Underground service from a transformer

[slice]

Hello all I have a somewhat simple question. I am coming off a padmounted transformer underground to a meter then to a panel. NEC 240.21(C)(4) for outside secondary conductors requires that you terminate on a single circuit breaker or set of fuses among other requirements. My question is based on 230.82 can you connect a meter ahead of the breaker (in this case a main breaker in a panelboard)? It is kind of confusing to me, I am pretty sure you are allowed to install the meter ahead of the secondary overcurrent device but just wondered what your thoughts were? :blink:

 

[iwire]

Hello all I have a somewhat simple question. I am coming off a padmounted transformer underground to a meter then to a panel. NEC 240.21(C)(4) for outside secondary conductors requires that you terminate on a single circuit breaker or set of fuses among other requirements. My question is based on 230.82 can you connect a meter ahead of the breaker (in this case a main breaker in a panelboard)? It is kind of confusing to me, I am pretty sure you are allowed to install the meter ahead of the secondary overcurrent device but just wondered what your thoughts were? :blink:

I suspect those are utility controlled conductors and that being the case they are not covered by 240.21 at all.

 

[slice]

Thanks for the quick response. We are installing the conductors three feet away from the concrete pad then they are going to intercept them. In this case would you still say they are utility owned conductors?

 

[augie47]

You have the correct reference. A meter is one of the items listed in 230.82 that are allowed to be connected ahead of your service disconnecting means.
That allowance is permitted regardless of who installs/owns the conductors.

 

[Iron_Ben]

Thanks for the quick response. We are installing the conductors three feet away from the concrete pad then they are going to intercept them. In this case would you still say they are utility owned conductors?

Conductor ownership is determined by the meter 99.9% of the time. Upstream = owned by serving utility, downstream = customer wires. When you get in to large services and CT metering there is occasionally some grey area, but using the meter as the line of demarcation is almost always a winner.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

It doesn't matter who owns the conductors in question. They are service conductors up to the service disconnect. 240.21 does not apply to service conductors. The overcurrent protection for service conductors is covered by Part VII of Article 230.