Ground in Meter Base

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nyerinfl said:
I've seen the idea floated here before, I think it holds a valid point to a degree.
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Sorry, I disagree. An example is from our Goldbook in Section 555:
It is unlawful to break seals . . . without notifying the Service Connection Division . . .

Cooperation will be extended at the request of the customer for normal maintenance or under emergency conditions. Request shall be made to . . .​

​
I know that this is just one electric utility but (I think) you will find most electric utilities will give you access to do any necessary work. :)​

 
Keep in mind that the NEC allows the gec to be terminated in the meter enclosure but the NEC also requires that it be terminated in an accessible location. Some inspectors will argue that the meter enclosure is not accessible since the utility company seals the meter. Probably why it is commonplace to terminate the gec in the main service enclosure.

Look at the diagram posted earlier the gec is terminated in the main enclosure.
 
stevee said:
Keep in mind that the NEC allows the gec to be terminated in the meter enclosure but the NEC also requires that it be terminated in an accessible location. Some inspectors will argue that the meter enclosure is not accessible since the utility company seals the meter. Probably why it is commonplace to terminate the gec in the main service enclosure.
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This may all be true. But... when has ANYONE every had to mess with a GEC unless they were replacing the service to begin with? I just don't get it...:confused:
 
stevee said:
Some inspectors will argue that the meter enclosure is not accessible since the utility company seals the meter.
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These inspectors are wrong IMO. If these inspectors really think that inside the meter is inaccessible, why don't they require the other connections in the meter to be accessible? :rolleyes:
stevee said:
Look at the diagram posted earlier the gec is terminated in the main enclosure.
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And look at the illustration below, the GEC lands in the meter can.

1100203955_2.jpg


Roger
 
roger said:
These inspectors are wrong IMO. If these inspectors really think that inside the meter is inaccessible, why don't they require the other connections in the meter to be accessible? :rolleyes:


And look at the illustration below, the GEC lands in the meter can.



Roger
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Roger said it much better than me... :grin:
 
So inside of that Meter can your GEC would bond to the service Neutral, correct? I just want to make sure I still understand this, today someone got me and another guy confused. Roger, by the pic from the first page of this thread your GEC would bond to the service neutral, which I presume is done in the Meter base per the above pic. Do you then also run a GEC to a foot lug in the can??? Sorry if these seems like a crazy question but I can't believe how many different answers you get from people whom claim to have done this for years. Don't get me wrong I realize it's a large part of preference in some cases but geez I can't get consistency within my own company that I work for!! HELP!:-?
 
awc said:
So inside of that Meter can your GEC would bond to the service Neutral, correct? I just want to make sure I still understand this, today someone got me and another guy confused. Roger, by the pic from the first page of this thread your GEC would bond to the service neutral, which I presume is done in the Meter base per the above pic. Do you then also run a GEC to a foot lug in the can??? Sorry if these seems like a crazy question but I can't believe how many different answers you get from people whom claim to have done this for years. Don't get me wrong I realize it's a large part of preference in some cases but geez I can't get consistency within my own company that I work for!! HELP!:-?
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The neutral bar in most meter cans is already attached to the can and no other bonding is necessary, you would simply land the neutral conductors and GEC in the factory provided lugs.

If you have access to a standard residential meter can you can check it out.

Roger
 
10-4, I'm square now. I was a bit confused when someone was telling us we had to run another GEC from the lug to a foot lug. :-? But I'm on the right track for now on this one:grin: Thanks again fellas for all of your help!!
 
One more thing.........now what if the main service disconnect is connected by a PVC nipple, would you need to provide a GEC from it to the lug in the meter base?
 
Ok, makes perfect sense! Wow, I appreciate all of you guys help. This forum is great for a guy like me starting out. Thank you so much!!
 
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