Northern Plains has tried over the years to send the message out to members that larger motors connected to our system need starting devices. To further define that message, the board has developed a revised motor starting policy that provides more details about motor starting limitations and specifies who pays for remedial equipment when there is a problem.
At their regular board meeting in July, the board approved a revised motor starting policy. The new policy states that the cooperative will provide an electrical system robust enough to start across the line a 10-HP motor on a 1-phase line and a 25-HP motor connected to our 3-phase system.
Our policy recommends that members installing motors larger than this, or members installing a number of smaller motors that all start at the same time, need to provide motor equipment that limits the in-rush current or, in the case of a series of smaller motors, need to provide for sequential starting.
In the event that other members along the line complain about flickers or sags, the policy directs the cooperative to analyze and troubleshoot the circuit in order to determine the source of the problem.
If the problem is caused by a deficiency of our electrical system, we will work internally to correct that problem. If, however, the problem stems from a member account with larger motors lacking motor starting devices, the cooperative will require the member to install the needed motor equipment at the member’s expense.
The board and staff spent considerable time discussing how this policy can and should be carried out in a consistent manner all throughout the system, and how in each case the cooperative’s work on these types of problems will be triggered by a consumer complaint either to a lineman or called into the office.