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Main panel with meter replacement

kf4zht said:
I need to get this done myself. Just swapping the outside panel (not meter base) for a 200A so I can run the shop on it's own circuit. And have a genny inlet.

The town is the poco (though they just use the local EMC). They will issue a homeowner permit no issues. But I can't get anyone to say anything official on timing.

Ideally:
They pull the meter in the AM and wrap the lugs
Pull the old panel
Install new raintite fittings
Install new panel
Replace wires from meter base to main breaker
wire in house feed
Get inspection
Power on

I don't want to be without power overnight, so I really want to have the power pulled in the AM and inspect that afternoon. I haven't done a panel in a while, but I can build a full ERRC setup with 4x as many cables, multiple boxes and plenty of details in 3-4 hours.

Guess I need to call the power dept again and ask. With fall coming up its the best time to get it done while the temp is decent. Already have the panel and wire in the garage
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Typically, I do everything possible ahead of time. measure it out, do all my knockouts etc, I have even wired up the main breaker and had the cable sticking out the fittings, so all I have had to do was hang the panel and hook the wires to the meter. This way I can already have the inspection scheduled, and I let the power company guys know when they come to disconnect what the plan is, and they see I am pretty much ready to go...usually they have told me when they can make it back to reconnect.
 
BIG-O said:
Many ways to do it safely by yourself. I had to call and have it shut off when I did mine because it was fed underground. Total pain in the ASS! Permits, inspections, PG&E almost didn't do it because the electric was too close to the gas meter. New code. Sorry thats the way the place was built.
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Thats the kind of complications i foresaw.... (mast/eave distance in my case) and why I didnt get outside people involved.
 
fordguy said:
Is it the city that requires the licensed electrician, or the power company? If I do it myself, does city ask me foe the receipt or something?
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Good question actually. I'm not sure. Our meter is outside on the side of the house. Power companies responsibility ends at that meter, so I could see the Power Company being the one who'd want a licensed electrician since everything from the pole down to and including that meter they're responsible for.
 
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well theres been no word on disconnect so I called them up

they basically said just do whatever you want, just get a city inspection, and theyll come upgrade the drop wires after the new panel is in. If I need a disconnect I can request one, but they OKed me to break the meter tab and do whatever basically


so Ill try not to kill myself :homer:
 
I just had this done. But I live in a commie clown county where nothing I have read that you have encountered would ever fly without a permit pulled by a licensed electrician...:shaking: You must live in the stix.

That said, if by chance inspectors do come out, keep in mind that if the power company drops the wires to the ground, everything from the connection point forward has to be to current standards to hook back up.

My house is a 1920's bungalow. Very low to the ground. My brother is licensed and did the work. But my brother made arrangements to leave the wires connected to the house while he changed out the mast. The inspector told my brother that it was the best decision he's ever seen for he would have never allowed for a re-connect if the wires had been totally dropped to the ground. The biggest concern is that my feed wires are only like 8' off the ground where as 10' is code. The only way to solve it would be to add a temporary pole near my house and basically start all over. I owe my brother big time for knowing that for the inspector said right off the bat that he had already planned to fail me when he pulled in the driveway before seeing the wires were still hanging...

A good hard tug onto the mast from a couple of directions and he opened up the door, shut it and then proceeded to make the call to the power company. He said the mast not properly hung was his biggest concern. My brother knew that too.:beer:
 
Ok i have the new panel and the meter is unlocked

de energize is scheduled in a month, so I am going to try and do this on live wires

so, rubber insulted gloves, and is there a rubber mat I can buy? I assume I wrap the lugs and pull panel off? Do I get life insurance?


How the hell does electricity go through regular shoes and asphalt anyway?
 
fordguy said:
Ok i have the new panel and the meter is unlocked

de energize is scheduled in a month, so I am going to try and do this on live wires

so, rubber insulted gloves, and is there a rubber mat I can buy? I assume I wrap the lugs and pull panel off? Do I get life insurance?


How the hell does electricity go through regular shoes and asphalt anyway?
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As I understand it the main risk is arc flash. If something in the house is running it's going to arc to try and keep the current flowing. So shut off the breakers before pulling so there is no draw

There are electrical hazard rates boots, my Merrells are
 
fordguy said:
Ok i have the new panel and the meter is unlocked

de energize is scheduled in a month, so I am going to try and do this on live wires

so, rubber insulted gloves, and is there a rubber mat I can buy? I assume I wrap the lugs and pull panel off? Do I get life insurance?


How the hell does electricity go through regular shoes and asphalt anyway?
Click to expand...


Turn the main breaker off.
Put on dry leather gloves
Pull the meter.
Cut one feed leg
Wrap feed leg
Cut other feed leg
Wrap feed leg
Cut neutral.

Do your work

Re-assemble in reverse order.

Delete thread:flipoff2:
 
grumpy356 said:
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.
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They don't want to send you to prison, they want to empty your bank accounts.
 
kf4zht said:
As I understand it the main risk is arc flash. If something in the house is running it's going to arc to try and keep the current flowing. So shut off the breakers before pulling so there is no draw

There are electrical hazard rates boots, my Merrells are
Click to expand...

looks like my timberland pros are. I think they are direct attach, which has EH protection.

how do I check? Touch a live end? :homer:
 
Did you ask the utility what the available fault current is at your drop? That’s how many amps will eat you if you fuck up.

IMG_4197.gif
 
Bacho said:
Turn the main breaker off.
Put on dry leather gloves
Pull the meter.
Cut one feed leg
Wrap feed leg
Cut other feed leg
Wrap feed leg
Cut neutral.

Do your work

Re-assemble in reverse order.

Delete thread:flipoff2:
Click to expand...
At 120V dry leather gloves decent boot or shoes and no second point of contact ( touching the other phase or Neutral) you can cut one phase at a time no issue.
 
78bronco460 said:
Did you ask the utility what the available fault current is at your drop? That’s how many amps will eat you if you fuck up.

IMG_4197.gif
Click to expand...

is that a camera flash?

Stingray said:
At 120V dry leather gloves decent boot or shoes and no second point of contact ( touching the other phase or Neutral) you can cut one phase at a time no issue.
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thanks. I am mustering up thr courage to do this. What exactly is a dry leather glove? Welding glove ok?
 
fordguy said:
Ok i have the new panel and the meter is unlocked

de energize is scheduled in a month, so I am going to try and do this on live wires

so, rubber insulted gloves, and is there a rubber mat I can buy? I assume I wrap the lugs and pull panel off? Do I get life insurance?


How the hell does electricity go through regular shoes and asphalt anyway?
Click to expand...
Dibs on your stuff.........:flipoff2:
 
fordguy said:
is that a camera flash?



thanks. I am mustering up thr courage to do this. What exactly is a dry leather glove? Welding glove ok?
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I'm thinking you need to phone a friend, if you were a customer asking these questions I would point you to someone that has done it before.

it only takes you inadvertently resting your bare forearm on the steel pipe while your cutting to get knocked off the roof.

Electricity may not kill you but the fall might
 
I'm usually pretty cavalier about electricity, but you won't catch me fucking with a live meter base and giant mains into the panel shit.

just wait for them to come and pull the base for you.
it's risk/reward math. You might save some time and hassle, but if it goes sideways you're gonna burn your shit down or end up dead.
let someone else take that liability.
 
fordguy said:
its on a pole, ground level.

but point taken.

guess I want to prove to myself that I can do it?
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somebody called it, but Dibs:flipoff2::laughing:

Report back after you cut it.

As far as gloves I've worn sweaty nasty very conductive gloves usually the sole of any boot is enough to protect you from 120V, touching something else, tin roof flashing, steel pipe anything is what gets you.
 
fordguy said:
its on a pole, ground level.

but point taken.

guess I want to prove to myself that I can do it?
Click to expand...
Film it for us or the investors to help simplify the death investigation and save tax dollars.

You ask enough questions to maybe think. Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. Just saying. Its you liberty yo possible smoke yourself but we will miss your shenanigans if you fuck up. Just saying🤷‍♂️
 
There's a first time for everything.

Limit your exposure. Sever/isolate the hot feed first. Tape it up good. Fuck around with the dead side all you want. Reconnect is the last step.

I like a fresh pair of rubber/nitrile dipped work gloves. Maybe throw a dry pallet or other non-metallic sheet/board down as a work platform.
 
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