Need a service upgrade

Would you keep the old metal conduit for the service drop?

  • Yes keep it

    Votes: 2 66.7%
  • No, install PVC instead

    Votes: 1 33.3%
  • No, just strap the 4/0 to the siding

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    3
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At my house..Lights were dimming, surging and flickering.

Power company came out and said "a neutral was repaired by the tree". Still had issue.
They came out again and replaced the lines to the pole. Still had issues..

dAR9t4Vh.jpg


Pretty narly inside the meter. I actually heard the neutral arcing.

5skGTD7h.jpg


They got metal conduit from LB to panel inside. Would you guys rip out the metal conduit? Doesn't it retain more heat inside it?
 
At my house..Lights were dimming, surging and flickering.

Power company came out and said "a neutral was repaired by the tree". Still had issue.
They came out again and replaced the lines to the pole. Still had issues..

dAR9t4Vh.jpg


Pretty narly inside the meter. I actually heard the neutral arcing.

5skGTD7h.jpg


They got metal conduit from LB to panel inside. Would you guys rip out the metal conduit? Doesn't it retain more heat inside it?
Metal conduit does not retain more heat than PVC....it is just the opposite.
 
I would replace all of it, especially the meter base. The meter base may be the problem plus those old wires going down look pretty bad. The A phase wire looks like the insulation is torn where it hits the bushing
 
Don't remember ever seeing a meterbase that tall that wasn't a meter/main.

I would replace all the metal conduit and LB. The riser looks like it is already PVC. I would also replace the meterbase and SE conductors, both line and load.
 
Don't remember ever seeing a meterbase that tall that wasn't a meter/main.

I would replace all the metal conduit and LB. The riser looks like it is already PVC. I would also replace the meterbase and SE conductors, both line and load.
Riser looks like rigid metal conduit to me
 
Riser looks like rigid metal conduit to me
Well it's really aged well then because it is a different color than the piece out of the meter. Also looks like a bell end where the top & bottom pieces join. I would never use rigid if it weren't going through the roof.
But you could be right.
 
Riser has been painted by previous owner. Definitely Ridgid metal. Sounds like mixed opinions on this whether to keep it or not.

I have a lot of trees around. What about safety wise?

Anything code wise for Connecticut regards having metal, pvc or seu exposed?

Metal conduit does not retain more heat than PVC....it is just the opposite.
Interesting. Thanks!
 
You've go some work to do re: that hole in your siding when you remove that old meter pan. Most likely, the new meter pan will be a different size. There are vinyl mounting blocks, don't know if one will cover that opening.
 
Riser has been painted by previous owner. Definitely Ridgid metal. Sounds like mixed opinions on this whether to keep it or not.

I have a lot of trees around. What about safety wise?

Anything code wise for Connecticut regards having metal, pvc or seu exposed?


Interesting. Thanks!

Where was there mixed opinion? We all said remove it all.
 
Replace it all.

By the time you get the 'needed' part out you've torn everything else off. Using a pair of Arlington Product, or similar, meter bases will move the meter can out just enough to mess with the LB alignment.

I prefer EMT over PVC and have never used cable.
 
Where was there mixed opinion? We all said remove it all.
There is a poll attached to this thread. 1 said keep it. Also an electrician friend of mine who came by said keep it all including the inside conduit.
I personally wanted to replace it all like you guys are saying but I like the fact that it doesn't retain heat like PVC does.

Sun barely hits that side of the house anyway so I wouldn't even mind if there was no conduit.
 
One thing not mentioned is conduit fill. Looking at meter pan conduit looks kind of full. Likely very hard pull. Before considering just pulling new wire do fill calculation. New might not even fit into old conduit and meet code for fill.
Like others said, new meter box vs old one, size not likely a match. Not only trim out issue, but also getting conduit to reach. Would have to add to it anyway. Easier to just replace.
 
One thing not mentioned is conduit fill. Looking at meter pan conduit looks kind of full. Likely very hard pull. Before considering just pulling new wire do fill calculation. New might not even fit into old conduit and meet code for fill.
Like others said, new meter box vs old one, size not likely a match. Not only trim out issue, but also getting conduit to reach. Would have to add to it anyway. Easier to just replace.
Great point on the fill. Check out the LB. Looks like plenty of room and the 4/0 Aluminum is actually a bit smaller. But pulling these out and feeding through the new ones might be a time consumer. That neutral wire is showing its age.

nNdnbtyh.jpg
 
Rip it out.
If you decide to keep the conduit you would have to add to it to raise the height of the weather head or lower the point of attachment below the weather head to help prevent water from entering the service.
 
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