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With so many different pieces of equipment that make up the electrical system, it can be confusing when it comes to who owns what equipment at your residents. Here is a quick reference of both overhead and underground residential electric services and which pieces of equipment the Co-op is responsible for verse the Member's responsibility.

Electrical System: What’s Yours, What’s Ours?

Farmers' Electric Cooperative is committed to the reliable delivery of power to you, our Members. When power interruption occurs, we work very hard to restore service as quickly as we can safely do so.

Your Co-op lineworkers maintain all 3,700 miles of line that make up the system including your individual service all the way to the meter (and meter disconnect- if we installed it- below your meter).

Due to insurance, liability, and safety reasons, lineworkers cannot work on anything past the meter. Please don’t ask us to do this. There are many licensed electricians who would be glad to do the work for you!

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Members are responsible for equipment between the meter and your home or business, including the overhead or underground service line that leads into the structure and the service panel (fuse box). Please call a licensed electrician to make your repairs.

Tree trimming is a great example of who takes responsibility for what equipment. 

If a tree limb is obstructing the distribution or service line on the Co-op owned equipment, please call Farmers' Electric because we are responsible for trimming those limbs and maintaining those lines. If the tree limbs are obstructing the service line going into the home, please call a professional tree trimming service as the Member is responsible for maintaining those lines.

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If you have questions about this topic, please call our Operations Manager at 800-927-5334, ext. 118.