Meter base between windows

Merry Christmas
Status
Not open for further replies.
J

Jwrig

Member
Location
Fort Wort, Texas
Can anyone help me with questions about relocating the meter base on an older home in fort worth. The meter base is currently located on the roof line and feeds into a main breaker panel that located on a bedroom wall that is directly behind the meter about 2 1/2 feet away.

Questions as follows
(1) Is there anything in code that would prohibit the meter from being centered between the windows. Code states that I have a vertical working height of 4' to 6' from center line of meter base.
(2) Also I did see some mention in code, regarding a 3' foot clearance from all directions. But I am thinking that windows since they are on the same plane as the base itself, would not violate code ?
(3) Lastly I want to run my raceway out of the side of the meter base and directly back up to the old meter base hole at the roof line and feed into the main breaker panel for convenience. I am thinking I could use 1 1/2" or 2" emt

Thanks in advance for any help given
 

Attachments

  • 20180806_160800.jpg
    20180806_160800.jpg
    72.4 KB · Views: 5
  • 20180806_160806.jpg
    20180806_160806.jpg
    103.1 KB · Views: 5
  • 20180808_193136.jpg
    20180808_193136.jpg
    149.1 KB · Views: 6
Are you changing this service under a licensed electrician? There are many issues here that the boss needs to address.
 
I am glad it is not me having to deal with it. My first thought would be to move it to left around ten feet, and make sure I set up the interservice grounding, and other stuff. Use Conduit to run it back to panel if they dont want to move panel. But, How did it get passed in first place as I see no ground, unless it was painted over, and how could meter be read?

Of Course, I dont like Overhead wires either and those look too low to me.. I prefer buried wires which is why I cause myself problems..lol
But, since I am learning, dont listen to me as I am hoping to learn more from our experts here as one day I may run into a similar situation.
 
Meter base between windows

Hi Dennis, yes the work would be done under a master electrician. Could you give me some insight on the problems you see and your solutions

Thanks
John
 
Unfortunately the the service drop originates from a pole that's located about 80' from the rear corner of the property, moving to the left 10' would be possible, but the attached patio cover is only 5' away. Also there is a hugh tree that the drop runs pretty close to and would prevent any move to the right. I am aware of the missing ground wire, and it's a smart meter read from poco

thanks for the input
 
meter between windows

meter between windows

Hi Infinity, I now realize that I forgot to mention that I intend to mount the meter base at just under 6' center line between the windows. I will be
coming off the base with hub and offset nipple and 2" ridged pipe, through the roof. I am not seeing any problems with code this way??

Thanks
 
Jwrig said:
Hi Infinity, I now realize that I forgot to mention that I intend to mount the meter base at just under 6' center line between the windows. I will be
coming off the base with hub and offset nipple and 2" ridged pipe, through the roof. I am not seeing any problems with code this way??

Thanks
Click to expand...

The offset nipple is a technical violation with the straight threads into the meter hub. If you get rid of that you're good. The RMC mast will work because you can put the meter back in the same location and the drop can be moved above the roof.
 
I don't see any NEC code problem with what you want to do, but the utility may have additional rules about meter or mast location that hold sway. Better ask them to be sure.

I believe your 4'-6' requirement for the meter base would be a utility requirement, not an NEC requirement. NEC just requires that switches or circuit breakers be no higher than 6'-2". Not at issue with what you're describing.

If I were the customer, I might prefer to have a meter/main put there with some possiblity to add circuits from the outside. But that's optional and subject to paying for it, obviously.
 
Hi Infinity, thanks for that info. But are you saying that I can not move the base down between the windows as I was trying to get it off the roof line and get rid of that clutter, also the pvc you are seeing just to the left is running out to the garage and will be coming down as romex in pvc

thank you
 
Jwrig said:
Hi Infinity, thanks for that info. But are you saying that I can not move the base down between the windows as I was trying to get it off the roof line and get rid of that clutter, also the pvc you are seeing just to the left is running out to the garage and will be coming down as romex in pvc

thank you
Click to expand...

The POCO probably won't let you leave the meter at that height so yes I realize that you'll be moving it down. Also you cannot run NM cable in a raceway outdoors.
 
Hi jaggedben, thanks for that info You are correct I did look up Oncore's codes and then NEC 2018 online both had the same requirements.
I do have some confusion concerning service drop height off of roof, I believe it stated a min of 18". Also I was wanting to run out of the new base once relocated and back up the the old hole with conduit, as the main breaker is directly behind the current base location and only 2 1/2 feet away on a perpendicular bedroom wall?

thanks
 
We need to know the height of the roof line. Power company's have their own rules at how high the drip loop must be off the ground. Around here we need to be 14' so the drip loop is at 12' above the ground. Not an NEC rule but a power company rule.

If you go thru the roof then the code doesn't say much about how high you can go without having to brace or guy wire the mast. Rule of thumb is another over 36" needs extra support on the rmc.
 
Hi Infinity, thanks again for that input.
I just wanted to clarify that I could indeed move the base down without any issues, also thank you for making me away that an offset would cause a no pass situation due to the threads. Although I recently did see one get passed somehow. Customer was made aware that NM cable in conduit is against code and would have to be reworked with UF cable or THHW pulled

Thanks
 
Jwrig said:
Hi Dennis, yes the work would be done under a master electrician. Could you give me some insight on the problems you see and your solutions

Thanks
John
Click to expand...

I think you are in over your head here if you are indeed an apprentice. Too many questions for a simple service change that you should be talking to your boss about. Sounds too DIY to me.

Also there is no 2018 NEC.

-Hal
 
Hi Dennis, if I remember correctly the roof line is right at 8'9". And the distance from outside edge of eave to the meter base is way less that the four foot max, I think I measured it out to be only 1 1/2 feet. I had figured out that with the meter base relocated to just under 6' that would give
me 3 1/2 foot to roof, the another 3 foot above so I would not need additional bracing?

Thanks everybody
 
I will be removing myself from your forum now, as you have answered all my questions. Just FYI I am not going to do the work myself (DIY) actually letting a friend off mine do it as he is ACTUALLY working under a master electrician. I was an electrical apprentice 90's but wound up in electronic instead. ANYWAY"S I would like to thank everybody that was willing to answer my question!!!!!

Thank you Infinity,Dennis,JaggedBen

By now:D
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top