Meter base height accomodation.

[Guest]

I have a job where the meter base ended up being 78" above grade (to center-line of meter socket). The maximum allowable by the POCO is 66" to CL.

If I build a 12" reading platform for the meter reader how wide, and how deep (how far from the wall) does the platform have to be?

In this case it's easier to raise the ground than to lower the meter base. What say you? Thanks!

 

[bennie]

Re: Meter base height accomodation.

This would be a call by the power company.

 

[cselectric]

Re: Meter base height accomodation.

I'd definately call the POCO on this one. But, I would count on your platform being at least large enough to meet the clearance requirements of 110.26 .

 

[charlie]

Re: Meter base height accomodation.

Originally posted by cselectric:
I'd definitely call the POCO on this one. But, I would count on your platform being at least large enough to meet the clearance requirements of 110.26 .

You are correct, this is definitely the call of the electric utility. IPL requires 5' to 6' to the top of the meter fitting, 110.26 to be complied with, plus 4' in front that is measured from the front of the installed meter (the voltage of the service doesn't matter). Every company is different!

 

[cselectric]

Re: Meter base height accomodation.

Of course, every utility company is different. But adherance to 110.26 apperas to be pretty standard. Of the half dozen or so power companies I've worked with, that has always been right in their rule book. I guess I can ad IPL to that list. Yet, I wouldn't jump to the conclusion that that is always true everywhere. I would not be at all surprised to find POCO rules that require greater, or even lesser clearances.

 

[tom baker]

Re: Meter base height accomodation.

Our POCO is 5 to 7 ft above grade to center of meter, but I find 5-6 to be just right for installing and for the meter reader.

 

[curt swartz]

Re: Meter base height accomodation.

Wayne

Is this a PG&E meter? If so their preferred maximum meter height is 66" but they will accept 75".
If you don't have a copy of their meter requirements look here: http://www.pge.com/002_biz_svc/pdf/sect7.pdf

 

[Guest]

Re: Meter base height accomodation.

I have a copy of all their sheets and their green book.

My sheet shows 75" crossed out to 66". If they will accept 75" I'll just raise the grade by 3" and be done.

Their sheet is pretty silly. It does not use a datum plane so it makes no sense unless you have the magic decoder ring. The sheet shows measurements pulled from every which way but loose. It's like a shop drawing. It raises more questions than answers.

The .pdf link makes more sense but does not address the gas meter location. The shop drawing does address the gas meter, but it's not clear as there is no datum plane.

Cool. Thanks. Yes, PG&E.

PS: My apologies to any PG&E staff that monitors this forum