I am replacing main disconnects on each building of an apartment project. There are meters after the disconnect. The POCO requires a #6 ground to the meters socket's neutral connection point. This neutral bar is bolted straight into the meter socket case, and is not isolated in any way. If I bond the grounding electode conductor to the neutral with the green screw in the main disconnect, do I now have a paralel path? Is not the POCO's requirement against the NEC? The AHJ says the POCO is not in compliance with the NEC. The POCO will not energize the service without the above. I reach out to your collective wisdom, to gather ammuntion.
Meter socket neutral connection
- Thread starter ohms277
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- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
Every service that uses metal pipe between the disconnect and a meter has a parallel path.
I can not find specifically where this is addressed in the code. You would have a similar situation if you installed a metal nipple between the meter can and the service panel. I have seen inspectors require what you are talking about in certain areas. I would look at article 250.92. Also if you look in 250.6. I have seen it done don't know for sure if it meets code requirements.
True enough, however, since I have bonded at the main disconnect shouldn't the neutral in the meter socket be isolated? In the event that the neutral is ever lost, would not the ground carry any fault current, and thereby energizing all metal pipe, enclosures, raceways, etc? In addition, there are 8 meter cans feeding 8 disconnects with a 4 wire ser cable feeding a sub panel in each apartment, all downstream from the main disconnect.
- Location
- Massachusetts
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