OLD Residential SEU ripped out of meter pan. Simple replace SEU and meter? Or bring everything to current code requirements? Disconnect, SER, exc...?

[joeDE]

A concrete truck ripped the SEU right out of the meter socket. It took off the head and attachment point for the wires supplied by electric providers. The local electric company came out to reattach their wires to the eve of the home. The existing service is old and no outside disconnect. Do I need to bring the service up to current code? Outside disconnect, SER (4 WIRE) to the panel, sperate neutrals/grounds, and exc. Or can I simply swap out the meter pan and SEU to the eve? Thanks! Sussex County, DE

 

[gadfly56]

You're going to have to pull a permit for it anyway, right? Let your customer know what the options are and the cost. See if they want to upgrade or roll the dice, understanding that the building department will make the final decision. If the later, lay out your intention in the permit application to repair to previous condition and see what the electrical subcode official has to say.

 

[joeDE]

Update: not sure about other states but Delaware has private companies (3) that are contracted to perform electrical inspections. I called 1 of these companies and I was informed everything needed to be brought up to code. So everything replaced, added disconnect, 4wire to the inside panel and new interior panel. So I bought and installed. Then a local another master I was previously trying to contact called me back and informed he used one of the other inspection agency and the simply said just change meter can and SEU up the house.

So other people deal with this? I was under the impression they would of had the same answer. 1 standard. There's some interpretation of the code, but darn! I figured the original inspector I called didn't have a good answer new you can't go wrong replacing everything. But come to find out completely unnecessary.

 

[gadfly56]

Update: not sure about other states but Delaware has private companies (3) that are contracted to perform electrical inspections. I called 1 of these companies and I was informed everything needed to be brought up to code. So everything replaced, added disconnect, 4wire to the inside panel and new interior panel. So I bought and installed. Then a local another master I was previously trying to contact called me back and informed he used one of the other inspection agency and the simply said just change meter can and SEU up the house.

So other people deal with this? I was under the impression they would of had the same answer. 1 standard. There's some interpretation of the code, but darn! I figured the original inspector I called didn't have a good answer new you can't go wrong replacing everything. But come to find out completely unnecessary.

If you didn't ask that individual for a code citation, there isn't much you can do. Once you start asking for book, chapter, and verse, a lot of inspectors backpedal in a hurry.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

This is not clear in the 2020 code so you have to ask the AHJ. The 2023 added the following to address this issue.

230.85(C) Replacement.
Where service equipment is replaced, all of the requirements of this section shall apply.
Exception:
Where only meter sockets, service entrance conductors, or related raceways and fittings are replaced, the requirements of this section shall not apply.

 

[Fred B]

You didn't indicate Service size. And, Not sure which code cycle you are on. If not already at 200A bare minimum I would recommend to customer to minimally install a 200A SE cable and meter. You can leave the other at existing size and make it easier for future upgrade possibility.