Tag: Four Gang Meter Socket

Dear Mr. Electrician: How do I replace a 4-gang electrical meter socket base? Answer:  Replacing a 4-gang electrical meter socket is a multi-step process involving homeowners, property managers, the local power utility company, the town building department, and an electrical contractor. NOTE: Some text links below go to applicable products on Amazon.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.  Use my links to help keep this website FREE. I have replaced over two dozen multi-gang electrical meter sockets.  I have also repaired probably the same number by using custom-made new covers and reattaching the meter sockets to the side of the building.  I figured out a way to install new plywood behind without removing the old meter base.  I also sanded and painted the old ones using Rust-Oleum Rusty Metal Primer and then Rust-Oleum Professional paint. Below are photos and details from an actual 4-gang electrical meter socket replacement.  Included is a list of tools that were used as well as the materials necessary to complete the job. Table of Contents: LABOR TO REPLACE METER SOCKET GROUNDING THE NEW FIVE-GANG METER SOCKET TOOLS I USED TO REPLACE THE ELECTRIC METER SOCKET MATERIALS USED TO REPLACE THE ELECTRIC METER SOCKET In the photo above, the bottom of the main cover has holes from rust.  Water was getting inside the section where the main feeder wires are connected.  The cover was rusting from the inside out. UPDATE:  The National Electrical Code article 230.85 requires that all main disconnects for electrical services be labeled "Emergency Disconnect, Service Disconnect."  I have several types of STICKERS available to satisfy this code requirement. LABOR TO REPLACE 4-GANG ELECTRICAL METER SOCKET I installed a Siemens Uni-PAK 5-gang electrical meter socket to replace the rusted four-gang electric meter socket on a residential condominium building.  The underground electrical service was single phase 120/240 volts with a four hundred amp underground feeder from the power company's transformer.  The individual feeders to each condo were rated for 100 amps. The underground electrical service consisted of three single conductor wires from the pad mount transformer that were directly buried in the earth.  They were sleeved with 2" PVC conduit going up from the ground into the electric meter base. A new four-gang electrical meter socket base is a vertical stack that would not line up with the existing tenant feed cables.  I had to use a five-gang electrical meter socket to line up with the existing cables that delivered power to each dwelling unit in the building. For the entire job, I figured about 40 person-hours of labor, which included the permit application, call for a property markdown, making arrangements with the power company to have the electric meter locks removed ahead of time, disconnecting power when needed, purchasing and delivery of materials. Additionally, labeling of existing tenant load wires, driving two new eight-foot ground rods, digging a trench and burying the new grounding electrode conductor, mounting the intersystem bonding termination, pre-cutting and painting of the new meter base backboard, and advance notification to all of the dwelling unit occupants about the...