Meter by-pass capabilites

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drg

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After reading requirements for a local utilty provider I noticed that one of their requirements for meter sockets was to have meter by-pass capabilites.

Having a milbank 100 amp socket in front of me I'm taking that to mean that the long ears on the moveable lug sections for line and load connections are what this is refering to.

I never checked into this before and would like to know what this actually means, i'm thinking that the utility may connect to these "ears" while replacing a meter so service is not interrupted or something alone those lines.
 
That long "ear" is called "horn bypass", and is used with an external jumper if need be.

Another option is "lever bypass", that actually has a lever on each side that you move to engage shunt bars.

Another option is "automatic bypass", which is an automatic spring loaded version of lever bypass. It's a dangerous one, that is mostly phased out.

It is very odd that your POCO requirement does not specify horn bypass or lever bypass. Generally they spec one method or the other. Most meter cans will serve their entire life with the bypass capability never used.
 
The bypass are shoring bars that allow the meter to be pulled with out the load loosing power. Our POCO requires it for commerical apps. This is the manual type there is also automatic bypasses, keep in mind the NEC does not require a meter, we have to install the cash register as its not a perfect world, IE no free power.
 
I cannot answer that myself, in the pass checking into things like this were not required of me .......now I'm finding all kinds of stuff that I have to look into .
I noticed these ears before but never even bothered to question what they were for, have never had a reason really.
How often do you guys some across a area where they require a external by-pass ?? I have never seen or used one .
 
drg said:
How often do you guys some across a area where they require a external by-pass ?? I have never seen or used one .
In my area, they require horn bypass for resi, and lever bypass for commercial. Lever bypass, being "better" is an acceptable substitute for where only horn bypass would be required.
 
Ok guys thanks , I seen what you mean now about confusion why the utility does not specify other than beyond " meter by-pass capabilites" but thats what their book says .

One other question though on this subject, If you are in a area where the utility requests this in their formal rules and regulations "can the local inspector" following the NEC guidelines enforce additional requirements to the meter socket?

In short can the AHJ ( local state inspector) require that the meter socket have this external by-pass lever and supercede the utility company requirements?
 
If the utility would have wanted a lever by-pass you think they would have published that information , instead they are vauge on the subject.

It leaves room for the local inpsector to make issues .
 
When I get a service inspection, I am getting inspected two ways by the same inspector. One, to assure compliance with the codes and secondly to assure conformity to the utility's published rules. Can he require lever, if it's not published that way? Certainly he can try.
 
Marc, if they try that then they better have their municipal ordinances made public correct ?
In other words if I requested these municipal ordinances by a local township they should be a public record correct ?

I requested such requirements and never recieved any in any shape or form but I am still told that they exist.

Trying to get written documentation seems like a circle jerk and Im at a loss here, I've been told my local builders and friends that this Ahj does not want our business here and that this his way of saying stay out.

I don't like this one bit and pretty mad , it should be a fair palying field for all and no suprises, If I request this information thru e-mail , verbal , or written request as far as I am concerned it sould be given to me upon request.
 
drg said:
If the utility would have wanted a lever by-pass you think they would have published that information , instead they are vauge on the subject.

It leaves room for the local inpsector to make issues .


I agree typically if not specified then they probably except manual
 
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