Greetings all...

I've spent the last few minutes reading several questions about main disconnect panels/breakers outside the home ( between the meter and breaker box ). I had been thinking about inquiring about having such a device installed here in my NC home. You see, my house is very old, and in dire need of a re-wire ( 2-wire non grounded cable with what looks like some sort of cloth insulation ).

I can handle the internal wiring of the house just fine, but I will need an upgrade from the 100A box that I currently have, and may even move the box to a different location.

My question is: Will there be any issues with having a disconnect ( not necessarily a breaker ) installed between the meter and my breaker box? What steps would be necessary to get this done? If my intentions about re-wiring are known, will there be issues with this happening ( AKA no DIY wiring passing code )? I can't afford to have a pro wire my house ( nor do I need one ), but would be more than willing to pay one to install a disconnect.

NOTE: I have gathered from other posts that the NEC requires a disconnect if the meter is more than 10 feet away from my box. It looks as though my current box would be very close to this distance. Is this something the would have already been installed if required by code, or would it have been left alone because of some sort of "grandfather" clause? I can't remember how long it's been since this meter was installed. I'd guess maybe 10 years.

Any answers or input would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

A service 10 years old would have had an exterior disconnect then if necessary. The 10 foot rule is usually regulated by both the local inspector and the utility.

Having one installed now may not be a good idea if you are planning to relocate the service entrance, as stated. If the service meter will remain, and the panel may move, then installing one now is fine.

This will need an electrician to do the work , along with a consult with the utility, and a permit if required by the local area and/or utility.

Check with the utility first, as each utility handles service upgrades differently. Some actually do the work for their customers.

Adding a disconnect at the meter may require the existing service riser and meter to be upgraded or replaced if in worn condition or undersized.

It may have been more than 10, and possible as much as 20. Are meters regularly up-graded/replaced by code?

Actually, the service entrance will remain the same... just moving the box down the wall a bit to help aid in running wires, and to reduce "down time" for the changeover with the boxes. If a disconnect was installed, I may well leave it where it is.

I guess what I am really asking here is if the utility will balk at the ideal of the DIY aspect of what I am planning, which is the real reason for the disconnect... although it sounds as though I may need a meter upgrade anyway. I can't find a rating on the current meter box...

So, how much DIYing will code really allow ( hard to get a straight answer around here )? Or should I just give as little info as possible, and pass this off as a safety issue ?

tkrussell, I've seen many of your posts on here. You really know your stuff, and you are very helpful. Thanks so much.

Thank you for the kind words, I realize I can get a bit snotty with some of my commentary, but the facts I state are the facts, and I am very passionate about this topic.

Meters and services are not upgraded at any time interval, or just because an inspector or utility says so. The only time these two entities will demand a service upgrade is is the service is in bad shape and a safety hazard. Otherwise, it is left to operate as is, and rely on the main breaker to trip when overloaded.

Here is several references about electrical permits, and I found, which is typical, a homeowner can do his own electrical work without a license, but with a permit.

There seems to be a county and/or local city permits that need to be applied for.

http://www.ncdoi.com/OSFM/Engineerin..._ICC_Print.pdf


§ 143‑143.2. Electric wiring of houses, buildings, and structures.

The electric wiring of houses or buildings for lighting or for other purposes shall conform to the requirements of the State Building Code, which includes the National Electric Code and any amendments and supplements thereto as adopted and approved by the State Building Code Council, and any other applicable State and local laws. In order to protect the property of citizens from the dangers incident to defective electric wiring of buildings, it shall be unlawful for any firm or corporation to allow any electric current for use in any newly erected building to be turned on without first having had an inspection made of the wiring by the appropriate official electrical inspector or inspection department and having received from that inspector or department a certificate approving the wiring of such building. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation engaged in the business of selling electricity to furnish initially any electric current for use in any building, unless said building shall have first been inspected by the appropriate official electrical inspector or inspection department and a certificate given as above provided. If there is no legally appointed inspector or inspection department with jurisdiction over the property involved, the two preceding sentences shall have no force or effect. As used in this section, "building" includes any structure. (1905, c. 506, s. 23; Rev. s. 3001; C.S. s. 2763; 1969, c. 1229, s. 7; 1989, c. 681, s. 20.)

Found this at from Chatham County:
http://www.co.chatham.nc.us/dept/cen...20required.htm
Any person who is himself and for himself installing, maintaining, altering or repairing electric work, wiring, devices, appliances or equipment upon his own property when such property is not intended at the time for rent, lease, or sale;
And:
Electrical Permits Required
No person shall install, alter, repair, replace or relocate any electrical material, appliances or equipment without first having obtained a permit for the specific work to be performed.

Check with you town, city, and county for permitting requirements. Once you get the proper permit, check with the utility for their installation requirements.

Any more questions, get back with them.

A DIY can do any electrical work in their own home. As an inspector, I will rarely pass an electrical inspection by work performed by a DIY and you will pay me for each visit.

In the end, money that you pay an electrician will simply be refunelled my way.

I would be very cautious to pass a house with a service upgrade. By doing so, I am certifying that the supply to an old house is up to present day code. Not likely!

If you change the distance from the meter base to the panel, you'd better make it shorter. The code states that the distance from the meter base to the panel must be as short as practical. I would not accept a disconnect at the meter if the meter originally did not have one.

Just words from the guys that allow you to connect up!

As a fellow DIY'er, I can find my way around a hot box pretty well, and know I could handle the job you are describing, and I also know, that as a homeowner, I am free to perform any repair or alteration bymyself as long as I obtain the nessesary permits and have it pass an inspection.

However, that said:

I also understand that there are certain jobs that are just not for the common DIY'er, no matter how much we know. I will move change anything in an electrical box, but I won't move it.

As Bhayne said (and he's not alone) most inspectors frown on do it yourselfers performing major electrical or plumbing work, and your work will be more scrutinized because the inspector feels you don't know what your doing. This shouldn't be taken personal. Understand that most people Don't know what they are doing, and the next thing the know, there house is burning down.

In some cases, especially in older houses, the service line comes right out of the meter and into your breaker box. As you may know, most utility companies will not allow you into their meter box to disconnect the service. To remove the seal is a crime, this is because by entering that box one COULD steal electricity by bypassing the meter.

If I were you:

I'd just hire an electritian for this job.

At first I rejected and was sore about the idea of someone inspecting a privatly owned home. The audacity of the government having to stamp their seal of approval on my work. I felt that way until I saw a number of houses burn to the ground as the years progressed due to ameature electrical work.

Hire the man and let him worry about all the red tape and compiance issues, that's what they are paid to do, that's why they make all the money.
Case in point: Two years ago, had an oil furnace channged over to a 15 KW electric furnace. Sure, I probobly could have done it myself, would have cost me about $1000 in materials, and taken about a month to run all the ductwork. Then if I get caught, I would have to go through all the permits and inspections.
Rather than that I hired an HVAC company to do it, they had it done in one day, no fuss no muss, and only cost a couple thousand extra.

Another example, I once wanted to replace the main shut off valve in my house. In my old home with a well, I would just shut off the pump and do the job, however now Im on town water, like the electrical box, to enter the water meter was a crime, and carried a $500 fine if caught. Hired a plumber just to replace the valve. Job was done in 30 minutes. Again, no fuss-no muss, and that only cost about $150. About what a permit would have cost had I had went the way of the red tape.