Pulling residential meters....

[iaov]

The POCO here does not mind me pulling meters or putting them back in. We only have the cheesy little wire locks so getting them out is no problem. I've got extras from linesmen so I can lock them back up again.

 

[480sparky]

The POCO here does not mind me pulling meters or putting them back in. We only have the cheesy little wire locks so getting them out is no problem. I've got extras from linesmen so I can lock them back up again.

Never have to contend with one of these brutes?

 

[ZZZ]

Our POCO won't allow anyone to pull or replace their meter except their employees. They just use leather gloves and sometimes safety glasses. God forbid you ever cut one of their seals.

 

[electricalperson]

when i was a helper i broke a glass meter by trying to removee one of those ring locks. some reason i kept twisting something until the glass shattered. then i tried to take the sawzall to the lock to no avail. cutting the band is so much easier as i learned the hard way. i might buy a key for this but i dont know what the rules are from the poco

 

[ZZZ]

Never have to contend with one of these brutes?

Wow, you must have some serious 'lectric theives there.

I saw a POCO guy unable to pull a corroded meter out, he went to the truck and came back with a 2' long 2x4. He smacked the meter at the rounded corner on the top with the edge of the board and it came loose.

 

[480sparky]

Wow, you must have some serious 'lectric theives there. .....

If you look close enough, it's a TXU meter..... TX for Texas. But the locks are common 'round here.

Once the POCO even suspects theft, they slap one of these penitentaries around the meter. Long after the suspect theif has moved out, the lock remains. I'd say probably 5% of the meters are locked in this or a similar fashion. Fact is, I've got one on my meter due to some low-life from an unknown time.

 

[KevinVost]

Our POCO won't allow anyone to pull or replace their meter except their employees. They just use leather gloves and sometimes safety glasses. God forbid you ever cut one of their seals.

Same thing here in Vegas, NV Energy is very touchy about thier meters.:roll:

If you look close enough, it's a TXU meter..... TX for Texas. But the locks are common 'round here.

Once the POCO even suspects theft, they slap one of these penitentaries around the meter. Long after the suspect theif has moved out, the lock remains. I'd say probably 5% of the meters are locked in this or a similar fashion. Fact is, I've got one on my meter due to some low-life from an unknown time.

I would say about 95% of the meters in Vegas have the "gold band", what everyone calls the POCO locks here. Once the POCO gets wind of an EOT they yank the meter and the only way to get power back is to hire a contractor (get a permit) to check the service. We got lots of 'lectric theives here :grin: which keeps us busy inspecting for a meter re-tag.

 

[480sparky]

Same thing here in Vegas, NV Energy is very touchy about thier meters.:roll:



I would say about 95% of the meters in Vegas have the "gold band", what everyone calls the POCO locks here. Once the POCO gets wind of an EOT they yank the meter and the only way to get power back is to hire a contractor (get a permit) to check the service. We got lots of 'lectric theives here :grin: which keeps us busy inspecting for a meter re-tag.

In Vegas, why would someone want to steal utility power? Why not just aim some PV towards Fremont Street or LVB and get free power all night long?

Then there's these, too:

 

[KevinVost]

In Vegas, why would someone want to steal utility power? Why not just aim some PV towards Fremont Street or LVB and get free power all night long?

Good idea, I might try that

 

[480sparky]

Good idea, I might try that

Hey... there's your niche market!

With the right skills, you can compete with YESCO for the number of trucks on the street!

 

[iaov]

Never have to contend with one of these brutes?

Never. Just the little wire and plastic gizmo on the bottom of your brute. That looks like it would be awefully hard to get into.

 

[480sparky]

Never. Just the little wire and plastic gizmo on the bottom of your brute. That looks like it would be awefully hard to get into.

They are. I was able to get a hold of one after a service changeout, and I spent two days in the garage with a chop saw and a bench grinder working my way down the the business innards of it. I was kinda hoping I could make my own key for them. Never did figure out how they work.

 

[Fulthrotl]

I found the "barrel Lock" key/tool on ebay $138

a bit of googling found this...

Products & Services:
Blind Hole Key
Edison lock key
Lock ring key
Meter key
Meter Lock Key
Ring lock key
Watt Meter Key

Brands:
Dwp
Southern California Edison
Watt Meter Key

i will investigate further and report back.....

 

[brian john]

They are. I was able to get a hold of one after a service changeout, and I spent two days in the garage with a chop saw and a bench grinder working my way down the the business innards of it. I was kinda hoping I could make my own key for them. Never did figure out how they work.

It is not a key it is a wand...A MAGIC WAND...Even with your brilliance it may be beyond your skill level. Contact Merlin.

 

[480sparky]

a bit of googling found this...

Products & Services:
Blind Hole Key
Edison lock key
Lock ring key
Meter key
Meter Lock Key
Ring lock key
Watt Meter Key

Brands:
Dwp
Southern California Edison
Watt Meter Key

i will investigate further and report back.....

I've seen the for sale on utility supply web sites, though. One had a 50-unit minimum order.

 

[infinity]

I've seen the for sale on utility supply web sites, though. One had a 50-unit minimum order.

Wouldn't you need to actually be utility before they will sell them to you?

 

[480sparky]

Wouldn't you need to actually be utility before they will sell them to you?

Maybe, but one shouldn't assume they have any scruples. I can walk into just about any auto part store and buy a vehicle lockout set.

 

[brian john]

Wouldn't you need to actually be utility before they will sell them to you?

Many times money is king.

Additionally when I tell out of state suppliers my company name they almost always ask,"are you a utility?"

Mid-Atlantic Power Specialist's Inc.

T/A

Mid-Atlantic Power

 

[charlie]

. . . Brands:
Dwp
Southern California Edison
Watt Meter Key

We use Brooks Locks. :smile:

 

[infinity]

We use Brooks Locks. :smile:

That's what the POCO's use around here. A very ingenious locking mechanism. I cut one in half lengthwise to see how it works. Very simple design but nearly impossible to pick unless you could fashion a specific tool for the job.