Things You'll Need:
- Meter service loop assembly
- Service power wires (rated capacity for amperage)
- pocketknife
- Corrosion inhibitor
- Socket torque wrench
- Sockets
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Step 1
Assemble the meter service loop piping and meter base socket in accordance with the local utility's regulations. In most cases, the utility company will provide a new meter base free of charge to be used in the overall meter loop assembly.
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Step 2
Slide the three power feed wires down the top meter loop's pipe. The wire must be rated in size for the overall amperage capacity of the meter base. Again, consult the power utility's regulations for correct wire sizing. There must be two black insulated wires and a white insulated wire for the power feed wires.
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Step 3
Remove 1½ inches of the power feed wires' insulation with the pocketknife to reveal bare copper. Squirt a small amount of a corrosion inhibitor into the top connectors of the meter base terminals.
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Step 4
Begin at the upper left-hand side terminal, labeled as "line," for connecting the power feed wires. Attach one of the black wires into this terminal. Lay the bare copper end inside the grooved metal slot. Insert the cable connector over the wire. Tighten the bolt to secure the wire in place using the correct socket size for the bolt head. Follow the torque specifications labeled inside the meter base as supplied by the base's manufacturer. Torque the bolt head with the socket torque wrench. Follow the same procedure for the next black wire.
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Step 5
Connect the white neutral wire to the center connector identified as "line neutral." Perform the same torque specifications as provided by the manufacturer.
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Step 6
Attach the wires that are feeding the home's main panel in the same method as described above, but into the connectors labeled as "load." Strip the wires' insulation back 1½ inches with the pocketknife. Squirt a small amount of corrosion inhibitor inside the metal wires' slots. Lay the wires in place and torque to the specifications listed. The two black wires will go into the outside terminals, while the white neutral wire will attach to the center terminal neutral connection.
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Step 7
Connect the bare copper ground wire to the terminal identified as "ground." This wire leads to the ground rod inserted into the earth at the base of the service loop assembly. Consult the power utility as to the length and type of ground rod required.
