Meter socket on a post not attached to the structure

[LHarrington]

Good morning all,
Please be patient, little new with the residential stuff. I have a customer who has built a new barn/workshop. He has requested that he would prefer the meter socket not be mounted on the outside wall of the barn. He has asked for me to install the socket on a post about 15 foot from the wall or enough to get a large mower through there. I have just a few questions:
1) Is this even allowed by code, I was thinking it was because I've seen this in trailer parks.
2) Is there a min and max height requirement for the socket?
3) Is there a specific post size?
4) Is there a specific Sch. 80 PVC conduit size required?. I read it was 2.5 inch and it was required to be 24". under the surface if I wasn't going to protect it with 2" of concrete.
5) Will I be required to have a Nema 3 or 4 disconnect at the post along with the meter socket? I was told one was required.
6) Will I be required to have a ground rod at the socket as well as the panel inside of the barn?
7) There's going to be a 200 amp panel inside of the barn am I correct by saying the max. height of the panel is 6? ? 7?
I'm counting on your questions to inspire a few more but this is just a few general question I have. I have left a message for the AHJ in my area but wanted to get a head start. Not to mention I can't stand waiting.
If it matters I'm in Michigan. Saginaw Bay area.
Agian I ask to be patient I'm an industrial electrician and don't get into to much residential or new construction. If it?s not to much to ask just to keep me fresh please include the sections of the NEC that relate to your answers. I have been in the book and plan to keep looking mainly in articles 230, 250 and 300.

Thank you for you help and suggestions,
LHarrington

 

[nizak]

One of my first thoughts would be has the POCO ok'd the spot you intend to put the meter base? I would assume it's Consumers Energy you are dealing with.

 

[stickboy1375]

All your questions can be answered by your POCO, its common to do pedestal mount services.

 

[LHarrington]

Yes the POCO has approved, but past experience has proven the POCO is never around during an inspection.

 

[nizak]

Really no reason for the POCO to be present at an inspection.Once the the socket is inspected, the AHJ calls it in to the POCO and then it is "released"for scheduling.In the past the biggest problem that I have encountered is that the POCO seems to take forever to get to hooking it up.

 

[wirenut1980]

Really no reason for the POCO to be present at an inspection.Once the the socket is inspected, the AHJ calls it in to the POCO and then it is "released"for scheduling.In the past the biggest problem that I have encountered is that the POCO seems to take forever to get to hooking it up.

No reason for the Poco to be at the inspection, but they may have standards for construction and approved equipment that may be used. Best to at least ask them.

 

[augie47]

devil's avocate here:
is this: "Meter socket on a post not attached to the structure"
or "Meter on a seperate structure"
ref Art 100: structure
:smile:

(just opening the door if anyone wants to jump)

 

[cschmid]

I don't know about Michigan but here you are required by the fire department to have a disconnect on the post for fire fighting reasons..but the poco here provides the setup, and we wire to disconnect..every where is different on this..other wise I see no problem..sounds like a nice job to do..

 

[dnem]

He has asked for me to install the socket on a post about 15 foot from the wall or enough to get a large mower through there. I have just a few questions:
1) Is this even allowed by code, I was thinking it was because I've seen this in trailer parks.

Yes, a pedestal is allowed and is a commonly chosen option for a variety of reasons. . If you decide to also put a disconnect on the pedestal, then it will be a "structure served" and will need to have its own electrode. [250.50]

2) Is there a min and max height requirement for the socket?

Meterbase height is not in the code. . Check with the power company for their limits.

3) Is there a specific post size?

Check with the power company. . If you have to comply with their specs for them to install their meter on your meterbase. . Some power companies specify alot more than just size. . Some won't accept wood posts, etc.

4) Is there a specific Sch. 80 PVC conduit size required?. I read it was 2.5 inch and it was required to be 24". under the surface if I wasn't going to protect it with 2" of concrete.

Conduit min size is based on the conductors you install. . See Annex: C Tables TableC.9 for Schedule 80 PVC and TableC.10 for Schedule 40 PVC. . Stay away from C.9(A) + C.10(A) unless you're sure you have compact conductors.

Burial depth is Table300.5. . Column 3 is for PVC and the only 24" is under a street or driveway.

5) Will I be required to have a Nema 3 or 4 disconnect at the post along with the meter socket? I was told one was required.

Table110.20 [2005NEC Table430.91]. . Pick the one that you need.

6) Will I be required to have a ground rod at the socket as well as the panel inside of the barn?

At the socket will require an electrode only if there's also a disconnect there. . To the panel inside of the barn, you need a separate electrode for the barn no matter what's going on at the pedestal.

7) There's going to be a 200 amp panel inside of the barn am I correct by saying the max. height of the panel is 6? ? 7?

Max for the top of the top breaker handle. [240.24(A)]

Take all of your info from the NEC and change it to comply with any state or local codes.

 

[LHarrington]

Augie47
It has been requested for the meter to be on a post no other structures around.

 

[dnem]

devil's avocate here:
is this: "Meter socket on a post not attached to the structure"
or "Meter on a seperate structure"
ref Art 100: structure
:smile:

(just opening the door if anyone wants to jump)

"Meter socket on a post not attached to the structure"
for meterbase only

"Meter on a seperate structure" served
for meterbase / disconnect combo unit or side by side setup

 

[dnem]

I don't know about Michigan but here you are required by the fire department to have a disconnect on the post for fire fighting reasons..but the poco here provides the setup, and we wire to disconnect..every where is different on this..other wise I see no problem..sounds like a nice job to do..

You might also have a power company requirement for a meter disconnect placed in front of / line side of the meterbase. . Check with the power company. . Even if there's a meter and/or service disconnect on the pole, each building [or structure] needs to have a main disconnect or main lug only panel with a max of 6 breakers.

 

[augie47]

Augie47
It has been requested for the meter to be on a post no other structures around.

The post was partly in jest and partly highlighting some interesting discussions that have occured here due to the NEC definition of a "structure" (That which is built or constructed).
when you put up a post and install that meter, is it a structure ? :smile:

 

[LHarrington]

Thank you everyone for your time and replies, it has been very helpful

LHarrington

 

[dnem]

The post was partly in jest and partly highlighting some interesting discussions that have occured here due to the NEC definition of a "structure" (That which is built or constructed).
when you put up a post and install that meter, is it a structure ? :smile:

Actually the words are "structure served"
A pedestal might be "that which is built or constructed", but the pedestal isn't served with power unless it contains a service [main disconnect with OCPD within or "immediately adjacent thereto" 230.91]
or unless it has a load that needs to be served, as you would find in an actual building.