Hi, Old aluminum siding on old house, would you recommend cutting away the siding where the meter base will mount? Or just mount it on marine grade plywood over the siding? Owner hopes to be able to redo the siding in the next few years. Thanks

Permanent is always desired,but if they are going to reside,

If I was the homeowner I would make it right from the get go.But if you are selling this? Letting them move the box in, well,that would require the inlet connecting pipe that houses the main wiring to be shortened,which will require the power to be shut off at the poll and most likely an electrician to do it(per code), up to you,pay now or the new owner pays later.

I'd cut away the siding... can't imagine the plywood would fit snugly any other way. Gaps behind the plywood (created by the old siding) would be ideal places for bugs & spiders... plus... wouldn't look very good... also... cloud become an issue with building inspector and/or utility company... depends on you local folks...

Thanks guys, I was leaning that way, just wanted to hear it from someone else.

I'd mount it directly onto the existing siding without the plywood.

It would make the most sense for remodeling in my opinion.

I wouldn't mount directly on metal siding. Should a ground connection fail, it would (could) energize the siding. Very dangerous. Some location actually require that the metal siding itself be grounded to avoid such. Very common requirement in commercial applications where siding is metal... or 'red iron' frame.

Thanks for the input, I've decided to cut away the old siding and mount directly to wall, I'll install j-channel and that should hold it for a few years, or until the re-siding job money appears. Lol thank again

J-channel around the new opening is great idea... if you do it correctly it will prevent rain from getting behind the siding and rotting the wall. If it done incorrectly... it will funnel water behind the siding.

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Originally Posted by spanky917

I wouldn't mount directly on metal siding. Should a ground connection fail, it would (could) energize the siding. Very dangerous. Some location actually require that the metal siding itself be grounded to avoid such. Very common requirement in commercial applications where siding is metal.... or 'red iron' frame.

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Nothing in the NEC that prohibits installing a meter base or a panel directly to metal siding or metal of any sort. Even in commercial applications

It is the preferred method in this case and is no more dangerous than mounting the service entrance conductors directly to the siding.

In fact. Mounting the meter base directly to the metal siding will 'bond' the siding to the grounding electrode system via the grounded conductor and actually make the installation safer.

It is done all the time without incident.

What you have been told about keeping the meter base isolated from metal siding is a myth.