GEC and meter base

[ultramegabob]

In my own town it is required to be in the main disconnect, in the next town over, it is required to be in the meter base, I just put it where they require it, and dont know why or care why they want it where they want it. As far as I am concerned it serves the same purpose in either location.

 

[quogueelectric]

I guess they all have their reasons for their rules whether they make sense to us or not.

Roger

I know that uninsulated ground wire in the meter enclosure is not acceptable and tape is not acceptable as insulation because a meter installer was badly burned changing out a meter .

 

[ceb58]

I know that uninsulated ground wire in the meter enclosure is not acceptable and tape is not acceptable as insulation because a meter installer was badly burned changing out a meter .

There is more to that than a uninsulated ground wire. I'm just saying......

 

[roger]

I know that uninsulated ground wire in the meter enclosure is not acceptable and tape is not acceptable as insulation because a meter installer was badly burned changing out a meter .

Once again, that is only for your POCO rules. An uninsulated conductor is no more dangerous in a meter enclosure than in a load center, panel, disconnect, or safety switch.

Meter installers are no different than electricians when working on energized equipment, they must be qualified and able to recognize the dangers of the task at hand.

Roger

 

[roger]

There is more to that than a uninsulated ground wire. I'm just saying......

I am inclined to think the same thing.

Roger

 

[quogueelectric]

I am inclined to think the same thing.

Roger

I just picked that vibe up from a poco demonstration/meeting many moons ago where they were going over new requirements for contractors and he mentioned about the separate metering dept person got hurt and that is why the insulation requirement. Back when I was a trunkslamer and I asked the guy how the new connect requirements would affect filing as a homeowner. A huge murmer rippled through the room.

 

[Pullnwire]

Same here, but we get a vortex

Here in So Cal we get black holes and anti-matter. along with no GEC in the meter.

 

[steelersman]

I always land in the meter base. It has never been an issue with local poco's. But may I ask those that do not/ can not land in the meter base. Dose the poco provide the meter base?

here in northern VA we don't land a GEC in the meter enclosure. And yes the power company provides the enclosure, but we have to mount it, they will not.

 

[quogueelectric]

So, that is only your POCO's requirement, and the statement "the correct placement for the gec is at the main disconnect not the meter pan." does not fit the rest of us.

The NEC nor the Soars Book care if it's in the first main, the meter can, or at the weather head.

Here is an illustration of a common way it is done here.

Roger

That water main wouldnt last a winter here without heat trace. You can tell the pic was drawn by a southerner.

 

[roger]

That water main wouldnt last a winter here without heat trace. You can tell the pic was drawn by a southerner.

This one will work for northern climates

Roger

 

[electricmanscott]

I wonder why my poco insists on it??

Some engineer probably thought the NEC required it so they put it in their specs.

 

[steelersman]

That water main wouldnt last a winter here without heat trace. You can tell the pic was drawn by a southerner.

Maybe it is below the frost line. The drawing doesn't say how deep that water pipe is.

Also I'm surprised the drawing shows 2 acorns on the first ground rod. I have always and always thought that the GEC had to be one continuous run and I have always passed it through the first ground rod acorn to the next ground rod acorn.

 

[wallyworld]

Maybe it is below the frost line. The drawing doesn't say how deep that water pipe is..

Below the frost line or not, piping run along the outside of a house up here won't stay thawed out very long

 

[roger]

Maybe it is below the frost line. The drawing doesn't say how deep that water pipe is.

Also I'm surprised the drawing shows 2 acorns on the first ground rod. I have always and always thought that the GEC had to be one continuous run and I have always passed it through the first ground rod acorn to the next ground rod acorn.

The GEC ends at the first electrode, everything beyond that are bonding jumpers, see 250.50. The first electrode in the previous illustration would be the first rod.

Roger

 

[romeo]

GEC and meter base

I recall something about 'first point of disconnect', which the meter is not.

250.64(D)(3) in the '08?

I think it states on the supply side of the service disconnecting means, that imo includes the meter base.

The POCO here does not have an issue with it being in the meter socket and I accept it,because that is the way it is written in the NEC.

 

[stickboy1375]