Meter Location

[Greg1707]

Does the POCO typically allow a meter to be installed on a wall adjacent to a deck or stair landing? That is instead of 5 feet above grade it would be 5 feet above the deck or stair landing.

 

[electrofelon]

Does the POCO typically allow a meter to be installed on a wall adjacent to a deck or stair landing? That is instead of 5 feet above grade it would be 5 feet above the deck or stair landing.

I would say more often than not, that would not be acceptable, but you would have to ask your power company.

 

[Buck Parrish]

I agree with the felon. Can you post a pic?

 

[Greg1707]

The existing service is on the rear of the house. The meter is installed about five feet above grade. There is a plan to install a deck on the rear of the house. The deck will be three or four feet above grade. The question is can the meter simply be elevated to a new position above the finished deck?

 

[electrofelon]

The existing service is on the rear of the house. The meter is installed about five feet above grade. There is a plan to install a deck on the rear of the house. The deck will be three or four feet above grade. The question is can the meter simply be elevated to a new position above the finished deck?

We really cannot answer that question, you will need to talk to your power company.

FWIW I dealt with this exact issue on a service last year, and they said the meter had to be at the specified height above grade or a permanent structure, and for some reason they didn't consider this deck permanent...YMMV

 

[LarryFine]

Dominion Power basically requires that the meter be 6' +/- 6" above grade (earth), with no steps, doors, etc.

 

[Hv&Lv]

Dominion Power basically requires that the meter be 6' +/- 6" above grade (earth), with no steps, doors, etc.

We do also.
I don’t want to walk up on anyones deck to access the meter. Decks come and go.
Some install the service with the meter at the right height and add a deck later.
Then get mad when we send an order to tell them to get the meter out from under the deck or be disconnected.

 

[Buck Parrish]

Does anyone actually come out to read the meter anymore?

 

[Hv&Lv]

Does anyone actually come out to read the meter anymore?

We read ALL meters at least once per year.
it’s part of the system inspection process.

 

[Buck Parrish]

We read ALL meters at least once per year.
it’s part of the system inspection process.

Good idea, I have seen people build the weirdest things around them. Some out here in Indiana end up inside the house 

 

[Buck Parrish]

 

[paulcoulston]

POCO should have a " Electric Service Handbook " Proper Meter location should be specified. If there are special circumstances you should be able to contact them. I anticipate many problems with meter placement in the future now we ( Delaware ) are on the 2020 NEC. In the Cities there are many row homes with a Meter socket located in the only available space crammed in-between the front door and a basement or front window. NOW WE HAVE to find room for the " Emergency Disconnect " also. Here is a link to Delmarva Power's

https://www.delmarva.com/MyAccount/MyService/Documents/Electric Service Handbook 2018v2.pdf