Electricians - How to install meter box riser.

[cstreit]

Guys,

I've got to install the meter box for my new shop. We've got underground electrical service here.

My question is:

What should the riser look like from the ground to the meter box? The local codes state that the National Electric Code (2000) is in effect, but of course that's not published anywhere.

My assumption from reading is to use schedule 80 pipe for damage resistance from the meter down to the ground. 2" diameter for my 100 amp service.

I'm also assuming that this pipe must extend down to the 18" required for the trench that the electric company will dig. What does the end of this pipe need to look like? Presumably a 90' bend with sufficient radius to allow pulling? Does it need some sort of weather connector?

[einreb]

You using an underground meter 'housing'?

When the electricial did mine, he put a box in that held the meter and then extended 24" or so inches into the ground. There is a 'door' on the underground part and then a 'door' on the above ground part. the hole was left open for the comed guys to do the connection and the wire came up through the bottom of the underground part of the meter housing. no additional conduit' was done by my electrician all the wire goes up through the meter housing. the comed contractor handled it all and then filled the hole.

mine may have been different since it was direct buried 30", but all the underground meters i've seen have the same sort of box.

[cstreit]

Same deal Bernie....

Need to know what the ends look like.

Did the riser go terminate perpendicular to the ground, or did the bottom bend 90 degrees in the trench to run parallel to the ground...?

[carambola]

inside the socket use a plastic bushing and a locknut, pipe to meter socket use a TA (threaded adapter) sched 80 vertically down 24" and use a 90deg sweep at the bottom to cushion the transition. IBEW local 351

[cstreit]

I think I got that. Thanks!