Temp Power For Construction-Temporary electrical services (aka “temp services”) are often required when power needs to be restored to a property during construction or after damage. In this case, we’re on an insurance job where a house fire destroyed the existing electrical service. We’ll walk you through how to build a temp service, including constructing the tripod stand, in accordance with the Canadian Electrical Code.
Note: If you’re outside of Canada, always check with your local inspector and building codes, as requirements may vary. Also, always hire a licensed electrician for electrical work. However, building a tripod is largely carpentry-based—and if you want to save some money by building one for your electrician, this guide may help.
Step 1: Preparing the Materials
We started with three 2×6 boards, each 16 feet long. These are laminated together using galvanized nails and reinforced with a ¾” x 8″ center bolt. This becomes the backbone of the temp service, where the meter base and mast will be mounted.
To support the structure, we cut four 32-inch stakes to anchor the tripod. These provide stability when the utility company connects their wires to the temporary service.
Step 2: Assembling the Tripod
At the top of the laminated structure, we drilled through to install a porcelain rack. This is where the utility company attaches their triplex wire from the pole. We bolted it again in the middle for added stability.
Next, we mounted a Micro Electric meter base onto a 1-inch thick board (created by laminating two ½” boards). It’s important that the meter’s top lugs are installed between 4 and 6 feet high, with 6 feet being the upper limit according to code.
Step 3: Installing the Service Mast and Meter Base
We used 1¼” PVC conduit for the service mast, topped with a weather-rated FE (Fitting Entrance). The wires running through the mast are:
- Two Hot Wires: #1 AWG aluminum, XLPE-rated for outdoor use
- One Neutral Wire
These wires are terminated inside the meter base, and since we’re using aluminum, antioxidant compound (antiox) is applied under the lugs before tightening with Allen keys.
The point of attachment rack is installed exactly 6 inches below the top of the mast fitting, in compliance with Canadian code.
Step 4: Wiring the Temporary Receptacles
We installed two weather-resistant 20-amp T-slot GFCI receptacles using:
- ¾” PVC conduit
- 12-gauge wire
- Weatherproof FS boxes with in-use covers (required by Canadian code)
Each GFCI is protected with a double-pole 30-amp breaker, as required for service-rated entrances in temporary setups.
Why a 30-Amp Breaker?
Although we’re only using 20-amp GFCIs, the breaker must be double-pole and service-rated. This is specific to temp service requirements and ensures compliance with electrical codes.
Step 5: Grounding the Temp Service
To ground the system:
- We used #6 AWG copper wire
- Connected to a 6-foot ground rod (required in Canada for temp services)
- Ground rod is clamped and driven fully into the earth
Step 6: Final Assembly and Raising the Tripod
Once the wiring and mounting were complete, we assembled the full structure:
- Erected two 2x6x16s on the sides
- Added a front-facing support board
- Secured it with 2x4x10 cross braces at the center
- Used four 2×4 stakes for anchoring
Since sandbags weren’t available due to recent storms, we used 120 lbs of wood pellets for counterweight support.
Final Touches
We added the following components to complete the setup:
- Weather covers for the meter base
- Protective plate over the top of the meter
- Final trim pieces and lock nuts
- Verified all wiring connections and torqued lugs to spec
What’s This Temp Service Rated For?
- Service height: 16 feet from the ground to the top
- Main conductor rating: #1 aluminum = 100 amps
- Breaker rating: 30 amps
- Receptacles: 2 x 20-amp GFCI (T-slot)
This is a 30-amp temporary service for construction use only—used by trades to restore the interior during the insurance rebuild.
In Summary
We built and installed a temp service to Canadian Electrical Code standards. This included:
- A custom-built 16-ft tripod
- A combination meter base and mast
- Dual weather-resistant GFCI receptacles
- Secure grounding and stable anchoring
This temporary service will provide the necessary power for trades to begin restoration inside the fire-damaged home.
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