Need your opinion - underground pedestal mounting options

[spschroeder]

Hi all,

I'm upgrading from 100A overhead to 200A underground on an existing building.

The concrete slab the building is set on is wider than the width of the building by ~3.5 inches. That means my new 200A pedestal meter socket cannot sit flush to the building's exterior OSB sheathing because the pedestal needs to be buried 18" into the ground.

My options:
1) Rent a concrete saw and cut away the concrete to fit the 10" width of the pedestal and mount the pedestal flush to the building wall.
2) Frame out a 2x4 (3.5") "bump out" that matches the pedestal width and height dimensions; pedestal now sits away from wall and will need to get flashed, but I don't need to cut away concrete.
3) ...some other option I'm not thinking of but you might have!

What would you do?

Thanks in advance,
-Steve

 

[spschroeder]

Pictures:

 

[tailshaft56]

You can cut the concrete with a Diamond blade on a grinder. While it would take longer you would not need to rent the saw. I am not sue the rented saw would work well for the cut parallel to the slab. Clearance needed to get flush to the wall.

Can you use a standard meter hub with conduit up the wall and offset to clear the slab?

 

[Norcal]

What are you going to do about water intrusion behind the pedestal?

 

[justsam]

Who is placing the pedestal? If it is the PoCo they may advise on how they want it placed, access, etc.

 

[spschroeder]

I left that panel of OSB just temporarily installed with screws, so I could remove it to get a concrete saw in there for a vertical cut parallel to the wall and in the location I need it. Or, I could just make vertical cuts perpendicular to the wall and break off the pieces with a hammer and chisel.

Norcal & justsam; the pedestal is a solid box that screws to the exterior of the house. The only "opening" into the house is the 2" plastic conduit, and I will caulk around that to prevent water from getting in. However, that will be very unlikely because the vinyl siding will keep water off the OSB and from getting behind the panel.
I will be placing the pedestal. Electric company installation manual just says it needs to be firmly secured to the building. It does not describe my particular situation.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Why are you using a pedestal vs. a divorced meter pan and main service panel or combo service panel?

I would do either of the latter and bring conduit up the wall into the pan or panel...

 

[spschroeder]

The pedestal is the required, standard meter socket for underground service from the utility company in my area. A non-pedestal meter socket for wall mount underground is not generally accepted, and in cases where permission is granted to use one, I have to bury the conduit a minimum 28" into the ground. And, I still would have to deal with creating some type of bend with the conduit to come up along the building and around the slab.

 

[ard]

So the pedestal goes on the exterior? After the waterproofing, after the siding?

Id make vertical cuts with a concrete blade on an angle grinder, every 3/4 inch, then crack them off with a hammer and chisel.

 

[spschroeder]

Nice suggestion, ard. That worked perfectly. Only cost me $10 for the angle-grinder blade and about an hour of my time, but it did the job and also gave me one more reason to love the capabilities of an angle grinder!