From Breakdown to Breakthrough: Fixing a Broken Meter Lug and Upgrading to a 200 Amp Service
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- Опубліковано 1 жов 2024
- In this video an old Pushomatic load center is upgraded to a new 200A MB 40/ 80 circuit panel in Freehold, New Jersey. This job took a lot of work because a meter lug was broken during the upgrade so a new meter enclosure had to be installed and coordination with the utility company was needed for a disconnect/ reconnect.
Electrical Wiring is NOT a hobby. Call a licensed electrician!
Classic Electric, LLC | Point Pleasant, New Jersey
License & Business # 16557
(732)-770-1437
The majority of the work you’ll see on my channel falls under the New Jersey Rehabilitation Subcode. This code allows for existing structures requiring repairs and alterations and deletes sections of the National Electric Code such as 230.85 that requires EMERGENCY DISCONNECTS. More information on the NJ Rehab Subcode can be found here: www.nj.gov/dca...
Ron Pecina Jr. is a licensed electrician in the state of New Jersey. This allows him to apply for electrical permits, work with live conductors, remove meters, and disconnect service from the utility company. New Jersey observes the 2020 NEC and the Uniform Construction Code. The majority of the work seen here on this channel falls under the Rehabilitation Sub Code (Chapter 6 of the U.C.C.).
ALL New Jersey licensed electricians MUST complete 34-hours of continuing education units each tricentennial period. This includes a mandatory 10-hour code update course. Any work above 10-volts requires an electrical license in New Jersey.
Ron is an active member of the New Jersey Independent Electrical Contractors Association.
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WANT TO SEE MORE? FULL 200 AMP SERVICE UPGRADE. WATCH HERE: • FULL 200 AMP SERVICE U...
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Ron Pecina Jr’s set up:
Camera: Go Pro 9/ 10 w/ the Media Mod
Microphone: DJI Wireless
Editing software: Apple iMovie
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On top of all the problems that this job brought, even downloading the footage from the SD card to iMovie was a pita. I had to edit and re-edit three times just to get this video to the channel. Hope you all like it. 🇺🇸🇺🇸
We all appreciate all your hard work Ron! 👍👍
@@chuckquinn8026thanks Chuck! Happy Labor Day weekend brother!
Ouch I feel your pain on that broken lug ! I had one break on an older duplex meter once , on a Friday around 11 am .I literally wanted to throw up because in my area of Canada I would have to replace mast , wire , meter base with 2 customers being affected. It was a nightmare mast to have to deal with, luckily one of the older linemen on a utility crew had a couple of lugs from that exact style of meter base ( old school guy like me , collector of things that might someday be needed ) and dropped them off to me.Power restored by 3 pm . Good recovery on your end as well !
@@electricianron_New_Jersey you too my friend! 🍺🍺🍺
Always enjoyable to watch and very informative. I know we probably have people like you here in New Hampshire but I really like how you take your time in doing these upgrades. Can't say the same for the moron who left a 240v 30A romex just to hang from joist in the basement... :( Thankfully I put it in a junction box (yes it has wire nuts on each line) and labeled it for future electricians.
That inspector was the hero of the day. Straight up solid guy for coming out on a dime after hours and giving you the inspection to get the service restored. Buy that guy a beer, Ron. Call his boss and give him praise for going above and beyond. Great video. I watch each one to the bitter end. 🙂
I’m happy you enjoyed it!
Thank you for showing all your hard work. I'm sure when the lug connection broke, it was an anxious moment. However, you did all you could to rectify the situation. Your customer was fortunate to have you do their job.👍
Nice work. I cringed when the lug broke off, knowing the BS the electric companies give. I had to have PSEG come out four times to repair a hot leg at the pole. They would show up and look at pole, and if wire wasn't hanging, would close out call as okay. Finally, a lineman climbed the pole and found a broken connection and repaired it. The sad part their automated phone system would report the problem as repaired, and it was almost impossible to get a person on the phone. The unfortunate way of the world.
I liked your additional panel label " Do Your Best Work" Ron you went went the extra mile to ensure your customer was re-energized in a timely manner. Slap shot and a goal
Beauty!
Always looking forward to another upload!🎉
On your question about when the NEC adopted the “each grounded conductor in an individual terminal” rule, it was the 2002 cycle. It has, however, been a requirement from the panel manufacturers for many years prior to that.
The fact that you worked so hard to get your customer’s service restored, is just another testament to both your workmanship and work ethic. Thanks for sharing.
That’s a heart stopping moment for sure Ron. I thought for a minute that the inspector was going to blow you off when he said you needed that number which you didn’t have. Plus just getting him on the phone when you needed him was a miracle. Glad he got there fast. I have Atlantic City Electric and I’m sure they wouldn’t have been any faster with their response. It’s odd about the surge protection. Almost all the literature say that it should be installed as close as possible to the main breaker. One thing that surprised me was you didn’t use duct seal or washers when mounting the meter enclosure. That’s your signature tell tale that you were there 😂. I was wondering why you didn’t change out the meter box in the beginning but you answered that in your comments. Another sweet but nerve wracking job! 🏆🏆🏆
Just did a shut down with ACE and they couldn't turn the power back on til 6pm. I was just replacing a meter socket, underground feed, and finished at 10am (started at 830am when ACE came out and shut down). They are ridiculous. PSEG has been a lot better to work with in my personal experience.
Siemens says breaker location is must less important than keeping the wires short and straight that attach to the surge breaker.
I do work in Freehold and it's one of the nicer building departments to deal with.
In socal I change existing meter main combinations leaving it energized so to not run into this problem . Southern California Edison is fine with this which does seem odd . I have retrofitted lugs to replace damaged ones from existing meters I removed on a rare occasion . It is nice that the building department and the utility service came together to get this wrapped up for your customer . I understand the anxiety you must have felt . Been there done that . As we know blank happens when you least expect it . Well done on getting it coordinated and completed.. I like how you get your van with your company name in the background while removing the panel . Smart
Tried that new honey pepper pimento chicken sandwich from Chick-fil-a yet? Nice save on the meter - that brittle plastic can ruin your day in a snap.
In NC we use bare copper wire for ground rods and tie in the meter base
That's probably a utility requirement.
Shoulda bought yoself a Lottery Ticket. 🍀 👍. Aeesome work as always.😊
Another great video Ron! I always wondered how someone would handle a situation like this. Love how you broke it down step by step and how you resolved the issue
Great job as always Ron. That must be nice to have the utility diconnect power to replace a meter socket. Here in Philly we just swap out underground meter sockets live, just take your time and always use your gloves and quality tape
For a minute there I thought all the Romex was in yellow jackets, which didn’t seem right for a late 1960s house. And then the light changed and I could see it was white 😊.
Wow, some drama with this job, huh? These buried lines-you don't have the luxury to de-energize the service side of the meter like you on aerial drops to the weatherhead. So you risk being at the mercy of the utility when things go south as they did. Glad you got some good cooperation from the inspector!
Ron,
I don't think typically you should not have be obligated to replace the damaged meter base on your own dime, since it was existing and old. If it was a new meter base, that was part of the job, and it broke, then I feel that you would be obliged to replace it. Does that make sense, or am I off base?
Thanks for taking the time to make these videos. I have been a State licensed contractor for 23 years in Ohio and have learned a lot form watching.
Whirlwind? monkey F, we call it on the West Coast, good job keeping your cool.
Great video as always. I am surprised you don't have an apprentice because you would be a great mentor.
Ron watching this i had to comment. Just did an underground service up in Morris County where the meter cabinet was falling off wall with a bee's nest and had no offset or slip coupling also meter had stopped spinning for months. Wanted to give customer whole new set up so arranged for JCPL to do a shutdown. First appointment they cancelled for no reason. Second appointment gave a 6 hour window to complete entire job!! This was the limit of return time to re energize and needed an approved inspection sticker!!! Never heard of this complete BS before. I arranged with inspector to have cut in card ready to go and got an early start --the minute i cut everything out of panel phone rings its JCPL cancelling!! Its a young family with babies and temps in high 90s. They could care less cancelled due to "storm work" and there were zero significant storms anywhere in state for weeks. They are an absolute disgrace and really could care less about their customers. They always have the most outages and slowest repairs. From what i understand corporate in Ohio ruined the jobs for their employees by cancelling pensions and benefits and everyone with skills and experience left about 10 years ago. They need like ten guys to look at something just to know what is even going on. Having worked with both PSEG and JCPL for many many years i can tell you JCPL couldnt carry their lineman boots.I believe their Ohio office really is a very poor power company and customer service means nothing. Im basing this on multiple experiences on similar things. I wish PSEG would take over all of NJ and get them out of here. Anyway great job amazing to see others going through similar things on jobs
Sounds like we’re all on the same ship in different cabins.
Sometimes utility companies go into mutual aid mode and prepare to send crews to other states during storms.
All local "normally scheduled " work gets put on hold.
Lol the look on Ron’s face in the thumbnail picture I knew this would be a good one. Keep trucking Ron. 🎉🎉🎉
Clickbait lol
Good job Bro. It happens It can happen to anybody.!!!
The town didn't make you install an outside disconnect?
Great Video. Thank you for sharing
Ron, great respect for the quality of work you do! Always enjoy the videos and the emphasis on code and how to do it right.
Thanks for watching
Also if you are upgrading your panel to a 200amp service shouldn’t the meter box also be replaced to a 200 amp meter base?
All underground electrical services in New Jersey are 200A. It’s law here.
7:01 it looks like a 100 amp rated meter box because of the slotted set screws, just thinking of the meter boxes we produce at work
@@sampowell5932 200A
Great electrical work, I like to work alone also
Great work ron 👏🏼 you the best !!!
Hey Ron yes that was a jaw dropper. I know a million things crossed your mind. So in this situation JCPL had to open green box and pull a switch , turn off another breaker ? What’s in the box that needs to be done by JCPL ?
Excellent video
They have an underground connection point and they mechanically disconnect it. I wanted to get it on video but the JCPL lineman did not want to have it recorded and shown on UA-cam for whatever reason.
Another great video Ron. How come you use #2 aluminum wire Instead of #4 copper to ground to the water meter? Is it because the service entrance wires are aluminum?
Because aluminum is an acceptable wiring method as a grounding electrode conductor to a water main.
Ron, got a question sir. Do you need to install GFCI breakers in a service upgrade like you do?
Here in NJ the answer is NO, not required for service upgrades. ALL new circuits that require GFCI or AFCI are required.
What size wire must come from utility to service a 200 amp panel? What is the smallest size wire from the utility can you put a 200 amp service on? Can you have a 2/0 copper wire from transformer to meter?
The service drop is always up to the utility company. If you choose to do an underground service entrance then you could run copper to the transformer. Just an FYI: most of the utility grid is made of aluminum conductors. B
Hi , Sir,
Always Good Job !
Thanks
God bless you!!
I'm glad you enjoyed the video!
Pushmatic-bulldog panel..we have 1000s of them in MD
I’m in the HVAC trade commercial service mechanic. I enjoy watching other professionals in their trade. Thanks for the video 👍
Kudos to the town inspector and JCP and L. Nice work as always Ron. Have a great Labor Day weekend and be safe out there⚡️⚡️
That's fantastic workmanship. And I love the "DO YOUR BEST WORK" sticker above the main
Another nice project....except shorten and uncoil that white wire off the SPD. The coiling adds inductance. SPD wires should be short and direct. UL tests are done with 6 inch leads on the SPD.
Love your videos! I live in Vermont and have 100amp service. do you know what a ballpark figure would be to change to 200-amp service?
Being from New Jersey I can’t believe you got all the inspections and JCP&L all to work together to get power restored. They must have known they were going to be on You tube .
I’ve never had to mess with a panel like the one that was replaced. Thanks for the knowledge.
No problem 👍
A non-electrician here...DR number is....disconnect and re-connect? Just a guess. I'm not in JCP&L territory. Kudos to that inspector. Thanks.
Design Request
Makes sense but mine was more direct-lol. @@electricianron_New_Jersey
Fuking awesome
Great job. Damn...when that meter lug broke I could feel it.
This is great. I truly enjoyed this video. Thank you for the great explanations as always. Just curious what you think about the span io panel?
Awesome job taking care of your customer! Its a rare thing these days!
Is aluminum wire required for grounding the panel to the water meter? Or is there a reason you choose it over copper?
Aluminum is less expensive.
The water meter needed an electrical connection? Is that unusual?
Primary grounding electrode.
Way to adapt and overcome!
Thats a great lesson for all, play by the rules, pull a permit.
Good job Ron.
Joe
Isn't the disconnect supposed to be outside or is that house grandfathered in?
Not required here under the rehab sub code.
Learning about electrical service... so if the meter is rated for 200amps, only the wires from meter to panel need to be replaced if upgrading from 100 to 200amps? I have some electricians that are trying to get me to replace the underground to the transformer and meter without having identified that it is necessary
If you have an underground electrical service then the "service point" is likely to be at the meter. Therefore, it would be the utility company responsibility to upgrade the underground wiring from the transformer to your home. That's the case here in New Jersey with the two big utility providers PSEG and JCPL. It might be different where you are so if I were you I would check with the utility and ask them where the "service point" is on your property.
@@electricianron_New_Jersey Thank you!
lesson learned here, don't break off the lugs! 🤣🤣
before twisting so hard, cut the wire off flush to remove thermal mass, that will move the wires around releasing tension from them, then heat/cool the lug screw fast multiple times(torch/cold water or inverted air duster), then big pliers to hold the lug and pray with screw driver in other hand.
obviously don't overheat the whole thing and burn up the lug or insulator, generally thermal shock cycling like that will break up the solid rust/corrosion bond enough for it to come loose afterwards.
Spraying water around line voltage. Great idea bruh.
@@electricianron_New_Jersey who said anything about spraying water? dump some from water bottle, worried about it wetting wiring that's in a liquid tight enclosure and conduit?
last I looked that's all considered "wet area" and the enclosures only claim "rain tight", which is true with a vertical rain only, as soon as the wind blows that whole thing becomes wet inside. including the lugs that rusted. rarely ever seen a meter socket or any outdoor panel without rust and water intrusion.
Man that socket is old why not replace it while it’s easy todo?
I usually try and convince them that electrical equipment is only meant to last 50 years and all work needs inspection
Another great job. I love seeing the finished project. Thanks Ron
Good work.
i enjoy your vedios retired electrician 44 years
Thank you.
When is it required to put in afci breakers?
In NJ, for new branch circuits.
Great job. Way to overcome all the challenges.
Another nice clean job as usual ron Glad the inspector did the right thing.
Very nice work! Love to see panels look that clean and organized.
You gotta send us out some of your co. panel stickers seen at the end !
Dont u have to id thw ground as a green
@@edwinmolina3402 not for a grounding electrode.
Over the years of owning the home I live in, I've had 3 service issues.....Pole is across a main road with lots of truck traffic. I've had 2 times the service cable was clipped by trucks. Had new breaker panels installed (2) it's a 2 family duplex house. That was 1978......had glass fuses previously......About 10 years ago I started having intermittent loss of power on only one side. The side I live in. My best friend was a lifelong electrician. He came over and we looked at everything. Didn't find it at first, but while he was here, power flickered again. We went to the double meter pan and heard some arcing. Pulled meter and eventually found the small machine screw that attaches the meter socket clip on the supply side had arced so much the threads were no good
! I was in a panic mode since I had tenants and replacing the entire meter pan would be a big hassle. My friend and I drilled and tapped the bus bar for a 1/4-20 screw and reattached the meter clip. It worked ! A few years later another truck clipped the service cable and I used that opportunity to get the entire service and meter pan replaced. I also managed to get JCPL come and raise that cable to a much safer height. Older equipment just deteriorates and it's a real tough spot to be in when you have to get the power cut and then reconnected......
The code does address the height of service conductors but the utility is governed by another body.
Nice Vid!
DR number for JCPL is Disconnect-Reconnect Number, like a work order number or something... great job!
Thanks for that!
Im still blown away u can pull meters yourself! Here in CA we can't touch the meter mater if fact it's locked by the utility company.. just had issues with something similar few weeks back waiting hours for a lineman to pull the meter 🤷
Here in CT the Power Company lets the electrician pull the meter but not put it back in. They have to use jumpers and a plastic cover, which according to an electrician I know are not cheap. The power company then takes there time to come out and put in the meter after the inspection, most of the time taking those jumpers and cover with them. Before they do any work they need to file a work order with the power co. to tell them that they will be performing a service upgrade.
Good stuff again, Ron. After listening to your conversation w/that inspector, I think he came out because of your owning the broken lug, presenting the problem clearly and handling the situation professionally. It seems good honest professional conduct breeds professionalism (especially those who care and do their best in their job) and he wanted to meet yours with the professional courtesy of comin' out unexpectedly fast. Beers to ya both for working together and showing us how to be pros
And thats something that comes with experience. Electricians speak a language only other electricians really understand. Thank you!
I have a question..? What are the names of white Romex conector you used because I tried to find them in Home Depot ..
They won’t be sold at Home Depot. Try a local electric supply house.
Ok but what is the original name of the wire connectors
Thanks 🙏 you Ron
Ron: I lived thru Sandy and had to deal with JCP&L when "they" disconnected my service and some of the neighbor's service. It took over a week to get my service to the active power (which never went out). It appears you were very lucky with PSE&G and the local inspector.
Very fortunate. Btw, the power to your service may have been ok but you are connected to a larger network of electrical distribution that may have been damaged and needed repair before re-energizing your service. Otherwise, you are extremely vulnerable to an electrical surge that the utility company would be responsible for. That’s why they shut you off.
Thanks for the video Ron. I really appreciate your thoroughness. Could you share a video of how you quickly identify the breakers after a panel change. I notice you don’t label stuff before removing the old panel and you said you came back a week later. Is it just a bunch of walking back and forth as you do one at a time?
It’s exactly as you’d imagine. I run an extension to the load I wish to identify and run the female end of the cord back by the panel so I can see it. Then I plug in my tester and flip breakers until I find the right one.
This is One of your cleanest panels Ron 🔥
Ron glad you were able to get things done so quickly and pretty amazing the inspector came out so fast !!! Good job on making all those calls to figure out the procedures. When the lug broke that was one of those oh s**t moments. Also that Pushmatic panel is really a different design, I guess there plenty others out there that are long gone like at my house, there were Wadsworth breakers.
You and me both!
Clean work brother! Love all the content! Question: isn't surge protection supposed to be installed as close to main breaker as possible?
They need to be installed as per manufacturers specification. Eaton doesn't spec the location.
Excellent recovery Ron, a true professional that doesn’t get phased by obstacles throw in your way!
That’s how you get good at what you do. If everything was easy your skill set has no chance to improve.
I felt sick watching this, big fear of mine. No sweat for Ron. I also hate those old meter cans the fine thread screws seize right up
The stress of telling a married couple - senior citizens - that I didn’t know when the power would be restored was almost too much to bear.
Ron....you are the man! Great job...great Cust Service and great patience!!
Thanks 👍
Great job Ron and good for you for fighting for this customer and doing whatever you could to make it right.
Thanks 👍
Great work Ron!
Thank you!
Nice work Ron. Good to hear everyone was on board to complete the job.
This one was stressful!
I dread old meter bases. If the set screws are rusty I usually hit them with a little monkey piss and let that set for a few min and sometimes have to pull out the channel locks and grip the lug while trying to break the connection loose with out trying to snap the lug haha.
I hear ya but the line side was hot and giant offset pliers I could only imagine bad things happening from there.
@@electricianron_New_Jersey for sure. I’ve done it, but with caution
good electrical work
Thanks!
@@electricianron_New_Jersey I live in Costa Rica and work in electricity
Great job, Ron Another one bites the dust.
Thanks for listening
Does the utility provide and install the meter box?
No, I had to install a new one.
@electricalron back when I first started my electric career in 1982, in Charlotte County, Florida. Florida Power and Light used to supply them to us. But times have changed. We buy them here. Where I live in Knoxville, TN. When I finished watching your video, I got the information I was asking. By the way, the place I am at now is called Classic Electric. We did a service change this past week, and when we made contact with the electric inspector, he told us that he wasn't going to check our job because he had too many other inspections that day! When we were ready for the utility provider to hook up, they didn't want to hook up because they didn't get the OK from the inspector. Well, they said they would. Then, the inspector did come out! Crazy how we do the right thing and then have to jump through the red tape to get it done. Thanks for your great work!
What is the purpose of getting a permit and why can't you do the work without one ?
Because that's the law here in New Jersey.
liability I would assume, not just anyone should do electrical work and there has to be a way for those who are qualified to obtain a proof of that. The permit lets the jurisdiction know that not only are you qualified but the scope of the work being done. Additionally, if something goes wrong and said home burns down. The house insurance is going to want to see that all work done in the home was done the correct way. The permit in this case would place the electrician who did the work as the liable party and insurances would then go from there. I've heard of homeowners pay a handy man to do the work and it gets done wrong. House burns down. Insurance stick it to them for not having taken out the proper permit or gotten the qualified individual.
@@thekilla4k81 Thanks for your explanation
@@thekilla4k81 that too! 😎
Stupid?
Awesome work!
Thank you! Cheers!
GREAT VIDEO