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Main panel with meter replacement

fordguy

blah.
Joined
Nov 24, 2022
Member Number
5787
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285
Need to change main panel on the pole, one with the meter.

1. Do I need to be a certified electrician? I wired my own 220v and 110v in thr yard, welding circuits, sub panel, tesla charger, etc.

2. Does powerneed to get cut by the elec co when I do this?
 
I have pulled meters myself and re-stabbed them, but if the whole meter can is coming out, the power company has to kill power to the drop or you will have live wires on the top.

(and I bet there is a permit process when you start down this road. HERE, an owner can pull the permit, but it may vary by jurisdiction).
 
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AKnate said:
Coolneon Electrical Insulated Gloves for Lichtenberg Machine 12kVAC/22kVDC Max Use Volt,Size 10,Electrician High Voltage Gloves,Electric Safety,Not for Dexterous Work,Thickness 1.8mm,1 Pair. Amazon.com
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istockphoto-1125369351-612x612.jpg

[SAFETYFAG] you need to wear leather protectors over those so you don't make a pin hole in them and compromising the integrity for when the OP causes an arc flash[/SAFETYFAG]
 
fordguy said:
So theres gloves that let you work on live electrical?
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I watched the power company guys when my panel got changed out. The electricians did not touch the main cables.

The SMUD guys had the big rubber gloves and also a +/-3' long fiberglass pole thing that they grabbed the wires with.
they then had thick plastic caps that they slid over the bare wires and taped them securely in place. This took one guy about 5 minutes but they sent 3 giant utility trucks and a whole crew out, maybe they were on their way to another job?

The problem with calling out the utility is that you might then need permits etc. depending on your location of course. For me it was all part of the panel replacement that I hired an electrician to do. I will say, the utility guys did not act like they were doing safety theatre, they looked like they respected the energy in those wires and had the training to mess with them all day every day safely.
 
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See if your jurisdiction allows that work under a homeowner's permit.

Many a panel (or meter base) has been changed hot, on the down-low. Check your competence and confidence; don't make any bad mistakes - the fallout could be bad.
 
Our panel was in the house not the pole ,
But we called the power company and told them we needed the line dropped to work on the gutters that were right next to where the wire was attached to the house .

And they were happy to
Come drop it , we changed the panel and called em back to re connect the line .

That’s not gonna work on yours if your panel is on a pole

Ours was built in 69, had the wire from the street going into the exterior wall of the house , then halfway around the house inside the wall to the meter , which was recessed into the wall , then on to the breaker panel .


But while you got the power off , install a disconnect right after the meter so you won’t have to go through this again , you just use the disconnect to kill
The power to the house .
 
1. Depends on your area. Around here you can do it yourself with a permit. They will come and inspect.

2. Yes. electric Co will come and pull the meter then come and reattach when it passes inspection.
 
Eric642 said:
1. Depends on your area. Around here you can do it yourself with a permit. They will come and inspect.

2. Yes. electric Co will come and pull the meter then come and reattach when it passes inspection.
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Is this just a panel replacement, or a meter can replacement?

I'll change my answer if it's just a panel.
( I though the post said he needed to pull the meter can)


If you can remove the ring on the meter, you can pull the meter.
(i've had shit luck removing the gold ring with the specials key / tool, but I bet someone here has a key to pull the ring)



(If it's an old style, you can plug it back in upside down and the meter will run backwards. If it's a smart meter, they may know the minute you pull it)
cut the wire on clip on the ring real close, so you can make it look like it is still connected.



I've seen a meter can and panel in the same enclosure, but it's uncommon in the places I've lived.
 
Call the local building department and pull a permit. If they won't let you pull a permit then you'll need to hire an electrician. :flipoff2:

I just call and give them a permit number and they come and do disconnect/reconnect for free. I can typically change one in a day, and that includes waiting until a lineman shows up at 9-10, hurry up and swap, call before 3 for the reconnect.
 
grumpy356 said:
Is this just a panel replacement, or a meter can replacement?

I'll change my answer if it's just a panel.
( I though the post said he needed to pull the meter can)


If you can remove the ring on the meter, you can pull the meter.
(i've had shit luck removing the gold ring with the specials key / tool, but I bet someone here has a key to pull the ring)



(If it's an old style, you can plug it back in upside down and the meter will run backwards. If it's a smart meter, they may know the minute you pull it)
cut the wire on clip on the ring real close, so you can make it look like it is still connected.



I've seen a meter can and panel in the same enclosure, but it's uncommon in the places I've lived.
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As I recall, it is not allowed to break the tamper tag on the meter.
Might depend on the electric utility company.

upgradedhome.com

What Is The Penalty For Cutting The Lock Off The Electric Meter?

If there’s anything I learned to hate, it’s meter readings.No, I don’t want to have to see how badly I’m clobbered with electricity use.I just don’t want to look at it.At times, I’ve even considered unlocking the electric meter.
upgradedhome.com upgradedhome.com
 
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This is a commercial address, an empty lot, homeowner stuff wont fly
 
jeeptj19992001 said:
As I recall, it is not allowed to break the tamper tag on the meter.
Might depend on the electric utility company.

upgradedhome.com

What Is The Penalty For Cutting The Lock Off The Electric Meter?

If there’s anything I learned to hate, it’s meter readings.No, I don’t want to have to see how badly I’m clobbered with electricity use.I just don’t want to look at it.At times, I’ve even considered unlocking the electric meter.
upgradedhome.com upgradedhome.com
Click to expand...

75b6d365ccd93d40cbc302b72b8bbc87.jpg


It's never allowed and I never gave a fuck.

and with ALL the shit I've done in life, if that is the one that sends me to prison, I guess I'll deal with it.
 
jeeptj19992001 said:
As I recall, it is not allowed to break the tamper tag on the meter.
Might depend on the electric utility company.

upgradedhome.com

What Is The Penalty For Cutting The Lock Off The Electric Meter?

If there’s anything I learned to hate, it’s meter readings.No, I don’t want to have to see how badly I’m clobbered with electricity use.I just don’t want to look at it.At times, I’ve even considered unlocking the electric meter.
upgradedhome.com upgradedhome.com
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"I don't know how that tag got sliced' {shrug} 'perhaps the last guy from your company who worked on it forgot to replace it'
 
grumpy356 said:
Is this just a panel replacement, or a meter can replacement?

I'll change my answer if it's just a panel.
( I though the post said he needed to pull the meter can)
Click to expand...

Think I read it wrong. You are right. The drop would have to get disconnected for a box with a built-in meter.
 
Chevy_man said:
Ever seen an arc flash from a line that has that potential?
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I don't fuck up. So no. :flipoff2:

I also have only done a low single digit number of panel replacements but that's beside the point. :laughing:

Chevy_man said:
I have the gloves, the insulated tools, etc. I still call them to pull cut-outs.
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Easy to say when you're not paying for it though. The difference between a homeowner panel replacement and paying someone is months of savings to most people.

For what OP's trying to do I'd take a look at it and if it looks doable I'd drop a hundo on the gloves, mat, etc. The odds of shit going south fucking around once are pretty low. Now, if you're playing slumb lord and are fucking with one building a year, yeah that might catch up with you.
 
Jackie Treehorn said:
I don’t remember reading a thread about that.
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Wasn't eventful. Swapped meter panel to a panel with more breaker spaces.
WTF? said:
"I don't know how that tag got sliced' {shrug} 'perhaps the last guy from your company who worked on it forgot to replace it'
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Wind blew it off.
Ice knocked the meter off and I put it back.
I cut it to do work.
 
You might be surprised to find out that with higher voltage a big problem is not only the jolt, but the fact that the electricity sets your clothes on fire. So yeah, you got shocked, but you are also laying on the ground on fire.

Because of this many utilities, like PG&E, require their guys to wear fire retardant clothing. If you don't own any FR clothing a handy work around is to soak yourself head to toe in water, so your clothing can't catch fire. The water keeps you cool, like licking your fingers and pinching out a birthday cake candle.
 
buzzbombxj said:
You might be surprised to find out that with higher voltage a big problem is not only the jolt, but the fact that the electricity sets your clothes on fire. So yeah, you got shocked, but you are also laying on the ground on fire.

Because of this many utilities, like PG&E, require their guys to wear fire retardant clothing. If you don't own any FR clothing a handy work around is to soak yourself head to toe in water, so your clothing can't catch fire. The water keeps you cool, like licking your fingers and pinching out a birthday cake candle.
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Dude....

You're being a bit dramatic.

This isn't some 345,000 volt, high voltage, direct from the grid, no transformer, line.


Yes, It can DEFINITELY kill you, but it's not set you clothe on fire, come back to only find a set of smoking work boots, and a soot outline of where you use to stand voltage
 
buzzbombxj said:
You might be surprised to find out that with higher voltage a big problem is not only the jolt, but the fact that the electricity sets your clothes on fire. So yeah, you got shocked, but you are also laying on the ground on fire.

Because of this many utilities, like PG&E, require their guys to wear fire retardant clothing. If you don't own any FR clothing a handy work around is to soak yourself head to toe in water, so your clothing can't catch fire. The water keeps you cool, like licking your fingers and pinching out a birthday cake candle.
Click to expand...

LoL because that doesn't make you more conductive or anything either :lmao:


Arc flash is no joke though, especially with the current that you can pull through 2 gauge wire...it's not like a dead short on 14 gauge household stuff when the breaker just instantly trips.
 
grumpy356 said:
Dude....

You're being a bit dramatic.

This isn't some 345,000 volt, high voltage, direct from the grid, no transformer, line.


Yes, It can DEFINITELY kill you, but it's not set you clothe on fire, come back to only find a set of smoking work boots, and a soot outline of where you use to stand voltage
Click to expand...

Even 240v is no joke...
 
grumpy356 said:
Dude....

You're being a bit dramatic.

This isn't some 345,000 volt, high voltage, direct from the grid, no transformer, line.


Yes, It can DEFINITELY kill you, but it's not set you clothe on fire, come back to only find a set of smoking work boots, and a soot outline of where you use to stand voltage
Click to expand...
SomeGuy said:
LoL because that doesn't make you more conductive or anything either :lmao:


Arc flash is no joke though, especially with the current that you can pull through 2 gauge wire...it's not like a dead short on 14 gauge household stuff when the breaker just instantly trips.
Click to expand...
This guy is putting in work trying to get OP to fuck with service cables while soaking wet and here come you two.:lmao:
 
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