Around here, it seems once the Contractor Work Request is OK'd by the POCO, they really don't care if you cut the ring and/or lock. In fact, it seems they'd rather you cut ring and/or lock to save them the "trouble" of a truck roll. And if you don't take things in your own hands, and instead wait for the POCO to unlock the meter you'll never get any jobs done.
Around here it's like Dnkldorf describes... and if they "ignore" your request to remove the lock, that's pretty much a license to get the grinder out.
After the job is done, an inspector from the POCO comes out. If all is OK, the POCO inspector schedules the installation of the metering and locks. Then the building department does the final "code" inspection.
At one of my friend's shop, he has a whole bin full or meter rings and CT locks... almost as if he were showing off scalps!
Joe
