1. Meter removal and installation certification

2. How to navigate this course
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3. Overview
We Energies has policies prohibiting electricians from cutting meter seals and removing meters when performing residential service rewires. These policies were created to keep electricians and homeowners safe. In certain scenarios, a certified licensed electrician can disconnect a service and remove and reinstall a meter. This is a training module for an electrician licensed with the State of WI to gain certification with We Energies for safe meter removal and reinstallation upon completion. The program will only be acceptable for work being done in We Energies’ southeastern service territory (south of HWY-151 and east of I-90).

4. Contents
Section 1: When it is permissible to cut meter seal and remove meter
Section 2: When it is permissible to reinstall meter
Section 3: When utility or utility contractor is required to remove meter
Section 4: Additional requirements
Section 5: Weatherhead
Section 6: Hazard assessment
Section 7: Theft assessment
Section 8: How to safely disconnect service and remove meter
Section 9: How to safely reinstall meter and reconnect service

5. Section 1 When it is permissible to cut meter seal and remove meter
Only on residential services 200 amps and below
For overhead-to-overhead service rewires of same voltage
For overhead-to-underground service rewires of same voltage
For underground-to-underground service rewires of same voltage
For service relocations of same voltage
After successful completion of hazard assessment
After successful completion of theft assessment

6. Section 2 When it is permissible to reinstall meter
On residential services only
For overhead-to-overhead service rewires of same voltage only
If meter socket is approved in Book of Electric Service and Meter Manual
If backfeed is not present (solar jobs, etc)
If service was not upgraded to 320 amps

7. Section 3 When We Energies needs to remove and install the meter
Rewires with a change in voltage
Meter stacks
When a hazard is found and service needs to be de-energized
When tampering is suspected, meter or meter socket is damaged, or utility installed locking device is present
We Energies is required to install meter for all 200A and below residential rewires and service mast relocations except overhead-to-overhead rewires

8. Section 4 Additional requirements
Electricians/customers shall never jumper a meter – it will be treated as theft
Under WI Statute , electricians and/or customers face a class C misdemeanor which is punishable by a fine not to exceed $500 or imprisonment not to exceed thirty (30) days or both, for each offense, and disconnection of service
Per NEC 590.4(A) for temporary service requirements, services shall be installed in conformance with parts I-VII in Article 230 of the NEC
Temporary services shall meet same requirements as permanent installation
All service work and rewires require an application to be submitted
Differences between 320A and 200A and why you are not permitted to remove 320A:
320A sockets use a lever bypass. Lever bypasses hold meter in place and require special disconnect device
200A and lower sockets use horn bypasses
320A have multiple distribution panels and higher loads

9. To disconnect service drop, cut, secure, and adequately cover ends
Section 5 Weatherhead
Temporary connections must be installed in a manner adequate to prevent safety issues until We Energies installs permanent connections
To disconnect service drop, cut, secure, and adequately cover ends

10. Section 5 Weatherhead
Company-owned service drop
Service drop insulator (house knob)
Company-owned
Permanent Connectors
(installed by company)
Customer-owned service entrance conductors

11. Section 6 Hazard assessment If present, contact We Energies for disconnect and to report hazard
Red Seal
If a red hazard seal is present, We Energies has already identified a hazard. Call We Energies for a disconnect.
Loose or broken meter block in socket occurs when the screws holding a meter block into the socket are broken or damaged
Caution: Old 60-amp services may have broken and cracked meter blocks

12. Open meter socket (meter not installed) Damaged meter or meter socket
Section 6 Hazard assessment If present, contact We Energies for disconnect and to report hazard
Open meter socket (meter not installed)
Damaged meter or meter socket

13. Section 6 Hazard assessment If present, contact We Energies for disconnect and to report hazard
Incorrectly installed horned bypasses (commonly found on duplex-type residences)
Missing bypasses
Incorrect
Correct

14. Damaged meter or meter socket
Section 6 Hazard assessment If present, contact We Energies for disconnect and to report hazard
Damaged meter or meter socket
Damaged contacts

15. Damaged meter or meter socket
Section 6 Hazard assessment If present, contact We Energies for disconnect and to report hazard
Damaged meter or meter socket
Utility installed locking device
Cut off
(Also tampering)
Missing seal
(Also tampering)

16. Meter seal is cut or missing
Section 7 Theft assessment If present, contact We Energies for disconnect and to report theft/hazard
Meter seal is cut or missing
Utility installed locking device is present
Meter is bypassed
Evidence of direct line to load connection that does not pass through the meter reducing or eliminating consumption
Jumpers, pieces of metal, etc.
Tampering
Evidence that the utility owned equipment has been altered
Meter is missing and power is still on
Jumpers, extension cord/wire from neighbor, etc.

17. Section 7 Theft assessment If present, contact We Energies for disconnect and to report theft/hazard
Bypassed meter

18. Section 7 Theft assessment If present, contact We Energies for disconnect and to report theft/hazard
Unmetered jumpers

19. Utility installed locking device
Section 7 Theft assessment If present, contact We Energies for disconnect and to report theft/hazard
Utility installed locking device

20. Section 8 How to safely disconnect service and remove meter
Recommended PPE: Flame resistant clothing per OSHA 29cfr (l)(8), safety glasses, 600-volt rated rubber gloves
If there are not any hazards present or signs of theft/tampering, proceed to disconnect service.
If hazards or signs of theft/tampering are present, DO NOT proceed with disconnect. Call the We Energies outage/hazard number and report your findings.
If a utility installed locking device is present, DO NOT try to remove. Call We Energies for removal.
The We Energies outage/hazard number is
The We Energies Customer Care Center can be reached 24 hours a day at

21. Section 8 How to safely disconnect service and remove meter
Sequence overview: Call We Energies, open main, and then disconnect weatherhead or remove meter.
Call We Energies’ Customer Care Center. Inform them you are performing a service disconnect for an overhead-to-overhead or underground-to-underground rewire. They will verify your name, date of birth, and license number to check for valid certification.
Open customer’s main breaker to remove load.
Using voltmeter, test that customer’s panel is de-energized. If panel can’t be de-energized, contact We Energies for disconnect.
If panel is tested and is de-energized, depending on work being done, disconnect service drop at the weatherhead and/or remove meter.
If disconnected at weatherhead, energized ends of conductor shall be adequately secured and covered to prevent contact.
If only removing meter – and line side of meter socket is energized – meter socket needs to have a protective cover installed and locked.
Protective
cover

22. Section 9 How to safely reinstall meter and reconnect service OH to OH rewires only
Sequence overview: Open main, reconnect weatherhead, reinstall meter and call We Energies for meter seal and/or permanent connections.
Verify customer’s main breaker is still in open position.
If service is disconnected at the weatherhead and meter is removed, install temporary connections to energize line side of meter socket.
Determine if service is 240V 3-wire or 120V 2-wire and then follow correct procedure for installing meter.
Call We Energies’ Customer Care Center. Inform them you have completed your service disconnect for an overhead-to-overhead rewire and that permanent connections and a meter seal are needed.
We Energies will install permanent connections and a meter seal.

23. Test line voltage for 240V 3-wire service
Section 9 How to safely reinstall meter and reconnect service 240V 3-wire service procedure
NEUTRAL TERMINAL
Test line voltage for 240V 3-wire service
Test from 1 to neutral – 120V is a correct reading
Test from 2 to neutral – 120V is a correct reading
Test from 1 to 2 – 240V is a correct reading
Different readings require further investigation – do not install meter
Test for back feed on the load terminals
Test from 3 to neutral – zero volts is a correct reading
Test from 4 to neutral – zero volts is a correct reading
A 120-volt reading on either test indicates back feed from another power source – do not install meter
Test for 120V connected grounds, shorts or load with voltmeter
Test from 1 to 3 – zero volts is a correct reading
Test from 1 to 4 – zero volts is a correct reading
A 120-volt reading on either test would indicate connected load or shorts on customer’s equipment – do not install meter. Have customer open main breaker, and then repeat test. If zero reading is obtained, continue.

24. Test for 240V connected load or shorts on customer’s equipment
Section 9 How to safely reinstall meter and reconnect service 240V 3-wire service procedure
Test for 240V connected load or shorts on customer’s equipment
Close one line to load loop (close loop 1 to 3)
Test from 2 to 4 – zero volts is correct; if all tests pass, install meter
A 240V reading on this test would indicate the main breaker is closed or a phase-to-phase fault is on customer’s equipment before main breaker – do not install meter
Note: If any test fails, do not install meter –
notify We Energies

25. Test line voltage for 120V 2-wire service
Section 9 How to safely reinstall meter and reconnect service 120V 2-wire service procedure
Test line voltage for 120V 2-wire service
Test from 1 to 2 – 120V is correct reading
Different readings require further investigation – do not install meter
Test for ground, shorts, and load
Test from 1 to 3 – zero volts is correct reading
A 120V reading on this test would indicate connected load or shorts on customer’s equipment – do not install meter. Open customer’s main breaker and repeat test.
Test for back feed on load terminals 120V 2-wire
Test from 2 to 3 – zero volts is correct; if all tests pass, install meter
A 120V reading on load terminal would indicate back feed from another power source – do not install meter
Note: If any test fails, do not install meter – notify We Energies

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Completion
The training module is complete.
Certification is valid for one year from completion date.
Fill out registration form to complete certification.
Upon registering, please allow 7-10 business days for your information to be added to our system.
with registration or training module issues.
For the property owner’s and general public’s safety, We Energies does not condone the temporary bypassing of any electric service entrance equipment, breakage of meter seals, and the removal/installation of meters. This applies to new, rewired or relocated electric service facilities. The National Electric Code does not allow, nor recognize, special exceptions for the temporary energizing of service equipment. Services must be installed in a manner that meets the requirements for a permanent installation. By completing this training, you are acknowledging you understand this requirement and will not hold We Energies liable for any loss of property or harm to person for failing to comply with this requirement. Also, you understand if a temporary installation is discovered prior to We Energies scheduled cutover, We Energies reserves the rights to immediately make the area safe, which may include disconnection/interruption of the electric service. A fee may be required to re-energize.
By checking this box, I verify that I am an authorized, State of Wisconsin licensed electrician and that the information I provide in the registration is valid as of the date of this submission and that I will notify We Energies of any licensing changes.
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