A 200 amp meter socket install needs an approved outdoor enclosure, correct height, grounding, and utility inspection before going live.
How to install a 200 amp meter socket depends as much on the utility’s requirements as on the hardware itself. Most utilities want a 200 amp, 120/240 volt, single-phase, three-wire socket in a NEMA 3R outdoor-rated enclosure, mounted and inspected before the meter goes in. This is service-entrance work, so expect a permit, often a licensed electrician, and a utility inspection before the power comes on.
What Does The Utility Check Before Setting The Meter?
Utilities control which meter socket model gets installed, how it is mounted, and who is allowed to do the work. The socket must match the utility’s approved service design or the meter won’t be set, even if the installation otherwise looks correct.
Confirm these details before buying anything:
- Overhead or underground service. This decides whether the riser enters the top of the socket or conduit enters below.
- Surface mount or flush mount, and ring or ringless style.
- The utility’s approved model list. Acceptance is often model-specific, and some sockets get rejected even though they are otherwise code-compliant.
Installing The 200 Amp Meter Socket: The Step Order That Works
Once the specs are confirmed, the install follows one order: mount, conduit, ground, inspect, connect.
- Mount the approved socket at the required height. The center of the meter socket hole sits about 5’6″ above final grade, with a one-foot allowance either way, per OPPD’s meter specification manual.
- Install the service conduit. Underground runs for 200 amp service are typically 2″ or 2 1/2″, in Schedule 80 PVC or Schedule 40 galvanized steel, extending at least 12″ below final grade. An overhead riser runs from the top of the meter base to the point of demarcation, keeping at least 12′ of clearance over finished grade and more than 18″ from the roof.
- Pull conductors within the socket’s listed range. Many 200 amp sockets, including Eaton’s 20327L, accept line and load conductors from 6 AWG to 350 kcmil, copper or aluminum.
- Ground and bond the system.
- Schedule the inspection, then the utility connection. The inspector signs off, the utility sets and seals the meter, and the service gets energized. The meter only goes in when everything matches the utility’s drawing.
200 Amp Meter Socket Specs To Verify Before You Buy
The fastest way to get rejected is to order the wrong socket. Check these ratings against the utility’s approved list before you spend money.
| Specification | Typical 200 Amp Requirement | Verify Before Buying |
|---|---|---|
| Amperage | 200 A minimum | Matches the utility’s service minimum |
| Voltage | 600 VAC max on listed products; service itself is 120/240 V, 1-phase, 3-wire | Nameplate rating |
| Jaws | 4 jaws for standard residential sockets | Utility’s approved form factor |
| Enclosure | NEMA 3R, outdoor-rated | UL label on the box |
| Mounting | Surface mount or flush mount | Service type the utility approved |
| Bypass | Horn bypass, test block, or none | Utility specification |
| Conductors | 6 AWG to 350 kcmil line/load on Eaton’s 20327L | Terminal range for copper or aluminum |
| Standards | ANSI certified, UL listed; 22 kAIC withstand on models like the 20327L | Approved model list |
The most common rejection reasons are a wrong jaw count or bypass style for the utility’s form factor, a socket without a NEMA 3R rating, and grounding that skips the rod or the bond. If you’re comparing models, our tested roundup of 200 amp meter sockets covers sockets that carry the ANSI and UL listings above.
FAQs
Do I need a permit to install a meter socket?
In nearly every jurisdiction, yes. Meter socket installation is part of the service entrance, which the National Electrical Code and local building codes regulate. Most areas require a permit and an inspection before the utility will set the meter or energize the service, and many require the work to be done by a licensed electrician. Check with your local building department first.
Can a homeowner install a meter socket?
Some utilities allow an owner to install the socket themselves as long as a licensed electrician or inspector approves the work, but many require a licensed electrician for anything upstream of the panel. Confirm the rule with both the utility and the local inspector before buying parts, since a rejected install means paying for the work twice.
What is the correct height for a meter socket?
OPPD’s meter specification manual puts the middle of the meter socket hole at 5’6″ above final grade, with a one-foot allowance either way. Clearances for the overhead riser also matter: at least 12 feet to finished grade and more than 18 inches to the roof. Local utilities may differ, so use their published drawing.
References & Sources
- OPPD. “Meter Specification Manual and Drawings.” Source for the 5’6″ mounting height, grounding, and conduit requirements.
- Eaton. “20327L meter socket product page.” Source for the 22 kAIC, 4-jaw, 600 VAC, NEMA 3R specifications.
- Eaton. “Metering Products Catalog.” Documents typical 200 amp socket configurations and conductor ranges.
