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In Texas, there are more than 200 electric utility companies, each with their own specifications and requirements. At EPI, understanding each utility’s needs is part of what we do.

By working closely with utility companies across Texas for decades, we’ve developed strong relationships and a deeper understanding of the unique standards each utility requires. In many cases, our engineering department has helped utilities define new standards for power distribution or collaborated to design new products.

Engineered Around Utility Requirements

When it comes to bussed secondary products, EPI is an industry leader. However, not every bussed product needs the same requirements, so that’s where our customization capabilities and engineering expertise become especially valuable.

Supporting CPS Energy Requirements

As a San Antonio-based company, EPI has built a long-standing relationship with CPS Energy over the years. Through this partnership, we’ve designed products that originated from their requirements and helped define standards. The products include a Padmounted Bussed Tapbox and a Bussed Wireway.

A few elements of the Padmounted Buss Tapbox that are unique to CPS Energy are Pentahead bolts located at both the top and bottom, to meet a Five-point security requirement. Which led us to design overlapping door construction, where the left door overlaps the right door. A design aspect is a crimped drip shield top designed to prevent water buildup and improve runoff.

For their Bussed Wireways, we have also developed specific features such as using G90 galvanized steel tops to help reduce rust, scratches, and damages during installation, and 12-inches of clearance on both sides of the copper bus bars to allow proper conductor training for incoming and outgoing cables

These details may seem small, but they play an important role in meeting utility expectations and improving field performance.

Engineering Solutions for Austin Energy

EPI also works closely with Austin Energy, whose requirements differ significantly from other utilities across Texas.

For example, Austin Energy requires SDEs (Service Distribution Enclosure) with a NEMA 3R Screw Cover Wireway rather than a traditional bussed wireway for
multi-tenant applications.

Austin Energy also requires Collection Boxes, which are only used in the Austin area. They help power high-rise hotels and office towers in downtown Austin, where electrical service is distributed through underground utility vault systems.

Meeting CenterPoint Energy Specifications

Further east, EPI supports projects requiring compliance with CenterPoint Energy standards. Their Padmounted Buss Tapbox requires a dual-access design which separates the utility side from the contractor side.

We also design and manufacture a Padmounted Terminal Box, which are used for apartment complexes and multi-tenant commercial spaces. Additionally, we manufacture specialized bussed weather heads, which only CenterPoint Energy uses.

Why Utility Relationships Matter

Every utility company operates differently, and those differences directly impact product design, project timelines, and installation requirements.

At EPI, our experience working with utilities across Texas allows us to better support distributors and contractors by reducing guesswork, minimizing revisions, and ease communication to move projects forward.

Strong utility relationships, engineering knowledge, and customization capabilities are what allow EPI to provide solutions tailored to each project.

Solutions Ready For You

No matter which utility provider your project requires compliance with, EPI is ready to help. For your next customized solution, contact us to learn how we can help support your project.