Frequently Asked Questions

General Information

Q.  What number should I call to place a business order or check my order status?

A.  You can reach a customer service representative by calling 615-747-3443.

Q.  What do I need to include with my site plans?
A.  The following information is needed before NES can engineer the electrical layout.

• A hard copy and an AutoCAD drawing of the site plans in State Plane coordinates

• Street names

• Building envelopes shown on drawings

• Easements on Final Plat (20 feet adjacent to roads)

• Proposed grading start date

• Permanent energize service date

• Grading plans

• Proposed location and dimensions for sidewalk/grass strips

• Decision whether primary and service will be overhead or underground

• Water and sanitary sewer plans

• Storm water plans

• Fire hydrant locations

• Street lighting plans

• Stream crossings and bridge requirements

• Any three-phase power requirements

• Plans for any secondary terminations enclosures (troughs not allowed)

• Location of any electric or dry-type vault rooms

Q.  How long will my job take?
A.  NES needs approximately four weeks to engineer a single pole-to-pad-mounted transformer job and approximately eight weeks to engineer the layout for a subdivision.  The amount of time needed for crews to complete construction depends on weather, equipment availability, number of new business jobs, etc.

The most common reason for a delay is because of incomplete or incorrect information.  It's important to place your order early with NES, make sure the same address is used on the codes release as was used to place the order, alert your account representative immediately if there are changes, and make any required payments or deposits promptly.

Q.  What do I need to do before NES can start construction?

A.  Complete the following:

1. Enter into a formal agreement (Contract for Electrical Service) with NES.

2. Furnish NES Energy Services Engineering job owner with complete site plans approved and recorded as required by the applicable County Planning Commission.

3. Pin and stake lot lines.

4. Provide graded, usable all-weather roads where electric lines will go.  Before poles or anchors can be set, site needs to be at or near finished grade.

5. Record easements or sign an agreement to furnish and record easements.

6. Pour foundation or provide other evidence of new home construction.

7. Pay any required Contribution in Aid to Construction (CIAC).

8. Complete any required vegetation removal.

9. Follow up with Codes to ensure NES has received an electrical release.

Q.  What if the panel size needs to be changed after the order is placed?

A.  Notify your NES engineering contact immediately.  If crews arrives to energize the service and the panel size is different than what's indicated on the job drawing or what Codes inspected, it will result in a delay.  The difference could cause voltage problems or outages.

Q.  Why is the street address so important?  Where do I get it?
A.  The street address is used to match the NES order to the Codes release.  Contact Bonnie Crumby at Metro Public Works to obtain an official street address.

Q.  When do I need an electric release?
A.  An electrical release is required if you are:

• Replacing a conductor with new conductor (this includes underground conductors)    

• Adding additional load

• Relocating service or building a new service

• Service has been de-energized for over a year

Q.  What situations do not require a release?

A.  An Electrical Release is not required if you are:

• Replacing meter blocks

• Replacing a meter base with the same amperage base (no wire replaced)

• Replacing or reattaching conduit, or changing out weather-head

• Changing out hub

• Reattaching point of attachment

• Replacing breakers

Q.  When is an emergency release required?
A.  An emergency release is required in order to replace conductors from the meter base to the weatherhead or from the meter base to the inside of the structure.

Q.  Do I need to request a temporary service while remodeling?
A.  Vacant and occupied homes can be remodeled using existing service if windows and doors are lockable to insure safety.  Otherwise, a temporary service is required.

Q.  How do I schedule a planned outage?
A.  Notify NES Customer Service at 615-747-3443 as well as the appropriate Codes inspector prior to work being done.  Planned outages are scheduled Monday-Friday during normal business hours.

Q.  What is the process for changing my existing overhead service to underground?
A.  The costs associated with changing from overhead to underground (removing poles & equipment, installing underground conductors & equipment) are your responsibility.  Additionally, you must provide the trenching and conduit for the underground service.  For a subdivision, participants must agree on a method for cost-sharing.  All customers being served from poles that are being replaced with underground facilities must be willing to change to underground service, even if they are not participating in the cost-sharing.  These costs must be paid before construction begins.

Q.  If NES moves a pole, who pays for it?
A.  If you request a pole to be moved, you will be charged for actual construction costs.  Also, suitable easements or property rights must be provided with no cost to NES.