Protective Line Covers or "Rubber Hoses" provide protection to customers’ personnel working in potentially hazardous proximity to Meralco’s high-voltage (34.5kV, 13.8kV, 13.2kV, and 6.24KW) power lines. These rubber hoses are rented and installed upon the request of the customer.
The list of requirements for a protective line cover are as follows:
- Valid identification documents
- Contact person with proper contact details
- Location of the primary lines where rubber hose will be installed
- Sketch of the location or pictures
- Purpose of rental
- Settlement of rental fee
Applications for protective line covers are processed in any Meralco business center.
Meralco allows the use of sub-meters as long as they are installed at any point on the loadside wire typically after the Meralco meter. However, maintenance and billing of sub-meters is not covered by the customer's contract with Meralco.
Meralco personnel are not allowed to install sub-meters. Customers are in charge of the purchase and installation of the sub-meters. The customer however may seek assistance from electrical experts Certified by Meralco (CBM) for the proper installation of a sub-meter.
Temporary Service is provided to customers who will use the electricity during the construction phase of their residential or business premises. Typical loads are welding machines, power tools, and similar construction devices. A corresponding Installation and Removal (IR) Cost is required to be settled and is based on the facilities that will be installed and eventually retired.
A permanent service will be beneficial to the customer once construction has been completed, because the facilities and corresponding power requirement will be matched with the day-to-day loads of the residential or business customer. It will also ensure that the customer is billed according to the appropriate service rate and kilowatt demand.
For residential services, the standard nominal voltage is 230V in accordance to the provisions in the Philippine Electrical Code (PEC).
Unlike in the US which uses 110V for standard appliances, the standard voltage level for residential use in the Philippines is 230V according to the PEC. If you have appliances with 110V, an external transformer or Auto-Voltage Regulator (AVR) is required to be used to match Meralco's nominal voltage. Use of appropriate transformer devices would also ensure your safety and proper functioning of your device.
A multi-metering setup is usually applied by large buildings with multiple individual units, such as condominiums, apartments, or commercial establishments, for commercial and residential purposes. This can also be availed by small apartments usually for lease, as long as separation guidelines can be met.
An advantage of the multi-metering setup is that each unit can manage their own electric service, including availment of special programs such as Peak Off-Peak and prepaid services, and tax declaration for commercial purposes. However, customers must need to factor that the multi-metering center will form part of their civil works.
The multi-metering setup assumes a single location for all the Meralco meters, which serve the individual units of residential, business, or mixed-use premises. The multi-metering center may be located at the ground floor, basement, or on each floor of the building.