Benton PUD defines a temporary service as a means of supplying electricity to your site for a period of time, less than one year.

Typically, a temporary service is installed to provide power for the construction phase of your project while provisions are being made for your permanent power system.

The above items must be done to obtain a temporary electrical service. For more information on temporary services, to request a copy of the Residential Customer Service Packet or if you have any questions, please call our Engineering Department at (509) 582-1230.

Unmetered temporary services are intended for incidental power requirements related to construction (interior lighting, saws, compressors, painting equipment, etc.). If you intend to power heating systems, area lighting, construction shacks or recreational vehicles from your temporary service, install a METERED temporary.

If you wish to obtain temporary service from an existing 120/208V, three-phase transformer, please contact our Engineering Department and discuss your installation with a Field Engineer. In some instances, you may need temporary service prior to the installation of equipment that will provide the permanent service.

The cost of installing transformers and/or primary wire for the sole purpose of providing temporary service is to be paid by the customer. While this situation is more common with commercial installations due to site work, timing, or voltage requirements, it may occur at residential construction sites.

If you need installation information for permanent, single-family residential services, there is a Benton PUD Residential Customer Service Packet. For information on commercial, nonresidential, or multi-family structures, contact our Engineering Department.

Overhead or Underground Service
Figure 1	Figure 2	Figure 3

There are two types of temporary services: overhead and underground. Both are available as either 120-day or metered temporary services. If the power system in your area is a series of poles, as shown in Figure 1, you are in an area served by overhead, and you should request a temporary overhead service. If your area is served underground, items like those shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3 should be visible. In this case, you should request a temporary underground service.

For more information on temporary services, request a copy of the Residential Customer Service Packet. You can request this by calling (509) 582-1230 during regular business hours. If nothing like Figures 1, 2 or 3 exist in your area, if you wish to have a service other than 120/240 volts, 0-200 amps, single-phase, or if you just have questions, call our Engineering Department and a Field Engineer will be glad to assist you.  * Please note: All temporary services for commercial buildings will be metered.

Requesting Temporary Services: Before any work can be done on your temporary service a request must be made and fees paid at Benton PUD's business office in Kennewick, or in Prosser. The fee for unmetered temporary service is $200.00, which includes energy, payable in advance for 120 days. At the end of 120 days, the temporary service will be automatically disconnected unless a request has been made for an additional 120 days. Each 120 days thereafter requires another request and a $125.00 renewal fee paid in advance. The fee for a metered temporary service is $125.00 plus monthly account and energy charges, and requires an account to be set up. An application for service must be completed and fees must be paid before any work can be done on the temporary service.