Can a branch circuit pass through your meter can (act as a junction box w/no splice)?

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This is more likely an issue for the POCO. Ours won't let us install metered and non metered conductors in the same raceway.
 
I would agree with Tom and add two things 1-AHJ may determine the meter is a part of the raceway system as described in OP 230.7 2- meter is typically seal by the POCO therefore not accessible 314.29
 
Bea said:
1-AHJ may determine the meter is a part of the raceway system as described in OP 230.7
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Bea, they better not do that or having both service conductors and non-service conductors in a combo meter / service disconnect will also be a violation. :smile:

I agree with the others that this will be a power company issue that they will not accept.
 
Bea, 314.29 wouldn't be applicable to a seal.

How would you treat a locked electrical room or any locked enclosure?

Even though the statement "the POCO seal makes it inaccessible" is common, it isn't true.

And if it was true, I question why the connections we make in a sealed meter can somehow become perfect and never need to be accessed. :wink:

Roger
 
meter

meter

POCO would cut lose the service in a heart beat in this area of so. mass.Their reference is in thier infamous green book. Its their bible, which in the past year they are not budging an inch.
 
they better not do that or having both service conductors and non-service conductors in a combo meter / service disconnect will also be a violation. :smile:

Meter combs have barriers that seperate unfused from fused and are listed for the purpose and the OP did not say he had meter comb just meter Thank You
 
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Yesterday I replaced an old meter pan setup that had probably 15 total breakers serving as dissconnecting means. I used a meter / breaker combo can that has a 125 amp main breaker and space for 12/24 breakers in it. The feeder wires to the main breaker occupy the same space in the can as do the branch circuit conductors by design of the panel maker. They even provide space above the main breaker for an additional 2 branch circuit breakers, so one has to pass over the "non fused" service conductors that are part of the assembly, to reach those branch breakers. This can has a UL label on it. Millions of them have been installed in this country I'll wager. Iwire is exactly right on spot as usual with his reply.
 
Bea said:
Meter combs have barriers that seperate unfused from fused and are listed for the purpose and the OP did not say he had meter comb just meter Thank You
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Some have barriers, some do not.

I disagree that an inspector can arbitrarily call an enclosure a raceway as it relates to 230.7 when it suites them.

Forget the meter main combo.

How about a typical service panel?

Service conductors feeding the main breaker, non service conductors all around them?
 
How about a typical service panel?

Service conductors feeding the main breaker, non service conductors all around them?[/QUOTE]


I figured this was going to come up.

The branch circuit are terminating in the panel board and is designed for the purpose and if thats not a good enough of a responce How about industry standards;) others and yourself have posted the POCO would not allow

I would just like to ask the question would you run a branch circuit/feeder thru a meter enclosure that contains unfused conductors and if not why would you suggest it to someone else.
 
There is a difference on what we are discussing.
I was referring to metered and non metered conductors in the same enclosure
Thats not the same as service and feeder conductors.

The first is a concern of the POCO as you could get unmetered power.
The second is a concern of the NEC as the service condutors are unfused.

Its possible and likely that the unmetered conductors are line side of the service and the metered conductors are load side.
 
Bea said:
I would just like to ask the question would you run a branch circuit/feeder thru a meter enclosure that contains unfused conductors and if not why would you suggest it to someone else.
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First the NEC has no rule regarding fused or non-fused conductors, lets use the NEC terms, 230.7 concerns itself with service conductors.

For now lets also forget about metered and non-metered conductors as that is not an NEC issue, that is a POCO issue.

Now I had not in the least suggested that anyone run service conductors and other than service conductors in the same raceway.

I can have service conductors in the same enclosure as 'other than' service conductors. There is no requirement that these enclosures be 'listed for that purpose'.

It happens in every service disconnecting means.

IMO the intent of 230.7 is clear, 'raceway or cable' not 'raceway, cables and enclosures.'

IMO any inspector or AHJ that tries to extend 230.7 to include enclosures is wrong.

Back to this threads opening question, it is my opinion the power company will not allow it and that is within their discretion.
 
No branch wires in service raceway

No branch wires in service raceway

It is not allowed in Chicago area by most inspectors and I have seen a few instances where Com -Ed will post a violation notice and request any branch circuit wires be removed . NEC 230.7 is clear in my eyes, NO BRANCH CONDUCTORS IN SERVICE RACEWAY which includes the meter fitting.
 
Jeffnmoe@comcast.net said:
NEC 230.7 is clear in my eyes, NO BRANCH CONDUCTORS IN SERVICE RACEWAY which includes the meter fitting.
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Can you explain how 230.7 includes a meter socket enclosure?

That would mean a meter main combo unit would also be in violation.
 
Jeff, welcome to the forum. :)

I agree with Bob.

A service enclosure is a service enclosure. Meter socket, meter main, 100A MDP nippled to a 100A meter socket - they're all service enclosures.

230.7 Other Conductors in Raceway or Cable. Conductors other than service conductors shall not be installed in the same service raceway or service cable.
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If you say "branch circuits" you should also say "feeders" because they carry the same weight to this section. :)
 
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