Service Upgrade

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ELAR

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I am doing a service upgrade on a 1953 house and needed some help.
I have never done a service upgrade on a residential house (90% experience in commercial work) and was wondering what the steps are with the utility.
Do I contact the utility first and have them cut power while I put in the new service? Will the utility upgrade feeders to the house (overhead)?
Any and all input would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
 
In our area on a residential service 200A or less we cut the power, replace the service and do the taps without contacting the utility co. It saves our customers a hefty charge from the utility co. In your case I would just call your utility co. they should be able to answer all your questions.

Near Pittsburgh, PA
 
It really does depend on the POCO. Most of our area is served by one POCO. We just cut the power ourselves and do the work and call for permit and inspection at the same time. However, one suburb has their own POCO and get real upset if we do anything to their side of the meter.

You could also ask at the parts house to find out what the other ECs do.
 
In our area, on a residential service we first do a load calcuation, and determine the proper service size, this information must be, called in, or faxed to the utility company, they assign a job number, and notify the meter department of intended service change, we then file for a permit to AHJ, and then we call line mark services, to have the area, where we intend to drive the ground rods marked out, then with a copy of our permit we pick up the meter pan, from our utility meter department, then we are ready to start the job, we cut the power, remove the existing service, and replace the service, and do the tie in without having to contact the utility co. In your case I would contact your AHJ and call your utility co. they should be able to help with your questions.
 
ELAR this is the best advice you can get here at a National forum.

bradleyelectric said:
you need to speak with someone in your area. Your responsiblitiy depends on your utility company. They are all different. Try calling your inspector for how to proceed.
Click to expand...

Power companies and their procedures are as different as can be imagined.

You can also go to the power companies web site and usually get a copy of their "Green Book" to download. This book contains the written rules, than you want to talk to other ECs in your area about the real rules. ;)
 
I just finished one today. Like the others have said, you gotta get local information.

Here's what I did:
  1. Drop permit in the mail on the way to the job.
  2. Install the new meter socket and mast on the back of the house.
  3. Run the GECs while I still have power.
  4. Pull the main fuse.
  5. Cut the service wires on the house side of the service drop.
  6. Brush up against an exposed tap on the PoCo wires with my right elbow.
  7. Feel the jolt where my left elbow was touching the metal brace on the ladder.
  8. Nearly fall off the ladder.
  9. Rip out all the ancient service equipment in the basement.
  10. Set the meter aside and try not to lose it.
  11. Install the new panelboard and connect everything to it.
  12. Tap the PoCo's wires carefully. Don't touch the live wire again.
  13. Install the meter in the socket.
  14. Flip the main breaker and hope nothing blows up.
  15. Turn on the circuit breakers one at a time.
  16. Label panel, clean up, get paid, pack truck.
  17. Ask the homeowner when he wants the inspection.
  18. Call the inspector.
I don't have to deal with the PoCo at all. The inspector does that part.
 
here in Denver you will cut the overhead line disconnect and install new service reconnect mast and new wire to excel enrgy wires . Jumper out the new meter. Excel does not want old meter reinstalled, hang old meter off of new panel for Excel to pick up when they come out to set new meter. Call in to excel for a closed loop then schedule inspection. Once service has been inspected and passed the inspector will call Excel Energy to authorise a new meter set and permanent splice of overhead conductors.

Do not worry about size of overhead wire as Excel will decide when they come out to resplice condcutors if they need to run bigger wire. Good Luck. you will want to do load calcs so you upgrade to right ampacity.
 
METER and METER PAN ? it?s LIPA?s responsibility to
keep your meter in good operating condition. However, the
metal base or pan that holds the meter, the connections inside
this pan, and everything below the meter and meter pan belong
to and are the responsibility of the homeowner. A licensed
electrician should also make repairs to the meter pan.

This is typical utility description, i know of 27 other utility companies that use the same description.

The socket with the jaws, is mounted in the pan, but if you like to call it a can, be my guest.

"Thomas and Betts / Sachs Meter Pan Grounding Clamp"
Also the manufactures use the term Meter Pan.

But i do notice, a lot of production wireman seem to use the term Can
 
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Meter base, is usually used to identify the older hard wired meters, they were mounted on a base, the newer meters are socket type, intresting, how some terms can hang in there, just remember when your changing an older base mounted meter, don't forget to have the adapter with you, and some utilities, still use the term meter base.
 
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