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Grouping:
Meters in a multiple occupancy building are to be grouped at one location which is accessible to PPL EU.
In large buildings, it may be necessary to establish several metering points and group the meters at each metering point.
PPL EU requires that customers comply with specifications shown in the Tables of Approved Meter Service Devices.
Customer installs one service entrance per building. The conductors between the service protective equipment and each group metering point must be run in continuous conduit.
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Identify Meters and Service Entrance Equipment:
The meter base and service disconnecting equipment for each customer in a multi-meter installation shall be clearly and permanently marked by the owner designating the location served. (see next paragraph for details). These markings shall be placed in a location that easily and accurately identifies the individual service.
PPL EU considers permanent marking to be: etched into the base by an etching tool, painted using a paint marker (or similar), permanently attaching a plastic or metal engraved tag, or a permanently attached label (from a label maker) rated for outdoor use. Use of a permanent marker is not acceptable.
In situations where the meter base or disconnect covers are interchangeable, In order to eliminate mixed meter situations, markings shall be placed on the base itself adjacent to the cover. If that is not possible, additional markings are required on the inside of the meter base.
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Method of Installing Self Contained Meter Bases:
Multiple meter bases are installed horizontally with built-in bussing (see Sketch #26), or as individual meter bases preceded by a sealable horizontal wire trough.
See Tables of Approved Meter Service Devices for approved factory assembled multiple meter base units.
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Method of Installing Self Contained and Secondary Metering:
Multi-meter installations consisting of meter bases and instrument transformer cabinets are preceded by a sealable horizontal wire trough. See Sketch #28.
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Common Service Entrance Conductors – Up To Six Meters:
Service entrance conductors enter the meter base through a single hub in the top, or through a conduit in the bottom. See Sketch #26.
When a wire trough is installed, the service entrance conductors enter through the side or bottom of the trough. See Sketch #28.
Customer makes all taps from the service entrance conductors in the trough to the metering equipment for each service. See Sketch #28.
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Common Service Entrance Conductors – Exceeding Six Meters:
When more than six disconnects per service are grouped in one location the National Electrical Code (NEC) or any other applicable code requires the installation, ahead of the meters and disconnects, of a sealable, fused, main switch(es) or circuit breaker(s) of a type and interrupting duty acceptable to PPL EU.
PPL EU requires a main disconnect that is sealable in both open and closed positions.
Customer is responsible to install an additional insulated grounding conductor between the main service disconnecting equipment, meter enclosures and panel boards when required by the NEC.
For underground service a sealable termination compartment shall be installed ahead of the main switch(es) or circuit breaker(s) to terminate PPL EU's service lateral conductors. With prior approval by PPL EU Design Supervisor or Supervising Engineer, this requirement may be waived if the following conditions are met:
- The main disconnect is capable of handling PPL EU’s conductor size and number of conductors
- The main disconnect must have bottom entry line-side terminals, with PPL EU conductors entering the bottom of the enclosure
- The main disconnect cabinet meets the clearance requirements for termination cabinets specified in Sketch #54 and Sketch #54A
- The main disconnect cabinet can be locked/sealed
- The main disconnect is sealable in the open and closed positions
See Sketch #54 and Sketch #54A for required clearances in the termination compartment. (C)
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Multiple Meter Arrangement for a Single Service Installation:
Grouped meter bases may consist of 2 single phase or 2 three phase bases for self contained meters. Sketch #25A shows a typical installation of a two gang meter base.