Device and method for providing electric service

Abstract

An exemplary device and method for providing electric service are disclosed. The exemplary method for providing construction power during the construction of a facility and providing permanent power at the facility thereafter includes installing an electric service device at a construction site that, when energized, is operable to provide construction power during construction of the facility and to provide permanent power at the facility thereafter. The method includes obtaining inspection approval of the installation of the device, and switching the device to provide construction power when energized. The method further includes obtaining inspection approval of the facility, and switching the device to provide permanent power. Finally, the method includes obtaining a single electric service delivery point reference number that is used during the provision of both construction power and permanent power.

1 . A method for providing construction power during the construction of a facility and providing permanent power at the facility thereafter, the method comprising: 
 installing a device at a construction site that, when energized, is operable to provide construction power during construction of the facility and to provide permanent power at the facility thereafter;    obtaining inspection approval of the installation of the device;    obtaining an electric service delivery point reference number;    energizing the device to provide construction power at the construction site;    obtaining inspection approval of the facility;    switching the device to provide permanent power at the facility; and    wherein the electric service delivery point reference number is used to identify the construction site during the provision of construction power and to identify the facility during the provision of permanent power.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising selecting a retail electric provider.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein selecting a retail electric provider comprises selecting a first retail electric provider to provide construction power and a second retail electric provider to provide permanent power.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein selecting a retail electric provider comprises selecting a retail electric provider to provide permanent power.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein selecting a retail electric provider comprises selecting a retail electric provider before obtaining inspection approval of the installation of the device.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein obtaining an electric service delivery point reference number comprises requesting an electric service delivery point reference number from the retail electric provider.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising contacting the retail electric provider to transfer electric service into the name of the facility's owner.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein obtaining an electric service delivery point reference number comprises requesting an electric service delivery point reference number from a transmission distribution service provider.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the electric service delivery point reference number is issued by an independent system operator.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 locking the device after energizing the device to provide construction power at the construction site.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 unlocking the device before switching the device to provide permanent power at the facility.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 locking the device after switching the device to provide permanent power at the facility.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein energizing the device to provide construction power at the construction site comprises providing construction power to one or more electrical outlets.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the one or more electrical outlets provide power during both the provision of construction power and the provision of permanent power.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 installing a meter in the device to measure energy consumption during at least one of the provision of construction power and the provision of permanent power.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein switching the device to provide permanent power at the facility is performed remotely from the device.  
   
   
       17 . A device to provide electric service to a construction site, the device comprising: 
 a housing;    a meter receptacle associated with the housing and having a supply side and a load side, the meter receptacle operable to electrically connect between a power source at the supply side and a facility at the load side, the meter receptacle operable to receive an electric load device;    a switch, contained within the housing and electrically connected to the meter receptacle, the switch being operable to position in at least a construction power position and a permanent power position, the switch being operable to disconnect the electrical connection between the facility and the power source while in the construction power position, and the switch being operable to electrically connect the facility and the power source while in the permanent power position;    one or more electrical outlets operable to electrically connect to the power source at least when the switch is in the construction power position; and    a switch position indicator adapted to indicate whether the switch is in the construction power position or the permanent power position.    
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the electric load device comprises one or more of a meter, a prepaid meter and a load limiting device.  
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the switch position indicator comprises a transparent window through the housing, an mechanical indicator, an electromechanical indicator or a light.  
   
   
       20 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein one or more of the meter receptacle, one or more outlets, and switch position indicator is located remotely from the housing.  
   
   
       21 . A device to provide electric service to a construction site, the device comprising: 
 a meter receptacle associated with the housing and having a supply side and a load side, the meter receptacle operable to electrically connect between a power source at the supply side and a facility at the load side, the meter receptacle operable to receive an electric load device;    a switch, contained within the housing and electrically connected to the meter receptacle, the switch being operable to position in at least a construction power position and a permanent power position, the switch being operable to disconnect the electrical connection between the facility and the power source while in the construction power position, and the switch being operable to electrically connect the facility and the power source while in the permanent power position;    one or more auxiliary electrical outlets operable to electrically connect to the power source at least when the switch is in the construction power position;    one or more auxiliary outlet breakers positioned electrically between the power source and the one or more auxiliary electrical outlets;    a housing, the housing comprising separate first and second compartments, the first compartment housing the meter receptacle and the second compartment housing at least one of the switch and the one or more auxiliary outlet breakers;    a first cover adapted to selectively cover the first compartment; and    a second cover adapted to selectively cover the second compartment.    
   
   
       22 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the first cover and the second cover are lockable separate from one another.  
   
   
       23 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the housing further comprises a separate third compartment, and wherein the second compartment houses the switch, and the third compartment houses the one or more auxiliary outlet breakers.  
   
   
       24 . The device of  claim 23 , further comprising a third cover adapted to selectively cover the third compartment.  
   
   
       25 . The device of  claim 24 , wherein the first cover, the second cover and the third cover are lockable separate from one another.