Residential Service Requirements
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Section D -
METER
REQUIREMENTS
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
This chapter provides you with general requirements for the metering
equipment that you need in order to have your service energized. Your meter base
needs to meet the following criteria for our meter to properly connect.
No meter base will be energized until our crews can see that the inside
breaker box has a permanent metal cover installed and secured. (This may be
waived if there is an external main disconnect switch installled.)
Your meter base and other equipment installation must meet the requirements
of your local electrical inspector. If you have specific questions regarding
your meter installation please contact your local electric inspection agency
(see page 4).
Meter bases may not be covered by any stucture, unless it can be moved
without the use of tools to allow full access to the meter.
SERVICE RATING OPTIONS
As stated in SECTION A - GENERAL INFORMATION, Central
Lincoln’s metering equipment requirements for
single-family residential structures (not apartments or condominiums) are
based upon the following single-phase service ratings [and the customer must
select which amperage rating is required for the project]:
| Ampere Rating |
Voltage |
| 200 Amp |
120/240 |
| 400 Amp |
120/240 |
| over 400
Amps* |
120/240 |
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* If you need a service over 400 amps or a three phase service, please
contact your nearest service office (see appendix). Those services
will be addressed individually and are not covered in this handbook. |
You are responsible for providing and installing all equipment other than:
The meter.
The service line from Central
Lincoln’s facilitates to the
point of attachment.
METER BASE REQUIREMENTS
The meter base you purchase and install must meet the following general
requirements. (Specific requirements for 200 and 400 amp services, and for
outbuildings, are listed later in this chapter.)
Your meter base must be:
UL
(Underwriters Laboratory)
approved.
Rated for exterior use, and be rain-tight according
to NEMA-3R.
Must have all unused openings tightly sealed from
the inside of the base.
Must be plumb and securely fastened to the
supporting structure.
200 AMP SERVICE
The 120/240 volt, 200 ampere service is the most common service installed
by CLPUD. Typically it’s installed in homes with a living area of less than 2500
square feet. However, depending upon
what type of equipment you are installing
you may want a larger service. It is your responsibility to determine your
electrical requirements and to notify CLPUD of the size of service you would
like.
Meter bases for 200 amp services shall also:
Be rated for 120/240 volts and 200 amps.
Contain four meter- jaws and one connection point
for the neutral
conductor.
Be at least 4-1/4 inches deep, 11 inches wide, and
14 inches high
(see Figures D-2 and D-3).
Accept 2 inch PVC
(preferred)
or 2 ½ inch rigid
steel conduit.
Have lugs
(electrical connectors)
that are marked to accept 4/0 aluminum conductors.
The center knockout should not be used on underground because of the bending
radius of the cable.
If your outbuilding or ancillary service will be used for commercial purposes
(i.e. a professional shop, dairy barn, illuminated sign,
multifamily/community well) you will have additional requirements. If this
is the case please refer to the Central Lincoln Electric Service Handbook for
Non-Residential Services.
GROUNDING REQUIREMENTS
All meter bases and conduit shall be bonded and grounded in accordance
with the NEC.  New construction shall have a "UFER" ground installation poured in
the footings and be inspected by the building official. It is your
responsibility to coordinate this installation with the proper authorities and
receive their approval.
CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS
The following clearances are required around all meter installations. It
is your responsibility to provide and maintain these clearances.
The center of the meter shall be between 5 and 6
feet above finished grade
(except meter pedestals).
If a recessed meter base is installed, a clearance
of 18 inches is required from the meter center to the closest portion of the
wall (see Figure D-1).
If a flush or recessed meter base is installed, the
siding or finished surface of the structure shall not overlap the cover of the
meter base.
A minimum working space of 36 inches wide by 36
inches deep is required around the meter
(see Figure D-5). This working space
is to be kept clear of any obstructions including landscaping.
There shall be a minimum horizontal clearance of 36
inches between the center of the electric meter and gas meters
(see Figure
D-7).
Recessed meter base will not be recessed more than 6
inches.
400 AMP SERVICE
The meter base required for a 120/240 volt, 400 ampere service is a
"Class 320" meter base (see Figure D-4). It is larger than the 200 amp meter
base, but it is still a self-contained meter base (it doesn’t require instrument
transformers). It can be installed on residences where the continuous current
rating is 320 amps or less. If your structure will require more than 320 amps
continuous, you are required to install an instrument transformer (CT or PT)
service.
Class 320 meter bases for 400 amp services shall, in addition to the meter
base requirements listed above;
- Be rated for 120/240 volts and 320 amps continuous.
- Contain four meter-jaws and one connection point for
the neutral conductor.
- Contain a Class 320 manual bypass
(see Figure D-4).
For underground meter bases we recommend:
- 3 inch schedule 40 or 80 PVC or steel
conduit through a knockout in the bottom left corner of the enclosure.
- Have a least 8-1/2 inches of clearance between the bottom of the lugs and
bottom of the enclosure (see Figure D-4).
All meter bases will be unenergized until the inside
breaker box has a permanent metal cover installed. Central
Lincoln crews
must be able to see that the breaker box cover is installed and secure.
400 AMP CT SERVICE
CT services are also known as "instrument transformers". You may request
a 120/240 volt, 400 amp CT service, available at an additional charge. This
service requires a different meter base (see Figure D-6). It also requires
additional equipment (CT enclosure, conduit, CT mounting bracket, etc.). Contact
our nearest service office (see
SECTION A - GENERAL INFORMATION) and ask to speak to the meter
department.
| Phase |
Service
Amperage |
CT’s |
Dimensions |
| No. of Transf. |
W |
H |
D |
| 1 |
401-800A |
2 |
24" |
24" |
11"’ |
| 3 |
201-400A |
3 |
36" |
36" |
11" |
SERVICES OVER 400 AMPS
120/240 volt services over 400 amps require CT metering. Please contact
your nearest service office and ask to speak to the meter department for more
information.
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