Physical protection for electrical meters in a residential driveway

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In my opinion this covers it, however utility owned or controled metering equipment may not be under the NEC.


110.27 Guarding of Live Parts.

(B) Prevent Physical Damage. In locations where electrical
equipment is likely to be exposed to physical damage,
enclosures or guards shall be so arranged and of such
strength as to prevent such damage.
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And this ...

230.50 Protection Against Physical Damage.

(A) Underground Service-Entrance Conductors. Underground
service-entrance conductors shall be protected
against physical damage in accordance with 300.5.

(B) All Other Service-Entrance Conductors. All other
service-entrance conductors, other than underground ser
vice entrance conductors, shall be protected against physical
damage as specified in 230.50(B)(1) or (B)(2).

(1) Service-Entrance Cables. Service-entrance cables,
where subject to physical damage, shall be protected by any
of the following:

(1) Rigid metal conduit

(2) Intermediate metal conduit

(3) Schedule 80 PVC conduit

(4) Electrical metallic tubing

(5) Reinforced thermosetting resin conduit (RTRC)

(6) Other approved means

(2) Other Than Service-Entrance Cables. Individual open
conductors and cables, other than service-entrance cables,
shall not be installed within 3.0 m (10 ft) of grade level or
where exposed to physical damage.

Exception: Type MI and Type MC cable shall be permitted
within 3.0 m (10 ft) of grade level where not exposed to
physical damage or where protected in accordance with
300.5(D).-
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And this

240.24 Location in or on Premises.

(C) Not Exposed to Physical Damage. Overcurrent devices
shall be located where they will not be exposed to
physical damage.
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There is more but it comes down to what the inspector thinks is correct for the application.

I would look around the area for recently done services in the same type of location and see how they were done.
 
In our area, there is no such rule for the meter, but there is for the conduit going to it.

The meters and sockets are tough. I live near a store where the snowplow hit the 6" conduit coming out of a 600 amp meter socket SEVERAL times over the years and nothing is busted up except the conduit, which is now hidden by a piece of 8" white plumbing PVC. This place is across the street from the electrical inspector's office and our new fire department.
 
It's not the meter but this can also be used.
300.4 Protection Against Physical Damage. ​
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​
​
Where subject to physical damage, conductors, raceways, and cables shall be protected.​
 
Again, it is not the NEC, but POCO may well have their own standards for location and protection of their meter with which you have to comply before they will supply power.
 
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