The term underground service is used when the electrical power cable coming from our power source to your home is buried underground. Underground service is ideal for customers who want overhead clearance for a pool, deck or patio. The following information will provide you with the basic steps involved with the process of installing a new underground service.

Because the availability of the electric power source varies from customer to customer, please contact us early in your planning stage so we can assess your needs and determine costs. We may need to extend our higher-voltage power lines to provide service to your property. This requires additional time and possibly additional charges.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Installing Underground Electric Service

1. Your Request
2. Our Consultation
3. Your Service Options
4. Your Electrician's Role
5. Installing a Trench (Optional)
6. Your Municipal Inspection
7. Our Inspection
8. Installing Your Underground Service
9. Receiving Your First Electric Service Bill

1. Your Request
   Call us at 800.338.0178 to request an underground service. Please have the following information available:
   
   
   • Your full name
   • Telephone number (daytime)
   • Address of new service/major cross streets
   • City/Township
   • Lot number (if applicable)
   • Subdivision name (if applicable)
   • In-care-of mailing address for billing purposes (usually your current address)
   • Social Security Number or other identification
   • Account Number found on your DTE Energy bill, if you're a current customer
   
   
   
2. Our Consultation
   Upon receipt of the information in Step 1, one of our representatives will contact you within five working days for the following information:
   
   
   • Site plan (if applicable)
   • Electric load information (your electrician may assist you)
   • Proof of ownership (if applicable)

   Once we have this information, your site will be inspected to determine the nearest power source and meter location options and related costs for the installation of your new underground service. Ask our representative how you can reduce costs by installing your own trench.

   PLEASE NOTE: If you are considering future exterior modifications that could affect your service, such as a swimming pool, landscaping, deck or patio, please mention these plans to our representative. Considering your future plans now may save you money later.

   
   
   

3. Your Service Options 
   
   1. A meter box is usually installed after the house has been framed, wired and the main disconnect box has been installed.
      
      
   2. Temporary electric service installations provide electrical service during the construction phase of your home. This service may be provided in areas where facilities are available. Our representative will advise you of availability as well as charges and/or other possible alternatives such as the pre-construction meter mount.
      
      
   3. The Pre-Construction Meter Mount (PCM) provides underground service during the pre-construction phase of home-building. The PCM is installed after the building foundation is completed and back-filled. The PCM eliminates the need for a temporary service installation because it ultimately becomes the permanent service installation. Our representative has information about the additional fees associated with this installation.
   
   
   
4. Your Electrician's Role 
   Your licensed electrician or electrical contractor installs the meter box and service entrance cable. Our representative will explain the required specifications about your installation.
   
   PLEASE NOTE:
   
   
   • You are responsible for providing a Detroit Edison-approved meter box. Detroit Edison installs, owns and maintains the electric meter.
   • These installations may require an electrical permit before work can begin. Contact your local municipality about the necessary permits and inspections.
   
   
   

5. Customer-Installed Trench Can Save You Money (Optional)
   During the consultation process, our representative will discuss how you can reduce costs by digging your own trench.
   
   

   If you decide to dig your own trench, your Detroit Edison installation costs will be reduced but you will add more steps to the overall installation process. Our representative will provide guidelines for digging your trench and help you determine the appropriate route.

   Before you dig, call “Miss Dig”
   Before you begin digging, you will need the location of existing underground utilities identified. The specialized central clearinghouse for this is referred to as “Miss Dig.”

   Miss Dig processes requests to locate and stake most underground public utilities. When you call Miss Dig at 800.482.7171, have the following information available:

   • Address of your installation
   • Major cross streets
   • What part of the site needs to be checked (front, rear, sides, all)

   Miss Dig will send out a request to participating utilities (gas, electric, and telephone, etc.) to stake their underground equipment buried on your property (see note). Michigan law allows three business days for the utilities working with Miss Dig to determine if their utilities are on your site. After the utility representative stakes the underground utilities or determines that the site is clear, the trench can be dug along the route determined by you and our representative.

   PLEASE NOTE: The Miss Dig program does not stake customer-owned underground facilities, such as wells, septic tanks, sump pump leads, sprinklers, private electric or telephone wires, and underground tanks. You or your contractor will need to locate, stake and/or uncover these facilities before you or Detroit Edison start digging.

   
   
   

6. Your Municipal Inspection
   Most municipalities require inspections of electrical installations. Check with your municipality for guidelines. If an inspection is required, you, your contractor or your electrician should make those arrangements with the municipal inspector. The inspector will verify that the installation meets the National Electrical Code (NEC) and the municipality's local ordinance standards.
   
   
7. Our Inspection
   When your municipality has approved your meter box installation, we will inspect the installation to make sure Detroit Edison standards are met for your service and safety.
   
   

8. Installing Your Underground Service
   After your installation passes the required inspections and payment has been received, we will proceed with installing your underground service within 15 working days, unless delayed by poor weather conditions, storms or power outages. When installations are delayed we make every attempt to resume our installation schedule within two weeks after power restoration work has been completed.
   
   

   An underground installation crew will:

   • dig a trench using approved construction equipment, (optional, see Step 5)
   • install the underground electric cable in the trench, make the connections in your meter and at the power source, and
   • backfill and mound the soil over the trench (see note below).

   The installation of the meter will complete your electric service installation.

   PLEASE NOTE: Further site restoration, such as compacting the soil, covering the soil with sod or other landscaping is not included.

   Landscaping:

   Appropriate clearances are important for providing safe working conditions when our field personnel are maintaining the electrical equipment on your property. The area around your meter box must be clear of permanent structures, such as shrubs, trees and also central air-conditioning units. Transformers or other electrical sources that are used to connect and regulate your underground electrical service must also be clear of obstructions for periodic maintenance. When selecting a planting location also avoid planting too close to other underground utilities such as gas, water and sewer lines.

   If you have any nearby pole-to-pole overhead lines, remember trees branch outward as well as upward, and need adequate space to grow. By finding the right spot to plant your tree now, you can avoid interference with overhead electric power lines in the future. Tree limbs, which can knock down or come in contact with power lines, are the most common cause of power outages. We recommend you contact your local nursery when selecting a tree for planting near pole-to-pole power lines. Detroit Edison will maintain necessary clearances for overhead pole-to-pole power lines.

   When you're making your landscape plans, ask our representatives for the necessary clearances for planting near or around electrical equipment. Read more information for planting near electrical equipment.

   For your safety, remember, before you dig call MISS DIG at 800.482.7171.

   
   
   

9. Receiving Your First Electric Service Bill
   You should receive your first electric service bill within 35 days after the installation has been completed. If this does not occur, please contact us at 800.477.4747.

Additional Resources

• Installing overhead electrical service
• Converting service from overhead to underground