Utility disconnect

[jxofaltrds]

RUMOR

I heard today that AEP is requiring a disconnect before the meter.

This disconnect is required for 480 3/phase services.

Example I heard today:

Service change for an exsisting 480 3/phase service was not connected by the utility because they now require a disconnect before the meter. This is an overhead service.

The contractor is going to have to "eat" this because his bid was for a service change.

If this is a rumor I apologize, if not you might want to make sure that this is not your responsiblity. $$$$$

Mike P.

 

[tom baker]

Re: Utility disconnect

Our POCO has had this requirement for 20+ years. Sometimes I will use a non-fused disconnect, if it is OK on the fault current levels. Or I will just install the disconnect ahead of the meter, but then its got my lock. If possible its a seperate disconnect with the POCOs lock.
The 2002 code was changed to allow a disconnect ahead of the meter, POCO's refer to this a cold sequence metering.

 

[jxofaltrds]

Re: Utility disconnect

Tom

Thanxs for the quick reply.

My question is how can the POCO require anything past the point of service? And if they do why does the owner or EC have to provide this?

Mike P.

 

[iwire]

Re: Utility disconnect

That's easy Mike, you want what they have, you must follow their rules to get it.

You could refuse to put in the disconnect switch and they can refuse to connect.

We have this cold sequence metering for most services over 250 to ground.

[ January 29, 2004, 04:26 PM: Message edited by: iwire ]

 

[jxofaltrds]

Re: Utility disconnect

Thanxs Bob

Who inspects this disconnect? Anyone?

If it is before the meter am I performing utility work?

If a utility worker works on the meter past the disconnect that I installed, am I responsible?

Sounds like they want it "all ways".

Mike P.

 

[iwire]

Re: Utility disconnect

I guess they do but what can you do, they are the only game in town.

Any of the services I have been involved with the disconnect ahead of the meter is the service disconnect, as such the electrical inspector looks in it for bonding grounding etc.

Many times the services I do are in switch gear so the gear is ordered with a service disconnect GFP, OCPD ahead of a CT section.

The customer provides space, pays for and services the entire piece of gear, but only the POCO has access to the CT section. (If the remember to put their seals on it)

As always every area is different but traditionally around here we always pay for and provide the meter socket or CT enclosure, the POCO will provide the CT meter pan if one is needed.

 

[charlie]

Re: Utility disconnect

As I said in another post, different electric utilities have different requirements. We require cold sequence for the metering in our downtown network area because of the high available fault current and hot sequence everywhere else. We have adopted the policy of using only transformer rated metering (CTs & PTs) for all 480 volt services.

90.2(B)(5) states in part "Installations under the exclusive control of an electric utility". IMO that covers a disconnecting means without overcurrent protection that is installed in front of the meter if the electric utility puts their seal on it and maintains exclusive control of the switch.