Boy, what a setup. It looks to me like the power company has installed a surge suppression unit, which plugs into the meter socket, and then the meter plugs into it. The conduit and box under that unit could either be more surge suppression equipment, or a transfer switch that some power companies are installing now-a-days. These transfer switchs allow a portable generator to be attached to it, to provide emergency power. I havent seen any of these in the field yet, but have seen paperwork on them.
Due to all this extra equipment installed, I would contact the power company to come out to open it all up, then either have them re-screw it , or do it yourself, if you have the experience and knowledge, as well as tools to do it. One word of warning, the top lugs will still be hot, and, wouldn't you know it, there are 2 screw holes right next to those lugs. Be extra carefull!!
One of the dangers in this is that whoever pulled the socket loose, probably just pulled it from the wall. The screws that used to be attached into the wall behind the socket are now loose, and could fall into the hot lugs. Just banging it around to remoive the meter could cause an arc-flash, or worse.
Rick Miell
[This message has been edited by rmiell (edited 08-12-2003).]
