Can the meter socket itself be replaced?

Johnd85053

Hi. I have this meter socket, identified by "MSJ-7" that I want to replace. Just the socket base, not the whole enclosure. Why; there is evidence a surge has overheated one of the line sockets.

Are replacement socket bases available (without the encl.) and are they fit-form-function and ? Are there any alignment problems I need to deal with between the meter tangs (which seems to have some slop in its position when the meter is moved around) and the socket base? And who might have one? Thanks for your help.

Johnd85053

Here's a picture of what I have.

Attached Thumbnails

 

rrolleston

Asking around at some local electrical supply houses may get you somewhere. Also looks like they did not use any ox guard.

Did you disconnect the neutral or was it already that way from corrosion.

Speedy Petey

A "surge" did not do that. A weak connection did.

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Johnd85053

I agree. My aim is to "splurge" and fix it. What's the best way to move forward?

plummen

Check the wires/clean connections and reinstall them with some no-lox on them.
Is the service disconnected or did you just pull the meter?
Watch the line-side of that meter socket,you are the fusable link if you bump something

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Johnd85053

Thanks Plummen. Yes, I have the utmost respect for the line side. But did you notice the upper right line socket, a little discolored, and without the meter blade inserted there is a gap which worries me. Am I worrying about noth'in?

Johnd85053

rrolleston, in this pix the neutral splice may look like it has corrosion on one side but it does not, its just bare Al wire. I didn't touch it.

Johnd85053

Speedy,

>>A "surge" did not do that. A weak connection did.

I think you meant a weak mechanical connection? OK, thanks. Hmmm, I wonder how you prevent something like this. I guess its possible a brand new socket could have a defect in this fashion and result in the same issue (i.e. latent fault). Maybe pick a good parts manuf.

But, my immediate problem is correcting the issue, if you agree its an issue like I think it is.

plummen

Ive seen much worse

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powerfactor

how is the enclosure bonded to the neutral?

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Johnd85053

Thanks Powerfactor, but off topic.

plummen

Looks like its got a piece of bare copper coming in from service bonded to box going into panel for a ground .
The neutral seems to just loop through,maybe a previous repair?

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Johnd85053

Plummen, no repair. Service neutral (#2 AL) is spliced to my neutral (1/0 AL) which is terminated at the neutral bar in the adjacent main breakerbox. This neutral bar is bonded in the breakerbox. The continuous bare Cu that you see (main bonding jumper) starts in the meter socket box at the UG riser fitting, then picks up the meter box itself, then passes thru the nipple and picks up the breakerbox side of this same nipple, then terminates at the neutral bar.

Powerfactor, sorry I was short. Let me know if you need any add'tl data that could help me determine the best way forward per my socket issue.

I still would like to know if I should replace my meter socket base or if I'm over-reacting. Plummen's opinion seems to lean towards "its not that bad", but I'm not sure.

frenchelectrican

If you are using the convetal meter you should be not too bad but if you have a new smart meter that will may arise a new issue so right now it hard to say which way you have there.

Second thing you should Jamais ever remove the meter from the meter socket in case something can go wrong it will do a wonderfull fireworks there sorta like souped up runaway welder if you get my drift on that.

Merci,
Marc

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The answer will be based on NEC ( National Electrical code ) or CEC ( Cananda Electrical code ) or ECF ( Electrique Code France )