Oncor Electric Delivery: generator, battery backup & CPAP rules
Service area: North and Central Texas including Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, Plano, Round Rock, Waco, Tyler and Midland/Odessa
Meter collar transfer switches
Not accepted
Not allowed. Oncor's 2025 residential project requirements state that the meter socket is reserved for Oncor use only — 'No meter collars' — and its Electric Service Guidelines say a generator transfer switch must be installed on the load side of the meter base, never in series with the meter. A 2025 Texas bill (HB 3407) that would have required utilities to allow approved meter socket adapters did not pass.
Generator and battery disconnect requirements
For distributed generation, including batteries and generators connected under Oncor's project requirements, a visible, lockable, labeled AC disconnect must sit between the Oncor meter and all generation sources, on an accessible exterior wall within 10 ft of the meter. Molded-case breakers are not accepted. Whether a stand-alone open-transition standby generator triggers this is not stated, so confirm with Oncor.
Gas meter upgrades for standby generators
Gas utility: Atmos Energy (Mid-Tex Division)
No published residential fee for a generator meter upgrade. Atmos's Mid-Tex tariff says services not listed are charged by job estimate or cost plus adders. Ask Atmos for a quote.
Estimate your gas load with our gas meter calculator and read how gas meter sizing works.
Medical program for CPAP, BiPAP and oxygen users
- Program
- Texas Critical Care / Chronic Condition designation
- What it provides
- Notice of planned interruptions and added protection against disconnection (critical care). No bill discount, and the designation does not guarantee uninterrupted power or exempt you from rotating outages. You apply through your retail electric provider.
- CPAP / BiPAP
- Not named in the rule; qualifies only if a physician certifies dependence on an electric medical device to sustain life (critical care) or a serious condition requiring one (chronic condition).
- Renewal
- Critical care: every 2 years. Chronic condition: 90 days, or up to 1 year for a lifelong condition.
Backup battery or generator programs
- Program
- None found
- What it provides
- We found no Oncor backup battery or generator program for medical customers.
Frequently asked questions
Does Oncor allow meter collar transfer switches like the Tesla Backup Switch?
Not accepted. Not allowed. Oncor's 2025 residential project requirements state that the meter socket is reserved for Oncor use only — 'No meter collars' — and its Electric Service Guidelines say a generator transfer switch must be installed on the load side of the meter base, never in series with the meter. A 2025 Texas bill (HB 3407) that would have required utilities to allow approved meter socket adapters did not pass.
Does Oncor have a program for customers who use a CPAP or other medical equipment?
Texas Critical Care / Chronic Condition designation: Notice of planned interruptions and added protection against disconnection (critical care). No bill discount, and the designation does not guarantee uninterrupted power or exempt you from rotating outages. You apply through your retail electric provider. Not named in the rule; qualifies only if a physician certifies dependence on an electric medical device to sustain life (critical care) or a serious condition requiring one (chronic condition).
Does Oncor offer backup batteries or generator rebates for medical customers?
We did not find a current backup battery or generator program for medical customers at Oncor. We found no Oncor backup battery or generator program for medical customers.
How do I get a bigger gas meter for a standby generator in the Oncor area?
Atmos Energy (Mid-Tex Division): No published residential fee for a generator meter upgrade. Atmos's Mid-Tex tariff says services not listed are charged by job estimate or cost plus adders. Ask Atmos for a quote.