Replacing my Pole-Top Disconnect

[Smiles79]

Currently I have power coming from the transformer on the pole on the road to a pole next to my house that has a pole-top disconnect and the meter. I talked with the power company about my options for getting power to my future shop and they said I have 200 amp service coming from the road and since I have a 150 amp panel in the house, I could run 100 amp to the shop.

They told me the best option would be to have my pole-top disconnect replaced with one that has two breakers in it, one for the house and one for the shop. Does anyone know what something like this would be called?

I know labor rates vary by region, but what is a ballpark estimate to have an electrician come do this? I'm in Northwest Missouri.

 

[Bert_]

Why replace the pole top? Just splice the shop wire in with the others. One main switch is perfectly fine.

A pole top with ct metering is an excellent service.

 

[Smiles79]

Why replace the pole top? Just splice the shop wire in with the others. One main switch is perfectly fine.

A pole top with ct metering is an excellent service.

That's just what the utility company told me to do.

 

[Bert_]

That's just what the utility company told me to do.

The only thing you would gain is an individual disconnect for the shop building. There is no requirement to have a separate breaker for the shop though. You wouldn't need to replace anything.

You can tap a 100A wire right off the pole top and run it to a 100A main breaker panel at the shop.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Why replace the pole top? Just splice the shop wire in with the others. One main switch is perfectly fine.

A pole top with ct metering is an excellent service.

I must say the first time i saw one on here i was perplexed as we dont have anything like that out here in kaliforniastan...

 

[sparky 1971]

I must say the first time i saw one on here i was perplexed as we dont have anything like that out here in kaliforniastan...

We have them all over farm country, IA. The local REC is going away from them now since all the old guys have died or retired.

 

[Bert_]

I must say the first time i saw one on here i was perplexed as we dont have anything like that out here in kaliforniastan...

Don't install very many anymore here either but there are thousands still around. The common self contained direct meter boxes with plug in breakers don't hold up nearly as well. On 400A+ services the Electric co-op's will still hang CT's on the pole or in the transformer. Then you can provide whatever service equipment you want

I did replace a burnt pole top last fall but it was a 40+ year old 200A and it was running (4) 15hp 1 ph bin fans.

 

[P51Mustang]

I have a pole-top disconnect also and it has proven to be very handy (central Iowa area). I have been able to do pretty much anything I need under it. I have a 200 amp under ground service to the house and a 150 amp under ground service to the shop that also feeds most of my other outbuildings.

The way my service is set up I do not have a way to shut off the shop from the main power line. So far (for better than 30 years) this has never been a big problem.

 

[i4ni]

Why replace the pole top? Just splice the shop wire in with the others. One main switch is perfectly fine.

A pole top with ct metering is an excellent service.

......and the Sparrows love them. Mine anyway. I'll spare everyone the sparrow rant for now.


EDit. just noticed I'm a little late to this party. lol

 

[i4ni]

......and the Sparrows love them. Mine anyway. I'll spare everyone the sparrow rant for now

Mine has some do dad on it that feeds the meter with two smaller 10 ga maybe? wires. An electrician friend said he could cut my electric bill by half if he snipped one of them. Didn't have him cut it............ although i did ponder the thought for a moment. lol

 

[Dagny]

How old is it most here are very old might be time for an upgrade.

 

[Bert_]

......and the Sparrows love them. Mine anyway. I'll spare everyone the sparrow rant for now.


EDit. just noticed I'm a little late to this party. lol

That's a pretty common problem with the ronk pole tops. There's a set of holes in the bottom for generator wires. If you don't put a wire through those holes the birds like to go in through there.

So even if you don't have generator connections you just need to put a short stub of wire that sticks out the bottom a few inches.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Mine has some do dad on it that feeds the meter with two smaller 10 ga maybe? wires. An electrician friend said he could cut my electric bill by half if he snipped one of them. Didn't have him cut it............ although i did ponder the thought for a moment. lol

Thats the CT metering equipment

 

[i4ni]

How old is it most here are very old might be time for an upgrade.

I assume It's been here since the house was built in 74. The sparrow problem exsists because they punched the knock outs and ran the wires through the holes with no sort of clamps allowing the flyin rats squater status. Then the disconnect won't shut off because of nesting ****. Mid-American told me if they touch the pole they have to install a new meter and that's $400. I will clean it out and rat proof it when I rent a lift to trim some tree's. As long as it's working I have no plans on replacing it.