metered/ unmetered conductors in same channel

[mobeus]

Quick question...I have a 277/480 service that ive been saddled with outta nowhere. anyway Had the utility companies planner come out and go over the requirements for the service. HE is making us replace the meter can...add a discon before the meter and put it all on unistrut. I agree his recommendations except the meter can. ( there was nothing wrong with the existing) any way after completing the service and having it pass inspection, the guy tell me that the unmetered and metered wires cannot be in the same channel...( meter is a 7 pin levered bypass meter can.) the only space in the socket is on the left side opposite the lever and top and bottom. because the trough is below the meter and the discon is before the meter i had no choice but to route the wires in the same channel... normally it wouldnt be a problem to reconfigure but we have to turn the store over in 2 days and the utility company requires a 2 week minimum to schedule an outtage!!! is there any credence to his gripe? my idea was to cut lload side conduit up top 2 ft to the left bring it down and enter the meter on the bottom ...then the metered and unmetered wires would not be in the same "channel" as they are in the pic...the only place they would be is at the bottom where there is much more space. ( please disregard the card board spacing...used that to get the damn wire out the way so i could get to the lugs).



for reference The gear in the middle is my installation with the discon.



THis IS the planner suggestion which qould work but would require an outtage to be scheduled for the whole Mall



This is my suggestion ...will this work and is it allowed?

 

[kwired]

I don't see any NEC issue with the line and load conductors in the same space, POCO can however require their own specifications on an issue like this. I do think it is stupid they are requesting this but also understand that they can.

A potential problem I do see with NEC is the POCO requesting the disconnect to be locked. They can do this also but you will need a disconnect on the load side of the meter that does permit access by the owner/occupant. Depending on the installation you may have this at the equipment in the occupancy being fed.

 

[mobeus]

POCO can however require their own specifications on an issue like this. I do think it is stupid they are requesting this but also understand that they can.

So there is no specific rule mandating this...can make there own specs as they please with no fundamental basis? When Tuesday comes around do I have any basis to challenge this requirement? Keep in mind that this installation has passed the required municipal Inspection.

 

[kwired]

So there is no specific rule mandating this...can make there own specs as they please with no fundamental basis? When Tuesday comes around do I have any basis to challenge this requirement? Keep in mind that this installation has passed the required municipal Inspection.

They usually have a fundamental basis but you do not have to agree with it. I have POCO's that specify things that I think are absolutely rediculous but there is nothing I can do about it most of the time. If you do not meet their requirements they have every right to refuse to supply service. Once you get past the point of delivery (which is usually the meter) they have very little they can require, if they feel something is dangerous they may refuse to connect, but usually will connect if the electrical inspector says it is ok to do so.