I'm working on a renovated home and replacing the existing meter and SE cable due to the exterior wall being moved to make the room bigger.

The GC wants the meter installed in the same location, however a open porch will be installed in front of the new meter. My question is: Can I install my new ground rods approximately 4ft away (i.e., in front of) the new meter. Normally I would install about a ft directly in front of the meter, but with the new porch it wouldn't be accessable. I checked the code but didn't see anything from preventing me from doing this. Any thoughts?

The POCO here won't allow a meter to be installed in an open porch. The owner may decide to close the porch in at a later date which would prevent access by the meter reader. Maybe check with your POCO first?

I install the grounding electrode, be it rods or plate, as close as possible to the service. Sometimes it may end up quite a ways away, sometimes it's right beside the service. I'm in Canada and our Codes differ from our southern neighbors.

250.30 (4).... is this any help?

We always check with POCO, for any meter move to a different location.

quote: "250.30(4)...is this any help?"

That article refers to separately-derived systems - not sure how/why that would apply to this situation. Is there something I missed?

All,

Thanks for the advice and comments! I've decided to have the power company verify our location before we run home runs to the wrong location.

Rather be safe than sorry.

PS I love this forum! It's really gotten me out of some stressful situations.