porch awning in the way of electrical service.

[Steamplantsean]

I have a very old split buss panel (200A) that I am upgrading.
Everything from the weatherhead to the meter to the service panel (in basement) is inside the wall of the house and currently undersized.
The meter socket is recessed.
I want to install a surface mount meter socket and run pvc conduit on the outside of the house from meter to weatherhead. It is a straight vertical run EXCEPT that there is a porch awning (original to the house, permanent) directly in the way.
What is the correct way to overcome this situation?

Thanks, I've been really enjoying this forum!

 

[augie47]

Go underground

Even though it's in the NEC, the overhead drop is likely POCOs responsibility. I would check with them...some are more lenient than others. If they don't allow it the only choice is to relocate the riser.

 

[jaggedben]

The correct way would be to put a proper flashing and boot on the riser if you penetrate it through the porch awning. It's going to be tricky if the porch awning butts into a wall that goes higher.

I don't agree that it's the utility's responsibility, other than that they need to approve the weatherhead location. But I can't imagine they will flash your riser for you.

 

[Steamplantsean]

Thank you.
The porch awning is on the first floor and the weatherhead is at the top of the 2nd story on the gable end of the house.
Also, the awning is enclosed, it has a finished ceiling.

 

[jaggedben]

The awning being enclosed just makes the stakes higher. (The stakes are a bit lower when leaking water would essentially stay outside the building.)

I would stand off the service riser from the building on deeper strut (or some such) so you have a gap for the flashing to go above the riser where it goes through.

(BTW around here PVC wouldn't be allowed for a service riser, but your mileage may vary.)

As far as flashing the penetration properly, do you have any roofer or general contractor friends? As electricians we get pulled slightly outside our trade sometimes. If you don't have the competence, then the choices are:
1. do it incompetently and cause damage (I've seen too much of this)
2. Hire someone competent for that portion of the project (either as employee or contractor)
3. Come up with a different plan

This is the sort of thing you could watch some YouTube vidoes about and maybe do a competent job, but I don't know you well enough to be sure.