Originally Posted By: twheeler This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
The proper way of securing the meter base is from inside, and Here in Canada, the hydro company is the only certified people that are permitted to open the meter.
Originally Posted By: pabernathy This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Howdy…Peter…
Ok......now first it is important to know WHY we have a 1/4" gap behind most electrical panels and meter base units.....because they need air space....so what tends to concern me more is when the client caulks around the meter cabs and outside panels removing that air space....
BUT in regards to your issue....in most areas in order to get into the actual meter cab you need to have the meter itself pulled. Now in our area ( VA ) if you pull that meter.......you have to cut the seal and would be a BIG "NO NO " legally in our area........that meter is property of the local UTY company.
Also to reduce your liability I would simply state:
" In my observation of your electrical meter base, It appears to have a seperation from the dwelling structure and the metal meter base system. I would recommend a review of this system by the governing utility company to which provided the enclosure."
Again.......they could PAY an electrician such as myself to look at it...tug on it and so on...but just may cause the mounting screws to fall back into the meter cab....possibly touching the contact points and creating more issues.....again this would be the utility companies domain.
Just the opinion of a Electrical Contractor who does this every day...lol
-- Paul W. Abernathy- NACHI Certified
Electrical Service Specialists
Licensed Master Electrician
Electrical Contractor
President of NACHI Central Virginia Chapter
NEC Instructor
Moderator @ Doityourself.com
Visit our website- www.electrical-ess.com
Originally Posted By: jpope This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
In CA, only the METER is the property of the Utility. An EC would be required to secure the box. It is the responsibility of the EC to inform the Utility Co. that they will be pulling the meter.
Originally Posted By: pabernathy This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Yes…but as stated the UTY will need to be bought into the picture as stated…EC’s ( as I am ) can’t do JACK unless the meter is pulled and the tag is cut by the UTY…
As a HI.......passing it onto the UTY will then have the engineer for the UTY inform the client that they need to line up a EC to meet them at the time of secure.
Nice to have both contacted.....BUT the UTY is the first to be contacted in situations where meter cabs need to be mounted or secured so they can then inform the client ( Hi's Client ) of who needs to be their and when.
Never like to see HI's put the cart ahead of the horse......
-- Paul W. Abernathy- NACHI Certified
Electrical Service Specialists
Licensed Master Electrician
Electrical Contractor
President of NACHI Central Virginia Chapter
NEC Instructor
Moderator @ Doityourself.com
Visit our website- www.electrical-ess.com
Originally Posted By: lkage This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Around here the EC schedules it with the utility then sits around collecting his hourly until they get there which surprisingly is pretty quick unless they have too big of an emergency elsewhere.
– “I have never met a man so ignorant that I couldn’t learn something from him.”
Originally Posted By: russell r. This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
In my neck of the woods,an EC can pull a meter,and repair as needed, as long as we call the POCO first. AHJ can come and inspect, Meter can be reinstalled,and the POCO comes by at their leisure and put their seal on.
Originally Posted By: pabernathy This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Dang…just goes to show you how LAX the local AHJ’s are around the country…lol…
We would NEVER begin to cut a tag and pull a meter in VA without contacting the UTY first.....and being their when they arrive.....
I guess it just goes to show you.....BUT as a EC I do not want on MY hands the ramifications of pulling the meter and having the screw come out and FUSE a meter cab to the point someone has to pay for it to be replaced.....Just my opinion is all...lol
-- Paul W. Abernathy- NACHI Certified
Electrical Service Specialists
Licensed Master Electrician
Electrical Contractor
President of NACHI Central Virginia Chapter
NEC Instructor
Moderator @ Doityourself.com
Visit our website- www.electrical-ess.com
Originally Posted By: pabernathy This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I hear ya brother ( good to see you tonight Bob…Hope all is well )
Yep..in VA if you cut that tag......you better have a GOOD answer for them...lol
-- Paul W. Abernathy- NACHI Certified
Electrical Service Specialists
Licensed Master Electrician
Electrical Contractor
President of NACHI Central Virginia Chapter
NEC Instructor
Moderator @ Doityourself.com
Visit our website- www.electrical-ess.com
Originally Posted By: Greg Fretwell This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
FPL let me pull a meter as a homeowner. I just had to call them first.
If I was trying to sneak in a service upgrade or panel swap I would call in a “bad main breaker” or “loose connection on main breaker”. That gets you a new seal without an inspection.
But, as Nixon said, “that would be wrong”.
It is trivial for any licensed contractor or inspector. I have cut several seals inspecting, usually because the utility jumped the gun installing the meter.
It is certainly not an organized process in SW Florida.
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