Main Disconnect Question

disconnect

The meter is NEVER a disconnect point, and here, if you were to break the meter seal to remove it, you would be eligible for a $10,000 fine. The disconnect, whatever type it is, MUST be adjacent to the meter with the minimum distance between it and the meter. Here we usually use a combination meter socket and circuit breaker panel with a main breaker. But if the situation requires it, then separate devices are used, but the main breaker's position never changes.

I actually meant as a disconnect for the POCO - at least around here
Around here nothing is outside except the meter
And in some really old houses the meters used to be inside

You pull a meter base out, isn't there some chance of arcing?

Scuba_Dave said:

I actually meant as a disconnect for the POCO - at least around here
Around here nothing is outside except the meter
And in some really old houses the meters used to be inside

You pull a meter base out, isn't there some chance of arcing?

Click to expand...

I have a main breaker outside next to the meter. House was built in early 1990s.

Edit:

I believe this has to do with my main panel being a good 20 plus feet from the outside service...

VI. Service Equipment - Disconnecting Means
230.70 General. Means shall be provided to disconnect all
conductors in a building or other structure from the serviceentrance
conductors.
(A) Location. The· service disconnecting means shall be
installed in accordance with 230.70(A)(l), (A)(2), and
(A)(3).
(1) Readily Accessible Location. The service disconnecting
means shall be installed at a readily accessible location
either outside of a building or structure or inside nearest the
point of entrance of the service conductors.
(2) Bathrooms. Service disconnecting means shall not be
installed in bathrooms.
(3) Remote Control. Where a remote control device(s) is
used to actuate the service disconnecting means, the service
disconnecting means shall be located in accordance with
230.70(A)(1).
(D) Marknng. Each service disconnect shall be permanently
marked to identify it as a service disconnect.
(C) Suitable for Use. Each service disconnecting means
shall be suitable for the prevailing conditions. Service
equipment installed in hazardous (classified) locations shall
comply with the requirements of Articles 500 through 517

This is from the 2008 NEC

Ah, OK - mine is right inside close to where the service enters
Just enough room for a 90 elbow pointing down

disconnect

Here, I believe it is a power company requirement and they will not set the meter without it, but it would not have gotten to the meter setting stage anyway if it were not there.

You pull a meter base out, isn't there some chance of arcing?

Click to expand...

If there is a load, it will arc. The bigger the load the bigger the arc.

wow look what I started

its all my fault

The power co can pull the disconnect at the transformer if they need to to pull the meter. No need for a disconnect at the meter for them some areas the co's may require or local code the NEC does not it can be at the closest point inside the house per the 2008 and 2005 NEC codes.