Call Before you Dig

It is important to remember that a phone call to Missouri One-Call (dial 811) will locate CMEC's lines to the meter.  If you are digging between the meter and your home, barn, well, etc. and the lines are buried, please contact CMEC directly.  The lines on the member's side of the meter are member owned and can be located by CMEC for a service fee.

You may contact our operations department for assistance. operations@cmecinc.com

Indoor Electrical Safety

·Wiring should be installed and checked by a qualified electrician.  Every home should have at least a 100 amp service, or 200 amp service for heavy electrical loads.

·All appliances and electrical cords should carry approval of the Underwriter's Laboratory.

·Every major electrical appliance should have its own circuit.

·Do not handle or use appliances if you are wet or standing on a wet surface.

·Extension cords are for short-term use and should not be overloaded.

·Check cords for wear, especially at plugs and connections.  Keep cords away from heat and water.  Do not wrap cords around any metal device or pipe.

·Electrical appliance cords should be grounded and have three‑prong plugs.  Never disconnect an appliance by pulling the cord; always pull the plug.

·When a fuse "blows", it should be replaced by one of the proper size.  Never put a coin or anything else behind a fuse.

·All convenience outlets should be grounded.

·Be sure outlets near water sources have GFCIs.

·Power tools should have heavy‑duty, grounded cords.

·Each household member should be aware of the location and operation of the main fuse or circuit breaker.

·Check outlets for loose-fitting plugs, which can be a fire hazard.

·Make sure there are safety covers on all unused outlets that are within a child’s reach.

·Never throw water on an electrical fire.

·Never touch a person who is being shocked.

 

Outdoor Electrical Safety

·Outdoor electrical outlets should be weatherproof, and have ground‑fault current interruption protection.

·Outdoors appliance cords should be moisture resistant.

·Do not fly kites or climb trees near power lines.

·Never climb a utility pole or nearby tree.

·Never trim trees near power lines.

·Never go inside the fence at a power substation.

·Never try to move electric lines or components that have been damaged by storms, wrecks, or other causes.

·Be careful when moving large equipment or high‑stacked loads near power lines.  Never try to raise such lines so they will clear your work.

·Use caution when installing or replacing an antenna.  Antennas are dangerous to move near an electric line.

·Consider all overhead lines dangerous.  They are not insulated and carry many more times the voltage than the insulated wires in homes.  Keep all objects at least ten feet away from them, and do not attempt to raise or move an electric line.

·Before building under or near any power line please contact CMEC.

·If there is ever any question regarding the safety of any of CMEC’s lines or equipment, call the office immediately.

 

Stray Voltage

Neutral-to-earth voltage (N-E), sometimes called “stray voltage,” is a condition that results when an electrical current flows through a neutral conductor.

N-E voltage can be caused by a number of factors, both in and around the farm.  The amounts of minerals and moisture in the soil, subsoil and rock strata, and the varying water table level can affect any grounding system and change N-E voltages.  Sudden problems are usually due to electrical loads, conductors and connections.

Stray voltage occurs when electricity “leaks” from the hot wire directly to the neutral or ground wires before passing through the device to be powered.  These leaks produce only small amounts of electricity.  Direct contact between the neutral and hot wires would “short” the system and blow a fuse or circuit breaker.

Stray voltage can result from arcing at equipment connections, frayed insulation and other mechanical problems.  In addition, multiple grounds that are not interconnected can create ground currents capable of shocking livestock.  Leaks and non-connected ground systems create electric charges in the earth that aren’t normal when an electric system is operating properly.

When these ground-based currents are present, animals or persons that contact well grounded equipment, such as metal stanchions or metal fence posts, will receive a shock as the electricity passes through their bodies.  These N-E voltages, though rare, exist on all devices and are most common on farm feeding and milking equipment.

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