressure mains, at the option of CPAU, high pressure Service may be supplied.
However, CPAU reserves the right to lower the pressure or to discontinue the delivery of
Gas at high pressure.
The standard pressure for low pressure is seven inches of Water Column (WC), which is
approximately 1/4 pound per square inch (psi) above atmospheric pressure. In limited
DESCRIPTION OF UTILITY SERVICES
RULE AND REGULATION 3
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 75-13-20132
Sheet No 12
circumstances, increased pressure may be provided for domestic use at 14” Water Column.
This increased pressure will only be provided for domestic use if the houseline size required
is greater than 2” diameter, or CPAU determines, based upon satisfactory information from
the manufacturer, provided by the Customer, that an appliance to be located in the residence
requires increased pressure at the inlet that cannot be obtained by resizing or relocating the
houseline. Increased pressure may be provided for commercial uses only if the use of the
houseline size required is greater than 4” diameter, or evidence as described above
establishes that equipment on the site requires increased pressure at the inlet that cannot be
obtained by resizing or relocating the houseline. For commercial uses, the available
pressures are 7” WC, 14” WC (approximately 1/2 psi), 1 psi, 2 psi and 5 psi.
All increased pressure above 7”WC requires review and approval of the Engineering
Manager, a plumbing permit and testing of the existing Gas piping with a building Inspector
present in accordance with the latest adopted version of the California Plumbing Code
See Rule and Regulation 22, “Special Gas Utility Regulations” regarding special Service
requirements.
3. DETERMINATION OF THERMS TO BE BILLED
The unit of measure for billing is the Therm which is defined as the quantity of Gas having a
heating value of 100,000 Btu. Gas Meters measure volume of Gas in ccf at ambient
temperature and pressure conditions. . Therms are derived from the metered data by
subtracting the Meter reading for the previous reading cycle from the current reading. The
difference (uncorrected ccf) is multiplied by the pressure factor required to convert the
measured consumption volume to a standard volume (at standard temperature and pressure
conditions). This standard volume, in pressure-corrected ccf, is then multiplied by the
Therm factor (a variable determined by periodic analysis of CPAU’s Gas supply) to produce
the final number of Therms billed. The composite correction factor (the product of the
Therm factor and the pressure correction factor) is shown on bills under the heading
“multiplier.”
4. SERVICE DOWNSTREAM OF METER
CPAU assumes no duty or liability for inspecting, validating or approving the safe operating
condition of the Customer’s Service, appliances, or equipment downstream of the Utility
Meter.
DESCRIPTION OF UTILITY SERVICES
RULE AND REGULATION 3
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 75-13-20132
Sheet No 13
F. WASTEWATER COLLECTION AND TREATMENT
1. COLLECTION
CPAU operates and maintains a Wastewater Collection System separate from the storm and
surface Water Collection System. A connection to the Wastewater Collection System is
required for all water users where wastewater service is available.
For the disposal of Wastewater from basements and floors below ground level, it will be
necessary for the Customer to provide pumps or ejectors for satisfactory drainage, as
approved by the Water-Gas-Wastewater Engineering Manager. If the elevation of the
basement floor is above the rim elevation of the next upstream manhole, Applicant shall
provide a survey by a licensed Civil Engineer indicating the elevations of the basement floor
and the rim elevation of the next upstream manhole. Submission of this survey and approval
by the Engineering Manager is required for exemption from the pump/ejector requirement.
2. REGULATION
Chapter 16.09 of the Municipal Code regulates the discharge into the Wastewater Collection
System of substances other than domestic Wastewater. See Rule and Regulation 23, “Special
Wastewater Utility Regulations” regarding special Service requirements.
3. TREATMENT
The collection system transports the Wastewater to the Palo Alto Regional Water Quality
Control Plant for treatment. At this tertiary treatment plant, the City of Palo Alto processes
the Wastewater from Mountain View, Los Altos, Los Alto Hills, Stanford University, and
East Palo Alto Sanitary District, as well as its own. The treatment is performed in
accordance with the National Pollution Discharge Elimination Permit issued by the San
Francisco Bay Area Regional Water Quality Control Board before the treated water is
discharged into the San Francisco Bay Estuary.
4. LIMITATION OF SERVICE
CPAU reserves the right to limit the size of connection and the quantity of wastes disposed
and to prohibit the use of the sewer for disposal of toxic or hazardous wastes detrimental to
the Wastewater system or treatment plant.
G. REFUSE AND RECYCLING COLLECTION
DESCRIPTION OF UTILITY SERVICES
RULE AND REGULATION 3
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 75-13-20132
Sheet No 14
1. REGULATION
All solid waste and Recyclable Materials are governed by Chapter 5.20 of the Palo Alto
Municipal Code, regulations promulgated by the City Manager pursuant to Chapter 5.20,
these Rules and Regulations and the contract between the City and the City’s Collector. .
See Rule and Regulation 24, “Special Refuse and Recycling Regulations” regarding special
Service requirements.
2. REFUSE COLLECTION
The City’s Collector provides collection of solid waste, Recyclable Materials, compostables
and Yard Trimmings. A minimum of one collection per week of solid waste is required of all
occupied Premises. An occupied premise is one to which Water, Gas and/or Electric
Service is rendered.
The automatic solid waste Service level is one Standard Container for Residential Customers
and two Standard Containers for Commercial Customers. The minimum Service for
Residential Premises is one twenty gallon can or wheeled cart provided by the City’s
Collector.
The City’s Collector will provide wheeled carts at Customer’s request for curbside solid
waste collection, which are subject to the same rate structure and volume capacity as the
Standard Container. Customers opting for a wheeled cart must use one provided by the
City’s Collector-to ensure compatibility with collection vehicles. Contents of wheeled carts
shall not exceed a weight of 200 pounds.
Each Customer shall receive collection Service on a City specified day of each week.
Solid waste in excess of the Service level subscribed by the Customer will be removed by
the City’s Collector, for an additional Charge, upon Customer request or notification.
Customers exceeding their subscribed Service level repeatedly are required to subscribe to
additional collection Service at the City-established rates.
H. STORM AND SURFACE WATER DRAINAGE
1. RESPONSIBILITY AND PURPOSE
The City of Palo Alto Public Works Department is responsible for all Drainage Facilities in
the street and public right of way that collect storm and surface Water and convey it to the
DESCRIPTION OF UTILITY SERVICES
RULE AND REGULATION 3
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 75-13-20132
Sheet No 15
major channels and creeks within the jurisdictional boundaries of the City of Palo Alto.
Examples include curbs and gutters, catch basins, pipelines, culverts, street, channels and
pumping stations. The purpose of the Storm and Surface Water control facilities is to
improve the quality of control, or protect life or property from any storm, flood or surplus
waters. See Rule and Regulation 25, “Special Storm and Surface Water Drainage
Regulations,” regarding special Service requirements.
2. STORM DRAINAGE FEE
A Storm Drainage fee shall be payable to the City monthly by the owner or occupier of each
and every developed parcel in accordance with Rule and Regulation 25.
(END)
SERVICE CONTRACTS
RULE AND REGULATION 5
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 5-13-20137-1-2012
Sheet No 1
A. TYPES OF SERVICE CONTRACTS
For all Utility Services provided, the City may require a written agreement for new or existing
Customers. Contracts may apply to standard, custom, or special Service offerings or custom or
special Services. The following is an illustrative list of special Services that may be the subject(s) of
a contract. Additional Services may require contracts at the discretion of the Director of Utilities.
1. Line Extensions
2. Temporary Service
3. Special Facilities
4. Utility equipment installed in limited access locations
45. Utility Service to special districts and institutions
56. Work performed for other agencies at their expense
67. Transporting Gas to Customers on behalf of Gas Service Providers (GSP)
87. Transmission service
89. Special Metering and/or Billing Services
910. Special Energy Services
1011. Long-term Service agreements greater than 3 years
1112. Loans and leases to Customers to finance efficiency improvements at a Customer’s site
123. Loans and leases or to improve power quality, power factor or reliability at a
Customers’ site
12134. Standby Service
13145. Reserve Electric Capacity
16. Purchase, lease, installation, connection or maintenance of on-site or distributed generation
17.1415. All Fiber Optic Services
16.Reserve Electric Capacity
B. CONTRACT APPLICATION PROCEDURES
1. Customers shall complete and execute applicable form(s) or letter(s), as necessary.
2. Depending on the type of Service contract and at the request of CPAU, Customers shall
request consideration for a special contractual agreement in writing to the Director of
Utilities and/or the Director of Public Works specifying their objectives, including the
desired terms and conditions of the contract.
3. Customers shall pay all applicable fees and deposits in accordance with the terms of the
contract..
4. Customers shall comply with the City’s insurance requirements.
SERVICE CONTRACTS
RULE AND REGULATION 5
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 5-13-20137-1-2012
Sheet No 2
C. CONTRACT PRICING GUIDELINES
For Electricity and Gas contracts, only the commodity portion of the rate will be established by
contract under custom commodity rates and fixed-term commodity rates. All other Rate Schedule
components and other non-bypassable Charges may be changed by Council action at any time.
(END))
UTILITY SERVICE CONNECTIONS
AND FACILITIES ON CUSTOMERS’ PREMISES
RULE AND REGULATION 18
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 56-13-2013-1-2010
Sheet No. 1
A. GENERAL
Rule and Regulation 18 outlines the general requirements for Utility Service Connections and
Facilities on Customer Premises in the City of Palo Alto. For rules specific to each type of Utility
Service, please refer to the following Special Utility Regulations:
Rule and Regulation 20 – Special Electric Utility Regulations
Rule and Regulation 21 – Special Water Utility Regulations
Rule and Regulation 22 – Special Gas Utility Regulations
Rule and Regulation 23 – Special Wastewater Utility Regulations
Rule and Regulation 24 – Special Refuse and Recycling Utility Regulations
Rule and Regulation 25 – Special Storm and Surface Water Drainage Utility Regulations
Rule and Regulation 26 – Special Fiber Optics Utility Regulations
B. SERVICE CONNECTION REQUIREMENTS
Upon an approved Application for a new Utility Service, CPAU will connect Utility Service Lines of
suitable capacity to the CPAU infrastructure at a Point of Service designated by CPAU, provided
that:
1. The property fronts on a public street, highway, alley, lane, or right-of-way along which
CPAU has or will install the appropriate infrastructure; or the property has a contiguous
easement or right-of-way along which CPAU has or will install Utility infrastructure.
2. CPAU has approved the Customer’s applicable: Utility Load sheetsService Application and
plans, Meter locations, Electric switchboard design and location, and Water backflow
prevention device type and location.
3. The Applicant has complied with CPAU and Building Department requirements for the
project and completed the installation in accordance with CPAU-approved plans submitted
by the Applicant.
4. The Applicant has installed all required Service equipment and facilities (e.g., Electric
Service equipment with Meter socket, main disconnect device, Water control valve,
UTILITY SERVICE CONNECTIONS
AND FACILITIES ON CUSTOMERS’ PREMISES
RULE AND REGULATION 18
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 56-13-2013-1-2010
Sheet No. 2
backflow preventer, Fiber demarcation cabinet, etc.) in accordance with the Special Utility
Regulations listed in section A. above.
5. The Applicant has paid all required connection Charges and fees.
6. The City’s Building Inspector has approved the installation authorizing the Customer to
activate the Service.
C. OWNERSHIP AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR SERVICE LINES
1. General
a. All materials and equipment installed by CPAU on the Customer’s Premises in the
construction or operation of CPAU Services will at all times be and remain the sole
property of CPAU and may be repaired, replaced, or removed by CPAU at any time.
CPAU will attempt to notify and coordinate material and equipment modifications
with Customers when possible and in non-emergency situations.
b. The Customer shall exercise reasonable care to prevent CPAU equipment on the
Customer’s Premises from being damaged or destroyed and shall refrain from
interfering with same. The Customer shall immediately notify CPAU upon the
discovery of any defect in CPAU equipment.
c. No rent or other Charge whatsoever shall be made by the Customer against CPAU for
placing or maintaining any necessary Meters, equipment, substations or other
facilities on the Customer’s Premises.
D. INSTALLATION OF SERVICE CONNECTION:
1. Only duly authorized employees of CPAU shall be allowed to connect the Customer’s
Electric, Gas, or Fiber Optic Service to, or disconnect the Service from, the CPAU
infrastructure.
UTILITY SERVICE CONNECTIONS
AND FACILITIES ON CUSTOMERS’ PREMISES
RULE AND REGULATION 18
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 56-13-2013-1-2010
Sheet No. 3
2. If the City allows the Customer to connect or disconnect the Water or Wastewater Service
from the City distribution/collection system, then the work shall be observed by a WGW
Utilities Inspector.
E. RELOCATION OR MODIFICATION OF SERVICE CONNECTIONS
The Customer is responsible for all costs associated with relocation or modification of Utility
Service.
(END)
SPECIAL ELECTRIC UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 20
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 5-13-20136-1-2010
Sheet No. 1
A. GENERAL
In addition to the general requirements outlined in Rule and Regulation 18 for Utility Service
Connections and Facilities on Customers’ Premises, the following is required:
B. ELECTRIC SERVICE CONNECTION REQUIREMENTS
1. FACILITIES ON CUSTOMER PREMISES
a. The Customer is responsible for installing and maintaining all substructures on the
Customer’s Premises for CPAU to provide Electric Service. This will be at the
Customer’s expense and in accordance with the requirements, standards, and
specifications of CPAU. This substructure shall be owned and maintained by the
Customer for exclusive use by CPAU. The Customer shall be responsible for
repairing or replacing the substructure for any reason, including deterioration to the
extent that the existing conductors/cables cannot be removed.
b. The Customer is required to provide all substructure between the Customer’s Service
entrance equipment and the nearest available Point of Service connection, as
determined by CPAU. This Point of Service is typically a splice box located near
the street and may be in the Public Right-of-Way. In the case of rear easements, this
point is typically at a splice box or at the base of a pole riser.
c. Upon approval by CPAU of the substructure installed on the Customer’s Premises,
CPAU will install Primary Electric Service conductors and a transformer, if needed.
The Applicant/Customer is responsible for the cost of installation in accordance with
the applicable sections of CPAU’s Electric Service Connection Fees (Rate Schedule
E-15). CPAU will determine the type and size of the conductors to be installed by
CPAU.
d. CPAU will assume ownership and responsibility for maintenance of the underground
Electric Service lateral conductors, as defined in the National Electric Code Article
100, installed by the Customer if the Service meets CPAU specifications and it has
been approved and accepted by the Electrical Engineering Manager or his or her
designee. Where bus duct or extra flexible cable is required and used, CPAU’s
maintenance responsibility for conductors ends at the transformer secondary
SPECIAL ELECTRIC UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 20
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 5-13-20136-1-2010
Sheet No. 2
terminals. The bus duct or extra flexible cable is considered to be the Service
entrance conductor for which CPAU assumes no responsibility.
2. MISCELLANEOUS SERVICE EQUIPMENT
a. CUSTOMER’S EQUIPMENT
1. All service switches, fuses, Meter sockets, Meter and instrument transformer
housing and similar devices, irrespective of voltage, required in connection
with service and Meter installation on the Customer’s Premises shall be
furnished, installed, owned and maintained by the Customer in accordance
with CPAU requirements.
2. The “service disconnect” is defined by the National Electric Code.
3. Applicant will provide a suitable means for CPAU to place its seal on covers
of service enclosures / troughs and instrument transformer enclosures which
protect un-metered live circuits installed by the Applicant. Such seals shall
be broken only by authorized CPAU representatives. Detailed information
will be furnished by CPAU on request.
b. CPAU’S EQUIPMENT
1. CPAU will furnish and install the necessary instrument transformers, test
facilities and Meters.
C. SERVICE CONFIGURATIONS
1. OVERHEAD OR UNDERGROUND
a. The standard service to single family Residential homes in existing overhead areas
shall be overhead. The Director of Utilities or his/her designee can require an
underground Service for single family Residential Service in areas where system
design requires underground Service, or would otherwise require the addition of
poles to the system.
b. All new Electric Utility Services to Commercial/ Industrial Customers and new
SPECIAL ELECTRIC UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 20
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 5-13-20136-1-2010
Sheet No. 3
subdivisions shall be provided by underground facilities on the Customer’s Premises.
The on-site underground Electric Utility lines shall be provided by the Customer at
their expense and shall meet CPAU specifications.
2. NUMBER OF SERVICES PER BUILDING
Only one Electric Service line is allowed for a building or other Premises, except for
commercial properties where:
a. Two or more Electric Service Drops or laterals may be extended to a single building
provided they enter the building at least 150 feet apart (measured in a straight line)
and provided all wiring, other than metering conductors, supplied for each Service
has no common raceway, connection, or service area with wiring supplied by any
other such Service.
b. Two or more sets of Electric Service entrance conductors may be extended to a single
switch gear for the purpose of providing additional capacity or for backup protection.
Special Facilities and/or reserve capacity fees may apply.
3. SERVICES FOR TWO OR MORE COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS ON ONE PARCEL
Only one Electric Service line is allowed on a parcel with multiple commercial buildings
except where the Applicant requests CPAU to install multiple Service Lines, and CPAU
agrees to make such an installation. The additional costs, as estimated by CPAU, shall be
borne by the Applicant, including such continuing ownership costs as may be applicable.
See Special Facilities section below.
4. NUMBER OF ELECTRIC SERVICE PERISCOPES PER SERVICE DROP
Not more than two service periscopes may be served from a single overhead Service Drop.
Overhead service connections will not be installed where the Applicants main switchboard is
larger than 400 amp.
D. PROTECTIVE DEVICES
1. The Applicant is responsible for furnishing, installing, inspecting and keeping in good and
SPECIAL ELECTRIC UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 20
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 5-13-20136-1-2010
Sheet No. 4
safe condition at Customer’s own risk and expense, all appropriate protective devices of any
kind or character, which may be required to properly protect the Applicant’s facility. CPAU
shall not be responsible for any loss or damage occasioned or caused by the negligence, or
wrongful act of the Applicant or any of the agents, employees or licensees of the property
owner in omitting, installing, maintaining, using, operating or interfering with any such
protective devices.
2. The Applicant is responsible for installing and maintaining approved protective devices as
may be necessary to coordinate properly with CPAU’s protective devices to avoid exposing
other Customers to unnecessary Service interruptions.
3. Applicants who request Primary voltage Service shall install, at a minimum, circuit breakers
with over-current and ground fault relays. Applicants must submit their planned protection
scheme to the City for approval prior to installing any equipment.
4. The Applicant is responsible for equipping three-phase motor installations with appropriate
protective devices, or using motors with inherent protective features, to completely
disconnect each motor from its power supply. Particular consideration must be given to the
following:
a. Protection in each set of phase conductors to prevent damage due to overheating in
the event of overload.
b. Protection to prevent automatic restarting of motors or motor-driven machinery
which has been subject to a service interruption and, because of the nature of the
machinery itself or the product it handles, cannot safely resume operation
automatically.
c. Open-phase protection to prevent damage in the event of loss of voltage on one
phase.
d. Reverse-phase protection where appropriate to prevent uncontrolled reversal of motor
rotation in the event of accidental phase reversal. Appropriate installations include,
but are not limited to, motors driving elevators, hoists, tramways, cranes, pumps, and
conveyors.
SPECIAL ELECTRIC UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 20
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 5-13-20136-1-2010
Sheet No. 5
5. The Applicant is responsible for installing and maintaining service equipment rated for the
available short-circuit current at the Point-of-Delivery. This value varies from one location to
another, and can change over time. The Customer shall consult CPAU for the short-circuit
current at each Point-of-Delivery.
6. Any non-CPAU-owned Emergency standby generation equipment shall be installed by the
Applicant with suitable protective devices to prevent Parallel Operation with CPAU’s
system. The design must be fail-safe, such as with the use of a double-throw switch to
disconnect all conductors. Any exception must include a written agreement or service
contract with CPAU permitting such parallel operation.
7. Unprotected Service entrance conductors within a building must terminate at a disconnect
switch immediately after entering the building. Installation must comply with the National
Electrical Code section 230-70 concerning the location of the disconnect switch and section
230-6 for the definition of conductors considered outside a building.
E. INTERFERENCE WITH SERVICE
1. GENERAL
CPAU reserves the right to refuse to serve new Loads or refuse to continue to supply existing
Loads of a size or character that may be detrimental to CPAU’s operation or to the Service of
its Customers. Any Customer who operates or plans to operate any equipment such as, but
not limited to pumps, welders, saw mill apparatus, furnaces, compressors or other equipment
where the use of Electricity is intermittent, causes intolerable voltage fluctuations, or may
otherwise cause intolerable Service interference, must reasonably limit such interference or
restrict the use of such equipment upon request by CPAU. The Customer is required to
provide and pay for whatever corrective measures are necessary to limit the interference to a
level established by CPAU as reasonable, or avoid the use of such equipment, whether or not
the equipment has previously caused interference.
2. HARMFUL WAVEFORM
Customers shall not operate equipment that superimposes a current of any frequency or
waveform onto CPAU’s system, or draws current from CPAU’s system of a harmful
waveform, which causes interference with CPAU’s operations, or the service to other
SPECIAL ELECTRIC UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 20
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 5-13-20136-1-2010
Sheet No. 6
Customers, or inductive interference to communication facilities. Examples of harmful
waveform include, but are not limited to:
a. Current drawn with high harmonic currents causing transformer or conductor
overheating, even if root-mean-square (RMS) loading is within normal limits.
b. Current drawn causing voltage distortion adversely affecting CPAU or other CPAU
Customers.
c. Harmonic currents which exceed the harmonic current distortion limits set in the
most recent IEEE Standard 519. In most cases, this equates to a maximum limit of
4% harmonic current on any individual odd harmonic or 5% total harmonic current.
3. CUSTOMER’S RESPONSIBILITY
Any Customer causing service interference to others must take timely corrective action.
Otherwise, CPAU, without liability and after giving five (5) days written notice to Customer,
will take corrective action. Corrective action could include discontinuing Electric Service
until a suitable permanent and operational solution is provided by the Customer, at
Customer’s expense.
4. MOTOR STARTING CURRENT LIMITATIONS
a. The starting of motors shall be controlled by the Customer as necessary to avoid
causing voltage fluctuations that will be detrimental to the operation of CPAU’s
distribution or transmission system, or to the Service of any of CPAU Customers.
b. If motor starting causes or is expected to cause detrimental Service to others, a
suitable means must be employed, at the Customer’s expense, to limit voltage
fluctuations to a tolerable level.
F. PHASE BALANCING
It is the Customer’s responsibility to maintain a balanced Load, as nearly as practical, between
supplied circuit phases. In no case shall the Load on one side of a three-wire single-phase service be
greater than twice that on the other. In no case shall the Load on any one phase of a polyphase
service be greater than twice that of any other.
SPECIAL ELECTRIC UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 20
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 5-13-20136-1-2010
Sheet No. 7
G. POWER FACTOR CORRECTION
The Customer is required to provide, at Customer’s own expense, Power Factor correction
equipment. This equipment must be sized to improve the average Power Factor to at least the level
set forth in the applicable Rate Schedule with respect to avoiding a Power Factor penalty.
H. SERVICE DISCONNECT AND METER TEST DEVICES
1. All service disconnects and similar devices, irrespective of voltage, required by Law in
connection with a Service and Meter installation on Customer’s Premises must be furnished,
installed and maintained by the Customer. A “Service-disconnecting means”, as defined in
the NEC, must be installed adjacent to the meter(s). Metering equipment must be located on
the exterior of the building, unless approved by the Electric Engineering Manager.
2. When instrument transformers are required by CPAU as part of the Meter installation, CPAU
will install a Meter test bypass block on a mounting plate that must be furnished by the
Customer. When instrument transformers are not required by CPAU, the Customer is
responsible for providing the Meter test bypass block. Meter test bypass blocks furnished by
the Customer must be approved by CPAU in conjunction with Applicant’s plan submittal.
I. SPECIAL POWER SERVICE REQUIREMENTS
1. GENERAL
Where a Customer requires voltage control with less variance than what is specified in Rule
and Regulation 3, the Customer must reimburse CPAU for its cost to provide any special or
additional equipment to meet the Customer’s special needs.
2. NONSTANDARD OR EXCESSIVE CUSTOMER REQUIREMENTS
a. In order to prevent damage to CPAU’s equipment and impairment of its service, the
Customer shall give CPAU notice before making any additions to the connected Load
so that CPAU, at its option, may provide such facilities as may be necessary for
SPECIAL ELECTRIC UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 20
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
Issued by the City Council
Effective 5-13-20136-1-2010
Sheet No. 8
furnishing the increased service.
b. If a Customer’s Load is of sufficient magnitude that it exceeds the capacity of
CPAU’s Distribution System, the Customer may be required to shift peak loading to
off-peak periods and/or receive service from CPAU’s 60 kilovolt sub-transmission
system.
J. SPECIAL FACILITIES
1. Special Facilities are facilities requested by an Applicant in addition to or in substitution for
standard facilities which CPAU would normally provide. Standard facilities are for delivery
of Service at one point, through one Meter, at one voltage class under its Rate Schedules.
2. CPAU normally installs only those standard facilities which it deems are necessary to
provide regular service in accordance with the Rate Schedules. Where the Applicant requests
CPAU to install Special Facilities and CPAU agrees to make such an installation, the
additional costs thereof, as estimated by CPAU, shall be borne by the Applicant, including
such continuing ownership costs as may be applicable. These costs will be calculated by
CPAU based on the net present value, and shall be paid by the Applicant in advance of
installation unless alternative payment arrangements are approved by the Director of
Utilities.
3. Unless otherwise provided by CPAU’s Rate Schedules, Special Facilities will be installed,
owned and maintained by CPAU as an accommodation to the Applicant only if acceptable
for operation by CPAU and the reliability of service to CPAU’s other Customers is not
impaired.
4. Installation of Special Facilities will require a contract between the Applicant and the City of
Palo Alto.
(END)