200 amp meter?

Question

Can I use the same meter from a 100 amp meter socket and install it in a 200 amp meter socket or do I have to get a new meter ? And how do i know if my service drop line wires are big enough to supply 200 amps to the house ?

Answer 1

Where I live, it is illegal for a homeowner to mess around with the meter. The utility has to do it. Meters plug in just like a big plug in, but the shock you would get is much different. I saw it happen to a lineman one time when he was energizing a new meter bank on a construction project of mine - not funny at all, I thought he was dead. If you have to ask these kinds of questions, my advise is not to try it. - No disrespect meant, I wouldn't do it either.

That said, a 100 amp meter is different than a 200, but chances are you have a 200 amp meter because 200 amp is by far the most common service. It should say on the back of the meter once you unplug it. As to the wires, you almost certainly cant upgrade the service without upgrading the wires. There is a chart (which you could look up in a wiring book in the library, or online probably) which says so many amps, such and such gauge wire up to this many feet. The idea is that it takes a larger wire (lower gauge) to take the same charge a longer distance.

Hope that helps

Answer 2

Call the electric company and have them determine if you have enough service to handle the amps. It should be 2/0 at least. Have a licensed electrician handle the wiring. Since you will have to change out the main breaker panel to a 200A panel and it will have to be inspected.

Answer 3

check with the electric company. they are responsible for the line up to the head. from there on down it is the home owners responsibility....go to an electric store and ask to see some 200 A cable and compare it to what you have. the meter don't matter. it is the box that matters