Electric Meter/Deck covers majority of it

[dunga]

Quick question. Family purchased home year and half ago and now WE energies would like Meter to be moved because of Code violation. Deck covers surrounds meter tightly but is viewable. WE energies needs complete access to meter. Deck is used by severely disabled child that has a whirlpool on it were he does Aquatic therapy. Who is responsible for catching this code violation? Deck was put in 11 yrs ago.

Dunga

 

[tom baker]

Re: Electric Meter/Deck covers majority of it

Perhaps there was no deck when the meter was installed, that long ago who knows? If WE wants the cash register moved, it will have to be moved. The NEC only covers the wiring of the meter, the NEC does not even require a meter.
You may have a recourse with the public utility commission for an appeal...Get the metering standards from WE and see if they have a key to the deck door if that will suffice.

 

[Guest]

Re: Electric Meter/Deck covers majority of it

The seller is responsible for disclosing known issues with the house. At least in California. Do you have real estate disclosure laws in your state? If so, your recourse is against (in this order):

1. The seller.
2. The Home Inspector.
3. The listing and selling Realtor.

They all have a fiduciary responsibility to notify of any defects in the house. Even if you bought the house as-is there can be failure to properly disclose known issues.

This post is for informational purposes only is not guaranteed to be accurate and is not to be construed nor used in place of good legal advice. Consult an attorney for the final word. Find a Pit Bull. Proper disclosure prevents your castle from becoming a

 

[rrrusty]

Re: Electric Meter/Deck covers majority of it

How about putting in removable planks or make the deck user friendly to the utlities so if WE can have access to the meter it is granted and maybe a cat fight can be avoided if an agreement can be made and it would be less of a headache than relocating the meter; What were the rules 11 years ago and how old is the house and why all of all sudden the notice?

 

[cselectric]

Re: Electric Meter/Deck covers majority of it

Unfortunately, viewable isn't the criteria being used by WE energies on this one. According to the "general requirements" section of We energies handbook, all service equipment (meter sockets, troughs, tap boxes, transsockets , etc.) are to be installed per NEC 110.26. WE Energies further requires a meter height between 36" and 60" (from ground level to center line of meter.)

I've run into these problems before (generally the result of a deck installed with no permit pulled.) It can be a tough fix. Removing the decking, or providing a means by which it can be readily moved (hinged section) will get you your required three feet of clearance. But, unless you provide a means of egress from the deck to the ground in that area, you still won't be within the meter height requirements. All things considered, moving the metering equipment is usually the easiest course of action.

As to who is responsible? That would probably be best discussed with an attornet specalizing in real estate. A building inspector could hav caught it on the deck install, but that assumes a permit was pulled (highly unlikely.) A home inspector could have caught it pre-sale, but most HI's I've dealt with know only what is on their standardized checklist and I'm betting electric / gas and water metering isn't. Perhaps the previous owner can be held responsible, but I'm no lawyer so i won't comment on that.

 

[charlie]

Re: Electric Meter/Deck covers majority of it

If it is not moved, how do we get into the cash register to do any testing, replacement, repair, etc.? We also require 110.26 to be followed with a distance of four feet in front of the meter, not the meter fitting or structure.

 

[frenchelectrican]

Re: Electric Meter/Deck covers majority of it

ok here is the WPS service manual say for decks

"the first prioity is to avoid decks when installing new undergrond or overhead services."


this proceures is on how to deal with problems once decks are built around meter(s).

Use the pedestal extensions to get the above minium dimension. the lower dimension is critical for safety reasons when pulling or plugging in a meter in the event that a fault occurs. the connectons in the pedestal must be accessible ( cover able to come off). A possibile solution is to design the deck so that one or two boards can be easily unscrewed to provide acces to the connetions.

this wording is came from wisconsin pubic service manual page 2-6 ( 2001-2002 )

one way is to do is mesure the decking from decking floor to center line of socket per drawing it must between 2'6' to 6'0" from decking floor

or the other option is :

meter socket below the decking but make sure the minuimum of 6.5 feet of head room per nec 110.16 the underside of deck must be mantained as easily accessible. gating it off and using the area by meter for storage is not acceptable.

the other option is :
move the meter socket away from decking and using the 6X6 treated wood post for support the meter pedestal ( please do note that it have 2 diffrent ways if running in conduct service enternce cable must be installed by nec codes the the other option is bury the cables then the pedstal must have main disconneting device . )

sorry for long wording but that what wps regulation required for decking area

merci marc

 

[dunga]

Re: Electric Meter/Deck covers majority of it

Thank you all for the info.

Dunga

 

[dunga]

Re: Electric Meter/Deck covers majority of it

Submitted design of work to install plank that can be removed so WE energies has direct access to the meter. WE energies guy stated that they would rather have direct access to the lines but removeable panel will suffice. He also stated as long as the panel could be moved and is not to heavy. Panel will weigh about 50-60lbs.

Dunga

 

[charlie]

Re: Electric Meter/Deck covers majority of it

Another example where most electric utilities try to be responsive to everyone's needs while protecting their own requirements.