Siemens Meter

Every single one of these Siemens meter mains are burning up in two different communities in my area. I have done three this year and lost count of how many estimates given over the phone for these. They are only around ten years old or so. I estimate maybe there is about 200 hundred of these still in service the rest have been changed. This one looks bad because feeders from Utility and panel are extremely short the neutral for the panel had to be spliced. Bonding bridge was added for low voltage. Siemens panel are junk, this new setup with an actual main instead of a branch type breaker will last the test of time. I’am using a Siemens meter can here but I don’t have a problem with there meters and not many manufactures make those small cans. And that Square D main will last as long as the house is standing. I believe the problem is using a branch circuit breaker type instead of a main is a factor in why these are failing. Even though you can plug a 125 amp breaker on any panel as long as your service is rated for it. A load calculation always has to be done here for any electrical work and 125 amps works but they should be 150 amps. I have upgraded others to 150 amps because the feeders were burnt and had to be pulled. This one had to stay 125 because the feeders were still good but it was really short.  

That’s interesting how they did that with those bars from the meter base over to that disconnect. Never seen that, only ever seen ones like that square D box, if they have one on the house at all. 

Justin Hernandez wrote:

Every single one of these Siemens meter mains are burning up in two different communities in my area. I have done three this year and lost count of how many estimates given over the phone for these. They are only around ten years old or so. I estimate maybe there is about 200 hundred of these still in service the rest have been changed. This one looks bad because feeders from Utility and panel are extremely short the neutral for the panel had to be spliced. Bonding bridge was added for low voltage. Siemens panel are junk, this new setup with an actual main instead of a branch type breaker will last the test of time. I’am using a Siemens meter can here but I don’t have a problem with there meters and not many manufactures make those small cans. And that Square D main will last as long as the house is standing. I believe the problem is using a branch circuit breaker type instead of a main is a factor in why these are failing. Even though you can plug a 125 amp breaker on any panel as long as your service is rated for it. A load calculation always has to be done here for any electrical work and 125 amps works but they should be 150 amps. I have upgraded others to 150 amps because the feeders were burnt and had to be pulled. This one had to stay 125 because the feeders were still good but it was really short.  

KnarlyCarl wrote:

20 minutes ago, KnarlyCarl said:

That’s interesting how they did that with those bars from the meter base over to that disconnect. Never seen that, only ever seen ones like that square D box, if they have one on the house at all. 

The old setup was just one box, anytime theres a meter combo or a meter bank the manufacture just uses a metal bar to run power to breaker. Its cheaper for them to make it like that instead of using wire but some company’s use a mixture of metal and wire to run the circuit. Hope that makes sense   

JimboS1ice wrote:

1 minute ago, JimboS1ice said:

 

Nice to see some posts again dude! Have you run into any more of those illegal hookups?


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Thanks, yea I just gave a price on one to change out like two days ago there thinking about it. They have no power so they need to think fast..lol Someone should be getting sued over this. They actually are illegal because that main breaker has to be bolted down. But why do you say its illegal?? 

Justin Hernandez wrote:

Thanks, yea I just gave a price on one to change out like two days ago there thinking about it. They have no power so they need to think fast..lol Someone should be getting sued over this. They actually are illegal because that main breaker has to be bolted down. But why do you say its illegal?? 

JimboS1ice wrote:

21 hours ago, JimboS1ice said:

No I was just asking about some of those hot wired meters you’ve dealt with with drug houses by passing the meter


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Oh yea I sure have! I have some pictures of two of them I have to find them on my phone and post them