2017 NEC Meter Socket Mounting Height?

[TimberMan]

I am having a hard time finding the mounting height requirements in the 2017 NEC book. I can find some answers when I search online but none of them seem to reference the code.

Can someone point me in the right direction for meter socket mounting height in the 2017 NEC?

Thanks,

 

[PCustoms]

I am having a hard time finding the mounting height requirements in the 2017 NEC book. I can find some answers when I search online but none of them seem to reference the code.

Can someone point me in the right direction for meter socket mounting height in the 2017 NEC?

Thanks,

I don't recall an NEC reference, but I believe my PoCo had it called out in their service install handbook.

NEC does call out a max breaker/disconnect height.

 

[Oily Ape]

I work for elec utility, and I'll ask engineering what ours is, tomorrow.

 

[larry4406]

Our power company specifies that the center of the meter socket be 4-6' above finished grade. We target 5' at installation.

 

[PCustoms]

Our power company specifies that the center of the meter socket be 4-6' above finished grade. We target 5' at installation.

I went and looked up mine again, every potential install option here is "5' approximately"

 

[Chuckster in NJ]

Our power company specifies that the center of the meter socket be 4-6' above finished grade. We target 5' at installation.

PSE&G in NewJersey requires 6’ 6” next to sidewalks and driveways, JCP&L meter height is 6’ maximum height.…… Always check with the utility company as far as their approved meter manufacturer and installation requirements.
Every utility has their own meter and metering requirements and these requirements are not in the NEC.…… Plus utility companies are exempt from the NEC.

BTW! In the drawing in post #5 it shows a "driven ground" going into the meter and in my area a driven ground is not allowed in a meter, even though there is a lug for it.

 

[PCustoms]

BTW! In the drawing in post #5 it shows a "driven ground" going into the meter and in my area a driven ground is not allowed in a meter, even though there is a lug for it.

Did you read the notes?

If you have a meter/main (look at that pic again), where does your ground go?

 

[Chuckster in NJ]

Did you read the notes?

If you have a meter/main (look at that pic again), where does your ground go?

The "driven ground" goes into the "main section" (serviceable area/accessible) next to the breaker and NOT into the meter area……… Sounds crazy but that is their requirement.
I have not had a "good explanation" from any utility company why you can’t have a driven ground in a meter enclosure except "it is OUR meter and the meter pan is locked and the ground is not accessible" for service.

 

[Oily Ape]

Ya'll beat me to it.

 

[mm08822]

Go to your POCO's website and find their "electric service requirements" book.

Look for your service type - overhead or underground. It will also tell you about approved meter pans that they require/accept.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Go to your POCO's website and find their "electric service requirements" book.

Agreed. A diagram was already posted above, and the installation requirements are generally similar, but it's best to see what your specific electric utility requires. Most if not all of them have an installation guide available on their website these days, if you can't find one call them.

 

[Bert_]

Nec doesn't address it. Power company will have a requirement.

 

[PCustoms]

@TimberMan what's your location?

 

[Oily Ape]

If you are on a cooperative....

https://swrea.com/sites/default/files/documents/net-metering/Wiring-Specifications-2013.pdf

This is Arkansas Electric Cooperatives guidelines which will be NRECA's as well

 

[Chuckster in NJ]

Go to your POCO's website and find their "electric service requirements" book.

Look for your service type - overhead or underground. It will also tell you about approved meter pans that they require/accept.

They even have requirements and diagrams on how to build a temporary construction service.

 

[sparky 1971]

I deal with two real POCO's, two REC's, and at least three city utilities, they all say for the center of the meter glass to be between 4' and 6' above grade. I usually put the top of the can at 6', but there have been times I've had to do it differently do to circumstances beyond my control.

 

[Oily Ape]

I have been mtr reader for 26yrs. 2 1/2 to go

Meter bases I hate the most are the ones that are a foot off the ground. Very hard on the knees and back. Several are high enough I need a ladder. All these are placed before the yard is finished.

But we do have one, that when it needs replaced, lineman have to do it with bucket truck. Its a flippin' 20ft off the ground!! Still on the house though. Never backfilled against the basement.

 

[mm08822]

This one is maybe 9'. It was raised after a Nor-easter....

 

[PCustoms]

I have been mtr reader for 26yrs. 2 1/2 to go

Meter bases I hate the most are the ones that are a foot off the ground. Very hard on the knees and back. Several are high enough I need a ladder. All these are placed before the yard is finished.

But we do have one, that when it needs replaced, lineman have to do it with bucket truck. Its a flippin' 20ft off the ground!! Still on the house though. Never backfilled against the basement.

Seems like a ripe location for wireless reading...

 

[Chuckster in NJ]

This one is maybe 9'. It was raised after a Nor-easter....

Where are the stairs and work platform?………. I am surprised this was allowed.
JCP&L requires 36” wide stairs with a guard and handrail along with a 42” work platform for meter reading and meter maintenance and the stairs must comply with the building code.
After Super Storm Sandy when homes were elevated above the BFE this was a big issue that had to be addressed with utilities.……. Some towns were not allowing stairs to be built because of zoning restrictions and the State stepped in and said these "meter access stairs and platforms" were exempt from zoning requirements.

 

[mm08822]

It was b/c of Sandy.........JCP&L issued readersand ladders

I have no idea how that is/ever was acceptable.

 

[Oily Ape]

Seems like a ripe location for wireless reading...

We've had amr for over 20yrs. But modern technology, aka electronics, goes bad. Have to be replaced. Oh the days of the old mechanical meters. But I don't miss having to go read a thousand or so every month.

Ours actually read back across the powerlines. We looked at wireless. But we have many places cellphones do not even get out.

 

[TimberMan]

@TimberMan what's your location?

North Carolina, with Duke energy.

 

[mm08822]

Where are the stairs and work platform?………. I am surprised this was allowed.
JCP&L requires 36” wide stairs with a guard and handrail along with a 42” work platform for meter reading and meter maintenance and the stairs must comply with the building code.
After Super Storm Sandy when homes were elevated above the BFE this was a big issue that had to be addressed with utilities.……. Some towns were not allowing stairs to be built because of zoning restrictions and the State stepped in and said these "meter access stairs and platforms" were exempt from zoning requirements.

JCP&L issue a "Flood Plains Electric Service Requirement" 2 yrs after Sandy. My guess is this was done immediately following all of that devastation and due to volume of workload for POCO, they let it fly. If that were the case then, I'm finding it hard to believe that in a calmer environment, now, it hasn't been flagged for some type of rework or access.

 

[dcg9381]

North Carolina, with Duke energy.

Ask 'em. Here the POC has a spec.

 

[Pompey]

My recently installed workshop meter is in the Duke area and the installation was passed by the County Permit Department and then Duke Energy installed the wiring and meter. Duke would not come out until all the building inspections were passed and this information was passed to them.


What they do need is two 8 foot ground rods which are 6 feet apart.

I can measure the meter height if you are interested.

 

[Bert_]

This one is maybe 9'. It was raised after a Nor-easter....

Where are the stairs and work platform?………. I am surprised this was allowed.
JCP&L requires 36” wide stairs with a guard and handrail along with a 42” work platform for meter reading and meter maintenance and the stairs must comply with the building code.
After Super Storm Sandy when homes were elevated above the BFE this was a big issue that had to be addressed with utilities.……. Some towns were not allowing stairs to be built because of zoning restrictions and the State stepped in and said these "meter access stairs and platforms" were exempt from zoning requirements.

Probably jacked up with house without ever involving the utility company.

It's usually got to be a major safety issue before they make you change something that's already powered up and working.

 

[Chuckster in NJ]

My recently installed workshop meter is in the Duke area and the installation was passed by the County Permit Department and then Duke Energy installed the wiring and meter. Duke would not come out until all the building inspections were passed and this information was passed to them.

That’s interesting! Once I approved the electric service I would send a "cut in card" to the POCO and they would come out and finish their end of the job even though the house was in the "rough in" stages…… Of course the rough grading had to be done and siding where the meter was going had to be done.

 

[Pompey]

Yes it was a pain.... I passed the electrical inspection but they wouldn't send my paperwork over to Duke so I had continue working with extension cords. I then got the final building inspection passed but there were still irrelevant inspections such as foundation etc when I had a monolithic pad. I eventually got it all sorted out and had to wait another month because Duke messed up the paperwork.

The inspection department said that they only delay like this with domestic outbuildings and not new construction. My county has a reputation as being one of the worst to deal with.

P.S. Another issue was my electrical rough in was signed off on my card but not on the internet portal...just another hurdle.

 

[TimberMan]

Yes it was a pain.... I passed the electrical inspection but they wouldn't send my paperwork over to Duke so I had continue working with extension cords. I then got the final building inspection passed but there were still irrelevant inspections such as foundation etc when I had a monolithic pad. I eventually got it all sorted out and had to wait another month because Duke messed up the paperwork.

The inspection department said that they only delay like this with domestic outbuildings and not new construction. My county has a reputation as being one of the worst to deal with.

P.S. Another issue was my electrical rough in was signed off on my card but not on the internet portal...just another hurdle.

What county are you in?

 

[Pompey]

Wake County...what county are you in ?

 

[TimberMan]

Wake County...what county are you in ?

I am in Chatham

 

[Pompey]

Hopefully your rules aren't as stringent as here.