Faulted Services 

What is a faulted service?

The term 'faulted service' refers to a failure (or fault) in the cable that supplies electrical service to your home.  A number of things could cause such a failure in the cable, from fence posts or pilings construction to naturally occurring deterioration due to age.
 

Why is this my concern, EPCOR owns the cable, don’t they?

If the electrical service cable is on your property, it is indeed yours.  As a property owner that means the maintenance and safekeeping has been your responsibility from the moment you acquired the property. Most of the time the electrical service cable to your home operates for many years without a problem. When something does go wrong with your service cable, EPCOR works with property owners to ensure any necessary repairs are done safely and with minimal service disruption.
 

Will I be without power until work is completed?

A temporary electrical service connection has been installed, supplying you with power from a neighbouring property. This kind of connection does not affect metering in any way. Although it is a safe and reliable connection, do not drive a vehicle over the temporary cable and keep lawnmowers, snow blowers and similar devices clear of it. Do not allow children to handle the cable. 
 

What are my responsibilities now that the electric service cable has faulted?

For single-family homeowners
EPCOR’s crews will determine the location of the electrical service cable failure and provide that information to you.  Where a temporary electrical service connection has been provided, repairs must be completed within 30 days after the fault has been located.

If the fault is found to be on public (city) property, no further action is required by you, EPCOR crews will make repairs at no cost to the homeowner.  If it’s found to be on your property, all site work including excavating, landscaping, deck removal, concrete work and all restoration is your responsibility; if you so choose, you can hire a contractor to assist you with this work.   Please note that excavations deeper than 1.5 metres must be properly shored, as per Alberta’s Occupational Health and Safety requirements.  These requirements can be given to you by calling the EPCOR contact.

Please note that you must ensure that individuals and companies undertaking such work meet the requirements of the Canadian Electrical Code as well as Alberta’s Occupational Health and Safety Regulation and Code.

Once the faulted service cable has been excavated by you, EPCOR will complete all electrical connections and cable repairs at no cost to you, provided the original installation meets EPCOR standards.

For owners of multi-family buildings and condominiums
In these cases, the property owner must hire a locator at his or her own cost. (If requested, EPCOR will fault locate for a fixed cost)  Where a temporary service connection has been provided, repairs must be completed within 30 days after the fault has been located.

All site work including excavating, landscaping, deck removal, concrete work and all restoration is your responsibility; if you so choose, you can hire a contractor to assist you with this work. 

Once the faulted service cable has been excavated by the customer, EPCOR will complete all electrical connections and cable repairs at no cost to the property owner, provided the original installation meets EPCOR standards.

If it turns out the service disruption was caused by recent third-party damage, such installation of fence-posts, pilings or trenching, all costs to repair the service cable will be the full responsibility of the property owner.
 

What does the cable look like?

Please note that there could be other utilities (Shaw Cable or Telus) buried in the same location; these cables could be easily cut or damaged.
 

How big of a hole will it take to perform the repair work?

Before any work takes place, ensure you or your contractor calls Alberta 1 Call at 1-800-242-3447.  You or your contractor must dig a hole at least 4’wide by 6’ long (both at the top and at the bottom of the pit). The hole’s depth is determined by cable location. Once the cable has been found, the property owner must expose at least 3 feet on either side of the damaged cable to enable proper repair). Of course the hole needs to be clear of any debris or water. 
 

How do I get help?

EPCOR staff is available to provide information and assistance in developing an action plan or answer any questions you may have in this process.