Other Service Reminders

Meters and Meter Bases

Summer often brings home improvement projects and remodeling. Sometimes those projects require moving or upgrading the electrical lines and equipment used to supply electricity to your property. Understanding which equipment belongs to the Cooperative (and is our responsibility to maintain) and which equipment belongs to the property owner (and is your responsibility to maintain) is crucial in ensuring these projects are completed safely and efficiently. It is also imperative that any work on these facilities be completed by those trained to work on energized electrical equipment. 

Your electric service has two parts, the electric meter and the meter base. The meter is round and typically enclosed in clear plastic or glass. Meters are the property of KEC. Removing the meter requires special training, precautions and safety equipment. Doing so improperly can lead to an electrical explosion. The person working with the meter could be injured or killed. Under no circumstances should meters be removed or relocated—temporarily or permanently—by anyone other than an authorized KEC representative. Please contact us if you’re planning on doing this kind of work and we can send a crew to your site. 

The meter base is typically a rectangular metal box mounted near or on the outside of your home or business that the meter plugs into. Each meter base might look a little different. It belongs to the property owner and they are responsible for maintaining it in good serviceable order. If it’s damaged by weather or by any kind of accident, repair is the property owner’s responsibility. If you inspect your meter base and believe it needs repair, we encourage you to contact a licensed electrician. Alternatively, you can take a picture of your meter base and send it to KEC using the form below. Sometimes, KEC staff will be able to confirm those concerns or identify other issues that may need to be corrected by KEC as well. There are also occasions when KEC field employees may notice a meter base in disrepair and in those cases the property owner may be notified of their need to have meter bases repaired. A damaged meter base can be a safety hazard for both members and KEC employees. If you have any questions please call us at 208.765.1200.

Meter Base Inquiry Form

Member vs. KEC Responsibilities 

Knowing the safety precautions and legal responsibilities of your electric service is important for all KEC members. You may not be aware of what equipment is the homeowner’s responsibility and what is KEC’s responsibility. Electric meters are the property of KEC. Removing the meter with current flowing through it can lead to an electrical explosion. The person working with the meter could be injured or killed. If you’re planning on doing electrical work, contact KEC and we will send certified personnel to your site. Under no circumstance should meters be removed or relocated—temporarily or permanently—by anyone other than authorized KEC employees. 

For overhead service, KEC is responsible for the cable that runs from the utility pole to your home. This wire is called a “service line.” The service line connects to your house at the “service mast,” a vertical pipe-like structure attached to the top of the box that houses your electric meter. The service mast and the box that holds the meter are the homeowner’s property and responsibility.

For underground service, KEC is responsible for the transformer, underground wire from the transformer to the meter, and the meter. If you have any questions about your electric service responsibilities, please call KEC at 208.765.1200. 

Member Surge Protection Responsibilities

A power surge is an unexpected increase in voltage, and it can occur from a variety of sources. Regardless of the cause, power surges can majorly damage electronic devices and equipment in your home. 

Let’s take a look at common causes of power surges and how you can protect your sensitive electronics.
One of the most common causes of a power surge is lightning. Most of us have experienced this during a severe thunderstorm. When lightning strikes an electrical system, the excess current must be 
channeled somewhere—unfortunately in many 
cases, it’s sent through a home. 

Another common cause of power surges is electrical overload. This happens when devices or appliances are plugged into an outlet that can’t handle the required amount of voltage, or if multiple devices are plugged into one outlet through an extension cord. If you’re experiencing power surges due to electrical overload, it’s time to call a qualified electrician to evaluate your home’s circuits and electrical needs. 

Faulty wiring in a home can also cause power surges. Damaged or exposed wires can cause spikes in voltage, creating a potentially dangerous situation. If you notice signs of faulty wiring, like visible burns on outlets, buzzing sounds from outlets or frequently tripped circuit breakers, your home may be due for electrical wiring repairs and updates. 

Surges can also occur after a power outage. Sometimes, when electricity is being restored and reconnected, it’s common to experience a quick change in voltage and current due to multiple devices within the home or at the service location being powered up at the same time. There are two ways you can take additional precautions to protect electronics and other devices in your home, or on the member’s side of the electric meter. 

Point-of-use surge protection devices, like power strips, can protect electronics during most surges. But remember, not all power strips include surge protection, so read the packaging label carefully before you buy, and don’t overload the power strip with too many devices. You can also install specialized electrical outlets that offer additional surge protection. Talk to a trusted electrician to learn more. 

Another option is a whole-home surge protector, which can help protect your home from larger, more powerful surges. In most cases, whole-home suppressors are connected to your home’s service panel and include features like thermal fuses and notification capabilities that indicate when a device has been impacted by a surge. Whole-home surge protection prices vary based on the size of the home and suppressor. Whole-home suppressors should always be connected by a licensed electrician, so consider the cost of installation as well.

KEC’s Electric Service Handbook provides members and contractors requirements for residential and commercial electric service installations. The handbook outlines member responsibility to provide protective equipment as required by the National Electric Code or other applicable code(s). Additionally, for three-phase motor installations, the member is responsible for installing protection equipment against loss of phase conditions.