Exterior meter

[Stan Croenne]

Just finished an inspection and need opinions. There is an exterior 60 amp panel next to the meter housing at the back of the home. It feeds the garage panel and is directly wired from the meter through the connecting conduit. Come to find out an electrition lived there at one point. Doesn't look right to me. Let me know. Stan

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

A picture would help. A 60 amp panel feeding a garage panel is perfectly acceptable.

[Stan Croenne]

The 60 amp panel is connected to the meter housing by conduit and the wires are fed to the 60 amp panel from the exterior meter, not from the interior main panel. Looks fishy to me. Stan

[Bob Elliott]

Originally Posted by scroenne

Just finished an inspection and need opinions. There is an exterior 60 amp panel next to the meter housing at the back of the home. It feeds the garage panel and is directly wired from the meter through the connecting conduit. Come to find out an electrition lived there at one point. Doesn't look right to me. Let me know. Stan

Which part does not look right ?
Was there a separate meter for the home?

They may have been leasing out the garage.

[Stan Croenne]

No, one meter for the home and garage. The 60 amp panel is fine that feeds the garage. My question is should the 60 amp panel be wired at the exterior directly from the exterior meter housing? Someone had to open the exterior meter housing to access the connections. Stan

[Bob Elliott]

Originally Posted by scroenne

No, one meter for the home and garage. The 60 amp panel is fine that feeds the garage. My question is should the 60 amp panel be wired at the exterior directly from the exterior meter housing? Someone had to open the exterior meter housing to access the connections. Stan

OK ,so you figure they should have created a subpanel and instead they footballed or did they double tap?

60m amps is not enough for a home anymore.
I think some of these lenders are asking for 100 now.

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

When you say "main panel," I assume you're referring to the service equipment.

If the 60 amp panel is not supplied from (or part of) the service equipment, it is improper.

[Christopher Currins]

Originally Posted by belliott

OK ,so you figure they should have created a subpanel and instead they footballed or did they double tap?

60m amps is not enough for a home anymore.
I think some of these lenders are asking for 100 now.

I don't think that's what he described. I picture double-tap at meter socket feeding 60 amp box and also interior panel.


A photo would sure help.

[Stan Croenne]

Not sure. Looks like it is a double tap off of the meter lugs. I can't tell, I can't see inside the meter box. One of the past owners was an electrition and I have a feeling he did it on his own. I have never seen it, so I thought I would see what you guys had to say. Stan

[Stan Croenne]

150 amp main service panel at interior basement. Exterior 60 amp panel fed directly from exterior meter not from 150 amp panel in basement. Third panel in garage fed from 60 amp panel by meter. Sorry for the confusion. Stan

[James E. Braun, CMI]

I know they make meter bases with 2, 4 or 6 supply lugs, but I think they are on 325 amp bases and up. Could somebody stuck a 325 amp base on the house?

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

Originally Posted by jbraun

Could somebody stuck a 325 amp base on the house?

Possibly, but the point of connection is irrelevant. The 60A panel must be supplied from the service equipment, or it must be part of the service equipment.

There are cases where multiple panels can be used as the service equipment, but they must be grouped and bonded. They cannot be located in various locations throughout the residence.

[James E. Braun, CMI]

In my area, you are allowed to run two separate service panels and they can be one inside for the house and one outside for the outer buildings. It is pretty common here.

[Stan Croenne]

Thanks for the help guys, this is why I belong to this organization. Endless knowledge at the press of a button. Stan

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

Originally Posted by jbraun

In my area, you are allowed to run two separate service panels and they can be one inside for the house and one outside for the outer buildings. It is pretty common here.

Is that because your area follows no model code, or do they have a code-section that allows for this?

There are exceptions that allow for additional "service disconnects," but those generally apply to emergency systems, fire pumps, required "stand-by" systems, etc.