GOING THE EXTRA MILE FOR MEMBERS
Central Rural Electric Cooperative serves an average of ve meters per mile of line compared to many other electric utilities that serve an average of 32 meters per mile of line. Even though Central serves fewer consumers along the power lines, that doesn’t stop us from going the extra mile for our members.
When you sign up for services with Central, you become a part owner in the cooperative. This ownership gives you the right to many bene ts such as the option to vote in cooperative business and elect or serve on the seven-trustee member board that governs Central. Other bene ts include:
Capital Credits
The cooperative model helps keep electric rates affordable by giving members a voice in their electric service, through the not-for-pro t structure, and by returning excess revenue to members. The excess revenue, called margins, is used to operate and is re-invested in
the cooperative until the board of trustees determines when to retire the margins and return it to members as capital credit checks.
Rebates
Did you know Central offers energyef cient rebates for residential and commercial members? Rebates for water heaters, thermostats and electric vehicle charging stations are included on Central’s website at mycentral.coop/rebates.
Home Energy Audits
Central offers free on-site home energy audits for residential members. The audit includes an inspection of mechanical systems, insulation, windows, lighting and appliances to determine what actions need to be taken to increase your home’s energy ef ciency. Learn more at mycentral.coop/residentialenergy-audit.
Youth Programs
Hands-on safety training, summer camp and a trip to Washington, D.C. are all things children can
participate in with Central’s educational and leadership youth programs. Youth Tour, Energy Camp, Co-op Kids and Be Safety Smart programs teach the next generation of co-op members about electrical safety, leadership and the importance of cooperatives. Learn more at mycentral.coop/youthprograms.
Empowering Communities
Central has been dedicated to improving the quality of life for rural areas and communities since its start in 1938. We continue to do so by providing affordable electricity to our members and by having an active role in the communities we serve.
Local nonpro ts, organizations and individuals have felt the cooperative difference since 2006 when Operation Round Up and the Central Community Foundation began providing grants to assist those who need it most.
MARCH 2023
Central Board of Trustees: James Wells, President (District 6) Gary McCune, Vice President (District 1)
Carol Dvorak, Secretary/Treasurer (District 3)
Greg Tytenicz (District 2)
Sid Sperry (District 4)
Mark Pittman (District 5)
Bill Davis (District 7)
Hunter Robinson - Chief Executive Officer
Empowered Editors: Jillianne Tebow - Vice President of Business Development and Marketing
Larry Mattox - Director of Communications
Kory Bowman - Marketing and Communications Specialist
Ivy Swan - Marketing and Communications Specialist
www.mycentral.coop
facebook.com/MyCentralCoop
twitter.com/MyCentralCoop
instagram.com/MyCentralCoop
WHAT’S ON THE POLE?
Have you ever wondered what all those wires are?
Utility poles have come a long way since they were rst used in 1843 along the Great Western Railway for the telegraph system.
Utility poles vary based on location and the voltage of power they carry. Poles often top 40 feet in height and are set at least six feet into the ground.
There are two types of utility poles used to carry electricity. Large poles high above the ground typically carry transmission lines, which carry higher voltage power from generation or transmission centers to another electric power system such as a substation.
PRIMARY WIRES
Primary wires carry 7,200 volts of electricity from a substation. That voltage is 60 times higher than the voltage that runs through your home’s electrical outlets!
SURGE ARRESTORS
These protect the transformer from lightning strikes.
NEUTRAL WIRE
The neutral wire acts as a line back to the substation and is tied to the ground, balancing the electricity on the system.
SECONDARY SERVICE DROP
Carries 120/240-volts of electricity to members’ homes. It has two “hot” wires from the transformer and a bare “neutral” wire that’s connected to the ground wire on the pole.
GROUND WIRE
The ground wire connects to the neutral wire to complete the circuit inside the transformer. It also directs electricity from lightning safely into the earth.
TELEPHONE, CABLE TV, AND FIBER WIRES
These are typically the lowest wires on the pole.
The poles typically used by Central and other electric distributors and cooperatives are the poles you typically see outside of your home. Those poles carry distribution lines that take power directly to the home or business.
On occasion, Central has used electric poles that are free to members. When poles are available, a date will be set for members to pick them up, you can view those dates on Central’s website at mycentral.coop/usedpoles.
The graphic below illustrates basic equipment found on an electric utility pole.
INSULATORS
Insulators prevent energized wires from contacting each other or the pole.
Provided by Cooperative.com
