Electric socket plate is missing from by the Smart Meter
- Thread starter Kay Kim
- Start date
I would buy a outdoor (usually has a gasket) electrical cover and not leave it exposed. I guess you should also see if it is 'hot' if you have never tested it before.
Thank you very much Voyageur. I thought same as you, but when I told my son about it, then he said “do not touch that, it is dangerous” and he wouldn’t do anything. He is only good at business field.
I am going to wait until about two weeks, and then, when he leaves home for trip to other state, then I would ask one of neighbor for fixing this thing. Hopefully someone knows how to do.
I am going to wait until about two weeks, and then, when he leaves home for trip to other state, then I would ask one of neighbor for fixing this thing. Hopefully someone knows how to do.
angelburst29
The Living Force
Believe it or not, the Smart Meter is the sole property of the local Utility Company. (Check the fine print on the back of any utility bill.)
My suggestion, call your electric company. They are responsible for any up-keep or any problems associated with the Smart Meter. By Law, any alteration (even replacing a missing electrical cover) is considered - tampering with Government property?
I know - it sounds stupid but they don't want anyone messing with their toys? Even though, in some cases, Smart Meters catch on fire and burn homes down to the ground, any alternation to the Meter could put your Homeowners Insurance coverage in jeopardy. The electrical cover that is missing - probably had "a manufacture serial number" on it and it's best that you let them replace it, for safety sake. You don't need to lite up like a Christmas tree - for a service that is already included in your Utility Bill?
My suggestion, call your electric company. They are responsible for any up-keep or any problems associated with the Smart Meter. By Law, any alteration (even replacing a missing electrical cover) is considered - tampering with Government property?
I know - it sounds stupid but they don't want anyone messing with their toys? Even though, in some cases, Smart Meters catch on fire and burn homes down to the ground, any alternation to the Meter could put your Homeowners Insurance coverage in jeopardy. The electrical cover that is missing - probably had "a manufacture serial number" on it and it's best that you let them replace it, for safety sake. You don't need to lite up like a Christmas tree - for a service that is already included in your Utility Bill?
In principle, that is correct, yet in this case that outlet was added on (and it might be disconnected anyway as it was likely used at the construction stage prior to the meter install) and Hydro would generally never install something like that and leave it hot. Hydro owns the meter, the connection, and around here it is the owner who paid for the subline base pole and infrastructure (boxes) and is responsible for them. Hydro may demand a fee if they have to start digging into the works. That's okay if you want to leave it to them and pay. If you know an electrician, that is a good route also without getting Hydro involved.
Personally, though, I would just test it and cover it if hot and leave it alone. I'm thinking its not hot (yet always assume it is) and was discontinued after the meter was activated.
Just to help clarify, if your live in Ontario, which is the same as here (and maybe not the US) here is the Hydro Ownership Demarcation Points
In BC, it states;
Who is responsible for BC Hydro equipment on my property?
So that then asks the question, what belongs to them (Hydro) on your property. From my understanding it is the meter alone, not the base, which as said does not mean you can tamper with it, just like you can't even do certain thing in ones house to the main breaker panel without their notification (like pulling the main breaker bus).
In your situation it looks to be a rural property. Testing it is the simple thing to do and then move on from there depending on the results. My 2 cents.
In BC, it states;
Who is responsible for BC Hydro equipment on my property?
So that then asks the question, what belongs to them (Hydro) on your property. From my understanding it is the meter alone, not the base, which as said does not mean you can tamper with it, just like you can't even do certain thing in ones house to the main breaker panel without their notification (like pulling the main breaker bus).
In your situation it looks to be a rural property. Testing it is the simple thing to do and then move on from there depending on the results. My 2 cents.
angelburst29
The Living Force
I understand what you are saying, Voyageur and it makes - sense. Testing might be simple but if you really don't know what your doing, (like me) you could be putting yourself (needlessly) in danger. Anything electrical - I let a professional deal with it. Replacing a cover might seem simple enough but "without testing" there's no way to know if it's "hot" and if there has been extra damage to the inner workings exposed to weather? I'm assuming - the cover is metal, not hardened plastic? You could get zapped - just trying to put the cover on? In my case, I would call the Utility company (first) and work from there. It may be something simple for them and there may not be a cost?
If the romex (the wire) isn’t just cut off and goes into the box on the right. There has to be a small sub panel in that box. Or alternatively there WAS a sub panel in that box at one time (most likely used for temporary power until the utility company pulled the permanent wire in). If there is a sibanel on there you can just turn the breaker off.
I’m a liscened electrician in the US. As was posted above the only thing that the utility is responsible for is the meter socket itself. The meter base, junction box on the right, that outlet, the pipes going underground are not the utility’s responsibility. There has to be a transformer upstream somewhere. The utility will pull wire a minimal distance from the transformer and crimp the wire onto the feeders provided by the property owner.
Brewer
Jedi Council Member
Hi Kim
You can open the door to the box it should contain Circuit Breakers. Look for the breakers that isolate the power outlets and flick off the one that supplies power to this outlet, don't worry it's legal and safe to do this but don't do it in the pouring rain! You can test it by plugging an appliance into the outlet, place it on the ground then switch it on by turning the breakers back on. If the appliance works, it's active, if the breaker flips off the outlet is defective. Don't fret too much about lack of cover, they're pretty hardy but don't use it until there's a cover on it which legally needs to be done by an electrician. Post a close up pic of the circuit breaker layout, they should be labelled clearly which breaker supplies what.
Cheers
You can open the door to the box it should contain Circuit Breakers. Look for the breakers that isolate the power outlets and flick off the one that supplies power to this outlet, don't worry it's legal and safe to do this but don't do it in the pouring rain! You can test it by plugging an appliance into the outlet, place it on the ground then switch it on by turning the breakers back on. If the appliance works, it's active, if the breaker flips off the outlet is defective. Don't fret too much about lack of cover, they're pretty hardy but don't use it until there's a cover on it which legally needs to be done by an electrician. Post a close up pic of the circuit breaker layout, they should be labelled clearly which breaker supplies what.
Cheers
From what I can see in the box, no wires are cut. It looks like purely external damage. The ground wire is in the right place which would have tripped the breaker if it was hot, so it should be fine. The bottom of the ground hole is broken out on the right socket. It seems like it just had a rough day. The outlet cover likely had rain seals and flip covers. It's possible someone yanked out a cord which caught on the flip cover and ripped it off. Maybe charging an ATV or trailer home and drove off while it was still plugged in?
If it were me I would just get a gasketed cover from Walmart. It doesn't look unsafe at all, aside from the cover being missing.
If it were me I would just get a gasketed cover from Walmart. It doesn't look unsafe at all, aside from the cover being missing.
Hi Kay Kim, I would like to go back on what was said first, as the main point is that you are not comfortable with the situation. As such, it is not for me to offer possible resolves knowing this, So, indeed, find a local electrician to pop by and have a look. At best they would tell you it is not energised and not to worry about it. At worst, they would guard the outlet, as discussed, or disconnect it and charge you a few bucks. If they are not available and you know a local farmer type, have them have a look as they may feel comfortable testing it.
So, don’t plug anything in to see if it is live; that is not safe. Test ‘only’ if you feel comfortable with an insulated tester, yet better to just have someone with knowledge check it out.
The service looks identical to mine (without the outlet), however I can’t see how it is re your house; mine is 100 meters away, and I know there is no possibility of a house breaker controlling an outlet (if there was one) because that would not be electrically correct.
So, don’t plug anything in to see if it is live; that is not safe. Test ‘only’ if you feel comfortable with an insulated tester, yet better to just have someone with knowledge check it out.
The service looks identical to mine (without the outlet), however I can’t see how it is re your house; mine is 100 meters away, and I know there is no possibility of a house breaker controlling an outlet (if there was one) because that would not be electrically correct.
