Having Trouble Getting a Meter Socket

[tstaude]

As I am digging into this electrical project, I am keep running into supply shortages....go figure.

The latest is a meter socket for the 200 amp service, my local PoCo is known to be very picky when connecting service. I found the unit that Menards carries and is approved by the PoCo.

The crazy part is that they don't have any.... at any stores.

https://www.menards.com/main/electrical/circuit-protection-power-distribution/meter-sockets/eaton-200-amp-pedestal-meter-socket/uhtrp242363e/p-1444429562572-c-6439.htm

I think I found a replacement part of a different brand for a decent price. I sent it to the PoCo and they are going to get back to me if I can use it:

SQUARE D 1006388 : METER SOCKET 200AMP 1PH UG +OPTIONS | Gordon Electric Supply, Inc.

SQUARE D 1006388 : METER SOCKET 200AMP 1PH UG +OPTIONS

www.gordonelectricsupply.com

Any of you pro's have a good substitute for the first one mentioned above?

 

[cybrdyke]

There's a global shortage of meter sockets. Product is just starting to show up at local supply houses, but they have so many backorders, that whatever they get in, is already committed to someone. It's been a pretty big problem. Your POCO knows this and might be more lenient than usual.
Good luck,
CD

 

[tstaude]

There's a global shortage of meter sockets. Product is just starting to show up at local supply houses, but they have so many backorders, that whatever they get in, is already committed to someone. It's been a pretty big problem. Your POCO knows this and might be more lenient than usual.
Good luck,
CD

Thanks, hope that's the case!

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Meter socket shortages have been going on for over a year now... good luck

 

[Jim greengo]

I saw some of the newer style 200a meter sockets in clearance area at HD in omaha the other day.

 

[oltruckag]

What does your utility require? Ebay is a decent, albeit overpriced option. I have found 200a much easier to find than 400a.

Check the following sites as well, may be an online option:

Galco

www.galco.com

Elliott Electric Supply - Lower Cost, Quality Electrical Supplies, and Personal Service

Electrical Supplies Distributor. Elliott Electric Supply is your local electric supply house. We Deliver Lower Cost, Quality Products, and Personal Service

www.elliottelectric.com

Graybar | Homepage

www.graybar.com

I needed a 320/400a for my garage/home addition, ended up finally buying one off of ebay that someone had punched a 3" hole in the side of it. $500 for new/damaged. Between NEC2020 changes eliminating the 6 handle rule and supply chain BS none of my supply houses could get them, and if I actually found one they were usually holding it for one of their homebuilder customers.

 

[jcarapet]

Keep calling supply houses weekly. maybe start making friends with electricians. Took me 6 months to find a 320 meter socket and paid a massive premium.

I've seen a few 200 amp sockets in some farm supply places in my search process, but few and far between.

 

[larry4406]

My friends new house in Bethesda MD someone stole the 400A can off the house about 8 months ago before power company tied it in and set meter. He scrounged for weeks trying to find a replacement which cost him
$500 (not sure where/how it was sourced).

Meter cans are a real problem; fortunately I got all my cans early and all were tied in quickly and made hot.

 

[BlindViper]

When I bought mine 8 months ago every supply house said 30 to 48 weeks of lead time. I found 1 in stock I paid to have it overnight shipped to me.

 

[RichieP_MechE]

Ordered one from Zoro last month that was supposed to drop ship from the manufacturer in 14 business days. Followed up with Zoro customer service after that time period, they said they would contact the manufacturer to follow up and expect a response in 7 days. No response from the manufacturer.

I called a local supplier today and they had them in stock. They are a wholesaler so they may have more ready access to stock than others. At any rate I cancelled the Zoro order.

 

[sparky 1971]

I told a guy last week that I would get the service on his shop upgraded from 200 to 400 in two weeks (next week) Locates are done and I got POCO approval yesterday. Called to order the material to find that 400 amp meter sockets are six months out. I guess it will be a spring project. I think our air conditioning season ends this week anyway so it's not that big of a deal.

 

[tstaude]

Quick update on this thread- I got one!

Kept checking the menards website that same week and one..... literally one popped up available.
I ordered it immediately and it came in.
The meter socket and the panel are in place, just have to connect the outside end of the 3-0 copper leads and connect to my ground rods.