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Meters

  1. General

    Normally, most service will be supplied and metered at secondary distribution voltage.

    The type, size, and number of meters to be installed for any account will be determined by the Cooperative. It is essential that the Member notify MVEC promptly of any proposed service requirements or load changes.

  2. Meter Location

    The meter location is an important consideration to both the Cooperative and the Member. At a point to be mutually agreed upon, the Member will provide a suitable location on his premises for the installation of the Cooperative's meter and other equipment necessary for MVEC to provide electric service. The service entrance will be so arranged that the Cooperative can measure the Member's entire electric service with one meter, unless otherwise specified in the rate schedule. Meters for service to residential and commercial Members shall be installed outdoors.

    On types of service where outdoor installation is not practical, permission and specifications for indoor metering shall be obtained from the Cooperative.

    In general, meters shall not be installed above the first story level or below the first basement level of a building. Space and clearance requirements for indoor metering installations are the same as for outdoor metering.

  3. Mounting

    The Member is responsible for the installation of meter enclosures, transformer enclosures, and any required conduits and wiring in a manner acceptable to the Cooperative. All meters shall be mounted so as to provide ready access for reading, testing, and other maintenance purposes. It shall be the Member's responsibility to keep the area around the meter location free of obstructions.

    All types of enclosures shall be mounted plumb and firmly secured.

    Generally, mounting space shall be at least 36" in width and height and no enclosure shall be mounted less than 6" from adjacent wall or conduits. Headroom of not less than 7 ' shall be provided, and height from ground level to top of meter enclosure should be 6 feet (6 ').

    Large commercial and industrial services usually require extensive metering facilities with corresponding increased space requirements. Detailed information on these requirements will be furnished upon request.

  4. Working Clearance

    Sufficient access and working space shall be provided and maintained about all metering equipment to permit read and safe operation and maintenance of such equipment. (Refer to drawing for Required Working Clearances, page 21).

  5. Identification

    Where more than one meter is to be installed, each meter circuit shall be marked to indicate exactly the Member served. In apartment houses, the markings must be the same as the apartment identifications, such as numbers or letters. Markings such as "upper north," "left front", "rear", etceteras are not acceptable. Tenants' names shall not be used as a means of identification. Identification shall be on the service switch box with paint or on the meter enclosure or socket base (not cover) with paint, metal letters, or other means approved by the Cooperative.

  6. Grounding of Meter Devices

    All meter enclosures and associated devices shall be bonded to an approved ground with a wire of #6 copper or larger or as required by NEC. On types of services that include a neutral, the ground connection shall be bonded to the neutral. (Refer to drawing for Overhead Meter Installation, page 34).

  7. Approved Grounding Electrode

    For the protection of personnel and equipment a ground rod 8' in length by 5/8" in diameter and driven to a depth of not less than 8' is required to be installed by the Member. The use of copper, copper clad, or copper weld rods are required.

  8. Self-Contained Meter Installations

    Single phase and polyphase installations with loads not exceeding 320 amperes per phase and which are intended for operation at not more than 600 volts to ground or between conductors shall generally be self-contained metering. Entrance conductor should not exceed 600MCM or parallel 350MCM.

  9. Instrument Transformer Metering

    The Cooperative will normally use instrument transformers in three phase metering services where current requirements are in excess of 400 amperes (wire size above 600MCM copper or equivalent) or the service voltage is greater than 600 volts to ground or between phases. Where such conditions exist, MVEC must be consulted early to insure the necessary equipment is available when needed. (Refer to drawing for Transformer-Rated Installations, pages 34 – 35 and 44 - 47).

    The Member is responsible for installation of the metering equipment or mounting rack on his building. A bonding conductor of not less than #6 copper shall be installed in each metering conduit from the meter enclosure to the instrument transformers.

    No apparatus, electrical or otherwise, not belonging to MVEC shall be installed in or on any of the Cooperative furnished equipment.