Detailed Summary

The Electric Utilities Department is committed to maintaining safe and efficient electric service in neighborhoods through routine inspections and maintenance of key infrastructure, including light poles, electric pedestals, and transformers. These efforts ensure that equipment functions properly and remains accessible for utility crews. Residents are encouraged to keep their contact information updated to receive notifications about scheduled maintenance via automated calls, emails, or text messages. Proper vegetation management around transformers is crucial for preventing overheating and ensuring safe access for maintenance crews. Residents are advised to maintain specific clearances: a three-foot boundary on the sides and back and a ten-foot boundary in front of each transformer. This space allows for adequate airflow and safe working conditions. Additionally, guidelines for planting near transformers emphasize the importance of selecting appropriate tree species and maintaining distances to prevent interference with underground utilities. To further enhance community safety, residents should contact NC811 before any digging activities to identify underground utility locations. By following these guidelines, residents can contribute to the reliability of electric service while enjoying the benefits of landscaping that complements utility infrastructure.

Neighborhood Maintenance

The Electric Utilities Department conducts routine maintenance throughout town
to ensure that crews have safe access to equipment and that equipment is
working properly. Crews visit neighborhoods to inspect and maintain:

Light Poles - Discolored, Leaning, Vegetation Trimming / Removal
Pedestals (Electric) - Vegetation Trimming / Removal, Rust, and Internal Parts
Transformers - Vegetation Trimming / Removal, Rust, and Internal Parts

Residents can stay informed ahead of the routine maintenance in their
neighborhoods by receiving an automated phone call, email, or text message.
Want to stay in the know? Contact information listed on your existing utility
account will be used to send notifications. View your information to confirm
it is current and can receive text messages and correct any outdated info
here.

Residents with updated contact information will receive a text message
notifying them of the routine maintenance from (919) 372-7475.

Electric staff WILL NOT inspect or maintain other utility boxes owned by
others agencies like fiber or internet.

A brief power outage may need to be scheduled for a later date if issues are
found during these inspections. If so, affected residents will be notified via
automated phone call, email, or text message. If the issue needs immediate
repair, an emergency outage will be activated.

Learn more about the routine maintenance and why it's important to keep
transformers clear of vegetation and landscaping by viewing the video below!

What we want to see:

Clear Accessible
Transformer

This transformer is the perfect example of what our Electric crews like to
see:

Three feet of space around the sides and back and 10 feet of space along the front of the transformer.
Clear of landscaping and vegetation
Air flow is accessible all around it for cooling and avoiding overheating
No rust or cuts on the green outer area
Clearly can see the blue sticker (fault indicator light) and the location tag on the top right
Open to the environment meaning it isn't a place for critters and crawlers to hide

What creates problems:

Problematic
Transformer

This transformer is an example of what our Electric crews do not want to see:

Landscaping and vegetation is covering transformer and blocks crews driving by from seeing it
Landscaping acts as insulation and can cause transformer to overheat and lose power
Fault indicator light and location tag are covered making it difficult for crews to track down the cause of an outage during poor visibility or a storm
Vegetation causes scratches, leading to rusted out equipment
Landscaping acts as a conductor and can harm crews working to access transformer
Planting Near Transformers
Right Tree, Right Place
Planting Near Transformers

Many neighborhoods in Apex have underground electric systems, which include
pad mounted transformers and underground lines. Transformers are placed in
easements in yards and provide electric service to several homes meaning that
one transformer can have many electric lines that span out in various
directions.

Guidelines to remember when planting near transformers:

Maintain a 3-foot boundary along the sides and back of the transformer. Equipment inside the transformer box generates heat and needs air circulation to keep cool and run efficiently. Overheating could cause an outage.
Maintain a 10-foot boundary in front of the transformer. Equipment inside is energized (electricity is running) at high voltage. Line crews use long fiberglass sticks to work on energized transformers to avoid interrupting electric service to neighborhoods and need the exrtra space to work safely.
Use gravel, wood chips, grass or low ground cover around the transformer. Flowers are okay but may get trampled if we have to work on it.
Call NC811 at 811 before you dig anywhere in your yard. They locate and mark underground utility services.
Right Tree, Right Place

To avoid future electrical hazards, safe planting tips include:

Consider mature height of trees. Never plant a tree that could grow to 25 feet or more near a power line. Tall growing trees should be planted at least 20 feet away from power lines and 50 feet away to avoid future pruning. A mature height of less than 15 feet is recommended for trees planted near power lines.
Do not plant near underground utility services. Tree roots can grow to interfere with underground pipes, cables, and wires. Future repairs to these facilities also could damage the health and beauty of nearby plants and trees.
Keep areas around electric meters, transformers, or other electrical equipment free of any vegetation that could limit utility service access.
Before digging, call the local underground utility locator service to mark location of underground utilities, so accidental contact, damage, and injuries can be avoided.

There are many beautiful varieties of trees, low-growing trees and shrubs that
provide color, screening and shade, and enhance the quality of life in our
communities and environment. Consider the types of trees that co-exist well
with power lines and the environment to avoid the need for trimming for line
clearance.

Note: Applicable to distribution only – not transmission.

Right Tree Right
Place