Meter Base

[Mark Schniers]

What size service breaker is this (pictured) meter base rated for?

[Bill Kriegh]

Looks like an old 100 AMP. However, the size of the wire from the meter to the service disconnect may further limit capacity.

[Jerry Peck]

Looks like that says "cx200", which I thought indicated a 200 amp meter.

Which, of course, is only a meter rating, not a service rating. Service entrance conductor size would limit that as well.

[Bill Kriegh]

The meter may well be rated for 200 AMPs - a lot of meters are. The meter base, however, doesn't have the bending space necessary for anything much larger than a #4, maybe a #2 (which will get you to 125 AMPs if copper). However, a lot of the small square meter cans are rated for 100 AMPs Newer ones the same size MIGHT be rated for 125 AMPs -depends on the age and manufacturer.

[Mark Schniers]

Looks like that says "cx200", which I thought indicated a 200 amp meter.

Which, of course, is only a meter rating, not a service rating. Service entrance conductor size would limit that as well.

Yeah Jerry that is what I thought too but I also know the shape such as Bill pointed out indicates it's rating or should I say capacity. The only thing I had to go on with this one was the size of the box and the main breaker. I could not see the SC (in runway) or get to the panel as it was blocked by a water softener and the wall/floor were wet.

Thanks for your help guys!

[Tony Dolce]

The enclosure does not look big enough for 200 amp wiring (3/0 xhhw)
Tony Dolce
Meade Electric
Affordable Phoenix Electrical Contractor, Meade Electric Expert Electrical Repairs And Installations In Phoenix (http://www.meadeelectric.biz/An_Electrical_Panel_For_You.html)

[Tony Dolce]

The enclosure does not look big enough for 200 amp wiring (3/0 xhhw)
Tony Dolce
Meade Electric
Affordable Phoenix Electrical Contractor, Meade Electric Expert Electrical Repairs And Installations In Phoenix (http://www.meadeelectric.biz/An_Electrical_Panel_For_You.html)

[Speedy Petey]

The enclosure does not look big enough for 200 amp wiring (3/0 xhhw)
Standard residential service entrance conductors for 200A would be 2/0cu or 4/0al.

Just a note to H-I's. The "CL200" or whatever it says on the meter is almost always completely irrelevant. The meter itself is pretty much never a determining factor as far as service size goes.
The POCO's own the meter and will use whatever they need to. Most plug-in style meters will be CL200 meters regardless of service size.
Since the POCO owns, maintains and replaces the meter itself at their discretion it is my opinion that it is a non-issue as far as inspections go.

[John Kogel]

What size service breaker is this (pictured) meter base rated for?The meter base can fool you. This place has an old 60 amp style base, but they managed to pull #3 copper conductors thru and upgraded to 100 amps. :D