Removing 400 amp Residential meter

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weather77

Member
Location
GA
I need to replace a lug in in one of the disconnects attached to a 400 amp residential meter base.
I need to turn power off to do so.
So i need to pull the meter

Do these just pull out like a regular meter base?
 

cpinetree

Senior Member
Location
SW Florida
If it has a manual bypass use it and that should release the meter.

Kill the load first.

Make sure the lever is put back to its normal position! The bypass is used to bypass the meter so power can remain on a building while the power company does their thing.

In other words when the lever is in the bypass mode, you will still have power at your panel and any load side lugs.
 

iwire

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Massachusetts
The whole point of the bypass is to never open or close under load. Either the meter carries the load or the bypass does. I agree you never open or close with no meter in place.

Which is why I said 'kill the load first'. :)

The OP wants to kill power from the meter so I see it as

Open the main breaker > remove the meter cover > close the bypass > pull the meter > open the bypass > Do the repairs.
 

brantmacga

Señor Member
Location
Georgia
Occupation
Former Child
Can you call the power company to do it? Most of them frown on you pulling a meter. If it's a smart meter, they're coming anyway. The last one I pulled, the lineman was on site in 15 minutes, and this was after hours.


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meternerd

Senior Member
Location
Athol, ID
Occupation
retired water & electric utility electrician, meter/relay tech
Make sure the lever is put back to its normal position! The bypass is used to bypass the meter so power can remain on a building while the power company does their thing.

In other words when the lever is in the bypass mode, you will still have power at your panel and any load side lugs.

Not being nit-picky (is that a word?), but with a lever bypass, you are first of all entering a sealed utility section for access, which may not be too popular and since you are ahead of any breaker protection, fault currents can be huge, so appropriate PPE is likely required. Also, raising the lever bypasses the meter, but also releases the jaws, allowing the meter to fall out if you don't have a good hold on it. You will not be able to replace the cover in the bypass position. It's that way for a reason. If you return the lever to the down (normal) position without a meter in the socket, you will drop the load and likely experience arcing. They are designed to carry full load, but are not rated for breaking load. The meter should always be back in place when returning the lever to normal. Not all 400A meters are bypass type, and of those that are, not all are the "ringless" lever bypass type. Some require jumpers to be installed in the bypass section below the meter prior to pulling the meter. If it was me, I'd have the POCO do a disconnect at the transformer. Usually no charge if done during normal working hours.
 
The bypass is handy. Just a few days ago, I had to pull a second set of SEC into a 400 amp socket where the first set was energized feeding a house. The meter was right in the pulling path. Thank you bypass, I didnt have to check in with the HO about shutting off power.

I have a funny (in hindsight) bypass story. About 15 years ago I was really green and working in my first 400 socket with another electrician. He didnt think to explain to me, and I assumed that the lever was just to clamp-in the meter socket - i didnt know about the bypass function. Turns out I put a nice weld mark halfway thru the 3/8 of a folding hex key set. I still work with him now and then, and he still has that same hex key set, still going strong and hasn't snapped off yet. I think its a klein ;)
 

qcroanoke

Sometimes I don't know if I'm the boxer or the bag
Location
Roanoke, VA.
Occupation
Sorta retired........
Which is why I said 'kill the load first'. :)

The OP wants to kill power from the meter so I see it as

Open the main breaker > remove the meter cover > close the bypass > pull the meter > open the bypass > Do the repairs.
Ta Da!
Now who can argue with that?
He wanted to remove power from the disconnects so he can repair a bad lug.
 

brantmacga

Señor Member
Location
Georgia
Occupation
Former Child
..... If you return the lever to the down (normal) position without a meter in the socket, you will drop the load and likely experience arcing. They are designed to carry full load, but are not rated for breaking load.

Being this is residential, I would think turning the mains off to disconnect all loads wouldn't be an issue.

I realize too it should only be for a few minutes, but I don't think the utility wants you running any loads with the meter bypassed.


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Tony S

Senior Member
Has anyone got a photograph or a link to these meter disconnects they could post please? UK electricians have been arguing with the supply companies for a long time about the need for a safe method of self isolation of service feeds.
 

iwire

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Massachusetts
Has anyone got a photograph or a link to these meter disconnects they could post please? UK electricians have been arguing with the supply companies for a long time about the need for a safe method of self isolation of service feeds.

There are a lot of choices here but the one in the picture below is pretty typical choice for a 400 amp single phase service to a home or small business.

The power company plugs a 4 terminal meter into it.

You can see the red lever on the right, when you lift it it electrically bypasses the meter and releases the tension on the jaws so the meter removes easily.

The cover cannot be installed with the bypass on so that you can't easily steal power unnoticed.

4d635daa-986c-4ad4-8996-7a2be5013514_1000.jpg
 
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