So a meter isn't a disconnect huh?....

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mxslick said:
I don't think a meter can be considered an NEC -compliant disconnect for two reasons:

One, as was pointed out in another post, if the meter is fed by CT's not only is it NOT a disconnect you WILL create a serious hazard when pulling the meter open-circuits the CT's.....

Two, A meter under load (or fault conditions) cannot be pulled fast enough to prevent a serious arc flash from the meter clips. I have seen it happen to others and it has happened to me. :)
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I did not know that about the meter and CT's

And I agree, Like I said before, A meter socket isnt rated as a load break device. It CAN be used as a load break device in emergency by the POCO or fire dept but Im not saying it SHOULD.

~Matt
 
Don't feel bad sir, I didn't know about the CT/meter relationship either until a POCO guy explained it to me..it also answered what all those little knife switches under the sealed clear cover were used for. :)
 
mxslick said:
Don't feel bad sir, I didn't know about the CT/meter relationship either until a POCO guy explained it to me..it also answered what all those little knife switches under the sealed clear cover were used for. :)
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Being just a little residential electrician... I have actually never seen one in person.
Smiley-Embarrassed.gif


~Matt
 
TOOL_5150 said:
Being just a little residential electrician... I have actually never seen one in person.
Smiley-Embarrassed.gif


~Matt
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Years ago when we did a residential 400 amp service we did not use a standard meter base. We mounted a CT (current transformer) cabinet. The service wires are looped thru the CT's and tied directly to the power company wires. From there you would use #12 wire to a standard meter. The #12 was tied to a connection on the CT.

I am not sure how but this would use the CT's to interpret the power used to the meter. Terrible explanation but the best I can do.
 
The Meter is not an acceptable means of disconnect. Also if the Service Disconnecting Means is not directly behind that LB going into the wall it
would fail in our area. 5' max. beyond the load side of a self contained Meter.
 
TOOL_5150 said:
Being just a little residential electrician... I have actually never seen one in person.
Smiley-Embarrassed.gif


~Matt
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LOL I've seen many in cinemas and other commercial buildings...and some of the homes I do screening rooms have 600 amp or higher services that use CT meters.
 
When I see this label, I assume you must shut off two disconnects to shut off power to the building. If that is the case here, this is not a "Service disconnect 1 of 2" because the other disconnect is in another location. Therefore, it is acutally "Electric Service 1 of 2", and that is what the label should say.

Did the inspector give permission for this building to have 2 services?

Steve
 
The service disconnect has to meet these 2 requirements.Both of which a meter does not.

230.76 Manually or Power Operable.
The service disconnecting means for ungrounded service conductors shall consist of one of the following:
(1) A manually operable switch or circuit breaker equipped with a handle or other suitable operating means
(2) A power-operated switch or circuit breaker, provided the switch or circuit breaker can be opened by hand in the event of a power supply failure

230.77 Indicating.
The service disconnecting means shall plainly indicate whether it is in the open or closed position.

Rick
 
steve66 said:
Did the inspector give permission for this building to have 2 services?

Steve
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He must have or the meter never would have been installed. It's not a very large building and when it was remodeled a year or so ago, this service was done for the new tenant, a national donut chain. I don't remember if there was already two services before the remodel, but the new service appears to be 3? 400A 208/120, which the previous tenant would not have needed.
 
I might be wrong but this looks like it says 2 of 2 . as to passing good luck ,have seen many pass that never should and even inspectors so busy they never even seen electric rooms or roof tops.
Never base anything on it passed . Not meaning this as negative on inspecters but many times things are simply missed. Had final on a house i built and inspector (he knowed me well) only seen about half of it and i asked his opinion on something and he went to truck to look it up and never did finish seeing rest of house. Did it matter ,nope he knows i dont break codes knowingly. Point is passing means nothing.
 
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