FERC Account 373 – Street Lighting and Signal Systems
FERC Account 373 is used to record the installed cost of street lighting and signal systems used in electric distribution operations.
Definition
Record in this account the cost installed of street lighting and signal systems, including poles, fixtures, lamps, circuits, and related equipment used for those systems.
Account 373 generally captures the utility-owned plant used to provide street lighting and signal system service. Depending on utility practice, this may include dedicated poles, mast arms, luminaires, wiring, controls, and other equipment serving public lighting or signal functions.
What is typically included
- Street lights, luminaires, signal systems, and related fixtures
- Dedicated poles, mast arms, brackets, wiring, controls, and associated equipment serving the lighting or signal system
- Installed cost, including direct labor and capitalizable overheads, when applicable
- Capital replacements such as LED conversion programs when utility-owned
- Related system components that are part of the street lighting or signal installation
What is generally not included
- General distribution poles and line plant recorded in Accounts 364 and 365 when not dedicated to street lighting or signal service
- Routine lamp replacement and maintenance expense when not capital in nature
- Customer-owned or municipality-owned assets not carried as utility plant
- Meters or premise installations recorded in other applicable accounts
- Traffic or roadway improvements not part of the utility-owned electrical system
Why Account 373 matters
- Street lighting often has unique rate, maintenance, and ownership considerations
- LED conversion and system modernization can create significant capital additions
- Clear classification supports depreciation, billing, and contract analysis
- Separating lighting assets from general distribution plant improves cost-of-service work
Utilities should apply their own capitalization policy, retirement procedures, and continuing property record practices when determining the final accounting treatment for a specific project or transaction.
Examples
LED conversion project
A utility replaces existing utility-owned street lights with LED fixtures as part of a capital modernization program. The installed capital cost would generally be recorded in Account 373.
New signalized intersection service
A utility installs utility-owned signal system equipment and dedicated wiring for a new intersection. The installed cost would generally be recorded in Account 373, depending on ownership and classification practice.
Routine lamp replacement
Ordinary lamp changes and routine maintenance would generally be charged to expense rather than Account 373 unless the work qualifies as a capital replacement under utility policy.
Related FERC distribution plant accounts
- Account 364 – Poles, Towers, and Fixtures
- Account 365 – Overhead Conductors and Devices
- Account 369 – Services
- Account 371 – Installations on Customers’ Premises
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Disclaimer: The material in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as legal or accounting advice provided by Utility Accounting & Rates Specialists, LLC. You should seek formal advice on this topic from your accounting or legal advisor.