Wall space required for a meter

[75gmck25]

My electric meter is mounted on the side of the house about 3 feet from the front corner of the house. We plan to build a side porch addition outside that wall and the meter would be in the way.

The addition will be set back one foot from the front of the house, so the remaining wall space will be about 12 inches, and the meter is 11 1/2 inches wide. Is there any code issue with moving the meter forward and fitting it into that corner where the exterior wall is only 12 inches wide where the meter would be mounted? There will be plenty of open space in front the meter, but it will be right up against the corner on the left side.

The meter is fed from the top, coming from an overhead masthead. The wiring to the panel goes down about a foot and then through the wall into the basement, and then connects to the top of the panel. If I move the meter over it would extend this connection to the panel by about 2-3 feet.

Thanks,

Bruce

 

[rlitman]

I'm not sure, but I will add this, code isn't the only thing that applies here. Regulations about meter pans and their required clearances are determined by your PoCo, so what is allowed in one location may not be in another.

edit: my PoCo for example will insist on specific model meter pans from a short list, and will not allow substitution with other brands, even if they're the same "form".

 

[Sevenhills1952]

Maybe check with your power company. Here they provide service up to the meter and I'm responsible for power past the meter base.

Sent from my SM-S320VL using Tapatalk

 

[Norcal]

PoCo rules apply, check with them & the additional length of SE conductors may require a outside disconnect which would require the separation of neutrals & grounding conductors in the panel if required by AHJ.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Each power company has regulations about placement of the meter and clearances. Go to your power company's website and look for an installation guide. If you can't find it (not all utilities have it available, or else they just make it hard to find on the website), give them a call. You'll have to get them involved eventually anyway when the meter socket and mast head are moved.

 

[75gmck25]

Now that I think about it, since its the meter pan location, you are right that its probably more of a question for the power company than the electrical inspector.

When I had a 200 amp upgrade for my panel, the electrician handled all the POCO coordination and I don't even know how it worked. I'll have to check their web site for the right contacts.

Thanks,

Bruce

 

[bczygan]

My electric meter is mounted on the side of the house about 3 feet from the front corner of the house. We plan to build a side porch addition outside that wall and the meter would be in the way.

The addition will be set back one foot from the front of the house, so the remaining wall space will be about 12 inches, and the meter is 11 1/2 inches wide. Is there any code issue with moving the meter forward and fitting it into that corner where the exterior wall is only 12 inches wide where the meter would be mounted? There will be plenty of open space in front the meter, but it will be right up against the corner on the left side.

The meter is fed from the top, coming from an overhead masthead. The wiring to the panel goes down about a foot and then through the wall into the basement, and then connects to the top of the panel. If I move the meter over it would extend this connection to the panel by about 2-3 feet.

Thanks,

Bruce

POCO will likely require 36" clear width.

Bill

 

[Zeke]

Sounds to me that if there is open clearance on the right of the meter out in front of the set back (if I'm picturing this correctly) then you have a chance. Will have to be level ground 3 feet wide for starters and the POCO has the final say. Our has a locating approval service. You show where, and they say yes or no. Some of it has to do with the service drop location and direction.