Services
- Thread starter wmeek
- Start date
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charlie
Senior Member
- Location
- Indianapolis
Re: Services
Yes, but you better check with the serving electric utility first. If it were on the IPL system, we would not hook up the service with splices (I would bet we are not the only ones). The bottom line is that the Code doesn't prohibit splices inside the meter fitting.
What I am wondering is why. It sounds like you messed up and are trying to wiggle out of a tight spot without spending any money.
Yes, but you better check with the serving electric utility first. If it were on the IPL system, we would not hook up the service with splices (I would bet we are not the only ones). The bottom line is that the Code doesn't prohibit splices inside the meter fitting.
What I am wondering is why. It sounds like you messed up and are trying to wiggle out of a tight spot without spending any money.
- Location
- Illinois
- Occupation
- retired electrician
Re: Services
Charlie,
I wonder if this question is related to an old requirement that Illinois Power had? When I started, the neutral had to pass through the meter to the service disconnect in one piece. You were not permitted to have one length of wire from the weatherhead to the meter and a second length from the meter to the disconnect. The neutral lugs in the meter were of a "lay in" type to make this possible.
Don
Charlie,
I wonder if this question is related to an old requirement that Illinois Power had? When I started, the neutral had to pass through the meter to the service disconnect in one piece. You were not permitted to have one length of wire from the weatherhead to the meter and a second length from the meter to the disconnect. The neutral lugs in the meter were of a "lay in" type to make this possible.
Don
hbiss
EC, Westchester, New York NEC: 2014
- Location
- Hawthorne, New York NEC: 2014
- Occupation
- EC
Re: Services
I've never seen a meter pan that didn't have two lugs for the neutral and a neutral bus down the center. How would you run a type SE neutral through the pan without at least twisting the strands together to go in one lay in lug? Probably could be done but I've never had to. We've always used two pieces.
I've never seen a meter pan that didn't have two lugs for the neutral and a neutral bus down the center. How would you run a type SE neutral through the pan without at least twisting the strands together to go in one lay in lug? Probably could be done but I've never had to. We've always used two pieces.
- Location
- Illinois
- Occupation
- retired electrician
Re: Services
hbiss,
Illinois Power has not permitted the use of SE cable since before I started in '73 so that wasn't an issue. The meter can would accept two neutrals (one in and one out), but IP wouldn't. This rule changed in the late 70s.
Don
hbiss,
Illinois Power has not permitted the use of SE cable since before I started in '73 so that wasn't an issue. The meter can would accept two neutrals (one in and one out), but IP wouldn't. This rule changed in the late 70s.
Don
charlie
Senior Member
- Location
- Indianapolis
Re: Services
WOW! You are talking about the old round meter fittings that have the swing away lugs that are held together by the screw that clamps the wire. I don't think we have many of those on our system any more. We issued those for 60 ampere services but we never required the grounded conductor to go through in one piece. I remember the grounded conductor doing just that but it was not a requirement.
[ July 26, 2003, 08:16 AM: Message edited by: charlie ]
WOW! You are talking about the old round meter fittings that have the swing away lugs that are held together by the screw that clamps the wire. I don't think we have many of those on our system any more. We issued those for 60 ampere services but we never required the grounded conductor to go through in one piece. I remember the grounded conductor doing just that but it was not a requirement.
[ July 26, 2003, 08:16 AM: Message edited by: charlie ]
- Location
- Illinois
- Occupation
- retired electrician
Re: Services
Charlie,
The 60 amp ones were round, but the 100 amp ones were square. They both had a lug where you could remove the top part of the lug, lay the wire in the bottom part, and then reinstall the top part and tighten the set screws.
Don
Charlie,
The 60 amp ones were round, but the 100 amp ones were square. They both had a lug where you could remove the top part of the lug, lay the wire in the bottom part, and then reinstall the top part and tighten the set screws.
Don
charlie
Senior Member
- Location
- Indianapolis
Re: Services
Don, we issued 100 ampere round meter fittings of the type lugs you describe. Additionally, some of the more modern meter fittings had that type lugs.
Bennie, I don't like your comment but you are absolutely correct about the line to ground fault. However, the neutral is not required for the meter to operate unless it is a three phase meter where a neutral potential is required. A single phase meter will pick up the 240 volt nominal from a phase to phase coil for the voltage reference.
Don, we issued 100 ampere round meter fittings of the type lugs you describe. Additionally, some of the more modern meter fittings had that type lugs.
Bennie, I don't like your comment but you are absolutely correct about the line to ground fault. However, the neutral is not required for the meter to operate unless it is a three phase meter where a neutral potential is required. A single phase meter will pick up the 240 volt nominal from a phase to phase coil for the voltage reference.
txsparky
Member
- Location
- Conroe, Texas
Re: Services
Ive never understood why an overhead service (in my area) requires the grounded conductor to be unspliced through the meter can to the panel. But if it is an underground service, we terminate our grounded conductor in the meter can and then the PoCo. terminates theirs in the meter can. The meter cans are exactly alike. (2 lugs on the neutral buss)
Ive never understood why an overhead service (in my area) requires the grounded conductor to be unspliced through the meter can to the panel. But if it is an underground service, we terminate our grounded conductor in the meter can and then the PoCo. terminates theirs in the meter can. The meter cans are exactly alike. (2 lugs on the neutral buss)
charlie
Senior Member
- Location
- Indianapolis
Re: Services
The grounded conductor is not required by the Code to pass through the meter fitting unbroken and I have no idea as to the reason any electric utility or AHJ would require it to be unbroken.
Glenn, 230.75 applies to the service equipment. 230.66 states "Individual meter socket enclosures shall not be considered service equipment."
The grounded conductor is not required by the Code to pass through the meter fitting unbroken and I have no idea as to the reason any electric utility or AHJ would require it to be unbroken.
gregoryelectricinc
Senior Member
Re: Services
Perhaps there is a little bit of misunderstanding going on here. It appears to me that some are referring to to incoming "grounded" conductor from the utility company, while others may be refrring to the GEC (bare # 6 or 4 or other appropriate size) going to water pipe or other Grounding Electrode. The second wire i refer to must remain unbroken if it passes through the meter can as well as be bonded to BOTH ends of any metal conduit nipples it passes through. Just a thought. I am not aware of any utility companies or inspectors in outr area that would require th incoming grounded conductor)the one in your risor, overhead or underground) to be unbroken.
Perhaps there is a little bit of misunderstanding going on here. It appears to me that some are referring to to incoming "grounded" conductor from the utility company, while others may be refrring to the GEC (bare # 6 or 4 or other appropriate size) going to water pipe or other Grounding Electrode. The second wire i refer to must remain unbroken if it passes through the meter can as well as be bonded to BOTH ends of any metal conduit nipples it passes through. Just a thought. I am not aware of any utility companies or inspectors in outr area that would require th incoming grounded conductor)the one in your risor, overhead or underground) to be unbroken.
charlie
Senior Member
- Location
- Indianapolis
Re: Services
I don't know about any misunderstanding. I have reviewed all the posts and the only terminology is grounded conductor and neutral. I would hope we are all talking about the same current carrying conductor.
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