Inspect the Meter and Meter Socket

Before installing the Backup Switch behind the utility meter, perform the following inspection steps, documenting with photos throughout the inspection.

Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
Warning
Even though circuits have been turned off and are not under load, service equipment may still be live. Wear all electrical PPE as defined in Required Tools.

Ensure Meter Socket is Compatible with Backup Switch

Backup Switch is designed to be compatible with most meter sockets, but some older models may be incompatible with Backup Switch.

Ensure the meter socket jaws are connected to a solid bus bar with bolts or rivets rather than attached to the bus bar with clips on both sides. Do not install Backup Switch on a meter socket where the jaws are connected with clips on both sides.

Inspect Meter Socket Jaw Alignment

If the meter socket jaws have plastic insulating guides:

  1. Hold the Backup Switch up to the meter socket and visually inspect the alignment of blades to jaws.
  2. If one or more jaws are misaligned with the Backup Switch blades, either adjust the plastic insulating guides using fully insulated tools, or contact the Utility to make the adjustment.
Figure 1. Meter Socket Jaw Plastic Insulating Guides

Inspect for gaps between each set of jaws:

Inspect each set of jaws and ensure none of them has a pronounced gap between the jaws.

If any set of jaws has a pronounced gap, do not install Backup Switch on the meter socket.

Confirm the Utility Electric Meter is in Good Health

  • Confirm the Utility electric meter is functional
    • If the meter has an LCD screen, ensure it cycles through menu options
    • If the meter is a mechanical meter, ensure the rotating disk is spinning
  • Confirm the meter panel, meter, and main breaker are rated no higher than 200 A continuous
  • Confirm the blades have no signs of damage, arcs, or misalignment

Confirm the Meter Socket Enclosure is in Good Health

  • Confirm the jaws have no signs of damage, arcs, or misalignment
  • Confirm the enclosure is not damaged by rust or corrosion
  • Confirm there are no signs of water ingress

Test Meter Socket Using TESCO Hot Socket Gap Indicator

Figure 2. TESCO Hot Socket Gap Indicator
Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
Warning
The top two meter socket jaws are energized. Hold the TESCO tool by its plastic exterior; do not touch the blade while touching the meter socket.

With the meter removed from the socket, test each of the four meter socket jaws as follows:

  1. Align the blade with the jaw.
  2. Push the blade into the jaw, observing the indication window for the result of the test.
    • A red indication on the tool implies the jaw has a significant gap or loss of spring force and is unsafe for continued use.
    • If there is no red indication on the tool, the jaw is safe for continued use.
Figure 3. TESCO Tool with a Bad Jaw (left) and Good Jaw (right)

If either the meter or meter socket displays damage or is otherwise not in good health as defined above, stop the installation and work with the customer to have the meter socket replaced before installing the Backup Switch, or Install Backup Switch in a Standalone Meter Panel.