Two meter sockets?

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If the existing meter is a meter main combo then it will have a permanently bonded neutral making it rated suitable ONLY for use as service equipment. As such it can not be left in place in what is now a feeder as this will violate 250.24(A)(5).
 
jap said:
The feeder to the house in this case would become just that.
The power company probably wouldn't have a say on the load side of the first overcurrent protection.

If nothing else I would think the inspector should catch the fact that the meter jumpers nor the plastic cover with jumpers are an acceptable means of disconnect since they are now under to homeowners ownership and not the power company.



JAP>
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That's like saying a gutter tap is a disconnect and should not be allowed.
 
jap said:
Because if the homeowner refed the existing Combo Meter main on the house then the portion between the 1st combo and the house is now a feeder, not service conductors and the jumpers or the plastic cover with the jumpers could be removed at the house under load since the power company does not own that portion anymore.

JAP>
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Again a meter socket is never a disconnecting means. No matter who owns it or controls it.
 
texie said:
If the existing meter is a meter main combo then it will have a permanently bonded neutral making it rated suitable ONLY for use as service equipment. As such it can not be left in place in what is now a feeder as this will violate 250.24(A)(5).
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That's a good point also.

JAP>
 
After thinking about this I take back what I said about the jumpers and blanks.

Other than what was posted about the existing Meter/Main having a solidly bonded neutral connection, which would be the best reason for getting rid of it like Texie said,

I don't have a good argument for not leaving something on the wall that doesn't need to be there, other than a personal dislike of the setup.

JAP>
 
texie said:
If the existing meter is a meter main combo then it will have a permanently bonded neutral making it rated suitable ONLY for use as service equipment. As such it can not be left in place in what is now a feeder as this will violate 250.24(A)(5).
Click to expand...

This was my thought also as I was reading this thread.
 
texie said:
If the existing meter is a meter main combo then it will have a permanently bonded neutral making it rated suitable ONLY for use as service equipment. As such it can not be left in place in what is now a feeder as this will violate 250.24(A)(5).
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This is the biggest problem with the arrangement. Several years ago we could have still left that meter main as is but not anymore.
 
jap said:
I realize the Power Company uses blanks and jumpers when needed but I don't feel that's the best solution for this scenario.

JAP>
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Outside of the neutural normally being permanently bonded in most meter enclosures, why do you feel it is not a good solution? The customer has disconnecting means ahead of it unlike if it were supplied by service conductors?
 
Bluntly, The OP's scenario of 2 meter base in place where only 1 should be just seems dumb to me.


JAP>
 
jap said:
What's the amperage rating on these?


JAP>
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Can't say for certain, but they have approximately same blade contact mass of metal as a meter would.

Difference between a 10 amp and a 320 amp meter isn't the blade as they are the same dimension, it is what the blade connects to within the unit.
 
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