Once again, a res. Question by a comm. Electrician. I have a new project relocating a meter service. The new meter will be about 25 feet from the 200A panelbox location instead of back to back. I'll wire in a 200A 2 pole breaker at the meter location as per 10 foot tap rule, and run new cable to panel. I need to go up new outside wall of addition across ceiling and down to existing panel. Can this be ran plenum up the wall and across ceiling, and down through existing pipe stubbed up from panel? I won't have a whole lot of room to get 2" pipe up wall, etc. if it's needed. If I can run it like cable, what is the cable designation that is approved for this? THANKS for any assistance!

Use SER cable. That would be a typical installation.
4/0AL or 2/0cu depending on what they use in your area.


BTW- What "10' tap rule" are you referring to?

Why not install a meter socket with main breaker combination?

Question: Why is it that commercial electricians claim they can do residential electrical work, yet I haven't seen one that could rope a house? This is not to say "all" commercial electricians.

Thanks guys, excellent answers! The answer to your question, stan, is best described in previous question titled "10 foot rule- confused". And in answer to your question, Washington, your probably right, everyone has a specialty. And I'm a commercial control man actually, so I'm in real trouble no doubt! JK. - I'll call the power co. for a combo can, thanks!

Yeah, a combo is the way to go! Happy wiring! :) ;)

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Originally Posted by patholland

The answer to your question, stan, is best described in previous question titled "10 foot rule- confused".

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Ahh.
Well, I won't comment on that thread other than to say much of it is misleading.

There is NO "10 foot tap rule". Even an unwritten one.
EVERY POCO has a different distance to the main disconnect. Some 10', some 2'-3'. Some immediately inside the structure. Some require the main disconnect outside. So any "10 foot rule" would strictly be a local thing.
This is why the NEC placed such ambiguous wording in this section. By this I mean the statement: "...nearest the point of entrance of the service conductors." They leave it up to the POCO to define what is "nearest".

Also, this has nothing to do with "taps". Taps are an entirely different thing. These are simply service entrance conductors.

You are completely correct, stan. I checked with the local inspector and he does require a disconnect at the meter outside since the panel is some distance away, but NEC is not specific on actual distance. I guess the lesson to all is to check with local authority on this issue before assuming anything. Thanks again for your input!

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Originally Posted by patholland

You are completely correct, stan. I checked with the local inspector and he does require a disconnect at the meter outside since the panel is some distance away, but NEC is not specific on actual distance. I guess the lesson to all is to check with local authority on this issue before assuming anything. Thanks again for your input!

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And the meter disconnect combination will work!:D

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Originally Posted by Washington1

and the meter disconnect combination will work!:D

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I love 'em!

About that combo meter, my power company would only let me use their meter base. It was free, but not available with a disconnect. I got one from Lowe's for $135 and noticed they had a combo unit for $147. It was obviously easier to install than 2 separate enclosures and I would have paid the extra $12, but could not due to power co. regulations!

I am surprised they did not have a list of acceptable substitutes. In fact, I am surprised they even still give out meter pans. Our POCO dropped that old routing years ago.

What a bunch of idiots! If they where smart, they could have saved their company some money!