Bonding Screw in Meter Socket

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A/A Fuel GTX

A/A Fuel GTX

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Electrician
When a service has a meter socket connected to the service equipment via a metellic raceway, the bonding screw in the meter socket should be removed and bond bushings should be installed on both ends of the raceway with a jumper to the neutral bar in the service equipment and sized according to 250.66. Is this statement correct?
 
Re: Bonding Screw in Meter Socket

No. The meter can be bonded by the grounded conductor, see 250.142(A)
And the metallic raceway between the meter and service enclosure only has to be bonded on one end, how its bonded depends on if concentric KO's are present, per 250.92(B)
 
Re: Bonding Screw in Meter Socket

Is this a test?

Is the meter on the line or load side of the service equipment? I need more information before I can comment.

Chris
 
Re: Bonding Screw in Meter Socket

No, it's not a test but only my mind always coming up with scenarios that are not perfectly clear to me. It seems to me then if the bonding screw is left in at the meter socket and the grounded conductor is connected to the GEC at the service equipment we would have a parallel path between the service equipment and the meter socket if a metallic raceway is used. The meter would be on the line side.

[ January 20, 2006, 03:12 PM: Message edited by: m73214 ]
 
Re: Bonding Screw in Meter Socket

Yes this is true, however for some reason it is okay to have several parallel paths of current on the line side of the service disconnecting means
 
Re: Bonding Screw in Meter Socket

Then....Why not require an insulating fitting in between the meter socket and the service equipment to eliminate objectionable current?
 
Re: Bonding Screw in Meter Socket

I agree with Bryan that you would have a parallel path.

But if the raceway is attached to the meter and service disconnecting means using standard locknuts, then the NEC does not recognize this as a proper bond "Standard locknuts or bushings shall not be the sole means for the bonding required by this section."

Just an observation.

Chris
 
Re: Bonding Screw in Meter Socket

That wouldn't work either. You are permitted to use a metallic weatherhead, metallic riser mast, metallic meter enclosure, metallic service raceways, metallic service equipment all on the line side. If the service drop neutral is connected at the riser mast as typicaly done, normally operating current will flow on all these metal parts and the grounded conductor.
 
Re: Bonding Screw in Meter Socket

CMP must recognize the parallel paths. A few cycles ago it was not a gbig deal, but we are staring to see Art 250 changes to remove parallel paths. If section 250.32 is deleted for the 2008 NEC, the meter socket issue could be looked at, but all meter sockets have a bonded neutral and it would take an equipment design to correct.
There are many cases in the nec where some one started thinking about the requirement, it was technically wrong and a code proposal was made/accepted.
 
Re: Bonding Screw in Meter Socket

but all meter sockets have a bonded neutral and it would take an equipment design to correct.
Click to expand...
The way I see it the meter socket must have a bonded neutral if the wiring method is SEU cable or PVC conduit. Otherwise the metal can could become energized. Unless of course the entire section were re-written to conform to the various different wiring methods.
 
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