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 3-phase, 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.