What is the national standard for clearance around an electrical meter?
Plan to expand a deck as close to the meter as I can, but I am not sure how close that would be.
Rich
Full Version: OT electrician question
QUOTE(r_towle @ Jul 27 2013, 07:58 AM) 
What is the national standard for clearance around an electrical meter?
Plan to expand a deck as close to the meter as I can, but I am not sure how close that would be.
Rich
36" in all directions. With that said, the Utility Company needs access to read it. If your deck does not interfere with reading, you should be OK.
Hey Rich, the only thing I remember is front clearance. Don't know about side clearance. IIRC, 24" but might have been 36" on the front. This from a plumbing contractor. Beware. 
I assume you mean a meter with the house main breaker..
36" is the minimum in front, I believe it's only 12" on the sides. If you have electrical on the deck, then the clearance will increase to 42". This is assuming a 220 panel. This is from memory, my NFPA book is at work.
36" is the minimum in front, I believe it's only 12" on the sides. If you have electrical on the deck, then the clearance will increase to 42". This is assuming a 220 panel. This is from memory, my NFPA book is at work.
Meter on house, breaker is inside on the panel.
Here is what I am doing.
Meter is about 2 feet from the inside corner of the house.
Deck will be about 4 feet deep.
I plan to frame to about 1 foot away on the side and end the deck there.
The front beam, 4 feet away, will run across and in front of the meter.
So, you can easily duck under the beam to gain access, stand up and do whatever you want to the meter.
We have our meters read electronically now, so they never visit anyways.
Just wondering if that much access is ok.
Rich
Here is what I am doing.
Meter is about 2 feet from the inside corner of the house.
Deck will be about 4 feet deep.
I plan to frame to about 1 foot away on the side and end the deck there.
The front beam, 4 feet away, will run across and in front of the meter.
So, you can easily duck under the beam to gain access, stand up and do whatever you want to the meter.
We have our meters read electronically now, so they never visit anyways.
Just wondering if that much access is ok.
Rich
taken off the net so don't quote me on this...
QUOTE
1)If your electric meter will be
under a deck, the deck must be at
least 7 feet high.
2)There must be 36 inches of
unobstructed space in front of
the meter.
3)There must be a 36-inch
wide unobstructed travel path in
front of the meter.
4)There must be at least
2 inches of space on both sides
of the meter.
5)No structure may be built
around the meter, except for
approved meter rooms.
6)Doors or windows cannot be
within one foot of the meter.
7)Meters located inside fenced
areas must have gate access.
under a deck, the deck must be at
least 7 feet high.
2)There must be 36 inches of
unobstructed space in front of
the meter.
3)There must be a 36-inch
wide unobstructed travel path in
front of the meter.
4)There must be at least
2 inches of space on both sides
of the meter.
5)No structure may be built
around the meter, except for
approved meter rooms.
6)Doors or windows cannot be
within one foot of the meter.
7)Meters located inside fenced
areas must have gate access.
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