[Elephante]

I have a job coming up that I haven't looked at. The builder said it is 200 amp service. The meter says cl200 but I can't tell if the meter base is rated for 200. The pipe coming underground looks so small for a 200. Does poco usually run smaller wire for 200 a sometimes? And also what is that antenna above meter base..? Thanks

 

[Hack Work]

That's a hose sprayer on top of the meter :laughing:


Im a little confused about your question. What is your scope of work, to upgrade the service to 200A? Or to just change the panel out?

 

[Elephante]

That's a hose sprayer on top of the meter :laughing: Im a little confused about your question. What is your scope of work, to upgrade the service to 200A? Or to just change the panel out?

well the thing is I don't know if its a 200a . I am just changing out the panel . The thing Is I don't want to change out the panel and find out its 100a or 150a and fail.... I haven't looked at the job and do t want to commit on buying the material. The homeowner said they called the power company and they said it was 200 a but I don't always trust homeowners.. I just wanted to know in your opinion do the pictures look like a 200 a service..? I guess I a going to have to look at the job and then buy material....

 

[Pete m.]

My best guess, from the pictures, would be a 200. You really need to put your eyes on it prior to bid.

Pete

 

[Mshow1323]

I believe the CL200 is the rating of the meter itself, not the meter socket. The pipe looks like 1-1/4, so even if the socket is rated 200, the unground isn't.

 

[Maximumbob]

Maybe the PVC is just a sleeve for direct burial cable and that's why it's not 3"

 

[RandyM]

I just call our poco if there is a question. They have a residential service person for that. If that was a new 200 Amp they would want a 2.5" PVC.

 

[Elephante]

Maybe I should just call poco myself ...I have their address...

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Maybe I should just call poco myself ...I have their address...

Power company will not know-- see if the panel is rated 200 amps and then see what size wire is feeding the panel.

 

[Mshow1323]

Power company will not know-- see if the panel is rated 200 amps and then see what size wire is feeding the panel.

More importantly, see what size wire is feeding the meter.

 

[Elephante]

More importantly, see what size wire is feeding the meter.

I am guessing 2/0 copper....

 

[macmikeman]

You should call the Board of Water Supply and have them remove their antenna before you upgrade it.

 

[Mshow1323]

I am guessing 2/0 copper....

Unless that meter socket is 24x24, I doubt it.
I don't mean to sound like a jerk, but go measure it, we can play the maybe game forever.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I am guessing 2/0 copper....

That's 200 amps

 

[Dennis Alwon]

More importantly, see what size wire is feeding the meter.

It doesn't matter what the meter is fed with if the power company is responsible-- they have their own rules

 

[Mshow1323]

You should call the Board of Water Supply and have them remove their antenna before you upgrade it.

Holy crap! Lol

 

[drumnut08]

I am guessing 2/0 copper....

. Don't be so sure of that ! The size of the conduit and meter can tell me , it's not a 200 amp service . You need that meter open to be sure . Never assume anything .

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Unless that meter socket is 24x24, I doubt it.
I don't mean to sound like a jerk, but go measure it, we can play the maybe game forever.

Our 200 amp meters are not 24x24-- the one pictured looks like a 200 amp base to me-- this is single phase meter not 3 phase.

The power company almost always undersizes their supplies to the meter.

 

[Mshow1323]

Our 200 amp meters are not 24x24-- the one pictured looks like a 200 amp base to me-- this is single phase meter not 3 phase.

The power company almost always undersizes their supplies to the meter.

I suppose that's possible. In my neck of the woods, they don't generally downsize them.

 

[butcher733]

Am I missing something? Just look at the conductors coming into the panel. That will tell you biggest main disconnect you can put on it. Then open the meter and verify compatibility.