Electical code - repair question conduit to meter

masraum · 08-03-2014, 07:04 PM

We are selling our house. We had the foundation done in April. When they jacked the back corner of the garage up, the conduit pulled out of the bottom of the meter so there is 1"-2" of exposed wiring. As part of the inspection on the house, the guy saw this and the buyers want it fixed. I'm wondering if the meter could be disconnected and then a short piece of conduit 2" long stuck between these two. Or is there another good fix that isn't expensive or involved?

stomachmonkey · 08-03-2014, 07:39 PM

Since it involves the meter it may be something you need to get your utility company to deal with.

Maybe they'll fix it for free.

Doesn't hurt to ask.

masraum · 08-03-2014, 07:41 PM

Yeah, that would be nice, but the inspector said that wasn't the case, but he could be wrong. Doesn't hurt to ask.

Rusty Heap · Rusty Heap's Garage

You know, you could really put your foot down on the intentional of elelctrical codeds, Im a EE engineer.

get the conduit, cut it up the middle in half, fittings and all, then encase the sandwiched fittings and PVC pipe glue them together, add a couple of stainless steel clamps to make the new owner feel better..........don't be scared to challenge the inspector or codes, often they are "guidelines" not black and white.

either way, cheap fix really.

look 171 · 08-03-2014, 08:56 PM

Where does that conduit go? Take another pic farther away for me will ya? It should an easy fix. I would just pay an electrical to get it fix. 30-40 min tops if its what I am thinking from the pic.

masraum · 09:06 PM

The metal conduit goes a couple of feet down into the ground. I'm not going to cut on a pipe with my power feed in it. One wrong move and I'd be a crispy critter.

masraum · 08-03-2014, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by look 171

Where does that conduit go? Take another pic farther away for me will ya? It should an easy fix. I would just pay an electrical to get it fix. 30-40 min tops if its what I am thinking from the pic.

Here you go. It's a little blurry

clearer and closer.

look 171 · 08-03-2014, 09:19 PM

How many wires are coming in from the ground? Is that 2 or 3? code may require to have a single piece of conduct without break or connection. Ours are one piece without break coming from overhead. I call your local electrician. It should not be too much money.

wdfifteen · wdfifteen's Garage

There may be stress on the feed wires (can't tell from the photos) Have the power company turn the juice off. Relocate the meter base low enough the fit onto the conduit. You'll have to move the outlet to the breaker box.

stomachmonkey · 08-04-2014, 05:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

There may be stress on the feed wires.....

Logically that would be a possibility.

Rot 911 · 08-04-2014, 05:28 AM

Just hire an electrician. I doubt you are looking at $200 to fix it correctly. Then the buyers will be happy and the house will be sold!

71scgc · 08-04-2014, 05:39 AM

First, don't do what rusty heap said, if for no other reason way too much work.
Also, not sure about your area, but the run from pole or transformer generally belongs to you. An electrical contractor is needed, not the power company.
As wdfifteen said, the end of the conduit could be pulling on the cable. It hasn't cut into it too bad, else it would've blown.
Dig out around the conduit and check. You may be able to lift the conduit up enough to get the locknut back on it inside the meter can.
You may have to pay a resealing fee to the power company as you'll have to cut the seal to get inside the meter can.

This is a real easy fix, as long as you're an electrician, not an "EE engineer". Whatever that is...

Carter (Yes, I am a Journeyman Electrician)

MBAtarga · 08-04-2014, 06:16 AM

^1 on 71scgc suggestion.

The house we purchased had some landscaping settled around the area of our meter panel and it exhibitied a similar issue. I was able to dig and loosen the soil enough to raise the conduit around our panel by an inch or more.

Any type of repair to split a pipe and clamp/glue it back in place will not pass inspection.

E Sully · E Sully's Garage

You can schedule with the Utility company, they will shut off power so you can do the repair. Looks like rigid conduit, you can get a threaded coupling, couple of lock nuts and bushing, and a piece of running thread or close nipple from supply house to extend the pipe, as long as the wires are long enough.

rick-l · 08-04-2014, 06:35 AM

That is before the meter so shutting it off is going to be a little complicated.

Don't all those wires belong to the power company?

GH85Carrera · GH85Carrera's Garage

With you trying to sell the house, whatever you do, use a licensed professional willing to sign a work invoice with his license number on the repair ticket. Put that with the paperwork for the house.

biosurfer1 · 08-04-2014, 06:57 AM

Interesting...I work for the local electric company and we are responsible for anything up to the meter, after the meter is on the customer. You might want to make sure the electric company won't fix it. Unfortunately they might do it at their own pace.

E Sully · E Sully's Garage

In my area, owner is responsible for everthing after it leaves the splice at the pole, curb.

dad911 · 08-04-2014, 08:46 AM

NJ works both ways, it may be the customer's, it may be the power utility. Depends on the contract at installation.

In any event, start with the utility co.

porsche4life · porsche4life's Garage

Quote:

Just hire an electrician. I doubt you are looking at $200 to fix it correctly. Then the buyers will be happy and the house will be sold!

This, no reason to drag your feet and let the buyers get cold feet on it. I'd get an electrician out there today and get the process moving forward. Your RE agent will thank you!