Meter base with bypass handle

[Greg1707]

I saw a 200 amp meter base today that had a handle inside the can. There was a sticker next to the handle that said: "Lift handle to remove and bypass meter." It appears that raising the handle releases the meter and also bypasses the meter so the service panel is energized until the handle is lowered.
What is the purpose of this setup?

 

[ggunn]

I saw a 200 amp meter base today that had a handle inside the can. There was a sticker next to the handle that said: "Lift handle to remove and bypass meter." It appears that raising the handle releases the meter and also bypasses the meter so the service panel is energized until the handle is lowered.
What is the purpose of this setup?

One reason I have heard is that it reduces the probability of causing an arc when pulling the meter under load.

 

[Little Bill]

One of our POCOs will not allow any meter other than one with a bypass.

 

[infinity]

Back in the 90's one of our POCO's gave out free 200 amp meter pans with bypass levers and then suddenly abandoned the program. The way I understood it the bypass allowed you to remove the cover, lift the bypass lever and remove the meter under load without interruption.

 

[electrofelon]

The way I understood it the bypass allowed you to remove the cover, lift the bypass lever and remove the meter under load without interruption.

That is my understanding. Here, POCO requires on all non resi meters.

 

[cpinetree]

That is my understanding. Here, POCO requires on all non resi meters.

The POCO's we work with also require bypass meter cans on all commercial jobs.

 

[gaelectric]

Lever by pass type are required by Xcel Energy on residential in Colorado as well.

 

[kwired]

Back in the 90's one of our POCO's gave out free 200 amp meter pans with bypass levers and then suddenly abandoned the program. The way I understood it the bypass allowed you to remove the cover, lift the bypass lever and remove the meter under load without interruption.

Don't they put locks or seals on their meters to indicate potential tampering or theft of service?

I can't recall seeing any that let you put the cover back on with handle in bypass position either.


Other reason for this IMO is improved clamping pressure vs a typical plug on meter socket. Not impossible to install or remove the meter without raising the handle and releasing jaw pressure but definitely much harder then ones without this feature.

 

[infinity]

Don't they put locks or seals on their meters to indicate potential tampering or theft of service?

I can't recall seeing any that let you put the cover back on with handle in bypass position either.

The handle blocks the cover from being installed when in bypass.

 

[kwired]

The handle blocks the cover from being installed when in bypass.

Maybe you were just making a general statement about them, I took it as the reason they stopped using them was because people were stealing service by throwing the bypass handle - but a lock or seal kind of stops that or at least gives evidence someone possibly had the cover off.