Upside down meter base and disconnect

[steve burke]

Hello,
we have a very narrow wall and the only 400 amp meter base / disconnect we can find with an 11-1/2” width is an overhead feed but we are under ground.
The panel (Milbank M400-APS-BS) will be fully enclosed and not exposed to weather so I am not concerned with inverting the panel. That said I am concerned with the meter readout. Can you please tell us if we can install the panel upside down, yet have the meter read right side up?

 

[kwired]

does the main breaker(s) operate vertically or horizontally? On must be up position if vertically.

If you plug meter in "upside down", reading should decrease as energy is consumed.

 

[Little Bill]

Even if an inspector might approve this, most likely the POCO will not. They are used to terminating their wires in a certain spot and wouldn't want to have to look to make sure which way is right.

 

[GerryB]

Also the meter has to be listed for underground. A 400 amp meter/main for ug is bigger than what you have (the ones I've used) and has a barrier so your ug conductors can enter the bottom and terminate line side of meter and be isolated from load side conductors.

 

[roger]

Even if an inspector might approve this, most likely the POCO will not. They are used to terminating their wires in a certain spot and wouldn't want to have to look to make sure which way is right.

I agree.

Roger

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I cannot imagine that install being allowed. I would not pass it and I am certain the power company will not go for it. It looks like a disaster waiting to happen

 

[Dennis Alwon]

1

 

[steve burke]

Thank you all. Thought this might be odd and you confirmed. Given the narrow access we will go with a 400 amp pedestal which is 13” wide. Milbank U2849-0-2/200. We can mount in the wall. Believe it or not, every inch counts since we are between two concrete columns.

 

[Hv&Lv]

I can guarantee we wouldn’t set a meter in that installation. Too much potential for someone getting hurt while connecting, disconnecting meter.