I dont know how far this bulletin board reaches but I am interested in hearing from electrical inspectors from around the country on "Power on Final electrical inspections".I want to know what stage of construction do you turn power on and how you handle any safety problems.

"Temporary" power for the structure under construction must comply with the article for Temporary Power (used to be article 305 in 1999 NEC, but I don't have my 2002 with me at the moment and they changed the article number). According to the code, it is permitted for some sort of "test" for equipment, and there is a part on "conditions of use." The important thing to remember is that the article for temporary power mandates that the portion of the work justifying the temporary power turn-on must completely conform to the rest of the code.

Most governmental agencies have a form that details the legalities and the liabilities of the issue (when having power turned on before a certificate of occupancy is obtained). The form usually stipulates that if there is an unresolved safety issue, power will be disconnected. Be sure to check with your local building official as he has the final say over this important matter. The electrical inspector is only as effective as the building official's integrity and commitment to electrical safety. Also see FBC.

There are two things that are important to remember about temporary power: 1) The building can't be built without it. 2) It must conform to code and be safe for workers or someone could get killed. There are several counties in Florida that have had fatalities on the jobsite after "temporary" power was turned on.

Mike Timpanero - could you tell us about temp power for Lake County?.. Interested to hear from you - how it is done in your neck of the woods.....??

In my Jurisdiction power will be given " Whenever what is installed is safe" even if it's only the service. We grant power "to the main only". The electrical contractor than assumes responsibility for hook-up of anything beyond the main.