Bob:
This was located outside of a grocery store, then a fast food place, and I will check again soon to see what is there now.
If we considered the "Off Peak" installations that are considered as being legal, this rule and 2002 NECH commentary.
230.46 Spliced Conductors.
Service-entrance conductors shall be permitted to be spliced or tapped in accordance with 110.14, 300.5(E), 300.13, and 300.15.
Commentary:
Splices are permitted in service-entrance conductors if the splice meets the requirements of 230.46. Splices must be in an enclosure or be direct buried using a listed underground splice kit. It is common to have an underground service lateral terminate at a terminal box either inside or outside the building. At this point, service conductors may be spliced or run directly to the service equipment.
Splices are permitted where, for example, the cable enters a terminal box and a different wiring method, such as conduit, continues to the service equipment.
Splices are most common where metering equipment is located on the line side of service equipment, service busways, and taps for supplying up to six disconnecting means.
See Exhibit 230.24 for splices permitted in metering equipment.
Courtesy:
www.necdirect.org Also, the meter socket enclosure is part of the Article 312 inspection made by the AHJ and the installation above should have never been passed.
I am not aware of any local or state rules in Massachusetts permitting this. Maybe the installation was accepted by someone, who was not familiar with the rules.
I would ask about the liability if there was a fire?
