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Electrical Service - Residential

This guideline has been developed to identify the minimal submittal requirements for a permit application to install a new electrical service, upgrade an existing service, and/or replace an existing service panel. The information provided contains, but is not all-inclusive to, the City of Wheaton’s adopted Building Codes, Ordinances, and inspection requirements for these types of projects.

Warning: Work on electrical services could cause accidental contact with energized conductors that may result in personal injury or death. It is required that a licensed and bonded electrical contractor perform the work. For emergencies that involve electrical systems, first call 911 for assistance, then contact ComEd at 1-800-Edison1 or 1-800-334-7661.

Required Submittals

  1. Application for Permit - Please include all required information that is pertinent to the scope of work, including but not limited to site address, description of work, contractors to be used on the job and their respective cost of work per trade, complete applicant and contractor contact information, etc.
    Building Application for Permit.
  2. Two sets of construction plans - The plans should indicate the existing/proposed location of the electrical service panel, a complete floor plan that will indicate any new receptacles, switches, fixtures, etc. (only required if new items to be installed, please include the existing electrical layout and any relevant features of the areas affected), a complete electrical service panel schedule, size of the existing and/or proposed service, and location of the electrical service meter with integrated service disconnect.
  3. Service Calculations for electrical services exceeding 200 Amps - If the requested service upgrade exceeds 200 Amps, a complete load evaluation completed by a licensed electrical contractor or a licensed Illinois design professional is required to verify load requirements.

Current Codes

The City of Wheaton has adopted the following Building Codes for all residential construction:

  1. 2017 National Electrical Code NFPA 70
  2. 2018 International Residential Code
  3. City of Wheaton Amendments

Wheaton City Code - Chapter 22, Building and Building Regulations

Electrical Meter Requirements

  1. Outside Disconnect - The City of Wheaton requires that the service disconnect shall be installed at a readily accessible location outside of a building or structure and be an integral part of the metering equipment. (Wheaton Code Section 22-51 Amendments)
  2. Meter Cabinets shall comply with Commonwealth Edison specifications (CECHA labeled).
  3. Meter Cabinets shall be mounted in accessible locations, shall maintain the minimum required working space specified in Article 110.26 of the 2017 NEC, and shall comply with ComEd installation specifications.
    Note: ComEd may have additional requirements; please refer to their electrical service standards:
    The Red Book - A Guide to Installing or Revisiting Your Residential Electric Service (PDF)

Overhead Electrical Services (Article 230 Part II 2017 NEC)

  1. The Service Mast (Riser Mast) must be of adequate strength and be properly secured to the structure per Article 230 Part II of the 2017 NEC.
  2. Conductors shall have the following vertical clearances above roofs:
    • Not less than 8’-0” above the roof (must be maintained for a distance of not less than 3’-0” in all directions from the edge of the roof);
    • If the roof pitch is greater than 4:12, a clearance of 3’-0” is permitted;
  3. Conductors must maintain a required clearance of 10’-0” to final grade above areas accessible to pedestrians only;
  4. Conductors must maintain required clearance of 12’-0” to final grade above residential properties and driveways (15’-0” if the voltage exceeds 300 volts to ground);
  5. Conductors must maintain required clearance of 18’-0” to final grade above public streets, alleys, roads, parking areas subject to truck traffic, and driveways other than residential areas.
  6. Service conductors shall have a clearance of not less than 3’-0” from openable windows, doors, porches, balconies, ladders, stairs, fire escapes, or other similar locations.
  7. Conductors shall have sufficient ampacity to carry the current for the load as calculated in accordance with Article 220 (2017 NEC), shall have adequate mechanical strength, and be sized in accordance with Article 230 Part II (2017 NEC) and all applicable City of Wheaton amendments.

Wheaton City Code - Chapter 22, Building and Building Regulations - Article V - Electrical Codes

Note: ComEd may have additional requirements. Please refer to their electrical service standards:
ComEd - The Red Book - A Guide to Installing or Revisiting Your Residential Electric Service (PDF)

Underground Electrical Services (Article 230 Part III 2017 NEC)

  1. Underground service conductors shall be installed in accordance with the applicable requirements of Article 230, Part III of the 2017 NEC, Article 300.5 of the 2017 NEC, and all applicable City of Wheaton adopted codes and amendments.
    Wheaton City Code - Chapter 22, Building and Building Regulations - Article V - Electrical Codes
  2. Conductors shall have sufficient ampacity to carry the current for the load as calculated in accordance with Article 220 (2017 NEC), and shall have adequate mechanical strength.
  3. Minimum cover requirements for direct-burial cable, conduit, or other raceways must be in compliance with the minimum depths indicated in Table 300.5, 2017 NEC (see attached).
  4. Conduits or raceways through which moisture may contact live parts shall be sealed or plugged at either or both ends.
  5. Cables or raceways installed using directional boring equipment shall be approved for that purpose.
    Note: ComEd may have additional requirements. Please refer to their electrical service standards:
    ComEd - The Red Book - A Guide to Installing or Revisiting Your Residential Electric Service (PDF)

Electrical Service Panel Change

  1. New electrical service panel installation must comply with all working space clearance requirements (Article 110.26, 2017 NEC).
  2. The new electrical service panel and circuit breakers must be installed in compliance with the manufacturer's installation specifications and product listings (Article 110.3, 2017 NEC).
  3. Branch circuits shall be provided and installed in compliance with Article 210 of the 2017 NEC.
  4. All branch circuits within the panel must be labeled in a permanent manner to identify the area that is served by that specific branch circuit.
  5. Grounding must be provided in accordance with Article 250 of the 2017 NEC.

Grounding Electrode System

  1. A grounding electrode system is required to be installed that consists of the metal water service line piping (connection to the water service piping shall be made at a point near to where the water service enters the building through the foundation wall or floor slab, and a bonding jumper shall be placed around all water meters connecting the interior water distribution system), and an 8’-0” driven ground rod that complies with Article 250.52(5) on the exterior. (Article 250.52, 250.53, 2017 NEC)

Permit Fees

For associated Planning, Engineering, and Building fees, please refer to Appendix B7 Fee Schedule per the Wheaton City Code - "Community Development Fees".
For associated Sewer and Water fees, please refer to Appendix B8 Fee Schedule per the Wheaton City Code - "Public Works/Sewer & Water Fees".

Inspections

  1. Rough inspections are required for all new installations prior to concealment. This includes but is not limited to the electrical service panel, branch circuits, new/relocated electrical fixtures, and grounding conductor installations.
  2. Exterior inspection of service conductors (for underground installations, inspection is required once the service conductors are in place, but prior to backfill), overhead clearance of conductors, outside disconnect integral with the meter box, and ground rod installation.
  3. A final inspection is required once all work is complete (please have an electrician on site to open the electrical service panel at the time of inspection).

To schedule an inspection, please call 630-260-2050 between 8 AM and 5 PM Monday through Friday. Please allow for a minimum of 24 hours' notice when scheduling inspections. For further information, please see Inspection Scheduling.

Once the new electrical service and panel work have been completed, inspected, and approved by the City’s Electrical Inspector, staff will send a fax to ComEd confirming our approval of the electrical work. ComEd will not energize any new electrical service without the approval of the City.

To apply for a permit

Maintstar - h2.maintstar.co/wheaton/portal/#/

Contractor Registration Requirements

Webpage - www.wheaton.il.us/890/Contractor-Requirements

Websites

Contact Us

City of Wheaton Building & Code Enforcement Department
Address: 303 W. Wesley Street, Wheaton, IL 60187
Phone Calls:
Questions regarding this information: 630-260-2050
Business hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Fax: 630-260-2195

Revised 3/17/2020