Electric Meter Relocation?
Hello all. I am adding an addition onto the side of my house where my electrical panel box and meter are located. The new addition will cause the electric meter to be on the interior of the new addition (it is currently on the exterior wall).
I believe that the electrical panel can remain where it is. Is is possible to relocate the meter (and mast) while leaving the panel in place? What are the practicalities/implications in doing this?
Any input is appreciated.
Thank you.
Replies
I all depends on your Electric Company, Building Inspection Department, Individual Inspector or Your Electrician. It is common to leave the old meter box and blank off the old meter base, so long as it is an approved location (access, clearance and not in bath). The old panel will be considered a sub panel, the new panel would have a Main breaker, sub-panel breaker and other breakers for the new electrical in the addition.
Other route is to make the old panel a junction box. It will have no breakers, be covered or hidden. It will cost more because of all the new wire from the sub to main and all the breaker would have to be added and new in the Main panel
In general once the feeder enters the structure it needs to protected by disconnect/overload protection as close as "reasonable". For some AHJ that is within 6" other allow up to 6ft.
One option is to install a disconnect at the new meter location and and then convert the existing panel to a sub-panel.
Another option is to install a new main panel by the new meter and have it supply the new loads, but the old panel as a sub-panel.
But there are many local variations. The POCO might not want to have a drop in the same general location and you might have to relocated the service anyway.
Also some local AHJ are now requiring an external disconnect for all installations.
I went through a similar project recently. As Bill pointed out, the Code may not allow separation of the new meter head and the main breaker by as much as you need. You will need to check with a qualified professional and/or electrical inspector in your area to see.
Given that my old service and distribution panel was 30 years old and undersized, and too far from where I wanted it to be located, I had a new meter head and distribution panel installed in the new location. Retaining the old service, in service, I was able to "prepare" for the swap, by transfering non-essential circuitss and wiring up some temporary circuits to get by with until all power could be transfered.
Depending on your power company, having the service completely changed, inspected and ready to be swapped, makes their job a lot easier and the swap go a lot smoother. Unfortunately, they cannot or will not guarantee this will take place in any particular timeframe less than a day. IF the power drop is from over head, it will go quicker and will usually be done for little or no charge. Underground service, obvioulsy takes a little more planning and all but the most generous electric utilities will charge for the new "drop".
Even if you can retain the same service panel, removing the existing meter head to accomodate xx weeks of construction will require some temporary relocation and/or temporary provisions for power during the interim.
Having the old panel become a sub located indoors is a good thing. That way you don't have to go outside if a breaker trips when it's cold and wet. Perhaps have the main box at the meter feed two subs, the existing one for the main house, and a new one for the addition. On a multi-story house, it's nice to have a sub panel for each floor. That way you don't have to climb stairs in the dark.
-- J.S.