Meter keys

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aftershock

aftershock

Senior Member
Location
Memphis, TN
The POCO here used to issue us meter keys so we may access the meter cans. A key breaks or no longer functions, we turned it in to get another. Apparently due to mis- use of this privilege, the POCO will no linger do this.
I have grown accustomed to be able to open the meter can to help with troubleshooting if needed.
My question is, what is it like in your areas? Do I see now having to pull a permit anytime I need to get inside of the meter center? What kind of response time should I expect to get access to inside of the meter can? Keep in mind the customer is paying me time and material.
 
Around here wire seals are the norm. No you are not supposed to cut the seal, but it happens........sometimes. If you have a legit

concern, lost phase at the meter or ahead of it POCO will replace the seal when they fix the problem. If you are removing the seal,

then the meter to make changes on the now dead indoor equipment then that is a problem.

Some lineman will give you some seals if they think you won't abuse the privlige.
 
I worked in South Texas for a bit and in the small town I worked in, you had to have a permit to even access the meter can. Response time was good and it seemed you could request and get the permit over the phone (I don't know how that worked). I'm afraid here we will be at a disadvantage. Our POCO is not too quick. I am thinking of making my own meter lock key.
 
wire type seals around here too, sometimes its no big deal and other times cutting a seal is made to seem like breaking the 11th commandment.

I've got where I pull them apart instead of cutting, the wire that locks in straightens and pulls out, bend it back to reseal, varying sucess, but one time I had a guy form one back for me after I put it back together. It just so happened that we had a POCO employee lined up to reseal this one, he called the next day thinking that the seal had never been opened and thought he was at the wrong address.
 
readydave8 said:
wire type seals around here too, sometimes its no big deal and other times cutting a seal is made to seem like breaking the 11th commandment.

I've got where I pull them apart instead of cutting, the wire that locks in straightens and pulls out, bend it back to reseal, varying sucess, but one time I had a guy form one back for me after I put it back together. It just so happened that we had a POCO employee lined up to reseal this one, he called the next day thinking that the seal had never been opened and thought he was at the wrong address.
Click to expand...

We cut those with no remorse. The barrel locks are what concerns me.
 
I've had varying degrees of success with the different POCO's, one EMC was ok with cutting the seal as long as you called them so they could schedule it to be resealed before the meter reader found it. Georgia Power varies from district to district, I called them to pull a meter on one house, and they said "Can't you do it?" Went to another district and called them, and they said "Oh no, you electricians need to quit cutting our seals".
 
It varies here also. There is one POCO where you better not even think of cutting a seal or even cutting a service drop. Then there are others that don't really care some will give you seals. I have a key from one that fits the locks they use on padmount transformers, it supposedly will unlock their substation gates also, but I really have no need or desire to enter the substations.
 
The electric meter is the POCO's cash register (from some body here). This is the reason why they are so hesisant about access

to their meter. If the POCO wanted you to have a key to their barrel lock they would give you one.
 
PG&E doesn't like it when the meter is removed, but the field guys are OK with it if they know you or can trust you from the quality of your work. I remove them when i do upgrades and put the meter back then call for a meter seal.
 
I think Brookes will only sell to known POCOs. Joe Sixpack can't buy one there.

Also, like all keys, barrel lock keys are different. There's no one-size-fits-all.
 
My city has 2 POCO's and they get very upset if you cut the tag and remove the meter. You better have a good reason to pull the meter such as eminent life safety. A coworker from the lower 48 pulled a meter and did a meter base repair. After the repair, he called the POCO to get a seal. Long story short he almost lost his license.
 
I file paperwork for a J number (Job). Usually get approved in a day or 2. In an emergency, I call for a T number (Trouble) and get approval immediately. Around here, some have wire tags and some have barrel locks. Usually takes a day or two for a barrell lock to be removed. Hacksawed barrell lock once in a safety emergency.
 
Here in the Denver Metro are / Xcel Energy territory you can cut the seal, pull the meter and cut the overhead line coming in.
If all you are doing is maintenance/ tightening meter connections trouble shooting when you are finished is to reinstall the meter and call Xcel Energy and tell them you pulled the meter. Xcel will issue a closed loop number and send out a meter man at there convenience.
If doing a service change /panel upgrade you can cut the over head loop pull the meter do the service change install new meter can reconnect overhead and install Meter jumpers( Jumpers are provided by Xcel energy at no charge). call in fro a closed loop and you are good
 
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