Meter Socket for Underground Service

[central1ny]

I have a 200A underground service going to my house and will be relocating the meter due to a upcoming garage build. I will be installing a new meter socket in the process but have yet to find one that works for strictly underground service.

I bought a Milbank 200A meter socket from home depot as shown below, model U7040-RL-TG-KK-RGE and this is advertised as being Overhead/Underground. What confuses me is that there is a hole on the top of the socket for attaching a socket hub. On the bottom of the socket, there are 3 knockouts. I don't understand how this could be used for underground service. Does the top hole get capped some how? I can't flip the box upside down because there are no knockouts next to the hole that will accept the socket hub. Can anyone explain this? If you click on the picture, you can see the knockouts on the bottom and the extrusion on the top to accept the hub.

 

[Aceman]

They sell a blank to cover the top hole. If they sell meter bases, they should certainly sell blanks...

Have you asked one of their salespeople if they have them?

If you're thinking of feeding your garage from your house, I'd recommend a metermain. It's essentially a meter/panel on the outside of your home that'll also feed your indoor panel. Metermains usually have about 8 spaces or so, so they work great for feeding outside loads like AC's, wellhouses, garages, etc. This way you don't have to pop another hole in your siding to come out of your indoor house panel to feed outside loads.

 

[Norcal]

It is wise to check with the PoCo to see what type of meter can they allow, just my opinion.....

 

[central1ny]

They sell a blank to cover the top hole. If they sell meter bases, they should certainly sell blanks...

Have you asked one of their salespeople if they have them?

If you're thinking of feeding your garage from your house, I'd recommend a metermain. It's essentially a meter/panel on the outside of your home that'll also feed your indoor panel. Metermains usually have about 8 spaces or so, so they work great for feeding outside loads like AC's, wellhouses, garages, etc. This way you don't have to pop another hole in your siding to come out of your indoor house panel to feed outside loads.

Thanks. I will check to see if they have the cover plates. I thought about using a metermains but my main panel was not installed all that professionally to begin with so I decided to update to a new main panel in the basement instead. The current panel is 200A but only 20 circuits and has many code violations. There are at least three holes stuffed with 3+ romex wires and no romex connector. I have been wanting to clean it up for a while.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

The meter socket should have come in the box with a cover plate for the top, every one I've looked at does.

Some power companies do not allow you to use just any meter socket. When I did new service on my Father's house, Georgia Power said THEY had to provide the meter socket, no if's ands or butts about it. Other GP districts did not care, but these guys did.

Charles

 

[central1ny]

The meter socket should have come in the box with a cover plate for the top, every one I've looked at does.

Some power companies do not allow you to use just any meter socket. When I did new service on my Father's house, Georgia Power said THEY had to provide the meter socket, no if's ands or butts about it. Other GP districts did not care, but these guys did.

Charles

The meter socket did not come with a cover plate. In any case, I went to HD and bought one. I am a little concerned with water getting under the plate. It is just a metal to metal contact. Should I use some clear silicone to seal around the edges of the cover plate?

 

[Charles (in GA)]

The meter socket did not come with a cover plate. In any case, I went to HD and bought one. I am a little concerned with water getting under the plate. It is just a metal to metal contact. Should I use some clear silicone to seal around the edges of the cover plate?

The hole in the can probably (should) have a raised lip around it. This, combined with the cover, should prevent water from getting in. You could add a bead of silicone under the cover if you wanted, it would not hurt.

Charles

 

[Rich720]

Central1ny:
If you are a NYSEG customer, their web page has both the meter box specs and some wiring diagrams for reference. I am unfamiliar with NGrid, but I do know they have slightly different meter box specs. (particularily meter box height above grade).

 

[May Pop]

Take a little time and drive around your neighbor hood and see what is done at other residences then you can figure out what you need after talking to the power co.