Temporary construction power: how to get it, and the mistakes to avoid

What a temporary service is

A temporary service powers the site, the tools and the trailer until the permanent service is in. According to Hydro-Québec’s Conditions of Service (section 21.1), power is temporary when the installation is expected to run 5 years or less before its activities stop for good. Power for a construction site is always considered temporary, even if it lasts more than 5 years.

The steps

1. Plan early. The CMEQ asks the master electrician to bring in Hydro-Québec at the planning stage, through a service request. Under Hydro-Québec’s E.21-10 standard, the master electrician or the customer contacts a Hydro-Québec representative to agree on the terms before starting the installation (section 4.2 of the 10th edition, according to the CMEQ).
2. The service request. It is made by the owner of the installation or by someone the owner authorizes, with the required information (Conditions of Service, section 8.1.1).
3. The temporary installation. The master electrician prepares it. For an overhead temporary service, the CMEQ sums up the E.21-10 requirements: the installation is no more than 30 m from Hydro-Québec’s line, with some exceptions, the master electrician supplies the conductors to the pole, and Hydro-Québec makes the connection.
4. The connection and the meter. The utility connects the installation and installs the temporary metering.
5. The end of the project. The permanent service gets its own request: a temporary service never becomes permanent, and the meter changes.

What you pay for

Under section 9.7.4 of Hydro-Québec’s Conditions of Service, the work for temporary power is not part of the basic service. You pay for:

The prices in tables O.1 and O.2 include dismantling. The value of the equipment Hydro-Québec expects to recover is deducted from the cost of the work. These amounts are Hydro-Québec’s; our own work is covered by our quote.

In Sherbrooke: Hydro-Sherbrooke

Part of Sherbrooke is served by Hydro-Sherbrooke; see Hydro-Sherbrooke or Hydro-Québec?. Its steps are the same for a temporary service as for a permanent one:

1. You get the exact address of the lot from the municipality and post it clearly, then apply for service at least seven business days before the date you want.
2. The master electrician sends the declaration of work as soon as the installation is compliant and ready to receive power.
3. Hydro-Sherbrooke connects within seven business days, in a normal situation: under 200 A at 120/240 V, a connection within 30 m of the grid, a strong enough grid nearby and a fully cleared 2 m corridor.

Beyond 30 m, or if lines, poles or a transformer are needed, tell the Lines Division as early as possible, at 819 821-5728.

Mistakes to avoid

The CMEQ lists them among the most common forbidden interventions:

• Using the service of the demolished house as temporary power: a new request to the utility is needed.
• Cutting or rolling up the wire on Hydro-Québec’s pole during demolition. If no construction follows, removing the wire and the meter is requested from Hydro-Québec.
• Turning the temporary service into a permanent one, or the reverse.
• Disconnecting the trailer yourself at the connection point: Hydro-Québec must be asked to step in.

With LTE Électrique

• Master electrician, CMEQ member, RBQ licence 5874-5597-01.
• We prepare the temporary service and the request to the utility, then the permanent service, the panel and the house wiring: see New construction and Service entrance and connection.
• We work from your plans and your schedule, with you or with your contractor.
• Price set in advance, fixed or hourly depending on the project; 2-year warranty on labour.
• Free estimate within 24 hours: send us the site plan and the start date of the project.