FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Your facilities must be in safe working condition before restoration can be completed
 

GAHANNA, Ohio - - July 4, 2012 – As AEP Ohio continues to restore electric service to the more than 660,000 customers who were left without electricity by Friday’s windstorm, company officials are reminding customers that some repairs to the customers’ premises cannot be performed by AEP Ohio employees.

In instances where the storm has damaged customer’s wiring or equipment, the customer needs to contact a qualified electrician to ensure that their home can accept AEP Ohio’s service when crews arrive to make repairs.

In an overhead electric system, the connection between AEP Ohio and the customer is made at the weatherhead. The weatherhead is attached atop the metal conduit (pipe) or cable that rises from the meter box and typically continues above the roof’s edge for a couple of feet or so to provide safe clearance. With underground service, the customer’s responsibility starts at the meter box. The weatherhead, riser pipe and meter box, together, comprise the "electric service entrance." The property owner owns the electric service entrance, and the wiring inside it, as well as the breaker or fuse box on the inside.

"AEP Ohio is responsible for the facilities and equipment up to the service entrance," said Pablo Vegas, AEP Ohio’s president and chief operating officer. "We are not authorized to make repairs to the weatherhead or meter base if they are damaged. So we’re urging customers to make arrangements for any necessary repairs to their facilities to avoid any additional delays in getting their service restored." Vegas noted that in all instances, the customer is responsible for the structure’s electrical wiring. The electric meter itself is AEP Ohio’s property.

If the service entrance is damaged or pulled away from the house, customers will need to call an electrician to have repairs made before electric service can be restored by AEP Ohio employees. In an effort to speed restoration efforts, some local municipalities will not require an inspection by local officials prior to service restoration.

For more information regarding customer responsibility for damages to their homes' electric service drop, view the Outages & Problems section of AEPOhio.com or click this link AEPOhio.com/outages/faq/DamageToYourHomeOrBusiness.aspx

AEP Ohio appreciates its customers’ understanding and patience as the repair crews continue their restoration work throughout the State of Ohio.

                                                                                                             # # #