ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area Barrel Locks on Meters

BigB, I appreciate your cleverness- just don't be TOO clever.

It's not your ring; damaging it is a crime.
It's not your lock; making a key is also illegal.

Think you can get away with it? Think you have some clever arguments? Maybe you do- but that's where lawyers make their money.

Owning a pair of Kleins does not mean you have an unfettered right to do as you please with anything electrical.

More importantly, electricians have to work with the PoCo on a regular basis. Do you want them to see you as a partner- or a nuisance? Call the troubleman, pay the service call, do it right.

AND- if some silly ape says "do it hot- we do it all the time"... I'm sure his boss would love to hear about that the next day.

In this area cutting a basic ring off is no big deal.

Mess with the barrel locks or other 'high security' devices and you will very likely be talking to the police.

The stance here seems to be much the same as John (Hotline) describes.

Bob

Here the POCO has two responses, if you can wait, they'll get out and take it off for you.

If you can't, and you call them in advance or at least call them and tell them, they'll tell you to cut it off with a grinder.

Most of the POCO guys admit they don't even have keys, they keep losing them...

Reno has a great point, make friends with them, it goes a long way....


Dnk...

If somebody calls us in advance, we'll get by and unlock it before they get there. If you call after hours, we charge to come unlock it.
No big deal around here.

On the other hand, theft of service is a third degree felony in Texas. It's a whole lot safer to wait til we get there.

For years, the electricians pulled meters and the POCO looked the other way. Now, because of safety issues, they are much more willing to come pull the meter. There are many services here with no main breaker ahead of the service so there is no other to de-energize except to pull the meter. But even the fire departments will no longer do it because it is just too dangerous. Run the numbers -it isn't worth it.

I don't see many locks in my area anymore, once PECO went with digital meters. Any time that I need to take out the meter, with a lock, I have the HO call PECO and have them remove the lock. In the city it takes a couple of days, In the suburbs, usually right away. In an emergency situation though, it kind of stinks.

I'm with the "make friends with the POCO" stance. When I worked in Southern CA, I tried to get a cell # for the troubleman or meter guy that would come out when I needed a meter yanked (usually for service changeouts) Those numbers saved me ALOT of time over the years when I needed something unlocked or disconnected. (They've even left me seals before and told me just throw a standard ring on and seal when I'm done )

Thankfully the company I work for now does sub out work for PG&E on occasions so we have legal access to meter keys and seals when necessary

As far as safety issues, PPE and technique has alot to do with that. Our uniforms are flame resistant (NFPA 70E, and OSHA final rule 1910.269), 5KV hot gloves, and a face shield are part of our issued "hot work" attire.

highground,
Over here at the PoCo that I work for, saying something like that over the phone to anyone would be in serious breach of our Health and Safety policy.
Should the person have an accident while disconnecting, the PoCo would then be liable for any injuries or damage.
My cell# is universally known around here amongst all the Electricians and I'm more than happy to go out and disconnect whatever is required, day or night.

I am a subcontractor for the electric company. Because they are not licensed their authority ends at the meter. The meter base is owned by the customers, but they have no access to the meter legally. I have encountered these locks and have been told to cut them and replace with a new meter ring and seal which I am supplied with. Before I worked with them and encountered a problem ,and had to gain access to the meter base I made sure to call them first and explain who I was and why I was cutting their seal. They had no problem with this as I had identified myself. They do take unauthorized entry to their meters very seriously, and I would not want to get on their bad side.

I was surprised when my parents experienced a loose hot wire which I traced to the meter socket. I called a friend of mine who is a lineman for the poco and asked if he would come help (after hours and off duty). He cut the seal, tightened the lug, and retorqued the rest and left the meter unsealed. Said that it didn't matter, the poco would figure it out eventually and replace it.

The seal was replaced shortly after and never any questions raised as to why it was removed and this poco is multi-state and a stickler on their service requirements.