Can we contact you?:

Please be sure that your contact information with our office is current. If you've updated or added phone numbers, mailing addresses, or email addresses, please contact our office at (800)607-2027/(641)664-2277.

(800) 607-2027 for Reporting Outages After Hours or Payment By Phone

Meter Base Requirements

SIEC-OWNED POLES AND METER EQUIPMENT- Safety and Service Requirements

  • What members, electricians and contractors need to know before attaching equipment, installing wiring or connecting another source of power.

CONTACT SIEC BEFORE BEGINNING ELECTRICAL WORK

  • Do not drill, modify or attach member-owned equipment to an SIEC-owned pole, meter enclosure or other Cooperative facility. Confirm the proposed service configuration and connection point with SIEC before work begins.

 

REQUIREMENTS AT A GLANCE

Not allowed:

  • Member-owned breaker panels, disconnects, receptacles, junction boxes or other equipment on an SIEC-owned pole.

  • Signs, cameras, lights, satellite dishes, birdhouses, deer stands, basketball hoops, fence wire, decorations or other attachments.

  • Splices or member-owned equipment inside an SIEC meter enclosure.

  • Connecting a generator, solar array or other power source without prior SIEC approval and approved transfer equipment.

Allowed:

  •  Member-owned service conductors connected only at Cooperative-furnished secondary termination points.

  • An overhead triplex support connection departing an SIEC meter pole when installed in the configuration approved by SIEC.

  • Member-owned equipment installed on an approved member-owned service pole, pedestal or permanent building structure.

NO UNAUTHORIZED ATTACHMENTS TO SIEC POLES

  • SIEC poles are part of the Cooperative's electric distribution system. Members and their agents may not use an SIEC-owned pole, structure or facility to fasten or support wiring, equipment, signs or other objects unless in the case of service member-owned service wire attached to a non-transformer meter pole..

     

  • This applies to both electrical and non-electrical attachments. Nails, screws, staples, brackets and other fasteners can damage the pole, interfere with climbing equipment and protective clothing, obstruct emergency work and complicate pole inspection or replacement.

     

  • A pole does not become member-owned because it is located on the member's property. SIEC-owned poles and equipment remain Cooperative property and must remain available for inspection, maintenance and emergency restoration.

 

MEMBER-OWNED WIRING AND SERVICE EQUIPMENT

  • Member-owned secondary disconnects, junction boxes, breaker panels, receptacles and other equipment may not be installed on transformer poles or other SIEC-owned poles.

  • Member-owned service conductors may connect only at Cooperative-furnished secondary termination points. The overhead triplex support connection departing an SIEC meter pole is permitted only in the configuration and at the attachment point approved by SIEC.

 

  • Use an approved member-owned mounting location.

  • Where approved by SIEC, downstream wiring and equipment may be installed on a member-owned service pole located outside the Cooperative's right-of-way, an approved member-owned pedestal or a permanent building structure. All work must comply with applicable electrical codes, inspection requirements and SIEC service requirements.

METER ENCLOSURES ARE NOT JUNCTION BOXES

  • An SIEC meter base, meter socket or meter enclosure may be used only for its intended metering function and for connection at the designated secondary termination points. Do not install switches, receptacles, controls, junction boxes, additional wiring or other member-owned equipment in or on an SIEC meter enclosure.

  • Do not make splices inside the enclosure or disturb wiring between the meter and SIEC's service conductors. Only authorized SIEC personnel may alter Cooperative facilities or make connections to Cooperative equipment except at the designated member connection point.

GENERATORS AND OTHER POWER SOURCES REQUIRE APPROVAL

  • Contact SIEC before installing or connecting a standby generator, portable generator, battery system, inverter or other source of electricity that can supply premises wiring. An approved transfer switch, changeover switch or relay of adequate capacity is required to prevent backfeed onto Cooperative lines.

  • Generating equipment may not operate in parallel with the SIEC system without prior written consent and any required interconnection agreement. Improper generator connections can energize lines that crews believe are de-energized and can cause serious injury or death.

KEEP POLES GUY WIRES AND EQUIPMENT ACCESSIBLE

  • Do not attach fencing to poles or guy wires, cut or alter a guy wire, or place structures, rocks or other solid objects where they interfere with access to a pole or anchor. Keep children from climbing or swinging on guy wires.

  • Flowers near the base of a pole are generally acceptable when they do not obstruct access. Rocks, raised beds, retaining materials and other solid landscaping features should be kept away from the pole. Contact SIEC before landscaping if there is any question about the required working area.

EXISTING UNAUTHORIZED ATTACHMENTS

  • Member-owned wiring or equipment found attached to an SIEC-owned pole or meter enclosure may be tagged for correction or removal and may delay service connection or reconnection. Do not attempt to remove electrical equipment or wiring from an energized pole or enclosure. Contact SIEC so the condition can be reviewed and corrected safely.

TALK WITH SIEC BEFORE YOU BUILD

What We Can Do

We can help members, electricians and contractors identify the ownership of a pole or meter enclosure and confirm an acceptable service configuration before materials are purchased or work begins.

Southern Iowa Electric Cooperative, Inc.

P.O. Box 70

22458 Highway 2

Bloomfield, IA 52537

 

Phone: 641-664-2277 or 800-607-2027

Website: https://www.sie.coop/contact-us

Southern Iowa Electric Cooperative, Inc.

P.O. Box 70

22458 Highway 2

Bloomfield, IA 52537

APPLICABLE REQUIREMENTS

Applicable SIEC Electric Service Tariff sections: 8.4, 9.5, 9.5.1, 9.5.2, 9.6.2, 10.1 and 17.3.2.

This page summarizes SIEC requirements for members and contractors. The Electric Service Tariff and any written service specifications or agreements issued by SIEC control if there is a conflict. 

Last reviewed September 2026.