There are 2 kinds of "enhanced security" setups commonly seen here. The rings as shown here are sometimes found, and are often in such poor shape that they have to be cut off (diamond wheel/side grinder works well. [Linked Image])

The other device is called a "barrel lock", and requires a special (and impossible to find!) tool to unlock. Typical devices:
http://www.brooksutility.com/catalog/toc-Summary.asp?Cat=36

The official PoCo specs require a knockout on meter pans for the installation of the barrel lock, but I rarely see them being put in on new installs or upgrades. Only in urban areas or customers with a history of tampering/meter discrepancies.

Opening one of these without the tool is a bit of a challenge. If you can't get the PoCo to unlock, you pretty much have to destroy the meter pan to get the meter out. Obviously, power should be cut off at the service drop before trying this. They don't yield to lockpicking or brute force with visegrips and such. A holesaw right around the exposed head, or prybar/sawzall attack on the enclosure is in order here. [Linked Image]

[This message has been edited by NJwirenut (edited 11-25-2003).]