Case History: The origin and cause investigator requested that the utility meter be removed, but the power company only replaced the meter with another one. The technique used at this meterbase is common for commerical locations that use three-phase power. Current Transfomers (CT's) are clamped around the power conductors, and the output of the current transformers go to the utility meter. Thus, removing the meter will not remove power to the home. The principle is the same as a clamp-on amp meter that clamps around a conductor.
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Electrical Service Entrance at Western Sizzlin in Canton, MS.
Electrical Service Entrance at Motel in Tallulah, LA.
Residential Location - Removing the Meter Will Not Remove Power.
Case History: This was a commercial building approximately 2,400 square feet. Over the weekend, a water leak occurred in an upstairs bathroom. The restoration company, which was hired by the insurance company, placed 48 fans and 6 dehumidifiers inside the building. With all of the fans in their lowest setting, the added load was 147 amps. This stressed the connections in the meterbase, and two days later one of the lugs in the meterbase failed as a result of resistive heating and surface arcing.
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Electrical Service Entrance (F05-11).
Meterbase and Fuse Boxes (F05-11).
Melting in Meterbase (F05-11).
Part of Lower Middle Lug Severed by Arcing (F05-11).
New Meterbase Lugs for Comparison (F05-11).
Crimp Connection at Weatherhead Discolored (F05-11).
Crimp Connection on Ground Discolored and Arcing (F05-11).
Building Contained 48 Fans & 6 Dehumidifiers (F05-11).
Case History (F05-013): This was an arson fire at the front of the building. Prior to this fire, one of the phases burned out in the meterbase. The owner continuied to use the meterbase with only two phases.
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Arson Fire at Front of Building (F05-13).
No Fire at the Electrical Service Entrance (F05-13).
Plastic Melted in Meter Socket (F05-13).
Owner Continued to Use Meterbase with only Two Phases (F05-013).
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