Causes of Service Rejections

If your property does not meet BC Hydro Service Requirements or the Electrical Code standards, the BC Hydro crew may not be able to complete the service connection. This will result in a call-back charge.

All of the requirements can be found in the customer guide attached to the declaration forms:

• For overhead service - Site Requirements and Declaration Form [PDF, 116 Kb]
• For underground service - Site Requirements and Declaration Form [PDF, 93 Kb]

Common reasons for service rejections and suspensions

• Service wire is too low over the roof of a structure such as a house, garage or tool shed
• Service wire is too low over a balcony
• Placement of meter is not within 1m of the corner of the building
• Customer's point of attachment is on the wrong side of the building causing service rejection for reasons such as insufficient clearance or discrepancies with Electrical Code or BC Hydro standards
• If the property has more than one meter base, failure to identify the location each one is servicing (i.e., House & Suite, A & B, etc.)
• Scaffolding or other equipment prevents BC Hydro crew from accessing the meter base
• A ladder cannot be used by BC Hydro crews to reach the service entrance because:
  • The ladder ratio (4 meters high to 1 meter across) is not met when the ladder is against the building
  • Meeting the ladder ratio (4 meters high to 1 meter across) will result in trespass on a neighbour's property
  • Stairs interfere with the use of a ladder
• Roof mast is too far back from the edge of the roof or house to reach from the ladder
• Meter base is too close to the lot line for access by BC Hydro crew
• Service wire will create an aerial trespass over a neighbour's property
• Manhole or service box is not exposed or accessible
• Trees obstruct a clear path for the service wire
• BC Hydro cannot access the site to perform the work