Does anyone make a flush mount external cluster meter main any more?

[brycenesbitt]

Does anyone still make a flush mount meter/main product?

We have a panel that's shot, that's flush mount, and there's really no room for a modern panel.
Working space rules won't permit a surface mount solution, and various constraints hamper moving the service.


Old panel
200 amps, rule of 6, six 50 amp breakers
38 inches high, 18 inches wide, 3.5 inches deep, flush mount between studs (the meters protrude from the wall)

Standard new panel quote:

Vendor	Part Number	quantity		Description	height	width	depth		Online Price
Siemens	WB1400C	1	unit	PowerMod 400A U/G service entrance 1-phase	39.19	15.20	11.03	inches	$ 2,506.00
Siemens	WMMA31125	3	unit	PowerMod 3 Stack, ring 125A/50A sockets	43.31	48.66	8.09	inches	$ 1,267.00
Siemens	WMMA31125	3	unit	PowerMod 3 Stack, ring 125A/50A sockets	43.31	48.66	8.09	inches	$ 1,267.00
Siemens	WMT11225	1	unit	EUSERC Test Bypass Facility Single	40.50	21.50	9.00	inches	$ 1,595.00
Siemens	WMT11225	1	unit	EUSERC Test Bypass Facility Single	40.50	21.50	9.00	inches	$ 1,595.00
Siemens	WSPD3N20C	1	units	Low Voltage Surge Protection Through Bus	29.19	13.38	7.75	inches	$ 6,000.00
					43.31	168.90	11.03

I checked Eaton's B-Line, and did not do much better.

For the old panel:
There's no problem with capacity, but there's evidence of arcing, and one of the meter rings is not original,
having apparently been welded on from another meter main of a similar (but not identical) panel. Low income property, multiple units.

 

[brycenesbitt]

(Sorry, that quote should be for a 200 amp new panel, WB1200C).

 

[brycenesbitt]

The original panel we need to replace..... Note the fancy welding job.

 

[readydave8]

Is that flush mount, or flush mounted?

 

[brycenesbitt]

Is that flush mount, or flush mounted?

Not sure what you mean.
It's an older style that's mounted between the studs, and has an integral stucco stop.

The main point is that being inset into the wall, the working space clearance is better.

Is there any modern equivalent? Is there a code path to obtaining a used / pulled unit and doing a literal like for like ?

 

[Knightryder12]

That looks like a Nema 3R that has just been recessed in the wall to me.

 

[readydave8]

That looks like a Nema 3R that has just been recessed in the wall to me.

That's what I meant

 

[brycenesbitt]

That looks like a Nema 3R that has just been recessed in the wall to me.

Maybe. But if so it was done int the 1960's an has served fine until now.
Is there anything wrong with recessing a panel into a (non-insulated) wall ?

Is there any modern panel that can match it in compactness?

 

[Dennis Alwon]

The only thing I can think of is to add a panel surface mounted below it and bypass all those breakers. It won't be easy because you would probably have to splice all the line side wires into a larger wire to feed the new panel. You can't just add breakers as that is not compliant anymore.