Glossary

  • Approval — Acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction.
  • Assessor’s Parcel Number (APN) — Identifying number assigned by the county assessor’s office to each taxable building lot in the county. Also referred to as the tax ID number.
  • Backfill — Native soil or soil brought in from another area, free from sharp objects, rocks, scrap building material, and corrosive material.
  • Call Before You Dig — Call 811 or (800) 424-5555 for the national one call underground utility locating service.
  • Clearance — A set distance between two objects.
  • Conduit — A listed or approved wireway with a smooth interior surface. Conduit may vary in size or schedule (wall thickness), depending on its usage, in accordance with codes and Lewis County PUD’ specifications.
  • Current transformers (CT) — A device used to measure the current flow of larger services (401 amps or greater) in conjunction with a low voltage meter.
  • Joint use — A group of utilities that share space on a utility pole or trench.
  • Meter jaw — A spring-loaded receptacle installed inside a meter base, interfacing the terminals of the meter to the source and load conductors of the service.
  • Meter post — A freestanding structure that supports the metering equipment owned and maintained by the customer.
  • Meter base — The mounting device consisting of meter jaws, connectors, and enclosure for accommodating socket-type meters.
  • Metering equipment — Any equipment associated with measuring electrical energy.
  • Neutral — The grounded conductor in a single-phase, 3-wire, or 3phase, 4-wire system. The service conductor that is at zero potential to ground.
  • Secondary voltage — The lower voltage, after transformation, used to supply the customer with electrical energy. Normally less than 600 volts.
  • Self-contained — In reference to meter bases: a device designed and rated to continuously carry the entire capacity of the service entrance equipment through the meter.
  • Service entrance equipment — Service conduit, conductors, service mast, meter base, enclosures and service disconnect.
  • Service mast — The conduit attached to the top of the meter base used to intercept and support the overhead service drop.
  • Skamania County PUD representative — The designated representative responsible for design and coordination of new or upgraded services to utility customers.
  • Source — Skamania County PUD’ equipment (transformer, pedestal, pole) that supplies the customer’s electric service.
  • Subdivision/Short Plat — A residential parcel that has been divided 2 or more building lots.
  • Temporary service — An electrical service providing power to a customer on a temporary basis.
  • Transformer — Equipment used to reduce (step down) primary voltage to the secondary voltage required to supply the customer.
  • Underwriters Laboratories (UL) — A nationally recognized test laboratory that lists materials it has tested and accepted.