Meter Pull
#1
08-25-12, 12:10 PM
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Meter Pull
I am preparing to replace a fuse box and sub-panel with a new breaker panel and plan on doing this all myself. My question is - why should I contact the electric company? I intend to shut down all the loads (remove fuses and turn off all breakers) and pull the meter myself. I have read a lot of posts containing strong suggestions for contacting the utility company for this - WHY?
#2
08-25-12, 12:23 PM
Member
Don't do it in my area. The meter can be pulled by POCO and licensed electricians only. In order to pull the meter you have to break the seal. Break the seal and you may be charged with theft of service.
I don't know if the new remote read meters have the ability to inform the POCO reader if the meter has been pulled.
I don't know if the new remote read meters have the ability to inform the POCO reader if the meter has been pulled.
#4
08-25-12, 12:47 PM
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In my area the utility is ComEd - and it is an old meter, not one of the new "smart" meters that probably could inform them if it was pulled.
My thought was to just pull it, do the upgrade, and then give them a courtesy call letting them know I broke the seal.
My thought was to just pull it, do the upgrade, and then give them a courtesy call letting them know I broke the seal.
#5
08-25-12, 12:48 PM
Because in rare cases there can be a lethal explosion, arc-over, flash-back. The meter may not be rated for the new service. The drop from the pole may not be adequate for the new service
#6
08-25-12, 01:01 PM
If you need more reasons, or back up to the others, from a legal standpoint it's not yours. From a safety standpoint you can cause an arc-over unless you are very experienced at doing it. From a practical standpoint, you are most likely going to need the POCO to come out and upgrade your service, anyway. The meter can't be reinstalled until your permit has been signed off, anyway.......you were gonna get a permit, right?
#7
08-25-12, 01:47 PM
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Thanks for pointing out the permitting aspect - I admit historically I have not been typically big on getting permits when performing "upgrades".
Back to the safety concerns - is there still a large potential for arc-over or arc-flash if all the loads have been removed from the system?
Back to the safety concerns - is there still a large potential for arc-over or arc-flash if all the loads have been removed from the system?
#8
08-25-12, 02:13 PM
Member
Back to the safety concerns - is there still a large potential for arc-over or arc-flash if all the loads have been removed from the system?
#9
08-26-12, 07:46 AM
Member
Thanks for pointing out the permitting aspect - I admit historically I have not been typically big on getting permits when performing "upgrades".
#10
08-26-12, 08:27 AM
Member
Don't do it man,you can do the job yourself if you get a permit and talk with your electrical inspector and make an appointmentr with the poco,but if you pull the meter yourself you can get fined big dollars!
#12
08-26-12, 07:50 PM
Like the guys on the other forum were telling you, before the thread was locked, don't do it. You seem to be shopping for the answer you want. Isn't it nice to see that everyone here says the same thing - don't do it.
This is a nice touch. A "courtesy call letting them know I broke the seal."
What do you think the POCO will think? Answer: You broke the seal to steal service. You didn't? Prove it.
With no permits and no inspection, they'll disconnect you.
This is a nice touch. A "courtesy call letting them know I broke the seal."
What do you think the POCO will think? Answer: You broke the seal to steal service. You didn't? Prove it.
With no permits and no inspection, they'll disconnect you.
#13
08-26-12, 08:51 PM
Member
Right on,some people just simply look for the answer they want to hear instead of the right answer when the answer they want to hear isn't out there.
#14
08-27-12, 10:50 AM
MeterGrabber Arc Flash Video - YouTube
This is a video promoting a tool to make meter replacement safer... but either way, it's not something I'm going to try, with or without the device they are selling.
This is a video promoting a tool to make meter replacement safer... but either way, it's not something I'm going to try, with or without the device they are selling.
