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miguelito3218 · Jan 30, 2007, 02:59 PM

Hi there. I need to move my circuit panel about one foot to the left to make room for a doorway that is to be added.

The mains from the meter enter the panel in electrical pvc. I called my utility company and they are comeing to pull the meter on Friday. Just to be sure, if the meter is pulled, there will be no power whatsoever coming into the panel correct?

Although I consider myself well versed in residential wiring, I have never moved a panel. Any suggestions from anyone? I am most concerned with cutting that pvc about a foot without knicking the mains. Thanks.

tkrussell · Jan 30, 2007, 03:14 PM

Once the meter is pulled,the two top jaws will still be very much alive. The bottom jaws are the load, and are the wires that go directly to your panel.

Ask the meter man if he has the insulating cap to cover the two upper jaws of the meter. They make a rubber cap designed to snap over these two jaws perfectly to cover them.

You will need to remove the meter cover to gain access to the lower load jaws/terminals of the meter. Depending on the style of meter the neutral may be in the center or off to one side. All three wires, the 2 hots and 1 neutral load wires will need to be disconnected to allow them to be pulled out so the PVC conduit can be re-worked.

Not really sure what you mean by "I am most concerned with cutting that pvc about a foot without knicking the mains. Your not contemplating trying to cut the PVC conduit with the wires still inside? You will nick the wires and then need to replace them.

How do you plan to re-work or re-route the conduit? How do you plan to bend it? There are PVC benders that are noting more than heat blankets that wrap around the conduit to heat it up, and then bend the conduit to the desired bend. Best to have a wet rag handy to help cool the PVC down to keep the bend in the pipe. Use gloves as the heat these benders give off is very hot.

Not sure what else I can say, I could help better if you have some specific questions. Some pictures may help also.

miguelito3218 · Jan 30, 2007, 03:51 PM

Thanks for the reply! I won't be needing to bend the pvc, just cut it back about a foot. I was hoping to just cut it back without needing to pull the mains out, of course very carefully. I understand that the upper jaws will still be live, and thus why I didn't want to have to pull the mains. I will ask the meter man to see if he has those covers. I guess it won't be so bad, just a little nervous I guess. Thanks for the reply.