Letter from the manager

September 2007

To: Members of Northern Plains Electric Cooperative
From: Alliance Manager Jay Jacobson

Northern Plains Electric Cooperative’s policies are intended to ensure that each member along our lines pays for the costs they individually impose on the electrical system. With this in mind, the cooperative board of directors recently spent time to revise a policy that addresses motor starting capability between the cooperative and the member.

The updated policy--Allowable Voltage Flicker and Voltage Sag During Motor Starting--states that the cooperative will provide an electrical system robust enough for across-the-line starting of 10-horsepower single-phase motors or 25-horsepower three-phase motors rated at NEMA code G or more. Excessive voltage flicker or sag problems caused by motors of this size will be remedied by the cooperative.

The policy states that the member will be held responsible to remedy excess voltage problems caused by starting motors larger than this, or by simultaneous starting of a number of smaller motors. Members with larger motors or with multiple-motor arrangements will be expected to utilize motor starting equipment to limit starting currents in order to minimize problems impacting other consumers along the circuit.

The policy provides guidelines for acceptable motor starting currents, and establishes standards for evaluating electrical system voltage flicker and sag levels.

The motor starting policy seeks to balance costs associated with providing motor starting capacity in the electrical system against providing mitigating equipment right at the members' account.

For more information regarding this policy and cooperative motor starting requirements, you may contact personnel in the engineering or operations departments at Northern Plains Electric at 1-800-882-2500.